The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region's most talented chief financial officers (CFOs) were recognised for their contributions and professional excellence at the recent annual Mena CFO Awards.

 

The awards span six categories, including the coveted 'Mena CFO of the Year' award, said a statement.

 

This year, the award was presented to two winners in the private sector: George Riding of SAP Mena, and Yuvraj Narayan of DP World, it said.

 

Narayan conducted all types of transactions on a very large and almost iconic scale. DP World has proven to have the best stock performance in the UAE, which adds to the credentials of this winner.  

 

Both winners are well respected within the region for setting regional standards in the practice of finance.

 

Their achievements are especially impressive considering how rapidly those duties are changing. CFOs, who have traditionally occupied a purely analytical role, are increasingly being asked to turn their attention to risk assessment and risk mitigation, in the face of a possible second recession following the 2008 financial crisis, said the statement.

 

With this is mind, the most prudent and successful organisations are keeping a careful eye on the contentment levels among their financial staff, and recognising those who have gone above and beyond in service of their company, it said.

 

The talented CFOs were recognised for their professional excellence at the Annual CFO Strategies Forum, organised by Naseba. 

 

The two-day event brought together global and local finance professionals, policy experts and thought leaders for business facilitation and networking purposes.  

 

The forum recognised excellence within the regional finance sphere through the Annual MENA CFO Awards, and its annual publication of the CFO Strategies Index sets the forum apart as a source of insight and information on the needs of finance professionals within the GCC.

 

This year Nazeer Hussain of Thumbay Group won the 'Revolutionary CFO of the Year' trophy in recognition of his innovative and forward-thinking strategies, and Anees Moumina of Sedco Holding Group earned the corresponding 'Revolutionary CEO of the Year' trophy.

 

Meanwhile, Haifa Juma Al Khaifi of Petroleum Development Oman was named 'Financial Executive of the Year,' having been instrumental in the continued success of the company, while T V Ramesh of the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority earned the 'Mena CFO of the Year Award' for the Public sector, having demonstrated exceptional leadership skills within a public organisation.

 

The 'Finance Team of the Year' award was presented to DP World, who had a productive year spent pulling together through notably effective teamwork.

 

Sophie Le Ray, Naseba's chief executive officer, said: "Through the Mena CFO Awards, we seek to recognise not only talent, but also hard work and commitment. All of this year's winners have spent years working towards the growth and success of their companies, and we commend them for their dedication." - TradeArabia News Service