Over half of CEOs in GCC expect a higher bonus this year

Over half of CEOs in GCC expect a higher bonus this year

Following a good year for businesses in the GCC, a larger number of CEOs are expecting to receive a bonus for their performance. This is according to a study from executive search firm Cooper Fitch. In its annual CEO Study, which canvassed the views of CEOs on topics including company and individual priorities, key achievements and compensation & benefits, Cooper Fitch has found that CEOs in the region are riding the wave of a buoyant outlook – including in their own wallets. More than four-fifths (83%) of CEOs is expecting to receive a bonus this year relating to their performance over the past twelve months, an uptick of 8% on the same period last year. Notably, more than half (56%) of the CEOs surveyed expect their bonuses to be higher than last year, with only 8% projecting a year-on-year reduction in their bonuses. There are differences across countries, however. In the UAE, 70% of the CEOs are expecting larger bonuses, compared to 47% in Saudi Arabia. In the Kingdom, around two-fifths (39%) of top leaders anticipate no change in their annual bonuses, and 14% expect to receive smaller bonuses this year, while in comparison, all UAE-based CEOs anticipate that their