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.