Women Of Influence 2025: British Chamber Of Commerce Dubai's Katy Holmes

Since her appointment as the CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai nearly four years ago, Katy Holmes has led the organization to achieve 25 percent year-on-year revenue growth, as well as a 30 percent increase in membership. Notably, female representation among the chamber’s members rose from 17 percent to 36 percent under Holmes’ watch, underscoring her commitment to empowering women. In 2024, for instance, Holmes launched a “return-to-work” program for women re-entering the workforce; the same year, she was also a Founding Partner of the first GCC Menopause Summit in Dubai, which aimed to raise awareness around menopause and its impact on women’s lives.

But as much as Holmes wishes to advance women, she is equally keen to ensure that their progress is grounded in merit.

“I am concerned that companies can panic hire to fulfil diversity requirements/quotas— particularly at the board level—ignoring the importance of meritocracy,” she says. “Worse than having no women in leadership is having the wrong women in roles, which in turn can damage the perception, and then reduce the potential for the positive impact of women around the boardroom table.”

Here, Holmes is speaking from experience. “In my early career, I had the misfortune of experiencing women who led with fear and a genuine lack of compassion,” she shares. “Whilst it was hard going at the time, for me and to witness the impact on so many (male and female) coworkers, it clearly defined the behaviors that I would not wish to present. At that time, to balance the negative environment, I actively sought positive female role models, which, in turn, shaped my professional journey, and gave me the confidence to manage future scenarios, and seek or provide support.”

Lessons Learned: Q&A with Katy Holmes 

Looking back on your journey, if there is one piece of advice you’d give yourself before you embarked on your career, what would that be? Additionally, if you could go back in time and tell yourself something that you should avoid or simply not do, what would that be?  

The advice I wish I had and then taken on board at the start of my career is to embrace the benefits of emotional intelligence and empathy unapologetically. As a CEO, I am genuinely curious to hear multiple perspectives from across my team and believe that diversity of thought leads to the optimal outcome. If I had had more confidence in sharing my view earlier in my career, it may have further accelerated my professional development. 

Pictured in the lead image is Katy Holmes, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai. Courtesy of BCCD.

Katy Holmes was one of Inc. Arabia's Women of Influence 2025, a showcase of 30 women rewriting the rules of business in the MENA region. For the full list, please click here.