Dubai: Dubai’s Emirates Group and Abu Dhabi investment giant Mubadala are among the Top 15 workplaces for professionals to ‘grow their careers’, according to the annual rankings issued by the networking platform LinkedIn. Also finding a prominent place is Majid Al Futtaim Group as well as the UAE operations of Alshaya, the Kuwaiti retail focused group.
The UAE Top 15 workplaces has majority representation by foreign companies, leading with the likes of Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Mastercard, Procter & Gamble, TotalEnergies and HSMC, among other.
In Saudi Arabia, the telecom operator stc and energy powerhouse Aramco figure as the top places to pursue careers.
According to LinkedIn:
• Nine of the Top 15 companies in Saudi Arabia are based in the Kingdom, from stc (first) and Saudi Aramco (second) through to Riyad Bank (ninth) and SRMG (13th).
• Multinational companies make up 11 of the Top 15 companies in the UAE, including McKinsey (3rd), Procter & Gamble (11th) and HSBC (15th).
“What stands out in this year’s Top Companies lists is a shift in industry trends,” said Nabila Rahhal, Editor, LinkedIn News.
“In the UAE, for example, we’re seeing consulting firms dominating the landscape, with Boston Consulting Group claiming top spot after ranking 6th last year.
“This represents a continued strengthening of the consulting sector’s influence in the country’s professional ecosystem.”
Healthcare makes a return in Saudi Top 15
Healthcare companies in Saudi Arabia are once again represented in the rankings after a year.
So, you have the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and Bupa taking the 10th and 11th spots.
“This year’s list underscores the diverse business landscape in the region, with 14 different industries showing up on the top companies lists in the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” said Rahhal.
“From technology and finance to retail and energy, the rankings highlight the breadth of opportunities available and the region’s continued evolution as a thriving hub for innovation, investment, and talent development.”
How the rankings are put together
To be eligible, companies must have had 5,000 or more global employees with at least 500 within the country as of December 31, 2024.
LinkedIn tracks ‘eight pillars’ to decide where the companies rank in the final listings. This includes a professional’s ability to advance within the organisation, skills growth opportunities, and the kind of stability the employer can provide.
Choosing the right company to work for is very important for people who want to grow in their careers. Big companies like Emirates Group, Mubadala, and Majid Al Futtaim are known for taking care of their employees and helping them learn new skills.
But how do companies know if their employees and customers are really happy? This is where Incognito Mystery Shopping Consultancy plays a big role.
At Incognito, mystery shoppers help companies like airlines, hotels, and real estate businesses understand the real customer experience. Mystery shoppers visit places secretly as regular customers and check if staff are friendly, helpful, and following company standards. This helps companies improve their service and build trust — making them even better places to work and grow.
Good customer service and happy employees go hand in hand. That’s why companies across the UAE and Saudi Arabia trust Incognito Mystery Shopping to give them real feedback and help them become the best in their industry