{
  "id": 12189976,
  "title": "Gulf family businesses face new succession test as women prepare to take on bigger roles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/gulf-family-businesses-face-new-succession-test-as-women-prepare-to-12189976",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-05T15:19:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2026/10/05/gulf-family-businesses-face-new-succession-test-as-women-prepare-to-take-on-bigger-roles/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Family businesses across the Gulf are facing a significant shift as women prepare to assume more prominent roles in ownership, investment, and executive decision-making, according to experts. Rather than merely deciding who will succeed them, the focus is on identifying those who have received the necessary preparation, responsibility, and trust to steer the businesses forward. Abdullah Jefri, a division director for the Gulf at the International Finance Corporation, a World Bank private investment arm, made this observation at a recent event in Dubai. He noted that women are already making significant contributions to family enterprises, but there is an opportunity to expand their roles to include leading business units, guiding investment decisions, and serving on family councils and boards. Jefri emphasized that women's leadership in family businesses is not just about inclusion but also about enhancing competitiveness, continuity, and legacy. The UAE has been proactive in advancing women's economic empowerment, with initiatives such as the Gender Balance Centre for Excellence and Knowledge Exchange, established in 2022 with the World Bank. However, challenges persist, as women remain underrepresented on corporate boards across the Gulf. A 2026 GCC Board Gender Index revealed that women hold only 7 percent of board seats at listed companies in the region, with the UAE leading at 15 percent. Haifa Al Kaylani, founder and president of the Arab International Women’s Forum, pointed out that women are bringing fresh perspectives to leadership, governance, and intergenerational stewardship. She highlighted the importance of women's participation in areas such as innovation, sustainability, talent development, and the impact of artificial intelligence on family businesses' competitiveness in a global economy. Raja Al Gurg, chairperson of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, shared how the company is leveraging AI technologies, including AI agents for sales coordination and an AI-enabled human resources system for answering employee inquiries about company policies. The company focuses on AI applications that can demonstrate tangible benefits through increased revenue, improved cash conversion, reduced costs, or enhanced efficiency.",
  "summary": "Gulf family businesses are entering a period of generational transition that could give women a bigger role in ownership, investment and executive decision-making, experts have said. The question facing family enterprises is no longer simply who will lead them next, but “who will receive the preparation, responsibility and trust to lead them forward”, Abdullah Jefri, division director for the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Gulf family businesses face new succession test as women prepare to take on bigger roles",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/gulf-family-businesses-face-new-succession-test-as-women-prepare-to",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:19:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}