The CEO Magazine has revealed the finalists for its 2017 Executive of the Year Awards, with two agency bosses in the running to take out the coveted CEO of the Year category.

The Executive of the Year Awards identify the superior success of aspiring and established leaders in 23 categories, with key trophies awarded to Managing Director of the Year, Chairperson of the Year, CFO of the Year, CIO of the Year, and CEO of the Year.

A record number of applications were received for the night’s top award this year – CEO of the Year – with a record nine finalists vying for this year’s crown, including M&C Saatchi’s Jaimes Leggett, Atomic 212°’s Jason Dooris and SBS’ Michael Ebeid.

The three industry execs will also face off in the Media Executive of the Year category, alongside Leo Burnett Sydney’s Pete Bosilkovski and MediaCom’s Sean Seamer.

Adshel’s David Roddick and Spotify’s Andrea Ingham are amongst the finalists for the Sales Executive of the Year category, while George P. Johnson’s Caleb Bush will contest the Managing Director of the Year, Isentia’s Andrea Walsh is in the mix for CIO of the Year, and Adshel’s Frank Appleby has been named as a finalist for the HR Executive of the Year category.

An expert panel of business professionals will now be faced with the challenge of filtering through all the finalists to agree on one winner for each of the 23 categories.

The 2017 winners will be announced at a glittering black-tie event at Crown Melbourne on Wednesday 15 November, with media personality Eddie McGuire to once again MC the event.

Chris Dutton, founder and CEO of The CEO Magazine, said: “Each year, the Executive of the Year Awards showcase the fantastic talent we have within Australian companies, celebrating their hard work and achievements.

“The event in November is a great networking opportunity among people who really are making a difference, and we look forward to shining the light on Australia’s true leaders.”

To view the full list of finalists for each of the 26 categories, click here.