1、Our second annual report examining incoming directors at listed companies from across the UAE shows a significant preference for first-time board members.Board MonitorUAE 2022CEO&Board PracticeThanks to the following Heidrick&Struggles colleagues for their contributions to this report:Richard GuestD

2、ubaiMaliha Jilani DubaiAbout the reportThis report is part of Heidrick&Struggles long-standing study of trends in board composition in countries around the world.Produced by our CEO&Board Practice,these reports track and analyze trends in nonexecutive director appointments to the boards of the large

3、st publicly listed companies in Australia(ASX 200),Belgium(BEL 20),Brazil(BOVESPA),Canada(TSX 60),Denmark(OMX Copenhagen 25),Finland(OMX Helsinki 25),France(CAC 40),Germany(DAX and MDAX),Hong Kong(Hang Seng),Ireland(ISEQ),Italy(FTSE MIB),Mexico(BMV IPC),the Netherlands(AEX),New Zealand(NZX 10),Norwa

4、y(OBX),Portugal(PSI 20),Saudi Arabia(Tadawul),Singapore(STI 30),South Africa(JSE Top 40),Spain(IBEX 35),Sweden(OMX 30),Switzerland(SMI Expanded),the United Arab Emirates(ADX and DFM),the United Kingdom(FTSE 350),and the United States(Fortune 500).Information about executives is gathered from publicl

5、y available sources,BoardEx,and a Heidrick&Struggles proprietary database.Introduction4How are boards stepping up to meet the moment and prepare for this more demanding,future?7Looking forward 12The terms of engagement between companies and the international community-at-large have changed 6Key find

6、ings5Welcome to Board Monitor UAE 2022HEIDRICK&STRUGGLES3 IntroductionOver the past few years,the world has experienced an unprecedented series of events that have fundamentally changed communities and organizations,and which in many countries have changed the fundamental contract between organizati

7、ons and the communities within which they do business.Leaders of the United Arab Emirates set a vision to enable their country to seek prosperity in a sustainable way and make the best of todays knowledge,technology,and resources.This sets the path to make the UAE a bedrock for innovative industries

8、 and talent development,which,in turn,should support local companies growing into world leaders in their domains.In the context of national and international change,more is expected from the boards of UAE-based companies than ever before.One consequence is an unprecedented focus on corporate governa

9、nce,from board composition to effectiveness and resilience.Internationally,boards are also expected to lead their organizations in driving a purpose-led culture and own the conversation with employees about how strategy,purpose,and culture need to blend to enable sustainable growth.More is expected

10、from the boards of UAE-based companies than ever before.One consequence is an unprecedented focus on corporate governance,from board composition to effectiveness and resilience.BOARD MONITOR UAE 20224 So,how far have UAE boards moved the dial when it comes to changing their composition to tackle the

11、se new expectations and mitigate the risk of losing their license to operate?We see more and more boards looking for independent directors or individuals with international experience to help with this newer direction.While there has been progress in broadening the spectrum of experience around boar

12、droom tables in ADX/DFM companies,each company needs to make sure it is not only prepared for todays challenges,but able to anticipate what type of directors they need to appoint to future-proof their organizations.542021There were 54 director appointments in ADX/DFM indices in 2021,up from 52 the p

13、rior year.522020Key findingsThere was a larger share of seats allocated to women:17%compared to 12%.There was a significant increase in the share of seats going to first-time public board directors,61%in 2021 compared to 38%.61%HEIDRICK&STRUGGLES5 Nice-to-haves are becoming mission critical for corp

14、orate governance(and leadership)Internationally,a new corporate license to operate and a new conception of the corporation are developing.ESG considerations are becoming a core business pillar and increasingly instrumental in corporate access to capital.Sustainability,and climate response in particu

15、lar,are becoming increasingly regulated across the globe.In many countries,there are increasingly large and obvious discrepancies between the working conditions leadership teams want and what many employees are looking for,such as remote working,increased flexibility,or more equitable parental leave

16、.There is tougher competition for talent in the marketplace,and technological progress is adding complexity and risk.Finally,there is an increased accountability for leaders:some countries have set regulations about the liability of senior leaders(including boards)and shareholders and investors are

17、demanding more transparency.The terms of engagement between companies and the international community-at-large have changed ESG considerations are becoming a core business pillar and increasingly instrumental in corporate access to capital.BOARD MONITOR UAE 20226 They are infusing new perspectives T

18、here were 54 new board member appointments in ADX/DFM companies in 2021,similar to the 52 the prior year.However,there was an increase in the share of seats going to directors who are active rather than retired and those who are first time public board members.How are boards stepping up to meet the

19、moment and prepare for this more demanding,future?Number of seats filled,2020 vs.20221Percent active executives,2020 vs.2021Percent first-time public board members,2020 vs.202179%38%96%61%2020202020212021HEIDRICK&STRUGGLES7 The first-time directors less often have CEO backgrounds and more

20、 often bring a wider set of C-suite experience,beyond having been a CEO or CFO.Some bring sustainability experience,in line with new expectations.Its also notable that the share of seats going to women among first-time directors is markedly higher than among their more experienced peers.Whats differ

21、ent between first-time directorsand their more experienced peers(%)Experienced public board directorsFirst-time public board directorsShare of seatsExperienceCEOCFOCOO Other C-levelInternationalSocial media/digitalSustainability CybersecurityDiversityWomen Non-national Average age 3975000

22、006242148BOARD MONITOR UAE 20228 CEO and CFO trends,by gender,2020 vs.2021(%)Professional experience The share of seats going to directors with CEO experience in 2021 was 55%overall in the Middle East,with very similar figures in UAE and Saudi Arabia.In the UAE,more seats were allocated t

23、o directors with CFO and international experience,while in Saudi Arabia more seats went to directors with international experience and C-suite experience other than CEO or CFO.CEOCFO Other C-levelInternationalSustainabilityFinancial risk&complianceSocial media/digitalCybersecurity56121624000HEIDRICK

24、&STRUGGLES9 Companies in the UAE saw a smaller share of seats going to directors with same-industry experience compared to last year,and similarly a smaller share of seats going to directors with cross-sector experience.20202021Gender trends,UAE(%)1217Gender balance The share of seats going to women

25、 in the UAE saw an uptick in 2021,though compared to international figures it remains low.Same-industry and cross-industry experience,2020 vs.2021(%)OverallFinancial servicesIndustrialTechnology&telecomsOverallFinancial servicesIndustrialTechnology&telecomsCross-industry experience,by board industry

26、 7736753747588909120202021Same-industry experience,by board industry20202021100100BOARD MONITOR UAE 202210 1311On average,the women directors less often have CEO backgrounds and more often have experience in CFO and other C-level roles,and more often bring sustainability acumen.How the pr

27、ofiles of men and women compare(%)MenWomenShare of seats ExperienceCEO CFO Other C-level Sustainability International Previous public boardDiversityNon-national Average age8360511Age diversityThe agerage age of newly appointed directors in ADX/DFM companies in 2021 was 50,a mar

28、ked decrease from the previous years average of 53.Indeed,in 2021,the UAE saw one of largest shares of seats allocated to directors under 45 of any of the 24 countries we track.Age distribution,2021(%)Under 454549.95054.95559.96064.96569.9302852197HEIDRICK&STRUGGLES11 Looking forward As UAE companie

29、s seek to build sustainable international growth,their boards will need agility to both deal with unexpected events and achieve a certain level of foresight,as well as to continue to integrate fresh perspectives into their leadership that will complement the experience of more seasoned business lead

30、ers.Among the practices of best-in-class international boards are:Actively seeking new directors whose backgrounds combine a mix of traditional expertise,(such as CEO or CFO)with knowledge that is newer on boards skills matrix,such as digital,sustainability,or cybersecurity,or experience in differen

31、t industries as well as strategic competencies related to the strategic direction and purpose of the company.UAE boards increased focused on first-time directors with sustainability acumen is one example,and one where more progress is still needed at companies around the world.1BOARD MONITOR UAE 202

32、212 1 For more on international boards perspective on sustainability,see Changing the Climate in the Boardroom,Heidrick&Struggles and the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre,.That said,there is no single prescription for board composition.Each company is in a different stage of maturity,in different

33、industries and locations,and pursuing unique strategies.Each board should ensure its refreshment strategy reflects the organizational purpose and goals for the long term and prioritize efforts to add fresh perspectives where they will make the most difference.Considering the mix of older and younger

34、 directors.Many boards see advantages in the perspectives of executives who are in earlier stages of their careers,are more often actively working as executives,and,in many cases,closer to the intricacies and consequences of some of the newer issues boards need to address,such as climate change.In t

35、his regard,the UAE made noticeable progress in 2021 compared to many other countries.That said,younger directors who are still active executives may have less time to devote to any given board,while older directors,particularly those with international experience and who are independent,continue to

36、bring valuable perspectives.Therefore,each board must consider the right balance for itself.Seeking new members who have the ability to take on a leadership role,either that of a chair,senior independent director,or committee leader.The chair is central to determining what skills,backgrounds,and exp

37、ertise are needed on a board,as well as to shaping a board culture that ensures all directors,old and new,can contribute effectively.And,for all board leadership roles,nontraditional leadership capabilities come to the fore:boards should seek people who are good listeners and relationship builders,p

38、eople who can lead through influence and connect with the organizational purpose.2 This matters more than ever because its crucial,especially now,for chairs and directors of companies operating internationally to be able to collaborate across cultural or political differences as well as differences

39、in expertise and backgroundnot by ignoring those differences but by using them as assets to solve problems.Thinking of board succession planning as an ongoing exercise rather than an exercise undertaken in reaction to an annual deadline.A significant part of this process is proactively cultivating p

40、otential board members who can meet anticipated needs across different time horizons and strategic scenarios.This reduces risk and builds confidence that the organization will be led well whatever happens.Another important element is regularly assessing the performance of boards and board members to

41、 make sure that the company has the most effective team around the table.Creating a space for temporary seats at the table or bringing in voices from outside as a sounding board when voices beyond those in the boardroom need to be heard.These range from ad hoc committees to observers,advisors,or sha

42、dow boards.HEIDRICK&STRUGGLES13 2 Alice Breeden and Bonnie W.Gwin,“The chair imperative:A new mandate for leading in a new world,”Heidrick&Struggles,.CEO&Board PracticeHeidrick&Struggles CEO&Board Practice has been built on our ability to execute top-level assignments and counsel CEOs and board memb

43、ers on the complex issues directly affecting their businesses.We pride ourselves on being our clients most trusted advisor and offer an integrated suite of services to help manage these challenges and their leadership assets.This ranges from the acquisition of talent through executive search to prov

44、iding counsel in areas that include succession planning,executive and board assessment,and board effectiveness reviews.Our CEO&Board Practice leverages our most accomplished search and leadership consulting professionals globally who understand the ever-transforming nature of leadership.This experti

45、se,combined with in-depth industry,sector,and regional knowledge;differentiated research capabilities;and intellectual capital,enables us to provide sound global coverage for our clients.Leaders of Heidrick&Struggles CEO&Board PracticeBonnie Gwin New YNancie Lataille TLyndon A.Taylor CJeffrey Sander

46、s New YPaulo Mendes MJuan Ignacio Perez Mexico CAlice Breeden London Kit Bingham London Lukasz Kiniewicz Warsaw Tobias Petri Copenhagen Wolfgang Schmidt-Soelch Zurich Sylvain Dhenin Paris Marie-Hlne De Coster Benelux Imke Lampe Amsterdam Nicolas von Rosty Munich Luis Urbano Madrid Stafford Bagot Dub

47、lin Patrik Hammar Stockholm Veronique Parkin Johannesburg Tuomo Salonen Helsinki Flavio Zollo Milan Guy Farrow SHnn-Hui HiiSMark Sungrae KimSMaliha Jilani DAya Iinuma TSuresh RainaMumbai David Hui Hong Kong Fergus Kiel Sydney Linda Zhang Shanghai Richard Guest Dubai GlobalAmericasEurope and AfricaAsia Pacific and Middle EastCopyright 2022 Heidrick&Struggles International,Inc.All rights reserved.Reproduction without permission is prohibited.Trademarks and logos are copyrights of their respective owners.