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Grant Thornton UAE’s flagship CFO report reveals how finance leaders are navigating technology, liquidity, risk, ESG and talent in a fast‑changing environment.

Grant Thornton International’s latest Women in Business research reveals that 44.6% of mid-market businesses globally now have a female CFO, marking a major step toward gender parity in finance leadership. This article explores the factors driving this shift—including macroeconomic disruptions and increased female participation in education—and how the rise of female CFOs can catalyze broader change across the C-suite. It highlights the potential for CFOs to mentor other women, influence boardroom dynamics, and transition into CEO roles, ultimately reshaping leadership across mid-market businesses.

In a new Grant Thornton series on trending international insights, we examine the wider impact of tariffs on the mid-market, where a dip in market confidence at the start of 2025 was just the start of more to come. The global economy may suffer further as trade tensions and uncertainty persist, but if there’s a silver lining, its likely to be found in the mid-market – the most resilient and opportunistic segment of the business landscape.

In the next edition of Grant Thornton’s series on trending international insights, we examine how a shifting economic landscape can offer the mid-market an opportunity to grow while their larger counterparts opt to ‘wait and see.’ Our report highlights key trends such as digital trade, supply chain resilience, shifting trade agreements, and the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on international commerce.