Legacy Award, 2016: Ali Al Naimi

Al Naimi’s influence on global oil markets over the decades has been unquestionable. In the year in which Naimi stepped down as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, it is fitting that his work be recognised. Naimi’s determination in bettering the field, both domestically and across international markets, will surely be felt for years to come. Over the duration of his 20 years as oil minister, Naimi arguably became the most influential voice in world energy markets, helping to steer Opec through some of its most tumultuous times. At the young age of 12 he started work as an errand runner at Aramco. An American executive saw promise and recommended that he be educated in