Business & Money | Tuesday 5 May, 2015 12:08 pm |

Lateefa AlWaalan, Founder and CEO of Yatooq, has been named Saudi Arabia’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2015 by an independent panel of judges at the EOY event, which was held under the patronage of HE Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Strategic Partner of the event. Lateefa was chosen from a group of 11 finalists from 10 companies, each a dynamic and gifted business leader. The award was presented yesterday evening at a gala dinner held at AlFaisaliah – Prince Sultan Hall. The event was sponsored by Eye of Riyadh, Riyadh Bank and Endeavour Saudi.
Fahad Altoaimi, Office Managing Partner, Riyadh and Entrepreneur Of The Year Leader, EY, says:
“We congratulate Lateefa on being named Saudi Arabia’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015. Lateefa truly deserves this award which honours her business achievements, innovation and contribution to her community. Lateefa will join the Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners from over 50 countries at Monte Carlo in June 2015, where she will be inducted into the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Academy and will vie for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year award.”

The independent judging panel comprised of: Abdallah Obeikan, CEO of Obeikan AGC Co. Ltd; Abdulaziz Al Omran, co-founder, a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Riyadh Chapter of Oqal; Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Alrowaita, Managing Director and General Manager – Aseer Company; Ali Al-Othaim, Chairman of the National Committee of Young Businessmen Council of Saudi Chambers; Fahad A. AlKassim, Chairman of Amwal Financial Consulting; Khlood Abdulaziz Aldukheil, Founding Partner and an Executive Transactor at MKD Financial and Business Advisory; Mohammad A. Abunayyan, Chairman of the Board of ACWA Power International.
Lateefa was chosen by the independent panel of judges after an extensive process of evaluation. The judging process was based on numerous criteria that included entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, social impact and influence. The program celebrates the success of entrepreneurs who build and lead successful, growing and dynamic businesses.

The event has been running for 28 years by EY in 145 cities across 60 countries. The EOY 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.