‘Diversity is not just about ticking boxes,’ says Cigna Middle East’s first female CEO

Leah Cotterill, the newly appointed CEO and the first female to lead an international insurance company in the UAE, spoke to Arabian Business about what it takes to achieve true diversity and how to better support women in the healthcare sector as technological advances reshape its future.

“Promoting diversity is not just about ticking boxes but rather fostering an inclusive culture where every individual has the opportunity to thrive,” Cotterill told Arabian Business, highlighting the need for substantive change in the industry’s approach to diversity.

Her comments come at a time when the healthcare sector, despite being predominantly staffed by women, still sees a significant gender gap in leadership positions. Women make up around 70 percent of health worker jobs globally, yet they only hold 25 percent of leadership roles in the sector, recent research suggests.

This disparity underscores the importance of her appointment and the message it sends to the industry.

As the first female CEO of an international healthcare organisation in the UAE, Cotterill’s appointment marks a significant milestone. However, she emphasised that her role is about more than personal achievement.

“I hope our work inspires many organisations to identify, develop, and nurture women for leadership roles,” she said.

“For the industry, having more women in leadership roles is critical, as it brings diverse perspectives, fosters inclusive decision-making, and drives impactful change. I believe my role as CEO is not just about personal achievement but rather paving the way for future female leaders.”

She advocates for a multi-faceted approach to improve diversity in the healthcare sector, highlighting the need for implementing policies that actively promote diversity and inclusion, provide training to address unconscious biases, and challenge traditional stereotypes that persist in male-dominated industries.

While acknowledging the progress made in the UAE, including initiatives like the UAE Gender Balance Council, Cotterill believes there is still work to be done.

“The UAE’s progressive policies and initiatives aim to increase women’s participation in the workforce and encourage them to become leaders. I am proud to be a part of this progress,” she said.

AI’s impact on MENA region’s $185bn healthcare market

The MENA region’s healthcare market is currently worth $185.5 billion, according to recent estimates, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7 percent in the coming years.

The sector has seen significant transformation, namely in the UAE and Saudi Arabia where it is poised for major advancements in tech – which Cotterill is particularly optimistic about.

“AI promises to revolutionise various aspects of healthcare, from diagnostics to personalised medicine and operational efficiency. The integration of AI in healthcare is already making significant strides, and its impact is becoming increasingly evident,” she said.

The global AI in healthcare market is projected to reach $188bn by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 38.5 percent between 2024 and 2030. AI adoption in key medical areas are expected to drive this growth.

AI is already being used by 79 percent of the world’s healthcare organisations in some capacity. The technology can be used in several use cases such as disease detection, remote patient monitoring, drug discovery, and more.

Comparing healthcare developments in the region, Cotterill highlighted initiatives in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

She pointed to the UAE’s National Genome Strategy as “a comprehensive initiative aimed at advancing the field of genomic medicine to accelerate solutions for personalised, preventive, and precision medicine.”

For Saudi Arabia, she noted the Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation Programme, which “aims to invest over $65 billion in healthcare infrastructure, reorganise and privatise health services, as well as launch 21 health clusters to improve access and quality of care.”

Looking ahead, Cotterill outlined several strategic priorities for Cigna Healthcare under her leadership. These include enhancing access to care, improving services, and broadening the company’s impact in the region.

She revealed plans to expand the company’s footprint in the region and focus more on initiatives that support the health and vitality of Cigna’s customers.

“We will continue to collaborate with healthcare sector leaders, tech innovators, and community organisations to build a sustainable ecosystem that meets evolving needs. These partnerships will enable us to stay ahead of industry shifts and continue to deliver exceptional value while never losing sight of the human element, which is vital to patient care in the region,” she added.