Khalid Al Gahtani, CEO of HAKA Group, has won the Corporate Support Award 2025. Al Gahtani’s victory propels him within striking distance of the No.1 ranking on the CEO of the Year leaderboard, earning him an additional 4,000 points.

Al Gahtani - an accomplished Saudi entrepreneur with credentials from the University of Northampton, Harvard Business School and Wharton - chairs both HAKA Group Holding and RIKAZ Properties. He has also steered key initiatives at the Eastern Chamber of Commerce, serving as Chairman of its National Real Estate Committee and championing bilateral trade missions with China, the U.S., Ireland, Japan and Russia.

The Corporate Support Award is determined exclusively by votes cast through the Corporate Support method, where companies and authorized corporate accounts endorse their preferred nominees. Introduced this year, the Award immediately establishes Al Gahtani as its first honoree, etching his name in the history of CEO Rankings.

Khalid Al Gahtani’s surge reshapes the competitive landscape: his 4,000-point boost edges him tantalizingly close to the summit of the CEO of the Year standings, especially as legacy points from last year’s votes and verified performances soon expire - setting the stage for a reshuffle among the top tier.

Current CEO of the Year leader Abdulaziz Almasradi claims second place in the Corporate Support Award. Almasradi - holder of the All-Time CEO title - adds 2,000 points to his tally, preserving his No.1 position despite Al Gahtani’s late rally.

In third, Fouad Hassoun picks up 1,500 points, vaulting two places to re-enter the top five on the global leaderboard - just one slot shy of his 2020 season peak.

What’s Next?

Following the Corporate Support Award, the league calendar turns to the People’s Choice Award, slated for the third Friday in September - September 19, 2025. Based on individual votes from employees and CEO Rankings visitors, this Award will recognize the leader with the strongest grassroots support.