LinkedIn names PwC the UAE's top professional services employer

Big Four professional services firm PwC has been named the UAE’s top employer by LinkedIn, which examined millions of data points to come to its analysis.

The global business network platform has been compiling its much anticipated annual ‘Top Companies List’ across major countries for a number of years, and has now added the UAE market into its analysis. The ranking lists the country’s top employers for career opportunities and growth, with Landmark Group topping the list’s inaugural edition.

Just behind the retail and hospitality giant comes PwC, with over 6,000 professionals, one of the largest professional services firms in the region. Established in the region over 40 years ago, PwC’s Middle East teams work from offices in twelve countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“We’re proud to be ranked among LinkedIn’s Top Companies in the UAE,” said Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Partner, adding that he is delighted to see PwC’s investment in human capital pay dividends. “Our people are our greatest asset, and we’re committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best talent in our region.”

At PwC, people are at the heart of the company’s strategy, according to its own career website. This translates into a number of key workplace benefits, with providing “great opportunities” one of them. “At PwC, all our career paths offer a flexible, fast-paced working environment, access to the latest digital tools and the support of inspirational colleagues across the region and worldwide,” added Ashkar.

As a company, PwC Middle East helps governments and businesses with “solving the region’s most important problems and building trust in society,” a goal that is delivered across all lines of services, from strategy, through advisory and consulting to tax and assurance services, underpinned by a state-of-the-art digital platform in the region.

Despite the wide variety in activities across the different service areas, career paths are tailored to the needs and ambitions of the individual, according to the firm’s career page: “At PwC Middle East, we provide the opportunities. [But] your career is yours. You choose it. You live it. You make it happen.”

This against the backdrop of a corporate social responsibility agenda that puts “people and society” at the heart of its purpose, and a culture that builds on five key values: Act with integrity, Make a difference, Care, Work together, and Reimagine the possible.

“Our values are what we have in common. They guide how we work with our clients and each other, inform the type of work we do, and hold us accountable to do our best. They govern our actions and determine our success,” reads PwC Middle East’s purpose and values webpage.

Operating in arguably one of the most diverse environments in the world, it goes without saying that PwC’s Middle East arm places high value in diversity, equity and inclusion. “At PwC we respect and value differences. We know that when people from different backgrounds and with different points of view work together, we create the most value.”

While the list of workplace best practices is longer (community engagement, environmental stewardship, etc), for Mona Abou Hana, EMEA & Middle East Chief People Officer, what makes her most proud is the fact that the recognition has come in during one of the most challenging periods for businesses in history.

“Personally, I'm most proud of working for a firm that continues to put people first, especially during a challenging period, and having a dedicated people team committed to the consistent improvement of our people experience. We continue to be committed to investing and building on all we've achieved for our people, making our firm an even better place to work!”