Outstanding entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and trailblazing businessmen and women were honoured at the annual CEO Middle East Awards on December 7, 2022.

The pandemic placed the spotlight on the importance of leadership, with difficult and decisive decision-making crucial to business success, and survival, throughout a period of intense economic uncertainty.

The awards programme seeks to recognise and reward the most successful and innovative CEOs from across the Middle East, and represent the benchmark for success among senior executives from across the region.

A gala event, top CEOs from across the Middle East were also honoured for their vital contribution to the region’s ongoing success story as a global hub for innovation and business.

Entrepreneur of the year: Oweis Zahran, founder of OWS Automotive and OWS Capital
Hospitality CEO of the year: Walid Hajj, Lavoya Group
Healthcare CEO of the year: Alisa Moopen, Aster DM Healthcare
Young Achiever of the Year: Shadman Sakib, Vurse
Consumer CEO of the Year: Prashant Goenka, Emami
Innovation Award: Talal Al Gaddah, CEO of MAG Lifestyle Development
Security CEO of the year: Turki Al Thonayan, CEO of National Security Services Company
SME CEO of the year: Simon Hacker, founder and CEO of Alpha Nero
FMCG CEO of the Year: P.B. Abdul Jebber, Managing Director, Hotpack Group
Ecommerce company of the year: Rajesh Iyer, Careem Express
Education CEO of the Year: Sahar Al Marzouki, CEO of Al Faris International School
Lifestyle CEO of the year: Omar Jackson, founder of OJ Lifestyle
Financial Services CEO of the Year: Hisham Al Rayes, CEO of GFH. The award was collected by executive director of GFH Khalid Al Basri
Fintech company of the year: Tala Al Ajmi, CEO of VI Markets
Fastest growing company of the year: Pamela Lilburne Opie, founder of Linen Obsession
Logistics CEO of the year: Othman Aljeda, CEO of Aramex
Media CEO of the Year: Maaz Sheikh, CEO of STARZPLAY
International Achievement: Fadie Musallet
Property CEO of the Year: Ziad El Chaar, CEO of DarGlobal
Visionary of the Year: Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman & CEO of GMG