Women in Middle East business
Leading with confidence in Middle East business.
Women in business bring proven leadership and expertise that is valued across the world. In the Middle East, the full recognition of their capabilities is still evolving, and senior networks remain largely male in many settings. Greater alignment with the opportunities available to them elsewhere would unlock further potential.
I provide discreet, tailored coaching for women executives and senior professionals. It focuses on building reciprocal respect, trust and personal professional relationships with senior male counterparts, and on the practical details: introductions, greetings, handshakes, seating, hospitality, and culturally appropriate attire and presentation in different settings.
Working life is only part of the picture. From the boardroom to the boardwalk, the experience can change: hotels, restaurants, taxis and public spaces each have their own norms. Together we look at how to read a moment accurately, whether it is an unexpected comment, a possible misunderstanding or a cultural remark that is misconstrued, and how to respond in those moments.
43%
of FTSE 350 board roles are held by women, up from 9.5% in 2011.
35%
female labour force participation in Saudi Arabia in 2025, up from 22.8% when Vision 2030 began.
43.8%
of enterprises in Saudi Arabia were owned by women in 2025.
British businesswomen bring boardroom experience to a region where women’s leadership is growing. With the right preparation, that experience can open doors on both sides. This advice gives you the insight and confidence to excel, so you can lead, negotiate and build relationships on your own terms.
Why work with me first?
- Coaching shaped around you. Whether you are travelling alone for work, visiting for the first time or moving for a longer stay, we focus on your destinations, your role and what matters most to you.
- Ask the questions you might not ask colleagues. Questions about hospitality, or how to read a remark that could be misunderstood, can feel awkward to raise elsewhere. Here you can ask in private.
- Practical across the region. From the Gulf to the Levant, you leave with things you can use: how to respond in a meeting, how to get around safely, and how to find the right words when a moment feels unfamiliar, which is something every professional experiences.
- Clarity without pressure. A first conversation shows you what to expect, so you can decide what you need. There is no obligation to continue.
Sources: FTSE Women Leaders Review, February 2026; Saudi Vision 2030 Annual Report 2025; Saudi Press Agency, 13 April 2026.