JEDDAH: Turki Al-Yahya, CEO of Whites, has been named Saudi Arabia’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016.

Al-Yahya was chosen from a group of eight finalists, who are innovative and inspiring business leaders.

The title was conferred on Al-Yahya at a ceremony held with the support of Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Jeddah on Thursday.

Ahmed Ibrahim Reda, office managing partner of Ernst and Young (EY), congratulated Al-Yahya for receiving the award. “We are delighted that the program is running for the third time in a row. The program provides an opportunity for Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurs to showcase their talents. Entrepreneurs make a difference. They not only have great ideas, but also the drive to translate them into reality. They use their fresh thinking and hard work to create positive social change — bringing new concepts and products to market, creating jobs and wealth.”

Reda announced that Al-Yahya will represent Saudi Arabia at the World Entrepreneur of the Year event at Monte Carlo in June this year. Such winners from 50 different countries will vie for the world title.

“Al-Yahya will be inducted into the World Entrepreneur of the Year Academy and will vie for the World Entrepreneur of the Year title,” Reda said.

Reda added that Al-Yahya was chosen because he embodies true entrepreneurial spirit and is a great role model for any aspiring entrepreneur. He demonstrated an outstanding personal commitment to his business and stood out as an exceptional leader.

“Al-Yahya represents a new generation of Saudi trail blazers that represent the shift to technology and new thinking in business. We at EY are proud of this association,” Reda said.

“EY takes great pride in honoring the achievement of entrepreneurs worldwide, and we are happy to have Saudi Arabia as part of this global celebration,” Reda added.

Last year, the award was won by Lateefa Al-Waalan from Yatooq and Kaswara Al-Khatib, chairman and CEO of UTURN Entertainment was the winner in 2014.

The EOY program in 2008, which featured entrepreneurs from across the MENA region, was won by Sobhi Batterjee, president and CEO of Saudi German Hospitals Group.

The same year, Emerging EOY was added as a new category to the awards. It was won by Sheikha Nadia Aldossary, CEO and partner of Al Sale Eastern Company. Nadia was also the first woman to become a finalist of the Middle East EOY awards.

The EOY program, which celebrates the success of entrepreneurs who build and lead successful, growing and dynamic businesses, is run in 150 cities across 60 countries.

The awards recognize outstanding entrepreneurs for their vision, innovation, courage, and leadership in building and growing successful businesses — businesses that influence the way we live, the products and services we depend on, and the economic vibrancy of our local communities and global markets.

The finalists for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2016 were: Sultan Batterjee, founder and CEO of IHCC, Turki Al-Yahya, Mohammed Fitaihi, founder, Baby Fitaihi, Nawaf Al-Shammari, chairman and president of Mbuzz, Abdulrahman A. Alshetwey, founder of Innovative Solutions, Saeed Alsaeed, chairman of Innovative Solutions Co., Abdulmohasin Al-Haqbani, and Yaser Bakur, founder and CEO of Talah Aljood.

After an extensive process of evaluation, Al-Yahya was chosen as the winner by an independent panel of judges. The judging process was based on numerous criterions that included entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, social impact and influence.

The judges who picked up the winner included Ammar Shata, executive director and CEO, Alkhabeer; Saleh Malaikah, chairman of Alawwal Group; Hussein Shobokshi, member of the board, Okaz Organization for Press and Publication; Anees Moumina, CEO of SEDCO Holding; Lama A. Ghazzaoui, CFO/head-finance group at National Commercial Bank; Osama H. Al-Sayed, chairman, Asyad Holding Group; and Mohammed Yousef Naghi, head-finance group, NCB Capital.