Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX): Best Trading Innovation Excellence GCC 2020

Digital transformation should be treated as an ongoing journey rather than a concrete destination. While there are many claims of far-reaching tech capacity, the current global crisis has separated the wheat from the chaff in terms of business adaptability and technical prowess. Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) shines on both fronts, particularly because of the rapid and responsible measures it has taken to ensure business continuity during the Covid-19 pandemic. ADX shuttered its trading halls in mid-March as a pre-emptive step to protect public health, but its hi-tech communication infrastructure has allowed for a seamless transition to remote working. Securities trading continues to flow freely thanks to the bourse’s well-established and highly integrated digital platform, SAHMI. The platform, integrated with the UAE’s government services, provides an array of unified services for investors such as issuing investor numbers, updating investors’ information, enabling investors to inquire about profits or any information related to initial public offerings, transfer of securities, issuing reports related to investors’ portfolios, and deposited shares among other things.

The platform also carries information and report on the 69 companies listed on the Exchange. Investors will find a mix of trading securities on ADX, including, government or corporate-issued debt instruments, shares issued by public joint stock companies as well as shares issued by private stock companies listed on ADX’s Second Market. ADX prepares comprehensive and timely reports to help investors monitor and manage their portfolios. It has introduced an electronic voting service through SAHMI digital platform enabling investors to vote remotely on the general assembly of companies in which they own shares. The e-voting system will contribute to increasing the rate of effective corporate management participation and positively raise performance levels.  Thus providing a crucial solution that promotes participation and efficiency in corporate management and reducing operational costs that can stem from the postponement of meetings when the quorum of participants is not complete.

ADX also has a mobile-based digital wallet that enables the sending and receiving of digital funds with ease, through a linking of ADX issued investor number. This digital wallet empowers users to manage their stock exchange requirements through a real-time digital pay-out model, where investors receive their cash dividends instantly within their wallet as soon as it is distributed.

Noting the navigation of a turbulent market with a steady hand and quick wit, the CFI.co judging panel declares Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange as winner of the 2020 Best Trading Innovation Excellence (GCC) award.


Tenderd: Best Construction Technology Solutions UAE 2020

The meteoric rise of Tenderd set the young Emirati company on a clear trajectory for major market impact. The company began just two years ago with a five-person team; it now employs a workforce of 40 and has recently opened offices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tenderd takes a hi-tech approach to delivery of the machines that power construction projects across the MENA region. The company has developed a one-stop solution for contractors and equipment owners with its rental marketplace platform and fleet management app, Track. More than 7,000 rental vehicles are available at a moment’s notice via the platform, and the performance of each project can be tracked. The app gives contractors and equipment owners a birds-eye view of fleet assets, including real-time monitoring of productivity, predictive maintenance alerts, and customisable geofence perimeters (virtual geographic boundaries). The app is backed by advanced analytics that support smart decision making and effective cost management, and it’s compatible with all major OEM and fleet dashboards that clients may already be using. Tenderd works with more than 300 companies across the region and has been heralded for its contributions to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Tenderd’s young tech team is at the top its game; new employees undergo an internal three-month training course to enhance individual skills and team cohesion. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present Tenderd with the 2020 award for Best Construction Technology Solutions (UAE).


Produbanco (Banco de la Produccion SA): Best Bank Governance Ecuador 2020

Over the past four decades, Produbanco has been accompanying its customers through life, from momentous milestones to everyday errands. Produbanco is a member of the Promerica Financial Corporation and has a presence in nine Latin American countries. Its home base is Ecuador, where it boasts a network of around 500 service points and 4,000 agents. The bank helps Ecuadorian citizens and companies by developing empowering financial products and providing a governance structure that adheres to the highest ethical standards. Produbanco is a responsible corporate leader and proactively pursues the UN Global Compact Principles and Sustainable Development Goals agendas. The bank has introduced green savings accounts and credit lines which allow customers to seek credit for eco-friendly initiatives or channel their savings to support projects with real environmental impact. Since 2016, Produbanco has disbursed $181.2m worth of credit to projects that target sustainable productivity, particularly in the agriculture, livestock, forestry and manufacturing sectors. In 2019, Produbanco increased the number of green loans on book by over half, benefitting 245 sustainability projects. The success was fuelled in part by the popularity of those green savings accounts, which have attracted around $3.2m in capital since their launch and contributed more than two percent of Produbanco’s total financing for environmentally friendly projects. For the fourth consecutive year, Produbanco has achieved carbon-neutral certification by implementing energy efficiency protocols across its operations and offsetting emissions through environmental sponsorships. Produbanco first registered on the CFI.co judging panel’s radar in 2017, and it has claimed bragging rights in the awards programme ever since. The judges congratulate Produbanco, the 2020 winner of the Best Bank Governance (Ecuador) award.


Neuhaus: Best Luxury Goods Customer Satisfaction Benelux 2020

Neuhaus began life as a pharmacy 1857, in the prestigious Queen's Gallery of Brussels. Pharmacist and founder Jean Neuhaus hit on a cunning ruse to treat patients' palates: he coated bitter medicines in sweet chocolate. It worked a treat; so well, in fact, thanks to the quality of the chocolate, that Neuhaus transformed from apothecary to chocolatier. The company built on its innovative spirit and commitment to quality to invent a delicacy known as Belgian praline, now enjoyed worldwide. Neuhaus's strict standards of excellence earned it the coveted designation of Royal Warrant Holder: an honour bestowed on those supplying royal households. All Neuhaus chocolates are made in Belgium, as it has been for over a century. A team of "Maître Chocolatiers" creates chocolates with fillings of fresh cream, ganache and gianduja in Brussels ateliers. The truffles and pralines they create are rightly described by Neuhaus as "symphonies of taste and texture". The company sources the finest ingredients and uses all-natural flavours and colours to create edible art to stun the senses. Neuhaus packages its creations in Belgian ballotins, elegant gift boxes designed to protect its chocolate from damage in transit. Neuhaus first introduced the ballotin in 1915, and the iconic invention remains a key fixture for its beauty and practicality. Neuhaus has stood the test of time, constantly striving to surprise consumers with its decadent concoctions. It treats customers as cherished friends rather than a business checklist, and any criticism is seen as an opportunity for improvement. The CFl.co judging panel recognises a company with a timeless approach to excellence, and presents Neuhaus with the 2020 award for Best Luxury Goods Customer Satisfaction (Benelux).


Hi-Cone: Most Responsible Packaging Solutions United States 2020

A major supplier of packaging for beverages and general products, Hi-Cone has been an advocate of responsible business practices since its establishment in 1960. It operates under the slogan of minimal packaging, minimal waste, and maximum quality. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Hi-Cone on the publication in February of its first annual report on The State of Plastic Recycling. This survey confirms that consumers want to recycle plastics but are often without the resources, facilities, and necessary guidance. Hi-Cone understands that education is key to the efficient and sustainable use of plastics. Vice President and GM Shawn Welch is passionate about sustainability and environmental protection and wants his business to have positive impact. Hi-Cone is determined to become 100% recyclable, biodegradable or compostable by 2025, and will work with consumers, government, and industry to reduce the use of plastic. Hi-Cone launched a new product, containing 50% post-consumer recycled plastic last year. Currently, all of their customers worldwide are in progress to switch to this product. Hi-Cone expects that this will be completed by early 2021. The company reminds us that plastic has contributed massively to our modern lives and its introduction came partly in response to deforestation concerns following the over-use of cardboard and paper. The Hi-Cone recycling report sensibly concludes that plastic is not waste, but a valuable resource that needs to be reused or recycled at the end of its first life. The panel applauds the company on the 30th anniversary this year of its very successful Ring Leader Collection Programme which has resulted in the recycling of well over 2.7 million of ring carriers. Hi-Cone is declared winner of the CFI.co 2020 award for Most Responsible Packaging Solutions (United States).


Zoscales Partners: Best Sustainable Investment Strategy East Africa 2020

Zoscales Partners, based in Addis Ababa, has crafted win-win solutions with its impact investment. It launched a $75m fund three years ago which has since created some 300 jobs in East Africa. A second fund is expected for 2020, and the firm anticipates another 800 jobs will be created. The private equity manager ensures profit-seeking never comes at the expense of positive outcomes for society. Zoscales targets SMEs with the potential for high community impact as well as strong growth and investor return. It then takes a majority shareholder or preferred shareholding role to provide the expertise and funding to take the business to the next level. East Africa offers the convergence of healthy economies and a wealth of skilled workers, and strong corporate governance ensures investor protection. Fair taxation schemes support FDI, and the Zoscales portfolio includes the consumer goods, healthcare and materials sectors. The firm focuses on these core industries for their growth potential (projected at over 15 percent CAGR) and promising exit paths: trade sales and secondary buyouts. Its teams have the international experience and local knowledge to deliver results-driven progress. Zoscales Partners was born from the friendship of founders Ashenafi Alemu, of Ethiopia, and Jacop Rentschler, of Denmark, who met during a foreign exchange programme. The firm honours that heritage with a biennial scholarship to the Copenhagen Business School. The CFI.co judging panel presents Zoscales Partners with the 2020 award for Best Sustainable Investment Strategy (East Africa).


Kount: Best AI-Powered Chargeback Protection Global 2020

Digital innovations are opening a realm of possibilities once confined to science fiction – but sometimes accompanied by risk. US-based firm Kount develops comprehensive fraud-prevention solutions powered by AI and machine learning. The company has deep domain expertise, with 30+ patents granted over its 13-year history. Kount combines four defensive elements to ensure solid protection and a seamless fit with customer needs. Kount’s Identity Trust Global Network compiles data from multiple verticals and geographies to empower informed, real-time decision-making. Its machine-learning models harness predictive capabilities that isolate and flag behavioural anomalies, while a control centre allows clients to customise options. Analytics processes winnow business performance to uncover new revenue streams and strengthen marketing strategies. Based in Boise, Idaho, Kount serves a global market of 6,500 businesses in 250 countries and territories, across 75 industries. It crafts cyber-armour to combat “friendly” fraud associated with consumer chargebacks, providing peace-of-mind for merchants and retailers with the all-in-one Kount Complete package. Payment processors can integrate Kount Central into their platforms, and the company offers a chargeback guarantee to stabilise costs and promote growth. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present Kount with the 2020 award for Best AI-Powered Chargeback Protection (Global).


Belfius: Best Digital Bank Belgium 2020

Belfius has evolved from a traditional bank to a fully-fledged bank-insurer that is a leading digital provider. Net profits have climbed for each of the past eight years and this is one of the best capitalised organisations of its kind in Europe.  Always looking to the long-term, our winner focuses on customer and employee satisfaction. Approval ratings approached 96 percent last year and over 221,000 new customers came aboard. HR polices at Belfius ensure exciting opportunities for its home-grown talent. The branches were not dragged into the digital age but have been well educated on the benefits and are now the major promoters of the bank’s apps. Belfius is a leader in Belgian mobile banking and its commitment to constantly improve is profound. It anticipates rather than simply responds to mobile evolution. Significantly, a recent D-Rating summary reported that Belfius app satisfaction exceeds that of all other banks in the country (be they brick and mortar or neo). At the close of 2019, Belfius apps for tablets and smartphones had 1.4 million active users and were in action an average of 37 times per month per customer. Despite its outstanding progress, there is no resting on laurels at Belfius. Chief Digital Officer Geert Van Mol insists that the bank must maintain its best in class digital-human customer experience and be recognised as the best digital banking services provider in Belgium – even when measured against the digital-only competition. The CFI.co judging panel confirms Belfius as the 2020 winner of the award Best Digital Bank (Belgium).


Boston Consulting Group (BCG): Best Mobility Innovation Experts Global 2019

Boston Consulting Group’s legacy started in 1963, when founder Bruce Henderson challenged the status quo with his transformational business strategies. BCG introduced the growth-share matrix and time-based competition concepts that are now an accepted part of the business canon. The firm continues to innovate, partnering with leaders in business and society to tackle the most important challenges.

BCG has focused its collective power— with 21,000 employees in 50 countries — on revolutionising the mobility industry. It works alongside public and private sectors as they experiment with innovative modes of transport and services around the world. It encourages companies to consider their purpose and helps them to articulate it for more efficient operations and better results. BCG forges dynamic relationships characterised by understanding and shared values that align commercial success with sustainability — and with its partners shapes mobility trends to create a roadmap for the future. The group promotes transition to a carbon-neutral world in which mobility and transport will play crucial roles. . As new technologies disrupt the market, BCG is there to help both entrepreneurs and established companies to seize fresh opportunities as they appear. Electric and self-driving cars are an increasing presence on the road, and navigation systems process caches of real-time data to keep traffic flowing. Boston Consulting Group pushes the tipping point of industry transformation —and the CFI.co judging panel recognises its contributions with the 2019 award for Best Mobility Innovation Experts (Global).


Health at Hand: Best Telemedicine Services UAE 2020

Health at Hand is a tech company and a telehealth provider in the healthcare industry based out of Dubai, UAE.  Health at Hand has created an on-demand app that connects a patient to a general practitioner through video, the app is one of the most effective and efficient ways to treat non-emergency illnesses. To date, Health at Hand has resolved over 90% of its consultations through its apps.  The company also partners with healthcare providers and insurance companies to provide them with telehealth solutions for their clients. Health at Hand was the first Telehealth company to be licensed by the Dubai Health Authority and is one of the few licensed providers in the country.

Health at Hand’s aims to provide affordable healthcare for all; individuals who aren’t covered by the insurance companies that Health at Hand are partnered with can purchase coverage plans which are flexible and affordable. For its partners it provides an avenue for them to reduce healthcare costs and supports them with employee health and wellness programs. The app’s current average doctor rating is 4.9 out of 5 and patients can see a doctor within 2 minutes.

Since its Dubai launch four years ago, the Health at Hand team has grown and have made a tangible impact on the local community.  The Health at Hand team focuses on knowledge-sharing and innovation: reading, researching and testing hypotheses and seizing learning opportunities whenever they’re presented. Health at Hand’s app-based video consultation model is due to expand to six countries across the MENA region this year.

 The CFI.co judges are pleased to present Health at Hand with the 2020 award for Best Telemedicine Services (UAE).


Smart Dubai: Best Smart City Innovation Impact Global 2020

Smart Dubai takes a holistic approach to digital development, and it sets the bar high. The government department designs and delivers integrated cross-sector services, gearing innovation to the goal of creating the smartest and happiest city on Earth. Smart Dubai’s AI lab, established in partnership with IBM, turns the city into a testbed of innovation and solidifies its reputation as a global technology hub. The department aims for a seamless and secure experience for residents and visitors, and collaborates with public and private entities to harness the power of technology and data science. It unites government departments and industry leaders in a consolidated blockchain-based ecosystem, and has implemented 24 use-cases – situations in which a product or service could practically be employed – across eight industry sectors. Smart Dubai is pushing for the city to become paperless by 2021, phasing out government paper transactions in favour of a blockchain-powered system. Over the past two years, it’s an initiative that has resulted in significant savings: an estimated $197m in costs and millions of hours in labour — not to mention tens of thousands of trees. One of its apps, DubaiNow, puts over 120 city services from more than 30 government and private sector entities in the palm of a hand, with health and justice now included. Smart Dubai provides support to start-ups and entrepreneurs by hosting an annual global blockchain challenge, and it participates in accelerator programmes. The CFI.co judging panel declares Smart Dubai as the 2020 winner of the award for Best Smart City Innovation Impact (Global).


Singlife: Best Insurtech Singapore 2020

Singlife has evolved from being Singapore’s leading fintech insurer into a champion of financial freedom, helping clients manage their finances with smart tech and mobile solutions. Singlife’s digital insurance model features automated efficiencies that deliver convenience and economies. The company has also embraced that same digital focus to help clients manage their money. It challenges both traditional banking and neo-banks with the Singlife Account, an insurance and savings plan where account balances of more than S$500 (about US$350) earn up to 2.5 percent returns p.a. The account comes with a Visa debit card and no-fee withdrawals, ensuring easy access. Customers can apply for term life, critical illness and cancer insurance plans via Singlife’s online portal or digital app — and receive a response instantly. Coverage plans include lump-sum pay-outs to be spent, at the client’s discretion, on medical expenses or incidental income loss. Singlife encourages prospective clients to visit its website or speak with one of its third-party financial advisers to customise coverage. Singapore ranks as one of the world’s preferred offshore wealth-management hubs, and Singlife has developed a legacy planning portfolio to serve the needs of high-net-worth clients. It tailors solutions with the aim of building and preserving wealth over generations. Singlife is secured, licensed and accredited by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation. The CFI.co judging panel declares Singlife winner of the 2020 award for Best Insurtech (Singapore).


Worldfavor: Best Digital Sustainability Management Solutions Global 2020

The internet has made modern consumers more informed — and more vocal — than ever. Companies that abuse the trust placed in them can expect a bad rap on social media, while those making positive strides can expect word-of-mouth referrals and praise. Investors are increasingly concerned with sustainability, and Swedish start-up Worldfavor gives them a way to support like-minded companies. In 2011, the Stockholm-based firm launched a digital platform to serve as a central hub for corporate knowledge-sharing. More than 30,000 companies in 60 countries now use its SaaS (software as a service) platform to collect, share and measure sustainability performance. Worldfavor’s collaborative ecosystem allows businesses to make data-backed decisions. It offers sustainability management and reporting, as well as advice on investments and sourcing. Companies can collaborate across internal business units, while the sourcing solution extends to cover the supply chain. Companies can benchmark their progress against 16 international standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Guidelines and standards are linked for cross-referencing and data entry, and companies can customise their benchmark sets. The centralised digital format permits them to grant full or partial access to colleagues, and allows auditors to review and respond to reports. Worldfavor encourages corporate entities around the globe to proactively share ESG information through its compliance reporting function. The CFI.co judging panel recognises the company as a champion of SDG co-operation and accountability, and announces Worldfavor as the 2020 winner of the award for Best Digital Sustainability Management Solutions (Global).


AXA IM: Best ESG Global Asset Manager France 2020

AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) has established investment centres in 20 locations worldwide, including four of the world’s most active and influential financial hubs — Paris, London, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. The company employs more than 750 investment professionals and is responsible for €804bn in assets under management. It seeks to create a better tomorrow by investing today — with critical consideration of ESG factors. AXA IM has identified six issues expected to affect long-term investors: climate change, biodiversity, human capital and diversity management, public health, data privacy and corporate governance. AXA IM actively monitors ESG risks and was among the first asset managers to put in place a blanket exclusion for companies which derive more than 30% of revenues from coal. ESG scores are integral to the investment decision-making process, and a useful tool for identifying potential risks. AXA IM has crafted its own scoring system to compare assets and drive data-backed decision making. There is a dedicated team tasked with monitoring and mentoring portfolio investees on their progress, and proactively engages to encourage change on issues such as climate change and correct course before investor-impacting problems arise. It has worked with 200 companies to address ESG concerns and strengthen contributions towards the UN’s sustainable development goals. Their most recent innovation has been to lead the creation of a new asset class, the Transition Bonds, helping carbon intensive businesses join the drive to a low-carbon world. Responsible investing is the cornerstone of AXA IM’s purpose, and the firm is committed to growing and preserving clients’ wealth while positively affecting people and planet. Its current offering includes 99 ESG-integrated open funds, 19 sustainable open funds and four impact investment open funds. The CFI.co judging panel recognises AXA IM as a leader of responsible investing and presents it with the 2020 award for Best ESG Global Asset Manager (France).


Roxgold Inc.: Best Mining CSR Strategy West Africa 2020

Since its inception in 2011, Roxgold has run operations with the awareness that corporate social responsibility is linked to business success. The Canadian gold mining company owns and operates assets in West Africa, including the Yaramoko Gold Mine in Burkina Faso and the Séguéla Gold Project under development in Côte d’Ivoire. Roxgold has exceeded production forecasts in recent years, and that boom in business has its roots in a sure-fire CSR strategy. Roxgold understands that the only way to deliver sustainable returns to shareholders is by supporting social development, offsetting ecological impacts and prioritising safety. Over the past three years, the company has completed nearly 140 community projects: it builds schools and libraries, and sponsors an occupational training centre to provide technical skills development for regional youth. Since 2014, Roxgold’s reforestation campaign has mobilised employees and community stakeholders to plant more than 100,000 trees, and its mine sites are benefitting from increased biodiversity. The company achieved another year of exemplary safety performance in 2019: more than 2.5 million work hours logged and zero lost-time injuries. Since starting production three years ago, Roxgold spent some $3m investing in infrastructure and community projects. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present Roxgold with the 2020 award for Best Mining CSR Strategy West Africa 2020.

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Welltec: Most Innovative Technology Solutions Europe 2020

Welltec was founded in 1994, but the robotic well solutions business concept had been percolating for much longer. As part of a university thesis project, founder and CEO Jørgen Hallundbæk pioneered a technology that would be a revelation to the oil and gas industry and form the basis of a multinational business with a workforce of nearly 1,000 professionals in 50 countries. Welltec operates with an entrepreneurial, can-do mindset and is constantly assessing situations and trends to provide cutting-edge products and services.

Sustainability is a core component of Welltec corporate strategy, and the company has been engaged in the fight against climate change for the past 25 years. Safety and environmental protection are paramount, with an advanced IT infrastructure and continuous training central to this focus.

The company is a trusted partner to its clients, providing them with innovative well interventions and completions, aimed at reducing carbon footprints and supporting all phases of a well’s life from appraisal to plug and abandonment. More recently, Welltec has turned its attention towards renewables and geothermal resources by developing and adapting its technology.

Welltec attracts top talent and its teams take initial crude concepts to ground-breaking market solutions in record time. Its technology is deployed throughout the world by a truly international operations organization. Clients are assured of exacting standards of quality and safety as the business develops and manufactures everything in-house, including equipment and spare parts.

For its role in climate change transitions for the energy industry, the CFI.co judging panel presents Welltec with the 2020 award for Most Innovative Technology Solutions (Europe).


Catalonia Trade & Investment: Best Investment Promotion Agency Europe 2020

Catalonia is one of the most vibrant regions in Spain, with Barcelona at its heart. The region boasts a history of innovation and internationalisation, and Catalonia Trade & Investment invites large corporations and fledgling start-ups to explore its competitive business climate. The agency is part of the Catalan Government, specifically it is part of the Catalan Ministry for Business and Knowledge to support regional business and attract investment.It has an impressive record of pulling in FDI, generating €144 for every euro of public funding.

The agency introduces the world to Catalonia as a business and investment destination via a network of 40 offices in 100 markets, and an armoury of strategic trade missions and conferences. Catalonia Trade & Investment has strengthened and diversified the regional economic backbone with projects in traditional industries (chemicals, food and beverage, automotive, pharma, energy and metal products) and emerging sectors (biotech, healthcare, renewable energy, finance, high tech, videogames, e-commerce, media and logistics). Barcelona is highly ranked among European cities for its business-friendly policies, and twelve regional universities provide a pipeline of fresh talent. Two of Catalonia’s business schools (IESE and ESADE) are ranked among the best business schools in the world.

The city has become a hub for tech innovation: R&D activities benefit from preferential tax schemes, employment programmes are incentivised, and the holding tax and corporate tax regimes are favourable. Catalonia Trade & Investment helps companies explore Catalonia as an investment destination, set up their Investment projects and also to connect with new suppliers.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present Catalonia Trade & Investment with the 2020 award for Best Investment Promotion Agency (Europe).


CIMB Bank Philippines: Best Digital Banking Solutions Philippines 2020

CIMB Bank Philippines (PH) has been in operation for less than two years, but has already brought more than 2.3m customers on-board. All signs point to the bank reaching halfway to its target of five million in the near future. Customers have been flocking to CIMB for the convenience of its all-digital, mobile-first banking platform. It expands on a product line of savings accounts and loans by incorporating growth partners and enablers into its digital platform. Customers can digitally make cash deposits all through the CIMB Bank PH App or choose to physically cash-in by visiting over 8,000 partner outlets. The app allows customers to pay bills, make transfers, top-up mobile phones, manage debit cards and request cash withdrawals. CIMB Bank PH has the lean and agile nature of a digital bank, and savings in operational costs are passed on to customers in the form of best-in-market interest rates and zero fees on transactions, transfers or withdrawals. As the newest member of the CIMB Group, a leading ASEAN banking group with a presence in 16 global markets, CIMB Bank PH has proven itself a powerhouse of financial inclusion and digitalisation. The bank’s robust security measures — a one-device-per-account policy, biometric log-in and mobile PIN transaction validation — helped CIMB Bank PH to take the 2020 CFI.co award for Best Digital Banking Solutions (Philippines).


Inspired Evolution: Best ESG Responsible Investment Team Sub-Saharan Africa 2020

Founded in 2007, with the vision to create a meaningful legacy and bring about an efficient redeployment of capital in the continent, Inspired Evolution is introducing a series of well-thought-out new clean energy products to Sub-Saharan Africa. This investment advisory focuses on infrastructure development, resource efficiency growth and the associated value chains. A third Inspired Evolution fund is scheduled to be launched within the next 18 months. This winner’s team has an impressive track record for achieving superior returns, has been involved in more than 1 GW of renewable energy projects and is a leading player in the region. It is considered by many to be best-in-class in terms of impact investing. The CFI.co judging panel applauds this company’s concern for ESG principles when considering investment opportunities and recognises that its focus does much to improve quality of life in the region. Significantly, Inspired Evolution is encouraging economical and superior performance whilst paying close attention to the environment. Its competitiveness is based on global technology strengths and productive partnerships with development finance institutions. Inspired Evolution’s engagement with and enrichment of local communities – including job creation – is profound. Inspired Evolution brings major long-term as well as short-term benefits to communities and aims to create rural engines for growth. The panel, noting the company’s exemplary response to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is delighted to confirm Inspired Evolution as winner of the 2020 award Best ESG Responsible Investment Team (Sub-Saharan Africa).


GN Audio: Best Intelligent Audio Solutions Europe 2020

GN set out 150 years ago to transform international communication. GN pushes the boundaries of technology to deliver personalised audio solutions best described as industry breakthroughs. It develops devices that receive and transmit audio, but recognise and adapt to the user’s environment. It finds audio adaptability to be an exciting new trend and has developed products that allow users to test hearing and fine-tune playback to individual preferences. GN pursues the global mandate of “making life sound better”. The Danish company has fuelled growth through strategic acquisitions and an in-house R&D department led by some of the industry’s smartest scientists. The GN Group claims the unique distinction of being a leader of consumer, professional, and medical-grade audio markets under one roof. GN Audio, under the brand name Jabra, serves professionals and consumers, while GN Hearing develops medical-grade audio solutions. Jabra has assembled a team of audio tech experts with bold ideas that challenge the limitations of human hearing, and lay the groundwork for the future of intelligent audio. As one of its technology advancements, Jabra has collaborated with extreme sports promotor Red Bull Media House to create a cordless mic that uses both clever engineering as well as extractive algorithms to mute the wind noise of extreme sports. Jabra revenues have nearly doubled over the past five years, and about 10 percent of that total goes to fund four R&D centres in Denmark, the US, the Netherlands and China. The CFI.co judging panel recognises a sound business structure in all senses, and announces GN Audio (Jabra) as winner of the 2020 award for Best Intelligent Audio Solutions (Europe).


Dorchester Wealth Management: Best Investment Management Team Canada 2020

Since its inception, Dorchester Wealth Management has followed the sound strategy of investing in high quality companies with attractive valuations. The firm has established a rewarding corporate culture that simplifies recruitment and results in low turnover of an engaged workforce. The team of 21 partners and professionals boasts more than 300 years of cumulative investment management experience. The depth and breadth of the firm’s expertise, and a client-driven focus, contribute to its reputation as a safe haven among investors across North America and overseas. Approximately seventy-five percent of Dorchester’s private clients trust all their investment assets to the team’s skilled management. Dorchester Wealth Management serves clients from offices in Montreal and Toronto, managing assets with a market value exceeding $1.1 billion.  A multifaceted team conducts primary research as well as quantitative and technical analysis to give clients an in-depth understanding of market risks and opportunities. Portfolio managers provide timely and professional assistance, ensuring a rapid response to any concerns. Dorchester Wealth Management was an early adopter of digitalisation standards, and is now enjoying the benefits of that pre-emptive planning. A robust remote working system has allowed the firm to protect stakeholders during the current crisis with a seamless continuation of services. Dorchester Wealth Management has capitalised on market volatility to adjust portfolios for a conservative risk profile targeting companies with strong balance sheets and solid long-term growth potential. The CFI.co judging panel understands the importance of proper planning to safeguard client assets, and presents Dorchester Wealth Management with the 2020 award for Best Investment Management Team (Canada).


QNB Alahli: Best SME Bank Egypt 2020 and Best Retail Bank Egypt 2020

QNB Alahli has won the trust of the Egyptian people — and a leading share of the country’s financial market. The QNB Group subsidiary follows a robust commercial strategy that has solidified its position as a market leader, delivering one of the lowest non-performing loans, and one of the highest loans-to-deposits ratios, in the sector. QNB Alahli offers financial products and services tailored to the needs of retail customers, corporate clients and MSMEs (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises). It practises continuous innovation to update products and launch new services in anticipation of market trends and client demands. For retail clients, QNB Alahli offers current and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and term-specific time deposits, as well as a full line of credit facilities and digital services. It invites high-net-worth individuals to explore its premium banking services, with preferential rates and exclusive benefits. QNB Alahli rolls out the red carpet for business clients through specialised programmes dedicated to services, consulting, and financing. It hit the government target of a 20 percent SME portfolio a full year ahead of schedule. It has established long-term relationships with entrepreneurs and helped companies grow and flourish. In co-operation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, QNB Alahli supports the Women in Business programme, which provides training resources, networking events and advisory services for female-led projects and SMEs. QNB Alahli has consistently fared well in previous CFI.co awards programmes, and this year the judges present it with dual awards for 2020: Best SME Bank and Best Retail Bank (Egypt).


Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group: Best Investment Banking Services Japan 2020

Tokyo-based Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is one of the world’s largest bank holding and financial services companies. The group stands tall, with a 360-year history of financial expertise. In 2018, it embarked upon a structural reform process under the Re-Imagining Strategy to increase its market adaptability and promote sustainable growth. MUFG has detailed how it intends to hone its competitive edge with 11 transformational initiatives; there is an overarching focus on beefing-up digital technologies. The group shows strong corporate citizenship, and is committed to customer service and societal needs. Over the past three years, it has issued green and social bonds worth $2.7bn. Proceeds from its seven green bonds support environmental projects in fields such as renewables and energy efficiency. Its social bond proceeds allow progress in affordable housing, health and education. MUFG has taken an integrated, group-based approach to deliver a range of investment, asset-management, and inheritance services via a network that covers 50 countries. The group has about $2.8tn in assets under management, and implements tight capital control and effective risk governance across its network of commercial, trust and investment banking subsidiaries. The CFI.co judges were unanimous in declaring Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group as winner of the 2020 award for Best Investment Banking Services (Japan).


McKesson: Best Pharmaceuticals Distributor North America 2020

The McKesson story began over 180 years ago when it became one of the first importers and distributors of wholesale drugs and chemicals in North America. The company has a long-standing tradition of customer-centricity, first peddling therapeutic tinctures and tablets from covered wagons across the US in the 1800s and eventually building a pharmaceutical distribution network that covers the nation. Around a third of America’s medication passes through McKesson’s network each day, contributing to the $208bn in revenue reported for the 2018 fiscal year. The company’s core business focuses on healthcare distribution and technology solutions. McKesson maintains 27 pharmaceutical distribution centres strategically located across the US to ensure seamless delivery of life-saving drugs, surgical and medical supplies and solutions for specialised practices. The company has developed strong relationships with suppliers and is a trusted partner of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies at every level, from national retail chains to independent community dispensaries. McKesson boasts a heritage of pioneering healthcare influence, helping to shape the direction of the industry and set standards for the supply chain. Its facilities are equipped with advanced technology to unlock efficiency and increase automation, but the company pledges to never sacrifice the human element in favour of high-tech automation. As the link between drug manufacturers and pharmacies, McKesson moves not only product but also knowledge, helping pharmacists to provide the best patient care possible. The CFI.co judging panel declares McKesson as the 2020 winner of the Best Pharmaceuticals Distributor (North America) award.


Royal Bank of Canada: Best Private Banking Services Canada 2020

As one of the world’s largest financial institutions, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) deploys a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to help clients and communities prosper. The bank is a one-stop destination for business and institutional clients, and private clients benefit from a wealth of products and services to support every stage of their personal and professional journeys. RBC affords clients “anytime, anywhere” access with more than 1,200 branches, 4,200 ATMs and a robust digital platform. It attracts new clients with competitive products and ensures loyalty with outstanding service and rewards. RBC has specialised chequing and savings accounts for students, new residents and holders of US-dollar accounts, and offers a selection of 20 credit cards. The bank is a trusted ally in the housing market, providing mortgage services, educational resources, planning tools and special partner offers. RBC credit lines and loans come with competitive rates and advice to assist with cash flow and debt reduction. It encourages its clients to plan for the future by opening investment accounts, and covers the full range, including several tax-smart investment plans, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, guaranteed investment certificates, savings deposits and exchange-traded funds. RBC has launched a series of Beyond Banking Ventures to solve real-world problems and generally improve quality of life. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present the Royal Bank of Canada with the 2020 award for Best Private Banking Services (Canada).


Scottish Friendly: Best Mutual Insurer UK 2020

Glasgow-based mutual Scottish Friendly has a 150-year legacy of helping families hedge against the unexpected and invest for a financially secure future. The firm offers financial products including life insurance, bonds and investment or Junior ISAs (individual savings accounts). Scottish Friendly has grown into one of the UK’s largest mutuals, with a recent landmark acquisition that doubled its assets under management — now at over £5bn — and pushed membership to some 700,000 policyholders. The deal, which was two years in the making, supports the firm’s three-pronged strategy of organic growth, outsourcing partnerships, and consolidation. As a mutual, Scottish Friendly is beholden not to shareholders but to its policyholders, and company profits are reinvested for members’ benefit. The firm advocates for financial inclusivity and offers to help clients “navigate the monetary maze” of saving and investing. It conducts focus groups and applies feedback to align products and services to customer demand. Scottish Friendly has incorporated client suggestions and rolled out a new app with improved functionality, flexibility and speed. The firm’s continuous improvement has garnered a fresh following of younger, more tech-savvy membership — as well as recognition. In 2019, the small firm was named Best Mutual Insurer and Best UK Junior ISA Provider in the CFI.co and Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts awards programmes. Despite a risk-averse environment, Scottish Friendly anticipates profits and growth in line with previous years. The CFI.co judges declare Scottish Friendly the repeat winner of the Best Mutual Insurer UK award — this time for 2020.


The Access Bank UK Ltd: Best Africa Trade Finance Bank 2020

The Access Bank UK has a strategic network -with headquarters in London and offices in the financial districts of Dubai and Lagos -to facilitate international trade and alleviate risk for import and export clients. Trade is the Access Bank UK's key revenue engine, and it continues to fuel the growth of the subsidiary and its parent, the Nigerian Access Bank Group. Trade revenue grew confidently due in part to expansion and increased activity in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, the Middle East and Asia. The bank has captured a sizable share of the market through its Dubai branch, with a notable revenue increase. The bank has achieved this by following a moderate-risk strategy while earmarking profits to spur continuous improvement. Investment and infrastructure costs rose , including a faster payments system through an innovative fintech partnership. The bank further strengthens its appeal with outstanding customer service. It attracts the highest calibre of professionals by recognising and rewarding talent. Its low turnover allows managers to build lasting relationships with clients, and support their trade interests across multiple jurisdictions. Due to the bank's extensive reach and reputation, it has been chosen as a trusted partner of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Finance Corporation. It is also a repeat winner in the CFl.co awards programme. For its steady management and robust credit profile, the judges present The Access Bank UK with the 2020 award for Best Africa Trade Finance Bank.


Primexis: Best Business Accounting & Consulting Services France 2020

France is an attractive investment destination for multinationals looking to expand operations, and Paris-based Primexis is the firm trusted to ensure that the books are balanced and business runs smoothly. Over the past four decades, the operational consultancy and specialised accounting firm has won the confidence of clients from a cross-sector selection including industry, service, banking, insurance and real estate. The firm deploys a workforce of 300 motivated professionals to look after the needs of some the world’s biggest multinationals, including Aberdeen Standard Investments, Sony, BNP Paribas, IBM, General Electric and Marriott International. The team recently settled into new digs in the freshly renovated Pacific Tower of the Parisian business district, La Défense. The 2,600 square metre office space features 185 individual and 100 collaborative workstations. The move has enhanced operational performance and employee wellbeing while underscoring Primexis’ ambitious growth. The firm builds high-quality relationships with employees and clients to support performance improvement over the long term. Primexis works with key decision-makers from finance, accounting Information System and HR departments at French groups, French subsidiaries of foreign groups and mid-sized companies. It offers project management assistance, integration of information systems, and outsourcing services for administrative functions. Primexis has also developed sector-specific services for real estate and banking insurance consulting. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the firm’s intent to future-proof the business by investing in human capital and tech infrastructure. The judges present Primexis with the 2020 award for Best Business Accounting & Consulting Services (France).


QIAGEN: Best Life Sciences Corporate Governance Germany 2020

Scientists, doctors, lab directors and other life-science professionals – including several Nobel Prize winners – form the QIAGEN client list. The company advances scientific knowledge by providing the tools to study and analyse the building blocks of life — DNA, RNA and proteins. QIAGEN is also using laboratory developed tests to aid healthcare workers in the coronavirus outbreak. The company emerged as an entrepreneurial offshoot of university research conducted nearly 40 years ago, and in the ensuing four decades has evolved into an enterprise employing 4,700 people across 25 countries. QIAGEN is a leader in the areas of molecular diagnostics. Its differentiated Sample To Insight solutions provide laboratories with specialised products, applications and insights into genetic diseases and cancer treatments such as immunotherapy. QIAGEN views business as a vehicle that can improve quality of life as well as generate profits. As a good corporate citizen, the company has gone beyond compliance to become a trend-setter of sustainable business development. It runs operations in an energy efficient and eco-conscious manner, nurtures a high-performance and healthy work culture, and forges partnerships to spur social and scientific progress. The QIAGEN team feels a strong sense of public duty and goes the extra mile to deliver on its promise to improve lives. The latest innovation is a screening initiative to test for latent tuberculosis – a disease which the World Health Organisation estimates affects one in four people worldwide. The CFI.co judging panel recognises these efforts as a force for positive change, and confers on QIAGEN the 2020 award for Best Life Sciences Corporate Governance (Germany).


AFP Confia: Best Pension Governance El Salvador 2020

Since its launch in 1988, AFP Confia has been instrumental in shaping El Salvador’s pension fund system, which constitutes 44 percent of the country’s GDP. AFP Confia claims a majority share of the national market, with more than 1.5m pensions and $6bn in assets-under-management. This makes it the largest pension fund in Central America and the Caribbean. The company demonstrates strong corporate governance and an ethical code of integrity, commitment and excellence. AFP Confia acts with honesty and transparency, respects eco-efficiency standards, and protects client confidentiality. Board committees monitor operations to mitigate risk and combat corruption. AFP Confia has invested time and resources to better serve clients while supporting sustainable growth and development. The company responded swiftly to new legislation that opened its portfolio to international diversification, and unlocked fresh digital efficiencies. It has embarked on a complete digitalisation strategy using data analytics, biometric tech and artificial intelligence. AFP Confia, a subsidiary of the Atlantida Financial Group, has a Fitch AA credit rating. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the company’s steadfast service, and presents AFP Confia with the 2020 award for Best Pension Governance (El Salvador).


DLM Capital Group: Best Structured Finance & Securitisation Team West Africa 2020

Dunn Loren Merrifield Capital Group is a Nigeria-based developmental bank which operates as a full-service investment house — a crucial link between sovereign bodies, regional industries and international money markets. DLM benefits from the leadership of a dedicated professional team. Under the guidance of founder and CEO Sonnie Ayere, the group has pioneered structured finance and securitisation in West African capital markets. DLM Capital Group has acted as the sole arranger to more than 80 percent of the structured finance — and all of the securitisation transactions — in the Nigerian market. It delivers bespoke solutions that support high-impact economic and infrastructure projects. Housing, micro-finance and SMEs have been a prime focus, with an innovative medium-term note mortgage refinancing programme and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) securitisation scheme. The BRT transaction resulted in 10 percent savings for the transit company — and increased public transport for citizens. In addition to debt and equity capital-raising, DLM offers financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions and company set-up. The group deploys teams of talented individuals across specialised departments — investment research, risk management, finance advisory, sales, technology and legal — all united behind a corporate culture that prioritises customer service and encourages professional growth for employees. Expansion into the agriculture, education, and healthcare sectors is planned via new proprietary funding conduits. The CFI.co judging panel deems DLM Capital Group — a repeat winner in the awards programme — to be a developmental partner of positive impact. The judges present DLM with the 2020 award for Best Structured Finance & Securitisation Team (West Africa).


SWAN: Best Insurance & Savings Plans Mauritius 2020

SWAN, Mauritius’ leading full-service financial solutions provider, puts people at the centre of business. SWAN delivers the complete package of non-banking financial solutions to protect clients and their possessions, provide for their future and make progress towards a plan for prosperity. The group caters to individual and business needs with a four-pillar focus of protect, provide, progress and prosper. Individual SWAN protection plans cover life, health, home, transport and travel, while the business plans include liability and keyman insurance plans, amongst others. SWAN encourages clients to actualise their dreams by setting up savings provisions today to secure tomorrow’s education and retirement goals. The group aims to accompany clients throughout life’s important milestones. SWAN individual and business loans have helped clients achieve personal ambitions, like buying a home or car, as well as professional ones, like launching a start-up or taking the company to the next level. SWAN guides clients towards peace of mind and prosperity with a broad range of wealth management services. The group arms its workforce with extensive onboarding training and continuous professional development to increase engagement and competence, and the team puts in the legwork to stay abreast of market trends and client expectations. Founded in 1855, the group underwent a rebrand in 2015 and now operates via its listed companies, Swan General Ltd and Swan Life Ltd. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present SWAN with the 2020 award for Best Insurance & Savings Plans (Mauritius).


First Qatar Real Estate Development Company: Most Innovative Real Estate Development Team Middle East 2020

As its name implies, the Pearl-Qatar is a rare jewel. The sculpted island, nestling off the coast of Doha, is a feat of modern ingenuity and engineering. The project has added four square km of reclaimed land and 32 kilometres of new coastline to Doha. First Qatar Real Estate Development Company and Hilton are rolling out the red carpet for guests at a luxury hotel and residential complex at Pearl-Qatar: Hilton Doha The Pearl. First Qatar broke ground on the ambitious project six years ago and celebrated its inauguration this December . Hilton Doha The Pearl offers the epitome of luxury living, a destination crafted to the highest standards. The world-class property enjoys a prime location at the gateway to the island, and the 38-storey tower provides spectacular views of surrounding beaches. There are 414 accommodation choices and a selection of exclusive services available to guests, whether for a prolonged stay or a transient stop. The project’s realisation marks a watershed moment for First Qatar as it ventures into hospitality development. Founded in 2005, First Qatar has achieved a level of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral expertise beyond its years. The company credits its success to the dedication and vision of its team, which continuously seeks exciting development opportunities. First Qatar supports ongoing employee education and encourages its staff to pursue their professional passions. High employee engagement and low turnover indicate a win-win strategy. The CFI.co judging panel is happy to present First Qatar Real Estate Development Company with the 2020 award for Most Innovative Real Estate Development Team (Middle East).


Applied Science Private University: Most Innovative Community Impact Research University Middle East 2020

Applied Science Private University (ASU) is a Jordanian institution with international flair and standards. It was founded in 1989 to provide students with an exceptional alternative to expensive foreign programmes. It has become one of the most highly ranked universities in the region, a bastion of academic excellence and cultural heritage. The university annually attracts around 6,000 students from 53 Arab and other worldwide countries. It supports students’ professional and personal development with an academic curriculum of real-world impact and application. ASU leads in the fields of science, research and community service, offering 31 Bachelor and seven Master degree programmes across nine faculties. ASU provides yearly a high number of full and partial scholarships for innovative students. The Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings has recognised ASU as one of the top 100 universities in the Arab world, with demonstrated excellence in teaching, employment, internationalisation, facilities and inclusiveness. The faculties at ASU has granted extraordinary results in their national accreditation, in addition to attaining prestigious international accreditations such as the ACPE for Pharmacy and ABET for Engineering and Computer Science. More than 80% of ASU professors hold PhD degrees from highly esteemed universities from all over the world, and the university encourages students to achieve the same distinction. Recently, ASU has granted scholarships to over 140 PhD candidates, to study at one of the top ranked 500 universities in its worldwide partner network. ASU is a founding member of the MIT-led Make Impact Consortium, underscoring its commitment to innovation for the global good. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to recognise a repeat winner, Applied Science Private University, presenting it with the 2020 award for Most Innovative Community Impact Research University (Middle East).


Banque de Tunisie: Best Universal Bank Tunisia 2020

Founded in 1884, Banque de Tunisie (BT) is one of the oldest financial institutions in the country. Over the years, the bank has grown into a full-service financial institution, serving the needs of individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporate clients. BT customers can seek assistance or access accounts via a network of 126 branches and 200 ATMs across Tunisia, or through a multi-access platform for mobile, web and SMS. Banque de Tunisie has developed a dizzying array of financial products and services, including current and savings accounts, mixed mutual funds, credit cards, loans, and insurance solutions. The bank offers a range of packages for individual clients that bundle products to maximise value creation and savings. It provides business clients with a suite of services designed for ease and efficiency, with payroll management, bill collection, credit lines, e-commerce support and more. And for those Tunisians living abroad, the bank has created a special package including fee-free foreign and inter-account transfers and secure account access via the digital BTNET platform. BTNET serves as an online gateway to the stock market, enabling clients to manage securities portfolios or engage in trading through a securely protected and convenient connection. The mid-sized bank has claimed more than a six percent share of the Tunisian market, and BT credits its success to a customer-centric focus and an on-point workforce. Over half of BT staff hold university degrees, and all undergo a year-long internal training programme to ensure the seamless adoption of company objectives. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously selects Banque de Tunisie as the 2020 winner of the Best Universal Bank (Tunisia) award.


HotForex: Best Client Services Global 2020

HotForex is a unified brand name of the HF Markets Group and understands that business success comes from superior customer service and stellar teamwork. Over the past decade, HotForex has embodied the mandate spelled out in its moniker — HOT stands for honesty, openness and transparency. HF Markets Group employs more than 200 people globally, including a 45-strong in-house programming team dedicated to developing proprietary trading technology. The firm has been recognised with numerous industry awards, but it’s customer praise that delivers the most satisfaction and pride. Some two million live accounts have been opened by retail and institutional clients from 180 countries on the HotForex’s desktop, mobile and web trading platforms. The broker puts clients at the centre of operations and offers high-touch customer service, including phone and live chat support in 27 languages. Clients benefit from educational resources to sharpen their trading skills with an online programme covering the basics, an e-course in strategy, and free weekly webinars led by seasoned market analysts. HotForex provides smart tools and secure measures to empower clients and protect their funds. The HF Markets Group has made headway on a five-year expansion plan with recent authorisations from the UK FCA and Dubai DFSA, rounding-out its market penetration, which includes licences from the regulatory authorities of Cyprus, Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa. The CFI.co judging panel presents HotForex with the 2020 award for Best Client Services (Global).


BP plc: Best ESG Oil & Gas Operator Global 2020

Global oil and gas giant BP is embracing the opportunity to restructure its business model. It has pledged to “reimagine energy” on a quest to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The company is being reinvented, with fresh leadership and a four-core focus: production and operations, customers and products, gas and low-carbon energy, and innovation and engineering. Each group collaborates with three integration teams to realise the environmental goals. The new management structure eschews top-down leadership in favour of round-table collaboration. Integration teams specialise in strategy and sustainability, trading and shipping, regions, cities and solutions. BP enablers provide expertise in finance, legal affairs, communication and advocacy, culture and people. CEO Bernard Looney has set the controls for a net-zero future, and pledged to keep BP “performing while transforming”. BP aims for methane measurement at all their major oil and gas processing sites by 2023, transparent reporting and 50% reduction in their operated methane intensity. The company will also reframe relationships with trade associations, and incentivise employees to deliver on their aims and advocate for net zero. BP plans to increase its proportion of investment into non-oil and gas. The CFI.co judging panel approves of the company’s reinvention, and presents BP plc with the 2020 award for Best ESG Oil & Gas Operator (Global).


Max Myanmar Group: Best Sustainability Strategy Myanmar 2020

Max Myanmar Group has adopted a sustainability plan that promises benefits for all. Max Myanmar emerged on the transport scene nearly 30 years ago, importing buses to Myanmar from Japan. It has grown into a conglomerate of synergetic business units covering transport, trading, hotels, energy, agriculture, manufacturing and logistics. The group is a proud signatory of the UN Global Compact and a champion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group views the SDGs as an action plan for value creation at every level — business, community, country and planet. Max Myanmar Group has reached the mid-term review point in its 10-year sustainability plan, which set ambitious benchmarks for community engagement, environmental efficiency, economic development and employee wellbeing. Energy efficiency measures have been implemented across Max Myanmar operations, and the transition to fully renewable energy sources is under way. As the group expands, it upgrades infrastructure for maximum productivity and minimal waste. Max Myanmar Group is one of the country’s leading employers, with a workforce of more than 4,500 people. It supports their professional development with ongoing training and educational programmes. The Max Myanmar team takes corporate culture to heart, and sustainability initiatives are pursued with vigour by all, from executives to assistants. The CFI.co judging panel declares Max Myanmar Group winner of the 2020 award for Best Sustainability Strategy (Myanmar).


FBS: Best Copy Trading Application Global 2020 and Best Forex Broker Asia 2020

FBS is a global broker renowned for its reliability, robust trading features and rapid execution of deals. Over the past decade, it has earned the trust of more than 15 million clients worldwide and established a userbase in 190 countries. FBS provides a trading toolkit designed to create a community based on collaboration. It fosters upskilling and unlocks new revenue streams. The company offers two demo accounts for investors to test strategies in a safe environment, and two trading accounts to help amateurs – and experts – to up their Forex game. The FBS helpdesk is manned around-the-clock by customer support agents – collectively fluent in 20 languages – who start each day by scouring market and business news to be properly informed when speaking to clients. FBS invests in people and hires candidates with agility, attentiveness, empathy and business acumen. It also invests to ensure its tech offerings meet client needs, with a multi-access platform and the Copy Trading app. Copy Trading allows less experienced investors to duplicate tried-and-true strategies pioneered by master traders. The app connects clients with mentors who are compensated for their collaboration. FBS has been a contender in previous CFI.co awards programmes, and the judges note the broker’s enduring commitment to compliance and customer care. They congratulate FBS, the 2020 winner of dual awards for Best Copy Trading Application (Global) and Best Forex Broker (Asia).


Aquis Exchange: Best Securities Trading Platform Europe 2020

Aquis Exchange is disrupting the trading world with a subscriptions pricing model that is bringing massive savings to the industry. Aquis has developed a pan-European alternative to traditional trading venues, one characterised by deep liquidity, high-value pricing plans and management of regulatory risks.

Price points at Aquis are fair and transparent, with a subscription model based on members’ message count rather than commission charged on trade values. Smaller firms often opt for the low-use subscription plan, while members with high traffic tend to prefer a structure that allows for unlimited trading.

The exchange’s high-performance matching engine boasts ultra-low latency, with a processing rate averaging 100,000 messages per second. Following a successful IPO launch in June 2018, the firm has more than doubled its share of the European market, making it the seventh-largest exchange. The steady onboarding of clients points to future growth.

The UK-based exchange recently opened new offices in Paris to cement their presence in Europe, post-Brexit. Aquis has been given the green light by the UK Financial Conduct Authority to proceed with the planned acquisition of NEX Exchange, expanding its reach to include primary, as well as secondary, markets. The CFI.co judging panel presents Aquis Exchange with the 2020 award for Best Securities Trading Platform (Europe).


Exim Credit: Most Innovative Trade Finance GCC 2020

Operating a business on a global scale often requires trade financing to facilitate the free flow of goods, services, and payments. Exim Credit is a private, Dubai-based investment institution with decades of experience in international trade. It tailors robust risk solutions to enhance the import and export activity of SMEs throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Exim Credit conducts comprehensive risk assessments for importers and exporters to ascertain the financial health of each corporate applicant. It does the legwork, comparing charges and monitoring cash-flow management, to ensure due diligence and fiscally responsible lending. Exim Credit provides approved clients with the trade finance documents needed to drive their business. It offers bank guarantees, letters of credit, tender board guarantees, bank comfort letters, and standby letters of credit. It boasts a strong finance team that procures commodities for clients and negotiates in advance to mitigate challenges with lenders. Exim Credit rolls with the region’s development changes and maintains full compliance across varying and evolving regulatory landscapes. Trade finance is the company’s bread and butter, but it also offers asset-backed capital raising as well as insurance services. Exim Credit facilitated commodity transactions worth more than $35bn through financial partners in 2019 and is working to obtain a proprietary banking licence to directly serve importers and exporters. The CFI.co judging panel announces Exim Credit as winner of the 2020 award for Most Innovative Trade Finance (GCC).


Toledo Capital AG: Best Wealth Management Services Switzerland 2020

At Toledo Capital, investment advisors are not seduced by short-term speculation. They play the long game, with stable diversification strategies for the preservation and transmission of multi-generational wealth. The firm strategically leverages sectoral trends and helps clients to navigate through short-term market volatility. The boutique multi-family office was founded in the international finance hub of Zurich to serve high-net-worth individuals and families around the globe. Clients’ preferences and objectives set the course for the firm’s investment strategies. Toledo Capital creates tailored investment profiles with carefully calculated risk-return ratios and ad-hoc reporting on portfolio performance. The firm allocates financial and human resources to the personalised creation of each client’s monthly portfolio performance report. Its independent status ensures that Toledo Capital is neither biased nor limited by bank policies, ensuring its ability to provide clients with proper focus and attention. Toledo Capital’s advisors use their financial expertise to ascertain and meet clients’ individual needs, resulting in investment solutions that aim to provide optimal returns adjusted to a client’s risk parameters. Toledo Capital promotes diversification across various asset classes, jurisdictions and currencies to create a balanced portfolio that combines higher risk opportunities with moderate investments that offer a lower risk profile and stable, predictable returns. The CFI.co jury praises the firm’s client-focused approach and breadth of scope, and names Toledo Capital AG as the winner of the 2020 award for Best Wealth Management Services (Switzerland).

[caption id="attachment_7797" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Toledo Team[/caption]


Octa Investama Berjangka: Best Client Fund Security Indonesia 2020

Octa Investama Berjangka operates according to the rule that while customer needs may vary, its passion for quality never does. Traders are quick to join and reluctant to part with Octa Investama Berjangka, the leading local provider of online trading services in Indonesia. Octa installed a local server in Indonesia to ensure clients enjoy the fastest trade executions possible. Octa’s MetaTrader4 platform can be reached via its web portal and mobile app, giving clients access to a range of investment instruments, including currency pairs, precious metals, energy and indices. Clients are wowed by the broker’s mix of competitive conditions, including floating spreads starting at one pip and lucrative rebates of $5 per lot. Account funds are in US dollars, and low minimum requirements for deposits and withdrawals facilitate the easy movement of money. Octa Investama Berjangka gives the option of a fixed rupiah-dollar exchange — and guarantees it will undercut the bank rate. Clients appreciate Octa’s streamlined verification process and commitment to transparency. Investments are overseen by state authorities and regulatory bodies, such as the Commodity Futures Trading Authority, the Indonesia Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, and the Indonesia Clearing House. The broker offers a negative-balance protection guarantee that gives peace-of-mind in times of turmoil. The CFI.co judging panel recognises a solid protection strategy for investments through superior technologies and government safeguards. The judges present Octa Investama Berjangka with the 2020 award for Best Client Fund Security (Indonesia).


OctaFX: Best CFD Broker Asia Pacific 2020

Over the past decade, OctaFX has developed of suite of trading services boasting tight spread levels, a robust digital platform and a strong partnership programme. The broker is registered in Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines in the southern Caribbean, in full compliance with governmental regulations and in touch with global client needs in retail, professional and legal sectors. OctaFX has identified the Asia-Pacific region as a priority and underscores that with a customer support team fluent in Bengali, Chinese, English, Hindi, Indonesian, Malay, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese and Urdu. OctaFX keeps trader costs low by slashing commissions on deposits and withdrawals. Trading conditions are always favourable, with swift executions and next to no slippage. The company bets on the long game, and invests in employee care with a focus on professional development and corporate culture. An in-house IT department develops solutions that not only tick customer boxes but lower operational expenses and increase budget control for the broker. OctaFX makes its intentions clear through a mission statement that promises flexibility, responsiveness and responsibility. A sound set of risk management policies, mitigation measures and internal controls ensure the sustainability of the business. OctaFX studies its competition, checks the pulse of market trends — and puts skin in the game by investing its own capital. The CFI.co judging panel considered customer satisfaction as the final proof, with feedback making OctaFX the obvious choice for the 2020 award for Best CFD Broker (Asia Pacific).


Lockheed Martin: Most Innovative Next-Gen Technology Solutions Global 2020

The Lockheed Martin legacy stretches back more than 100 years, demonstrating relentless resolve to overcome obstacles and take aviation to new technical heights. The company started out as a personal project in a repurposed church and a fledgling business in a garage. Now the Lockheed Martin network has international offices in 10 countries, facilitating partnerships and uniting top minds in pursuit of innovative excellence. At the “Lighthouse” — a 50,000-square-foot test centre and laboratory — skilled scientists and engineers collaborate to develop technological breakthroughs that are transforming the world. Lockheed Martin builds AI systems and autonomous machines that are deployed for increased national security and successful mission outcomes. It creates hypersonic solutions and multi-domain operational systems. Lockheed Martin launched the world’s first weather satellite in 1975 and continues to generate weather forecasts and warnings that are crucial to the global economy. The latest generation of weather satellites boast longer life spans, higher imaging resolution and a new lightning detection capability. Lockheed Martin is considered a pioneer of GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and recently joined the GPS Innovation Alliance, the US organisation that advocates the technology’s benefits and seeks to modernise the network. The group established Lockheed Martin Ventures to direct capital to companies developing disruptive tech in its core markets, investing more than $100m in start-up companies since 2007. Investee benefits go beyond an infusion of funds: founders enjoy access to the Lockheed Martin network of contacts and repository of knowledge. The CFI.co judging panel recognises industry titan Lockheed Martin with the 2020 award Most Innovative Next-Gen Technology Solutions (Global).


BAWAG Group AG: Best Banking Group Governance DACH 2020

With a legacy that stretches back to 1883, BAWAG’s banking operations are rooted in a bedrock of expertise and ethics. The bank is one of Austria’s most respected brands, with a deserved reputation for customer-centricity, operational excellence and a strong capital position. BAWAG Group is a Vienna-based financial services holding company with subsidiaries in Austria, Germany and Switzerland; the principle of these, BAWAG PSK, serves 2.5m customers. Other subsidiaries offer a range of financial services, including insurance, investment and credit solutions. BAWAG measures business success not only by the balance sheet, but also by its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). In 2019, its employees completed nearly 20,000 training days and the group introduced three advanced development programmes. It also organised 170 free educational events to increase consumers’ financial literacy. BAWAG has increased sustainable investment four-fold, raised €200,000 for social projects and set CSR milestones in product implementation processes which target ecological and social criteria. The group upped its green energy consumption figure to 97 percent and its proportion of female managers to 34 percent. BAWAG has cultivated a corporate culture of respect and dedication, embracing technology to simplify finances, enhance customer experience, increase efficiency, and trim costs. The bank is driving expansion efforts with the launch of digital initiatives, such as e-banking and point-of-sale consumer links, and welcomes strategically selected partners and acquisitions. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates the group on a record year, with profits up by six percent at €604m, and declares BAWAG Group AG as the winner of the 2020 award for Best Banking Group Governance (DACH).


JM Finn: Best Wealth Management Advisory Firm UK 2020

Since its launch in 1945, JM Finn has helped families enjoy stability and prosperity over generations. Long tenures and low staff turnover have led to enduring relationships based on trust and dedication. The firm takes a holistic approach to wealth management and actively engages with clients to learn their goals, retirement plans and inheritance considerations. It inspires younger generations to plan for the future, now, and takes its message on the road. The firm takes part in conferences and sponsors events, such as an art fair in Battersea, to engage with the community and attract new clients. JM Finn spreads the wealth management gospel through these outreach efforts — and provides a practical introduction through its accessible investment products. The firm’s wealth managers are basking in the pride of a job well done for 2019, which ended on a strong note. Net profits were up by five percent, funds by 14. New members were welcomed to the wealth planning team and a new office was opened, adding Winchester to the network that covers London, Bristol, Leeds, Bury St Edmunds and Cardiff. Wealth management is not just for the very wealthy, and JM Finn delights in creating bespoke portfolios. Lower investment thresholds and a secure IT portal encourage new players to enter the game — and JM Finn is there to guide the journey. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present it with the 2020 award for Best Wealth Management Advisory Firm (UK).

[caption id="attachment_7885" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Steven Sussman[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7887" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The Affordable Art Fair opens in Battersea and runs until 20 Oct. The fair offers visitors a chance to purchase work from over 100 galleries at prices between £100 and £6,000[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7888" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Affordable Art Fair opens in Battersea and runs until 20 Oct. The fair offers visitors a chance to purchase work from over 100 galleries at prices between £100 and £6,000[/caption]


Rainmaker Worldwide Inc.: Best Community Impact Water Solutions Global 2020

The global water crisis is alarming, and worsening: aquifers are running dry, water tables becoming polluted, well water often unsafe to drink. International company Rainmaker Worldwide has assumed a champion’s role with technology that converts waste into an asset through heat exchange and resource recovery and reuse. It has water-to-water and air-to-water products, delivered within 90 days and operational in two weeks. The air-to-water model generates water by heating and cooling air to form and collect condensation. The water-to-water model produces safe, clean water from multi-input feeds — seawater, polluted water and even sewage — using a vapour-selective membrane-distillation process. The closed-loop systems reuse water and promote the circular economy from residential to industrial level. Rainmaker’s modular and scalable units feature energy-optimising algorithms and a networked real-time control system. The energy-agnostic units allow users to control their carbon footprint by choosing solar, wind, grid or diesel power sources. Rainmaker invites participation from distributors, NGOs and investors worldwide wishing to be part of the solution. Rainmaker Worldwide has a Dutch heritage and its stocks are listed on the US OTC (over the counter) market under the symbol RAKR. It honours a mantra of “do well and do good” with positive SDG contributions and attractive shareholder performance. The CFI.co judging panel presents Rainmaker Worldwide with the 2020 award for Best Community Impact Water Solutions (Global).


CORDET: Best Alternative Credit Investor United Kingdom 2020

Founded in 2013, CORDET is a specialist credit manager focusing on senior secured direct lending to smaller mid-market companies (typically companies with annual revenues lower than €250 million and EBITDA between €2 and €15 million) within Northern Europe. CORDET has made a number of positive developments both on the fundraising and investing front, both of which have already been widely recognised by the investor community. In April 2019 CORDET was a finalist for the "Best European Direct Lending Fund" by Creditflux. In addition, CORDET was runner up for the "Best Fund Manager" by Growth Finance in September 2019. CORDET was able to successfully raise c.€400 million in its Fund I and segregated managed accounts. Fund I completed 28 transactions with a gross debt value of c.€650m. CORDET is currently actively fundraising and investing from Fund II and has completed 10 transactions with a gross debt value of c.€205m. CORDET sees a role for itself in financing gaps left by those banks and traditional credit providers that have moved away from the European credit markets. As a UNPRI signatory, CORDET has also maintained strong focus on the environmental, social and corporate governance. As a result, for a second year in a row, CORDET were awarded a UNPRI “A+” rating for responsible strategy and governance, placing them in the top 5% of all participants in the fixed income and credit space. The firm seeks out longstanding relationships and is highly selective, concluding a relatively small number of investments each year compared to the number of invitations received. Trust and credit rigour are critical in the selection process and the CORDET team must believe wholeheartedly in the people with whom they are going to be doing business. CORDET boasts an impressive team of finance, risk and investment professionals from a broad mix of European countries. The team co-invest with CORDET’s investors and together own the firm. The CORDET management style is progressive and nurturing with twice-weekly round table meetings where everyone can have a say. Testimonials characterise CORDET professionals as talented, dependable, diligent, nimble, helpful, and commercially minded. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to name CORDET as winner of the 2020 award for Best Alternative Credit Investor (United Kingdom).


TRUMPF Venture: Best Technology Investment Partner Germany 2020

TRUMPF Venture brings more to the table than just capital; it’s an investor with an expansive network, deep domain expertise and proven skills in scalability. It is the corporate venture capital arm of TRUMPF group, a production pioneer and global market leader in industrial tools, lasers and electronics. TRUMPF was founded nearly a century ago as a mechanical workshop, and has become a key contributor to the Industry 4.0 revolution. TRUMPF Venture serves as the group’s talent scout, identifying start-ups with bright ideas and crack teams, candidates with the spirit, speed and can-do attitude to make them truly disruptive. It backs promising prospects with an initial investment ticket starting at €500,000, with total investments reaching €5m. Funded start-ups are brought into the TRUMPF fold, connected to industry experts to expand the technology or improve the business model. TRUMPF Venture deploys a team with diverse backgrounds — engineering, physics and finance, just to name just a few — so funded start-ups benefit from investor relationships rooted in technical know-how and market savvy. TRUMPF Venture launched a €40m fund in 2016 to invest in start-ups, incorporating and partnering with 10 to 15 companies in the fund portfolio. TRUMPF Venture is a strategic long-term partner that helps tech-orientated start-ups to accelerate and grow their business. The CFI.co judging panel declares TRUMPF Venture as the 2020 winner of the award for Best Technology Investment Partner (Germany).


Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA): Best Direct Investment Partner North America 2020

Bermuda is rightly famous for having pink sand beaches and more golf courses than you can shake a putter at, but it’s just as highly regarded as an international financial centre. The Bermuda archipelago covers just 32 square kilometres and can be reached by direct flights from New York, London and Toronto — easy access for international businesses. Over the past seven years, Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) has promoted and encouraged inward direct investments that have strengthened the economy as well as the island’s business-friendly reputation and gold-standard regulatory framework. The agency serves as a facilitator and first point of contact for those interested in setting-up, re-domiciling or expanding business operations. The BDA stresses the ease of doing business in Bermuda, with a favourable tax system and a collaborative relationship between government and industry. Bermuda boasts one of the world’s highest GDPs per capita, with international business and tourism serving as the key drivers of the economy. Island residents enjoy world-class infrastructure, including excellent transport and telecommunications. The island’s location in the North Atlantic makes it an ideal time zone for serving global markets. Bermuda BDA engages with the global community — and blue-chip companies in particular — to promote the island’s advantages. It understands what industries need and liaises with the government and independent financial services to advocate mutually beneficial solutions. In 2019, the BDA assisted 31 new corporate arrivals and collaborated on the advancement of seven legislative acts to support a broad range of existing industries and open avenues for future diversification. The CFI.co judging panel presents Bermuda Business Development Agency with the 2020 award for Best Direct Investment Partner (North America).

[caption id="attachment_7996" align="alignleft" width="152"] CEO: Andy Borrows[/caption]

Roland Andy Burrows, CEO of the BDA, said: “This award is testament to the hard-work and commitment of the entire team at the BDA, including our board members who volunteer their time and efforts to advocate for Bermuda as a world-leading financial jurisdiction. Together, with our stakeholders, we work to encourage inward direct investment to benefit the island’s economy and ensure Bermuda’s legislative and regulatory framework remains the gold standard. We are delighted to have been acknowledged by Capital Finance International. The announcement of the award is positive news for everyone and comes at a time when the BDA is indefatigable in its efforts to deliver for our partners, not only in North America but domestically and internationally, during these challenging times.”


GoldenTree Asset Management: Best Credit Asset Manager United States 2020

Two decades of good governance and strong strategy have made GoldenTree one of the world’s most trusted independent asset managers. The firm has maintained a global presence since its inception in 2000, investing in international markets and establishing a global network that stretches from its New York headquarters to offices in London, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Dublin. GoldenTree Asset Management focuses on credit investment opportunities and is responsible for a capital base of more than $30bn in AUM. The employee-owned firm attracts top-tier professionals and encourages them to pursue a path to partnership. There are 27 partners and over 50 investment professionals with an average of 17 years' experience in the 250-person global team. GoldenTree team members are seasoned experts who focus on delivering superior portfolio performance for clients. The firm offers a diverse product line that targets a mix of high yield bonds, leveraged loans, distressed debt, structured products, emerging markets, private equity and credit-themed equities. The key to GoldenTree’s success lies in consistent risk control and maintaining a steady safety margin. It starts with a deep-dive analysis of an issuer’s enterprise value and capital structure, followed by an identification of catalysts to drive returns. The company performs relative value analyses to direct continuous re-underwriting of portfolios. The strict alignment of interests in fund structures helps the firm to achieve its aim of outperforming the market across sectors and cycles. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates GoldenTree Asset Management as winner of the 2020 award for Best Credit Asset Manager (United States).


CFI Dubai (Credit Financier Invest): Best Online Financial Trading Services Middle East 2020

CFI (Credit Financier Invest) is a brokerage with a 20-year legacy in the Middle East and a growing global presence. The firm established its first office in Lebanon, and the network now includes entities in London, Mauritius, Amman, Larnaca and Dubai. CFI Dubai serves the needs of private and institutional clients from offices in the Emirates Financial Towers in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). CFI launched the Dubai operation in 2017 and entrusted the firm to a leadership team with a 30-year track record of trading expertise. CFI Dubai has become one of the largest and most preferred brokers of the region by earning clients’ trust through the consistent delivery of superior service. Each client is assigned an experienced manager to provide dedicated one-on-one customer care. CFI Dubai aims to elevate traders’ skills: it offers customised advisory service, publishes market insights and hosts webinars and seminars. Regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the firm offers professional and personalised services that cater to client needs — and prides itself on exceeding clients’ expectations. CFI Dubai empowers clients with an impressive range of trading instruments and a well-connected and hi-tech infrastructure to speculate on CFDs (contracts for difference) across asset classes, including forex, commodities and indices. The CFI.co judging panel notes the firm’s competitive spreads and analytical capabilities, and declares CFI Dubai as the winner of the 2020 award for Best Online Financial Trading Services (Middle East) award.


Yelo Bank: Most Innovative Corporate Rebranding Strategy Azerbaijan 2020

Yelo Bank is a new brand, which presents a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the people and business community of Azerbaijan. At the end of 2019, Nikoil Bank started an initiative to rebrand and restructure operations under this new brand name and its motto – brighter banking. Everything about the rebranding feels cheery, from the sunny simplicity of the logo to the stylised form of the English greeting, hello. The tone of voice of the new brand mirrors the bank’s core corporate values: put the customer first, find solutions, keep it simple, serve with heart and work with smile. The rebranding is more than an aesthetic once-over; it sets the course for a fresh approach to finance and corporate culture, Yelo Bank shook up staffing, tightened operational costs and boosted technology capacity. It aims to position itself as the preferred financial partner of Azerbaijanis, whether entrepreneur or individual. The bank offers business, cash, mortgage and home repair loans as well as credit cards featuring a mix of savings and cash-back schemes. Clients can open fixed-term deposit accounts (6 to 36 months) and receive the monthly accrued interest on a convenient card. Clients can send or receive money while at home or abroad through the bank system and affiliated money transfer companies. Yelo collaborates with merchants to present clients with pages of cash-back shopping options. Yelo Bank believes that fintech will act as an economic equaliser and enabler, helping people to achieve more while improving the banking experience. It pays special attention to the needs of the business community as it continues to develop its digital capacity. Many businesses have already set up payment clearing accounts for the easy settlement of monthly bills, such as phone, internet, utilities, tuition, and insurance. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the business-friendly and customer-oriented approach, and declares Yelo Bank as the 2020 winner of the award for Most Innovative Corporate Rebranding Strategy (Azerbaijan).


fair-finance: Most Socially Responsible Pension Fund Central Europe 2020

fair-finance is an Austrian pension fund which modestly opts for the lower case in its official title, but holds an elevated role in its sector. Employers in the country make compulsory contributions to worker provident funds called vorsorgekassen - and fair-finance is one of the select few entrusted to safeguard those payments. Over the past decade, fair-finance has executed a sustainable investment strategy. lt uses a trifocal lens to steer investments towards opportunities with economic, environmental and social benefits, and levers asset allocation to influence the capital market. In 2016, the special real estate fund "fair-finance real estate" became the first Austrian real estate fund to earn Ecolabel certification, and 2020 fair-finance has earned Gold Certificate status from the ÖGUT (Austrian Society for Environment and Technology) for the sustainable investment portfolio 2019. fair-finance first published annual sustainability report, highlighting key financial and non-financial figures won the ASRA 2019 (Austrian Sustainability Reporting Award) at the very first submission. lt has a customer advisory board with employer and employee representatives, and a profit-sharing scheme. In partnership with Senat der Wirtschaft (the Economic Senate), fair-finance has launched the first Austrian Social Entrepreneurship fund to invest in business cases with social impact. The fund is expected to provide social entrepreneurs with €5-€10m over the next six to eight years. fair-finance's portfolio focuses on microfinance, private debt, energy storage technology, reforestation, elderly care, real estate and social business - and enabled savings of 17,908 tonnes of C02 in 2019. The CFl.co judging panel is pleased to present fair-finance, a repeat winner in the awards programme, with the 2020 award for Most Socially Responsible Pension Fund (Central Europe).


BlueRock Group: Best Boutique Real Estate Investment Solutions DACH 2020

As befitting of a boutique Swiss real-estate investment house, BlueRock Group holds itself to exacting standards. It deploys specialist teams in Zurich, Berlin, Frankfurt and Manchester to craft investment opportunities and manage diversified property portfolios, with Germany, Scandinavia and Switzerland as its target markets. Over the past decade, the group has developed the network and refined the expertise to close even the most difficult deal. BlueRock has rigorous market research and due diligence processes to ensure minimal risk and fair returns. The group plays the long game to create sustainable value that endures. It manages two real-estate funds with more than €850m AUM, which allow investors to select properties on a deal-by-deal basis. It is also engaged in various joint ventures with well-known parties. BlueRock transactions have exceeded €1.2bn since its inception in 2010, and investors can track the performance of the group through its transparent and thorough quarterly reports. Clients require a minimum investment of €250,000 to put themselves in line for the attractive returns and liquidity these funds tend to yield. The group’s steadfast insistence on quality over quantity speaks volumes for its risk management and attention to detail. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously names BlueRock Group as the winner of the 2020 award for Best Boutique Real Estate Investment Solutions (DACH).