The Pearl Initiative, anon-profit organisation focused on corporate accountability and transparency in the Gulf region, held a series of virtual and in-person business pledge sessions with Gulf-based universities and colleges throughout 2022. The purpose of these sessions is to bring together experienced business leaders with young future leaders across the Gulf region to promote the importance of adopting globally recognised governance standards.

The Business Pledge Sessions, attended by over 180 students and a host of senior executives from Pearl Initiative’s corporate partners and other reputable regional companies, highlighted the private sector’s role in promoting responsible and sustainable growth based on good corporate governance practices across the Gulf region. The sessions focused on key areas such as setting targets for sustainable and responsible growth, diversity and inclusion, and collaborations and partnerships, providing students with the opportunity to engage with business leaders and learn how to implement good governance principles as future entrepreneurs.

Setting Sustainable Goals for Growth
In two separate sessions involving students from Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai, UAE, Raji Hattar, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aramex, gave an overview of the organisation’s global sustainability strategy. “At Aramex, we have a stakeholders’ view, meaning we focus on the wellbeing of our people, customers, investors, suppliers and partners, regulators, our community and environment. Our sustainability strategy is built on three pillars: education and youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and climate change and the environment, and we endeavour to act for impact.”

Addressing students from the University of Bahrain, Polytechnic Bahrain, Ahlia University and Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, Jaleel Ghani, Corporate Ethics and Compliance General Manager at stc Group,shared his knowledge of the code of ethics which is essential in outlining the company’s commitment to stakeholders. He said, “Research shows that a culture grounded with integrity is an enabler of corporate strategy, reducing misconduct instances, increasing employee productivity, improving reputation and goodwill and reducing business losses. The code of ethics forms the basis of what is expected from the organisation;however, developing a culture of integrity across the organisation will create a lasting impact and value for shareholders.”

A More Inclusive Workplace
With NYU Abu Dhabi students, Gulf Capital led a session on the importance of diversity and inclusion within the workplace, focusing on the implications of unconscious gender bias in the recruitment process and for employee retention and career advancement opportunities.

Carmen Jreissati, Senior Human Capital Advisor and Co-Chair of D&I at Gulf Capital commented: “The session was a great opportunity to share how Gulf Capital promotes diversity and inclusion and tries to bridge the gender gap in the Private Equity industry where women account for only 10% of senior roles. We wanted to share with the NYU Abu Dhabi students and future business leaders how they can create an inclusive culture across businesses in the Gulf region, building a diverse team that drives innovation and creates sustainable value for the firm and its stakeholders.”

The Pearl Initiative launched the Business Pledge programme in 2017 during the Regional Forum for Sustainability in Action, held in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact. The programme highlights the role of the private sector in promoting responsible and sustainable growth in the Gulf through good corporate governance. The Pearl Initiative calls for business leaders to renew their commitment to ethical principles in interacting with society. Universities or companies wishing to participate in upcoming Business Pledge sessions can contact the Pearl Initiative for further information.