No matter how strong a product or service is, it needs the right message, audience, and timing to make an impact. Strong marketing turns awareness into value, and this is where the critical role of marketing professionals comes in.
To recognize this influence, Forbes created The Most Influential CMOs In The Middle East 2026 list, powered by Salesforce. They reached out to hundreds of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs), and their equivalents, asking them to complete a detailed survey. The findings reveal how AI and digital tools are being embedded across the region in ways that reflect their growing importance.
The list features 101 individuals across 100 entries who lead marketing within their companies. They represent 23 different nationalities, with Egyptians topping the list with 21 executives, followed by 13 Emiratis and 12 Saudis. Their companies are headquartered across eight countries in the region, with 49 based in the UAE, 17 in Saudi Arabia, 16 in Egypt, and the remainder spread across Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan.
Hind Seddiqi is ranked among the Most Influential CMOs on Forbes Middle East's list for 2026.
Seddiqi joined the family business, founded as a luxury watch and jewelry retailer in 1950, in 2006. She is also the CEO of Seddiqi Holding’s Dubai Watch Week, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in November 2025 at an 18,580-square-meter venue inside Dubai Mall. This resulted in a 113% YoY increase in visitors at 49,000, and more than $18 million generated in PR value. Under Seddiqi’s marketing leadership, over 100 international collectors, six international collector clubs, and over 90 international brands were in attendance. Seddiqi is a board member of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and she sits on the advisory council for the American University of Sharjah.
