Cloud Connect Awards 2025 organised by CXO Insights Middle East convened CIOs, CTOs, and IT leaders from across the Middle East to celebrate the transformative power of cloud computing and AI-driven enterprises. The event underscored how cloud has evolved far beyond IT infrastructure, becoming the backbone of agility, resilience, and digital economies in the region.
The event kicked off with a highly engaging keynote address by Himanshu Niranjani, CTO, Property Finder, on “Cloud Powered AI Connection.” He emphasised that building successful AI solutions requires three essentials: a clear vision, the right infrastructure, and an aligned organisational structure with skilled people.
The theme of bold thinking continued with Damir Jaksic, CIO, KEO International Consultants, delivering a presentation on “Cloud-First Design: Building Resilient and Sustainable Enterprises.” Jaksic highlighted that digital transformation succeeds when organisations embrace a cloud-first mindset, focusing on agility, resilience, trust, and data-driven decisions. He stressed that by turning challenges into opportunities and empowering people, businesses can drive real impact, foster continuous innovation, and even unlock new growth avenues, including digital advisory services.
The panel discussion, “The Intelligent Cloud: Driving the Next Era of Enterprise Advantage,” brought together industry leaders to explore how cloud intelligence is reshaping enterprise strategy. Moderator Mohammed H. AlAbbadi, Group CISO, Fertiglobe, along with panellists Dr. Abrar Abdulnabi, Director of AI, Saal.ai, Hani Nofal,SVP and Regional Head – Technology Solutions, NTT DATA, Scott Robertson, Senior Sales Engineer, Commvault, and Damir Jaksic, CIO, KEO International Consultants, delved into topics ranging from AI-driven decision-making to resilient multi-cloud architectures. Key takeaways included the importance of resilience, transparency, and secure AI governance, as well as the future focus on AI-native businesses, localised innovation, and empowering people to navigate continuous change.
Attendees left the session with actionable strategies and forward-looking insights, gaining a clear perspective on how enterprises can leverage intelligent cloud to unlock new opportunities and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The event also celebrated the achievements of leading innovators and recognised outstanding contributions in the field.
Complete list of winners is:
VENDOR AWARDS
| COMPANY | CATEGORY |
| IFS | Industrial Cloud Solutions Vendor of the Year |
| Kyndryl | Hybrid Cloud Modernisation Vendor of the Year |
| Visiontech | Cloud Advisory Partner of the Year |
| D-Link | Cloud-Managed Networking Innovator of the Year |
| Finesse | Zero Trust Solutions Provider of the Year |
| Guardian One Technologies | Secure Cloud Continuity Partner of the Year |
| NTT DATA | Managed Cloud Services Provider of the Year |
| Snowflake | Enterprise Data Cloud Vendor of the Year |
| CADD Emirates | Cloud Infrastructure Solutions Partner of the Year |
| MMA Infosec | Cloud Security Transformation Partner of the Year |
END-USER AWARDS (COMPANY)
| COMPANY | CATEGORY |
| JSS International School | Excellence in Cloud Innovation |
END-USER AWARDS (PERSONALITY)
| COMPANY | WINNER NAME |
| Al Hamra | Kiran Shinde |
| Alshaya Group | Subedar Singh |
| Al Jaber Group | Mohammed Aftab |
| NSHAMA | Hariharan K |
| Hutchison Ports UAE | Robert Araniego |
| AL Masar Investment | Chaminda Abeyratne |
| Driven Properties | Dinesh Kumar |
| Jubaili Bros | Rahul Kumar Rajnikant Shah |
| GEMS Education | Suresh Bathrachalam |
| IFFCO | Raam Annamalai |
| Innoventures Education | Uttam Yadav |
| taaleem | Wael Omar |
| IMG Worlds of Adventure | Feroz Patel |
| Laticrete International | Rohit Kabadi |
| Legal Affairs Department | Mohammed Idais |
| InvestBank P.S.C | Praveen Unniparambath |
| IRH | Munavar Thoombath |
| NAFFCO | Mohannad Hennawi |
| Petrochem Middle East | Tony Isac |
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