(Daily Point) — Forbes, the renowned global business magazine, has acknowledged the achievements of two Pakistani women, naming them among the top 10 most powerful female executives in the Middle East.
Securing the fourth position on ‘The Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2024’ list by Forbes is Shaista Asif. As the co-founder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, a prominent healthcare network in the UAE, Asif has played a pivotal role in the corporation since its inception in 2006. After being appointed as the group’s CEO in December 2023, she successfully led the company through an initial public offering (IPO), raising an impressive $986 million by offering 10% of its share capital on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).
The IPO garnered overwhelming response with a 54 times oversubscription in the professional subscriber tranche and an astounding 483 times in the retail tranche. Notably, PureHealth expanded its portfolio by acquiring the UK’s Circle Health Group for $1.2 billion and the UAE’s Sheikh Shakbout Medical City for $600 million in January 2024.
Also earning recognition is Shazia Syed, positioned at the ninth spot on the list. Currently serving as the General Manager of Unilever North Africa, Levant, and Iraq, Syed has demonstrated extensive expertise in large corporations. Her journey with the British multinational consumer goods company began in 1989 as a management trainee in Pakistan.
Over the years, she has held various significant roles, including CEO of Unilever Pakistan, President of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Director of the Pakistan Business Council. Taking on the role of General Manager for North Africa, Levant, and Iraq in 2021, Syed continues to contribute to corporate leadership. Additionally, she is actively involved on the board of United Bank Limited in Pakistan, holding key positions such as a member of the Board Risk & Compliance Committee and Chairperson of the Board Audit Committee. Forbes also noted her past contributions as a board member of Pukka Tea and Pepsi Lipton.
