LONDON: Forbes revealed on Wednesday its “Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East” ranking, with 15 Saudi CEOs featured on this year’s list.
The UAE dominates the list with 19 entries, followed by Egypt with 16 and Saudi Arabia with 15.
"This list is a part of Forbes Middle East endeavour to recognize corporate excellence in the middle east and north Africa," Khuloud Al Omian, Editor in chief and CEO of Forbes Middle East told Arab News. "The top 100 CEOs in the Middle East, through their work have created massive positive impact on the region by fostering innovation, creating value for their countries and shareholders, and working towards a more sustainable future."
Amin H. Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco, topped the list for the second time in a row, followed by ADNOC’s Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber in second place and Emirates Group CEO Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum in third place.
SONATRACH’s Toufik Hakkar, QatarEnergy’s Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi and Qatar Airways Group’s CEO Akbar Al-Baker dominate ranks four, five and six, respectively.
This year’s list consists of CEOs from 26 different nationalities who manage companies that have a total combined revenue of over $5 trillion.
"The list inspires the youth to strive for excellence like the CEO's who feature on the list," Al Omain added. "Many of the CEO's who feature on the list manage some of the biggest companies in the world as well as the most important assets in their respective countries."
Banking and financial services are the most represented sector on the list with 27 CEOs, followed by eight telecom CEOs and seven that each head energy and logistics companies.
According to Forbes, the CEOs were ranked based on five criteria, including impact on the region, experience, size of company, achievements and innovations.
