Dubai Holding participates in Global Corporate Challenge for third consecutive year

DUBAI 23 May 2013: For the third year running, Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, will be participating in the Global Corporate Challenge (‘GCC’), the world’s leading corporate health initiative aimed at changing the behaviour and improving the health of employees. Dubai Holding’s participation in this Corporate Challenge is an integral part of its Corporate Wellness Programme.

As one of the first corporate in the Middle East to participate in the Global Corporate Challenge initiative two years ago, Dubai Holding is raising the bar higher this year, with 643 participants competing in 91 teams of seven. The participants come from Dubai Holding’s corporate office and its portfolio companies including Jumeirah Group, TECOM Investments, Dubai Properties Group and Emirates International Telecommunications.

In 2012, Dubai Holding employees walked a total distance equal to walking around the world over six times. In 2013, the teams, led by senior management including Dubai Holding’s Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Bin Byat, are looking to break their personal records and achiever higher ranking amongst the 3,400 organisations participating across the world.

Stephanie Griffiths, Business Development Manager, the Global Corporate Challenge, commented on Dubai Holding’s participation: “We are delighted to welcome Dubai Holding to the GCC again in 2013 and for the third consecutive year. The Company continues to set the pace for other organisations in the UAE when it comes to corporate wellness programmes. We have seen the number of participants increase every year, and we look forward to the participation of its portfolio companies in 2013.”

Cedric Betis, Chairman of Dubai Holding Wellness Committee said: “I am proud that our Corporate Wellness Programme is proving its effectiveness as we see more colleagues participating in our different initiatives. Our Programme aims to help Dubai Holding employees live a healthier, more active life. We strongly believe that regular physical activity is correlated to improved performance in other aspects of life, including the workplace. The GCC is a great example of an initiative that targets both employee health and teamwork. We look forward to breaking our own record by increasing employee engagement.”

Since the establishment of the Global Corporate Challenge in 2004, over 950,000 participants across 3,400 organisations in 105 countries have benefited from it.

Dubai Holding’s Corporate Wellness Programme includes a number of other activities such as the Dubai Marathon, the Dubai Vertical Marathon, the blood donation drives, the Dubai Women’s Run and sponsored treks and hikes. The GCC is unique as it involves a 16 week commitment that will likely result in participants adopting more permanent exercise habits.

This year’s Global Corporate Challenge will begin on 23 May.