The Forttuna Awards celebrates global excellence

The Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2024, held on December 6-7 aboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 in Dubai, celebrated leadership, innovation, and achievement. Led by Aditii Handa and Raul Handa, the awards gala brought together visionaries from over 40 countries, honouring excellence in business, health, and wellness.

The Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2024 recognised transformative leaders across industries, underscoring Forttuna’s commitment to honouring outstanding contributions to business, technology, and wellness. This year, awardees hailed from over 80 countries, showcasing the diverse and powerful impact of innovation worldwide. These distinguished leaders exemplify Forttuna’s mission to foster global progress, with each winner redefining their fields through vision, dedication, and groundbreaking achievements.

Longevity Wellness Group, founded by endurance athlete and wellness enthusiast Dani Afiouni, aims to help individuals Age Well & Live Better. Known for its holistic approach, Longevity has become a leading wellness hub in the UAE, offering a blend of advanced technology and expert knowledge. The wellness hub provides unique services like Hyperbaric Oxygen, Hypoxic Altitude, Red Light Therapy, Sound and Light Frequency Therapy, Ionic Hydrotherapy, and Quantum Body Scanning, focusing on proactive health management.

Longevity also leads the region with innovative products, such as the top ice bath and the only mobile ice bath unit. Over its five-year journey, Longevity has built partnerships with UAE brands, including Dubai Police, Emirates Platinum, and Abu Dhabi Adnoc Marathon, solidifying its role as a wellness pioneer. Recognised for its impact, Longevity continues to drive holistic health advancements across the region.

Dr Amani Albraikan is an AI Assistant Professor at Computer Sciences Department at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Saudi Arabia. She is a faculty member, project management, Innovation Chief Officer, and Consultant. She is also an active member of various industry-leading organisations and technical advisory committees, including but not limited to: IEEE, IEEE Sensors Council, Innovation and Technology Association, Social Innovation Forum, Asbar Forum KSA, and MCRLab Canada. She received her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Ottawa and Master in Computer Science from George Washington University in 2007.

Dr Amani’s research focuses on novel phenomena related to digital innovation and the transformation of incumbent firms in the context of digital business strategy and utilisation of AI. Her current research interests include AI, Digital Twin, IoT, Smart Cities and blockchain, and sustainable engineering.

Founded by Mohamed Ibrahim, LAHINT is at the forefront of revolutionising government services through advanced automation. With over a decade of experience in public services and regulatory compliance, Ibrahim’s vision for LAHINT is to simplify complex government processes, reduce costs, and enhance user experience. The innovative platform automates routine tasks, verifies user eligibility, and provides real-time support via screen sharing and audio conferencing. This approach not only speeds up service delivery but also ensures accuracy and security, addressing common frustrations with navigating government portals.

The Forttuna Global Awards recognises LAHINT's significant contributions to the govtech sector and its alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to modernise and digitise public services. This accolade underscores the start-up's commitment to leveraging technology for the public good.

Nobuaki Uehara Matsuoka, CEO of CHAKS Cosmetic Design & Services, is a trailblazer in Singapore's cosmetics industry, renowned for transforming brand visions into reality. With 24 years of experience, Nobuaki has elevated the beauty sector, leveraging scientific insights for product innovation and a broader mission to beautify society. Recognised in Britishpedia's 2024 Successful People in Singapore, he previously served as R&D Director Principal Scientist at Procter & Gamble, where he developed iconic brands like Pantene and secured 49 global patents in hair and skin health, earning the Technology Officer Award and One Asia Leadership Award.

A leader in setting industry standards, Nobuaki advises for Cosmetic Design Asia and presides over the Society of Cosmetic Scientists Singapore. His leadership at CHAKS, recognised by various organisations, reflects his commitment to cross-industry collaboration. Driven by a vision for future generations, Nobuaki continues to redefine beauty standards through innovation and societal impact.

Shiraz Jamaji, CEO of Al Huzaifa Furniture Industry, leads with the mantra: when opportunities arise, seize them with vigour. With 28 years of experience across manufacturing, construction, FMCG, and real estate, Shiraz has been a steadfast advocate for innovation and excellence. Over the past 14 years, he has steered Al Huzaifa to prominence in the Middle East's furniture industry, strengthening its market position and customer satisfaction while maintaining its 48-year legacy.

Shiraz is also the co-founder of Build Well Holdings, a property development firm focusing on high-return projects like warehousing and malls, which consistently generate significant returns. His leadership is grounded in mentorship, adaptability, and integrity, fostering a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and continuous improvement within his teams. His commitment to excellence and transformative leadership continues to shape the business landscape in the UAE and beyond.

The Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2024 exemplifies the power of visionary leadership in shaping industries and setting benchmarks for innovation. This year’s honorees reflect the diverse and transformative impact of leaders in fields ranging from digital innovation and wellness to government technology and sustainable business practices. Their achievements highlight Forttuna’s role as a global platform recognising leaders who inspire, innovate, and redefine excellence. As these awardees continue to push boundaries, they collectively pave the way for a more connected, efficient, and inclusive global business environment, championing a brighter future for all.