Home News Revealed: Winners of the Gulf Business Awards 2023 The awards celebrated luminaries from across the region’s business ecosystem by Gulf Business November 29, 2023 Image courtesy: Motivate Media Group The GCC countries are punching above their weight economically and the region is somewhat insulated from the global ‘rocky recovery’, marked by high inflation, elevated interest rates and a slowdown in the world’s two largest economies – China and the US. Despite projections that growth in the GCC will stall in 2023 before picking up again to 3.6 and 3.7 per cent in 2024 and 2025, respectively, the story of companies and industries across the region is one of resilience, adaptability, and forward-thinking strategies. READ MORE — IN PICTURES: All the Gulf Business 2023 Award winners Through diversification, technological innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, the GCC has not merely weathered the storm but has emerged as a dynamic force in the global economic landscape. In a dazzling display of glamour and achievement, the 11th edition of the Gulf Business Awards unfolded as a celebration of excellence, bringing together industry leaders, luminaries, and trailblazers under one resplendent roof. The Gulf Business 2023 Awards attracted the best of the region’s business and C-suite community. The awards gala, which was held at Palazzo Versace Dubai on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, recognised companies and captains of industries across different sectors including energy, tourism and hospitality, aviation and transport, real estate, banking, healthcare and retail. More than 250 business leaders and C-suite level executives attended the Gulf Business awards ceremony, where distinguished individuals and companies were lauded for their contributions to innovation, growth, and positive impact on both the local and global stages. The coveted Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 was conferred to Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, the chairman of Dubai-based luxury real estate developer Damac Properties. Founded in 1982, the property developer has grown exponentially over the years and has already dipped its toes into the residential market in London, Florida and the Maldives. Furthermore, this year’s Business Excellence Awards recognised institutions and individuals who made a mark last year and impacted the region’s business ecosystem in a meaningful way. Pictured: CEO and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, Ian Fairservice (left), and President of Emirates, Sir Tim Clark (right). Ian Fairservice, managing director and group editor-in-chief of Motivate Media Group congratulated the regional business community and the captains of industries on their success and the role they are playing in driving growth. “For more than 25 years, Gulf Business has stood witness to the amazing transformation of the Gulf region, particularly the UAE. We have cheered every milestone as it morphed from a vast desert expanse into a powerhouse of economic growth and innovation,” he said. Award winners were chosen by a judging panel of respected industry luminaries, including Anthony Milne, chief commercial officer – Motivate Media Group, Helen Barrett, deputy chair – British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates, and partner – CBD Corporate Services, Ian Fairservice, managing partner and proup editor-in-chief of Motivate Media Group and Robin Joffe, partner-managing director, Frost & Sullivan Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) operations. Well-known TV and radio personality Tom Urquhart was the MC of the Gulf Business Awards 2023. The award ceremony was hosted by Gulf Business and Motivate Media Group and sponsored by Century Financial, associate sponsor – Yardi and activation sponsor – Warehouse Gym. Event partners included Super Angels Summit 2023, vote processing partner – Jacobsons, Palazzo Versace Dubai for venue and Palazzo Versace Hospitality for F&B, African and Eastern, and Matrix Public Relations for PR. LIST OF WINNERS 2023 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS SME of the Year: Tarabut Gateway Sustainability Company of the Year: Masdar Disruptive Company of the Year: Kitopi Business Leader of the Year: Sir Tim Clark Pictured: President of Emirates, Sir Tim Clark (left), speaking with the Deputy CEO of Dubai Airports Company, Jamal Al Hai (right). Marcom Leader of the Year: Lucy Aziz, OPPO Young Achiever of the Year: Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Co-founder and CEO of Astra Tech Company of the Year: Accor Lifetime Achievement Award: Hussain Sajwani – Chairman and founder, DAMAC Group A video of Hussain Sajwani – Chairman and founder, DAMAC Group — as he accepted the Gulf Business Lifetime Achievement Award. BANKING, FINANCE & INVESTMENT Online Trading Company of the Year: EFG Hermes ONE Investment Company of the Year: AIX Investment Group Banking Company of the Year: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Finance Advisory Company of the Year: EFG Hermes Banking, Finance & Investment Business Leader of the Year: Shayne Nelson, group CEO, Emirates NBD Philip Jones, the Senior Vice President Operations, Middle East & Africa, Accor. His company was recognised being both the Gulf Business Company of the Year as well as Hospitality Company of the Year. REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION Lifestyle Project of the Year: Kyoto by Oro24 Real Estate Agency: Driven Properties Developer of the Year: Aldar Properties Innovative Project of the Year: Keturah Reserve by MAG Properties Project of the Year: Atlantis the Royal, Dubai by Kerzer International Proptech Company of the Year: Property Finder Business Leader of the Year: Atif Rahman, founder and chairman, ORO24 Developments The ORO24 Developments Team with Atif Rahman (pictured centre, fifth from the right). TOURISM & HOSPITALITY Tourism Company of the Year: Saudi Tourism Tourism Business Leader of the Year: Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority Hospitality Company of the Year: Accor Hotels Hospitality Business Leader of the Year: Satya Anand, president of Marriott EMEA RETAIL Retail Company of the Year: Dubai Duty Free Retail Business of Leader of the Year: Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding Pictured: Helen Barrett (far left) —Deputy Chair of the British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates, and Partner at CBD Corporate Services — hands out the award for Retail Business Leader of the Year. TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS Transport and Logistics Company of the Year: Emirates Transport and Logistics Business Leader of the Year: Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates HEALTHCARE Healthcare Company of the Year: Al Khayyat Investments Healthcare Leader of the Year: Alisha Moopen, deputy managing director of Aster DM Healthcare Attendees of the Gulf Business Awards 2023 settling in at the Palazzo Versace, Dubai, before the ceremony began. TECHNOLOGY & ENERGY Cloud Company of the Year: Huawei Technology Company of the Year: Microsoft Technology Business Leader of the Year: Prateek Suri, founder and CEO of Maser Energy Company of the Year: Aramco Energy Business Leader of the Year: Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, MD, director and group CEO of ADNOC, and chairman of Masdar Attendees at the Gulf Business Awards has the opportunity to listen to an array of top execs from the GCC business world. GOLDEN FRAME AWARDS Retail Company of the Year: GMG Disruptive SME of the Year: Polynome Events FZE Agribusiness Leader of the Year: Export Trading Group Innovative SME of the Year: Petrafos Energy FZC and Downtown Reality Real Estate Brokerage LLC Sustainable SME of the Year: Healthy Pop Foods Co LLC Social Innovation Excellence Award: Butterfly Social Technologies Ltd An exciting evening was had by all at the Gulf Business Awards 2023. Congratulations to all the winners! Read: GB Tech Web3 Awards 2023: Winners of the second edition announced in glittering ceremony Tags Awards Business Leaders GCC Gulf Business You might also like Women now hold 10.8% of board seats in listed UAE firms, reveals report Supermarket chain Spinneys’ $375m IPO draws orders worth $19bn Major Schengen visa update for Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and India Investcorp announces $1bn GCC fund along with China’s CIC