Emma Ashby brings more than 25 years of global experience in talent strategy and recruitment leadership, having held senior roles with leading organizations including ADIC, BNY Mellon, Barclays, and HSBC. Over the course of her career, she has spearheaded pan-EMEA hiring strategies, executive and board-level recruitment, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across multiple markets.
In her current role as Vice President of Talent Acquisition at the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), based in Abu Dhabi, Emma leverages her deep expertise in executive talent acquisition and inclusive hiring to support ADIC’s global investment mission and long-term growth ambitions.
What’s a recent professional achievement of yours that you are proud of?
One of my proudest achievements more recently has been partnering with our Employee Resource Group to design and implement a new Veterans Programme. The initiative was created to strengthen our commitment to inclusive hiring by supporting veterans and service leavers in their transition to corporate careers. Within just six months of launch, veteran representation in our UK workforce more than doubled. The programme’s success not only earned a ‘Significant Contribution Award’ from our Global Head of Belonging & Inclusion but also secured approval for a global rollout. It’s been deeply rewarding to see how a targeted, purpose-led initiative can create meaningful opportunities and lasting cultural impact.
What is your prediction for the future of the TA industry?
The future of Talent Acquisition will be shaped by the balance between technology and human insight. As AI streamlines hiring, recruiters will focus more on relationships, strategy, and culture. Success will come from combining data with empathy — and viewing inclusion not as an initiative, but as a business imperative.
What projects are you planning on working on in 2026?
In 2026, my focus will be on advancing a more data-driven and inclusive talent strategy. We plan to strengthen our use of workforce analytics to anticipate future skills needs, while deepening our commitment to diverse and sustainable hiring practices across all business areas. I’m also passionate about enhancing the candidate and employee experience — ensuring our processes reflect the same excellence and innovation that define our organization.