SME Advisor Middle East, the flagship title of CPI Business, hosted its yearly Stars of Business Leadership Awards 2017, which celebrated and honoured top-notch entertainers from throughout the wide range of the SME industry.

Held at the luxurious setup of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, on the night of November 9, the renowned honors brand was beautified with the presence of VIP government very important people, senior reps from the general public and economic sectors in addition to C-suite executives.

Gina OHara Larsen, COO and Co-founder, CPI Business, remarked: "As part of our assistance to the SME ecosystem, we have actually worked to revive a Honors ceremony that not just concentrates on the achievements of the industry, however one that likewise brings to the forefront UAE heroes that are behind this success. Recognizing businesses for their growth is the very easy part, yet being the stepping stones to their success is just what really matters. And, that is what Stars of Business Management Honors aspires to achieve. By giving over 50 nominees and over 900 applications a chance to obtain before industry trailblazers, sponsors and government officials, we intend to include one more dimension to their growth."

A salute to our UAE heroes

One of the most important segment of the Awards ceremony was the showcasing of the outstanding professions of Her Excellency Shaikha Al Maskari and The Late Mr. BK Menon and Mrs. Omana Menon with the discussion of the respected Life time Achievement Awards.

SME leaders were recognised for their exemplary efficiency throughout 10 key management groups, with the adhering to becoming the merited winners

- Family business leader of the year: Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman, Danube Group
- Youth leadership award of the year: Simran Vedvyas, Founder and Chairperson, Synergy Youth
- Leader shaping the future: Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President Healthcare Division, Thumbay Group
- Outstanding contribution to workplace wellness: David Cook, CEO, Project Partners
- Outstanding contribution to sustainability: David Stockton, Managing Director, Dulsco
- Social entrepreneurship leader of the year: Louise Karim, Managing Director, Mums@Work
- Emirati business leader of the year: Ali Al Madani, Partner and Managing Director, Blackwire
- Stars of Business Leader of the year - Male: Rafih Filli, Founder, Filli Cafe
- Stars of Business Leader of the year Female: Nadine Benchaffai, Managing Partner, Taqado Mexican Kitchen
- Star of Business Leader of the year All-Round Excellence: Joy Ajlouny, Co-founder and Creative Director, Fetchr.

Two special honors were additionally granted for noteworthy payments within the regional business landscape. These were -.

- Distinguished Research Partner Award: Orient Planet Group
- Honourable Jury Mention: Habiba Al Marashi, President and CEO, Arabia CSR Network

The Stars of Business Management Awards 2017 had a rigid nomination procedure that was overlooked by a prestigious jury. This included Amir Farha, Founder and CIO, Beco Capital; Nasser Batha, CEO, Emaar Industries & Investments; Mustafa Kheriba, COO, ADFG; Najla AlMidfa, General Manager, Sheraa; Trixie Lohmirmand, Senior Vice President - Events Administration, DWTC; Professor Valerie Lindsay, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Monitoring, American University of Sharjah; Malcolm Wright, Head of Partner Commerical Distribution, Oman Insurance Provider and Bupa Global; Craig Moore, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Beehive; and Shahram Hashemi, Head of Strategy and Planning, RAKEZ.

The event was assembled by CPI Business in organization with Providing Partner First Abu Dhabi Bank, Strategic Partner Etisalat Digital, Health and Wellness Partner Bupa Global and OIC, Authorities Automotive Partners Toyota and Al Futtaim Motors, Innovation Partner SAP, Airline Partner Etihad Airways, SME Commitment Program Etihad BusinessConnect, Business Partners FAMCO, Volvo and Hino; Strategic Partners Dubai SME, Rate SME and Al Murad Group; Assistance Partners Wamda, Plantshop.ae and Beehive; Official Radio Partner Network 4 Radio network; Physical fitness Partner The Cycle Hub; Broadcast Partner CNBC Arabia; and Media Partner Happenize.