Five chief executives of Bahrain's marquee companies, including three banks, have been recognised among Top 100 CEOs ranked by Trends and Insead Business School.

The awards, a celebration of the very best in GCC business leadership, recognised the region's 100 best CEOs at a gala ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dubai, UAE, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Batelco Group's former chief executive Alan Whelan, who was replaced in February this year, was named one of the 100 best CEOs in the region.

Top executives from the country's banking sector dominated the awards, with Bahrain Islamic Bank chief executive Mohammed Ebrahim Mohammed, Al Salam Bank chief executive Yousif Abdulla Taqi, United Gulf Bank chief executive Rabih Soukarieh and Alba chief executive Tim Murray taking away the honours at the ceremony.

The event saw CEOs from Saudi Arabia walk away with the most number of trophies at 36, followed by 24 from the UAE, 21 from Qatar, eight from Kuwait and six from Oman.

These awards have set a new benchmark for business awards programmes in the region by honouring only leaders from publicly listed companies.

The companies were evaluated on the basis of their performance in 2014, when the combined market capitalisation for stock exchanges in the GCC grew to $1.029 trillion.

Along with Deloitte as auditors, Trends and Insead ensured the accuracy of the process, data and formula, while Hawkamah - the corporate governance institute - ensured corporate governance and disclosure criteria. - TradeArabia News Service