Essam Akhonbay

Essam Akhonbay is a prominent Saudi marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy, product management, and customer loyalty. As the Vice President of Marketing at Saudia Airlines, Essam plays a crucial role in shaping the airline's marketing vision, driving innovation, and improving customer experiences for both domestic and international markets. A graduate of The George Washington University and George Mason University, Essam's career is marked by his contributions to some of the Kingdom's most eemed organisations, including Saudi Aramco. His expertise spans trade marketing, supply chain management, and brand development, shaping him as a key figure in Saudi Arabia's business and marketing scene. Essam's leadership reflects a commitment to excellence and a passion for promoting Saudi brands on the global stage.

Why do you think the awards are important in celebrating the work of organisations?

Awards give great work the recognition it deserves, but the value goes beyond the trophy. Setting the benchmarks for our industry, gives teams confidence to keep pushing and show clients what can happen when they have the courage to back bold ideas. Awards are also a celebration of the partnerships and people behind the work that inspire the industry to raise the bar.