A Great Place To Work

Smita

one in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq and we’ve been certified as the Best Place to Work for millennials in Egypt, which I’m really proud of.

What would you say enabled AstraZeneca to top the ranking?

The Best Places to Work organization recently announced the top 23 places to work in Middle East for 2022, with AstraZeneca leading the ranking. What factors were considered and how did your company stand out?

I’m absolutely delighted that AstraZeneca has been chosen from over 250 organizations in the region, especially as there were only two pharma companies in the top 10. Businesses had to be recognized as outstanding employers by Best Places to Work in at least one of the countries across the region, and we were recognized in seven: Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, which is an incredible result. Not only that, but AstraZeneca also ranked number

I think the key to our success has been our commitment to putting people first, prioritizing learning and development, and ensuring that diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do. For me, being a company that our people are proud of is essential, whether it be due to our life-changing medicines for patients, or commitment to driving healthcare equity, or the way we champion sustainability.

How do you attract young talent in the region?

The Middle East and Africa has the world’s youngest population, and our business reflects this, as 73% of our employees are millennials. I think one reason we are an attractive place to work for younger generations is our culture, which makes everyone feel empowered to speak their mind and offer ideas, no matter their age or level of seniority. One example is our Butterflies Panel, which serves as a discussion forum for staff. Another is our Reverse Mentoring Programme, which pairs senior leaders with those starting their careers and facilitates learning from each other.

How is the company encouraging diversity and gender equality? We are championing gender diversity by supporting the next generation of female leaders and addressing the barriers and challenges that may hinder their career progression. Already, 500 colleagues have enrolled in our AstraZeneca Women as Leaders program, which helps to build the capabilities of the next generation of leaders. Currently, 44% of AstraZeneca’s MEA leadership are women, and this number is growing steadily.

We strongly believe that leveraging the unique strengths and diversity of our people in MEA—both men and women—will empower us to achieve our bold ambition to transform healthcare and outcomes for millions of patients.

For you, what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work?

I have been with AstraZeneca for over a decade as I feel that in this organization everyone has the opportunity to unlock their potential. Moreover, our goal of transforming healthcare gives real purpose to our work and truly inspires me.