The 6th Burj CEO Awards celebrated exceptional entrepreneurs, humanitarians, and business leaders globally. Hosted on a luxurious Mediterranean cruise from August 22 to 27, 2023, sponsored by Go Turkiye and Stars on Board, the ceremony featured over 50 award categories.
Among the winners from the UAE, Salam Hamzeh Ghaith, President & Founder of the SmallWorld Foundation, received the Burj CSR Award for his humanitarian work, aiding thousands of children in 45 countries. Sayed Atiqullah Sadat Hofiani, President of Seyit Hofiani Jewellery LLC, won the Award for Visionary Leader with a Heart of Gold.
Dubai Duty Free earned Best Global Duty Free, while Senem Anataca, representing 180UTC, received the Women in Business Award. Dr. Aftab Hasan, Chairman of Risk Exchange (DIFC) Limited, and CEO of Arya Insurance, was named Outstanding CEO of the Year.
Internationally, Walther Uzi E. Buenavista, Founder and CEO of The Shawarma Shack Fastfood Corporation, received the Best Franchisee of the Year Award. Patrick Mensah of WallStreet Investment became African CEO of the Year, and Afghanistan was honored with the Smart Government of the Year award. Portugal Fine Arts won the Best Art & Culture of the Year award.
Serenity Shield was named the Best Technology Company, and Arjodita Mustali of VIGAN Group received the Global Business Leader award. Turkiye was recognized as the Best Tourist Destination, and Business Link won Best Business Setup Consultancy Company. Diana Nitescu, CEO of OctagonHUB, and Nazih Antonios Moufarrej, CEO of Business Experts Gulf, were also awarded.
The Enduring Legacy Achievement Award was dedicated to Late. Z A Nizami, and the Innovation Tech CEO Award went to Adrian Li Mow Ching, CEO of Fx Technology. The Global Humanitarian Foundation award was given to RAF Global’s CEO Dr. Rizwan Adatia. Dr. Assad Rayess of Edelweiss Maritime Management Services became Middle East CEO of the Year.
Immersion4 received Best Environmental & Corporate Sustainability Company, and Shabbir Vakil, CEO of Al Vakil Group, was named Best HR Consultancy Company. Middle East Outstanding Leader of the Year Award was presented to Romain Gerardin-Fresse, CEO, GFK Middle-East. Huzaifa Sura of Crystal Corporation LLC became the Most Creative CEO of the Year. Georgia Kartsanis, CEO of CEO Clubs Greece, won the Pioneer of the Year award, and Calico Biolabs received the Best Innovation Platform Award with Reem Mahrat as CEO.
Daniel Nachmias was recognized as Commodity Trading Trailblazer of the Year, and Grace. E.Moon, CEO of Grace Moon Inspired, received the International Haute Couture Excellence Award. Sukh Sandhu, CEO of Career Calling International, was named Asia Pacific CEO of the Year. Nicholas N. Bouri of N.G.B Construction & Management won Best Real Estate Developer of the Year 2023, and Neelivethil Rajeev of ESPA (MENA) received the Middle East CEO (MEP) Award. Benedicto Bena Nkhoma won the Best Coaching and Mentoring Award, and Wael L.Mirza of Iraqi Pharmaceutical Industry Co. was recognized as the Best Pharmaceutical & Biotech Company.
Mr. Ralph Clemens Martin of O! Millionaire was honored as Outstanding CEO for Community Outreach & Sustainable Social Impacts, while Habila Malgwi, CEO of Concordia Consultancies, received Best Citizenship By Investment Company. Romain Gerardin Fresse of GFK Middle East received the Middle East Outstanding Leader award. Dorothy Pinyoloya of Goshen City was among the awardees, and Pantheon Holdings, with CEO Brian Poe Llamanzares, was named the Fastest Growing Company.
Pedro Gameiro and Meenu Sasikumar of Gritseek Ventures Limited received the Start-Up Company of the Year Award. Dr. William Wraith III, Chairman & CEO of The Wraith Group, Inc., Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus of Lyten, Inc., was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nadira Iqbal’s Naddira Couture and Hothur Ispat from India Private Limited received the Business Excellence Award for Women. Lebanese Actress Dalida Khalil won the Lebanese Actress Award.
Known as the ‘Oscars’ of the business world, the Burj CEO Awards was pioneered by CEO Clubs Network Worldwide. Launched in 2016 in Washington, D.C., USA, it has recognized and awarded more than 300 business leaders and organizations for their outstanding achievements across various industries. Dr. Tariq A. Nizami, Founder and CEO of CEO Clubs Network Worldwide, emphasized the importance of celebrating excellence and international leaders’ impact on business and other sectors. Sarah Dong, Managing Partner, highlighted the role of CEO Clubs in fostering business partnerships and billion-dollar deals.
Attended by over 100 award nominees, VIP guests, senior government officials, CEOs, and entrepreneurs from the international business community, this year’s Burj CEO Awards offered a unique journey to beautiful destinations such as Athens, Mykonos, Bodrum, and Marmaris. The event also featured the Burj CEO Summit, with panel discussions, industry-focused sessions, networking opportunities, and nightly star-studded concerts.
Dr. Nizami concluded, “Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Go Turkiye for their generous and pivotal support. Their engagement is poised to unleash a substantial, positive influence on both the present and future of Turkiye’s economy.“
