Sam Deeb, Kuwaiti telecom firm Zain's financial chief, was named CFO of the Year at an annual awards ceremony in Dubai on Sunday. Deeb was described by the judging panel as a “trusted guide, influential mentor and strategic executive who has been instrumental in the turnaround of his company.” Earlier this week, Zain was named the best mobile operator in the Middle East in the third annual Telecoms World Awards Middle East in Dubai, organized by Terrapinn. Two CFOs - Ziad Makhzoumi of Arabtec, and Muwaffaq Jamal of Aziza Panda were shortlisted for its Revolutionary CFO of the Year award. The Hall of Fame award was given to Tareq Al Sadhan, CFO of KPMG Saudi for his “extraordinary” leadership. The Excellence in Finance, Private Sector award was taken home by John Michael Wartig, Group Director Finance, Al Futtaim Private Company LLC. The Excellence in Finance, Public Sector award was given to James Rigney, CFO, Etihad Airways for “achieving growth in a cycle where colleagues faced decline.”
