CIO Middle East is proud to introduce the first CIO50 Middle East awards, recognising the top 50 senior technology executives driving innovation, strengthening resiliency, and influencing rapid change in the region. Reflecting IDG's increasing commitment to the region, the CIO50 Middle East awards are aligned with a global awards programme and viewed as a mark of excellence within the enterprise. The CIO50 Middle East awards this year were judged based on three core pillars — innovation, leadership, and resiliency — and honour transformational, inspiring, and enduring CIOs at both in-country and regional levels in the Middle East. We received more than 80 submissions from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar in a record-breaking year for the awards programme. Winners were unveiled during a celebration ceremony hosted virtually and attended by more than 400 technology executives from across the region.