8th edition returned to Dubai to celebrate pioneers in tech, AI, and sustainability
24 November 2025, Dubai, UAE: The 8th Edition of the Burj CEO Awards returned to Dubai for 2025 to celebrate the global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs shaping tomorrow’s business landscape. Created and organized by CEO Clubs Network, this year’s ceremony was staged under the theme ‘Leading the Future: Innovation in Action’, spotlighting the vision, creativity, and transformative leadership of the evening’s award winners. The ceremony, hosted by renowned television and radio presenter Tom Urquhart, celebrated winners from an impressive cross-section of industries, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), drone technology, and sustainable development innovation.
Recognized globally as the ‘Oscars of the business world, since their inception in Washington, D.C. in 2016, the awards have traveled across the globe, from London in 2017 to Istanbul in 2024, celebrating over400 leaders and organizations to date and serving as an influential platform for connection, partnership, and invention.
Honoring decades of visionary leadership and influence in advancing next-generation technologies, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 was presented to Dr. Nermin Makul, Founder of MiBit, a pioneer in tech innovation. The Burj CSR Award was presented to Fadi Salameh, Managing Director of PFC Group, a firm delivering cutting-edge construction solutions, while Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Chairman & CEO of circular economy leaders, POLYGREEN, was named the Sustainability Champion of the Year.
Innovation was celebrated across several sectors, including the fast growing field of drone technology. Enrique Plaza, CEO of Microavia, received the Global Excellence Award in Drone Technology for pioneering advancement in the sector. The Best AI Solutions Company of the Year was awarded to Milad Habibi, Founder & CEO of optifo.ai, for delivering cutting-edge artificial intelligence innovations. Women leaders took center stage once again with the Woman Leadership of the Year Award, which was presented to Phakapan Salao, Founder & CEO of Mongkol Muay Thai Corp.
The future of entrepreneurship was in the spotlight as 22-year-old Laurens Mannaert, Co-Founder of Boat Trips Club, was honored as the Youngest Entrepreneur of the Year, celebrating the next generation of business leaders. The event also recognized outstanding contributors with the CEO Clubs Member of the Year Award, presented jointly to Nadirra Aleem of Naddira Couture and Iqbal Hothur of Hothur Ispat India Private Limited, while Professor Selva Pankaj, Chairman & CEO of Regent Global, was named Forward-Thinking CEO of the Year. The Start-up Company of the Year was awarded to Boat Trips Club, and Dr. Sara Khorakiwala, Owner President of Ra by Mastercuts, was recognized as the Most Influential Woman Leader of the Year. The Global Innovation Excellence Award was presented to SA Global, and Sia N. Ashok, Managing Partner of Confity Capital Partners, was celebrated as Innovation Business Leader. Additionally, Dr. Katleen Verleysen, CEO of miDiagnostics, received the Exemplary Woman of Achievement Award, reflecting the spirit of leadership, innovation, and excellence that defines the Burj CEO Awards.
Herve Heully, CEO and Founder of NEW3S, received the Burj Innovation Award, while Dr. Gennaro Lanza, Founder & CEO of DB Financial, was named Best Entrepreneur CEO of the Year, and Rehan Khan, Founder & CEO of Rabb IT Solutions GmbH, was recognized as European CEO of the Year. CG Invest & Zita Marketing was honored with Capital Markets Executive of the Year, while AIMS International Gulf received Gulf Best HR Solutions Company 2025 and optifo.ai was recognized as Best AI Solutions Company of the Year. MUMUSO received the Fastest Growing Retail Group Award, and Dr. Tharshiny Pankaj, Group CEO of Regent Global, was named Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.
Other notable honorees included Vinod Nambiar, CEO of Vintron Group of Companies, for Visionary Business Excellence; Captain Pradeep Singh, Founder and Chairman of KARMA Developers, as Global Business Titan of the Year; Igor Ilievski, CEO & Founder of MkMage.com, for Lifetime Achievement Award in Technology; and Charles Kadri, Founder & CEO of Abitec Building Contracting LLC, as Best Luxury Villa Builder of the Year. Sayed Habib, Director of Danube Home, received Retail Visionary Leader Award, while Sayyed Abbas Shah, CEO of Adam Holdings, was recognized as Middle East CEO of the Year, and Samer Halteh, CEO of CG Invest & Zita Marketing, was also honored as Best Fintech Company of the Year.
Additional awards included Shekhar Natarajan, Founder & CEO of Orchestro.AI, as AI Visionary of the Year; Christoph Stock, Partner at TNG Technology Consulting, for IT Resilience & Recovery Excellence Award; Ajmal Saifi, CEO of Prestige One Developments, as Luxury Lifestyle Developer of the Year; and Ankur S. Arora, Senior Regional Director at DDN Storage, for Outstanding Contribution to AI Infrastructure in MENA. ISTO Architecture was recognized as Architecture Firm of the Year, United Advocates as Law Firm of the Year, and Kamran Ghani, Chairman of Empire Developments, as Most Trusted Developer of the Year.
Other distinguished recipients included Sanjay Sundaramoorthy, CTO & Director of IT Enterprise Architecture at Blue Harvest, as Enterprise AI Transformation Leader; Shabbir Merchant, Founder & Chairman of Champion Group, for Legendary Leadership & Enterprise Excellence Award; Neelivethil Rajeev, Managing Director of ESPA Spain, for Distinguished Leadership in European-MENA Trade Integration; Shiju Peetambaran, CEO of Ascentia UAE, as Emerging CEO of the Year; Anastasios Spanidis, President of G.P.A. Ecosystem of Companies, for Excellence in Leadership & Strategic Advisory; Dr. Pedro Ramos, CEO of KEEPTALENT Portugal, as People Transformation CEO of the Year; NGB Construction & Management for Industrial Real Estate Developer of the Year; Dr. Uros Nikolaj Pavkovic, CEO of PDP LOGIS, for Rising Entrepreneur Award; and Zohran K. Mamdani, Mayor Elect of New York, as The Most Popular Mayor-Elect, reflecting the global scope of leadership, innovation, and excellence celebrated by the Burj CEO Awards, created by CEO Clubs Network.
Reflecting on this year’s event, Dr. Tariq A. Nizami, Founder & CEO of CEO Clubs Network, remarked that the 2025 theme represented a crucial moment for the global business community. He said, “Our mission goes beyond building a trusted community; we are committed to celebrating the success of global leaders. Their exceptional leadership and excellence merit dedicated recognition. Through meaningful gatherings and shared inspiration, we drive positive change and lasting impact together.”
The four-day program culminated with the prestigious Burj CEO Awards presentation. Earlier in the day, the 8th Burj CEO Summit — an integral part of the overall event — gathered global delegates and CEO Clubs worldwide members for inspiring keynotes, engaging panel discussions, fireside chats, and a showcase of cutting-edge technology, setting the stage for the evening’s grand celebration.
CEO Clubs Network Managing Partner, Ms. Sarah Dong concluded, “The true strength of this celebration lies in the meaningful connections it creates. Each year, leaders from around the world come together to celebrate success and spark new partnerships, exchange ideas, and inspire future collaborations.”
