The prestigious annual Gulf Business Awards took place in a dazzling ceremony on Monday evening at The Oberoi, Dubai, with some of the region’s top business executives in attendance.

The seventh edition of the event saw a total of 21 awards given away, with each winner selected by an independent judging panel.

For the first time this year judging was opened up to the public vote, which acted as a sixth judge.

The Gulf Business Awards 2018 celebrated excellence in the corporate world and recognised companies and business leaders across the banking, real estate, aviation and transport, retail, energy, tourism and hospitality and healthcare sectors.

Winners were also honoured across four special categories – SME of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Businesswoman of the Year and Happiness and Positivity Company of the Year.

For her enormous achievements and ceaseless contributions to the UAE’s political and business landscape, the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award for 2018 was given to HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi - the UAE’s first female cabinet minister and president of Zayed University.

The coveted Gulf Business Company of the Year award was won by Dubai Duty Free, while the recipient of the Business Leader of the Year award was the CEO of Emirates Foundation, Her Excellency Maytha Al Habsi.

The judging panel included: Mumzworld.com COO and founder Mona Ataya, Motivate partner and group editor-in-chief Ian Fairservice, Crescent Enterprises CEO Badr Jafar, Kanoo Group chairman Mishal Kanoo and Gulf Business editor Neil King.

The evening was hosted by Motivate Publishing in association with sponsors Eaton, Finesse, Crowe, Jacobsons, Design Studio – Floral Atelier and African + Eastern.

Gulf Business Awards 2018 – WINNERS

Lifetime Achievement Award: HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi

Business leader of the Year: HE Maytha Al Habsi

Company of the Year: Dubai Duty Free

Companies: 

Aviation & Transport Company of the Year: Careem

Banking Company of the Year: National Commercial Bank

Energy Company of the Year: DEWA

Healthcare Company of the Year: King’s College Hospital London in the UAE

Real Estate Company of the Year: Emaar

Retail Company of the Year: Dubai Duty Free

Tourism & Hospitality Company of the Year: Rotana Hotels & Resorts

Business leaders:

Aviation & Transport Business Leader of the Year: Sir Tim Clark, Emirates

Banking Business Leader of the Year: Abdulhamid M Saaed, First Abu Dhabi Bank

Energy Business Leader of the Year: HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber

Healthcare Business Leader of the Year: Dr Azad Moopen, Aster DM Healthcare

Real Estate Business Leader of the Year: Hussain Sajwani, DAMAC

Retail Business Leader of the Year: Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Ahmed Siddiqi & Sons

Tourism & Hospitality Business Leader of the Year: Manuel Rabaté, Louvre Abu Dhabi

Business Excellence: 

Businesswoman of the Year: HE Maytha Al Habsi, Emirates Foundation

Happiness & Positivity Company of the Year: Landmark Group, Happiness Movement

Innovator of the Year: DP World & Virgin Hyperloop One

SME of the Year: Pure Harvest Smart Farms

-Ends- 

About Gulf Business magazine

Gulf Business, supported by its thriving website, provides an unparalleled insight into business news, as well as a brave vantage point on the region’s corporate matters. The monthly publication offers a wide range of in-depth economic sector analysis, from energy to real estate to banking and retail, plus a wealth of regional data, special reports and reviews.

For more information, www.gulfbusiness.com/awards  

For more information, interviews and images to publish please contact:

Anusha Azees

Group Marketing Manager

Motivate T: +971 (050) 4 427 3415

E: anusha.azees@motivate.ae 

© Press Release 2018

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.