Fractional data reveals 73% of fractional C-suite executives who applied to work internationally chose the UAE
Nearly three in four (73%) fractional C-suite executives who applied to work in another country chose the UAE, according to new Fractional data across its 64 city hubs worldwide. Almost three times as many cross-border applicants chose Dubai or Abu Dhabi as all of Fractional's other hubs combined.
Dubai, UAE, 21 October 2026: Fractional, the UAE's largest fractional executive collective, has published aggregated applications data showing that nearly three in four (73%) fractional C-suite executives who applied to work in another country chose the UAE. Almost three times as many cross-border applicants (2.8x) chose Dubai or Abu Dhabi as all of Fractional's other 62 city hubs combined, while none of the executives already based in the UAE applied to work anywhere else.
Fractional analysed applications to its 64 city hubs over ten weeks, from 1 August to 13 October 2026. The UAE ranked first every month: at least 70% of cross-border applicants, defined as those who applied from a country outside where they want to work, selected Dubai or Abu Dhabi as their preferred location. These are senior leaders: more than half had at least 15 years' executive experience and over a third had 20 years or more, in line with applicants already based in the UAE.
Fractional's data indicates that the UAE also attracts far more of its talent from abroad. More than a quarter (27%) of applicants to the Dubai and Abu Dhabi city hubs were based outside the UAE, compared with 8% of applicants to all of Fractional's other hubs combined.
"Senior talent is still choosing the UAE," said Rhys Holding, Managing Director of Fractional. "Executives are drawn by the lifestyle, the ambition and pace of growth, and the opportunity to work alongside like-minded, internationally experienced talent. Senior executives abroad want to work in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and those already here are finding compelling reasons to stay."
The analysis also found that non-resident applications to the UAE were primarily from Europe (36%) and South Asia (24%), and came from 27 countries globally. Around one-third (31%) of non-resident applicants to the UAE said they would move to the UAE, while two-thirds (67%) said they would serve UAE businesses with regular visits, before or instead of moving their household.
"With most businesses in the UAE being SMEs, we're seeing growing demand for fractional C-suite executives," added Holding. "As these businesses scale, they need experienced leaders who have already solved the problems they're facing for the first time, but not necessarily on a full-time basis. Fractional gives them that C-suite expertise, with the flexibility to bring in the right people at the right time."
Fractional executives are part-time leaders embedded into the C-suite of SMEs who need access to senior advice and expertise, without the commitment of a full-time hire. Applications came from a range of C-suite roles, including COOs, CFOs, CMOs, CEOs, CTOs and CHROs.
Fractional's application process allows fractional leaders to apply through any of its 64 city hubs worldwide, including the applicant's home market. The system records the country applicants are in at the time of application, and the analysis excludes data from UAE residents travelling at the time of application.
The full data set, analysis and methodology can be accessed on the Fractional website here.
About Fractional
Fractional is the UAE's largest fractional executive collective, with 400+ curated senior executives across nine C-suite functions. Founded by Rhys Holding and Sam Loyd, the business connects SMEs and start-ups across the UAE and wider GCC with C-suite talent across finance, operations, technology, marketing, people and growth, matched to the stage, industry and challenge of each business. Each executive embeds directly into the business to advise, execute and take ownership of outcomes, delivering senior leadership without the commitment of a full-time hire. Through its collective, regular events, peer collaboration, mentoring and shared learning, Fractional provides the support, structure and governance needed to help every engagement succeed. Executive search, done fractionally.
Website: www.fractional-dubai.com
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Notes to editors
Source of all data: Fractional analysis of applications to its 64 city hubs, 1 August to 13 October 2026. fractional-dubai.com/media/data/executives-still-choosing-the-uae-2026
