The first of only two women on this list, Dr Zulekha Daud has helped revolutionise the UAE’s private healthcare industry. Half a century ago, Dr Daud left India to travel to the UAE with a dream to offer affordable quality medical facilities to all. She set up the Zulekha Healthcare Group in 1961 and quickly went from being a young medical graduate to a practising physician serving patients from all walks of life. Her work soon made her a household name in her new adopted home and her company now employs around 1,050 staff and treats over 550,000 patients per year.