Judges [2008]

Mr. Mubarak Bin Fahad

The Private Office of H. H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, CEO
In June 2004, he was appointed as CEO Investment and Development for the Private Office of HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan handling his investment portfolios across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He is also on the Board of Directors of several companies in the UAE including the Abu Dhabi National Foodstuff Company, Injaz MENA Investment - an investment bank in Abu Dhabi and many others. In January 2007, he was seconded to head Global Haly Development as its Chairman and CEO.

Mr. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar

Etisalat, COO
Mr. Julfar is currently Chief Operating Officer of Etisalat, the leading telecommunications service provider in the UAE since 1976. Prior to this, he handled the entire Dubai operations of Etisalat as their General Manager. Mr. Julfar´s extensive career in the telecommunications industry spans over 22 years. He is a distinguished and highly motivated senior executive with extensive experience in management, network operations, engineering and customer services. Mr. Julfar is also a board member of E-Vision, the leading cable TV operator in the UAE and Etisalat Academy, a regional training and development centre. Mr. Julfar holds a bachelor´s degree in Civil Engineering from Washington, USA and is also a graduate of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development.

Mr. Helal S. K. Al Marri

Dubai World Trade Centre, Director General
Helal Saeed Almarri has worked with major companies across a breadth of sectors in the Middle East and the UK and is currently leading the Middle East regions leading exhibitions, and conference group The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). As CEO of DWTC, he is responsible for the strategy and development of the multi-dimensional DWTC Group which aims to make Dubai the world´s leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences, and events.

Mr. Elie Khouri

OMG, MD
Mr. Khouri is the Regional Managing Director of Omnicom Media Group (OMG). The New York based holding company last year saw revenues hit the US$12.7bn mark, with first quarter figures for 2008 already showing a 14% rise to US$208.7m. Its Dubai office has led the Middle East charge, with prestigious accounts including the consolidated businesses of the Dubai government. Mr. Khouri himself has been in the top 50 of the Arabian Business Power List for the last two years running.

Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim

Hydra Properties, COO
Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim is the CEO of Hydra Properties, part of the Royal Group of Companies. He formed Hydra just two years ago, and with revenues over $2 billion has made it one of the world's fastest growing property companies.

Just 31 years old, Dr Al Fahim has become a major player on the international business stage. He was the architect of the deal earlier this year to take over Manchester City Football Club, and through a special movie fund has become a huge name in Hollywood. He is also the star of his own reality TV show "The Hydra Executives" which begins airing in January.

Mr. Walid Akawi

ITP Publishing Group, CEO
Mr. Walid Akawi has a long and distinguished career history in the Middle East´s publishing sector. He first established his own company back in 1977, prior to his graduation from the University of Damascus where he obtained a degree in fine arts. His career took off by making a move into the publishing sector. In 1980, he moved to Jordan to take on the role of a business partner at advertising agency Shuaa. He then moved to Qatar in 1983, where he took on a similar position of partner at Dallah Advertising Agency, the first company to publish a Doha City Guide. He then moved to the UAE to take up a post at daily newspaper Al Bayan. Akawi joined Dabbagh Information and Technology Group as a General Manager in 1992. By 1999, he took on the position of Publisher at ITP, overlooking the company´s ICT titles. This was followed with his promotion to Publishing Director and then Managing Director for ITP Business in 2004. In 2006, Akawi was appointed CEO of ITP Publishing Group

Mr. Karam Awad

ITP Executive Publishing, Deputy MD
Karam Awad has led ITP's Executive division since January 2007. Beginning with just two titles he has grown the division to nine titles in the business to consumer market, including the flagship Arabian Business magazine and website.