Taher is a leading figure in the region and a pioneer as a founder and CEO of Gulf One Investment Bank, and the first female CEO in the Gulf region.

She was ranked in the 23rd position in the Financial Times' top 50 women in world business report for 2011 as part of the Financial Times' Women at the Top magazine.

Taher is the only Arab woman to receive such recognition for the third consecutive year after ranking 25th and 24th in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

She is a leading economist and executive banker who strongly believes in creating and sustaining the development of wealth and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and beyond.

Taher said: "It is an honor to be among the top female chief executives and to represent Arabian women in such rankings. Being a female CEO in our part of the world is challenging and interesting at the same time."

A range of criteria were used to assess the candidates: The executive's achievements; size, scope and complexity of the company; and competitive landscape.

“I hope that the future sees more women executives in our region. There are many talented young women in the region and I encourage them to shine as tomorrow's leaders,” Taher added.