Best CEO Awards Announces 93 Finalists for Eleventh Edition

Best CEO Awards has announced the 93 finalists selected for its Eleventh Edition, an international recognition program for business executives, founders, and investors. The finalists will be honored at a ceremony on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid, a hotel that opened in 1910.

The program received 3,821 applications from candidates in 89 countries. The finalists represent approximately 2.4 percent of the total applicants. The ceremony is invitation-only and limited to 190 guests, who will include chief executive officers, founders, and business leaders from Europe, Latin America, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia.

The finalists are recognized in ten categories: Law, Governance & Corporate Advisory, Industry, Engineering & Infrastructure, Sustainability, Energy & Social Impact, Corporate Strategy & Business Growth, Health, Medicine & Patient Care, Wellness, Beauty & Personal Care, Education, Talent & Human Capital, Media, Culture & Communication, Hospitality, Gastronomy & Travel, and Real Estate & Investment. The categories are organized under the theme "The Quiet Power of Legacy," which honors leaders who build enduring institutions and create long-term value.

Candidates apply through the official Best CEO Awards website in one of four subcategories: Under 30, Under 40, Leadership, and Best CEO Woman. The evaluation process assesses applications across twelve dimensions, including industry innovation, business performance, industry leadership, strategic development, internationalization, service quality, market positioning and networking, sustainability, employee training and development, inclusion and diversity, ethics and governance, and corporate financial returns. Performance and other relevant factors are reviewed over a reference period of 12 to 36 months.

The ceremony will consist of three parts: a red carpet cocktail reception, a Michelin star gala dinner, and the awards ceremony. A black-tie dress code applies to all guests, and professional photographers and videographers will cover the event.

The Best CEO Awards is an international recognition program that identifies and honors chief executive officers, founders, and business leaders based on business results, strategic vision, and contribution to their industries. The program evaluates candidacies from Europe, Latin America, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia against the twelve evaluation dimensions mentioned above.