Revealed: Gulf Business Awards 2020 judges

In its eighth edition, the Gulf Business Awards, set to be hosted on November 25 in the UAE, will this year applaud the companies and business leaders in the Gulf region who have steered their organisations through what has arguably been one of the toughest years in recent times.

While the Covid-19 crisis has disrupted the regional economy across all sectors, innovative leaders and resilient organisations have managed to adapt to the new normal, and have stood out as beacons of hope. These are the champions we wish to acknowledge and celebrate.

Along with awards for companies and business leaders across the banking, energy, healthcare, real estate, transport and logistics, retail, tourism and hospitality sectors, we have also introduced three new special categories this year including Covid-19 Heroes, Disruptor of the Year and Sustainability Company of the Year. One business leader and company will be selected for the prestigious accolade of overall ‘Business Leader of the Year’ and ‘Company of the Year’.

Gulf Business will also present the coveted Lifetime Achievement award to one special individual for their outstanding contribution to the region.

The award winners are chosen by an independent judging panel that consists of industry and business leaders, and we are pleased to reveal our esteemed judges for this year’s Gulf Business Awards.

For more details about the awards visit: awards.gulfbusiness.com/2020/

 

Dr Habib Al Mulla
Executive chairman, Baker & McKenzie Habib Al Mulla

One of the UAE’s most highly-respected legal authorities, Al Mulla has over 34 years of experience and has drafted many of the modern legislative structures currently in place in Dubai. Al Mulla focuses his practice on litigation and arbitration.

A strong advocate for the modernisation of UAE laws, he is often consulted to draft and advise on federal and emirate level laws.

He also serves as the chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – UAE committee and most recently served as chairman of the board of trustees for the Dubai International Arbitration Centre. Al Mulla has held numerous prominent government positions over the years, including being a member of the UAE Federal National Council, and chairman of the UAE Jurists Association.

He has also published a two-part book titled Life’s Harvest on the laws, politics and economy of the UAE.

Mona Ataya
CEO and founder, Mumzworld.com

One of the Middle East’s most prominent women entrepreneurs, Ataya leads the successful SME Mumzworld. A transformational leader, she has managed to grow Mumzworld from a business plan on paper to a brand that reaches more than two million mothers across the region.

Founded in 2011, Mumzworld has pioneered a revolutionary e-commerce shopping experience for all things mother, baby and child in the Middle East region. Today it has over 200,000 products, an engaged community, exclusive product offerings and provides delivery to over 20 different countries.

With six rounds of funding, great investors on board and a solid business plan, Mumzworld claims to be the number one funded women-led e-commerce company in the Middle East.

John Martin St. Valery
Chairman, British Business Group, Dubai and Northern Emirates

St. Valery has over 20 years of business experience in the UAE, having established the award-winning professional services firm Links Group, which became part of the global professional services firm Equiom in 2016. A foreign direct investment specialist, he works closely with government departments.

Currently, he serves as the chairman of the British Business Group (BBG), a not-for-profit business group open to British owned, Dubai-based businesses, British expats and UK PLCs with commercial interests in the region. The BBG works closely with the UK government’s Department for International Trade and provides thought leadership and market intelligence to its members.

It hosts an average of 60 events per year. St. Valery is also the chairman of JacksonMSV, which supports firms operating onshore in Dubai.

Ian Fairservice
Founder and managing partner, Motivate Media Group

With media in its infancy, Fairservice identified the opportunity to launch the country’s first magazine and set up his media business, Motivate Publishing, in June 1979. Together with his partner HE Obaid Humaid Al-Tayer, who is now the UAE Minister of State for Finance, he has seen the company develop into one of the most successful media houses in the region.

Publishing a wide range of award-winning magazines and books along with diverse media interests across digital, content, events and cinema, Motivate has a team of more than 150 media professionals in a network of Middle East offices.

What’s On, Gulf Business, Emirates Woman, Identity, Golf Digest, Campaign and Business Traveller are some of Motivate’s best established consumer and trade brands with websites that reach an audience of more than two million people each month.

Andrew Wingrove
Group director, Motivate Media Group

A well-known figure in the UAE media scene for over 16 years, Wingrove has launched magazines, websites, brands and events including the Time Out Restaurant Awards, Ahlan Hot 100, Esquire and Architectural Digest.

More recently, he served as the group lifestyle director at Dubai World Trade Centre, driving the brand development of events such as World Art Dubai, the Motor Show and Gitex Shopper.

Now at Motivate Media Group as group director, Wingrove plays a leading role in the company’s new business development and international partnerships, as well as in driving forward the luxury lifestyle and business titles.

He is also introducing a broader range of events and content partnerships across the region.