Latest news with #CooperFitch
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
UAE's Wealth Surge: Catalyzing Job Growth in Tech and E-Commerce, ETHRWorldEMEA
Advt By , Agencies The UAE's status as a global magnet for wealth is entering a new phase, one that is actively generating jobs across high-impact sectors including AI, technology, e-commerce, and creative industries. According to recruiters and workforce experts, the capital inflow that once fuelled passive investments in real estate is now translating into tangible employment opportunities, particularly in Dubai and Abu Trefor Murphy, CEO of Cooper Fitch, noted a shift since 2022, with businesses, both large corporates and SMEs, translating capital into operations and jobs. Government investments have also matured, resulting in strong public sector hiring. Cooper Fitch data shows a 4% increase in hiring across the UAE in Q2 2025, despite seasonal slowdowns during Eid transformation is backed by rising entrepreneurial activity. In 2025, the UAE is expected to welcome 9,800 millionaires, the highest net inflow globally, many of whom are now launching or expanding businesses rather than simply relocating for lifestyle reasons. Trade licence applications and high occupancy in zones like DMCC and DIFC further reflect this business Wilson, Managing Director of Genie Recruitment, highlighted a surge in hiring by new ventures seeking local talent with regional knowledge. Roles in digital marketing, operations, general management, and logistics are in high demand, especially in fast-growing sectors such as tech, fashion, F&B, and trends also show a rise in demand for globally experienced, multicultural, and future-ready professionals, signalling an upgrade in hiring quality and expectations. With capital, innovation, and talent converging, the UAE is now positioning itself as a dynamic launchpad for global businesses, marking a major evolution in its workforce landscape.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE's rising wealth is creating jobs in tech, AI, and e-commerce
The wealth that has flowed into the UAE over the past few years is no longer idle — it's now actively generating jobs across a wide range of sectors, including e-commerce, artificial intelligence (AI), technology, and more, according to recruiters and HR consultants. Over the years, the UAE — particularly Dubai — has attracted billions of dirhams in foreign investment, particularly in sectors such as real estate, which generate passive income. However, these investments had not previously translated into significant job creation. That trend is now changing. "We've seen increasing flows of wealth into Dubai and Abu Dhabi since 2022, accompanied by a growing number of businesses relocating here," said Dr Trefor Murphy, founder and CEO of Cooper Fitch. "This wealth isn't just parked in bank accounts or real estate anymore — it's beginning to fuel job growth. Both SMEs and large corporates are performing well. On the government side, investments have been directed into high-impact sectors, which are now paying off in terms of employment. Public sector hiring is also strong across the UAE." According to Cooper Fitch data, hiring across the UAE rose by 4 per cent in Q2 2025 compared to the previous quarter – a notable increase despite the impact of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha holidays. The UAE remains a magnet for wealthy individuals. In 2025 alone, an estimated 9,800 millionaires are expected to relocate to the country – the highest number globally, according to Henley & Partners. Dr Murphy added that the rising number of trade license applications across both the mainland and free zones, along with high occupancy rates in economic hubs like the DMCC and DIFC, reflects this inflow of wealth and its positive impact on job creation. Entrepreneurs hiring, not just relocating Nicki Wilson, managing director at Genie Recruitment, noted a clear uptick in hiring activity from newly established businesses and entrepreneurs who have recently moved to the UAE. "Many of these companies are in the early stages of setting up operations and are actively seeking local talent to support their launch," she said. "They typically look for candidates with regional knowledge to help them navigate the local market. This has become a consistent trend over the past two years, with Dubai firmly positioning itself as a leading business hub." Importantly, Wilson emphasised that these new residents are not relocating solely for lifestyle or tax benefits. "Most are already successful and are looking to expand their ventures or invest in new ideas. The impact on the job market has been both positive and dynamic. Our experience supporting many of the region's top start-ups puts us in a strong position to help these businesses find the right talent." Where are the jobs emerging? Wilson stated that the influx of wealth over the past three years is driving job creation across various industries. "We're seeing especially strong growth in technology, AI, creative industries, e-commerce, food and beverage (F&B), and fashion," she noted. "Many new entrants are launching tech-driven platforms, boutique agencies, or niche brands, all of which require immediate hiring in areas such as operations, digital marketing, general management, design, and logistics." According to Wilson, the UAE is evolving from a passive destination for wealth storage to an active global hub where innovation, capital, and talent intersect. "Wealth is no longer just residing here — it's building businesses, creating jobs, and accelerating economic activity," she said. "We're seeing a noticeable rise in the quality and diversity of recruitment. Companies are seeking candidates with international experience, regional insight, multicultural fluency, and future-ready skills. This is raising hiring standards across the board." "In essence," Wilson concluded, "the UAE is no longer just a haven for wealth — it's becoming a launchpad for global entrepreneurs looking to build teams, roll out new ideas, and scale innovation. That shift is creating meaningful employment opportunities across sectors."
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
These are the roles driving UAE job growth
Job growth in the UAE in the second quarter outpaced Saudi Arabia, driven by strong demand in real estate, financial services and technology sectors, the introduction of a digital work permit system and high employer confidence, a report by recruitment company Cooper Fitch has shown. Hiring activity in the Emirates accelerated by 4 per cent for the three months to the end of June, while job growth in the kingdom rose by 2 per cent, according to Cooper Fitch's Gulf Employment Index report. Saudi Arabia recorded steady hiring across finance, tourism and infrastructure, although momentum slowed slightly as organisations reassessed budgets and project timelines, the research found. 'The UAE had a significant import of high-net-worth individuals, millionaires and billionaires. We're also seeing a lot of SME activity happening in the jobs market here. A lot of sectors in the UAE are growing well simultaneously,' Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive of Cooper Fitch, told The National. 'Legal in-house, public sector, infrastructure [roads and rail], education, tourism, supply chain, sales and marketing are other sectors in the UAE recording robust hiring activity. 'Saudi Arabia is repositioning themselves and working on projects that have specific timelines attached to them, such as the AFC Asian Cup and Expo 2030, among others. They've a huge amount of infrastructure they need to do to be prepared for those big global events.' There is also a shift from hiring of 'strategic, visionary type' roles to 'execution roles' in the UAE, he added. The UAE is facing a surplus of skilled professionals in many roles, particularly at middle and senior management levels, according to recruitment experts. The country's attractive lifestyle and tax-free salaries continue to draw skilled professionals from around the world. The Emirates' population is booming and job seekers in many professions now far outstrip the number of available roles, HR professionals said. People are coming in and taking jobs for very low salaries just to get their foot in the door, they added. Employers are placing greater emphasis on UAE market experience and cultural fit, as well as soft skills, given the abundance of technically qualified candidates. Overall hiring in the GCC rose by 1 per cent in the second quarter, Cooper Fitch said. Oman registered a 2 per cent growth in hiring activity driven by expansion in the renewables, manufacturing and industrial development sectors. Employment creation in Bahrain increased by 1 per cent, led by FinTech and tourism. However, a smaller talent pool and limited project scale continued to temper broader hiring momentum, the consultancy reported. Qatar and Kuwait both saw reduced hiring in the second quarter, with contractions of 3 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively. 'In Qatar, employers reassessed short-term hiring plans due to slower momentum in energy and infrastructure projects, particularly around the North Field expansion. However, long-term hiring intent remaining intact,' the report said. 'Kuwait's hiring activity remained subdued, with many employers deferring decisions amid ongoing policy discussions and the absence of new project approvals.' Watch: Why expat salary packages are not what they used to be With both Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha falling in the second quarter, along with the early summer slowdown, many organisations delayed decision-making, particularly in markets with large public sectors or family-owned businesses, according to Cooper Fitch. Countries advancing project delivery saw hiring growth, while others slowed amid delays in spending, the consultancy said. Roles in demand in Gulf Senior finance roles notched the highest growth in the GCC this quarter, up by 8 per cent, driven by the formation of new joint ventures and increased regulatory oversight. Internal audit and compliance hiring surged, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Cooper Fitch research found. Broader finance recruitment also rose 4 per cent, fuelled by a 'sustained appetite' for financial planning and analysis specialists and treasury professionals. GCC financial hubs, particularly the Dubai International Finance Centre and ADGM, experienced a 2 per cent increase in investment-linked hiring, as 'global fund inflows intensified the competition for top-tier compliance, risk and regulatory professionals', according to Cooper Fitch. In banking, hiring activity grew by 3 per cent, led by demand for professionals who straddle governance, automation and data. Strategy hiring, aligning recruitment with long-term business goals, remained flat as companies increasingly favoured interim consultants or niche specialists over traditional firms, the consultancy said. We're seeing a lot of SME activity happening in the UAE job market. A lot of sectors are growing well simultaneously Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive, Cooper Fitch 'Leadership hiring in the chief executive practice increased by 4 per cent, driven by mandates related to restructuring, digital redesign and new market expansion,' according to Cooper Fitch. ' Public sector hiring grew 5 per cent underpinned by sustained investment in digitalisation and citizen services. HR hiring rose by 4 per cent in the GCC, largely fuelled by nationalisation mandates and large-scale workforce mobilisation across utilities, energy and industrial sectors.' Sales and marketing hiring grew by 6 per cent, driven by strong activity in real estate, manufacturing and consumer markets. Real estate hiring increased by 1 per cent, supported by key project delivery milestones and a rise in developer activity, particularly in Abu Dhabi, the report said. Legal hiring was mixed: in-house counsel demand rose by 7 per cent, especially within investment and real estate firms, while private practice hiring contracted by 3 per cent. Hiring in manufacturing increased by 2 per cent, driven by new plant developments and upgrades across steel, power, packaging and chemicals. Supply chain hiring rose 3 per cent. Roles linked to automation, vendor management and logistics transformation gained traction, the report found. In technology, software jobs contracted by 2 per cent, while cloud hiring declined by 3 per cent and cybersecurity hiring rose by 3 per cent. Digital, data and AI hiring increased by 4 per cent in the GCC.
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE's Q2 job growth outpaces Saudi Arabia driven by tech, financial services and real estate hiring
Job growth in the UAE in the second quarter outpaced Saudi Arabia, driven by strong demand in real estate, financial services and technology sectors, the introduction of a digital work permit system and high employer confidence, a report by recruitment company Cooper Fitch has shown. Hiring activity in the Emirates accelerated by 4 per cent for the three months to the end of June, while job growth in the kingdom rose by 2 per cent, according to Cooper Fitch's Gulf Employment Index report. Saudi Arabia recorded steady hiring across finance, tourism and infrastructure, although momentum slowed slightly as organisations reassessed budgets and project timelines, the research found. 'The UAE had a significant import of high-net-worth individuals, millionaires and billionaires. We're also seeing a lot of SME activity happening in the jobs market here. A lot of sectors in the UAE are growing well simultaneously,' Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive of Cooper Fitch, told The National. 'Legal in-house, public sector, infrastructure [roads and rail], education, tourism, supply chain, sales and marketing are other sectors in the UAE recording robust hiring activity. 'Saudi Arabia is repositioning themselves and working on projects that have specific timelines attached to them, such as the AFC Asian Cup and Expo 2030, among others. They've a huge amount of infrastructure they need to do to be prepared for those big global events.' There is also a shift from hiring of 'strategic, visionary type' roles to 'execution roles' in the UAE, he added. The UAE is facing a surplus of skilled professionals in many roles, particularly at middle and senior management levels, according to recruitment experts. The country's attractive lifestyle and tax-free salaries continue to draw skilled professionals from around the world. The Emirates' population is booming and job seekers in many professions now far outstrip the number of available roles, HR professionals said. People are coming in and taking jobs for very low salaries just to get their foot in the door, they added. Employers are placing greater emphasis on UAE market experience and cultural fit, as well as soft skills, given the abundance of technically qualified candidates. Overall hiring in the GCC rose by 1 per cent in the second quarter, Cooper Fitch said. Oman registered a 2 per cent growth in hiring activity driven by expansion in the renewables, manufacturing and industrial development sectors. Employment creation in Bahrain increased by 1 per cent, led by FinTech and tourism. However, a smaller talent pool and limited project scale continued to temper broader hiring momentum, the consultancy reported. Qatar and Kuwait both saw reduced hiring in the second quarter, with contractions of 3 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively. 'In Qatar, employers reassessed short-term hiring plans due to slower momentum in energy and infrastructure projects, particularly around the North Field expansion. However, long-term hiring intent remaining intact,' the report said. 'Kuwait's hiring activity remained subdued, with many employers deferring decisions amid ongoing policy discussions and the absence of new project approvals.' Watch: Why expat salary packages are not what they used to be With both Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha falling in the second quarter, along with the early summer slowdown, many organisations delayed decision-making, particularly in markets with large public sectors or family-owned businesses, according to Cooper Fitch. Countries advancing project delivery saw hiring growth, while others slowed amid delays in spending, the consultancy said. Roles in demand in Gulf Senior finance roles notched the highest growth in the GCC this quarter, up by 8 per cent, driven by the formation of new joint ventures and increased regulatory oversight. Internal audit and compliance hiring surged, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Cooper Fitch research found. Broader finance recruitment also rose 4 per cent, fuelled by a 'sustained appetite' for financial planning and analysis specialists and treasury professionals. GCC financial hubs, particularly the Dubai International Finance Centre and ADGM, experienced a 2 per cent increase in investment-linked hiring, as 'global fund inflows intensified the competition for top-tier compliance, risk and regulatory professionals', according to Cooper Fitch. In banking, hiring activity grew by 3 per cent, led by demand for professionals who straddle governance, automation and data. Strategy hiring, aligning recruitment with long-term business goals, remained flat as companies increasingly favoured interim consultants or niche specialists over traditional firms, the consultancy said. We're seeing a lot of SME activity happening in the UAE job market. A lot of sectors are growing well simultaneously Trefor Murphy, founder and chief executive, Cooper Fitch 'Leadership hiring in the chief executive practice increased by 4 per cent, driven by mandates related to restructuring, digital redesign and new market expansion,' according to Cooper Fitch. ' Public sector hiring grew 5 per cent underpinned by sustained investment in digitalisation and citizen services. HR hiring rose by 4 per cent in the GCC, largely fuelled by nationalisation mandates and large-scale workforce mobilisation across utilities, energy and industrial sectors.' Sales and marketing hiring grew by 6 per cent, driven by strong activity in real estate, manufacturing and consumer markets. Real estate hiring increased by 1 per cent, supported by key project delivery milestones and a rise in developer activity, particularly in Abu Dhabi, the report said. Legal hiring was mixed: in-house counsel demand rose by 7 per cent, especially within investment and real estate firms, while private practice hiring contracted by 3 per cent. Hiring in manufacturing increased by 2 per cent, driven by new plant developments and upgrades across steel, power, packaging and chemicals. Supply chain hiring rose 3 per cent. Roles linked to automation, vendor management and logistics transformation gained traction, the report found. In technology, software jobs contracted by 2 per cent, while cloud hiring declined by 3 per cent and cybersecurity hiring rose by 3 per cent. Digital, data and AI hiring increased by 4 per cent in the GCC.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE leads GCC in hiring growth at 4%; financial services, real estate lead
Hiring in the UAE grew by an average of 4 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, marking the fastest pace in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, according to Cooper Fitch's quarterly report released on Wednesday. While the UAE recorded robust growth, hiring activity slowed in other GCC countries due to the Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha holidays. Saudi Arabia and Oman posted a modest 2 per cent increase in recruitment, while Bahrain saw a 1 per cent rise. However, employment contracted in Kuwait and Qatar, declining by 4 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively. 'Hiring activity in the UAE gained momentum in the second quarter, building on the strategic groundwork laid earlier in the year,' said Dr Trefor Murphy, founder and CEO of Cooper Fitch. 'Stronger employer confidence, the launch of a digital work permit system, and solid performance in the real estate and technology sectors helped translate intent into execution – particularly in areas poised for expansion.' In an interview with Khaleej Times, Dr Murphy noted that the UAE is leading the region in job creation due to its diversified growth across sectors. 'The financial services sector — banking and insurance — continues to perform well. Real estate is also booming, with Q2 seeing an uptick in transactions, especially in Abu Dhabi, where population growth is driving demand for residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties.' He added that the UAE's key financial hubs — Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and ADGM — saw a 2 per cent increase in investment-related hiring, driven by rising global fund inflows and demand for compliance, risk, and regulatory professionals. Eid holidays contribute to slowdown 'Seasonal factors also influenced hiring dynamics across the region. With both Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha falling in Q2, combined with the early onset of summer, many organisations faced compressed timelines and delays in decision-making, especially in countries with large public sectors or family-run businesses,' said Dr Murphy. Eid Al Fitr was observed in late March, while Eid Al Adha fell in early June. Although the UAE experienced limited disruption, countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman saw more pronounced slowdowns. As a result, some hiring is expected to shift into Q3, rather than indicating a longer-term decline in demand. Since the UAE had fewer Eid holidays than other some countries, this helped the job market to maintain momentum. Sector trends The strongest hiring trends across the GCC were observed in senior finance roles, in-house legal, sales and marketing, digital transformation, data and AI, as well as CEO positions. Cooper Fitch noted that banks are increasingly investing in AI integration and operational redesign, creating demand for candidates with cross-functional expertise in finance, compliance, and technology. 'Despite ongoing transformation agendas, many firms put senior-level hiring on pause due to shifting priorities, extended decision-making cycles, and tighter budgets,' the report stated. 'There is growing preference for interim consultants and niche specialists over traditional permanent roles, reflecting a market that's both cautious and saturated with strategic talent. In some cases, positions such as Chief Strategy Officer remain planned but are on hold, as companies evaluate the cost against immediate returns.'
