Two Pakistanis make it to top 10 of Forbes ‘Middle East’s Most Powerful Businesswomen’ list.
Two Pakistani women have been lauded by Forbes, the prestigious global business magazine, for their exceptional leadership in the Middle East, securing spots among the top 10 most influential female executives.
Shaista Asif, esteemed as the fourth rank holder in Forbes’ ‘The Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2024’ roster, assumes the mantle of co-founder and group chief executive officer at PureHealth Holding, a prominent healthcare network based in the UAE.
Asif’s journey with the healthcare giant commenced in 2006 when she co-founded the corporation, eventually ascending to the position of group chief executive in December 2023.
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Notably, PureHealth made headlines that same month with its initial public offering (IPO) on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), raising a staggering $986 million by offering 10% of its issued share capital, as reported by Forbes.
The IPO garnered remarkable attention, witnessing oversubscription rates of 54 times in the professional subscriber tranche and an astonishing 483 times in the retail tranche.
Furthermore, PureHealth’s strategic acquisitions in January 2024 added significant weight to its portfolio, including the purchase of Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest independent hospital operator, for $1.2 billion before debt.
Another notable acquisition was the $600 million procurement of Sheikh Shakbout Medical City, the UAE’s largest healthcare complex, boasting revenues of $585.4 million.
Meanwhile, Shazia Syed, serving as General Manager of Unilever North Africa, Levant, and Iraq, as well as the Arabia Senior Customer Development Lead, secures the ninth position on Forbes’ list owing to her distinguished tenure in prominent corporations.
Formerly at the helm as CEO of Unilever Pakistan, Syed’s illustrious career spans leadership roles as president of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry and directorship of the Pakistan Business Council.
Her journey with Unilever commenced as a management trainee in Pakistan in 1989, gradually rising to prominence.
Forbes highlights Syed’s current board memberships, including her position on the board of United Bank Limited in Pakistan, where she serves as a member of the Board Risk & Compliance Committee and chairs the Board Audit Committee. Previously, she held positions on the boards of Pukka Tea and Pepsi Lipton.
As two Pakistanis make it to top 10 of Forbes ‘Middle East’s Most Powerful Businesswomen’ list, the recognition of these two Pakistani women underscores not only their individual achievements but also the growing prominence of women leaders in the Middle East’s business landscape, setting a formidable example for aspiring professionals worldwide.
