Safa Al Hashem Receives Entrepreneurial Award from KIPCO
05 May, 2006, KUWAIT

KUWAIT- ADVANTAGE Consulting Company, Chairman and Managing Director Safa Al Hashem on 05 May 2006 received the 2006 Entrepreneurial Award instituted by KIPCO. The award was presented by the KIPCO, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Faisal Hamad Al Ayyar in recognition of Al Hashem's business success and contributions within the KIPCO fraternity.

The award presentation was during its third annual investor forum “Shafafiyah”. The three-day event was held at Marina Hotel in Salmiya from May 3rd – 5th, 2006 .

KIPCO is a strong advocate of promoting corporate governance in the MENA Region. A prime illustration was the launch of the annual 'Shafafiyah' (transparency) investor forum in 2004. This forum provides KIPCO and its Group Companies a channel to effectively communicate the Group's performance and address investor expectations and concerns. The forum is also the platform through which KIPCO and its Group Companies provide formal guidance on earnings expectations, another first in the region.

“The Entrepreneurial Award instituted for the first time goes to a successful individual who developed a business that improved the KIPCO economy or whose innovative management skills have changed the course of an existing business”, said Mr. Al Ayyar in his speech.

"Our aim is to spark the entrepreneurial spirit in our executives by exposing them to the stories of people whose exceptional accomplishments have led to business success. ADVANTAGE is one of those success stories that will have tremendous value to our group companies and clients," said Faisal Al Ayyar.

Safa Al Hashem receives “Female CEO of the Year” Award
25 October 2007 , Kuwait

Ms. Safa Al Hashem, Founder of ADVANTAGE Consulting Company (ACC) has received the "Female CEO of the Year" award at the CEO Middle East Awards 2007.

The award was presented by HE Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy during the annual CEO Awards ceremony, held on 23 rd October 2007 in Dubai , and attended by the region's business leaders. The dignitaries includes, Mr. Abdulla Y. Bishara, Vice Chairman of KIPCO Group, Eng. Salah Al Shamsi, Al Qudra Holdings, Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, CEO, Hydra, Mr. Mohammed Khalfan Al Qamzi, CEO, Etisalat , Eng. Ahmed Saleh Al Yafei, COO, Al Qudra Industrial Company.

The inaugural CEO Middle East award was constituted for 16 categories ranging from Financial services to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Ms. Safa Al Hashem was selected as “Female CEO of the Year” by a special panel of judges who examined the performances of a number of companies and individuals across all sectors of business.
In a post event press conference, Ms. Safa Al Hashem said, “I am proud to receive this award as I represent the vibrant, entrepreneurial female executives in the region”.

“This award will be added as a tribute to the success of ADVANTAGE,” said Ms. Al Hashem.

Safa Al Hashem featured in the GCC's Top 100 Executives List
30 December 2007, KUWAIT

ADVANTAGE Consulting, (ACC), in a statement stated that Ms. Safa Al Hashem , Chairman & Managing Director has been listed in the GCC's Top 100 Executives by the Arabian Business Magazine.
The objective of the exercise by the Magazine was to identify and highlight some of the executives with the most astute business acumen in the GCC.

In the accompanied article, The Arabian Magazine explained, “In a region where new companies, developments and opportunities spring up each day; where financing is straightforward and unproblematic; and where there is the space and infrastructure to undertake any project, it is difficult to pick out the highest achievers without some being left out.”

“The criteria for inclusion in the final list was based on what the company, and therefore the executive at the helm (often the CEO, sometimes the Chairman or President), has managed to achieve over the course of the past 12 months.”

“We tried to find groups that had realized their set goals - whether that was achieving financial growth, project completion, brand expansion or consolidation - rather than those that, as yet, that had very little to show for with their potential or their large organizations whose development had not progressed.”

Parliament Committee Features Safa Al Hashem as one of the prominent female personalities in Kuwait 
2 March, 2008, KUWAIT

Ms. Safa Abdul Rahman Al Hashem, Founder and CMD of ADVANTAGE Consulting Company (ACC) is featured in the List of Prominent Woman Personalities selected by the Parliament Committee on Woman's Affairs.
The award will be presented to Ms. Al Hashem on the 10 th March 2008 at the National Assembly Hall by H.E. Jassem Al Kharafi, the Kuwait National Assembly Speaker.

Commenting on the selection, Ms. Al Hashem said, "It is a great honor to get nominated by the National Assembly and Parliament Committee on Woman's Affairs. Moreover, it is a privilege to receive such an honor from my motherland Kuwait , after receiving several awards from the region."

She added: “This is a clear-cut affirmation of Kuwaiti woman's role and achievements. The year 2008 is designated as Year of Gulf Woman throughout the regional states and this will be the most appropriate initiative by the National Assembly to honor Kuwaiti female prominent figures in various fields."

It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Ms. Safa Al Hashem, Advantage Consulting Company, the leading Advisory Service Provider grabbed 28% of local and Gulf market share in addition to achieving a growth rate of 32%.

In October 2007, Ms. Al Hashem was adjudged the “Female CEO of the Year" by the CEO Middle East Magazine .

In November, 2007 of the same year, Ms. Al-Hashem was elected by Arabian Business Magazine as one of the most influential CEOs in the region.

Safa Al Hashem bags “Business Woman of the Year” Award
11 March 2008, Kuwait

Ms. Safa Al Hashem , Chairman and Managing Director of ADVANTAGE Consulting Company (ACC) has won the "Business Woman of the Year" award at the 7 th Middle East Businesswomen & Leaders Achievement Awards constituted by the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute, UAE. The award was presented to Ms. Al Hashem by Hon. Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland on the 8 th March 2008 at Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai . The ceremony was attended by diplomats, leading business leaders and politicians from the region.
The Middle East Excellence Awards Institute was conceived to recognize and promote leadership and entrepreneurial forays within the region.

The 7 th Middle East Businesswomen & Leaders Achievement Awards were given for 6 major categories. Ms. Safa Al Hashem was nominated for the “Business Woman of the Year” Award that identifies a woman from the region, who leads her business with great success. It recognizes the innovative, financial, entrepreneurial, and people skills that make her a good businesswomen with visionary strategies that achieve extraordinary results. Her commitment to her business, as well as her concern for the community, was noted while seeking the winner. From many nominations, Ms. Safa emerged as the winner.

Commenting on the award, Ms. Safa Al Hashem said, “I am truly honored to be recognized among such an outstanding group of visionary business women. This award confirms that with hard work and commitment, women can achieve success, especially areas that are primarily dominated by men. I thank all for the nomination”.

This month (March 2008), Ms. Safa Al Hashem was honored by the National Assembly of Kuwait as one of the “Prominent Woman Personalities” in Kuwait by the Parliament Committee on Woman's Affairs.

Prominent Kuwaiti Business Woman – 2008 Award
23 October 2008, KUWAIT

Under the patronage of Distinctive Parliament Performance Foundation, H.E. Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence, Kuwait awarded Ms. Safa Al Hashem on 23rd of October, 2008 the Prominent Kuwaiti Business Woman 2008 Award. The function was held in Al Shamya Hall, Holiday Inn and was attended by many distinguished guests.

The award recognizes Ms Al Hashem's continued contribution towards the economy of Kuwait and her vision for the future for Kuwaiti women.

Safa Al Hashem bags “Business Woman of the Year” Award
26 October, 2009, KUWAIT

Ms. Safa Al Hashem, Chairman and Managing Director of ADVANTAGE Consulting Company (ACC) has won the "Business Woman of the Year" award at the Middle East Business Achievement Awards 2009 under the esteemed Patronage of H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The award was presented to Ms. Al Hashem by Hon. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an Icon of Hope and Purveyor of Peace on the 26th October 2009 at International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai. This award was announced and presented during the Leaders in Dubai Business Forum attended by over 500 of the region’s leading professionals and companies, as well as speakers, senior government officials and special industry guests.

The Middle East Business Achievement Awards 2009 was conceived to recognize and promote leadership and Outstanding Achievement in a New Era for Business.

The Middle East Business Achievement Awards 2009 were given for 9 major categories. Ms. Safa Al Hashem was nominated for the “Business Woman of the Year” Award that identifies a woman from the region, who leads her business with great success. It recognizes the innovative, financial, entrepreneurial, and people skills that make her a good businesswomen with visionary strategies that achieve extraordinary results. Her commitment to her business, as well as her concern for the community, was noted while seeking the winner. From many nominations, Ms. Safa emerged as the winner.

Commenting on the award, Ms. Safa Al Hashem said, “I am truly honored to be recognized among such an outstanding group of visionary business women. This award confirms that with hard work and commitment, women can achieve success, especially areas that are primarily dominated by men. I thank all for the nomination”.