Shaista Asif, Co-Founder and Group Chief Operating Officer of PureHealth, has been named as the Group CEO and Farhan Malik as Managing Director as part of a leadership restructure ahead of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the First Market of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). The move will align with its business strategy and simplify the healthcare group’s management structure.
Under the new structure, PureHealth founder Farhan Malik will have an expanded mandate including further developing PureHealth's business globally, formulating effective strategies and ensuring the delivery of service excellence to clients, thereby adding value to shareholders.
Farhan Malik, Founder and Managing Director of PureHealth, said: “The board and I are delighted that Shaista Asif has accepted the role of PureHealth Chief Executive. Shaista is a dynamic, value-driven business leader who has a diverse background of experiences and an excellent track record of delivery in the global health industry. Her exceptional strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness and strong experience in both developed and developing markets are significant assets that will undoubtedly propel PureHealth towards greater heights in the healthcare industry.
“We look forward to Shaista realising the full potential of PureHealth as a winning healthcare conglomerate which delivers long-term growth and value for all its stakeholders.”
Earlier this year, Forbes Middle East ranked Shaista Asif among the top 10 in the 2023 list of the 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen and number 1 healthcare leader across the region. With more than 22 years of experience, 16 of which she has spent in the healthcare industry, she co-founded the PureHealth Group in 2006 and assumed her current role in 2010.
During her time at PureHealth, Shaista Asif has overseen multiple successful acquisitions including Abu Dhabi Health Services Co (SEHA), The National Rehabilitation Center (NRC), The National Health Insurance Co. (Daman), acquiring a stake in Ardent Healthcare and led the landmark acquisition of Circle Health Group, the first-of-its-kind healthcare acquisition by a UAE-based group in the UK, a deal worth more than AED4.4 billion (US$ 1.2 billion).
In her role as Group Chief Operating Officer, Shaista Asif’s direction has been critical in leading PureHealth’s commitment to a sustainable future, becoming part of the United Nations-backed Race to Zero initiative for Climate Change, and pledging Net Zero emissions by 2040.
She also spearheaded several AI-driven initiatives, in line with PureHealth’s vision, including the launch of Pura, the region’s first AI-backed healthcare companion app, which is helping people live healthier, longer lives; as well as the launch of PureNet, a dedicated healthcare cloud providing digital health as a service platform.
As a steadfast supporter of women, Shaista Asif organised and hosted over 500 attendees, female leaders, and senior government officials at the Remarkable Emirati Women summit, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, and played a key role in the launch of the Emirati Women Chapter, a mentorship initiative dedicated to empowering and inspiring Emirati women.
