10 Most Inspiring Chairmen Leading Business Transformation, 2025.pdf

Discover the 10 most inspiring chairmen of 2025 who are driving business transformation with visionary leadership, innovation, and growth strategies.

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5. Redefining Leadership: Chairmen
Driving Transformation in 2025

‘nan era define by
being tested tik
goermanse, and puro
th uturofbusines

Tis ion of CIO Arab Media, 19 Most Inspiring Chairmen Leading

‘Woproudly pesen poca ction arabe to chaine who ao no

moan Dira Ba y

7. Ihe Front [BF]

Page Ixclusive

Raphael
LILLA

Pioneering Digital
Broadcasting Leadership
in the MENA Region

Industry Insights

16 [

Aligning Innovation
Innovative Approaches to
Business Transformation

Mobilizing Organizations
Unlocking Potential Through
Business Leadership

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[dToyAráb.

Pooja M Bansal

Etor-in Chief

Depa tor asser | @
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August, 2025

9. = MECS Je

‘Adee Bai A tecmalogy proncer specializing in compuncrengincring
‘Chairman, Deparment | | AI Yamamah University and arch siete aba ection, inovation, and
of Compucr yucdası mentor with deep export: in emerging technologie und
Engincering pla digital solutions
A forward thinking profesional skilled in govemance, global
Abmad Reda ALRAKEEN ‘networking. and sstinhe growth, Renown for seg
‘Chairman ‘lmkeena insight, poop evict enki, and commitment,
ciel impact

een Am AL expert and thought Kader diving technological

Vaso tet Innovation. Rocognd or avance ate
‘Gama wees neigen nop ciel merk and sping
rom Tong om.
An infra Kad with rong pote in tie
Amma Aa KPMG Sand rain planning. poy alors, and mos
‘Guinean ‘meso ‘tcl bling impar collaborations an ring
ts aly earn
cp rt wi frog pen a
E | | munies orten Tragen, ii namen, and oil
== pe ec Roger ding ima, cy,
Es snd re aap acto dinos
Te seu an Rar ose
Gerard Barron “The Meal Company inane, Song expos aupres,
Gsm ce mace sama, ad global paren, wäh eprve cord

in tanstomatve leader.

Asctsoned cade adc al govemance, policy-making,

Cork Information and economic development. Keown fr bring usina
“Technology nd technology o eat long dm vals and maire
comnts com psc
ne A respete leader with dec Krone in economic policy.
Misha ALOuab ret | | arte prtcratips and onszatonal grow Known fr
Chairman Fes "alncig raion with anovation in doc making.
A visionar ear recognized forse fresh,
Raph ta SPB IVAG arcs exten. and tring asilo ronda
a ca Sted sakcholder agent onanzatonal development,
Best and ving impactful plebe nativen
Egyptian Natal Gas omic cohen el cil tows
shes Rises > ¿ros onde ollas. and cia swash
Er) Holding Compary (EGAS) | | Recognized fo empomering cams, shaping ste, a

conc. ‘enuncing organization relie.

11. 10 Most inspiring Chairmen Leading Business Transformation, 2025

Raphael
LILLA

Pioneering Digital
Broadcasting Leadership
in the MENA Region

SPB TV AG
Board Chairman

@ SPBTV 7

12. hie age of coms culation in digital reacting,

mod foire are disppcaring pracy, Consumpion.

per changing at spec whe cho are
volving at a rapid pace, Visieary kde demands
visionar thinking, cl sensitivity, and asbl SPRL
‘TVAG Ban Chairman Raphael Lila possesval hes a
wonderful bled of nancial acumen and technical non ho.
(Owing to thse qual, he a change maker in Ihe meda
inde.

From Swiss Banking to Digital Broadcasting

Lia: pat tote postion aan chiral PB TV AG I
conventional. is knowledge in france, which pans more
than rc domes, hat bona makeover ehonk He ha Rad
exce postions at Swit bank, served on the hoard of
aia Finances and wasa member ofthe Superiony Bear of
[FIX Mera, company had in Dubai. He hs become ore
resolute at a rom, strengthening hi Bold en challenging,
al ersten.

[As faras onc ca el bibi fica se as nahin odo
‘wth casting hu just what Lilla mood. "Youvof dine
the rage’ work, woking on regulation andá concentran on
rk at's tank made me value that cautious change equa
agi vision and operating discipline.” he says He takes
rest ideas from all of the above when leading, media.
‘commis, but he ks the goverment and ride taking kl
thattechnology commpanicealltofen ck

wana coinciden hi hit th medi ud Lilla
‘was situated in Dubs and ad tong connections 1 hc Sis
and Mie Easter economy. He had imuginod inc he waa
young child about how digital medi cou rancend ation
Bauer cultura Pounds A2 SPB TV AG hit
ite presence in over 50 countries, bis multialturl
minds cac though years of conducting cou hair
Financia! usos senc im wel

“Successful
transformation
requires both
strategie vision
and operational
discipline”

_APhiloxophy of Leadership and Development

Deering hie philosophy of chairman, Lill ha poi
(hat ciemanship i mach, much more han management.

"Sent saponin” hein "fing an mona
culto in good framework” "Good govemanes over
“compliance” is whale continacs lo say. "te making
eco making simple with pills of information and
ak tomado”.

“Tic canbe oberen ixchaimanship of he SPA TV.
AG her. Rather than trado! vestcdo, beard,
{ill as read the boardroom as an inca
center whee dive thinking cms toga do make
orar decisions From hie mula! experience
in Europe andthe Middle Fastin the hsrkmem, be
volves decision-making to it cal ati und bal
har

lo makes diventy an experien Iming process,
abr than intel Lil crei 0 create cultor
‘wher the contribution o cach drstori sought arre
{commas nota for vision and moral isi in the
(ardent fete. “Good boards rely on wading with
ner of experience, knowledge ad pint of ew” he
“maiz This hae hope SPB TV AG weather manic
regulation mayhem and fleting digital fashions with
Yendembipcellnce pr excslonce.

mo
The television broadcasting sector was unprecedented
rap in recent times by unie compettin fram
strcaming, game changing tactics lo adveting, and strong
‘ats polen logiltonre-wrng compton rule. They
‘wor Din exit level cateo most fe ii
‘mainsam player. To Lil and SPB TV AG, they were
staegierchalncingoppouies

i dition experience alo pes unnoticed by hr med
Over hi finance carcer, Lill has nc tocbnoloy and
relator transformation iu indastics overnight. When
‘gta ect brought france int prominence, he was among,
(bc plonccrto nrc nitions noi. Ta positon im
{or when the same type of destin fll on the broadcasting
indy.

“td of crane om imovaton dove it Lill mers
Lo have Been admonished for pang the agenda on SPA TV
AG move to eld native, ode platforms, As CEO, she
ridad bc company say foelepacy IPTV tocnology

15. toward endo cod digital media solutions, prin saine
capability with next generation analytics and adaptive
monctiationmodcs

In vas technological in the seres that t wa ll

“acquired Lila rough lo SPA TV AG a disruption and
permi par xe nee thas, conamie Fay and
reply aby that he had came through working
‘wih ba Topster, this readin pcparsd SPB TV
(AG teams ta div headlong, into urban wat, he
Frot expriment and ion ni
romarin rhone

“The MENA Region: MastestrokeofStrtegy

‘The seogrphical pansion of SPB TV AG to the
MENA Region is an example of Lil's strategie
competence. He had a stronger grasp of hw lo ase
_ogaphical extension as ho Foundation fr localisation
ty Peces of is yous of living im Du and Pis
intonctions with regional omaitions which exposed
Himtolbegrasrotemurktaheprawroelevcl.

in imaging the mood ofthe ara by domestic quality
content and qui digital services, 1 led an effort st
localization bridging cultura, language, and technical
ide? sate Lilla ma caine wer trace and
mama I was poncerng a fundamental vel hm dt
Brdensing could drive several cutre" conos with
ponele

MENA grow inlved ronge alliances when
cares to make the dcivry ofeonentnot jelly viable
but technology impregnable. This was led by Lilas
‘ntcprencaral nitive: He alo cb computer
Sigal payment nctwork to cable sure 20 rations
over High rat routes This feature ushered a new age of
ponme andcxctlenccinopertensinto he Fon.

“Th mie market etry sueo the aoe layer
vision of Lil ol meray van of how much number of
tome ar need ht what ol hase er const
of Hix il in bringing now regulatory frameworks, cate
“lement, and technology requirements in harmony wäh cach
her hs heen considered SPR TV AG vision paradigm for
lokalen

Innovation with Intent

{Lita innovatin isnot innovation Frit own ake bt to drive
‘he overall objective of the company Thi als wi hic

history of developing digit asc platforms and diving
technology overhauls in banks such that SPB TV AG
innovaionsar leading ge and tego

“The best proof ofthis eso inaction ic son a ite istry
throxghout his tim Those days, SPB TV AG fn itemetive
shi finer wth AR and VR tcchologis, dynamic
stromal bit, and Al powered content recommendation
systems. They are step compeicrcs that are ral
market demands and prone the bios to a new level of
succes, not novels

“nova ete Four ree jour et ay
il seme of clon" Lil er The by prod
Spot ht hg lo operators imovaten ie ie
Specht he clone tomate aca
‘ntractres that lit at jot scarico Pt
scale growth ae well Tosca caca hir dn igh
{goth plone Ike MENA where play create aro
cane

is innovation strategy is also based on modulariy and
Roxy Options arc experimented with by cams, re given
check in the form of eric, and are dicta sufi
cis wating ime hg od tape. Al hi rapid resp
theough fective mectonion of contra eh SPB TV AG to
argresively pur rapilly shifting markets competitively
without scrifcing operating aii.

Estaba Dynamic Culture

Ancthasofimovaton and responsivencsismore tan neto
{son hear I includes more opio ransfomnin.
that coses individual to Behave an efctivo rik king
Tl view e ended on hi experience of rung bane
‘where af once worked aros burns and gern
Teste yes feront.

"Creativ grow in à climate of tt and respect Fr each
‘obser he true InSPBTVAG, segues guet

“Strong
governance
enables
empowered
decision-
making"

16. ampare strategy sion, cross Functional camu, and
crane plaming on the hasi of all kids of input His
moduler oranicaoral sucre enables imovatcn lo he
cd mem who euerpmumkeng hin
hole

"isso for developing he an oPfturisevidentin
the ent organisation In one give young profesional he
Fig lols ad moral underpinnings athe cn develop thir
incu ills ocssenaly coches junior leader: Hic nie
thooght that fective growth isenhancd by thinkers who can
think erally am quickly, and uphold ethics even in dire
‘uation edhe Rais for human resource imvosmcnt in this

ature Oriented Leadership

Lilas proactive mindset combined with ation rieted
xceution has produc his two ca itr vison for SPE TV
AG The companys pal oF coming the prefered pan for
ga trncoematen, ramely in Ihe MENA roy, ie à
room of sigicanttracpcinitaivessuch rating cal
altre approprite coud hal OTT soluins and forming
parer. with mednand cocomcompanie

“They ae no content production and geographic expansion.
‘They are time now standards forthe intr Interne of ive
‘content dvr, open sais Irneponcy and cooperation
‘with authorities, il cos SPB TV AG asthe Joka dee He
vil pve meds pares erating ofickncy scale, and
car ty havenevr dl

Hi dare tomorrow schaimmenandbeardmembersithe
culminan decades afeadeshipin every iype o indus
at with purpone and fini wih u. Char rt about
power, fe about keceming the gunman of the company
‘pupoccandeait”

ALegacyofResponsible Innovation

In action 1 ie stop, Ll abe advoeatr Fr tical
technology design and responsible innovation. He ca member
of think tank and digital infaiuctur for conte sharing,
medi cacy and AI ethics Boards His charitable ati
ince dial ciation sd ua brand, und this ic
‘lection ofc conviction Bat ccoo val cc,
Sophie.

"Most pere inventions ae es tha simplify tines, ring
er aan batch enchulguthee hoc
tom Sucht cn hoscnunderhistenurin SP

TVAG, here sins developenent ink with increasing,
me ram doren

{growth (ith investment in lud string, Ja content
Iu, and reach through smart TV), Lilla leaders brings
stability of sraepy im periods of change. His nin of
innovation and comcrative ewankip not only Koop the
‘company nro change, bat ends pace

With an inrcasiely loka world through information
technologies construc world culture and intrdependenoe,
instale ik Lila have remindod us ha genuine change
pos beyond kchnoeratc peso It equ vision ones
“nd pendence nto goaloag involving oad a chango
Gn rn loyally malcaltaral ck mao himoraton Hie
Arion from Swiss banking Lo on the cating od diga
rein panics that the patos ade re not
ujutment lcking but visinarcs ofthe type hey envision
Hem coming M

17. “endava

REIMAGINING THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
PEOPLE & TECHNOLOGY

Vi area lea next-generation technology services provider and es.
accelerate daruplon y deveria D exon entra We ais
ur cae in ring neu ways o erat with tel customers ad uses,
Er2bing hem fo become more engaging, resporsive and efficient.

Using Distributed Enterprise Alle at scale, we cotoberate wth our
‘lens, seamlessly integral wih her teas, catalyzing Seaton and
delvering robust solutens. Our approach to deeton comerse an
tempat fo ser reeds, cuil cresta deep understanding al
technologies. rem prof of once, rip, to production, we usa
‘a engineering experts to dave: entere at capabe ch
Pardi lions o ransactons pe day

19. INNOVATIVE

Approaches to

BUSINESS

Transformation

th the rapid and continuous evolation of ads
global economy, companics ae expericnng
lunparallel levels of disruption fucled by
Icchnological progress, changing customer demanda, and
economic uncertainty. Again thie backdrop, business
trnetormaton has cows lo be an option and become 2
mesesity. Incremental refinement af existing processes or
angine on tooldbusinerrodctewillno longer ace. Tacıy
‘competitive and up das, organizations med 1 re main:
thot busines model, vals props rd game vide
akcholdars Bases tanlormaion crab comprehemene
changesina company operations culture, technologie, and
customer approach. Business transformation an organized
process that affects all areas of the organization, (rom
Tender and decision making tough scrvice delivery and
cinployor motivation Kater transformation popes now
and the incr and technology te arc giving way to more
integrated and responsive models based on Aexbiliy,
innovation, and long tre valu eration. By adoptng this
model, compartes ar ot jes racing to disruption bat
also org now pportuntica lor difrentiion and growth.

‘Wilding Operational Excellence through Technology

The must powerful diver of change may be the delete
adoption of vex-goaratin ctnologes. The accra pee
St which (schoen ike aca mteligence, mine
learning cloud computing, and robotic proces automation
Have evolved has coabled organations to remake thir
penton in fundamental ways Tas tchnologe arenas.
about suomaling; theyre about migmenting apnea
human capability, moro intelligent decision making
facilitan and tra oval rear.

For example, ri klin vil enable companies o
forecast demand, tailor marketing, and minime stock
management in saline. Cod pills of on-demand

Er

mm CES

20. infest for remote work, collaboration, and global each
‘without significant capital uta. Robotic pruczssutomaton
Cables automating repetitive and rac haved take so Dat
{employes can faces on moro valle work: By incorporating
{hese techoologies into operations a their very core
organizations can realize eeieney, cost reduction, and
incrcased agility in adjusting o siting marke. But new
technology option not sein in el Transformation
also nec dial int culture eros the enlrpeise That
‘stale developing the digital now ho of sa, naling
Organizational silos by department, and imbedding
{novation within organizational culture

Rethinking OrganizationalCultureand Leader

“Tho octal i central to the proce; lead u
core are alo required business tnformation ie In he
mess Orion resistance to change cl, no
à shortage of cha capability is what in mos tans
ok pgs ack. Aide mast chant very loli
pio begining wih earch Leads today mette
isionario who motives, page, and crpower thsi a a
pposcdtomercy command. Hectiveeaers ere
lure of rt, epenness, and account, They promete
«rporimentatioo, embrace ale an sep ie an innovation
process, and provide constant leasing and development
past

They thus crete a cutre in which employees foc fee
Psychlogiaiy o experiment and share eae This ds
cesary ld ma ol rapid change, when Net amd
sémptbily are mos ely to be tho greatest source of
during coo Alo ranormatceinvolvesinerd crt
funcional and collaborative work. Autocrat chains of
command and deputmentlicd snuchures are sow to make.
acom addons motion: 1 oder ofen

u se ern rc Pipe ed dra by Cobb
open communication, malt disciplinary work, and shared
account fhe roule producod

Customer Centric Innovation

Fal the key divers of busines change today perhaps most

Ind paie mr fo
With tome having more choice, higher expocistos, md
more influence than ever, providing » beter customer
space is now he sep different. Formes
put the customer a the conter ol change, they have moro
porte to mature oly, tion capable and pin
Tong km gouts prose. Casto driven novato fs
the procos of employing information and inclino to
def what customers desire and require them to develop
toms, servic that adres orexceod thm,

import an anne

Cistamerjoumey mapping, voice he ct,
fc boys minier mine]
pornos improve Th insight ca be mL make
hg more personal, whore they can be und lo stream
proces, and deliver vale in a more maningfl manne,
Designthinking icone ofthe mthods rap ch customer
ven change i ab Through focus om empty, quick
prototype, and tive problem solving. design thinking
makes it posable for onpmiratiene lo co crete with the
<ustomersand os for them

Core basinos transformation nece more than the dent
now echar othe reshaping of teal presses Kena
ancnd 10 endclang find, Le. th way gants tink,
‘wer, ad rte aa y embracig no approche
‘ha ring togther nox roro technologies rating le
and potciptivo cures, and pating customer cnc a
thei enter f gai ines can o et up for og am
mess Transformation ia iin and ongoing process, bu
A]

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24. Unlockin
Potential Through

BUSINESS
LEADERSHIP

ence esc is cal forint ai,

along cr sacar inthe res dy ar as

pec bal economy Gre! organizations re rly
‘rented just on ie hasi of their products; par, dy are
‘olde vision, mora iby. ad tenacity ofi ende
In skin fo technical nor or, emotional ineligeae,
resilience, and a human contrat cadership syle are
cesary to unlock the potential of individuals, groups, or
ali oramizaons

“The Tre EscaciofBesiass Leaders

At its core, business Ieadership à more than managing
proccss oF achieving quately tacts. I about spring
people to scx beyond inte challenges aa motivating
thr pu a shared vision, Lalor who waked this
¡ner crac whore erty Bois, risks are
‘brass rl employos fslemperacrd to contaba their
o

“Tru adore blanc sg with empty, Thy den jst
itt: hey He, engage, end bald trs. This speech
‘rl the mec de paleta within bir work une
ri in cams itn rar an ho

Vision: The Starting Point af Unlocking Potent

[No great achievement in business cre cura that
‘ear iss, Vision givesdtionarlpurpose A ron der
‘cubes wot just wha ne sche ut ao why e

For example, Steve Jobs” vision vos not simply o build
omputes ba o “puta dent inthe univer” His laity and
nn inp en to thnk ier and pas ota
‘This Kind of busines Keak lig ivi pol idk

organizational objectives, ensuting thal every effort
‘contest apor paren

gg =

Fa.

26. Empowerment Through Trust and Responsibility

Unlocking poten! ruine erating an environment where
porn fel sil. Micromanagenent ils cry, while
{ent empowers employees I innate and ake men of
orales

[Effective business leadership involves delegating
responsbiitics an providing iktance without hovering
Tender who tie hir team coge problem shins,
resilience, and accountability. This not only enhances
performance bat alo fosters loyalty andjobstisfaction

Emotional Intelligence: The Human Side of Leadership

“The human touch is rial in toys busines landscape
imosionalinlligence understanding and managing one's

noi human emotion he workplee they unlock
notation and commitment that Financial incense alone
Simnotachiee.

‘Leading Through Change and Uncertainty

“The moder bus mori ral hy constan desvpion
\cchnolgicaladvancoments marktahife and ihaleri In
such environments, business Ines ii. Sc
Tender are thos who remain calm, roten, and adopabl in
Ihe face of certainty

sea of reiting change, prat dos embrace i an help
‘hei teams view challenges as opportunities. They
‘communicate transport, fer oplimiem, and mur that
thet teams fel secure even when the ah forward cr
“This mind helps organizations unlock thir al potential
inte mos

FosteringaCultureofConinuoos Learning.

(One of the mos power ways ears lock potential by
rein cantine ering and development Atar
‘workforce limits progress, while a kaming culture drives

acne ead who invent in ining, mentorship, nd skill
development empower employees ln evolve alongside

“renin nok They rats aperitif roth hat
Bene both nia andthe Company In ding, Oy
are that he paire romains competitive and fre
ready

‘The Ripple lectofBusiness Leadership

“The impact of strong busines ed pce far beyond the
Into A Kader inflance shape optimal ule,
“ever employee engagement, and even exende lo core
satisfaction When ers unlock th otal of thir cams it
reas a ipl effet tha strengthens the brand, builds rst
ih akcholden andin pies reader social propre

For empl, leader who piste musinahiliy and tical
practices influence not ony thet companies hat also the
Communes they serve. This shows how unlocking potential
throaghleadershpcontnburestoagpcter and.

‘atancing Results nich Relationships

{nthe pasta growth, many oats Gallito the por
Tein oly a numer However uc busines leadership
recognizes that people dive role Balancing performace
metres with mesningfl reltionshipe ensure long crm

Leaders who cae for thir teams’ well ing, echte
achicvements, and encourge work-life balance ereate
sussinabl performance. They undentand thal walocking
Potential aba harming out employees btshont rng
theitsentsorlatngconrbations.

‘Conclusion Leadership asthe Key to Uocking Potential

“The power of bance leadership Ro not authority but in
inflcnce, inspiration, and impact. Leaders who combine
Vision, tit emotional inegence, and adapailiy unlock
poinilat very enlofthetongamization

Ina world where businesses are conti challenged to
invovale and adapt, ledersip becomes the bridge between
possibly and achievement Unlocking potential sota
“on time event it isa continua journey guided by Teader
‘who belive in people, fener reinen, ad crono
‘opportunites prt.

Vitimately, when Kaden iss beyond management and
‘embvace authentic eadership, they unlock not only
‘rganivational potential but alo human potenti

the way For meaning progress in sino and city 8

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