The winners of the first ever ICAEW Middle East Accountancy and Finance Excellence Awards were announced tonight at a landmark ceremony at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai, UAE.
The ceremony, organised by ICAEW and sponsored by Emirates NBD, was hosted by award-winning broadcaster Richard Dean from media partners ARN. It was attended by over 350 finance professionals from across the region. The keynote speaker was sporting legend Sir Ian Botham OBE and His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, attended as guest of honour.
The awards were spread over eleven categories and celebrated the very best of accountancy and finance from throughout the Middle East. Winners were selected by a judging team of 14 recognised and respected industry experts from accounting, finance and business.
Amanda Line, ICAEW Regional Director Middle East, said: “It has been really encouraging to have the opportunity to celebrate the vital work that finance professionals do throughout the Middle East. Without these talented people, it would not be possible to do business at all and yet they are all-too often overlooked. The competition was very tough, and the entries of an extremely high calibre, so the winners can be very proud of their achievements. It was also fantastic to welcome H. E. Sheikh Nahayan, who has done so much to support the profession.”
Business Leader of the Year
BDO Corporate Finance
Adel Ali (Air Arabia)
Excellence in Financial Journalism
Deloitte
Matein Khalid (Bin Zayed Group)
Excellence in Client Service (Audit and Assurance)
Abraaj Capital
Ernst &Young
CFO of the Year
KPMG
Pinak Maitra (Kuwait Project Holdings Co.)
Excellence in Corporate Finance
SHUAA Capital
PwC
Excellence in Innovation
PwC
Dubai Duty Free
Young Accountant of the Year
Michael Page International
Mitali Botadra (KPMG)
Excellence in Financial Reporting
Ernst & Young
Emirates Group
Excellence in Training & Development
Grant Thornton
Deloitte
Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Accountancy Profession
N/A
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation to the Accountancy Profession
N/A
Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA)
Amanda Line said: “It was a fantastic evening and a fitting culmination of what has been a rewarding process showcasing the outstanding contribution of the profession in the Middle East. We look forward to building on this experience by making these awards an annual event.”
Surya Subramanian, Group Chief Financial Officer from Platinum sponsor Emirates NBD, said: “We congratulate the winners on their ability to set high standards and achieve excellence in their drive to secure growth and prosperity for the region.”
Further information on the awards can be found at www.accountancyandfinanceawards.ae