1st Edition

In the spring of 2024, we made history... and we’re only building from here

In February 2024, we brought over 500 guests from around the world to London for three days of events in celebration of progress, innovation and achievement led by Arab women. The 2024 Arab Women of the Year Awards and Arab Women’s Summit was our biggest and most impactful event yet, but it will only grow from here. In spring 2025, we will be hosting the 11th annual Arab Women of the Year Awards and 2nd Arab Women’s Summit in London with an elaborate series of events designed to form connections and empower the next generation of Arab women and girls.

Over the past ten years, we have had the great privilege of recognising and celebrating over 70 remarkable women from all walks of life, backgrounds and industries. These women have represented the very best of the Arab world, their diversity, grace, brilliance and innovation. The Awards have never had set categories, so the most deserving women can be recognised regardless of their chosen industry or their background.

We strive to place them on the highest possible platform and share their stories of overcoming obstacles toward success. The event is regularly attended by royal family members, ambassadors, government ministers and more. In 2022, we had the honour of welcoming HRH the Duchess of Edinburgh to the Arab Women of the Year Awards.

In 2024, we were presented with the great opportunity to further amplify the voices of Arab women through holding the first ever Arab Women’s Summit at the iconic royal palace, Lancaster House. Through this summit, we sought to do something different than other women’s summits. Instead of discuss- ing where women were held back, we proved where women are leading.

2024 Partners

2024 Speakers

Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

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The Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Theresa May served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019 - the second woman ever to hold the office.

Her premiership marked the culmination of 21 years’ continuous service on the front bench, having held a total of 14 ministerial or shadow ministerial posts, serving as the first female Chairman of the Conservative Party and the longest-serving Conservative Home Secretary for over a century.

In addition to her duties as a Member of Parliament, Theresa regularly undertakes philanthropic and campaigning work around the world.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth)

Lord Ahmad was appointed as the Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and as Minister of the State of the Commonwealth and the United Nations in 2017, a position he held until 2020. In 2022, he was appointed Minister for South and Central Asia, North Africa, United Nation and the Commonwealth until September 2022, when he took up his current position.

Lord Ahmad has had a long and diverse political career beginning in 2002, including positions in the Conservative Party Leadership, Home Office, Department of Transport, and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. Prior to his political career, Lord Ahmad also had a 20-year career in banking and finance. His diverse background makes him an expert in a range of topics and gives him unique insight into the government and international relations.

In his position as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Ahmad has worked to strengthen accountability, provide greater support for survivors, ensure gender equality is fully integrated in all peace and security efforts, and deliver a more effective multilateral response to crimes of sexual violence in conflict. He also chairs the cross-Whitehall ministerial committee which brings together the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Ministry of Defence, and Home Office.

Nusrat Ghani, MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Minister of State for the Investment Security Unit and Minister for Industry and Economic Security

Nusrat Ghani is the Conservative MP for Wealden, East Sussex, currently serving as Minister of State for Industry and Economic Security at the Department of Business & Trade and as the Minister of State for the Investment Security Unit at the Cabinet Office, with a portfolio scoping from the National Security and Investment Act, Ukraine reconstruction, supply chains and critical minerals, to advanced manufacturing including automotive, aerospace and maritime. Nusrat was first elected in 2015, becoming the first female MP to hold the seat.

Previously, Nusrat was the Minister of State for Industry and Investment Security at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Prior to that, Nusrat also previously served as a Minister for Transport, making British history in 2018 as the first Muslim woman to speak from the Dispatch Box as a Minister. Her portfolio included Maritime, HS2, Buses, Taxis, Accessibility and Year of Engineering.

She has previously served on the BEIS, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Select Committees and was elected as rapporteur of the NATO’s Science and Technology Committee. Nusrat was a runner up to Nancy Pelosi, in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Women for Peace and Security Award 2021, for her work on the plight of the Uyghurs, China, and Afghanistan. She also secured the support of Conservative MPs to serve as Vice Chair of the 1922 Backbench Committee between 2020-2022.

Nusrat is the only female Member of Parliament to be sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party, and she has also been sanctioned by Russia for her tough stance on the invasion of Ukraine, which makes her the only woman in Parliament to be sanctioned by two countries.

HE Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Dean for the Council of Arab Ambassadors and Ambassador for the Kingdom of Bahrain

His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa has been the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s since 2015, with accreditation also to the Republic of Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain and, since February 2023, Iceland.

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador in London, H.E. Shaikh Fawaz held several senior positions in Bahrain, including Minister of State for Communication (2012-2014), President of the Information Affairs Authority (2010-2012), and President of the General Organization for Youth and Sports (2000-2010).

His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the American University in Washington, DC, and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He also graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

The Ambassador has received several notable awards for his outstanding contributions to Bahrain, including the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, 1st class, the Order of Bahrain, 1st class, and the Order of Achievement, 1st class, as well as the Prince Salman bin Hamad Medal for Medical Merit in recognition of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Omar Bdour, CEO of London Arabia Organisation, and Arab Women's Summit

Omar Bdour is the CEO and Founder of London Arabia Organisation: an organisation started with the aim to strengthen cultural and business relationships between the UK and the Arab world. Omar oversees the Arab Women of the Year Awards and London Arabia Art & Fashion Week, which celebrate the incredible Arab culture in London and the United Kingdom.

Omar is passionate about his personal mission to encourage better relations between the two regions, an aim evident in his previous work establishing LocalArabia as the first bilingual Arabic-English Newspaper, as well as work in the Arab British Chamber of Commerce from 2007-2015. His previous experience throughout his two-decade career has given him unique insight into relations between Arab and British businesses, governments, brands, and diplomats. For this, he is widely known in London as a leader in cultural exchange and international relations.

Omar is also the author of Trust Me, I’m An Arab, a book that serves as a guide to difference between Arab and Western business, in order to bridge the gap and aid in the forging of successful business relations. This is the culmination of many years or work teaching western companies and organisations on how to improve cross-cultural communication with their Arab colleagues, clients, and counterparts. He has also moderated and spoken at different events with a focus on Arab women and cross- cultural communications.

HH Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum, Pilot and Board Member of Shehana Women in Aviation Association

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum achievements are just as impressive as her family lineage.
The youngest in her class at the Oxford Aviation, she was only 17 when she was admitted. She obtained her commercial pilot licence first and then later joined the Dubai Police Airwing as first lieutenant pilot, becoming the first woman in the UAE and the Gulf Region, and the first member of the Royal Family in aviation. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Air Transport Management from Coventry University, UK, and Emirates Aviation University.
Her ambitions are only matched by her determination to create a legacy of her own, opening doors and enabling other women to enter a career in aviation.
With this mission in mind, she set in motion the establishment of “Shehana”, the Women in Aviation Association, with the sole purpose to create opportunities and a framework for increasing the number of women joining the aviation sector.
Her motto is: “Reach altitude with the right attitude”.

Baria Alamuddin, Award Winning Journalist, writer, Middle East Expert and Activist.

Baria Alamuddin is an award-winning international journalist and broadcaster. She has interviewed numerous heads of state, including Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Bhutto, King Hussain of Jordan, Yasser Arafat and Fidel Castro, to name a few. Baria was the last journalist to interview Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Over the course of her career she interviewed hundreds of Western, Arab and global politicians, diplomats, cultural figures and other luminaries.

Baria is also considered an expert on the Middle East and is frequently consulted for her insight and opinion by government and institutions, and frequently lectures at universities and education centres.

Baria is also a firm advocate for women’s rights and works tirelessly support women’s empowerment wherever she can. She is known for taking a hard stance to support human rights and the values she believes in.

Felicity Buchan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Felicity Buchan entered Parliament at the 2019 general election, unseating Labour's Emma Dent Coad with a majority of just 150.
In October 2022 she was appointed a junior minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Her responsibilities include:
• The Union and Constitution, and local government engagement in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Joint lead on Ukraine with Baroness Scott
• Hong Kong BNOs and Afghan Resettlement programme
• Homelessness and rough sleeping
• Private rented sector
• Supported housing (including domestic abuse)
• Supporting Families programme
Previously she spent a month as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, before which she was Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for a year.

She was born in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire and attended the local school, Fraserburgh Academy. From there, she read Law at Oxford University.
She spent 17 years in banking, becoming Managing Director by the age of 30 and going on to run two significant business units. Her expertise was raising money for companies rather than in any form of “casino banking”.
She has lived in the Kensington area for the last 25 years, and prior to her selection was the treasurer of the local Conservative Association.
She contested South Down in 2015 and South Shields in 2017.

Hala Kazim, Founder of Journey Through Change Life Educational Coach & Influential Media Figure

Hala Kazim, the first Emirati influencer to devise a transformational program for women. In early 2010, Hala established “Journey Through Change” a company dedicated to guiding women to improve their lives positively through different activities, such as counseling, coaching, workshops, lectures, team building hiking trips, and activities. She also published her first book “Hala and Change” in early 2015, and her second book, “Hala and Life” in 2017.

Anthea Peers, President of - Christie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa-

Anthea Peers is President, Christie’s EMEA, following her appointment to the position in March 2022.

Anthea Peers joined Christie’s in 2006, successfully developing a diversified career, prior to her current role holding the position of Global Managing Director of Private Sales (since 2019), an area of the business which saw its best year to date in 2021, leading the market with $1.7B in private sales. Prior to this, Anthea was Client Strategy Director for the Classic Art Group and led plans for the then new Classic Week series of sales, now a regular auction fixture globally at Christie’s. She has also worked as Business Director in Old Masters, as a paralegal, in client development, and across many departments including 20/21, and Estates, Appraisals and Valuations. Anthea has been at Christie’s for 17 years.

Capitalising on strong institutional knowledge together with a strong talent for problem-solving and management, Anthea is well positioned to lead the EMEA region. In this leadership role for EMEA, based in London, Anthea joins Christie’s dynamic team of regional presidents, alongside Bonnie Brennan, President Americas, Cécile Verdier, President France, and Francis Belin, President Asia Pacific.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO at Co-op and Director on the Co-op Board

Shirine is Group CEO at Co-op and has been a Director on the Co-op Board since joining in 2019. Shirine joined the Co-op in August 2019 as Chief Financial Officer and later also became Chief Executive Officer Life Services, leading Co-op Funeralcare, Insurance and Legal Services.

Before joining the Co-op, Shirine was Chief Operating Officer for the Lloyd’s insurance market, which comprised of more than 50 leading insurance companies operating with over 200 Lloyd’s brokers. She also led the digital modernisation programme for the wider London insurance industry.

In addition to holding senior positions at IBM, McDonalds and insurer, Catlin Group, Shirine has worked in a number of regulated sectors in the UK and overseas including retail, IT, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.

Shirine is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Persimmon Plc. Previously, Shirine was a Non-Executive Director at the Post Office.

Khuloud Hasan Al Nowais, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer Emirates Foundation

Named among the ‘Top 20 Most Influential Women in the UAE’ by The National in 2008, Khuloud is credited with playing a pivotal role in establishing the Emirates Foundation in 2005. In 2014 was profiled as one of UAE’s Inspirational leaders and Won the Emirates Woman Award for leadership by Dubai Quality group in 2015.
As Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation, she is responsible for developing the strategy that drives the organization to achieve its mission and & monitoring its socio-economic impact. Recently, she has been tasked to develop a national initiative that tackles food loss and waste reduction across the UAE to achieve the national food security strategy goals. She has successfully engaged all sectors across the supply chain to measure and impact food waste reduction by changing current behaviors and influencing policies.

Professor Yasmine Belkaid President of the Institut Pasteur

Yasmine Belkaid, 55, was born in Algiers in 1968. She has Algerian citizenship by her father and French citizenship by her mother, and she also holds US citizenship.

Yasmine Belkaid graduated with a Master's degree in biochemistry from the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene in Algiers, as well as a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) from Paris-Sud University. She completed a PhD in immunology at Paris-Sud University and the Institut Pasteur in 1996, where she studied innate immune responses to Leishmania infection.

After her PhD, she moved to the United States for a postdoctoral fellowship in intracellular parasite biology at NIAID's Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases (NIH). In 2002, she joined the Molecular Immunology Division at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (Ohio) before returning to NIAID in 2005 as Head of the Mucosal Immunology Unit in the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases.

From 2005 onwards, she occupied various positions at NIAID and NIH, and from 2021 she led the Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome at NIH.

Yasmine Belkaid has published more than 220 scientific papers on infection, immunity, immunology, microbiota and nutrition.

She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Robert Koch Prize (2021), the Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences (2019) and the Sanofi-Institut Pasteur Prize (2016).

She is a member of several scientific committees and advisory boards, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Sciences, as well as the Microbiome Technical Advisory Group at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the NIH Anti-Racism Steering Committee, the American Society of Microbiology and the Genentech Scientific Resource Board.

Her Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud FOUNDER, CULTURE HOUSE

Her Highness Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud founded Culture House in 2022 as a Saudi boutique consultancy providing advisory and implementation services related to culture, creativity, and sustainable business. Culture House signifies Her Highness’s return to private sector after successfully establishing the Fashion Commission at the Ministry of Culture. Princess Noura joined the Ministry of Culture in June 2019 where she led Strategy Development for the fashion sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, building local and international partnerships with fashion institutions and nurturing Saudi fashion talent. She was part of the team that developed the Commission’s flagship outreach projects, including the Fashion Futures annual conference and digital platform, as well as mentorship program Saudi 100 Brands. Through her appointment as the Commission’s Ecosystem Integration & Program Delivery General Manager, Princess Noura oversaw the implementation of the strategy’s initiatives ensuring their delivery at standards of excellence with measurable impact.
Princess Noura’s entrepreneurial career commenced in 2009 in the United States, and in 2015 she co-founded her first business, focused on talent and lifestyle, before launching Global Fashion House, a fashion consultancy based in Riyadh. It was with this company that in April 2018 Princess Noura organized the Saudi Kingdom’s first ever Fashion Week, bringing together international and local stakeholders and designers for knowledge-sharing, shows and collaborative opportunities. These efforts led to her being recognized as an expert and pioneer in the Kingdom’s fashion industry, frequently called upon by both public and private sector for advisory consulting.
She graduated from Effat University in Jeddah with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing, and a master’s degree in International Business with a Japanese Perspective from Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan. She was an associate member of the “Saudi Fast Growth 100” program, launched by All World Network, an entrepreneurship organization, in collaboration with the General Investment Authority (SAGIA). Princess Noura is fluent in Arabic, English, French and Japanese.
In 2023 Princess Noura was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and became Chairwoman of the Forbes Middle East Women’s Summit, a position that she continues to occupy.

Sheikha Alanoud Bint Hamad Al-Thani, Deputy CEO of Qatar Financial Centre

Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Business Officer of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), where she plays an integral part in achieving QFC’s vision of transforming Doha into a leading global financial and commercial hub by attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) towards developing a sustainable local economy.

Previous to her current role, Alanoud was instrumental in driving the organisation’s record growth over the past five years and sustaining growth even during the pandemic- increasing by almost 80% the number of firms registering on the platform in 2020.

Prior to joining QFC, Alanoud served as the Qatar Country Representative and Director for Silatech, a Qatar-based social initiative that connects young people to employment opportunities across the Arab region. Out of her deep belief in the need to support Qatari youth empowerment, Alanoud greatly expanded Silatech’s operations within Qatar, helping to connect thousands of young people to private sector opportunities and supporting economic development across the Arab region. Her efforts here extend to several positions within UN agencies and international organisations specialising in economic development, education and youth employment.

She was recently selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and has previously received numerous honours and awards including Young Arab Achiever in 2011 and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Education Excellence Awards in 2008 and 2012.

Alanoud has graduated from the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford and HEC Paris and has authored numerous reports on private sector development and FDI.

Kiran Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer at the Diriyah Company

Kiran currently holds the position of Chief Marketing Officer for Diriyah Company and is responsible for re-establishing Diriyah’s position within the Kingdom and globally as not just as the birthplace of the Kingdom, but also as a centre for the preservation of heritage and perpetuator of Saudi culture and heritage. This pedestrian and urban city, anchored on the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif, will play a significant role in redefining Saudi Arabia as a destination.

Prior to joining Diriyah Company, Kiran’s career spanned multiple continents, where he played a key role in reinventing two of the world’s most powerful luxury brands in both the luxury yachting and luxury automotive spheres. He has established and branded progressive media platforms in the Middle East; authored two children’s story books; toured the world as an acclaimed musician and composer - and has been recognized as an influential and powerful public speaker with a creatively disruptive and strategic mind. The Australian, Perth-born, nomad studied Marine Biology and graduated in Engineering Technology from Deakin University before pursuing his Masters in Guitar from Berklee (Boston), and has lived, studied and worked across South and Central Asia, the Middle East, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom, with his wife, 2 children and 17-year-old cat.