Dubai Airports and Expo 2020 Dubai are leading the way in promoting world-class corporate wellness practices in the UAE, as the two government firms scooped top honours at the Daman Corporate Health Awards 2017, a report said.

Dubai Airports flew high on awards night winning two trophies, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.

The corporate wellness team at Dubai Airports has been promoting wellness initiatives that have helped employees embark on a path to better health, happy life and productivity. The team was recognised with Corporate Wellness Team of the Year Award for its outstanding achievements.

Meanwhile, the resounding success of its CSR project "Your Sight, Our Happiness" a plane-pulling contest that raised millions of dirhams for ORBIS and was overwhelmingly supported by Dubai Airport employees, stakeholders and the management team earned them the CSR Employee Engagement of the Year honour. In addition, the team was also credited for its tireless efforts in arranging more than 24 CSR innovative initiatives covering cultural, sports as well as health and wellness programmes that benefited more than 3,000 of its employees in addition to external stakeholders and the general public.

The Daman Award for Corporate Health & Wellness (Organisation) trophy was given to Expo 2020 Dubai, whose wellness programme, building on current international best practices, aims to empower its employees with the knowledge and support to make lasting and lifelong changes in six key areas: physical, nutritional, emotional, social, environmental, and intellectual wellbeing.

"The commitment our winners have shown towards employee wellbeing, as a corporate philosophy, bodes well for the long-term success of the UAE as a commercial and business hub. Here, where employee happiness and wellness are of paramount interest to government and corporate leaders, we can be assured of a productive and motivated workforce that will only strengthen the competitiveness of the business sector in the UAE, and strengthen its reputation as a regional leader in corporate wellness," said Dr Michael Bitzer, chief executive officer, National Health Insurance Company – Daman, which has been the award programme’s premier supporter since its launch three years ago.

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, CEO, Mashreq, won the evening’s highest individual honour when he was named the Corporate Wellness Leader of the Year. Al Ghurair likes to walk the talk, and his commitment to fitness is legendary within the bank.

He has demonstrated, both through words and action, that investment in personal wellness is a fruitful and productive investment that has benefits not just for the company, but also for individual staff in the organisation.

Mashreq received the second distinction when it was given the Communications Campaign of the Year award for its renowned and internationally acclaimed Sahtak wellness programme.