The 13th annual Gulf Business Awards celebrated the region’s most influential leaders and innovative companies at a spectacular gala ceremony held on September 24 at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. In an evening attended by over 400 of the Gulf’s most prominent executives and decision-makers, Abu Dhabi-based destination creator Miral Group was crowned Company of the Year, while Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, earned the prestigious Business Leader of the Year award.
Miral Group And Rola Abu Manneh Take Top Honours
The ceremony’s premier awards recognized outstanding contributions to the regional economy. Miral Group secured the Company of the Year title for its transformative and ambitious projects, including the development of Yas Island and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The judges lauded Miral’s sustainable development ethos and its significant role in establishing Abu Dhabi as a global capital for tourism and entertainment.
Rola Abu Manneh was celebrated as the Business Leader of the Year for her exceptional leadership at Standard Chartered. During her tenure, she has driven significant growth in the bank’s UAE business while actively championing women’s empowerment and fostering a culture of inclusive leadership across the wider region.
A Lifetime Of Achievement For Gerald Lawless
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Gerald Lawless, the celebrated executive and former CEO of Jumeirah Group. Lawless was honored for his decades-long impact on the hospitality sector and his instrumental role in shaping Dubai into a global tourism and leisure hub. In his acceptance speech, Lawless remarked, “I would like to dedicate this award to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I have had such a privilege to have worked directly for His Highness in the creation and the establishment of the Jumeirah Group back in 1997 and I’ve spent beautiful years looking after that great company.”
Full List Of The 2025 Winners
The awards recognized excellence across a comprehensive range of sectors. The full list of winners is as follows:
Company Awards
- Banking Company of the Year: RAKBANK
- Energy Company of the Year: GE Vernova
- Healthcare Company of the Year: Aster DM Healthcare
- Hospitality Company of the year: FIVE Hotels and Resorts
- Investment Company of the Year: AIX Investment Group
- Logistics Company of the Year: AD Ports Group
- Real Estate Company of the Year: Refad Real Estate Investment and Development Company
- Retail Company of the Year: Dubai Duty Free
- Tourism Company of the Year: Miral Group
- Transport Company of the Year: Thrifty Car Rental
- Technology Company of the Year: Crowe Mak
Leader Awards
- Banking Leader of the Year: Rola Abu Manneh, Standard Chartered
- Energy Leader of the Year: Rasso Bartenschlager, Al Masaood Power
- Healthcare Leader of the Year: Dr. Craig R. Cook, The Brain & Performance Centre
- Hospitality Leader of the Year: Joe Nassoura, Fairmont Dubai
- Logistics Leader of the Year: Tarek Sultan, Agility Global
- Real Estate Leader of the Year: Yousuf Fakhruddin, Fakhruddin Properties Group
- Investment Leader of the Year: Bal Krishen Rathore, Century Financial Group
- Retail Leader of the Year: John Hadden, Alshaya Group
- Technology Leader of the Year: Andreas Hassellöf, Ombori
- Tourism Leader of the Year: Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Miral Group
- Transport Leader of the Year: Adel Mardini, Jetex
Editor’s Choice Awards
- Disruptive Company of the Year: Ultima Chain
- Family Business of the Year: Al Khayyat Investments (AKI)
- Digital Transformation Company of the Year: Etihad Salam Telecom Company
- Fintech Provider of the Year: OKX
- MICE Provider of the Year: Tahaluf
- Legacy in Leadership: Masih Imtiaz, Imtiaz Developments
- Cross-Border Business Icon of the Year: Capt. Pradeep Singh, Karma Realty Developers
- Disruptive Leader of the Year: Dr Ali Asgar Fakhruddin, Sterling Group
- Visionary Leader of the Year: Ankur Aggarwal, BNW
- Woman Leader of the Year: Mila Semeshkina, WE Convention
Upholding A Legacy Of Excellence
Now in its 13th year, the Gulf Business Awards has solidified its reputation as a premier benchmark for business excellence in the GCC. Winners were selected by an independent panel of esteemed judges, ensuring a fair and transparent evaluation process focused on merit, impact, and relevance. Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, noted, “Over more than a decade, these awards have become a benchmark for excellence, spotlighting the visionaries, trailblazers and companies shaping the region’s future.”
About The Gulf Business Awards
The Gulf Business Awards is an annual event organized by Gulf Business magazine to recognize and celebrate outstanding companies and business leaders across various industries in the GCC. The awards honor corporate and individual excellence, innovation, and growth, making it one of the most prestigious accolades in the regional business community.
Source: Gulf Business
