2026 Awards Programme
MENA People Excellence Awards
An annual celebration honoring the HR leaders, teams, and organizations redefining what it means to put people first across the MENA region.
About The Awards
Recognizing Excellence in MENA HR & People Leadership
The MENA People Excellence Awards celebrate the individuals, teams, and organizations whose HR practices, culture, and leadership set a new standard across the region.
JURY PANEL
Kabira Bhatporia
Head of HR, JLL
Mohammed Zughbi
Country Human Resources Director, Richemont
Ankit Aneja
Group Director HR – GCC, India & Africa, Sporty Group
Mohammed Al Amri
Chief Human Resources Officer, Red Sea International
Marketa Simkova
Partner - Chief People Officer Co. Name - KPMG
15 categories, one standard of excellence
Tap a category to see what it recognizes. Every category is judged on its own merit against a consistent standard.
Flagship Recognition
Top 100 HR Leaders
A definitive ranking of the 100 HR leaders shaping the future of work across the MENA region.
Organisational Excellence & Employer of the Year
Honoring organizations, of every size and sector, that set the benchmark for people-first excellence across the MENA region.
HR & People Team Excellence
Organisational Culture & Employee Experience
Workplace Transformation & Future of Work
Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding
Talent Management & Workforce Planning
Learning, Development & Future Skills
Leadership Development & People Leadership
Employee Engagement, Listening & Communication
Employee Wellbeing, Mental Health & Sustainability
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Women's Leadership
Employee Performance, Rewards & Retention
HR Technology, AI & People Analytics
HR Innovation, Transformation & Change
MENA People Leadership & Regional Impact
From nomination to recognition
Nomination
Submit a nomination through our form, sharing the story and achievements behind your candidate.
Editorial Review
Our editorial board evaluates each submission against our criteria of impact, integrity, and influence.
Shortlisting
A curated shortlist is compiled and shared with an independent panel of industry experts.
Recognition
Winners are honored at an exclusive ceremony and featured across our global platform.
What We Look For
Every nomination is measured against a consistent set of principles—because true leadership is judged not by title, but by the difference it makes.
Impact
Every nomination is measured against a consistent
Integrity
A track record of ethical, principled leadership.
Innovation
Bold thinking that moves an industry forward.
Legacy
A lasting contribution that outlives a single achievement.
Celebrated on stages across the MENA region, honoring HR leaders wherever bold decisions about people are being made.
Recognition built to carry weight
Regional Visibility
Winners are featured across our platform, putting their work in front of HR leaders and decision-makers throughout the MENA region.
Credible Judging
Every submission is reviewed against the same set of principles—impact, integrity, innovation, and legacy—by an independent panel.
A Standing Community
Recognition here isn’t a one-off moment. Winners join a growing network of MENA HR leaders featured across our awards,
Know a leader who deserves the spotlight?
Nominate them for this year’s MENA People Excellence Awards and help their story reach a region-wide audience.
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