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F E A T
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G James Mathew A Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of Business
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Leadership That Listens: How Empathy Drives Innovation and Retention
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Purpose-Driven Leadership: The Key to Building Resilient Organizations
Mathew J
ames
A Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of Business
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E A T U R I N G
James Mathew CEO & Managing Partner
UHY James Chartered Accountants LLC along with the rm’s Leadership team
reachandcatertoanexpansiveaudienceacrosstheUAE andthewiderregion.
ElevatingComplianceandGlobalPerspectives
James’stenureontheGlobalBoardofatop10audit networkin2017and2018markedasignificantmilestonein hisdistinguished25-yearcareerastheopportunityprovided aplatformtocontributetothenetwork’sstrategic, operational,financial,cultural,innovative,andethical development.
ServingontheGlobalBoardofferedinvaluableexposureto diverseperspectivesfromleadingprofessionalsacrossthe globe.Thisexperiencefosteredadeeperunderstandingof thestrategicapproachesemployedbytop-tiernetworksand facilitatedtheexchangeofinsightsregardingfirms operatinginvariedregionalcontexts.
AsanentrepreneurandUAEbasedexpat,Jamesobserveda notableaccelerationinmarketevolutionandadherence standards,particularlywithintheMiddleEastandAfrica (MEA)region.HistenureontheGlobalBoardenableda wholesomeunderstandingofcompliancebestpractices prevalentinestablishedmarkets.
Thiscollectiveknowledge,gainedfrominteractionswith globalleadersinfinance,offeredauniqueopportunityto enhancethecompliancesidewithinbusinesses.By leveragingtheseinsights,clientsandstakeholdersinthe UAEcanbenefitfromthebestpracticesalignedwith internationalstandards,fosteringamorerobustand transparentbusinessenvironment.
EthicalLeadershipintheSpotlight
AsaCharteredAccountantprofessionalandseasoned entrepreneur,Jamesputshisheartintotheworkdoneat UHYJamesfortheUAEbusinesscommunity.He'sbuilta reputationforstickingtohisprinciplesandwalkingthetalk whenitcomestoaspectsofethics&integrity.Hebelieves, quitesimply,thathonestyisthebedrockofbuildingrobust businesses-especiallywhendealingwithnumbercrunchingintherealmoffinance.Cuttingcornerson mattersofcompliance,ethics&integrityarenon-negotiable astheycouldimpacttheoverallgrowthtrajectoryofan organization.
Inacareerspanning30+years,Jameshashadtomake sometoughcallstodotherightthingforthefirm,evenifit meanttakingtheroadlesstravelledtoalignwithhis priorities.
Jamesisanemphaticbelieverinclaritydriven communicationthatensurestheclienthasclearinsightinto matterspertainingtothegrowthofthebusiness.Focusedon deliveringstrategicsolutionsenablesclientstoleveragethe long-termadvantagesprovidedbythefirm–building implicittrustoveraperiod.
EyeonBusinessExcellence
Beyondhisestablishedexpertise,Jameswieldsinfluencein diverseprofessionalandnon-professionalorganizations acrosstheUAEandIndia.
HesuccessfullyservedontheBoardofAssessorsforthe MohammedBinRashidBusinessAwardsandencapsulates theexperienceasanintensivemoduleinbusiness education,providingapanoramicviewofdiverse operationalmodels.
ThisroleallowedJamestoclearlyobservecompaniesthat excelledincultivatingpositivecultures,developedtalent, andimplementedstrategicinnovation.Theinsights gained—identifyingbotheffectiveandineffective practices—provedinvaluableinhandholdinghisclientsas theynavigatedroughterrainsintheirbusinessjourney
Jamesemphasizesthatstrategicvisionisessentialfor navigatingmarketcomplexities.Thisincludesafocuson sustainablepractices,brandpositioning,andleveraging data-driventechnologieslikeAIandmachinelearningto achieveorganizationalexcellence.
ChampioningDiversityandInclusionatUHYJames
Womenplayapivotalroleindrivingthegrowthand successofUHYJames.Theorganizationiscommittedto fosteringequalityandensuringthatwomenreceivethe sameopportunities,recognition,andcareeradvancementas theirpeers.Thiscommitmentisnotjustacorporatepolicy butapowerfulinfluenceinshapinganinclusiveworkplace.
Withaworkforceofover170professionals,asignificant numberofwomenholdkeyleadershipanddecision-making roles.JamesproudlyhighlightsthattheirPartner&Director teamincludesthreeaccomplishedfinanceandadvisory professionals.Atthesametime,womenatthemanagerial levelareinstrumentalinsteeringthefirm’sgrowthand expansion.
Currently,womenmakeup30%oftheworkforceatUHY James,buttheorganizationisstrivingtoincreasethis number.Morethanjuststatistics,thisreflectsaprogressive mindset—onethatprioritizesequaldevelopment opportunitiesforall,regardlessofgender.Byembracing diversity,UHYJamescontinuestocultivateanenvironment
wheretalentthrives,innovationflourishes,andthe organizationgrowsstronger
ApproachtoLeadershipandCollaboration
Jamescultivatesanenvironmentofaccessibility,ahallmark ofhisleadershipasCEOandManagingPartner.His commitmenttoan"open-door"policyatUHYJames reflectsadeepunderstandingofthevalueoftimely communicationandcollaborativeproblem-solving.
Herecognizesthatinterruptionswhendrivenbygenuine intentandalignedwiththefirm'sbestinterests,offer valuableopportunitiesforengagementandinsight.This approachfostersaculturewherecolleaguesfeel
empoweredtocontribute,knowingtheirperspectiveswill beheard.
Furthermore,Jameschampionsateam-orientedleadership style,recognizingitsefficacyinfosteringprofessional developmentandskillenhancement.Thiscollaborative approachnotonlystrengthensindividualcapabilitiesbut alsoreinforcesthecollectiveexpertiseofthefirm.
BuildingaLegacyThroughVision,Strategy,and Innovation
Jamesdoesn'tjustofferadvice;hesharesavision.Heurges entrepreneurstoconstructabusinessthattranscendsmere profit,tobuildsomethingwithlastingimpact.Headvocates
foracomprehensiveapproach,whereevery facet—operations,finance,talent,strategy—ismeticulously craftedandintricatelyconnected.
Heunderscorestheenduringrelevanceofafinancecareer, notasastaticprofessionbutasadynamicarenafor innovation.Hepositsthattruesuccessliesintheconsistent deliveryoftangiblevaluetoclients,underpinnedbyan unwaveringcommitmenttoethicalintegrity
Furthermore,Jamesrecognizesthetransformativepowerof technologicaladvancements.Heemphasizesitisimperative toembracedigitization,notasaperipheralconsideration butasacorecompetency.Headvocatesforaproactive engagementwithautomation,AI,andmachinelearning,
“ “ James puts his heart into his work and his rm. He's built a reputation on being straight-up and sticking to his principles.
challengesfacedbyclients,thefirmaddressesidentified gapsbystrategicallyleveragingthespecializedexpertiseof itsSubjectMatterExperts,effectivelyguidingbusinesses towardstheachievementofelevatedandsustainable growth.
ARecordofExcellence:James'sKeyAccolades
James'strajectoryisetchedwithmilestonesthatspeakofa profoundinfluenceandunwaveringcommitment.His tenureasaGlobalBoardmemberofaNewYorkheadquarteredtop10accountingnetworkstandsasa testamenttohisstrategicvisiononaglobalstage.Thisis furtherunderscoredbyhiscurrentroleasAudit CommitteeChairmanofaleadinghealthcaregroup listedinIndia,apositiondemandingbothmeticulous oversightandastutefinancialacumen.
HisrecognitionamongtheWorld’sGreatestLeadersby AsiaOne&URSMedia(2016-17)affirmshiscapacityto inspireandguide.Beyondcorporategovernance,his
dedicationtofosteringbusinesscommunitiesisevidentin histenureasSecretary-GeneralandBoardMemberof theIndianBusiness&ProfessionalCouncil(IBPC) (2015-17),andhiselectionasChairmanoftheDubai ChapteroftheInstituteofCharteredAccountantsof India(ICAI)(2012-13)
Hiscommitmenttoqualityandexcellenceisfurther demonstratedbyhisserviceontheBoardofDubai QualityGroup(2004-2008)andhisfiveconsecutiveyears ontheBoardofAssessorsoftheMohammadBinRashid BusinessAwards Theseaccoladesarenotmere decorations;theyarethetangiblereflectionsofacareer definedbyleadership,integrity,andarelentlesspursuitof excellence.
– John C. Maxwell “
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
Inatimeofongoingdisruption,businessesare
increasinglyseekingmeanstoremainaheadofthe curveandattainlong-termresiliency.Maybethemost powerfulmethodthatisgainingmomentumispurpose-led leadership.Purpose-ledleadershavetheabilitytobuild organizationsthatnotonlysurvivethewavesofchangebut thrivethroughthem.Byunitingtheirteammembersona basisofsharedmissionandestablishedvalues,they constituteabuildingblockthatwillwithstandthetestof time.
DefiningPurpose-DrivenLeadership
Purposeleadershipismorethanprofitabilityorshort-term success.Itisanessentialgraspofwhythefirmexists—its greaterpurpose.Feelingthatsenseofpurposecanbea beaconlightonthepath,shiningcompaniesthroughdark timesandstayingonlong-termpaths.AligningwithCore Values
Intentionalleaderspositivelydefinethemainvaluesthat summarizethecompanyculture.Theydefinethosevalues andusethemfordecision-makingandactionthroughoutthe organization,andtheyprovideeverymemberwithafeeling ofjointcommitment.Staffmembersdonotworkfor salaries;theyworkbecausetheycommittothecompany visionandvalues.
NavigatingDisruptionwithaClearVision
Aglobaleconomyinwhichmarketplaceforceschangeat thespeedoflightneedsapurposethatassiststhe organizationtostayfirmontheircourseevenwhenthings againstthemarise.Whethereconomicdownturn,anew shiftintechnology,orthecoronavirusoutbreak,purposeful companiessurvivebecausetheirpurposegivesthem directionandmotivationintimesofuncertainty
TheRoleofPurposeinResilience
Organizationalresiliencegoesbeyondgoodcrisis management.Itisbasedonpurpose-drivencultural resiliencebuiltbysharedpurpose.Leadersandstaffcan drawuponthefirm'scorevaluesintimesof challenge—eitherinternalorexternal.
EmpoweringEmployeestoInnovate
Purposefulorganizationswillalsofosterinnovationand creativity Whenindividualsbelievethatthereissomething greaterthanthemselves,theywillbewillingtothink outsidethebox,actanticipatorially,andassistincreating thesolution.Whenvaluesofemployeesmatchthe organizationalmission,aworkcultureexistsinwhich employeesareenabledtomakeapositivecontribution.
EmotionalConnectionandEmployeeEngagement
Workerswhoknowandrelatetothecompany'smissionare morecommitted,loyal,andengaged.Emotional identificationincreasestheirjobsatisfactionandjob performanceandfostersahealthyandproductive workplace.Workerswhofeelliketheybelongtosomething greaterthanthemselvesaremorepassionateanddedicated totheirwork,andorganizationalperformanceisgreatly affectedbythesefactors.
LeadingwithEmpathyandAuthenticity
Purposefulleadershipalsobasesitselfonempathyand authenticity.Empatheticleadersarecaringandempathetic, understandingtheneedsandfearsoftheiremployeesand respondingaccordingly Authenticleadersleadbybeing vulnerableandtruthful,andtheyactandspeaktruthfully Thisiswhatestablishestrust,whichisatthecoreof buildingastrongorganization.
BuildingOrganizationalTrust
Whentheleadersshowthecompanyvaluesandmake decisionsreflectingtheorganization'smission,theybuild trustwiththeteam.Trustisresilience'sfoundation.The employeeswilllikelystandbyarole-modelleader, especiallyindifficultcircumstances.High-trustcultureis whatallowstheteamstocoexistdespitedifficulty.
LeadingbyExample
Purpose-drivenleadersarerolemodels.Bymakingtheir commitmenttothecompanypurposeclearinthedecisions theymakeandtheactionstheytake,leaderscreatearipple effectofdoingthesameforothers.Thisshareddesirefor themissionbuildsacohesive,high-contributingteam committedtocarryingoutthecompany'slong-termgoals.
MeasuringtheImpactofPurpose-DrivenLeadership
Apurpose-basedstrategymakesagreatdifferencetothe companyanditsbottomline.Purpose-basedfirmsare unlikelytosurmountobstaclesandseizeopportunities.It resultsinincreasedemployeeretention,customerloyalty, andprofitabilityinthelongterm.
SustainableGrowth
Businesseswithastatedpurposewillbemakingdecisions weighingshort-termprofitsagainstlong-termvalue.They areconcernednotonlyaboutshort-termbottom-linegains butalsoaboutbeinggoodfortheworld,forsociety,andfor theirpeople.Thistypeoflong-termthinkingcreates sustainedgrowth,andthebusinesshastheabilitytothrive intheever-changingmarketplace.
BuildingStrongerStakeholderRelationships
Value-drivenbusinessfirmsdrawsimilar-mindedinvestors, customers,andpartnerswhoarelike-mindedinpurpose. Thesestakeholderswillreadilyinvestandfundthefirm sincetheybelieveinitscauseandvision.This,inthelong run,translatestoimproved,moremeaningfulrelationships thataremutuallyrewarding.
Conclusion:Purpose-DrivenLeadershipasa CompetitiveAdvantage
Inamorecomplexworld,purpose-drivenleadershipstands out.Purpose-drivenleaderswhorallytheirorganizations aroundaclear,authenticsenseofpurposearemorelikelyto succeedduringcrisis,createinnovation,andbuildlongtermresilience.Throughconnectingtheirstrategytotheir essentialvaluesandgoverningwithempathyand authenticity,purpose-drivenleadersareabletodevelop organizationsinwhichemployeesareenergized,dedicated, andpassionateaboutthepurposeofthecompany.
Lastly,intentionalleadershipisnotonlyaboutsuccessbut aboutcreatingsustainablevalue,makingpositivesocial impact,andcreatingresilientandableorganizationsina timeofuncertainty.Purposeiswhathelpsthemsurvivethe storms,anditisthisstrengththathelpsorganizations—and theirleaders—beresilient.
Purpose-Driven Leadership:
The Key to Building Resilient Organizations
Inatimeofperpetualdisruption,businessesare
increasinglyseekingmeanstoremainaheadofthe curveanddeveloplong-termresiliency.Oneofthe mostrobustmethodsthatisgainingmomentumispurposedrivenleadership.Purpose-ledleadershavetheabilityto designorganizationsthatsurvivenotjustthewavesof changebutthrivethroughthem.Byunitingtheirteamson thefoundationofasharedmissionandsetvalues,these leaderscreateaplatformthatisbuilttolast.
DefiningPurpose-DrivenLeadership
Purposeleadershipismorethanshort-termprofitabilityor success.Itisafundamentalunderstandingofwhythe companyisthere—itshigherpurpose.Havingthatsenseof purposecanserveasabeacononthejourney,lighting companiesthroughdifficulttimesandkeepingthemon long-termpaths.AligningwithCoreValues
Purposefulleadersdefineexplicitlytheessentialvaluesthat embodythecultureofthecompany Thosevaluesshape decision-makingandactionthroughoutthewhole organization,andtheyprovideallmemberswithasenseof mutualcommitment.Employeesdon'tdowhattheydofor pay;theydoitbecausetheysupportthevisionandvalues oftheorganization.
NavigatingDisruptionwithaClearVision
Aglobaleconomywhereforcesinthemarketplaceevolve atthespeedoflightrequiresapurposethathelpsthe organizationremainresoluteontheirpathevenifthings againstthempresentthemselves.Whethereconomic recession,anewchangeintechnology,orthecoronavirus pandemic,purposefulfirmsmanagetonavigatebecause theirpurposeprovidesdirectionandmotivationin situationsofuncertainty
TheRoleofPurposeinResilience
Organizationalresilienceisnotjustgoodcrisis management.Itisbasedonpurpose-orientedcultural resiliencefosteredbysharedpurpose.Employeesand leaderscandrawuponthefundamentalvaluesofthe companyintimesofadversity—whetherinternalor external.
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