“With policies and legislation, the country is creating an empowering atmosphere and culture which will bring more women to the fore. With this attitude and approach, it is imperative that companies do more to encourage more women in the workforce who can also take on management and C-suite positions.”

She has long been advocating a greater role for women in business, and in 2015 she launched the Muna Al Gurg Scholarship at London Business School, supporting female students studying in the school’s MBA and Executive MBA programme.

She says: “If I take the example of my own family, I am on the board of directors with two of my sisters. Also, my daughter is a successful civil engineer working in the industry in the UAE. I feel that women strive to achieve their dreams when they have strong role models and that is happening in the UAE.”

Al Gurg started her career with Saatchi & Saatchi in Dubai, and later joined the family business in 2001. She holds an MBA from London Business School in the UK and is also a Fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative of the Aspen Institute, having been recognised for her work with various industry accolades. In 2010, Al Gurg was recognised for her outstanding achievement by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

At ESAG, she hosts quarterly breakfast meetings that allow female employees to share thoughts beyond the workplace and also debate issues that impact them both professionally and personally.

She says: “Legislation and efforts to empower women have a lasting impact and legacy on women in the country. The government has done an incredible job in respect to gender equality. The UAE authorities have just announced that they are working on extending maternity and paternity leave to encourage more women to continue working after having children.

“This is a major step as it will positively impact young couples as women tend to take a break from work life during child birth as in most cases existing support systems are not adequate for newborns.

“The UAE Gender Balance Council is also drawing up policies to allow flexible working hours and part-time work. We will need to keep working in relation to societal norms and attitude to women in the workplace – to ensure women are also able to have greater impact as businesswomen and entrepreneurs. 

“Within ESAG, we have women in senior management positions whose inputs and counsel are highly valued. We pride ourselves in reflecting the values and morals of the UAE, as an Emirati family business, and hope that society at large has the same attitude to gender equality.”