Chartered Manager of the Year

Dr. Said Al Darmaki FCMI FCIPD is a nationally recognised HR and leadership authority with over 20 years’ executive experience across government, semi-government, and private sector organisations. He holds a PhD in Human Resources and Innovation and is a Fellow Chartered Manager, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Certified Strategic Planning Professional.

He is Founder and CEO of HR Hub Oman and currently serves as HR Director at Arabian Industries, where he leads enterprise-wide people strategy, organisational development, governance, and workforce capability initiatives aligned with Oman Vision 2040. His work has delivered nationalisation strategies, leadership pipelines, succession planning, and AI-enabled talent and workforce analytics.

Dr. Al Darmaki is a court-appointed HR expert to the Omani courts and a member of the OPAL HR Committee, contributing to national HR policy and workforce governance across the energy and industrial sectors. An award-winning HR leader and international speaker, he is the author of several professional publications, including Recruitment and Selection: A Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners (2025), and actively shapes future leaders through executive education, coaching, and national leadership programmes.

Katrina McVitie is Key Outputs Lead for the Transpennine Route Upgrade at TransPennine Express, acting as the link between the operator and alliance partners to align delivery plans, governance, and senior reporting. Her leadership was central to the successful delivery of TRU Key Outputs KO2 and KO3, enabling 25% route electrification between Stalybridge–Manchester (2024) and Church Fenton–York (2025), delivering faster, greener services and strengthening cross-industry collaboration.

Known for an inclusive and collaborative leadership style, Katrina creates clarity during complex delivery phases while championing wellbeing and open dialogue. Her earlier roles include leading Train Presentation at TPE and a secondment as Head of Franchise Projects at West Midlands Trains. A committed professional leader, she achieved Chartered Manager status and progressed to Fellow in 2024, reflecting her senior influence within the rail industry.

Rosie Hewat CMgr is Founder & CEO of Rosie’s People, an executive leadership and organisational advisory firm supporting high-growth and purpose-driven businesses across fintech, banking, technology, retail, and regulated sectors. A Chartered Manager with over 25 years’ senior leadership experience, Rosie is recognised for building and scaling people, governance, and leadership infrastructures in complex, fast-growth environments. She was formerly Group Chief People Officer at Kuda, helping scale the digital bank to over 7 million customers.

Rosie has held senior leadership and advisory roles at Funding Circle, Neyber, Pockit, PGMBM, and We Make Change, advising boards on culture, organisational design, M&A, DEI, and international expansion. She serves as a Trustee at Trust for London and mentors founders and executives on governance, transformation, and sustainable growth. Known for her pragmatic, inclusive leadership style, Rosie is also a regular speaker on organisational effectiveness and leadership in regulated and high-growth environments.

Julia Nixon is an accomplished marketing and digital transformation leader, recognised for her ethical, inclusive, and results-driven approach. As Head of Marketing and Project Lead for UK digital initiatives at AVK UK Ltd. she drives both brand strategy and large-scale digital projects, including CRM integration, AI-led efficiency strategies, and multi-brand digital marketing campaigns, all aimed at enhancing customer experience and delivering measurable business impact.

She is a champion of people development, empowering her team through mentorship, ownership, and structured growth opportunities. An advocate for inclusive leadership, she actively supports women in business and fosters a culture of continuous learning and wellbeing.

Beyond AVK, she contributes to industry forums such as the Future Water November Network, sharing insights and influencing innovation across the water sector. Maintaining Chartered Manager and Chartered Marketer status, she combines strategic vision, operational delivery, and ethical practice to shape both her team and industry for the future.

Dr. Zafeer Shamsudeen is a senior corporate leader with nearly 30 years’ experience in the dairy, agribusiness, and FMCG sectors across the Middle East and international markets. As General Manager of a leading multinational, he oversees a multi-billion dirham portfolio in the GCC and leads large, diverse teams, balancing commercial performance with organisational health and people development.

Grounded in finance and strategic leadership, Dr. Shamsudeen drives impact in areas including food security and responsible agri-food trade. He is a Chartered Manager (CMI), Chartered Marketer, and Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute. Beyond his executive role, he mentors, shares thought leadership, and serves on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, exemplifying values-led, high-impact leadership.

Tony Stonebridge CMgr FCMI MBA is a values-led leader who believes true success lies in empowering others to grow and succeed. A Chartered Fellow and Executive MBA graduate, Tony leads with integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to developing people through opportunity, inclusion, and high-quality support.

Known for his progressive and practical approach, Tony challenges the status quo, turns theory into action, and builds belief through ethical, accountable leadership. An advocate of lifelong learning and a growth mindset, he brings courage and open-mindedness to leadership—shaped both by professional experience and a passion for adventure beyond the workplace.

Prof Naveed Yasin CMgrComp CMC is a Chartered Companion and Chartered Management Consultant with sustained leadership impact across higher education, entrepreneurship, and professional practice. A Full Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management and Director of the Abu Dhabi Management Incubator, he leads one of the region’s most practice-integrated incubators, translating research and innovation into scalable ventures aligned with the UAE’s economic diversification agenda.

Prof Yasin has held senior executive roles including Vice President of Academic Affairs and Executive Dean, leading institutional transformation, accreditation, and international partnerships in regulated environments. A Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he delivers CMI-accredited executive education internationally and is a founding member of the CMI Middle East Advisory Council. His leadership integrates governance, professional standards, and inclusive entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on diversity and immigrant-led innovation as drivers of sustainable growth.