Khaled bin Braik’s parents worked in the private sector, so when he was starting his career it seemed like the natural choice for him, too. But it was not the most common option among UAE nationals at the time. When he joined PwC as a graduate in 2011, he was the only Emirati working for the company.
The idea here is to groom the next generation of Emirati leaders across all lines of service
Khaled bin Braik
He stayed, working his way up the ranks to become the company’s first homegrown UAE national consulting partner, and is now one of 248 Emiratis working for the company, up from just 26 in 2018. Leading a new programme that will see others walk in his trail, Mr bin Braik leads university roadshows, including in the UK.
The Watani early identification programme has engaged with more than 100 Emirati students at the UK’s top universities. The PWC Insight Events late last year was aimed at the next generation of leaders who are attending leading UK universities, where many are focused on driving digital transformation.
For Mr bin Braik there is not only the value of building links between the UAE and the UK, but also supporting the students in building a community of solvers with good leadership skills in a rapidly evolving world.
There are now Emiratis working across all areas of the business – Assurance, Consulting, IFS, Deals, Tax, and Strategy& – representing a “strong pipeline” of future leaders, he said.
“One of the reasons I joined PwC was to me it was about creating an impact for the country. And I felt at the time that there weren’t partners in the consulting line of service,” said Mr bin Braik.
He was also aware of some of the opportunities that a company such as PwC can provide. “My dad was a banker. My mum was a nurse. So all of that said, do you know what, let me do something different. Let me help create an impact and let me do something that was once considered quite challenging. And I am hoping through this journey I have managed to do that.”
In 2023, the World Economic Forum recognised his contribution, naming him a Young Global Leader, in an achievement he described as “phenomenal”. “A lot of that was attributed to the fact that I helped activate the consulting sector.”
Mr bin Braik is in charge of Watani, PwC’s Emiratisation initiative to train UAE national employees and prepare them for leadership in the firm.
“Our programme was launched over 10 years ago. Eventually it covered graduates, experienced hires, interns and secondees to the organisations,” he told The National.
“Essentially the idea here is to groom the next generation of Emirati leaders across all lines of service and prepare them to hopefully become future partners within our organisation. So that’s something we are extremely proud of.”
The initiative has trained more than 8,000 Emiratis, inside PwC and outside the company, in diverse skills over the past decade in professional certifications and technical training, including in topics such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Over the past couple of years, it has started to also focus on middle managers, as well as management teams, across all areas of the business.
“We want to be sure Emiratis are well represented across all the lines of service to make sure we have future leaders who represent our different business verticals,” he said.
“I think what we are now trying to do is this concept of early identification, which is extremely crucial for us, to be able to engage with students at the very early stages of their learning journey, to make them aware of the wide ranges of opportunities that PwC has to offer.”
Attracting Emirati graduates to the private sector is a priority for the government, an aim made more challenging by the fact that working for the public sector is often seen as a source of pride.
“As an Emirati myself, I am absolutely proud of what the government has done. The sentiment we have towards the public sector is phenomenal. But I think from a private sector perspective, I think it is extremely important to focus on one – skills development,” he said.
The sectors in which PwC operates are evolving considerably, he says, and it is important to equip the “next generation” of nationals with the right skills to reflect that.
“A lot of people who want to join the private sector join for the skills development aspect," Mr bin Braik said. “I think beyond that it’s also career progression. It is extremely crucial for us to focus on career progression and make sure that we support our Emiratis through coaching, through mentorship,” he said.
Working with global experts is another plus, added Mr bin Braik. “This is something the private sector is very strong at and needs to continue to focus on – the skills development angle, career progression, mentorship, coaching,” he said.
“But you supplement all of that with how you provide your Emiratis an opportunity to get into a global assignment and really learn from global leaders, to be able to then use that information to contribute to the development of our economy.”
Attracting Emirati graduates has become easier over time, he said, as more UAE nationals see the benefits of joining the private sector.
A recent survey conducted by PwC in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation found that 54 per cent of Emirati respondents employed by the government are open to a move to the private sector.
A further 74 per cent acknowledged the importance of upskilling for career growth, while 72 per cent of job-seekers prefer the Nafis platform, designed to increase the number of Emiratis working in the private sector, when searching for employment opportunities.
“Our Emiratisation survey indicates a significant shift in UAE nationals' career goals and their openness to private sector opportunities,” said Mr bin Braik.
“While we've achieved remarkable progress in workforce integration, the focus now shifts to ensuring sustainable, long-term success. For lasting impact, private sector organisations must invest in developing robust talent pipelines that nurture and retain Emirati talent.
“At PwC Middle East, we support the nation’s future leaders, with over 242 Emiratis now contributing across our offices. By prioritising local talent, we’re also helping upskill the region’s workforce for the demands of tomorrow.”
'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure'
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse
Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
Profile Periscope Media
Founder: Smeetha Ghosh, one co-founder (anonymous)
Launch year: 2020
Employees: four – plans to add another 10 by July 2021
Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
Investors: Co-founders
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Janet Yellen's Firsts
- In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve
- In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers
Not Dark Yet
Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer
Four stars
MATCH DETAILS
Chelsea 4
Jorginho (4 pen, 71 pen), Azpilicueta (63), James (74)
Ajax 4
Abraham (2 og), Promes (20). Kepa (35 og), van de Beek (55)
PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
