City Lord Mayor helps in Training Tomorrow’s Leaders in UAE

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton, will today (22 February) attend a major education, training and qualification event - Training Tomorrow’s Leaders - hosted by the Dubai International Financial Centre and UK Trade & Investment.   

This will feature a panel discussion moderated by Alderman Alan Yarrow, Sheriff of the City of London, focused on how British expertise can benefit local employees and employers.

The Lord Mayor, who is ambassador for UK financial and professional services, said:

“Talented young people are the lifeblood of any financial centre and from the City's perspective we believe that sharing skills and experiences to grow both financial sectors is central to our relationship with the UAE.

“The provision of world class education, training and qualifications has been a major factor in the UK's reputation for developing and attracting the talent needed by firms operating in the global financial services industry.

“We want to share our expertise and experience in this area with our Emirati colleagues. I am delighted that the CEO of DIFC Authority will join me in looking at ways to improve the already excellent cooperation with the City.

“Three of the UK’s leading professional bodies have partnered to stage this event – the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). They stand ready to help support the UAE develop the skills needed in order to become an increasingly important player on the financial stage.” 

Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of DIFC Authority, said:

“The uniqueness of DIFC is reflected through our world-class infrastructure and common-law jurisdiction, which provides a stable platform for global and regional firms to access opportunities in the regions emerging markets. Another factor in our advancement is the pool of qualified professionals present in the centre, attracted from around the world and developed by leading British academic institutions present in DIFC. Our growth prospects for the coming five years include a major increase in the size of our workforce, which presents a tremendous opportunity for young and developing professionals who are interested in exposure to the world’s emerging markets, and also for the institutions present in the centre.”

Ian Gibbons, Director of UK Trade & Investment in Dubai, said:

“We are delighted to be welcoming the Lord Mayor to Dubai to take part in today’s event.  The UK is a world leader in the education, training and qualification sector, and Training Tomorrow’s Leaders showcases the best that the City has to offer.”

The Lord Mayor is in Dubai as part of a wider regional visit to the Gulf including Kuwait, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.