The UAE is a leading example of a nation that provides ongoing support to its people by offering them the highest quality of education to obtain leadership positions in various sectors. In line with the vision of the country’s wise leadership, the UAE works hard to raise the potential of Emirati women, giving them the skills and expertise required to succeed in senior roles.
Many Emirati women have succeeded in leadership roles and proven their ability to thrive and excel in these positions. A prime example is Ms. Huda Abdulla, Executive Vice President and Head of the Emirati Segment at FGB, who has been a prominent figure in the UAE banking industry for the past 15 years and is widely considered as one of the most important businesswomen in the field. Aside from the numerous awards she has received, she was recently recognised as an “Unstoppable Woman in Banking” by Her Highness Sheikha Alyazia Al Nahyan during Femina Middle East’s first anniversary celebrations.
Huda believes in the importance of the banking sector’s role in strengthening the economy of the UAE. “The UAE banking sector has overcome a wide range of challenges, including, most notably, the global economic crisis that hit the world in 2008, as well as the recent fall in oil prices,” Huda highlights,
“From the beginning of my career in banking, I’ve seen plenty of women exceed expectations and hold senior roles and responsibilities, which has contributed to the dramatic growth of this sector. As such, I’m striving to increase the number of women working in the industry and help them to achieve further success, which will in turn benefit our society and economy.”
According to Huda, all Emirati women are capable of reaching their potential and achieving their aspirations.
“FGB is one of the biggest supporters of Emirati women and a strong believer in their ability to excel and achieve success in leadership positions across demanding sectors such as the banking industry. FGB leadership’s continuous encouragement and ongoing support has helped me to climb the ladder of success and reach this point in my career,” explains Huda.
“The UAE has become one of the most prominent countries in championing the success of women in all fields, and those successful women have gone on to become role models for the future generations of women in business in the Arab region. I speak for all Emirati women when I say that we are capable of achieving success and excellence,” she adds.
Throughout her successful career in banking, Huda has received several accolades for her outstanding contribution to banking and finance in the UAE, as well as her role in the promotion and growth of FGB. On International Woman’s day, celebrated in March every year, Huda was awarded the “Woman Leader in Banking and Finance Excellence Award” during the 14th Middle East Women Leaders Excellence Awards ceremony. She also received the award for most Distinguished Woman in the Banking & Finance Sector, presented by His Highness Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, from the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies. Forbes Middle East magazine also ranked Huda as the UAE’s second most powerful Arab businesswoman in their “Top 100 Most Powerful Arab Business Women in Listed Companies” list.
Huda has pursued a rich and varied career throughout her 15 years in the banking sector. Prior to her current role at FGB, she held a diverse range of positions spanning customer service, business, operations, policy-making, planning, branch banking and channel management. At FGB, she also contributed to the development of several unique banking products to meet customer requirements, such as the Elite Emirati proposition, Visa card for ladies, the Emirati Al Awwal Islamic certificate and the Abu Dhabi Credit Card.
Huda has a Master’s degree in Business Administration with specialisation in Marketing from Lincoln University (formerly known as the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside). She is currently doing a PhD in Financial Literacy at the SAS Academy.