This service is suitable for board directors and senior executives who have not attended Impact Boards EM's events in the past, but would like to join this impactful and engaging discussion to experience first-hand our services. Please note - refunds are available with 14 days notice only.
About the Event
Impact Boards EM are hosting an exclusive, relaxed and intimate networking lunch and discussion on Wednesday 26 November 2025.
This event will take place at the Capital Club in Dubai at 12:00 UAE time. Due to limited spaces available, we encourage you to sign up quickly to secure your place.
As international investors, family businesses and sovereign funds across the Middle East modernise and open to global capital, board structures are rapidly evolving. Governance codes, often inspired by Anglo-American or OECD models, are being adopted across the region, promising transparency, accountability and independence.
But how well do these imported frameworks fit the region’s unique ownership structures, legal traditions and relationship-based business culture? Can concepts such as “independent oversight” or “shareholder primacy” truly take root in environments where family legacy, state strategy and social networks play such central roles?
This session will explore the tensions and opportunities that arise when Western governance principles meet Middle Eastern realities. It will unpack:
How family-owned and state-linked companies interpret “independent” or “non-executive” roles
The cultural nuances that shape influence, trust and decision-making in the boardroom
How non-Middle Eastern directors can adapt their style – balancing candour with respect and challenge with diplomacy
Whether hybrid governance models can emerge that blend global best practice with local authenticity
Finally, the discussion will touch on how international professionals can access board positions in the Middle East – understanding where opportunities arise (family groups, listed firms, state-owned enterprises, sovereign funds), how selection networks operate and what competencies regional boards most value from global talent.
For international board members, this session offers a pragmatic lens on what it really means to join a board in the region – not just by understanding the code, but by understanding the context and the pathways in.
Expect insightful conversation, valuable connections and a relaxed setting to exchange experiences with fellow board professionals.