FWU Group: Best Unit-Linked Product Portfolio Europe 2018

The FWU group, since its inception more than 30 years ago, has been refining its insurance proposition and playing a pioneering role in the development of unit-linked life insurance solutions. Through constant innovation and the effective application of technology, FWU’s distribution partners and clients receive integrated end-to-end solutions which allow them to simplify their operations, while providing safe and cost-effective products that can be tailored to suit individual needs. The company sees technology as a tool to remain agile and efficient in today’s digital market, implementing decentralised IT development to leverage global talent and expertise. It distributes its tech teams across European and Middle Eastern locations. FWU delivers traditional and Sharia-compliant life insurance products, and has been steadily expanding its geographic horizons. In a fast-moving market, FWU is always on the lookout for disruptive technologies and competitors – but it has always ensured it gets the basics right: putting clients at the top of the agenda. With traditional and Sharia-compliant products on offer, the FWU growth trajectory looks set to continue across its target markets. The CFI.co judging panel was impressed by founder and CEO Dr Manfred Dirrheimer’s passion, and by the team he has created. The judges are delighted to declare FWU Group as the Best Unit-Linked Product Portfolio Europe 2018.


Porvenir S.A.: Best Pension Governance Colombia 2018

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6123" src="https://cfi.co/awards/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Porvenir.png" alt="" width="349" height="237" />Porvenir, S.A. — Colombia’s leading pension fund — has a clear business vision: to focus on the customer and to excel in efficiency. Transparency and responsible governance are top priorities for the firm, pledging to act above and beyond legal requirements for corporate governance — and earning Porvenir top ratings from industry risk-rating agencies each year. Its customer-centric business model is driven by ethical behaviour principles, effective risk management, and efficient business practices. Porvenir manages a multi-fund system, offering funds with different risk profiles and giving clients more investment flexibility and opportunity. The firm is hopeful that new tax reform laws will encourage Colombians not contributing to a retirement plan — some 40 million people of the 48 million population — to start officially saving for the future. Porvenir strives to raise awareness about financial literacy, launching a ground-breaking outreach effort called Familia Porvenir, a tech-based initiative to explain pension fund basics and benefits. The initiative includes a web series, presented in simple yet entertaining language that resonates well with younger audiences. Answering customer demand for digital innovation, Porvenir has digitised its operations, creating a digital interface to streamline pension management. The firm aims to complete 95 percent of all transactions online by the year 2020. For its innovative use of technology to meet modern customer demands and ensure ethical and efficient corporate governance, the CFI.co judging panel recognise Porvenir as the 2018 winner of the Best Pension Governance - Colombia award.


Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania: Best Bank Governance Albania 2018

Recognising the bank’s dedication to creating opportunity and fostering sustainable economic growth in its country and communities, leading by example and following strictly its Code of Ethics and its CSR strategy focused in the Sustainable Development Goals, the CFI.co judging panel presents Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania with the 2018 award for Best Bank Governance Albania. Some of the factors taken into consideration were: Value creation and innovation, Customer service, Corporate governance, Executive leadership, Use of technology, Regulatory compliance, Risk management team, Social responsibility, Financial stability and performance. With a network of nearly 6,000 branches throughout the world, the Intesa Sanpaolo Group is well positioned to serve its customers, and to support its subsidiary, Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania. The Albanian bank has a proven track record of playing by the rules, and playing well with others. Respect is a recurring theme in its code of ethics, governing how it interacts with all stakeholders, the environment, and the communities in which it operates. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports for Albanian financial institutions show that Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania is committed to upholding CSR standards and leads by example. The bank strictly adheres to environmental legislation throughout its operations and prioritises choices that take sustainability into account. It grants “green loans” for renewable energy projects and has become a key lender for SMEs guided by principles of sustainability. The bank has further strengthened its internal regulatory framework and issued new guidelines for managing risk. It tackles gender inequality through proactive hiring processes, finance and support for businesswomen, and awareness campaigns against domestic abuse. Socially, it supports educational goals through student work-experience programmes and financial literacy campaigns, while it advances employee education through continuous professional development. The bank has been using high governance standards to help drive long term sustainability.


QIIB (Qatar International Islamic Bank): Best Digital Banking Technology Middle East 2018

QIIB (Qatar International Islamic Bank) — a trusted financial institution with corporate, retail, treasury, and investment expertise — puts customer needs at the forefront of its business model, seamlessly whilst integrating industry standard technology across its platforms. QIIB remains true to its traditional values while providing customers with the necessary tools to thrive in a modern society. Promising to “elevate customer service beyond all expectations,” QIIB employs leading FinTech solutions to support consumer and corporate clients on an individual, integrated platform, thus increasing returns, reducing risk, and improving business efficiency. QIIB’s convenient mobile banking puts the power of the bank in the palm of your hand, while its hassle-free Internet banking features enable companies to facilitate financial transactions and support business needs. The CFI.co judging panel commends QIIB for its modern adaptation of traditional Shariah-compliant banking, earning them the 2018 award for Best Digital Banking Technology Middle East.


Anatha Technologies: Best Blockchain Digital Asset Services Team Global 2018

Blockchain technology is creating a new financial ecosystem that start-ups and established companies are looking towards to raise capital through ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings). Most people — and notably regulators — are trying to play catch-up in an exponentially growing market where true expertise is relatively thin on the ground. Edward DeLeon Hickman has built a team of experts that advises and guides companies regarding the funding potential of ICOs for their businesses. Considering the dizzying development of blockchain coding and cryptocurrencies, the five years Hickman has spent working full-time with blockchain-backed digital assets feels more like aeons of experience, especially when backed by his 20-year career in the financial sector. A recognised expert in cryptocurrencies and ICOs, he has a proven sixth sense for it, boasting participation in eight of the 10 most successful ICOs of 2017 and also in 8 out of the 10 top performing ICOs of all time. Anatha’s executive team — unified in their passion for blockchain and decentralisation — is excited to usher-in the world’s first information-age economic system, with new ways of doing business where everyone prospers. Is economic equality a utopian dream? Not with Hickman at the helm, promising a new financial system free of structural violence. The CFI.co judges have no reservations — Anatha Technologies takes the win for Best Blockchain Digital Asset Services Team Global 2018.


Residences Dar Saada: Best Real Estate Developer Morocco 2018

With over forty years operational experience, Residences Dar Saada (RDS) is a major player in Morocco’s social housing market and has developed a broad geographical spread of highly innovative and very successful projects. The company holds true to its belief that everyone has the right to quality housing and is working wisely to deliver on this. The CFI judging panel, which also honoured RDS last year, points to the ‘community-within-a-city’ concept that encourages social cohesion according to local needs and traditions. The judging panel was also impressed by the RDS ‘Strategic Vision 2018-20’ plan and recognises its management as being of the highest calibre (when RDS went public in 2014 its IPO was 3.5 times oversubscribed and raised $100 million). Investors were quick to recognise the strength, dynamism and potential of RDS and have responded positively to the company’s bond offerings. It is clear to the panel that given Morocco’s solid economic performance, RDS is well placed to move forward with confidence. The award Best Real Estate Developer Morocco goes once again to Residences Dar Saada.


Grupo Interbrok: Best Independent Insurance Broker Brazil 2018

To be truly independent requires financial independence. This is something Grupo Interbrok has understood for over 100 years. In private ownership, Interbrok has ensured it subjects its accounts to the same level of scrutiny expected of public companies with its financials audited by PwC. Independence on its own is not enough. Interbrok has consistently incorporated best practice and technology into the business and has a very efficient and well-integrated back office. But none of this excellence would work without an efficient and ethical staff culture that is constantly maintained through effective staff training that gives clients the time they deserve and delivers best solutions. This combination of independence and best practice has allowed Interbrok to put clients’ needs first. The consistency Interbrok has shown over the past 100 years has made putting the client first part of their DNA. The CFI.co judging plan had no hesitation in declaring Interbrok Best Independent Insurance Broker Brazil 2018.


Bank of Mauritius: Best Central Bank Governance Indian Ocean 2018

Long known for the natural wonder of its beaches and reefs, the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius is striving to set international standards for good financial governance and best banking practices. Throughout its fifty years of experience, the Bank of Mauritius has worked hand-in-hand with public and private stakeholders to strengthen and modernise the country’s banking industry.

The Bank of Mauritius has taken a hard stance on governance policies, adopting best international prudential standards and exacting monitoring procedures paired with innovative solutions to ensure its regulatees are adequately capitalised with sufficient liquidity buffers. The fact that ninety percent of the capital base of commercial banks is in the form of Common Equity Tier 1 capital is testimony to the success of the Bank’s endeavour to adhere to international best practices. The Bank of Mauritius is currently implementing a stringent risk-based supervisory framework for more efficient, effective and forward-looking outcomes.

With regard to the implementation of monetary policy, the Bank of Mauritius has reviewed its framework to optimise the transmission of monetary policy. Intent on promoting the Mauritian secondary bond market, the Bank has launched an awareness campaign to enhance savings intermediation and optimise monetary policy conduct.

The Bank of Mauritius is also committed to transforming the Mauritian society into a financial literate one. The financial literacy programme launched this year has helped raise public awareness on central banking, monetary policy, currency, the importance of a savings culture and smart and safe investments.

For its exacting regulatory framework, new Fintech solutions, and customer outreach efforts — and building on their successful win in 2017 — the CFI.co judging panel is pleased to confirm the Bank of Mauritius winner of the 2018 award for Best Central Bank Governance Indian Ocean.


Altice Portugal: Most Innovative ICT Leadership Europe 2018

Pioneers, innovators, leaders — these words sum up the entrepreneurial essence of Altice Portugal, the country’s preeminent global telecommunications and multimedia operator. Altice has pioneered interactive TV service and multimedia mobile portals, while recognising the legacy of its predecessors. It continues to forge new territory in the ICT sector and pave the way for others to follow. Altice is dedicated to identifying and promoting tech talent and sponsors a competition – with generous cash prizes – for innovative entrepreneurs, graduate students and start-ups. Its subsidiary, Altice Labs, fosters scientific and technology learning through strategic partnerships and collaborative projects, ranging from Cloud technologies and Artificial Intelligence to Big Data and the Evolutionary Optical Framework. The company focuses on providing consumer and corporate solutions to help improve the lives of its customers. With its nationwide fibreoptic network nearing completion and a 4G mobile network with 98.5% percent national coverage, Altice is already moving on to the next challenge: phasing-in its new 5G ecosystem, featuring a new radio concept. Altice mixes disciplined practices with an agile and adaptable culture; it doesn’t try to predict the future, it prefers to create it. It’s this audacious, go-ahead nature which makes Altice the worthy winner of the 2018 award for Most Innovative ICT Leadership Europe 2018.


Infinity Solar: Best Renewable Energy Project Developer MENA 2018

In Egypt, solar energy is big business. The country is set to become the world’s largest producer of solar energy as the 2GW Benban Solar Park nears completion. Within two years, this new mega facility will meet about a fifth of Egypt’s electricity demand. Just as importantly, smaller-scale and complementary solar energy projects are popping up nearly everywhere to satisfy the needs of a fast-growing population and a buoyant economy.

Infinity Solar, set up in 2014 to help realise the transition towards clean energy, was the first to connect its 1 MW solar plant to the Egyptian grid under Round 1 of the Egyptian Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT) in February 2017. A year later, in February 2018, Infinity Solar connected the first project in Benban Solar Park with its flagship project “Infinity 50”, also under Round 1 of Egypt’s (FIT) Program. Currently, Infinity Solar is the market leader in the utility-scale solar market in Egypt with over 90% market share of current connected capacities.

Furthermore, Infinity Solar is constructing four more plants with combined capacity of 133MW AC and total investments of approximately $200M. These plants should all be connected by Q1, 2019. Infinity Solar works with German industrial partners to build solar plants in Egypt using the latest technology to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. The company was one of the first to recognize the exceptional opportunity offered by the Benban Solar Park which attains the required economies of scale to aggressively drive down the price per megawatt produced. Egypt’s attractive Feed-in Tariff (FIT) has transformed the scope of the Benban Solar Park, which now rivals the nearby Aswan Dam in size.

Infinity Solar has secured the support of multilateral banks such as EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) & IFC (International Finance Corporation) for a slew of new solar power projects. The company also develops wind, hybrid and off-grid solutions for both corporate and individual customers.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that Egypt’s Infinity Solar has tapped into a vast growth market, and indeed now drives that market. The judges are pleased to offer Infinity Solar the 2018 Best Renewable Energy Project Developer MENA Award.


LBBW (Landesbank Baden-Württemberg): Best Green Bond Issuer Germany 2018 & Best ESG Banking Team Germany 2018

Best Green Bond Issuer Germany 2018

Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) in June debuted its first-ever green pfandbrief – a uniquely German bond that is backed up by mortgages and invests the proceeds in other financial instruments. The €500m five-year issue is lead managed by LBBW and a number of tier-1 European banks such as ABN Amro, UBS, and Swedbank. The bond complies with the issuer’s green framework and with the Green Bond Principles as formulated by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). In a testament to LBBW’s placement power and product expertise, as well as the trust the bank inspires amongst both domestic and European investors, the pfandbrief was oversubscribed well over three times in just two hours.

Late last year, LBBW successfully placed its first green bond issue – at €750m the largest of its kind issued by a European bank. That four-year issue caught the market’s attention for carrying the tightest spread of any senior German benchmark. LBBW thus demonstrated that it can launch bonds based on a new asset eligibility methodology which is significantly stricter than mere sustainability criteria.

Though LBBW was the third German bank to enter the green bond market, it has since managed to establish a lead over the competition. The bank proactively encourages investors to green their portfolios. Green bonds also allow LBBW to tap into a new investor base and, crucially, keep in close touch with market trends and sentiments.

Through its green bonds, LBBW has also been able to broaden its horizon. Whilst the bank has always enjoyed the trust of its domestic market, LBBW is now able to leverage its solid reputation outside Germany as well.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that the green bond market is growing at a brisk pace and offers opportunities aplenty as large and small investors alike consider the environmental impact of their funds. The judges are pleased to offer Landesbank Baden-Württemberg the 2018 Best Green Bond Issuer Germany Award.

Best ESG Banking Team Germany 2018

The German Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) has managed to take the lead in the move towards green banking, whereby sustainability principles are placed at the very core of all operations and both internal and customer and market-facing processes are re-evaluated for compliance with strict and well-defined ESG (environmental, social, and governance) parameters. Applied to financial services providers, ESG principles and guidelines offer a well-delineated framework that ensures optimum performance for all stakeholders. By mitigating risk across all operations and beyond conventional parameters, corporate top performance and sustainability are ensured.

An outgrow of its ESG leadership, LBBW has enjoyed remarkable success with the bank’s first two green bonds which were both well oversubscribed and excellently received by international sustainable investors. This has whetted LBBW’s appetite for a deeper dive into the green bond market. The bank has assured investors that it will regularly issue new green opportunities using its now fully-operational and experienced platform. In addition, LBBW DCM has lead-managed numerous sustainable bond transactions for reference issuers like KFW, NRW, Berlin Hyp, and DNB. LBBW is, thus, actively promoting the transformation towards a more sustainable banking and helping this evolving market to set new quality standards.

The proceeds of the bonds are earmarked for the financing of renewable energy projects and green commercial buildings, amongst others. LBBW has engaged a specialist building technology consultancy to define and develop a real estate portfolio that meets the highest standards. Only buildings situated amongst the top 15% for carbon efficiency – as certified by the German energy agency Dena – are eligible for inclusion.

By putting its entire operating on a sustainable footing, LBBW has become a model that other banks, including institutions outside Germany, now follow.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that adherence to solid ESG standards mitigates overall risk to investors and businesses alike. It also makes sense when considering long-term returns. LBBW has demonstrated that green banking meets customer demands and is the only sensible approach when future-proofing a business. The judges declare Landesbank Baden-Württemberg winner of the 2018 Best ESG Banking team Germany Award.


Groupe CIOA: Best Collaboration Value Creation Model – Global 2018

Stronger and more powerful than the sum of its parts, the CIOA Group’s expansive network of subsidiaries and providers encompasses a global market of shared resources, networking opportunities, and strategic expertise. CIOA (International Business Opportunities Centre) affiliates operate in more than 140 countries, representing 500,000 businesses and 120,000 suppliers across multiple industries. CIOA is a facilitator of international business, and provides companies, organisations and government agencies with multidisciplinary solutions and collaborative services to reach a global audience. The company is focused on creating valuable business connections, linking suppliers to customers and expediting strategic technology and financial partnerships. It offers administrative support for business by managing and monitoring data, from daily transactions to customer relations. With more than 40 offices worldwide, 200 multidisciplinary advisors and 2,300 co-developers in its network, CIOA understands the importance of collaboration. Since its inception in 1994, it has grown to become an international advocate for, and facilitator of, global, open, and self-sufficient business models. With a firm foothold on the global map, CIOA recognises that “together we are stronger” – making it the clear winner of the Best Collaboration Value Creation Model – Global 2018 award.


Delen Private Bank: Best Digital Private Bank Belgium 2018

Delen Private Bank continues to lead the way in providing cutting edge digital banking services. When it comes to implementing the latest technologies for use by consumers, larger organisations are sometimes thought to have an advantage over their smaller rivals. However, Delen Private Bank has manged to combine the safe, personal, customer-focused approach to private banking (that one would expect from a long-established family-owned bank) with a comprehensive digital offering that often outstrips those of far larger providers. When the CFI.co judging panel reviewed Delen in 2017, it was impressed by its digital services and the bank has not spent the past 12 months waiting for competitors to catch up. Delen Private Bank continues to help define best practice for the sector and the CFI.co judging is pleased to declare Delen winner of the award Best Digital Private Bank Belgium for the second consecutive year.


Capital First: Outstanding Corporate Transformation India 2018 & Most Inspirational Management Buyout India 2018

Outstanding Corporate Transformation India 2018

The transformation of Capital First (2010 to 2018) has been remarkable. In 2010, the company focused on equity broking, foreign exchange, asset management and had a handful of real estate developer customers representing $140m in loans. In 2010, the company defined a new mission and started to finance MSMEs, self-employed and consumers. Loans as low as $300 to $100,000 became the new focus. Green-field technologies were developed to provide financing to target markets. Despite slowing economic growth, high inflation, and rising interest rates, the company successfully underwent a leveraged MBO led by V Vaidyanathan. This involved an open public offer, fresh capital of $15m, reconstitution of the board and the name-change to Capital First. Subsequently, the company has diversified its borrowing to 300 lenders, and reduced costs from a high of 14% to as low as 9%. Asset quality improved sharply with net non-performing reducing from 3.4% to 1.0%. The company has now financed seven million customers and over 40% of these were first-time borrowers. Retail loan book increased from $14m to $4b. Company losses of $5m annually (2008 and 2009) turned into profitability of $48m in financial year ending March 2018. Credit rating improved from A+ to AAA and capitalisation increased multi-fold to $1.2b. In a 2018 breakthrough, Capital First obtained a banking licence by merging with an existing bank. Shareholders approved the deal with over 99.9% of votes in favour. The CFI.co judges agree that the Capital First management buyout story has resulted in an equally inspiring corporate transformation in India and the 2018 award is applauded.

V Vaidyanathan: Most Inspirational Management Buyout India 2018

V Vaidyanathan, Founder and Chairman of Capital First, is a quintessential entrepreneur who embarked on an ambitious plan some eight years ago. Quitting his senior-level Board position at India’s largest private-sector bank, he acquired a 10 percent stake in a small beaten-down finance company by leveraging his home and other assets. He immediately defined the mission as “financing small entrepreneurs and consumers in India.” Between 2010 and 2011, Vaidyanathan used contemporary technologies to build a “proof of concept” retail loan book worth $120m, and demonstrated the unique model to PEs. Based upon this, he secured private equity backing from Warburg Pincus of $159m in 2012 to fund the MBO, and Capital First was founded in the process. He grew loan assets to $3b in 2017, and the market capitalisation grew from $120m at the time of the MBO in 2012 to $1.2bn in five years. Vaidyanathan then sold a 1.5 percent stake in the company to square his leverage. In 2018, Capital First merged with a listed bank, IDFC Bank, in an all-stock deal, and Vaidyanathan became the CEO of the combined bank, thus acquiring a commercial bank licence for Capital First. The bank’s shareholders showed their approval, with 99.98 percent of votes in favour, an unheard of mandate in banking circles. MBOs are rare but successful leveraged ones make for management textbooks. The CFI.co judging panel applauds Vaidyanathan’s successful soft touchdown of the MBO and creation of a commercial banking platform, leading to his 2018 award win for Most Inspirational Management Buyout India.


LienVietPostBank: Best Retail Bank Vietnam 2018

As the economy in Vietnam continues its rapid development, the banking sector is expanding quickly to meet demand and help ensure that the new opportunities created reach the entire population. To be the best retail bank is about far more than serving easy to reach individuals and businesses in the major population centres. LienVietPostBank certainly does provide those clients with excellent services for both their personal and corporate business (and is able to boast of some of Vietnam’s largest corporates as clients) but it has also been expanding its use of postal transaction offices to help bring prosperity throughout the entire country. The bank is continuously revising its offering to customers and has incorporated the latest technology, while remembering that technology has to make the customer’s life easier – not just the bank’s. The CFI.co judging panel are delighted to declare LienVietPostBank winner of the CFI.co award Best Retail Bank - Vietnam 2018.


Akumin Inc: Best Healthcare Technology IPO North America 2017

Whenever a fragmented market consolidates, there are interesting opportunities. The freestanding diagnostic imaging market in the United States has faced a tough decade and the management team at Akumin Inc. (led by Riadh Zine) know exactly how to take advantage of such situations. As a consequence, Akumin has become the fastest growing freestanding diagnostic imaging chain in the US. A series of well targeted acquisitions and the creation of a highly effective, scalable and innovative centralised operating platform have allowed Akumin to leverage full advantage from its acquisitions. The market opportunity, combined with strong corporate governance, outstanding business acumen and highly efficient execution led to a successful IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The CFI.co judging panel felt that Akumin’s timing was perfect with the management team having proven their capabilities. The IPO will help Akumin go from strength to strength – providing patients with cost effective, high quality diagnostics, and investors with a stake in a company that could well go on to become the leading freestanding diagnostic imaging company in the country. The CFI.co judging panel are delighted to declare Akumin Inc winner of the award Best Healthcare Technology IPO – North America 2017.


ASTAD: Best Infrastructure Project Management Team GCC 2018

For the third consecutive year, ASTAD has been recognised by the CFI.co judging panel for its outstanding infrastructure project management. Headed by CEO Ali Al-Khalifa, the ASTAD team has worked on numerous major projects including the country’s National Museum, National Library and the Qatar Foundation Stadium (venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup). ASTAD is now the lead on several rail projects in the country). The company is now embarking on a five-year plan which will focus heavily on airport infrastructure work and expansion into Africa. The management style at ASTAD encourages effective collaboration and the sharing of ideas to help bring the client’s vision to life. This is a well-run business that works to international best practice and engages all stakeholders. With expertise in all areas of project management, a solid ethical approach to doing business, a superior management team, and an ambitious yet achievable business plan, ASTAD is poised to take full advantage of many more infrastructure development opportunities in Qatar and further afield. The judging panel has been following ASTAD’s progress during the past few years and is delighted to confirm the award Best Infrastructure Project Management Team GCC 2018.


Gatehouse Bank: Best Shariah-Compliant Home Finance Bank UK 2018

Gatehouse Bank, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, is one of only a handful of wholly Sharia-compliant banks in the UK, and a recognised leader in home finance products. The bank describes itself as “ethical by intention”, and is structured to maintain its purity of focus and to avoid any crossover into conventional finance. The bank guarantees that it will not invest in sectors that the Muslim community may find objectionable or questionable. Gatehouse has proven itself to be prudent, as well as consistent in achieving expected profit rates. It is regularly placed close to, or at the top of, industry tables, and often outstrips the performance of conventional finance providers. Since 2014, Gatehouse has been active in the private rental sector, creating a portfolio of properties in the north of England. A British government spokesperson has described Gatehouse as a model of how foreign investment can alleviate the UK housing crisis. Funding for initiatives of this kind comes from Sharia countries, particularly Kuwait (the country’s sovereign wealth fund is Gatehouse’s major shareholder). There has been a major business refocus since the arrival of CEO Charles Haresnape in May last year, with a dynamic new management team now in place. Systems have been re-engineered with an emphasis on enhancing the bank’s technological strengths. The CFI judging panel recognises Gatehouse as an outstanding and dedicated player in the Islamic finance sphere, and one that delivers substantial returns to its stakeholders. Without question, the award for Best Shariah-Compliant Home Finance Bank (UK) 2018 is confirmed in the name of Gatehouse Bank.


DP World: Best Long-Term Community Engagement Strategy Global 2018

DP World has a well-deserved reputation for operational excellence, and a significant part of its success story is a long-standing and wholehearted commitment to sustainability principles: paying close attention to the interests of all stakeholders including those of host communities. The company works hard to minimise its impact on the environment through efficiencies in the management of natural resources and emissions. A resolute people-first policy encourages personal development and creates a safe environment in which staff members are happy to work. DP aims to grow alongside the communities in which it conducts its business and the judging panel applauds the company’s investment in a global education programme where staff take volunteering leave to instruct young people in trade and logistics. This is a second consecutive win for DP and the judges have no hesitation in naming this company for the 2018 award Best Long-Term Community Engagement Strategy Global.


Banchile Inversiones: Best Stock Brokerage Chile 2018

For more than three decades, Banchile Inversiones has been a leading and trusted provider of financial services in Chile. Banchile Inversiones is a subsidiary of the Banco de Chile, one of the most dominant financial conglomerates in the country. The company’s focus is two-fold: its brokerage activities are handled through its subsidiary Banchile Corredores de Bolsa, while asset management is handled through its subsidiary Banchile Administradora General de Fondos. With more than 300,000 clients and $11bn worth of international and local shares, Banchile Inversiones commands the largest share of the market, boasting a 20 percent market share. In terms of traded volume, its brokerage firm is among the biggest in the country, claiming a 13 percent share of the market. Clients of Banchile’s brokerage firm range from institutions and organisations to high-net-worth individuals and retail customers. The brokerage firm provides sales, trading, and advisory services in equities, fixed income, currencies, and derivatives. Banchile has a top-ranked research department and is nationally renowned as an industry leader in finance research. Largest is not always best, but the CFI.co judging panel felt that in the case of the Chilean market, it is. Banchile has been a major player in helping the capital markets deliver sustainable economic growth to Chile, and the panel is delighted to declare Banchile Inversiones as the 2018 winner of the Best Stock Brokerage Chile award.


Banchile Inversiones: Best Institutional Investment Services Chile 2018

Banchile Inversiones has leveraged over three decades of fine-tuned fiduciary experience to become one of the most prominent players in the Chilean financial market. As a subsidiary of the Banco de Chile, Banchile Inversiones operates with the backing of one of the country’s largest financial conglomerates. The firm’s investment efforts are divided between its two subsidiaries: Banchile Administradora General de Fondos (AFG) handles asset management, while Banchile Corredores de Bolsa is responsible for brokerage activities. Banchile’s AFG team has exemplary capital market knowledge, technical expertise, and network. Banchile AFG distribution covers pension fund, private bank, family office, and insurance company markets. The firm’s diversified portfolio includes investment opportunities in Latin American equities as well as global mutual funds. Banchile saw a 34 percent year-on-year increase in net income in 2017, fuelled in part by a 10 percent rise in assets under AFG management. As one of the country’s leading financial services providers and with assets under management totalling more than $9.5bn, Banchile AFG has contributed to the upward trend of the Chilean financial market. Banchile headquarters are in the country’s capital, Santiago, which has recently been called “Sanhattan” in reference to its position as a regional financial hub. The firm has contributed greatly to the sustainable growth of the Chilean economy, leading the CFI.co judging panel to present Banchile Inversiones with the 2018 award for Best Institutional Investment Services (Chile).


algoreg: Most Innovative Identity Compliance Solutions Europe 2018

Think opening an account and verifying identity is a long and frustrating process? So did the founders of algoreg, the Luxembourg-based regtech (regulatory technology) company that’s reshaping customer integration. For some industries, such as payment service providers and digital assets, opening an account requires a lengthy due diligence process — Know Your Customer (KYC) — to verify customer identity and assess the risk of fraudulent or criminal activity. For other industries, the requirements for customer identity verification may not be as strict, but they’re often cumbersome and tedious. Identity compliance regulations vary greatly by industry and region, but algoreg has streamlined the process to meet compliance requirements with innovative tech solutions. Founded by experts with more than 20 years of professional experience in the compliance and payment industry, algoreg knows the business inside and out. The company team has a wide range of expertise, from anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) to information security and software development. It integrates technology to provide bespoke customer solutions. The algoreg solution is an innovative end-to-end solution to automate customer on-boarding — whenever, wherever. Key features that include a one-of-a-kind video ID verification system that uses an intuitive video-bot that speaks over 100 languages and works day and night — to face-match customers with IDs and check for forgeries, an intuitive name-screening product powered by a Dow Jones partnership, and a customisable risk-scoring solution. For its fully compliant product line-up and a pain-free user experience, algoreg takes the 2018 award win for Most Innovative Identity Compliance Solutions Europe.


Krungthai Bank: Best Social Impact Bank Thailand 2018

Sustainable growth requires businesses to look after the planet and its people, as well as their profit margins. Krungthai Bank in Thailand holds this principle at the core of its business vision, reinvesting a percentage of its profits into Thai society via “intellectual-capital-building activities” throughout the country. Krungthai Bank, of which the government owns a 56% share, is a hybrid bank, enjoying the privilege of a government mandate while maintaining a competitive edge. This partnership is a driver for social change, pushing to make Thailand a cashless society by providing digital alternatives to serve the Thai people and economy in support of the government’s “Thailand 4.0” initiatives. Thailand has a population of 66 million people, and Krungthai Bank serves about half of them. With governmental support, the bank piloted a programme to issue subsidised welfare and Medicare cards to give lower-income Thais access to free public transport or medical care. Krungthai Bank has issued 11.6 million welfare cards to underprivileged Thais, and eight million welfare cards to the elderly. The Medicare cards issued by Krungthai Bank have provided five million Thais — including civil servants, retirees, and staff — with government-provided healthcare benefits. The bank is working closely with the Ministry of Health to digitise the logistics of the health system and ensure ease of access. The CFI.co judging panel commends Krungthai Bank’s efforts to improve the quality of life for all Thais, thus earning the 2018 award for Best Social Impact Bank (Thailand).


Raiffeisen Centrobank AG: Best Structured Products Bank CEE 2018

Standing still has never been an option for Raiffeisen Centrobank AG. The bank has constantly striven to innovate and open new markets and 2018 has been no different. The CFI.co judging panel were impressed when they reviewed the banks structured products in 2017 and the structured products team led by Heike Arbter have not been resting on their laurels. The team have further strengthened their product portfolio and been working to ensure clients have even better understanding of the products on offer. The team has also increased the geographic reach adding nine new countries in the past 12 months giving retail clients across Central and Eastern Europe an easy to understand and robust option to low deposit interest rates. The judges are pleased to announce Raiffeisen Centrobank as the 2018 winner for Best Structured Products Bank Central and Eastern Europe Award building on their successful win in 2017.


fair-finance: Most Socially Responsible Pension Fund Central Europe 2018

fair-finance, with assets of over €500m, has long and fruitful experience in responsible investment. By focusing on the green economy, the fund consistently manages to outperform the competition. All investments are judged according to the standards of ÖGUT (an independent platform for the environment and technology). Significantly, in the first half of this year, fair-finance had in the course of its membership to the network Shareholders for Change intervened at 15 company AGMs to draw attention to ESG concerns. fair-finance has been recognised as Austria’s Best Provident Fund, and this is its fourth consecutive year as a CFI.co award-winner. Clients now have the opportunity to invest in two fair-finance funds (one is for sustainable, convertible bonds; the other is for sustainable hybrid bonds). The CFI.co judging panel regards this an important development. This year fair-finance has been improving its real estate rating system, which goes beyond energy criteria to include broader social concerns. The fund’s work in housing has also received governmental recognition. The judging panel – noting fair-finance’s outstanding progress over the years, and its commitment to sustainability principles – extends, without hesitation, the award for the Most Socially Responsible Pension Fund (Central Europe) 2018.


CSCS: Outstanding Contribution to the Capital Markets Nigeria 2018

Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS Plc) has been functioning as the Central Securities Depository for the Nigerian capital market since 1997. It was originally incorporated as a private company. In 2012, it converted to a public company and is being traded on the NASD OTC Exchange. The firm also provides a computerised clearing and settlement system for the market. It issues International Securities Identification Numbers (ISIN) as well as renders custodian services.

According to the CFI.co judging panel, CSCS continues to respond efficiently and faithfully to the needs of the securities and commodities market and has a proud record of providing sterling services to the capital markets in Nigeria. CSCS looked to the best international models when planning its business but insists on incorporating in its plan features that respond to the specific needs of the Nigerian market such as the Electronic Document Management Services amongst others.

The company takes its corporate governance responsibilities very seriously and constantly seeks out ways to improve. CSCS, a most innovative company, is very keen to harness technological developments in support of the services it offers. This is a very well-financed and managed firm that is moving from strength-to-strength.

The panel is delighted to confirm the award of “Outstanding Contribution to Capital Markets Nigeria 2018" to CSCS.


Aquis Exchange: Best Securities Trading Platform Europe 2018

[caption id="attachment_6271" align="aligncenter" width="800"] CEO and Founder: Alasdair Haynes[/caption]

Securities trading has needed a disruptor. In Europe, just such a disruptor emerged in late 2013: share-trading platform Aquis Exchange. The company is rapidly gaining market share by delivering liquidity, competition and fresh ideas to the European equity market. Aquis provides an alternative model for institutions, and the CFI.co judging panel was impressed by its “pay for what you consume” fee structure. The judges also applaud the European subscription service – positioned as “Spotify for trading” – that Aquis has created. Equally welcome is its ban on aggressive and predatory high-speed traders. The result is lower signalling risk and market impact when compared with other alternative European platforms. This must have seemed a high-risk strategy for a new company hoping to gain market share, but Aquis CEO Alasdair Haynes’ bold strategy has proven itself by helping to create liquidity. Its anticipation of customer reactions to regulatory changes, and its understanding of the need for transparency, paid-off in a highly successful IPO in June. The CFI.co judging panel thinks other markets would benefit from similar disruptive initiatives, and applauds the responsible and dynamic example set by Aquis Exchange. The judges are pleased to confer the award for Best Securities Trading Platform Europe 2018.


Sanlam Investments: Best Fund Investment Manager Africa 2018

When it comes to investment management for institutions, it’s largely about the long term. Protecting capital while managing growth requires the patience that comes with experience. This does not mean resting on laurels, rather it means knowing how and when to adapt and innovate. Sanlam Investments have proven over nearly a century that they know how to adapt and innovate to protect and grow wealth. Sanlam have developed a dynamic team of professionals who work to their strengths – balancing experience and talent while constantly maintaining their enthusiastic approach. Present in 13 African countries, Sanlam have become a trusted partner to many international investors, notably working with the FMO (Dutch Development Bank) to raise $535milion for the Climate Investor One fund (to help deliver clean energy to approximately 7 million Africans). The CFI.co judging panel are pleased to announce Sanlam Investments as the winner of the award Best Fund Investment Manager Africa in the Institutional Investment Management Awards for 2018.


GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS): Best Aviation Leasing Solutions North America 2018

GECAS works efficiently, effectively and economically to satisfy the requirements of 270 airlines throughout the world and has a fleet of two thousand aircraft. This is the third time that this company has been granted this award and the panel does so because it regards GECAS as the finest commercial airline and helicopter leasing organisation in the world. The momentum has continued well during the current year. The fleet size and scope of finance and consultancy services on offer allows the company to optimise client cash flow by providing the most appropriate aircraft management solutions. According to the judging panel, the GECAS purchase leaseback arrangements are exemplary and their bespoke leasing arrangements can significantly reduce their clients’ working capital needs. The leasing team at GECAS is very talented, the solutions on offer are comprehensive and the aircraft are superb. CFI.co is delighted to confirm the award Best Aviation Leasing Solutions North America 2018.


Československá Obchodní Banka (ČSOB): Best Internet Bank Czech Republic 2018

The ubiquitous nature of the internet and mobile devices has created an opportunity for banks to transform their business model, moving away from the bricks-and-mortar staple of yesteryear to digital platforms and fintech services. Československá Obchodní Banka (ČSOB), a renowned heavyweight of the Czechia banking scene, delivers a triple-treat digital banking platform, allowing customers to access, monitor and manage their finances. Through this banking platform, customers can keep track of their accounts as well as investments, pension savings, mortgages, loans and credit card accounts. Local or international payments can be scheduled online at a lower cost than a physical visit to the nearest branch would incur. ČSOB’s Smart Banking brings the convenience of online transactions to mobile devices. Smart Banking allows customers to manage day-to-day transactions, from credit cards to insurance. They can also create QR codes, and even get directions to the nearest ATM. ČSOB’s Smart Key application presents a convenient means of payment, and users can log-on to online banking with a single-user PIN or fingerprint instead of an SMS numerical code. ČSOB strives to meet and exceed customers’ expectations by providing the security and access that they need. The CFI.co judging panel was unanimous in its decision to declare Československá Obchodní Banka as the Best Internet Bank Czech Republic 2018.


NICE Actimize: Best Compliance RegTech Global 2018

Post the 2008 financial crisis, regulators around the globe have been working to ensure that adequate financial regulations are in place to prevent a reoccurrence. However, well thought out regulations will not be enough to prevent a future crisis unless financial institutions implement effective compliance procedures. Taking advantage of important advances in information technology, established companies and start-ups alike have been creating innovative RegTech solutions. The transformative potential of RegTech is now starting to show. NICE Actimize is building on NICE’s 30 years of experience in analysing data, thus enabling this dynamic company to work as preferred partner to financial institutions. Its platform approach helps NICE Actimize optimise total cost of ownership for clients while providing cutting edge solutions. The CFI.co judging panel was particularly impressed by NICE’s machine learning models that allow a clear window into decisions made and noted the aptitude of the company when it comes to quality voice recognition services. The panel is sure that NICE Actimize will remain at the forefront of delivering on RegTech’s potential to transform the compliance landscape and thereby enable economies to benefit from improved transparency and trust. The judges are delighted to declare NICE Actimize winner of the 2018 award Best Compliance RegTech Global.


Maritime Bank: Outstanding Contribution to SMEs and Innovation Vietnam 2018

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the unsung heroes of most economies, accounting for about half of all employment and national income. Maritime Bank recognises the importance of the role SMEs play in a country’s economic success – and it aims to make them feel welcome in Vietnam. Maritime Bank is dedicated to facilitating success, offering funding solutions to meet SMEs’ capital demands. Through innovative collaborations, Maritime Bank has streamlined business transactions and procedures, saving businesses time, money, and resources. The bank collaborated with Misa Joint Stock Company to connect e-banking accounts, allowing businesses to manage transactions – free of charge – from within the accounting software, optimising resource efficiency. Working with the Customs department, Maritime Bank is on-call 24/7, combining e-customs with internet banking so SMEs can easily and conveniently pay taxes and make customs clearance. The bank has also developed cost-effective products that allow companies to manage seasonal cash flow. Maritime Bank continues to register sustained growth, proving that its innovative solutions are a recipe for symbiotic success. The CFI.co judges applaud the bank’s dedication to supporting SMEs, and confer on Maritime Bank – for the second year in a row – the award for Outstanding Contribution to SMEs and Innovation Vietnam 2018.


NewBridge Pharmaceuticals: Most Innovative Pharmaceutics Commercialisation Partner MENA 2018

Pharmaceutical markets in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) are some of the fastest growing in the world: emerging markets are introducing mass health insurance, improving infrastructure, and attracting the attention of private investors. Institutionally backed and with a strong local presence and network of international partnerships, NewBridge Pharmaceuticals is perfectly poised to “bridge the access gap” between global healthcare innovation and successful market reach throughout the MENA region. NewBridge Pharmaceuticals is the regional partner of choice for healthcare companies looking to market and license their products in the region. The company employs a diverse team with years of professional international experience, ranging from commercial sales and marketing to healthcare and regulatory compliance. There are urgent medical needs in the region, and NewBridge focuses on the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, metabolic, and rare diseases. The company’s product portfolio promises to improve the health and quality of life of its patients while also bringing value to its partners and shareholders. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the company’s mission to address unmet medical needs in the MENA region through strategic joint-ventures and partnerships, naming NewBridge Pharmaceuticals the 2018 winner of the Most Innovative Pharmaceutics Commercialisation Partner MENA award.


PPS Portfolio Performance: Best Investment Services For Pension Funds Brazil 2018

Planning for the golden years of retirement has long been a priority, and a preoccupation, for many. In the Brazilian market, one company has become synonymous with trusted pension investment advice — PPS Portfolio Performance. Founded in 1996 by Everaldo Guedes de Azevedo França, PPS modernised the Brazilian market with innovative software to analyse investment portfolios, using objective metrics to measure risk and return. Although staff turnover at the company is low, there has been an influx of new talent which has resulted in an increase in mathematical modelling and a succession of sophisticated international investments. PPS prides itself on its history of conflict-free policies, eschewing partnerships with banks or portfolio managers that clash with investors’ interests. It applauds recent Brazilian legislation — bringing the country into line with long-established PPS policies — that limit conflicts of interest and crack-down on corruption. In an often-turbulent political situation, PPS pension funds remain strong and steady — another sign that public confidence in the company’s stewardship is sound and justified. For the second consecutive year, the CFI.co judging panel recognises PPS Portfolio Performance as a trusted and competent authority for optimising portfolio performance. The panel confers the award for the 2018 Best Investment Services for Pension Funds (Brazil).


Batelco Group: Most Digitally Inclusive Telecom MENA 2018

Today’s telecom industry has moved far beyond the hooking up of copper wires and providing voice services. The advent of digital communication has not just transformed the sector but redefined its very premise. Modern and progressive telecom providers such as Bahrain’s Batelco Group anticipated the change – and embraced it as a new business model that tightly integrates all services and modalities of transmitting data. The company is continuously pushing the high-tech envelope to bring its customers the latest offerings such as cloud-based smart home services.

Batelco Group, the oldest telecom operator in Bahrain, boasts an exceptional history of innovation. In 1992, the company claimed a global first when it managed to fully digitise the country’s domestic and international telephone network. Since then, Batelco Group has kept, and expanded, its leading edge not just in Bahrain, but overseas as well. Today, the company maintains a presence throughout the Middle East and much further afield. Batelco Group offers its comprehensive suite of services in territories such as the Falkland Islands, St Helena, Diego Garcias and the Channel Islands. Also, Dhiraagu is the leading and the largest provider of telecommunications and digital services in the Maldives and has enriched the lives of Maldivians with several home-grown digital products.

Batelco Group is recognised for its dedication to serve the needs of smaller businesses and start-ups which may benefit from packages and bundles tailored to their specific needs. The company also pursues strategic partnerships that allow it to exploit synergies and further improve user experience.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Batelco Group was an early adopter of both cloud-based services and the Internet-of-Things, yet again fulfilling its role as a telecom pioneer. The judges agree to declare Batelco group winner of the 2018 Most Digitally Inclusive Telecom MENA Award.


adidas: Most Eco-conscious Product Line United States 2018

If sustainability were a race, adidas would be the endurance runner dominating it. The athletic apparel giant recognises that sports need a space to exist — whether it be a mountain to climb or an ocean to surf — and is dedicated to safeguarding those spaces for generations to come. The company’s Sustainability Roadmap addresses sustainability throughout the sport lifecycle. The holistic approach of its strategies targets all the spaces where sportswear is made (design or manufacturing facilities), sold (retail locations), and played (stadia, courts, pitches). At adidas production facilities, little goes to waste. The company has pioneered low-waste textile production processes, creating product lines made with recycled materials at maximum pattern efficiency. The result? A winning combination of streamlined simplicity: less waste, fewer parts, and more sustainable materials. Adidas is a founding member of the Better Cotton Initiative, which warns against the negative impacts of mainstream cotton farming and sources its cotton with more sustainable practices. Many adidas products are created using a “DryDye” process, which eliminates water in the dying process, or a “NoDye” process, which skips the dyes to showcase materials in their natural colours. In partnership with Parley for the Oceans, in 2015 adidas launched a line of trainers made with upcycled plastic collected from beaches and coastlines — and sold more than a million pairs last year. The company has also ditched plastic bags throughout its retail chain. The CFI.co judging panel applauds its sustainability leadership, and names adidas the 2018 winner of the award for Most Eco-conscious Product Line USA.


Zurich Insurance: Best Sustainable Insurer Switzerland 2018

The insurance industry has been quick to recognise the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a driver of growth and sustainability. Zurich Insurance Group was very much a pioneer in CSR and has often been applauded for its well-considered approach. The Swiss insurer, a repeat winner in this category, decided early on that CSR deserved a place at the heart of its business model. According to the CFI.co judging panel, Zurich - conscious of its role in society - always seems determined to assess the impact of the business opportunities it considers, and consistently seeks out the right and honourable way to drive development. As with all efficient insurers, Zurich protects policy holders from risk, encourages the accumulation of wealth and funds long-term investment capital for the benefit of society. The panel regards Zurich as an exemplar of social value creation in its industry and is delighted to confirm the award Best Sustainable Insurer Switzerland 2018.


Capital First: Most Inspirational Management Buyout India 2018

V Vaidyanathan, Founder and Chairman of Capital First, is a quintessential entrepreneur who embarked on an ambitious plan some eight years ago. Quitting his senior-level Board position at India’s largest private-sector bank, he acquired a 10 percent stake in a small beaten-down finance company by leveraging his home and other assets. He immediately defined the mission as “financing small entrepreneurs and consumers in India.” Between 2010 and 2011, Vaidyanathan used contemporary technologies to build a “proof of concept” retail loan book worth $120m, and demonstrated the unique model to PEs. Based upon this, he secured private equity backing from Warburg Pincus of $159m in 2012 to fund the MBO, and Capital First was founded in the process. He grew loan assets to $3b in 2017, and the market capitalisation grew from $120m at the time of the MBO in 2012 to $1.2bn in five years. Vaidyanathan then sold a 1.5 percent stake in the company to square his leverage. In 2018, Capital First merged with a listed bank, IDFC Bank, in an all-stock deal, and Vaidyanathan became the CEO of the combined bank, thus acquiring a commercial bank licence for Capital First. The bank’s shareholders showed their approval, with 99.98 percent of votes in favour, an unheard of mandate in banking circles. MBOs are rare but successful leveraged ones make for management textbooks. The CFI.co judging panel applauds Vaidyanathan’s successful soft touchdown of the MBO and creation of a commercial banking platform, leading to his 2018 award win for Most Inspirational Management Buyout India.


Groupe Afflelou: Best Optical Retail Chain Europe 2018

[caption id="attachment_6319" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Didier Pascual, Afflelou Group CEO in Paris HQ[/caption]

Pardon the puns, but these eyesight experts with insightful innovation and a clear focus on marketing set the standard for fashion-forward eyewear. For Groupe Afflelou, the quality of its products is a point of pride, providing customers with a standard three-year warranty instead of the two years required under European law. Afflelou thrives on innovation, introducing the first “buy one, get one free” offer 20 years ago. The company has worked tirelessly and consistently to make prescription eyewear accessible as well as stylish. They also introduced innovation in optics such as a subscription service: customers pay a monthly fee and can update their lenses as their vision changes. With retail locations in 18 countries – including several in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America – and a strong global digital retail network, the company has increased its market share despite a dip in the overall market. For its expansive global reach and its long-standing commitment to meeting, and exceeding, customer needs, the CFI.co judging panel names Groupe Afflelou as the Best Optical Retail Chain Europe 2018.


GVFL: Best Technology Venture Fund Manager India 2018

Founded in 1990 with the backing of multilateral financial institutions and one of the first venture capital funds in India, GVFL – formerly Gujarat Venture Finance Limited – is the go-to place for investors seeking to maximize their exposure to the buoyant Indian economy – powered by the country’s famously resourceful entrepreneurs. The fund has a stellar track record and set up eight different funds which have participated in over eighty companies.

So far, GVFL has successfully exited sixty businesses it helped built up with strategic investments and its own expertise in management and corporate governance. A total initial commitment amounting to $2m was transformed into value realisation worth over $16 m on exit from one of the investee companies, recently. The venture capital manager is particularly known – and praised – for its knack to pick winning start-ups early on in their development. The GVFL team draws on its own experience and expertise to unlock growth and empower the companies adopted by the fund to seize both opportunity and market share laying the groundwork for accelerated and sustained expansion.

GVFL works in close cooperation with commercial banks and financial institutions to source funds. The firm enjoys a solid reputation and is trusted by its partners to consistently deliver strong returns. GVFL recently launched a fund focused on technological disruptors and companies that seek to leverage their leading edge in specialised high-tech sectors.

The CFI.co judging panel commends GVFL on its foresight. The firm not only knows how to identify exceptional opportunity, it is also peerless in the creation of value. The judges agree to name GVFL winner of the 2018 Best technology Venture Fund Manager India Award.


Thaioil: Best Energy Corporate Governance Thailand

Good corporate governance enables transparent and sustainable profits that benefits all stakeholders. To achieve Thaioil’s corporate vision of being “a leading fully integrated refining and petrochemical company in Asia Pacific” the company has endeavored to ensure that it adheres to the highest possible standards of governance. The results of the past five years clearly show the strategy has been paying off, with a steady growth benefitting all stakeholders. The CFI.co judging panel found that while Thaioil was adhering to international best practice for its governance principles, it was the overriding commitment to fairness that really set Thaioil apart. Corporate governance is not a tick-box exercise for the company; rather, it is a way of delivering the company’s value set of always trying to be fair – and ensuring that the systems are in place to deliver “fairness” throughout the organisation. Thaioil responds quickly and effectively when a policy or practice needs adjustment. The CFI.co judges were unanimous in declaring Thaioil as having the Best Energy Corporate Governance Thailand 2018.


Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC): Best Investment Promotion Agency Africa

Ghana is open for business – big business. The country is actively looking for partners to help underwrite a number of megaprojects and has created a regulatory environment to match. For starters, Ghana aims to become the hub  and consequently the breadbasket of West Africa. The country has over eight million hectares of fertile land ready for the plough. A pilot programme involving circa 200,000 local farmers has already been launched. The initiative and others such as the “One Village One Dam” and “One district One factory” aim to increase productivity and create tens of thousands of new jobs in the food processing industry.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) acts as a one-stop venue for investors interested in taking a stake in the country’s promising future. As one of the most stable countries in the region, Ghana ranks at or near the top on a number of crucially important criteria such as governance, the rule of law, press freedom, and safety.  It is also seen as one of the fastest growing countries in the world in 2017 with a GDP growth rate of 8.5%, the pearl of West Africa is now going global with a sustained campaign to attract foreign direct investment by offering unparalleled conditions and opportunities.

GIPC helps the country to realise its full potential by structuring large projects in a transparent way that appeals to investors. The leadership of GIPC is, in fact, now headed by a professional with an investment banking background. Moving from aid to trade, Ghana has already achieved impressive results. Last year, its economy barrelled ahead by 8.5% – easily outpacing all other large markets in Africa.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that Ghana is now part of the exciting New World of African countries willing to cash in on their demographic dividend and shaping a business environment that empowers rather than restricts investors. GIPC is key to unlocking that exciting world. The judges are pleased to offer Ghana Investment Promotion Centre the 2018 Best Investment Promotion Agency Africa Award.


Nordea Life Assurance Finland: Most Sustainable Assurance Nordic 2018

A leader of the life insurance sector and known for its corporate nimbleness in reacting to market dynamics, Nordea Life Assurance Finland designs and offers a product range that incorporates sustainability principles throughout the process cycle. By adhering to strict ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards the firm has succeeded in reducing its exposure to risk and pursues a set of corporate policies that take the interests of all stakeholders into account.

Nordea Life Assurance Finland’s operations are anchored in its Life 2020 Strategy which includes improvements to the overall customer experience. The firm is aware of the need to offer its customers a personalised experience on any platform as a prerequisite – and driver – of business growth. The company wants to be seen as highly responsive to current and prospective policyholders. To that end, Nordea Life implemented a streamlined yet comprehensive platform that prioritises the customer effort score over the more traditional net promoter score.

Being responsive and nimble is, however, only part of the story; in order to meet not only customer demand but also address customer concerns, life insurers need to become ESG-aware and put their operation on a sustainable footing. Nordea Life ascribes its leading market position, in part, to its early adoption of green policies that do not just involve cosmetic changes but permeate throughout the company and also determine the way customer funds and savings are handled and put to work.

Nordea Life’s Savings Product Strategy 2020, a complement to the broader Life 2020 Strategy, includes a whole range of ESG initiatives and now guides the firm’s investment policies and decision-making processes.

The CFI.co judging panel notes Nordea Life has also been recognised as a Great Place to Work. Employees are encouraged to sign up for skills development programmes, community engagement initiatives, and come up with innovative ideas and suggestions in a ‘Ideas to Values’ process. The judges feel pleased to grant Nordea Life Assurance Finland the 2018 Most Sustainable Insurance Nordic Award.


GCC Board Directors Institute: Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Governance GCC

Since 2007, the GCC Board Director’s Institute (GCC BDI) – a non-profit entity – has helped further improve corporate governance standards throughout the Middle East. The organisation was set up by the region’s largest corporations and receives support from the world’s leading business consultancy firms. Now with almost a thousand members, the GCC Board Directors Institute represents the region’s largest network of business executives and hosts a number of events such as its flagship annual Chairman Summit. The organisation also offers a series of workshops that allow leading CEOs to hone their skills and evaluate progress.

The only Middle Eastern directors institute admitted to the Global Network of Director Institutes, GCC BDI is recognised for its dedication to the promotion of the highest standards in corporate governance. The institute works closely with regional regulatory entities to produce guidelines for board members and facilitate the flow of information between parties. GCC BDI has successfully adapted a vast array of global best practices to local circumstance and actively supports initiatives that aim to enhance board members’ capabilities – believing, as it does, that enduring success in business can only be sustained through excellence in corporate governance.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that GCC BDI also encourages diversity on director boards and emphasises the importance of engaging with external evaluators to gauge effectiveness. The judges declare GCC Board Directors Institute winner of the 2017 Outstanding Contribution to Corporate Governance GCC Award.


Wafacash: Best Money Transfer Services Morocco

Morocco owes around 7% of its GDP to its diaspora of more than eight million people. To tap into this vast market that moves in excess of €5bn annually, Wafacash has teamed up with online money transfer service WorldRemit. Now, money transfers from anywhere in the world into Morocco can be finalised in seconds with a convenient app. Wafacash’ unequalled market penetration ensures that remittances can be sent almost instantly to any of the company’s 1,620 pick-up locations in Morocco. Already in 1995, Wafacash managed to become the first Maghreb partner of Western Union.

Set up in 1991 as a branch of the Attijariwafa Bank Group, one of the largest financial services providers in Africa, Wafacash has established a stellar reputation for operational efficiency and customer service. The company, initially called Wafa Monétique, pioneered the money transfer market in Morocco and has received wide recognition for its efforts to further financial inclusion. Its Visa Electron card, launched in 1997, helped democratise access to bankcards. Over the years, the company diversified its range of products with the inclusion of foreign exchange services and consumer loans offered via its corporate sibling Wafasalaf. The company also introduced the innovative Floussy Card – an electronic wallet not connected to a bank account.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Wafacash has been exceptionally successful in exploring synergies. The company now boasts a vast range of tightly-integrated product range that provides its customers with unparalleled convenience and ease of use. The judges have closely followed the firm’s trajectory for a number of years and agree that Wafacash again merits recognition for its achievements. The judging panel declares Wafacash winner of the 2017 Best Money Transfer Services Morocco Award.


Boursa Kuwait: Best Securities Exchange Corporate Governance GCC 2018

Kuwait’s stock exchange, Boursa Kuwait, has been tirelessly working to revamp its operating practices — and its efforts have been producing results. Kuwait privatised its stock exchange in 2014, establishing Boursa Kuwait to assume responsibility of the exchange. Boursa began an overhaul of its operating practices, creating a transparent capital market platform that adheres to rigorous international governance standards. Implementation is halfway complete: governance and transparency have been shored up, market segmentation introduced, and settlement cycles and listing requirements updated. Boursa’s next development stage promises new short-sell SLB (stock lending and borrowing) and REITs (real estate investment trusts). Boursa’s strategic vision has garnered international recognition and pushed the exchange one step closer towards its goal of global integration with financial markets and exchanges. The Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) Russell Governance Board upgraded Boursa Kuwait from a frontier market to an emerging one last year, resulting in a major inflow of foreign investment — and Boursa expects to achieve the same status upgrade from Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) this year. The stock exchange now has a market capitalisation of over $95 billion and 176 listed companies across all industries. Boursa is preparing for its initial public offering in early 2019 and anticipates new IPOs and an increase in capital inflow throughout the next year. The CFI.co judging panel salutes the continuous development process and robust corporate governance framework of the exchange, and presents Boursa Kuwait with the 2018 award for Best Securities Exchange Corporate Governance (GCC).


Nasdaq Buy-side Compliance: Most Innovative Compliance Management System Global 2018

Surveilling the market with cognitive computing and behavioural analytics, and leveraging the power of machine learning, Nasdaq’s Buy-side Compliance, formerly Sybenetix, helps hedge funds and asset managers monitor their portfolios’ compliance in a constantly shifting regulatory environment. A pioneer in its field, Sybenetix was acquired last year for an undisclosed sum by Nasdaq as part of its sustained push to remain at the leading edge of the fintech revolution.

Earlier, Nasdaq also entered into a strategic alliance with Digital Reasoning which uses natural language processing to analyse the context and content of human communication and thus provide early warning to surveillance analysts. Both companies fit seamlessly in Nasdaq’s broader strategy to buy into specialised expertise in order to stay in sync with regulatory and technological evolutions, while still continuing to enhance its SMARTS surveillance technology -- which is sold into the bank, exchange and regulator sectors -- with these types of capabilities.

The Nasdaq Buy-side Compliance software uses algorithms to learn the behaviour of people within an organisation. Applied to trading floors, for example, the software can sniff out rogue traders well before irreparable damage is inflicted. As increasingly complex and comprehensive regulations come into force - such as the second iteration of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) in Europe - financial services providers are scrambling to adjust to the more dynamic and transparent reality about to take shape.

In the process, a $2bn market for new MiFID II-ready systems and platforms was created. Nasdaq is riding that wave with a product suite of unequalled power. Its software fully complies with the more than 7,000-page-long MiFID II - a volume of instructions equal to about five times the length of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, a classic literary doorstopper.

The CFI.co judging panel recognises the immensity of Nasdaq’s achievement; not only does the company’s software contain in-depth knowledge of every imaginable financial regulation framework, it is also able to spot any deviation from the rules, or other operational anomaly, in real-time. The judges agree to name Nasdaq winner of the 2018 Most Innovative Compliance Management System Global Award.


STOXX: Most Innovative Index Provider Global 2018

STOXX have been leading the way in innovative index concepts since 1998 and their indices serve as investment roadmaps, enabling clients to plot a sure course with independent and transparent market performance data. STOXX’s comprehensive offering of indices — more than 10,000 — covers more than 95 percent of the world's investable markets and provides an index solution for every investment need. The company´s indices present specific market insights across a broad range of industries, geographies, and strategies. Innovation is the driving force behind the company’s success. In 2000, they became the first index provider to implement free-float market capitalisation across all its indices, and a year later it introduced its first sustainability indices, which have since grown into an innovative series of environmental, social, governance (ESG) indices. Active supplier of solutions to the ETFs industry, in the last five years their Europe 600 index embraced ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and in the last five years their STOXX Europe 600 Index has seen 9.8% compound annual growth while their STOXX Global 1800 Index has grown 13.8% a year.2018 has been a very active and successful year for the company as they have introduced several new indices. In January they launched the first-ever index that tracks AI innovators and selects its constituents based on an AI algorithm. They followed this up by launching first a range of LDI bond indices in April and then, in May, their EURO STOXX Multi Premia Index, that complements a suite of factor and multi factor strategies. Over the summer they expanded their thematics suite with indices covering blockchain, fintech and B.R.AI.N (biotechnology, robotics, AI and nanotechnology). Given the success of these launches, the Judges Panel have decided to name STOXX as the CFI.co Most Innovative Index Provider - Global 2018.


Nordea Asset Management AB: Best ESG Investment Process Europe 2018

With a history of sound corporate governance and active ownership, Nordea Asset Management AB understands that environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration presents a powerful strategy to mitigate risk and create long-term shareholder value. The CFI.co judging panel has followed Nordea’s trajectory for years and is pleased to see the Asset Management team has expanded to become one of the largest, most diverse, and most proactive teams in Europe. Nordea Asset Management promotes ESG-integrated fixed-income and equity funds that are aligned to the changing demands of its forward-thinking clients. It employs ESG analysis procedures to determine companies’ worthiness for inclusion in its ESG enhanced funds. Responsibility and active ownership go hand-in-hand at Nordea. The Asset Management team proactively ensures responsible returns on long-term investments through screening, analysis, methodical monitoring, and corrective intervention where necessary. The company continues to prove its commitment to financing a sustainable future, most recently by collaborating with the United Nations and several other investors to pilot the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The company’s long-term commitment to delivering high ESG standards is embedded in its DNA. The €216 billion of assets under management as of December 2018 clearly shows that investors trust the application of high ESG standards in helping deliver financial results while ensuring their funds help to deliver a more sustainable future. For the fifth consecutive year, the CFI.co judging panel has recognised the company’s contributions to sustainability. The judges present Nordea Asset Management AB with the 2018 award for Best ESG Investment Process (Europe).


ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch: Best International Bank Bond Issuer Emea 2018

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) ranks no. 1 in the Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking, and first on the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune Global 500 in the list of the world’s biggest commercial banks from 2013 to 2018. ICBC also ranks no. 1 in the Brand Finance 500 for global banks brand values. It is a public company in terms of work force and customer base, with 2017 assets totaling more than $4 trillion. ICBC was the first Chinese bank to establish operations in the Middle East, and since 2008 it has worked to build mutually beneficial business opportunities between Chinese and MENA region corporations and investors. It contributes to the region’s development as a global hub of trade and finance, with a proactive approach to green finance and international expansion. ICBC recently became the biggest bond-issuer on Nasdaq Dubai with two bonds worth $700m each, increasing its listings to $3.56 bn. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch always pays equal attention to social responsibility, by promoting green finance. In accordance with the energy development strategy and natural resources in MENA countries, it gives strong support to clean coal power, solar energy, and hydro power, etc. and renewable energy development. It also has presence in financing projects involving people’s livelihood, like public transportation. The CFI. co judging panel recognises the strong growth projections for the ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch, and commends the company’s continued focus on sustainability. The judges are pleased to present ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch. with the Best International Bank Bond Issuer (EMEA) award — for the second consecutive year.


Preference Pass: Tourism Tech Innovator of The Year - Mexico 2019

The marketing focus of Preference Pass has been to create a generic and customisable product enabling the company to sell similar products globally whilst shaping an environment which allows for bespoke branding for resorts to present as an exclusive offer to their guests. This approach has been very well received by resorts and hotels and has enabled the company to create unique tours and activity packages. These offers maintain the same philosophy but are built knowing the specific characteristics of the resort’s customers. The resort market these offers directly to customers at check in or before.

The benefits to the resorts are increased customer satisfaction, significant cost savings, and an opportunity for the business to generate a new source of income.

Preference Pass plans to create new markets in 2019 such as the yet uncovered regions of the Mexican Caribbean and other important tourist destinations in the country. Regions will be set up in a franchise format, ensuring that a local partner, who has both contacts and expertise, develops the business, using the tools and knowledge Preference Pass has acquired to date. The company plans on starting its international expansion in 2019, targeting the Caribbean and the main tourist destinations of South America, before going global.


Touché: Most Innovative Payment Authorisation Technology EMEA 2018

Cash is no longer king, according to Touché, the revolutionary fintech company bringing payments to your fingertips. The Singapore-based company was founded in 2014 and has expanded globally, with offices in Barcelona, Tokyo, and Dubai. Touché’s flagship product features biometric-based identification to facilitate hassle-free payment solutions and automate entitlement privileges. Touché matches a hardware device with a software package to enable customers to authorise payments with a two-fingerprint biometric scan. Customers register by creating a Touché wallet, which consolidates the users’ payment methods — from credit cards to cryptocurrency — as well as loyalty rewards programmes. The device sports a secure biometric sensor that’s FBI-certified, and allows Touché to go beyond mere payment solutions. By combining industry and customer diagnostics, it gathers information for both sides. Customers can instantly claim points or discounts at the point of sale – without the need for vouchers or membership cards. Merchants can use the data analytics of consumer behaviour to compile comprehensive CRM databases, offer personalised recommendations, and create tailored rewards programmes. The CFI.co judging panel believes that biometrics will play a key part in the future of FinTech, and applauds Touché for its pioneering spirit. The judges present the company with the 2018 award for the Most Innovative Payment Authorisation Technology (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).


Deloitte Chile: Best Risk Management Consultancy South America 2018

The pace of globalisation and innovative disruption that companies now face is rapidly accelerating. Nimble and well-informed responses to risk management are of critical importance - not only to take advantage of opportunities, but also to survive the changes taking place. To keep up with the everchanging risk landscape, business needs advice that is personalised by an adviser with a finger on the pulse of global change - and, for this, size does matter. Deloitte, as an international group, is of a size and reputation to attract the best talents globally as well as locally. Deloitte Chile has taken full advantage of the group’s strengths while developing a diverse local culture that enables the firm to build trust and understanding with clients. This is helping Deloitte Chile provide a leadership role in South America in the delivery of risk solutions and advice that customers need. Deloitte Chile strives to ensure that its relationships are mutually beneficial, and the firm is helping ensure the success of the wider economy and clients. The CFI.co judging panel feels that Deloitte Chile stands out as an example of how best to deliver the highest levels of risk management and is delighted to declare the firm winner of the 2018 award Best Risk Management Consultancy (South America).


Eurofragance: Best International Value Creation Growth Spain 2018

[caption id="attachment_6589" align="aligncenter" width="569"] CEO: Laurent Mercier[/caption]

Eurofragance wafted into the world as a small industrial facility in 1990 when the 25-year-old founder, Santiago Sabatés, set up shop as a fragrance designer and producer. The company now has a market presence in more than 60 countries and five continents. Eurofragance has expanded from its original Barcelona base to include strategically placed, automated production facilities in Singapore, Mexico, and the US. The company has expanded, consistently hitting over 10% growth per year, and the innovation and drive of its R&D department is just one factor spurring that expansion. Eurofragance has five Creative Centres, where the company works to create new scents to indulge the senses. The strategic location of the Creative Centres and production plants has afforded the company insights into promising new markets. Eurofragance has solidified its market presence in the Middle East with facilities in Dubai and Turkey. In Singapore, Eurofragance pioneered production practices that deliver Halal-compliant fragrances and promise to open the Asian market for further expansion. The company is investing in acquisitions and automation to ensure its continued growth trajectory. The CFI.co judging panel believes the company’s management style — which secured its €75m budget objective in 2018 — makes it particularly attractive to investors wishing to accompany Eurofragance in its inorganic growth path, especially with regard to its North and South American targets. Congratulations to Eurofragance, winner of the 2018 award for Best International Value Creation Growth award (Spain).


American University of Beirut (AUB): Best Sustainability Innovation Research University Middle East 2018

The American University of Beirut (AUB) believes education is the driving force behind the prosperity of any society. With a storied history of over 150 years, the university is on a mission to advance academic knowledge and foster a spirit of informed citizenry and sound leadership. AUB hosts dozens of centres and institutes where stakeholders collaborate to advance healthcare research and innovation, spur social and environmental progress, and drive advances in local and global communities. AUB students and faculty partner with more than 60 universities and research centres worldwide to collaborate on research projects in renewable energy, sustainable development, disease treatments, peace studies and conflict resolution. In 2017, AUB’s Collaborative Research Stimulus (CRS) provided $400,000 for research – and in total, research funding is expected to reach $5m for 2018. The university’s latest initiative, BOLDLY AUB, is a $650m fundraising campaign with a commitment to serve the Middle East with enriched educational experiences, superior healthcare service, innovative entrepreneurship, and impactful community engagement. AUB’s campus features historic buildings with modern facilities set in cool green gardens — an oasis in the arid cityscape of Beirut. Green futures can also be found among the 120 academic programmes offered by AUB; the most recent addition is an online degree in green technologies. The CFI.co judging panel commends AUB’s dedication to, and investment in, a greener future, and names the American University of Beirut as the 2018 winner of the award for Best Sustainability Innovation Research University (Middle East).


Century Financial Brokers: Best Global Financial Markets Broker EMEA 2018

With analysts forecasting a landmark year for UAE financial markets, savvy investors are looking to Century Financial Brokers (CFB) to help them navigate a bustling market in 2018. The Dubai brokerage firm has established itself as a regional leader in the industry, and as a global contender.
Century Financial Brokers employs the latest technology to deliver innovative trading tools across a powerful web and mobile platform. Designed by traders and tailored to fit clients' trading needs, CFB's next-generation trading platform delivers functionality and ease-of-use. The platform provides clients with real-time control of trading accounts through multi-channel mobile apps. Latest upgrades to the award-winning platform include seamless HTML5 integration, advanced charting capabilities, and customised account controls.
As analysts anticipate more than $8bn to be generated by new regional IPOs across the market, Century Financial Brokers invites local and expatriate clients to get in on the action. The firm expects an increase in foreign investment and ownership of UAE companies, making the region more attractive to global investors. With more than 29 years of trading expertise and 10,000 diversified instruments across 110 markets, the company leverages its global reach and collective business acumen to mitigate risks and maximise client profits.
CFB is dedicated to empowering investors to make informed decisions, and provides advisory and support services to all its clients. The CFI.co judging panel recognises Century Financial Brokers, for the second consecutive year, as the 2018 Best Global Financial Markets Broker EMEA award winner.


Al Hilal Life: Best Regional Corporate Insurance Solutions Middle East 2018

Today’s corporate climate can be precarious and unexpected challenges can threaten the progress and stability of even the most promising business. Al Hilal Life offers clients in the Middle East a safety net of corporate insurance solutions. Through the firm’s innovative Key man Plan, companies are protected against the unexpected loss of key individuals, whose technical expertise, knowledge, or business network are crucial to the company’s success. Al Hilal Life also provides a full range of Group Life & Group Health Insurance plans to enhance the overall Employee Benefits offered to the staff and family members to attract and retain top talent. Their Health Insurance Plans include a wide network of best health care providers that can be customized to tailor the requirements of each corporate entity right from SME’s to Large Corporate Groups. Their unique Smart Value Series of Group Health Insurance Plans catering to companies with a majority of blue collar workers (construction, contracting, cleaning, etc.) really stand out in the market for providing much more than basic immediate health care at a really competitive price. These plans are also bundled along with the Accidental Death Benefit and Repatriation Cover as a much needed support for their families. Al Hilal Life also offers Credit Life Insurance plans for Banks and Financial Institutions, which pays off the outstanding personal loans, credit cards, and mortgage plans or overdrafts in the unfortunate event of a borrower’s death / disability. Al Hilal Life effectively works through their multi distribution network and promotes their range of Corporate and Retail Solutions through Bancassurance, Direct Sales, Brokers & Affinity Groups and has been growing at a fast pace. Financially strong and stable, Al Hilal Life is is owned by Ahli United Bank, One of the leading banks in Bahrain and a reputed bank in the Middle East. The CFi.co judging panel believes the firm is well-placed to deliver on its promise of a bright future, and is happy to present Al Hilal Life with the 2018 award for the Best Regional Corporate Insurance Solutions (Middle East).


Kuwait International Bank: Fastest Growing Islamic Bank and Best Sharia-Compliant Bank MENA 2018

Dual-award recipient for the third consecutive year, Kuwait International Bank (KIB) has been providing the country with financial services for over 40 years, establishing itself in 2007 as a full-fledged Islamic bank to meet the nation’s growing demand for Sharia-compliant financial services. The bank’s growth continues to impress, with 2017 deposit balances totalling nearly $4b and increases across the board this year, from total assets and financing receivables to operating income and customer acquisition. The bank’s vision is be the Islamic bank of choice in Kuwait, and it’s employing a three-pillar strategy to achieve it. The first pillar focuses on digitisation of financial and retail services in order to meet the evolving needs of a tech-savvy society. The second pillar encompasses the bank’s corporate and SME advisory services, while the third targets ‘one-stop’ real estate shopping. KIB’s digital innovation and customer-centric approach has kept the bank ahead of the technology curve, enhancing and streamlining customers’ virtual banking experience across every touch point and communication channel. Dedicated Islamic scholars sit on KIB’s Sharia Supervisory Board, which leverages the bank’s tech innovation to customise its offerings and tailor products to conform to Islamic finance principles. The CFI.co judging panel commends the bank’s agile advancement, and congratulates Kuwait International Bank on winning the 2018 Best Sharia-Compliant Bank MENA award (fourth consecutive year) and the 2018 Fastest Growing Islamic Bank MENA award (third consecutive year).


Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC): Best Infrastructure EPC Solutions Provider MENA 2018

A quick study of the infrastructural development of the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region will illustrate the pioneering role Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) has played in the region’s transformation. From next-generation technology hubs and sports facilities to water treatment plants and transportation systems, CCC has left an indelible mark upon the Gulf. The construction company is a global leader in the engineering and construction industry with more than 65 years of experience in project management, engineering, procurement, and construction services. CCC employs 182,000 people internationally and is currently engaged in 56 ongoing projects globally. Innovation remains at the forefront of the company’s driving force, propelling CCC towards its next challenge: the sustainable digital transformation of the industry. As a proud advocate of global sustainability initiatives, the company adheres to the highest international sustainability regulations and leverages tech innovations to streamline its operations and reduce redundancies. The company is applying building information modelling (BIM) processes to improve the organisation of large-scale construction projects, launching a fleet of off-grid solar-powered mobile cabins for construction crews, and exploring the disruptive opportunities of 3D printing. In a pilot project, CCC will collaborate with technology providers and general contractors to construct a 3D-printed home — fully furnished and ready for occupancy. Another partnership will create a digital warehouse which will 3D-print parts on demand. The CFI.co judging panel was impressed by the company’s stable growth and visionary innovation, and is pleased to present Consolidated Contractors Company with the 2018 award for Best Infrastructure EPC Solutions Provider (MENA).