CXO 50 Awards and Conclave 2025: Celebrating Leadership in the AI Era

The seventh edition of the CXO 50 Awards and Conclave brought together visionary leaders, industry pioneers, and technology experts for an evening of insights and recognition. Held at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, Dubai, the event was a testament to the evolving role of CXOs in today’s dynamic business landscape.

The day began with a keynote address by Jayakumar Mohanachandran, Group CIO, Buzeki Enterprises Ltd., setting the stage for discussions on ‘Leading through disruption.’ His insights resonated with the audience, emphasising the shifts required to navigate the AI-driven era.

“In today’s AI world, everything can be done, but the need is to foster innovation. Be empathetic, generate new ideas, keep experimenting, and improvising. AI accelerates, but human leadership inspires,” he stated, highlighting the importance of adaptability and vision. He concluded his address with a strong message: “The future belongs to the learners, not the learned.”

Following the keynote, Anuja Shah, Head of Strategy and IT at Zurich Middle East, delivered a compelling presentation on ‘Macro outlook and emerging tech trends.’ Her powerful statement, “The question we often get asked is: will AI take our jobs? The question we should be asking is: will AI take our jobs to the next level,” sparked deep reflections among attendees.

The panel discussion, moderated by Basil Ayass, featured industry leaders Adam Lalani, CTO, Alliad, Atif Shaukat, Regional Director, Cyber Security – EEMEA, Mastercard, and Mubarik Hussain, IT Director, Distinguished Real Estate. They explored how CXOs must evolve into strategic value leaders in the AI era, focusing on AI’s shift from a support function to a business driver. Key points included the need for IT leaders to adapt strategies, manage investments, and align with business priorities while balancing speed and security. The conversation emphasised AI’s role in enhancing decision-making, risk management, and competitive advantage, underscoring the necessity of a strategic approach to AI implementation.

The event concluded with the much-anticipated CXO 50 Awards ceremony, honouring trailblazing executives who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation. Congratulations to all the winners and a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for making this event a grand success!

Winners List