Top CEOs were recognised and honoured at the latest edition of the CEO Middle East Awards. This year’s ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 13, recognising the most innovative and successful CEOs from across the region.

The CEO Middle East Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement, and they provide a platform for leaders to showcase their successes, inspire others, and continue to drive progress in their respective industries.

The categories awarded leaders in several industries such as Fintech, Healthcare, Innovation, Property, Logistics and more. Contenders for these awards hailed from various organisations including Standard Chartered Bank, RAK Properties, Bayut and FIVE Hospitality.

CEO Middle East Awards 2023 winners

Entrepreneur of the year 

Raki Phillips – CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority 

CEO of the Year – Energy 

H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar – CEO, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower)

CEO of the Year – Telecom

Faisal Ibrahim Alatig – CEO, channels by stc

CEO of the year – Property

Sameh Muhtadi – CEO, RAK Properties 

CEO of the year – Developer

Carlos Wakim – CEO, Bloom Holding

CEO of the year – Property Consultants 

Donna Sultan – President & CEO, KEO International Consultants

CEO of the Year – Cybersecurity

Ajay Bhalla – President of Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard

CEO of the Year – Healthcare

Shaista Asif – Co-Founder and Group Chief Operating Officer, PureHealth

CEO of the Year – Banking

Sunil Kaushal – Regional CEO, Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank 

CEO of the Year – Hospitality

Aloki Batra – CEO, FIVE Hospitality 

CEO of the Year – Edtech

Geoffrey Alphonso – CEO, Alef Education

CEO of the Year – Consumer

Jobin Joejoe – Deputy Managing Director, Sony Middle East and Africa

Fastest Growing Company of the year

BinSulaiman Group by Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman

Fastest Growing Outsourcing Company of the year

Tafaseel

Fastest Growing Tech Company of the year

Dubizzle Group

Innovative Company of the year

Astratech

CEO of the Year – Media 

Mohammed Tayem – CEO, Entourage 

CEO of the Year – Visionary

Alexander Heller – CEO & Co-Founder, Hyperspace

CEO of the Year – Financial Services

Hisham Alrayes – CEO and Board Member, GFH Financial Group

CEO of the Year – Property Technology

Haider Khan – CEO, Bayut

CEO of the Year – Real Estate

Ankur Aggarwal – Founder & CEO, Bricks N Woods 

CEO of the Year – Tech Entreprenuer

Talal Naser Al Ajmi – Founder and CEO, VI Markets

CEO of the Year – Diversified

Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk  – CEO, Mulk Holding 

CEO of the Year – Ecommerce

Jad Toubayly – Founder & CEO, Idealz

CEO of the Year – Education & Training

Mila Smart Semeshkina – CEO, Lectera.com

CEO of the Year – Entertainment

Umut Duvan – Co-Founder, SKD International Drones Events 

CEO of the Year – Innovation

Alex Reinhardt – CEO, Smart Blockchain

The awards represent the benchmark of success for senior executives in the Middle East and are eagerly anticipated by winners, sponsors, nominees and guests each year with a select audience of several hundred executives making up the high level guest list on the night.