MERCAG, The Middle East Risk and Cultural Advisory Group

Women in Middle East business

Navigating a male-dominated business world.

Some of the most powerful business leaders in the Arab world are women, and the region is changing fast. Even so, much of business life is still shaped by men: in the meeting room, at the dinner table and in the networks behind the decisions.

I help women executives and professionals navigate that environment with confidence. We look at how to establish authority with senior male counterparts, how greetings, handshakes, seating and hospitality may differ for you, what to wear and when, and how expectations change from one country and city to the next.

43%

of FTSE 350 board roles are held by women, up from under 10% in 2011.

35%

of Saudi women are now in the workforce, up from 23% when Vision 2030 began.

44%

of businesses in Saudi Arabia are owned by women.

British businesswomen bring a wealth of boardroom experience to a region where women’s leadership is growing fast. With the right cultural preparation, that experience opens doors on both sides.

It is about walking in knowing what to expect, so you can lead, negotiate and build relationships on your own terms.

Why talk to me first?

  • Advice shaped around you. Most guidance is general, but your situation is not. Whether you are travelling alone for work, on a first trip or moving for a longer stay, we focus on your destinations, your role and what concerns you most.
  • Ask what you would not ask elsewhere. Dress, hospitality or how to handle an unwelcome approach can feel awkward to raise with colleagues or online. Here you can ask in private.
  • Practical, across the whole region. From the Gulf to the Levant, you leave with things you can use: what to pack, how to respond in a meeting, how to get around safely and what to say when you are unsure.
  • Clarity and confidence, with no pressure. A first conversation shows you what to expect, so you can decide what you need without guessing. There is no obligation to continue.

Talk to me in confidence

Sources: FTSE Women Leaders Review 2026; Saudi Vision 2030 Annual Report 2025; Saudi Press Agency, April 2026.