Diversity in Business Leadership

Diversity in Business Leadership Programme

Founded in 2014, the Diversity in Business Leadership (DIBL) programme champions effective diversity management as a core component of strong corporate governance. Focusing on Gender Diversity, Multigenerational Diversity, and the inclusion of People of Determination, DIBL promotes practical approaches to workplace inclusion through research, dialogue, and training. The programme collaborates with a broad range of stakeholders to generate insights and build capacity across the Gulf business community. By embedding diversity into organisational culture, DIBL supports more inclusive workplaces, enhanced competitiveness, and sustainable growth across the region.

Programme Objectives

Since its inception in 2014, the Diversity in Business Leadership (DIBL) programme has remained steadfast in its commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion within the Gulf region’s business landscape. With a clear and comprehensive vision, DIBL has set forth a series of objectives aimed at not only promoting diversity but also fostering a culture of inclusivity among organizations operating in the Gulf. The DIBL Programme’s key objectives are:

Support & Implementation: Support Gulf-based companies to adopt and implement regionally relevant gender and multigenerational diversity standards and best practices through trainings, convenings and the development of learning resources;
Community Building: Foster a synergistic community, united in its objective to exchange commendable practices and pioneer the assimilation of standards and practices related to gender, multigenerational, and People of Determination diversity.
Youth Awareness: Increase awareness amongst youth on the importance of gender, multigenerational diversity, and the inclusion of People of Determination. The aim is to enrich their comprehension of these subjects, preparing them as future torchbearers of inclusive corporate practices.
Support implementation of higher levels of integrity and transparency by providing practical training and tools, showcasing best practices and enabling peer to peer discussions and support

For further information and partnership opportunities, please contact us at [email protected]

Programme Achievements

The Diversity in Business Leadership (DIBL) Programme plays a key role in advancing diversity and inclusion across the Gulf’s corporate sector. Through collaborative forums, targeted training, and strategic partnerships, the Programme promotes inclusive workplace cultures and leadership. Notable initiatives include the Women at Work Series at Expo 2020 Dubai and the Break the Bias Series with SABIC, which engaged students on bias awareness. The DIBL Working Group, launched in 2022, brings together leading organisations to drive DEI progress through ongoing dialogue and shared expertise.

“Disability inclusive employment is a clear, critical and urgent action that we must include in our recruitment, our sustainability strategies, and our corporate accountability models today. We can change lives and the mindset of entire communities away from just the charity model of disability inclusion through employing talented people of determination in equitable, respectful, progressive careers. We must ask ourselves: are we building inclusive and future-ready workforces?”

Hafsa Qadeer

CEO of ImInclusive

It is paramount for business leaders to reflect on ways to drive conversations on women empowerment in the region. That is why discussions with the Pearl Initiative on diversity and inclusion are extremely important as they inspire change and empower us to rethink the ways we can maximise our efforts to be part of a bigger movement