Dubai, 20 December 2012:  Ahmed Ebrahim Al Ahmad, CIO of Nakheel, has been crowned CIO of the Year at the 2012 ICT Achievement Awards.

Ahmed was recognised for his role in moving the company forward in the wake of its restructuring exercise. His IT strategy, designed to deliver value beyond technology while saving costs and bridging IT gaps, led to initial operational savings of more than AED9 million, primarily achieved by dovetailing the IT team, business units and vendors.

Commenting on his achievement, Ahmed Ebrahim Al Ahmad, said: "This is a very proud moment for me, and I am honoured to have received this coveted award. I must thank the Nakheel board for their support, and the IT team for their assistance in devising our IT road map. It's imperative to align business goals with IT strategy, and I'm delighted to be playing a key role in Nakheel's post-restructuring business plan."

The annual ICT Achievement Awards honour technology leaders who demonstrate innovative leadership in the creation, deployment or management of technology to help their business, and vendors who have provided products and services for tangible business benefits.  Winners are selected after a rigorous application and review process by a panel of judges, based on two criteria: business value and innovation.

Jeevan Thankappan, Group Editor of CPI Technology, said: "It is a transformation time for CIOs. They have to speak the language of business, and step out of the proverbial back office to the front lines of customer service. These IT pros are working in a very dynamic environment and the pressures they go through are compounded by economic challenges and organisation politics. Mr Ahmed Ebrahim Al Ahmad from Nakheel was chosen from a shortlist of some of the top IT leaders in the region by our judges based on the important role he plays in realising his company's vision, and for having redefined a new IT strategy that supported the company restructuring to shore up bottom line a short span of time, with the help of a dynamic team."

© Press Release 2012