The CIO is no longer just a . They are a TECHNOLOGIST strategic , BUSINESS LEADER driving digital transformation and .INNOVATION
A Visionary at the Helm ‘
Inanerawhereleadershipisbeingredefinedbypurpose,adaptability,and
globalthinking,fewindividualsembodythisevolutionaspowerfullyas JamesMathew Asweunveilourspecialedition—“UAE’s Most Influential CEO to Watch in 2025”—weareproudtospotlightJamesasa definingforceintheUAE’sbusinessnarrativeandatruearchitectofforwardthinkingleadership.
Withdecadesofcross-borderexperience,anunwaveringcommitmenttoethics, andadeepunderstandingoffinancialandstrategicecosystems,JamesMathew standsattheintersectionoflegacyandinnovation.Hisjourney,whichwe exploreindetailinthisfeature,isamasterclassinhowvision,values,and versatilitycancometogethertoshapethefutureofenterprise.
Fromchampioningtransparencyandtrustincorporategovernancetodriving expansionwithculturalintelligenceandbusinessagility,Jameshasnotonlyled companies—hehastransformedthem.Underhisstewardship,theorganizations hetouchesevolveintovalue-drivenpowerhousesthatbalancegrowthwith responsibility
WhatmakesJamesMathewtrulyinfluentialisnotjusthistitlesoraccolades,but theimpactheleavesbehind—onpeople,industries,andglobalpartnerships.His leadershipreflectstheUAE’sbroaderaspirations:tobeahubofinnovation, ethicalenterprise,andsustainableprogressontheworldstage.
Aswecelebrateleaderschartingthecoursefortomorrow,JamesMathew emergesasacompellingfiguretowatch—anembodimentofprincipled leadershipinarapidlychangingworld.
Weinviteyoutodelveintohisjourneyanddrawinspirationfromaleaderwho isnotonlyshapingbusiness—butreshapingtheverydefinitionofsuccess.
08.
18.
F E A T
U R I N
G James Mathew A Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of Business
A
R
T I C L E S
Leadership That Listens: How Empathy Drives Innovation and Retention
22.
Purpose-Driven Leadership: The Key to Building Resilient Organizations
Editor-in-Chief
Deputy Editor
Managing Editor
Assistant Editor
Visualizer
Art & Design Head
Art & Design Assitant
Business Development Manager
Business Development Executives
Technical Head
Assitant Technical Head
Digital Marketing Manager
Research Analyst
Circulation Manager
David
Mia
Richard
F
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
ResearchhasconsistentlydemonstratedthatCEOs playapivotalroleinshapingthedirectionand successofthecompaniestheylead.Theirdecisions andleadershipstyledirectlyinfluencecorporatestrategy, overallperformance,andpublicperception.Inrecent decades,theimpactofCEOsonbusinessoutcomeshas grownsignificantly,alongsideincreasedpublicscrutinyof theirleadership.Now,imaginegaininginsightsand guidancefromoneoftheworld’stopCEOs—leaderswho drawfromtheirvastexperiencetosupportyourpersonal andprofessionalgrowth.
JamesMathewexemplifiesthequalitiesofanexceptional CEO&ManagingPartnerinthefieldofaudit,advisory &consulting.AstheCEO&ManagingPartnerofUHY JamesCharteredAccountantsLLCheisservingasan inspirationtothenextgenerationofCEOs.Adistinguished CharteredAccountantwithover30yearsofentrepreneurial experienceintheUAE,Jamesbeganhiscareerin1992.
RecognizingtheimmensepotentialoftheUAE’sevolving economy,hemadeabolddecisiontoembarkonhis entrepreneurialjourney.In1997,drivenbyvisionand determination,hetooka"leapoffaith"toestablishhisown business,layingthefoundationforaremarkablecareerin leadershipandinnovation.
AccordingtoJames,theUAE’seconomywasrapidly advancinginthe1990screatingabundantopportunities withinthefinancialsector.AsaseasonedChartered Accountant,herecognizedthepotentialandseizedthe momenttomakehismark.Thispivotalexperiencefueled hispassionforentrepreneurship,settinghimonapathto handholddiversebusinessventuresonthepathofsustained financialsuccess.
RisingtoNewHorizons
Overthepast30years,Jameshascultivatedextensive expertiseinbuildinghigh-performingteamsanddriving auditandadvisoryservicestowardsustainablegrowthin theUAEandacrosstheregion.Hisleadershipjourneyisan ongoingevolution,continuallyadaptingtoalignwith organizationalgoals.Oneofthemostvaluablelessonshe haslearnedisthatpurpose-drivenleadershipisthe cornerstoneoflong-termsuccess,benefitingboth individualsandthebroadercommunity
AtthehelmofaffairsinUHYJames,hecollaborateswith topfamilybusinesses,multinationalcorporations,andboth publicandprivatesectororganizationsacrosstheUAE. BackedbydeepindustryknowledgeJamesiswellpoisedto supportbusinessesinaligningtheirfinancialascensionby proactivelyidentifyinggapsthatcouldposerisks.
James
emphasizes that strategic vision is essential for navigating market complexities. This includes a focus on sustainable practices, brand positioning, and leveraging data-driven technologies like AI and machine learning to achieve organizational excellence.
“ “
LegacyofLeadershipandVisionaryGrowth
James’25-yeartenurewithintheupperechelonsofthetop 10networksisatestamenttohisexceptionalfinancial acumenandenduringcommitmenttodrivingbusiness growth.Hishumblebeginningasanentrepreneurwas markedbyaprogressiveascentfromPartnertoSenior Partner,culminatinginhisroleasGroupCEO–UAE& Oman.Thismeteoricrisereflectsnotonlyhisprofessional accomplishmentsbutreinforcesadeepunderstandingofthe evolvinglandscapeoforganizationalgrowth.His subsequentelectiontotheGlobalBoardoftheTop10 audit/accountingnetworkin2017and2018further underscoreshisstrategicinsightandglobalinfluence.In 2019,JamestransitionedtojoinforceswithUKbased globalauditnetwork–UHYInternational-tobecomeUHY James(CharteredAccountantsLLC&AdvisoryLLC),an independentmemberfirmintheUAE.
Recognizingthedynamicshiftsinthemarket,James embarkedonastrategicevolution,focusingonindependent explorationwithinthecontrolledenvironmentsoffinancialfreezonesandlistedentities.Thisforward-thinking approach,coupledwithhisroleasanindependentmember oftheglobalUHYnetwork,hasbeeninstrumentalinlaying thegroundworkforasignificantexpansionwithintheGCC market.ThetransitiontoUHYJamescatalyzeda transformativephase,enablingthecompanytobroadenits
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.
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,
recognizingtheirpivotalroleinshapingthefutureofaudit andadvisoryservices.Hebelievesthattocreatealegacy, onemustnotonlyadapttochangebutalsoanticipateand driveit.
SustainingExcellence,PrioritizingPartnership:UHY James'StrategicTrajectory
Formorethanthirtyyears,thefirmhasmeticulouslyshaped theauditandadvisorylandscapewithintheUnitedArab Emiratesandestablisheditselfasanorganizationdeeply committedtofosteringsustainablegrowth,connecting clientstoemergingopportunities,andactivelyaiding businessesintheirdevelopmentaljourneys.
Theleadership'svisionforthenextfiveyearsemphasizesa focusedefforttoenhanceandhighlighttheefficiencyand tangibleimpactofthefirm’sservices.Thiswillbeachieved throughthestrategicadoptionandintegrationof progressingtechnologies,withaparticularemphasison deliveringrefinedandimpactfulexpertisetoclients.
UHYJameshassuccessfullypositioneditselfasthe "PreferredPartnerofChoice"foritsclientele,andthefirm isdedicatedtostrengtheningandsolidifyingthisvital connectionacrossallfacetsofitsbusiness.Thisambition extendsbeyondtheUAE,encompassingtheentireGCC region,reflectingacommitmenttobuildingenduringand mutuallybeneficialpartnerships.
WithinUHYJames,theteampossessesaprofound understandingofthedynamicandmultifacetednatureof finance.Professionalsundergoextensiveandrigorous trainingacrossabroadspectrumofbusinessareas,ensuring theypossessenhancedindustryknowledgeanda comprehensiveunderstandingofadvancingauditing standardsandregulatorycompliance.
Complianceisconsideredacentralpillarofthefirm's operations,andUHYJamesensuresthatitsteamhasaccess tothelatesttechnologicaladvancementsandinnovative solutionstoeffectivelymeetthechangingrequirementsof itsclients.Recognizingthecomplexandnuanced
“ “ 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.
Leadership That Listens:
How Empathy Drives Innovation and Retention
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.
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.
www thecioworld.com