أريبيان بيزنيس - LIFETIME AWARD: Mashreq boss Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair receives his award from ITP CEO Walid Akawi. Mashreq boss Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair has been honoured with a special Lifetime Achievement Award, at the CEO Middle East Awards held on Monday night at Dubai’s Raffles Hotel.

The judges noted that under his leadership, Mashreq “became the first bank to introduce credit cards and ATM machines in the UAE. It has become one of the most respected banks in the world. Few people have made such a great contribution to UAE business as this man”.

Al Ghurair, who attended the ceremony before flying off to New York, was one of 14 business leaders to scoop awards.

Etisalat chairman Mohammed Omran receiving a special award for 'Outstanding Achievement', while Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani, of Amwal, received 'Businesswoman of the Year'.

One of the biggest cheers of the night was received for Hydra CEO Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, who picked up 'International Achievement' in recognition for his part in brokering the Abu Dhabi takeover of Manchester City Football Club.

Other winners included James Hogan (Aviation), Elie Khouri (Media & Marketing) and Riad Kamal (Construction). ACI Real Estate’s Robin Lohmann picked up the award for 'innovation'.

The evening also featured a special guest speech from easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

Full winners list: (Click on the name links to read a previous interview with Arabian Business)

MEDIA AND MARKETING CEO

Elie Khouri, OMG

CONSTRUCTION CEO

Riad Kamal, Arabtec

HOME FINANCE CEO

Arif Alharmi , Amlak

BANKING CEO

Peter Panayiotou, Gulf Finance House

RETAIL CEO

Adel Zarooni, Rivoli Group

TELECOMS CEO

Dr. Saad Al-Barrak, Zain

TECHNOLOGY CEO

Khaled Faraj Al-Saeid, ITS Group

AVIATION CEO

James Hogan, Etihad Airways

FEMALE CEO

Sheikha Hanadi Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani, Amwal

ENTREPRENEUR

Marzooq Rashed Al-Rashdan, Abyaar

INNOVATION

Robin Lohmann, ACI

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, Hydra Properties

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Mohammed Omran, Etisalat

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Mashreq