Areej Mohsin Haider Darwish, the Chairperson of MHD's Automotive Construction Equipment & Renewable Energy (ACERE) cluster, plays a pivotal role in empowering various sectors with their products and services. She has steered the business to new heights with her remarkable leadership, planning, perseverance, foresight, and determination. As an outstanding example of successful women's empowerment, Areej leads the organization's diverse operations in Oman and overseas, inspiring industry peers. She credits her success and leadership skills to her visionary father and aims to carry on his legacy by taking the MHD Group to even greater heights of success. Let’s hear more from her.

Could you share your professional journey and areas of specialization as a business leader?

I've had a fulfilling two-decade professional journey, witnessing remarkable progress in my family business. After graduating in Computer Science & Mathematics, I joined a leading Oil & Gas firm. In 1994, I joined my family business, overseeing various divisions and climbing the corporate ladder.

As the Chairperson of MHD ACERE, I uphold our family legacy and provide strategic direction, guiding the cluster to a leadership position. My focus is on setting an effective vision for the future, embracing opportunities, and overcoming challenges to ensure continuous growth. Running a business empire requires dedication, patience, and a focused vision. As a leader, I value openness to new ideas, innovation, and striving for excellence.

“To bring more women into top leadership roles, we must provide equal opportunities & empower them”

Introduce us to Mohsin Haider Darwish. Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Chairperson of the prestigious organization.

Mohsin Haider Darwish is a prestigious privately-owned business house in Oman, founded by my father, Late Mohsin Haider Darwish. As the Chairperson of MHD ACERE, my responsibilities include ensuring the growth and success of our family legacy. I provide strategic direction to the organization, seize trade opportunities, and focus on evolving technologies and consumer demands. Motivating our employees and fostering a positive mindset is vital for sustainable growth. In my current role, I oversee daily operations, aim to maximize growth, strengthen our market position and monitor business trends.

What are the most challenging aspects of leading Mohsin Haider Darwish in today's business climate, and how do you overcome these roadblocks?

In today's dynamic business environment, the unexpected can occur, as demonstrated by the COVID pandemic. To overcome these challenges, we prioritize tenacity and resilience. We attribute our success to proactive measures taken to limit the pandemic's impact, safeguard employees, and mitigate financial and operational risks.

To stay resilient, we revisit our strategy, identify potential issues, and develop business plans to mitigate adversity. We strive for sustainability by innovating and evolving our business, defining new models to meet customer needs, leveraging emerging technologies, and following best practices.

MHD's growth and success are driven by expanding our portfolio across sectors, venturing into new business ventures aligned with Oman's Vision 2040, and our commitment to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. For long-term success as a family business, we emphasize a strong sense of purpose and vision, professional management, and dedication to carrying the family legacy across generations.

Can you recount the top three significant milestones you have achieved throughout your extensive professional journey?

One significant milestone would be when I got the role of Chairperson in our family business. Despite the added responsibility, it provided me with an opportunity to elevate our business to new heights. Another notable milestone is the recognition we received from Forbes Middle East over the years, which is a true honor, acknowledging our work, achievements, and our impact on shaping our family business.

What has been your guiding principle for success as a business leader over the years?

Being a business leader or entrepreneur is a complex endeavor, involving multiple steps, from generating business ideas to creating plans. My guiding principle for success is to maintain unwavering determination in advancing our careers and pushing our boundaries.

It is crucial to be meticulous and focused, and seize opportunities that come our way. Challenges will inevitably arise, but our ability and willingness to confront them with confidence will determine our outcomes. Leveraging our strengths, continuous learning, monitoring objectives, and embracing innovation is key in today's dynamic business world. I firmly believe in thinking creatively and outside the box, as it sets us apart, leads to breakthroughs, and enables us to devise effective strategies. Strategic thinking, constant innovation, and holding onto our goals without losing sight are keys to our success.

What is your perspective on the current representation of women in the Omani business landscape, and how can more women be brought into top leadership positions?

The representation of women in the Omani business landscape is crucial. To bring more women into top leadership roles, we must provide equal opportunities and empower them through training and mentorship. Recognizing their achievements, fostering a supportive environment, and encouraging women to set goals, take on challenges, and embrace growth opportunities will help create a more diverse and inclusive business landscape in Oman.

Areej Mohsin Darwish, Chairperson, Mohsin Haider Darwish

Areej is the Chairperson of the Automotive, Construction Equipment & Renewable Energy (ACERE) cluster at MHD.With over two decades of experience, she has steadily climbed the corporate ladder, demonstrating exceptional leadership, planning, and determination.