The CEO Magazine proudly hosted the first-ever Executive of the Year Awards – Middle East and Africa, recognizing executives whose leadership, innovation and influence are shaping the region’s business landscape. Sponsored by Ardaas, the awards celebrated exceptional leaders across industries, highlighting their outstanding achievements and lasting impact.

Winner: Kalyana Sivagnanam, Group CEO – Petromin Corporation

Runner-Up: Mohamed Abdelbary, Group CEO – Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

Highly Commended: Sherif Foda, CEO and Chair – National Energy Services Reunited

Winner: Maher Merehbi, CEO – Arabian Construction Company

Arabian Construction Company (ACC) has delivered some of the region’s most complex infrastructure and real estate projects across the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Europe. Under Merehbi’s leadership, ACC has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s skylines and infrastructure, representing a significant economic impact. Landmark developments, including some of the world’s largest mosques, highlight the scale and global significance of their projects.

Winner: Olatomiwa Williams, Middle East & Africa Growth & AI Officer – Microsoft

Olatomiwa Williams leads AI adoption and digital skilling across 67 countries while championing women’s leadership in technology.

Winner: Mark Benzahia, Managing Director – S.A. TALKE

Runner-Up: Mater Al Dhafeeri, Vice President, Commercial – Sahara International Petrochemical Company

Winner: George Kunnappally, Managing Director – Nando’s UAE

Runner-Up: Sanchita Singh, Director – Bidco Africa

Winner: Sherif Elkhouly, Co-Founder and CEO – DataScience Middle East

Runner-Up: Martin Roe, CEO – CCI Global

Winner: Darrell Edon, CFO – PJP Investments Group

Runner-Up: Lorraine Dyer, Country Manager – Bata South Africa

Winner: Ramez Abou Zaid, CEO – Union Insurance Company

Runner-Up: Mohamed Shaheen, Cluster President and CEO – Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Yemen & Bahrain

Winner: Yanal Alkhasoneh, Division Director, IT – Abu Dhabi Customs

Runner-Up: Kaushik Burman, CEO – Spiro

Special thanks to our judges, whose expertise made this inaugural celebration possible: Mohammed H Al Qahtani, Lance Kawaguchi, Fadle Saad, Khalid Al-Khatib, Phillip Khoury, Alaba Fagun, Tapan Vaidya and Mishal Kanoo.