The Boardroom Board Search: From Switzerland to the UAE - Elevating Governance Standards Globally

Date Posted:Wed, 30th Apr 2025

The Boardroom Board Search: From Switzerland to the UAE - Elevating Governance Standards Globally

The Boardroom is the first private club for women executives who aspire to be board members. Founded in Switzerland in 2021 by Diana Markaki-Bartholdi, the Boardroom has quickly expanded across Europe, with Private Clubhouses in Zurich, Athens, London, and Paris. Our mission is to build an active, global pipeline of qualified women ready to serve on boards and strengthen governance worldwide.

 

“I founded the Boardroom to make sure that women who had made it to the top, actually stayed at the top,” says Diana Markaki-Bartholdi, Founder and CEO of the Boardroom.

Today, the Boardroom partners with the world’s leading companies to help them build stronger, more diverse, and future-ready boards through our Board Search and Development Services. We offer more than traditional search: we provide a comprehensive, holistic solution that integrates talent identification, continuous candidate development, and education to drive optimal board performance.

As the UAE steps up its commitment to gender diversity - including the mandate that all listed and private joint-stock companies must appoint at least one woman to their boards - the need for qualified, board-ready female leaders has never been greater.

Through our Board Search and Development Services, we offer:

  • Tailored executive search, connecting companies with exceptional female board talent
  • Ongoing candidate development, ensuring our network remains future-fit for evolving governance needs
  • Customised education and training for boards, supporting continuous growth and stronger performance

Our global network of over 500 senior executives spans 32 nationalities and 23 industries. Our members include C-level executives from the world’s largest companies, each selected for their leadership experience, strategic insight, and board potential.

The Boardroom’s in-house Board Search practice helps organisations not only meet evolving regulatory expectations, but also build high-performing, future-ready boards that create lasting value.

Whether you are looking to diversify your board, strengthen its capabilities, or stay ahead of evolving governance standards, the Boardroom is your trusted partner in building high-performing boards. Partner with us to build the board of the future. 

Contact Victoria Bowden, Head of Board Search & Partnerships at the Boardroom to find out more: [email protected]  (https://www.the-boardroom.ch/board-services/ )