Business Culture Awards MENA Announces Strategic Partners and Esteemed Judging Panel in the UAE

Dubai, UAE – November 2025

The Business Culture Awards MENA, a leading global platform recognising excellence in organisational culture, proudly announces its official partners and distinguished panel of judges for the 2026 MENA edition, taking place in Dubai on 12 May 2026.

Following its successful global run across 48 countries, including recognition of organisations such as Sony Music, Standard Chartered, and Volkswagen Group, the Awards’ arrival in the MENA region underscores the UAE’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, leadership, and human capital development.

The 2026 MENA edition is presented in collaboration with the 1^st Four core partners who embody excellence in advisory, innovation, and governance:

• MCA Gulf: a leading regional consultancy in audit, tax, and advisory services, driving business transformation and strategic HR advisory through excellence and integrity.
• Amani Al Kindi Advocates & Legal Consultants: a UAE-based legal powerhouse providing specialised corporate legal consultancy, compliance, and advocacy, committed to advancing ethical business practices and governance.
• Alignifi: a forward-thinking consultancy focused on aligning organisational purpose, culture, and digital transformation for sustainable business success.
• CRF; founded in 1994 and are respected, renowned knowledge source for improving corporate and individual performance. The business-first approach challenges existing ways of working to enhance HR’s impact and drive sustained organisational performance through developing the capability of HR professionals.

“We are delighted to have partners like MCA Gulf, Amani Al Kindi Advocates, CRF and Alignifi onboard,” said Premal Patel, Managing Partner of Business Culture Awards MENA. “Their involvement reflects the regional commitment to building future-ready workplaces where people, purpose, and performance align.”

Meet the Judges

The judging panel brings together visionary leaders across business, technology, law, and human development; each dedicated to recognising cultural excellence and leadership impact:

• CA Girish Chand, Senior Partner, MCA Management Consultants
• Jamuna Muralidharan, Partner – HR Advisory, MCA Management Consultants
• Hussain AlToomah, President of the Advisory Board, Amani Al Kindi Advocates & Legal Consultants
• Fady Karim, CEO, Business Leader & Digital Transformation Strategist, ALL Marketing Innovation
• Edward Matti, Managing Partner, CCM Consultancy
• Dr. Mohamed Alkhatib, CEO, The Futurists Network – GCC
• Maha Al Shamsi, Co-Founder, MSKD Global
• Lara Khouri, Co-Developer, The CEO Maker
• Navid Nazemia, Ranked as world’s #1 Executive Coach by CEO Today
• Michael Whelan, Director, Corporate Research Forum
• Michael Walters, CEO and Founder of Alignifi
• Kristin Joy Ekkens, a TEDx speaker and founder of Exponential Joy LLC

Their combined experience spans industries from human capital and AI innovation to leadership coaching and legal governance, ensuring a balanced and holistic evaluation process.

“Business culture is no longer a soft metric; it’s a strategic driver of growth,” said Cath Longfield, Co-Founder of the Business Culture Awards. “In MENA, culture plays a critical role in attracting and retaining top talent, fostering innovation, and shaping sustainable success.”

Entries are open until January 2026, with judging scheduled for February to March 2026. The Awards will culminate in a high-profile Gala Dinner on May 12, 2026, celebrating organisations that put people and culture at the heart of their success.