The wishes of a record amount of children living with different forms of cancer have been granted
due to generous donations collected at the eighth annual Oil Barons Ball in Dubai.
The event - the most anticipated highlight of the energy sector’s social calendar and the largest
outdoor gala event of its kind in the Middle East – saw the region’s energy industry come together
for a fantastic night of fun – and fundraising.
With more than 2,000 people in attendance at the Ball on Friday, November 12, at Dubai Media
City’s amphitheatre, nearly a half million dirhams was raised for Sharjah-based Friends of Cancer
Patients (FOCP) from cash donations and a silent auction held at the event.Generous bids were received on all the auctioned items on offer, with a pair of business class
flights to Paris courtesy of Emirates Airline receiving the highest bid of the night. One charitable
attendee pledged more than AED 80,000 within minutes of the start of the event.
Al Tayer Motors generously donated one year’s car lease; while another individual pledged AED
40,000 which will ease the financial burden on a family with a sick child by covering their rent for
Three paintings donated by H.E. Ameera A. Binkaram, President of Board of Trustees &
Founding Member of FOCP, by young contemporary emirati artist, Mus’ab Abdulqader Al-Rais
fetched a staggering AED 75,000 between them.
The generous pledges will make the children’s lives better; helping them attend treatment,
communicate and play. The rest of the funds raised will go towards funding a mobile
mammogram machine, enabling women in more remote areas of the UAE to access this vital
Apart from its charitable cause, the annual Oil Barons Ball serves as the venue for the crowning
of the Oil Baron - the prestigious annual award presented to a senior industry executive in
recognition of their outstanding achievement, contribution and continuing commitment to the
Middle East’s energy sector.
At this year’s event, the movers and shakers of the region’s energy sector celebrated the
crowning of Kevin Roberts, Group Managing Director of Hydroserv.
The Welshman has been in the Middle East for the last 20 years. During that time, he grew
his first company Hydrolink from a one-man operation into an international multi-million dollar
enterprise, with operations in Bahrain, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan before
selling it to set up Hydroserv. A long time supporter of the Oil Barons Ball, Roberts has seen
seven other Oil Barons crowned. This time, it was his turn to be presented with his very own
bespoke Stetson.
“I’m completely overwhelmed and deeply honoured to have been chosen as this year’s Oil
Baron,” said Roberts. “This is indeed a genuine recognition of what I’ve achieved in the last 20
years and a true stamp of approval from my peers and the industry.”
Roberts personally donated 60,000 AED during the evening which has paid for a car for Yahya
Barakate Jaha, so he can now attend his appointments in comfort and with ease. Roberts
has also pledged to donate further time and resources to raising money for Friends of Cancer
Patients throughout his tenure as Oil Baron 2010.
Eileen Michael, founder of the Oil Barons Ball, said: “This year’s ball was really one of the best
ever. To see Kevin Roberts crowned after 20 years of dedicated service to the region was very
special. He is undoubtedly a well-deserved winner of the Oil Baron title. In addition, we were able
to raise an impressive amount of vital funding for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity.
“It has long been our goal to make this event a valuable social and networking event, as well as
to raise as much money as possible for charity. FOCP is a charitable organisation that is close
to all our hearts, and over our three year partnership, we are proud to have successfully raised a
considerable amount of money for them.
“We hope that each year we will build on past successes and continue our valuable partnership
with FOCP,” she added.
After the crowning ceremony, the crowd were entertained by breathtaking performances courtesy
of Trevor Chance productions from the UK. The ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends themed show saw Elvis
Presley, Buddy Holly, Diana Ross, Elton John, and Tom Jones impersonators take to the stage
as the glamorous crowd danced into the night.
FOCP has been the official charity of Oil Barons Ball for three years. The Ball is the single largest
donor to the Sharjah-based charity.
The Oil Barons Ball is held under the patronage of H. E. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum,
President Department of Civil Aviation Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates
Group, and is organised by dmg::events and Pipeline – the energy magazine.Ends
The Oil Barons Ball is brought to the Middle East by Reflex Publishing, a dmg :: events company.
Headquartered in Dubai, Reflex publishes Pipeline Magazine. Pipeline magazine is one of the
most respected titles in the region’s energy sector, having been published monthly since 1996.
Every issue contains rig statistics, regional project data, exclusive interviews, news, country
reports, analysis and insight. For more information, visit http://www.pipelineconmmunity.com
About dmg:: events:
An international exhibition and publishing company, dmg::events produces more than 250
market-leading trade exhibitions, consumer shows and, fairs each year and publishes more than
40 related magazines, newspapers, directories and market reports. In the UAE, it owns Pipeline,
ADIPEC, the world’s second largest energy event, INDEX, The Big 5, FM Expo, The Office
Exhibition and The Hotel Show. For more information, visit www.dmgevents.com
