Independent Non-Executive Director Chair Of The Audit Committee

Client Background
The client is a privately owned, independent specialty chemical group headquartered in Dubai, UAE, a leading distributor and manufacturer of specialty chemicals serving customers across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa through a buy-and-resell distribution model. It operates from 150+ strategically located sites (sales offices, warehouses, and laboratories), with 1300+ employees across 40+ countries, organised along five business units: Coatings, Construction & Inks; Food Ingredients; Life Sciences; Oil, Gas, Petrochemicals & Mining; and Plastic, Rubber & Advanced Materials, and represents many internationally known chemical manufacturers. The group consists of 50+ subsidiaries.
The organisation is independently owned, with no public reporting obligations. It operates a Quality Management System certified to ISO 9001:2015, is SGS-certified, and complies with Responsible Careregistered. Its sustainability plan covers environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, with auditable KPIs linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide independent oversight and constructive challenge to the executive on financial and strategic matters.
• Chair the Audit Committee: set its agenda, lead oversight of financial-reporting integrity and internal control, and own the relationship with the internal and external auditors.
• Oversee risk management and the effectiveness of internal control across the organisation.
• Uphold the highest standards of governance, integrity, and independence.
• Contribute to board discussions on strategy, drawing on senior financial-leadership experience.
  

Sector / Industry Experience
Chemicals & Specialty Chemicals; Chemical Distribution (coatings, construction & inks; food ingredients; life sciences; oil, gas, petrochemicals & mining; plastics, rubber & advanced materials)

Level Of Experience
Executive (Partner level, C-suite, >30 years)
Time Commitment
Approximately four board meetings per year, plus Audit Committee meetings; an estimated 8 to 12 days per year including preparation and travel. The range is indicative and open to discussion at the interview stage.
Work Arrangement
Remote. In-person attendance is required for board meetings in Dubai (approximately four per year); the appointee need not be UAE-based and may be based outside the region (e.g. Europe).
Must-Have Experience And Skills For Acceptance

• Current or recent service as a Non-Executive Director, including as Chair of an Audit Committee.
• Former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a multinational of approximately US$1 to 5 billion in annual revenue.
• Financial expertise sufficient to serve as the Audit Committee's designated financial expert: current, demonstrable command of accounting standards, financial reporting, and internal control.
• Sector experience in chemicals, specialty chemicals, or chemical distribution.
• International / multi-region: significant experience across emerging markets in at least two of the following regions: Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, combined with senior experience in European corporate environments. GCC experience preferred but not required.

Looking to get Placed? Try our Placement Guarantee Plan

Get Hired
• >30 years of total work experience.
  

Education Level
Undergraduate Degree; Postgraduate Degree
Other Certifications & Qualifications

• A professional accounting or finance qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CPA, CA, CIMA) or clearly equivalent credentials.
• Membership of a recognised professional accountancy body, strongly preferred.
• A corporate-governance or director credential (such as IoD Chartered Director, or GCC Board Directors Institute certification), advantageous.
  

Specific Client Or Work Experience
Board service in a privately held or family-owned group.
Specific Geographic Experience
International / multi-region, significant experience across emerging markets in at least two of the following regions: Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, combined with senior experience in European corporate environments. GCC experience preferred but not required.