Smith & Nephew, a leader in the global medical technology business, has pledged to continue to create a more diversified workforce in the region following its recent sponsorship of the 16th Global Women Leaders Conference in Dubai.

Women account for more than 40 per cent of the company’s 10,500 strong workforce, a statement said.

In the Middle East, Smith & Nephew already has women in key senior management positions including the regional director for the Middle East – the first woman to lead the organisation in the region - and the director of Talent Development for Emerging & International Markets, it added.

Both roles are based in Smith & Nephew’s Emerging and International Markets headquarters in Dubai.

The two-day Global Women Leaders Conference was organised by Datamatix to celebrate International Women’s Day with a focus on business, under the theme of ‘women inspiring breakthrough excellence’.  The conference culminated in the Women Personality of the Year 2012 awards.

Lys Riachi, Middle East regional director at Smith & Nephew, said: “This conference reinforced our belief that the global business world – especially multinationals – is changing quickly and becoming more mobile, flexible and more culturally diverse, with teams working across regions more collaboratively.”

“The global workplace is shifting and becoming more receptive to the distinctive soft skills that women can bring, and which are increasingly more highly valued and respected by employers.  The ability to build consensus and lead effectively are more important than ever and fit closely with women’s natural style of leadership.”

In the Middle East, Smith & Nephew operates across 20 markets, working with the healthcare sector, putting advanced surgical devices and advanced wound management solutions into the hands of expert clinicians, along with the appropriate training and support.

Cathy Deegan, director of Talent Development for Emerging and International Markets at Smith & Nephew, said: “Smith & Nephew is committed to building a diverse workforce and has made significant progress already, starting from the very top of the organisation.”

“Recruiting and developing the careers of our talent – male and female – is central to our business sustainability and we believe that an inclusive and diverse team, with equality of opportunity and with all the variety of experiences and work styles that this brings, is a great asset to Smith & Nephew,” she added. – TradeArabia News Service