Ahmed Al Qaseer (M)
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Ahmed Al Qaseer, Acting CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) As an organisation that has fully imbibed gender-sensitive workplace practices, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) is proud to be a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a global initiative by United Nations (UN) Women and UN Global Compact. Since joining the WEP platform in 2021, Shurooq has committed to building a systematic framework to support all our employees equally and enhance gender performance across our business operations. Shurooq is a responsible and inclusive organisation, and we believe that women’s empowerment is a critical pillar of global sustainability. Under the helm of our Chairperson, Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Shurooq has been supporting women’s professional development and taking decisive actions to promote economic empowerment of women at work, in the marketplace and in the communities we serve. Women represent enormous untapped potential, and our policies and practices within the company are helping unleash this potential. With 34% of our current workforce comprising of women employees, Shurooq has witnessed a steady rise in female leadership positions since 2009. Women make up 32 percent of the management category today while 30 percent of members on Shurooq’s Boards/Executive team/Partners are women. Operating through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion has enabled us to maximise opportunities for everyone, improve productivity of female employees, and build a stronger corporate reputation. As a signatory of the WEPs, our continued and targeted investments for gender diversity are helping attract talent, is reducing turnover, and contributing to the long-term economic growth of the organisation. We remain committed to advancing gender equality and eliminating gender biases and barriers as we work towards achieving the goals of the UN’s ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.