Pinewood Studios: Outstanding Contribution to British Film Production 2017

It is where stars are born and legacies made. Pinewood Studios has been a hallmark of the British film industry since the 1930s, bringing phantasy to life on the silver screen. A pioneer of innovation, Pinewood Studios introduced the unit system to Great Britain, allowing multiple films to be shot simultaneously. Soon, the facility attained an output not matched by any other studio in the world. Today, Pinewood Studios boasts the only underwater stage in the world measuring over 1,600m2 and set in a huge water tank. It was used, amongst others, in the filming of the 2011 blockbuster On Stranger Tides of the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

Pinewood Studios’ annals constitute a veritable treasure trove of British film history with timeless productions that marked their era such as From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, and The Battle of Britain in the 1960s and The Spy Who Loved Me, Alien, and Full Metal Jacket in the decades that followed.
During the lean years of the 1970s, the studio was saved from receivership by none other than Superman. The franchise gave the sprawling facility in Buckinghamshire a new lease on life. Since then, the company has grown into a global business opening studios in the US, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, China and the Dominican Republic where it built an eight acre water effects facility – the largest of its kind in the world.

The British film industry owes a significant part of its legacy to Pinewood Studios which built and maintained a reputation for excellence. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously grants Pinewood Studios the 2017 Outstanding Contribution to British Film Production Award.


Ioannides Demetriou: Best Commercial & Corporate Legal Team Cyprus 2017

A legal heavyweight not just in Cyprus but throughout Europe, the Ioannides Demetriou LLC law firm has established a formidable reputation for consistently producing excellence in deliverables and establishing jurisprudence. As a result, the firm’s client roster includes a host of top tier global corporations, multilaterals, state entities, and high-net-worth individuals.

The Ioannides Demetriou legal team comprises experienced professionals across a number of highly-specialised legal fields. By working in close harmony these experts offer holistic solutions that, literally, add up to satisfied clients. The firm covers all areas of commercial law and frequently offers guidance and mediation in disputes involving multiple jurisdictions. Ioannides Demetriou also helps investors with major undertakings in order to reduce their exposure to risk.

The Cypriot law firm regularly offers assistance and guidance to foreign law offices in commercial affairs. It has also pleaded cases in international fora such as the ICC. Recently, Ioannides Demetriou helped major global companies implement restructuring and relocation plans.

The law firm maintains offices in Nicosia and Limassol and is active in all key sectors of the legal profession. Ioannides Demetriou is recognised for its adherence to skills development programmes, such as the Investors in People Standard (IIP).

The CFI.co judging panel has no doubt that Ioannides Demetriou LLC is the go-to legal firm in Cyprus for both corporates and individuals. The judges are pleased to offer Ioannides Demetriou the 2017 Best Commercial & Corporate Legal Team Cyprus Award.


Bao viet Holdings: Best Financial Group Governance 2017

Founded in 1965 as Vietnam Insurance Company, Bao Viet has blossomed into a financial services conglomerate that includes banking, asset management, and insurance, amongst others. Last year, Bao Viet became the first Vietnamese insurance company to surpass the $1bn revenue mark. Bao Viet operates the largest financial services network in the country with over 180 branch offices in 63 cities.

The company has now upgraded its corporate IT backbone to allow for streamlined internal processes, improved front office operations, and enhanced customer experience – and satisfaction. Bao Viet is recognised as one of the strongest brand names in Vietnam thanks to the company’s relentless dedication to operational efficiency and excellence in customer service.

By exploring – and exploiting – synergies between its six constituent business components – Insurance, Life, Securities, Fund, Bank, and Invest – Bao Viet ensures not only optimum corporate performance but also the sustainability of the company. Baoviet employs over 5,500 people and works with around 40,000 agents, dispersed throughout the country, to market its products and services, and ensure proximity to the client.

Since its earliest days, Bao Viet has promoted and implemented sound governance practices. This includes the adoption of international best practices and a code of conduct that clarifies duties and responsibilities, and creates a solid framework for decision-making processes.

The CFI.co judging panel commends the company on its proactive approach to the pursuit of excellence in corporate governance – and the impressive results attained. The judges declare Bao Viet winner of the 2017 Best Financial Group Governance Award.


Banco de Corrientes: Best Commercial Bank Argentina 2017

When the going gets tough, well yes, the tough get going. A cliché, perhaps, but such it is with Banco de Corrientes in Argentina – a full-service commercial bank that not just managed to weather successive storms, but grow and prosper at the same time. Today Argentina’s top bank in number of clients and with a branch network that spans the country, Banco de Corrientes has established an unparalleled reputation for operational excellence and customer service.

Founded in 1950 as the main bank for Corrientes Province, sandwiched between Brazil and Paraguay, Banco de Corrientes soon expanded its geographical footprint to become one of Argentina’s leading commercial banks. From its earliest days, Banco de Corrientes – BanCo for short – has put considerable effort into furthering financial inclusion. It continues to do so with mobile offices that allow the bank to reach clients in isolated rural settlements.

BanCo maintains a number of initiatives to help small and medium-sized enterprises prosper. Offering credit lines for working capital and underwriting corporate expansion has transformed the bank into a driver of growth. True to the agricultural roots of its home province, the bank is particularly prominent in supporting farmers and ranchers throughout the country with products and services tailored to the needs of the sector.

The CFI.co judging panel notes the bank’s remarkable growth trajectory and recognises its solid fundamentals. The judges are pleased to declare Banco de Corrientes winner of the 2017 Best Commercial Bank Argentina Award.


Capital First: Outstanding Contribution to Financial Inclusion India 2017

Supporting financial inclusion and serving the country’s expanding middle class, India’s Capital First has provided credit to over four million customers via its nationwide branch network. The company serves the vast universe of fifty million or so micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and India’s vast consumer base using a differentiated credit-scoring model that leverages the power of deep analytics – the mining from multiple sources of large data sets, coupled with some traditional checks.

Thanks to its innovative approach, Capital First is able to create an institution ground up within a short time and reach customers ignored by traditional financial services providers – people and businesses previously deemed un-bankable. The company now has a vibrant loan portfolio of more than $3bn. This performance is all the more remarkable taking into consideration the net NPA (non-performing asset) ratio consistently below 1.0% – a number most banks can only dream of.

Listed on India’s two main stock exchanges, Capital First was founded in 2012 via a management buyout (MBO) which shifted the company’s focus from asset management, broking, and real-estate financing to consumer and business finance. The company became one of India’s remarkable success stories. Capital First saw its market cap increase near 10 fold from $120 million before the MBO in March 2012 to over $1.17 bn in March 2017.

Capital First offers solid proof that reaching out to those at the margins of regular markets need not entail risk or dampen profitability.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that the company, now one of India’s largest non-bank financial institutions, enjoys privileged exposure to India’s vast economic upside. The judges declare Capital First winner of the 2017 Outstanding Contribution to Financial inclusion India Award.


Unity: Best Sustainable Insurance Solutions Team Central America 2017

The only regional insurance brokerage offering coverage across Central America, Unity offers a full range of risk management products and services to individual clients, groups, and businesses. The company is recognised for its unequalled experience in the region, joining different cultures and corporate environments under a single roof.

Founded in 1991 as LR Ducruet and Sons, the company quickly earned the trust of the market and expanded from its base in Panama to reach far into Central America, meeting a pent-up demand for premier insurance services. Via close collaboration, and eventual mergers, with insurance brokers elsewhere in the region, Unity managed to forge a truly Central American company. Today, Unity maintains a presence in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. The firm is the only one in the region that offers corporate risk management products adjusted to the specific needs of the jurisdictions it serves – using a single and tightly integrated IT backbone that ensures operational efficiency and excellence in the delivery of customer services.

Now eyeing expansion further afield, Unity seeks to apply its experience and corporate formula to new markets. The brokerage employs over 500 professionals throughout Central America and offers insurance advice to well over 5,000 companies. Unity processes more than 80,000 claims annually and boasts around 300,000 clients.

The CFI.co judging panel has monitored the progress of Unity for a number of years and congratulates the company on its sustained growth. The judges wish to again recognise Unity’s achievements and declare the company winner of the 2017 Best Sustainable Insurance Solutions Team Central America Award.


EFiS EDI Finance Service: Best Payment Transaction Solutions Europe 2017

Taking the sting out of payment processing, EFiS implements tailored end-to-end solutions powered by a state-of-the-art IT backbone. The family-owned business declines to outsource any of its operations, preferring to keep all processes in-house. This allows EFiS to guarantee perfect 100% performance at all times.

Payment processing is no longer the simple linear task it used to be decades ago. Today’s transactions call for transparency, traceability, compliance, and involve risk and liquidity management as well. Add to all that the need for speed and the complexity of the task becomes clear.

EFiS has developed proprietary software to run its own wholly owned data centres and thus ensure self-sufficiency and, most importantly, perfect security. The company, headquartered near Frankfurt, serves customers globally and maintains offices in six European countries. Its solutions are mainly used by financial services providers and businesses of all sizes from global players to small and medium-sized enterprises. Amongst its customers are ten DAX30 companies in Germany.

With its continuous process monitoring facility, EFiS allows customers to gain instant access to all relevant payment data. The company also developed a cross-platform app for instant payments, which is based upon their instant payment framework (IPF). EFiS is justifiably proud to offer fast time-to-market solutions – another benefit of its in-house sourcing of solutions.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that the company dedicates significant resources to staff training and skills development. The judges agree to name EFiS EDI Finance Service AG winner of the 2017 Best Payment Transaction Solutions Europe Award.


Koin: Best Payment Solutions Provider Brazil 2017

No card, no problem. Users of Koin can embark on an online shopping spree not having to worry about the charges and security risks usually associated with credit cards. Those without plastic are able to secure the best online deals – and are no longer ignored by merchants.

Koin is a post-pay app and internet service that assigns its users a credit rating and level that is based on prior transactions. Buyers are rated dynamically as they settle their bills on time via deposits at ATMs. Merchants are able to tap into a much expanded demographic, generating sales and moving away from the model thus far used of registering an online sale, issuing a bill, and waiting for it to be paid before shipping the goods.

The waiting is not always fruitful. In fact, four out of every five transactions eventually get cancelled. Still, sellers have to set aside merchandise, immobilising stock. When the process needs to be reversed, additional costs are generated.

This cumbersome process has now been short-circuited by Koin. Associated online retailers – over fifty as of last count – are able to ship their products immediately, and get paid promptly: Koin manages the entire money trail, up to and including collecting from buyers.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that the service has boosted online sales in Brazil. In barely two years, Koin quadrupled its user base to almost one million. The judges are always pleased to recognise innovation and offer Koin the 2017 Best Payment Solutions Provider Brazil Award.


fair-finance: Most Socially-Responsible Pension Fund Central Europe 2017

Austria’s provident funds – “Vorsorgekassen” – are quickly becoming institutional investors of note. The funds, legislated into existence in 2003, manage the mandatory employer contributions towards their workers’ severance pay packages. As contributions accumulate over time, the Vorsorgekassen have become sizeable institutional investors, none more so than fair-finance – the youngest amongst the country’s provident funds.

With its growing portfolio of investments – mostly, though not exclusively, held-to-maturity bonds – fair-finance consistently manages to outperform its peers by adhering to green economy and sustainability principles. The fund has recently decided to move up to 10% of its portfolio into real estate – the maximum allowed by law. fair-finance will mainly invest in multi-tenant properties in and around Vienna. The fund aims to have its entire portfolio analysed and certified by the country’s environmental watchdog – Österreichisches Umweltzeichen, set up in 1990 to determine the ecological footprint of products and services.

All investments considered by fair-finance are also subjected to the strict standards set and maintained by ÖGUT – an independent platform for the environment and technology.

With its vast experience in managing responsible investments, fair-finance helps others such as international corporations and multilateral entities attain similar standards. The fund also pioneers studies and supports educational programmes aimed at greening financial markets and the broader society.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note the fund’s continued progress and its full embrace of sustainability principles. A repeat winner, fair-finance is offered the 2017 Most Socially-Responsible Pension Fund Central Europe Award.


Krungthai Bank (KTB): Best Social Impact Bank Thailand 2017

The first bank to boast a nationwide network, Thailand’s Krungthai Bank (KTB) is a globally recognised pioneer in the promotion of financial inclusion. The partially state-owned bank is also considered one of the main drivers of the country’s sustained economic progress, helping the government implement development initiatives and supporting a number of programmes such as the issuance to state employees of up to five million Medical service welfare cards.

Krungthai Bank is also assisting the government with the streamlining of its services. The bank recently launched a pilot e-tax project aimed at businesses – from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative hopes to simplify tax reporting and payment procedures. KTB offers low-income earners an opportunity to register for the government’s welfare scheme and has disbursed a number of welfare payments.

Krungthai Bank, unique for its hybrid ownership structure, is determined to leverage its position and size to the benefit of the entire Thai population – in particular for those on lower incomes. The bank is in the process of issuing millions of welfare cards that allow for the free use of public transportation and offer discounts on utility bills.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Krungthai Bank on its proactive approach to social impact banking. The judges name Krungthai Bank winner of the 2017 Best Social Impact Bank Thailand Award.


ABC Banking Corporation: Best International Bank Indian Ocean 2017

Listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius since early 2016, ABC Banking Corporation has seen its share price almost double. The bank’s solid fundamentals and strict adherence to international best practices inspire confidence. ABC Banking Corporation has embarked on a path of accelerated growth, propelled in part by its dedication to operational efficiency and excellence in the delivery of client services.

ABC Banking Corporation maintains four business lines: retail, business, private, and international banking. Earlier this year, the bank opened a representative office in Hong Kong and thus became the first Mauritius-based financial services provider with a presence in China.

The move is part of a wider strategy aimed at unlocking Chinese investment in Mauritius and in the wider East African Region. Thanks to its expertise in navigating the region’s dynamic markets, ABC Banking Corporation is particularly well-positioned to assist Chinese investors as they seek to expand their horizons.

The bank offers an exceptionally comprehensive array of products and services optimised to dovetail with Mauritius’ unique financial environment. The formula pioneered by ABC Banking Corporation – based on passion, professionalism, and innovation amongst others – is derived from well over eighty years of accumulated business acumen.

The CFI.co judging panel has followed the corporate trajectory of the Mauritius bank for a number of years and applauds the bank’s overseas expansion drive. The judges are pleased to declare ABC Banking Corporation winner of the 2017 Best International Bank Indian Ocean Award.


The Access Bank UK: Best Africa Trade Finance Bank 2017

Deploying the power of technological innovation to attain and maintain both operational and customer service excellence has allowed The Access Bank UK to build up a commanding lead in trade finance.

Though acting on a global scale, the bank enjoys a particular edge in supporting business activities focused on Sub-Saharan Africa. The Access Bank UK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Access Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading financial services providers and a confirming bank for the Global Trade Finance Programme set up by the International Finance Corporation (IFC, part of the World Bank Group). The Access Bank UK is also the first Nigerian bank to be appointed London correspondent to the Central Bank of Nigeria. The bank has sustained high growth rates whilst adhering to solid fundamentals.

The Access Bank UK maintains a full suite of trade finance and ancillary services delivered by a staff of seasoned professionals. The bank is recognised for its extensive knowledge of the Sub-Saharan business environment and is able to offer specialised technical support and guidance to importers and exporters at both ends of trade corridors. Its relationship-based model ensures short lines of communication with customers and allows the bank to quickly respond to market dynamics.

The CFI.co judging panel has followed the bank’s growth trajectory for a number of years. The judges feel confident that The Access Bank UK merits recognition as winner of the 2017 Best Africa Trade Finance Bank Award.


Banco de Fomento Angola (BFA): Best Branch Network Angola 2017

Considered the local benchmark of excellence and innovation, Banco de Fomento Angola (BFA) maintains a network of around two hundred full-service branch offices that afford the bank a nationwide presence. Founded in 1990 as the country’s principal trade finance bank, BFA has successfully grown into an all-round commercial bank offering a full suite of products and services to private clients, entrepreneurs, and corporates.

The bank has received international recognition for its excellence in payment processing with over 99% of transactions requiring no human intervention. One of Angola’s famed “super brands”, BFA management is dedicated to further enhancing the bank’s already formidable reputation. To that end, BFA maintains an inclusive corporate strategy which positions the bank as one of the main drivers of the country’s development.

BFA serves more than 1.5 million clients through multiple channels. The bank’s BFA Net Service includes dedicated YouTube and LinkedIn webpages and a proprietary cross-platform app that allows account holders to access their financial data on-the-go.

With Angola’s economy now on the mend, BFA is exceptionally well positioned to benefit from a resumption of the rapid-growth trajectory. Over the past few years, BFA has upgraded its IT backbone, expanded staff training programmes, and strengthened the bottom line.

The CFI.co judging panel has followed BFA for a number of years and recognised its stellar performance with wins in the same category. The judges are pleased to offer Banco de Fomento Angola the 2017 Best Branch Network Angola Award.


PPS Portfolio Performance: Best Investment Services for Pension Funds Brazil 2017

PPS Portfolio Performance (PPS) provides clarity to institutional investors in the form of bias-free technical assessments. PPS helps streamline decision-making processes by providing portfolio managers with the most advanced service on fund and portfolio manager selection and performance monitoring in the Brazilian market.

The firm, in business since 1996, has developed the proprietary Portfolio Performance System. It is a unique software tool that gauges the performance of investment portfolios using a vast set of metrics and weighing return against risk.

PPS continuously upgrades its software to include new features that enhance the system’s analytical power and improve their advisory activity. It is now on its eighth version of this software.

The firm was set up as an independent business in order to provide objective data and analysis of market conditions and trends. PPS avoids working for banks, asset management companies, and any other kind of organisation that could lead to situations of conflicts of interests. As a consultant, the focus of PPS is to work exclusively for final investors.

In 2001, PPS pioneered the development of the first Brazilian ALM model based on stochastic optimisation. Since then, the firm has helped dozens of local pension funds determine the optimal allocation for their portfolios.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that quality of service is of paramount importance to institutional investors. The judges note that PPS has implemented a novel yet solid approach to optimising portfolio performance and grant the firm the 2017 Best Investment Services for Pension Funds Brazil Award.


Astad: Best Infrastructure Project Management Team GCC 2017

Turning visions into reality. A fountain of expertise in construction, engineering, project management, and sustainability, Astad is closely involved with a number of large-scale developments in Qatar. The company is currently putting the finishing touches to the National Museum of Qatar, a landmark-in-waiting shaped in the form of a desert rose and built around the palace of the former ruler of the country. Astad provides project and construction management services to the builders of the museum.

Astad’s bulging portfolio contains iconic projects such as the construction of Qatar’s new Petroleum District – a cluster of nine high-rise office towers and a luxury hotel. Astad is also helping erect the Qatar Foundation Stadium – home to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the first large-scale open sports arena that employs advanced cooling techniques.

Astad has developed an approach to project management that engages all stakeholders and ensures short lines of communication that facilitate and encourage collaboration, pooling ideas and ensuring that the client’s vision is turned into reality.

The firm adheres to a strict code of ethics and is committed to maintain the highest standard of services. Astad also adopts international best practices in the management of quality, risk, and health and safety.

The CFI.co judging panel commends the firm on its achievements. Noting Astad’s sustained progress, the judges are pleased to offer the company the 2017 Best Infrastructure Project Management Team GCC Award – the second time Astad is recognised for its operational excellence.


UMG: Outstanding Contribution to Socio-Economic Development Myanmar 2017

Established in 1998 to help Myanmar implement large-scale projects aimed at accelerating growth and fast-tracking national development, the UMG group of companies pursues excellence across its numerous business lines. A diversified conglomerate with its head office in Yangon, UMG is active in nine sectors: financial services, education, healthcare, logistics, food, entertainment, property and infrastructure development, mining, and telecommunications and IT.

The company has become a depository of expertise and experience. Thanks to its stellar reputation, UMG attracts the brightest graduates from Myanmar’s universities who seek to embark not only on a promising career, but also to gain access to corporate knowledge. As such, UMG is also recognised as a fertile breeding ground of successful managers and entrepreneurs. UMG dedicates considerable resources to continuous skills development.

Growing from a start-up with six people selling generators, UMG managed to attain critical corporate mass in under a decade with an unequalled growth trajectory. The company is now recognised as one of Myanmar’s top companies and employs well over 2,500 people.

The CFI.co judging panel commends UMG on its achievements and agrees that investing in people – either employees or other stakeholders via corporate social responsibility initiatives – is an essential part of any corporate success formula. The company helps shape the Myanmar brand which is set to become the latest addition to a string of South East Asian success stories.

The judges are pleased to offer UMG the 2017 Outstanding Contribution to Socio-Economic Development Myanmar Award.


Talgo: Most Innovative Rail Technology Global 2017

Considered the next frontier in rail travel, high-speed commuter services pose severe challenges for manufacturers and operators alike, calling for the development of complex rolling stock capable of safely navigating sections of legacy track using multiple signalling systems. Whilst a number of companies have successfully produced high-speed long-distance trains, only a few have managed to integrate the often contradictory requirements of high-speed commuter services into a single design.

The dual voltage, dual power Talgo 250, made by the eponymous Spanish train manufacturer long known and respected for its innovative engineering solutions, is one of the only trains on the market able to sustain high-speed commuter services. It currently serves on various lines in and around Madrid.

Since 1964, Talgo manufactures trains with variable gauge axles that seamlessly bridge the divide between Spain’s broad gauge and French standard gauge track. Talgo has also developed a high-speed diesel-powered train – the Talgo XXI – intended for use on non-electrified track in the United States. On a test run, the Talgo XXI reached 256km/h, setting a world-speed record for diesel trains. The company is now testing the latest addition to its catalogue, the Talgo AVRIL – a next-generation train slated to reach speeds in excess of 380km/h.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that from its corporate beginnings in 1942, Talgo has produced unique designs. The Talgo I built in Valladolid not only set speed records but incorporated novel technologies that significantly improved passenger comfort. That heritage of excellence has been preserved and expanded upon in the decades that followed. Talgo is named winner of the 2017 Most Innovative Rail Technology Global Award.


Delen Private Bank: Best Digital Private Bank Belgium 2017

Some private banks have been slow to embrace the digital era. Not so at Belgium’s Delen Private Bank, recognised as a trailblazer in harnessing the power of IT to deliver a superior private banking product, with the attendant excellence in client services. Recently celebrating its 80th year in business, Delen Private Bank believes it can do things better – and clients agree. The bank boasts an IT backbone developed – and updated – in-house by a dedicated staff of professionals.

Likewise, Delen Private Bank’s front office, including its app for mobile devices, is a far cry from the generic platform most users have to contend with. Delen Private Bank account holders enjoy real time access to their portfolio’s performance data. The Delen app also allows access to the world’s markets. The platform has been aptly described as a pocket-sized private banker.

However, while Delen Private Bank drives technological innovation, the bank maintains an eminently human touch. Whilst 75% of its clients access their accounts via digital platforms, the bank offers instant access to highly trained and experienced professionals.

In addition to its domestic network, Delen Private Bank has branches in Luxembourg, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the UK where it acquired a majority stake in JM Finn and Co in 2011.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that private banking need not be limited to oak-panelled offices. The judges congratulate the Belgian bank on adding a superior digital dimension to its operations and declare Delen Private Bank winner of the 2017 Best Digital Private Bank Belgium Award.


LatAm Logistic Properties: Best Industrial Real Estate Developer Central and South America 2017

Tapping into the accelerated growth experienced in many parts of Latin America, LatAm Logistic Properties buys, develops, and operates industrial real estate throughout the region. The company, set up in 2013 and based in San José, Costa Rica, aims to meet the strong demand for high quality warehouse facilities in major population centres and along important regional trade corridors. LatAm Logistic Properties initially focuses on opportunities in Colombia, Peru, Panama, and Costa Rica, though expansion further afield is also considered.

Compared to other emerging markets, Latin America still lacks modern warehouse facilities. LatAm Logistic Properties pursues a demand-driven corporate strategy that allows the company to be a first mover in this promising nascent market. LatAm Logistic Properties operates as a fully-integrated platform: the company identifies its target markets, formulates tailored development strategies, underwrites specific opportunities, and operates its portfolio for maximum customer retention and shareholder value.

LatAm Logistic Properties is actively on the lookout to expand its holdings, including new land acquisitions, sale/leasebacks and existing warehousing facilities for redevelopment and/or repositioning. To fully meet the needs of individual clients, the company builds to suit and spec.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that modern Class A warehousing enables companies to move their products faster and cheaper to market, improves overall operational efficiency, and allows for scalability. The judges applaud the company’s foresight and are pleased to offer LatAm Logistic Properties the 2017 Best industrial Real Estate Developer Central and South America Award.


Caisse de Refinancement de l'Habitat (CRH): Best Social Impact Finance France 2017

Set up in 1985 to refinance mortgages issued by commercial banks, the Caisse de Refinancement de l’Habitat (CRH) has become one of the largest issuers of bonds in Europe. CRH is wholly-owned by its participating banks and is charged with the monitoring and controlling of mortgage debt servicing. Bonds placed by the Caisse enjoy significant specific legal privileges on the CRH’s secured loans to private banks.

Since the volume of outstanding mortgage-backed bonds issued by CRH precisely matches the entity’s loans (promissory notes) to commercial banks, the balance sheet duration equals zero. CRH effectively acts as a pass-through adding both resilience and efficiency to the financial system. CRH bonds comply with the Capital Directive 2 and are eligible for open-market operations of the European Central Bank.

Due to its unique nature and set-up, CRH never experienced any loss write-downs or other difficulties since its creation and proved exceptionally resilient even at the height of the most recent financial crisis. In the event of a borrowing bank’s default, CRH automatically becomes the sole owner of that bank’s mortgage portfolio.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that mortgage refinancing mechanisms are essential to the health of the financial system. The judges are pleased to declare Caisse de Refinancement de l'Habitat winner of the 2017 Best Social Impact Finance France Award.


Averda: Most Innovative Waste Management Services Middle East 2017

Somebody’s got to do it – and do it really well. Perhaps not the most eye-catching of businesses, waste management is crucial to city life; without it no modern metropolis can function. Working towards a cleaner world since 1964, Dubai-based Averda operates three distinct business lines: municipal waste projects, technical waste solutions, and commercial collection services.

The company starts from a simple premise: clean cities improve the quality of life. Averda keeps the customer at the core of all its operations, anticipating needs, exceeding expectations, and welcoming suggestions. A pioneer in the digitisation of waste management, Averda also proactively investigates new solutions and approaches to its business.

The company’s projects include the sorting and recycling of waste and the proper management of landfills for matter that cannot be composted and incinerated. Averda maintains operations in fourteen countries from Ireland, where it collects and recycles household and commercial waste to Angola where it helped clean up Luanda. Whilst headquartered in Dubai, Averda maintains regional operations centres in Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, and Casablanca. The company serves tens of millions of people 24/7 and is recognised globally for tailoring its processes and procedures to local needs and requirements.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Averda on its innovative approach to the waste management business such as liaising with Dubai’s burgeoning tech community for the disposal of e-waste. The judges are pleased to offer Averda the 2017 Most Innovative Waste Management Services Middle East Award.


Bank of Mauritius: Best Central Bank Governance Indian Ocean 2017

Driving technological innovation and underpinning sustainable development, the Bank of Mauritius (BOM) – the island nation’s central bank – is poised to stay ahead of developments and ensure the country’s financial services industry – a mainstay of the local economy – remains an attractive and competitive jurisdiction.

The Bank of Mauritius has gained recognition for its focus on good governance and transparency as well as for the efficacy of its monetary policies, keeping the rupee exchange rate closely matched to macroeconomic fundamentals. The Bank of Mauritius has also significantly strengthened the regulatory framework in order to keep up with evolving international standards and further improve the domestic financial markets infrastructure. The initiatives taken by the Bank of Mauritius to modernise the payment system infrastructure clearly paves the way for a rapid digitisation of the economy.

The Bank of Mauritius also upgraded and expanded its supervisory framework with a view to ensuring adherence to the highest standards of corporate governance throughout the industry. The bank sought, and obtained, reinforced regulatory powers and adopted a series of revised guidelines to enhance its capabilities.

The CFI.co judging panel commends the BOM on its forward-looking approach to both innovation and supervision. The judges are pleased to offer Bank of Mauritius the 2017 Best Central Bank Governance Indian Ocean Award.


Intigral: Most Innovative Digital Delivery Solutions MENA 2017

Using the power of its state-of-the-art cloud-based storage and delivery platform, Intigral has become the leading provider of streamed and on-demand video services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The company offers its clients a collection of application interfaces (APIs) that allows for seamless integration with existing platforms, adding payment, social media, tracking, and analytical modules as required.

Intigral also offers clients a comprehensive set of services such as business planning and consultancy – including technical development, content acquisition, marketing, and after-sales support – that ensure operational efficiency and enhance profitability. Intigral was founded in 2009 to provide end-to-end digital entertainment and sports solutions that leverage the region’s quickly expanding broadband infrastructure.

Telecoms, in particular, are able to drive sales by turning to Intigral for content solutions such as Invision IPTV, and about to launch a next-generation OTT pay TV platform that moves beyond mere streaming and includes multiple levels of interactivity to engage viewers. Intigral provides telecoms with turnkey systems tailored to specific needs and comprising the full value chain. Thus, telecoms can offer their broadband clients a superior entertainment experience which, in turn, drives the uptake in broadband connections.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Intigral also developed Dawri Plus, an innovative digital sports platform with live match streaming and numerous fan engagement facilities. The judges agree that Intigral excels in delivering performance to both its clients and their customers. Intigral is declared winner of the 2017 Most Innovative Digital Delivery Solutions MENA Award.


The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI): Best Green Bond Issuer Latin America 2017

[caption id="attachment_5670" align="aligncenter" width="747"] Takashi Hibino (CEO - DAIWA) and Dr Nick Rischbieth (Executive President - CABEI)[/caption]

CABEI last year launched its first-ever green bond. The four-year ZAR denominated bonds were sold to retail investors in Japan and raised ZAR 1,032,000 equivalent to US$72,865.918. The move came in the wake of a decision by the bank’s authorities  to promote, support, and help underwrite initiatives and projects aimed at mitigating climate change effects. In the same vein, the bank has been accredited by the Green Climate Fund to channel financial resources to the public and private sector of its Member Countries to implement adaptation and mitigation projects to support the country efforts to deal with Climate Change.

Founded in 1960, CABEI´s objective is to promote the economic integration and the balanced economic and social development of the Central American region, which includes the founding countries and the non-founding regional countries, attending and aligning itself with the interests of all of its member countries. CABEI seeks to maximize the impact of its operations on Sustainable Economic Development of the Region and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The bank is recognized as a pioneer of sustainability in Central America and during the period 2010-2015, 67% (US$5.11 billion) of its approvals included activities on mitigation and adaptation to Climate Change. Moreover from 1960 to 2016 CABEI has approved energy projects of more than US$5,800 million, which increased installed capacity for approximately 5,920 MW (mostly from renewable sources) which accounted for more than 38.0% of the total power generated in the region.

The bank has its headquarter in Tegucigalpa (Honduras), and has offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, with an advanced process to open offices in Panama in 2017. CABEI has also welcomed Non-founding regional members such as Belice, Panama, and Dominican Republic as well as extra-regional members such as the Republic of China Taiwan, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Spain.

The CFI.co judging panel congratulates CABEI on its successful entry into the buoyant green bond market and declares the bank winner of the 2017 Best Green Bond Issuer Latin America Award.


Fidelis Finance BF: Best Social Impact SME Finance Burkina Faso 2017

Financing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in West Africa to unlock their potential for sustainable growth, Fidelis Finance BF provides credit for the acquisition of equipment and the increase of working capital. The firm, set up twenty years ago, has accumulated a deep reservoir of knowledge and is recognised for its expertise in empowering businesses to seize opportunities for expansion.

Fidelis Finance maintains a comprehensive range of credit products and services and is able to tailor its offerings to their clients’ exact requirements. In addition to straightforward loans, the firm also has leasing, long-term rental, rent-to-buy, and factoring products specifically aimed at SMEs. Fidelis Finance partners with a number of multilateral credit providers and development banks to boost its performance. The company has established a solid reputation for transparency and adherence to high standards of corporate governance. Fidelis Finance maintains operations in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.

Recognising that accelerated development is most effectively delivered and sustained via SMEs, Fidelis Finance has pioneered a number of innovative ways to best serve the regional business community with a view to becoming West Africa’s leading provider of corporate financial services. To that end, the firm recently opened a branch in Abidjan.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Fidelis Finance on its hand-on approach to SME finance and notes that the firm delivers a full suite of products. The judges agree to declare Fidelis Finance BF winner of the 2017 Best Social Impact SME Finance Burkina Faso Award.


Security Bank Corporation: Best Digital Bank Philippines 2017

Frugal as a rule, but ready and willing to invest if the proposition is right, Security Bank Corporation of the Philippines is known for its agility. The bank leverages its size to move fast and decisively in order to help its customers seize exceptional opportunity. As a midsize bank, Security Bank had over the years branched out into the wholesale market, serving large corporate and institutional clients with a nimbleness not previously available in this segment. Thanks to its customized and multi-awarded corporate electronic banking and cash management solutions (branded as Security Digibanker) that are executed with speed, Security Bank managed to quickly establish itself as a major competitor in the wholesale banking market.

The bank is particularly strong in the Filipino-Chinese community. Since its founding in 1951, Security Bank has grown from a middle-market focused bank to a full-service universal bank currently ranked fifth largest among private domestic universal banks by total assets and capital. The bank is known among investors for its superior shareholder returns, cost efficiency and asset quality. It is this track record of superior financial results that attracted Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) to invest Php37 billion in equity for a 20% stake in Security Bank in 2016. To date, this is the largest equity investment in a Philippine financial institution by a foreign investor. MUFG is one of the world’s leading financial groups.

Today, Security Bank, which is rated investment grade by Moody’s, aims to expand its retail operation. To do so it has revamped its entire I.T. network, including the customer-facing front-end which was redesigned by a group of millennials hired for the purpose.

Its retail banking offering includes highly differentiated services such as All Access deposit account with free life insurance, cardless ATM withdrawals, location-based mobile selling which enhances credit card transaction experience, and Business Express Loan for small-business owners. Human Switch Kit makes it very easy for potential customers to open deposit accounts -- the bank, after receiving their online application, sends its representative from the branch nearest to the customer to personally assist in account opening. Customers also enjoy faster and paperless branch transactions, priority banking and digital banking. All these services have benefited older-generation customers who still like to do face-to-face banking, and the younger-generation customers who like to do things online.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Security Bank Corporation for pushing the technological envelope with innovative products, services, and apps that not just meet today’s needs but are ready as well to face the future. The bank has paid special attention to integrate its digital offerings with the facilities available to clients via its branch network. The judges are pleased to offer Security Bank Corporation the 2017 Best Digital Bank Philippines Award.


Peabody: Best ESG-Responsible Mining Company Global 2017

Though environmental concerns will alter the energy mix, fossil fuels – for now – remain essential to ensure the reliability, continuity, and scalability of supply. In fact, fossil fuels satisfy up to 80% of global primary energy demand and coal is very much a part of that. The good news is that coal’s environmental footprint can be decreased, offset, and thus neutralised in multiple ways to help achieve the world’s environmental goals. That is the approach of Peabody, the world’s largest private-sector coal company.

Insisting pragmatism works best, Peabody has set aside significant collateral to cover future mine restoration activities. With demand for coal picking up and prices recovering from their 2016 low, the company is able to dedicate significant resources to meet its ambitious environmental goals.

Recognised for the early adoption of sustainable mining practices, Peabody in 1954 launched its first land reclamation initiative – nearly a quarter century before US law mandated such programmes. Over the past decade, Peabody has spent $177 million to restore over 49,000 acres of land. In 2016, the company accelerated its restoration activities reclaiming 80% more land than was disturbed. In addition, the company continued reductions in total greenhouse gas emissions and has improved greenhouse gas intensity at its mining operations 21% over the past five years.

Peabody is a leading voice in advocating for the deployment of HELE (high efficiency, low emissions) power stations and is investing considerable resources in the development of CCUS (carbon capture, use, and storage) technologies in pursuit of near-zero emissions from coal-fuelled generation.

Whilst aware of the controversies surrounding coal mining, the CFI.co judging panel strongly believes that, for now, coal cannot be dispensed with as a source of energy. The judges agree that coal mining in particular benefits from strict adherence to ESG standards. Peabody recognises its corporate responsibilities better than most – and acts upon them. As such, Peabody is declared winner of the 2017 Best ESG-Responsible Mining Company Global Award.


ENGIE Energía Perú: Best ESG Power Provider Peru

[caption id="attachment_5080" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Mr Rik De Buyserie, CEO ENGIE Energía Peru and Country Manager ENGIE Peru and Marcelo Soares, CFO ENGIE Energía Peru[/caption]

In Peru, ENGIE is one of the country’s principal power generators with an installed capacity exceeding 2,500MW. The company operates five thermoelectric plants and two hydroelectric facilities.

Since it started operations in Peru in 1997, ENGIE Energía Perú has demonstrated its willingness to become a benchmark in the local electricity market. This intent has strengthened in the last six years, with ambitious investment plans, high operating standards, an orderly financial management, a business strategy focused on high-value clients, a culture aimed at enhancing human talent and safety, and relations that add value to the company’s neighbour communities.

In line with its corporate greening strategy, ENGIE Energía Perú has dedicated resources for the construction of a solar power plant in Moquegua, some 1,100 kilometres south of Lima. The region is to host a number of large solar power facilities. ENGIE’s Intipampa plant entails a $55m investment and will inject 40MW into the national power grid.

ENGIE Energía Perú is part of the French global power utility ENGIE, with operations in 70 countries. Globally, ENGIE develops its businesses (power, natural gas, energy services) around a model based on responsible growth to take on the major challenges of energy’s transition to a low-carbon economy: access to sustainable energy, climate-change mitigation and adaptation and the rational use of resources. In 2015, the company unveiled an ambitious plan to move away from fossil fuels. ENGIE has earmarked more than $22bn for investment in renewables and decentralised energy technologies that use smaller high efficiency generating facilities with much reduced carbon footprints.

A recognised pioneer of corporate sustainability, ENGIE Energía Perú has incorporated sound environmental management according to strict ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards in all day-to-day operations and processes. The company’s prudential management of risk has allowed it to close 2017 without any environmental incidents or non-compliance marks.

A repeat winner, ENGIE Energía Perú is not an unknown entity to the CFI.co judging panel. The judges are pleased to note that the company consistently improves its environmental record and is determined to excel in sustainability. The judges are therefore happy to declare ENGIE Energía Perú winner of the 2017 Best ESG Power Provider Peru Award.


Century Financial Brokers (CFB): Best Global Financial Markets Broker EMEA 2017

[caption id="attachment_5096" align="alignright" width="300"] CEO: Bal Krishen[/caption]

With almost three decades worth of experience under its corporate belt, Century Financial brokers (CFB) of Dubai is one of the world’s leading CFD (contract for difference) providers. In fact, the firm is recognised as one of the pioneers of the industry. CFB is fully licensed by the regulatory authorities of Dubai and adheres to strict quality standards for investment strategies, services, and reporting. Moreover, the firm is a broker and clearing member of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX).

Clients of Century Financial Brokers gain access to a next-generation trading platform that is continuously updated and expanded to maintain its competitive edge. Traders enjoy the ability to instantly respond to market dynamics using multiple devices. The firm’s mobile trading apps replicate the platform on iOS and Android devices, allowing for on-the-go trading anytime, anyplace.

CFB maintains well over 10,000 trading products across all asset classes, enabling investors to diversify their portfolio and, thus, mitigate risk. The firm’s platform also features a full set of risk management tools that help optimise the profit potential while minimising exposure to downsides. Traders can enter stop-loss orders at a small premium in order to ensure exact pricing.

Additionally, CFB boasts a complement of advisory and support services that has raised the bar for the entire brokerage industry and is available to all traders, regardless of their portfolio’s size.

The CFI.co judging panel congratulates CFB on its full-service approach to the brokerage business. The judges declare Century Financial Brokers winner of the 2017 Best Global Financial Markets Broker EMEA Award.


CoverWallet: Best Commercial Insurance Start-Up United States 2017

New York-based CoverWallet helps small businesses efficiently navigate the often bewildering maze of commercial insurance policies and find the coverage best suited to their specific needs. CoverWallet provides a smart online platform that helps businesses understand the coverage they need, get quotes instantly, and monitor and manage everything, including polices, claims, and certificates of insurance.

CoverWallet works as a concierge service for the insurance needs of professionals and small and medium size businesses. Harnessing data with thoughtful design and technology allows the company to instantly tailor insurance policies and optimise pricing, providing the best coverage while saving business owners time and money.

CoverWallet has the capability to offer a full suite of insurance products to protect businesses for risks they might face, from general liability and workers compensation on through to cyber security breaches and executive wrongdoing.

The company, set up by successful tech entrepreneurs, has attracted top talent and investors to build a platform of unrivalled ease of use. The company’s platform is the first to be considered an all-in-one destination to understand, purchase, and manage commercial insurance products.

The CFI.co judging panel recognises the need – and demand – for an agile online platform that streamlines and simplifies the commercial insurance business. The judges feel that CoverWallet has succeeded brilliantly where others stumbled or failed. CoverWallet is declared winner of the Best Commercial Insurance Start-Up United States Award.


Containers Printers: Most Innovative Packaging Team Southeast Asia 2017

A lean and nimble business centred on serving their customers’ constantly evolving needs promptly, Containers Printers from Singapore is pushing the boundaries of packaging solutions with technology that is both environmentally sound and ergonomically convenient. The company is a major supplier of flexible laminates, metal packaging, spray can components, and other product delivery solutions all of which can be shaped and branded to the customers’ requirements.

Containers Printers is recognised for its excellence in quality control. The company pioneered a number of eco-friendly packaging solutions that meet or exceed all relevant international standards. Containers Printers’ products are present in over thirty countries.

The company secured ISO certification early-on and adheres to strict ESG standards. Transparency and regulatory compliance are considered essential to maintain corporate leadership. The company refuses to engage with businesses suspected of benefiting from child labour or other reprehensible practices.

The adoption of advanced risk mitigation processes has allowed Containers Printers to become a preferred partner of food and pharma companies. The company’s plants are continuously updated and upgraded to keep ahead of the technological curve. Production facilities are designed with a view to easy and speedy reconfiguration. This ensures full adaptability to customer needs.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note that Containers Printers follows a holistic in-house approach to packaging and branding, thus keeping all steps of the production cycle under its own control. The judges declare Containers Printers winner of the 2017 Most Innovative Packaging Team Southeast Asia Award.


Kuwait International Bank (KIB): Fastest-Growing Islamic Bank MENA 2017 and Best Sharia-Compliant Bank MENA 2017

A consistent top performer in Islamic banking, Kuwait International Bank (KIB) has steadily increased its profits whilst keeping strong financial fundamentals in line with the institution’s adherence to Sharia Law. Whilst depressed oil prices add to Kuwait’s and the wider region’s challenges, KIB has deftly managed to register positive results across all performance indicators, further enhancing its financial position and adding to shareholder equity. As a result, the bank had its long-term IDR (issuer default rating) affirmed at A+ with a stable outlook, reflecting the country’s likewise solid sovereign rating.

With a view to becoming Kuwait’s Islamic bank of choice, KIB moved ahead with the implementation of its strategic plan which includes, amongst other initiatives, a drive to update and expand the already robust governance model with new management committees and a review of the delegation of authorities structure in order to enhance effectiveness. The plan also aims to broaden the scope of KIB’s customer service to ensure the bank solidifies its leading edge and reputation for excellence.

KIB maintains an active recruitment policy with which it manages to attract some of the country’s best and brightest young people who inject an added degree of vitality and help the bank connect with multiple demographic segments.

The CFI.co judging panel has closely followed the trajectory of the bank over a number of years. KIB stands head-and-shoulders above the crowd. A recognised pioneer of Sharia-compliant banking, KIB has successfully claimed CFI.co awards in 2015 and 2016. The judges feel no hesitation in again declaring Kuwait International Bank a clear winner. KIB is granted both the 2017 Fastest-Growing Islamic Bank MENA Award and the 2017 Best Sharia-Compliant Bank MENA Award.


EMK Capital: Best ESG-Responsible Investment Team UK 2017

A veritable repository of investment and corporate management expertise, UK-based EMK Capital uses the power of ESG standards and responsible investment principles to reinvigorate businesses, ensuring optimum returns. The approach enables EMK Capital to minimise the risks that usually result from clashes between sustainability and commerciality

EMK Capital – Enterprise Management Knowledge – adheres to the ten principles as defined by the United Nation’s Global Compact – an initiative to encourage the worldwide business community to adopt sustainable and socially responsible corporate policies. EMK Capital also signed up to the six Principles of Responsible Investment – a UN supported global network of investors who have incorporated non-financial considerations into their decision-making processes in order to improve sustainability and work towards a more stable global financial system.

EMK Capital is focused on investments in businesses where it can support growth and change. The firm has the capability to invest significant funds behind businesses that fits its investment criteria, and typically makes majority investments with a three to seven year investment horizon. EMK Capital is predominantly active in the business services, consumer and industrials sectors. The firm boasts considerable experience in driving transformative growth, supporting exceptional management teams and enabling corporate transformation. Its investment approach includes a focus on driving revenue growth and improving overall efficiency, and helping management develop the skills, and access the tools, necessary to attain and sustain success.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that EMK Capital prioritises the human element and leverages ESG standards to implement best practices and ensure sustainable growth. The judges are pleased to declare EMK Capital winner of the 2017 Best ESG-Responsible Investment Team UK Award.


Sapphire Wind Power: Best ESG Power Producer Pakistan 2017

Completing all its projects on-time and on-budget, Sapphire Wind Power has taken the lead in the currently unfolding transformation of the energy market. The Pakistan company adheres to a business model that allows for the creation of tangible value. Its projects benefit from on-site oversight by expert professionals and are unfailingly considered bankable. In fact, thanks to its solid reputation Sapphire Wind Power is able to maintain a number of projects running simultaneously whilst meeting – and exceeding – expectations.

Committed to deliver clean, green, and affordable energy solutions anywhere in the country, Sapphire Wind Power follows well-established international best practices that support, amongst others, capacity building and skill development. Additionally, the company implemented a robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy framework to reach out to communities and lend its knowhow to help lift thousands out of poverty.

Sapphire Wind Power works in close harmony with a number of international development financiers and agencies. The company is known for its corporate transparency and adherence to the latest ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards. It is currently working on a number of projects such as a triple 50MW facility in the Gharo-Jhimpir wind corridor in the southeast of the country. Sapphire Wind Power is also involved in the design of a 40MW sized hybrid wind/solar power generator.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note and recognise the company’s dedication to furthering the renewable energy revolution and declares Sapphire Wind Power winner of the 2017 Best ESG Power Producer Pakistan Award.


BOD Tech: Best Social Value Creation Technology Leadership Myanmar 2017

With its buoyant economy and an exceptionally enterprising population eager to learn, grow, and prosper Myanmar is quickly becoming yet another Asian Tiger. However thus cub is to be powered and reared by technology. The country is busy building up its network infrastructure and putting into place the backbone that will allow businesses of all sizes to unlock access to both the domestic and global market.

At the leading edge of this wave is BOD Tech, a company designed from the ground up to empower local businesses through technology. The firm, attracting talented young IT professionals and assorted hipsters, is perfectly in tune with the country’s new age of optimism unbound and opportunity aplenty. BOD Tech has dedicated considerable resources to O2O (online-to-offline) and LM (licensing management) platforms for a number of business sectors, including the travel and leisure industry, ecommerce, and food delivery. The firm’s products are designed to help entrepreneurs at the grassroots level such as home business owners. However, BOD Tech’s platforms are fully scalable and, as such, applicable to business of any size.

The firm pioneered cloud-based computing in Myanmar and was the first in the country to offer SaaS (software-as-a-service) which allows corporations, government entities, and social organisations to use their resources more efficiently whilst increasing accessibility.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that Myanmar offers exciting opportunities to IT companies that got in on the ground floor such as BOD Tech and are now fully exposed to the upside. The judges declare BOD Tech winner of the 2017 Best Social Value Creation Technology Leadership Myanmar Award.


Banco ProCredit: Best Green Bank Ecuador 2017

In Ecuador, Banco ProCredit has pioneered green financing since 2012. In that year the bank introduced its EcoCredit financing service which underwrites investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and assorted environmental measures aimed at improving sustainability and performance of local industry. EcoCredit is especially geared towards meeting the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they adjust business operations to the requirements of the green economy by modernizing technology and innovating their products in order to meet the needs of international markets.

Banco ProCredit has found that businesses manage to significantly increase profit margins when incorporating compliance with up-to-date ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards into day-to-day operations. Apart from energy efficiency, EcoCredit is contributing with the change of energy matrix in the country by financing production of electricity from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass.

Banco ProCredit is recognised industry-wide for setting the example – and, indeed raising the bar. The bank maintains an internal Environmental Management Unit charged with monitoring all operations and processes for their environmental impact. The unit sets ambitious goals and continuously gauges progress and compliance. Additionally, the bank instituted an environmental committee comprised of all departmental heads and the members of its management board. The committee meets regularly to analyse and set corporate policy with a view to improving sustainability.

The CFI.co judging panel commends the Ecuadorian bank on its pro-active hands-on approach to environmental issues. Thus, the bank manages to stay well ahead of the curve – and the competition. The judges are delighted to offer Banco ProCredit the 2017 Best Green Bank Ecuador Award.


Snam Rete Gas: Best Bond Issuer Corporate Governance Italy 2017

Italy’s Snam Rete Gas, the country’s principal natural gas transporter with pipeline network stretching almost 33,000km, has maintained and expanded its corporate success for over seventy years thanks to a solid governance framework that allowed the company to gain the trust of all stakeholders – including suppliers, customers, and investors. Snam Rete Gas is recognised as a pioneer in pushing health and safety standards for its close to 3,000 workers and was an early adopter of strict environmental standards.

Snam is Italy’s leading natural gas transportation (Snam Rete Gas) and storage (Stogit) utility in Italy and ranks third in the regasification segment (GNL Italia). Listed on the Borsa Italiana since late 2001, the formerly state-owned company attained a market capitalisation of close to €15bn. Besides Italy, Snam maintains operations in France, Austria, and the UK.

The company was one of the first in Italy to establish a comprehensive enterprise risk management (ERM) unit which reports directly to the CEO. The unit is a cornerstone of the company’s structured approach to identify, assess, manage, and control risk.

Earlier this year, Snam Rete Gas unveiled a €5bn five-year investment plan that, amongst others, aims to help the country reduce its carbon footprint by supporting the transition to a low-emission economy.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that Snam Rete Gas remains at the forefront of technological developments and has successfully leveraged its solid governance structure to keep its leading edge. The judges declare Snam Rete Gas winner of the 2017 Best Bond Issuer Corporate Governance Award.


Lucid Investment Bank: Best Wealth Management Bank Lebanon 2017

The bank of choice for both corporates and high-net-worth individuals, Lucid Investment Bank helps reaffirm Lebanon’s solid reputation as a premier financial centre. Set up in 2011 by professionals with ample experience – and an enviable track record – in corporate finance, strategy, and management, Lucid Investment Bank main focus is on helping Lebanese and regional companies – ranging from start-ups to well-established corporate conglomerates – manage their finances efficiently and in a way, that contributes to sustainable growth.

Lucid Investment Bank also boasts significant experience and knowhow on mergers and acquisitions from identifying and vetting targets to cross border deal completion and the attendant legal complexities. Additionally, the bank maintains a corporate strategy and management consulting division that assists businesses wishing to broach new markets and increase competitiveness.

As the owners and major shareholders of the bank’s corporate clients quite often are high-net-worth individuals, Lucid Investment Bank successfully branched out into wealth management. The bank now offers a comprehensive array of products and services tailored to meet the needs of the wealthy.

Thanks to its excellent performance, Lucid Investment Bank has been able to tap into Lebanon’s outsized and highly successful diaspora, serving as a bridge between expats and their homeland.

The CFI.co judging panel commends the Lebanese investment bank on its two-pronged approach and sees ample room for the sort of synergies that lead to sustained growth. The judges are pleased to declare Lucid Investment Bank winner of the 2017 Best Wealth Management Bank Lebanon Award.


Red & White Consulting Partners: Best Business Transformation Consultancy Boutique Singapore 2017

The business engineers of Red & White Consulting Partners leverage both their knowledge and experience to deliver superior and transformative results for the firm’s clients. The Singapore company has established a solid track record for unlocking the potential of businesses: breaking through ceilings, broaching new markets, and upping the ante on corporate efficiency, adaptability, and branding.

Red & White Consulting Partners adheres to a holistic approach to overcoming challenges, including the financial, business, and human aspects that together form the triad on which sustainable growth is based. The firm’s professionals encourage critical thinking, poking holes in established wisdom in order to source innovative ways of removing the barriers that hamper business development.

The firm organises regular workshop programmes that allow clients to analyse their attitudes to business and detect synergies that improve overall efficiency. Red & White Consulting Partners was set up in 2013 by two veteran bankers who believe in the power of data-driven solutions to common issues facing businesses as they expand and adapt to changing market conditions. The firm has worked with clients across the world and in all sectors of the economy from manufacturing and financials to airlines, NGOs and retailers.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Red & White Consulting Partners on its hands-on no-nonsense approach to business engineering. The firm consistently offers practical solutions that closely fit the client’s profile and deliver tangible results. For the second consecutive year, the judges agree to recognise the firm’s achievements. Red & White Consulting Partners is named winner of the 2017 Best Business Transformation Consultancy Boutique Award.


SBM Securities: Best Stockbroker Indian Ocean 2017

One of the main drivers of Mauritius’s push to become the premier financial hub of the countries lining the Indian Ocean basin, the publicly-listed SBM Group is one of the island nation’s largest financial services providers. In addition to its 42 domestic branches, the group has established a presence in India, Madagascar, and more recently Kenya, where it acquired earlier this year a majority stake in Fidelity Commercial Bank, now renamed as SBM Bank Kenya.

One of the group’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, SBM Securities Ltd, offers a comprehensive range of investment and trading options, including real-time access to the Stock Exchange of Mauritius. The firm is the only stockbroker on the island offering access to Government of Mauritius Bonds on the secondary market, in addition to operating a global fixed income desk. SBM Securities’ services also include underwriting and listing services. Thanks to its privileged access to retail clients of the SBM Group, the firm is able to handle the on-boarding of investors, organise road shows, and assist corporates with the preparation of their IPO.

SBM Securities was the first Mauritius broker to offer both domestic and overseas clients access to derivatives trading. The SBM Securities trading desk operates on extended hours to offer clients full exposure to European equity markets and the opening of the major US exchanges.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that Mauritius enjoys a solid reputation as a financial centre, and within that, SBM Group is recognised as one of the most experienced and best-equipped service providers. The judges note that SBM Securities was the lead broker for the placement of $165m depository receipts for the Afreximbank, with the funds raised locally from overseas investors. The judges are pleased to offer SBM Securities the 2017 Best Stockbroker Indian Ocean Award.


City Mart Holdings (CMHL): Best Retail Corporate Citizen Southeast Asia 2017

It all began with a tiny grocery store in downtown Yangon close to the Boyoke Aung San Stadium. That was in 1996. Today, City Mart is Myanmar’s largest supermarket chain – and much more besides – and an icon of the country’s buoyant retail sector. Putting the client centre stage clearly pays off.

City Mart Holdings (CMHL) is a winner on all fronts and a leader across all sectors it ventured into. The company operates pharmacies, bookstores, upscale supermarkets, departments stores, bakeries, convenience outlets, and cafeterias. As such, City Mart Holding Co Ltd is exceptionally well-exposed to the tremendous upside of the Myanmar market as the country gets ready to join the select club of Southeast Asian tiger economies.

Moreover, City Mart Holdings stands as a proud testament to the empowerment of women. Not only is fully two-third of its staff female, women effectively run the business, occupying 75% of the holding’s management positions.

From its modest beginnings, City Mart has expended significant efforts to value its staff and engage the wider community, including business partners, suppliers, and – of course – customers. Teamwork and a relentless dedication to excellence in both day-to-day operations and customer care has allowed the company to outpace the competition and maintain – and indeed expand – its leading edge.

The CFI.co judging panel is impressed by the growth trajectory of City Mart Holdings and considers the company a shining example worthy for others to follow. As such, City Mart Holdings (CMHL) is a natural winner of the 2017 Best Retail Corporate Citizen Southeast Asia Award.


COGEFI Gestion: Best Portfolio Management Team France 2017

One of France’s premier investment services providers, COGEFI maintains a wide range of mutual funds open to both domestic and foreign investors via the new Euronext Fund Service Paris to which the firm recently subscribed. COGEFI Gestion, one of the group’s principal components, now offers investors multiple automated channels to access Euronext’s wide range of funds. Euronext Fund Services Paris emulates the success of the first such facility which has been operating since 2007 in Amsterdam.

By joining the Paris-based Euronext Fund Services, COGEFI Gestion offers asset managers a complementary distribution channel that uses cutting-edge technology and features unmatched flexibility that identifies market trends early on and allows investors quick access to both mutual (UCITS) and alternative investment (AIF) funds. The service also enhances transparency and is continuously updated to keep pace with regulatory evolution.

COGEFI Gestion enjoys a well-established reputation for outperforming the overall market and setting new benchmarks. The firm is home to some of the most successful portfolio managers in the business with a number of its professionals receiving the coveted Citywire Triple A rating.

Founded in 1962, COGEFI is recognised as a pioneer in wealth management. The firm’s professionals consistently follow a results-oriented approach without losing sight of the human dimension. This corporate culture allows COGEFI to truly partner with its clients and establish long-term relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note COGEFI Gestions’ low-key high-performance approach to portfolio management. The judges commend the firm on its achievements and declare COGEFI Gestion winner of the 2017 Best Portfolio Management Team France Award.


Cartier Saâda: Best Heritage Exporter Morocco 2017

Cartier Saâda sits, quite literally, at the top of Morocco’s food chain. The company brings more than half a century’s worth of knowhow and experience to the table in the production, packaging, and marketing of superior quality fruits and vegetables.

Cartier Saâda is based in Marrakesh – one of the country’s four fabled Cities of Kings. Here, crops are grown on the fertile crescent of plains and hills that is sheltered by the Atlas Mountains rising to the east. Home to an exceptionally rich variety in plant life, the region is known as Morocco’s garden and produces a year-round bounty of exquisite fruits and vegetables.

Cartier Saâda was founded in 1947 as a family business – it is now listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange – with a view to professionalising the countless artisan canneries and processors of the district and establishing a regional hallmark of quality. From its earliest beginnings, the company has displayed a remarkable sensitivity to social issues, offering jobs and training to disadvantaged people and promoting a growing number of initiatives to improve the local community.

Cartier Saâda’s expanding range of products includes canned olives and apricots, teas and infusions, and condiments, amongst others. The company also produces ready-made tapenades and taktouka and eggplant salads in addition to canned couscous legumes. Cartier Saâda is known and appreciated for the superior quality of its products which enabled the company to become one of Morocco’s top processed food exporters.

The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Cartier Saâda on its corporate trajectory, tapping into Marrakesh’s cornucopia of riches and offering consumers wide and far a taste of Morocco. The judges are pleased to offer Cartier Saâda the 2017 Best Heritage Exporter Morocco Award.


The Simpsons: Most Societal Impact Television Series Global 2017

Simpsonology – the study of life in Springfield – has turned into a serious academic pursuit. Already the longest-running cartoon series in television history with 29 seasons and 627 episodes, The Simpsons depicts not just contemporary life but dissects the wider society as well. Prescient and omniscient in surprising ways, the series predicted Donald Trump’s arrival in the White House (Bart to the Future – S11E17), the FIFA corruption scandal (You Don’t Have to Live Like a Referee – S25E16), the voting machine debacle (Treehouse of Horror XIX – S20E04), and Apple’s FaceTime (Lisa’s Wedding – S06E19), amongst many others.

The series – the product of a collective of geeks and high-brow intellectuals – takes it cue from history. Mr Burns, the evil owner of the Springfield Nuclear power plant and the town’s richest and greediest inhabitant (Forbes estimated him to be worth some $7.3bn), is loosely based on Alvin Brewster, the scheming owner of the fictional Nitro Chemical plant in This Gun for Hire – an obscure LA noir classic from 1942. Womanising Springfield mayor Joseph Fitzgerald “The Edge” Quimby takes his character traits from John F Kennedy whilst Elvis Presley’s personal pill-pushing physician Dr George Nichopoulos provided the inspiration for the eager-to-please local quack – “you’ve-tried-the best, now-try-the-rest” – Dr Nicholas Riviera, or simply Dr Nick.

With a cast of 153 regular and recurring characters joining the core family of five (Homer, Margie and their children: rebel rouser Bart, aspiring intellectual Lisa, and little “what’s-her-name” Maggie), The Simpsons represent a complete universe – a veritable Planet Simpson.
The makers’ attention to detail is legendary – nothing that appears on screen is there without a reason. Some elaborate scenes – such as the split-second camera pan just before the couch gag – can only be appreciated by hitting pause at the exact moment. Almost every scene is a reference to something else and whilst most viewers pick up on allusions to Star Wars and Jaws, true Simpsons aficionados ferret out and lay bare direct links to literature, science, and assorted theorems. As a collage of cultural phenomena, The Simpsons is often considered television’s first and most successful foray into postmodernism, defined as an aesthetic of quotations.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that L’Osservatore Romano, the official newspaper of the Vatican and mouth-piece of the pope, branded accident-prone Homer Simpson a “model father” for never wilfully failing his family. The paper praised the series for providing a mirror of the “religious and spiritual confusion of our times” and particularly mentioned the episode (Homer the Heretic – S04E03) in which Homer ascends to heaven to have words with God about the meaning of life. At the end of a stairway to heaven, Homer finds God seated behind a desk adorned with a plaque that reads “I Believe in Me.”

As the series that brought the counterculture mainstream, and was awarded cult status even as it did so, Planet Simpson seems to have come alive. It is a real place: a playground where trends and events are explored and parodied – sketching both the futility and value of life. The judges do not know the meaning of life either but agree that The Simpsons’ take on it has many merits and warrants recognition with the 2017 Most Societal Impact Television Series Award.


MEEZA: Best IT Security GCC 2017

In the IT security landscape, change comes quickly and poses an often lethal threat to business. Breaches of security with the attendant loss of data integrity and privacy can lead to both reputational damage and financial ruin. A basic antivirus programme of the install-and-forget variety no longer suffices to keep intruders at bay. Today’s networks and datacentres call for advanced permanent monitoring, scanning, logging, and analysis of both external and internal threats.

MEEZA, a Qatar-based IT security company, offers a range of services that together ensure the resilience of client networks and allow for full regulatory compliance. The company’s advanced security monitoring service scrutinises critical IT assets round the clock and instantly flags and reports incidents. To detect suspicious activity, MEEZA uses self-learning algorithms that check for network traffic that deviates from historic patterns.

MEEZA also helps clients boost their IT security by mapping vulnerabilities and weighing future threats. The company offers cost effective solutions that maintain the operational flexibility required from companies in today’s fast-paced global market. MEEZA recognises IT security as a main pillar of corporate risk mitigation strategy. The company also helps clients meet increasingly strict logging, privacy, and reporting standards with its universal log management service.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that IT security is no longer a corporate after-thought. Security breaches can and do result in reputational damage that is hard to contain and even more difficult to revert. Fielding a team of highly-trained IT security professionals and deploying cutting-edge technology, MEEZA offers a level of assurance seldom seen in the business. A repeat winner, MEEZA is named recipient of the 2017 Best IT Security GCC Award.


NLB Skladi: Best Value Investment Products and Services Slovenia 2017

The asset management arm of the NLB Group, the largest financial services provider in Slovenia, NLB Skladi has sparked renewed interest from domestic investors seeking to hedge against inflation in a low-returns environment. With interest rates on most savings and deposit accounts still hovering just north of 0%, savers of all sizes have flocked to NLB Skladi in search of alternative investment vehicles.

The asset manager has not disappointed. The firm has set up a number of mutual funds – both fixed and variable income – which it designed and manages in-house with the exception of the popular Japan Fund for which NLB Skladi engaged outside expertise. The firm has been particularly successful in attracting clients from NLB Bank account holders. The upside is considerable, given that around 75% of Slovenian savings are kept passively in deposit accounts.

Founded in 2004, NLB Skladi is one of the country’s youngest asset managers. Even so, the firm has established a solid track record, repeatedly outperforming both local and regional benchmarks. Whilst containing only about 2% of the firm’s total assets under management, the Slovenian Equity Fund has proved exceptionally popular with small investors. As such, the fund has become NLB Skladi’s flagship product that has allowed the firm to draw in new savers and promote its other funds.

The CFI.co judges panel notes that NLB Skladi has invested considerable resources to build a winning team of analysts and fund managers in order to maintain its leading edge. The judges declare SNL Skladi winner of the 2017 Best Value Investment Products and Services Slovenia Award.


AMEE UK: Best Supply Chain Sustainability United Kingdom 2017

Mapping financial and environmental risk for corporates of all sizes, UK data provider AMEE enables businesses to access a wealth of information on global best practices and trends that help mitigate risk, up resilience, and enhance sustainability. Founded in 2007 with a view to assessing and classifying environmental data, AMEE provides its clients with the tools needed to adapt to the effects of climate change and put into place corporate policies that encourage innovation and collaboration to successfully meet environmental threats to the bottom line.

AMEE – Avoidance of Mass Extinctions Engine – seeks to empower businesses and ensure their lasting competitiveness by facilitating access to data on how others are coping with the challenges – essentially showing what works, and what does not, in any given business. In other words, AMEE stops businesses from reinventing the wheel.

Recognising that corporates around the world – and their complex supply chains – face increasing social, economic, and environmental pressures, AMEE believes that solutions are available by amassing data from diverse global sources. This also helps establish new relationships between companies dealing with similar threats. AMEE strongly believes that the compilation of vast data sets and providing easy access to analytical algorithms that find patterns and highlight trends helps build resilient businesses and makes for a more sustainable economy.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that the analysis of big data often outputs surprising and useful results. The judges commend AMEE on its foresights and insights. The judging panel declares AMEE UK winner of the 2017 Best Supply Chain Sustainability United Kingdom Award.


Bank Ganesha: Best Bank Governance Indonesia 2017

Adherence to solid corporate governance principles pays the highest dividends in times of economic trouble. Or, put in another way: When the going gets tough, the tough … embrace corporate governance. Indonesia’s Bank Ganesha proves the point: the challenging economic environment of the past three years has not derailed the bank’s growth trajectory – or, indeed, slowed its expansion. Last year, Bank Ganesha registered a 157% jump in profits on a 39% stronger revenue stream. The bank improved its performance across all relevant metrics: profitability, capitalisation, deposit volumes, and loan book.

Following its successful IPO in February 2016, Ganesha Bank not only swiftly implemented the Governance Guidelines for Public Companies but also optimised and finetuned its governance structure. Particular attention was given to improve stakeholder relations with a view to ensuring the full transparency of decision-making processes. The bank also expanded its risk management and mitigation framework with real-time active monitoring procedures and strengthened internal control systems.

The optimised corporate governance structure has allowed Bank Ganesha to remain extremely agile which, in turn, enables the bank to respond quickly to changing market dynamics – seizing opportunity and growing its market share. The bank has also invested considerable resources in the professional development of its staff with skills and talent management programmes.

The CFI.co judging panel considers the sustainable business model deployed by Bank Ganesha an example of how good governance has the ability to boost operational resilience and guarantee a solid bottom line. The judges wish to recognise the bank’s achievements and offer Bank Ganesha the 2017 Best Bank Governance Indonesia Award.


Catoca: Best ESG Mining Operations Angola 2017

Angolan diamond miner Catoca, the largest contributor to the country’s exchequer, last year pulled around eight million carats from its concession in the Lunda-Sul Province which sit squarely atop an exceptionally rich kimberlite pipe reaching a depth of over 600 metres. The mine – the fourth-largest of its kind in the world – is a joint venture which includes Russia’s Alrosa, the global leader in diamond mining by volume and home to some of the industry’s most recognised geologists.

Catoca employs well over 3,300 people. The company consistently ranks amongst Angola’s top employers and, as such, attracts the country’s most talented professionals. Catoca is also recognised for its comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme which supports numerous initiatives to promote public health, education, and social mobility. In addition, Catoca maintains an equally wide-ranging environmental responsibility programme that includes ongoing land restoration and reforesting projects and strict effluent reduction and treatment procedures.

Catoca extracts around 75% of all the diamonds mined in Angola. Besides the Lunda-Sul mine, the company participates in seven other concessions, lending its peerless expertise and experience. Catoca’s Integrated Quality Management System includes environmental and occupational safety provisions that guide day-to-day operations and form part of a wider risk mitigation framework designed to ensure the sustainability of the company’s operations.

The CFI.co judging panel has followed Catoca’s corporate trajectory for a number of years. The judges’ note the company’s consistent compliance with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards. The judges have agreed to recognise Catoca’s achievements for a second successive year. The company is declared winner of the Best ESG Mining Operations Angola 2017.


CIBanco: Best Green Bank Mexico 2017

Convinced that sustainability principles will drive future business – and profits – CIBanco has developed a comprehensive range of products and services that allow businesses to prepare for, and adjust to, the new era of corporate operations shaped by environmental concerns. CIBanco has signed on to the UN Global Compact – an initiative that encourages businesses all over the world to adopt, and report on, advances on sustainability such as compliance with the latest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

At CIBanco, companies willing and able to lower the environmental impact of their operations qualify for preferential credit lines. Facilities are also available for corporates seeking to eco-proof business by switching to renewable energy sources or by greening offices, warehouses, and plants.

CIBanco is part of a larger group of companies that also includes a fund manager and a stock brokerage, amongst others. The group has operations in both Mexico and Spain. In the latter country its CITDA investment bank is market leader in the securitisation of assets.

The bank started in 1983 as a foreign exchange bureau for corporate customers. A full banking licence was obtained in 2008. Today, CIBanco is one of Mexico’s leading financial services providers with a solid reputation for corporate transparency and excellence in governance.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees with CIBanco that sustainability principles are key to enduring corporate success and, indeed, survival. The judges are pleased to grant CIBanco the 2017 Best Green Bank Mexico Award.


Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC): Best Direct Investment Promotion Team Africa 2017

Botswana is, without doubt, one of Africa’s gems: the country consistently reaps regional top honours on global rankings of governance, ease of doing business, and economic performance. An exceptionally stable political climate, a fully independent judiciary, and a rigorously observed human rights legislation make Botswana stand out and shine as a regional, and indeed continental, beacon of freedom and tranquillity.

The country is also wide open for business. Botswana offers a vast array of opportunities, underpinned by its highly educated workforce, business-friendly environment, and – perhaps best of all – an efficient and knowledgeable investment promotion agency: the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) which offers advice and guidance to those seeking to establish a presence in the country.

Strategically located in the very heart of the Southern African Region, Botswana is ideally suited as a base from which to serve this economically vibrant and buoyant part of the continent. BITC is the proud custodian of the Botswana brand, now well-recognised globally. The centre organises the annual Global Expo Botswana trade fair which aims to showcase the country and forge lasting partnerships with foreign investors.

Established by act of parliament, BITC operates as an integrated agency – a one-stop shop for investors. Over the years, the centre has become one of the principal drivers of the country’s economy. BITC also helps domestic business tap into foreign markets and maintains a well-stocked toolkit to help exporters seize opportunity. The centre values sustainable business practices and leads by example.

The CFI.co judging panel is always excited to hear from Botswana. The judges consider the country a worthy example for others to follow. The judging panel agrees that BITC does a stellar job of promoting Botswana the world over and wishes to offer the centre the 2017 Best Direct Investment Promotion Team Africa Award.


Academy of Rock: Outstanding Contribution to Music Education Asia Pacific 2017

South East Asia is about to rock and it’s not just the economy that is moving and shaking. The Singapore-based Academy of Rock, set up in 2007 and now recognised as the region’s premier music education venue, offers a whole raft of qualifications not previously available to aspiring rock stars. The institution has implemented a comprehensive and well-structured curriculum that gives contemporary music students an educational grounding similar to those enjoyed by classical music performers.

The academy works in close cooperation with the music industry in order to provide students with a maximum of opportunities. The Academy of Rock recently opened its own state-of-the-art recording studio to expand its programme with courses on creative music production techniques. The academy organises and hosts a large number of masterclasses and clinics with internationally-renowned artists. Students are prepared for graded music exams and diplomas which are fully accredited by UK regulators and include UCAS points.

True to its motto that it’s never too early (or too late) to rock, the academy launched Jungle Jam, a series of books designed for 0-5 year olds. Jungle Jam is slated to expand into an online music platform for young children and will provide a seamless transition to the academy’s Early Years Programme which is set to be launched next January.

The CFI.co judging panel noted that the Academy of Rock is currently pursuing deals with Netflix and Disney, and has also embarked on regional expansion with franchises in a number of countries. The judges are pleased to offer the Academy of Rock the 2017 Outstanding Contribution to Music Education Asia Pacific Award.


Elisa: Best Digital Corporate Responsibility Finland 2017

It has been selected as one of the best places to work in Finland and in October made the Climate A list of companies that excel in environmental impact reporting. Elisa is one of Finland’s oldest, and most recognised, telecoms. Over its 135-year-long history the company has claimed a great many mileposts such as the launch of the world’s first GSM network in 1991, followed sixteen years later, by the world’s first commercial UMTS (3G) mobile network. Today Elisa is the market leader of mobile and fixed network services in Finland and number two in Estonia.Pushing the envelope of the telecoms business in part of Elisa’s identity. The company serves over 2.8 million customers in Finland and Estonia with state-of-the-art technology. Earlier this year, Elisa successfully field-tested a 10Gbps symmetrical fibre optic grid bringing the roll-out of the company’s vastly enhanced network closer. Elisa anticipates a spike in demand for ultra-fast connections as the Internet-of-Things takes shape and more devices come online.

Increased connectivity also demands enhanced security and digital responsibility. Elisa has long been recognised as a pioneer in cybersecurity, ensuring both the resilience and reliability of the networks it operates. The company is also mindful of the environment, working towards the reduction of its carbon footprint via improved operational and managerial efficiencies. An Energy Efficiency Team constantly monitors compliance with the company’s environmental objectives.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Elisa on its four-pronged approach to corporate responsibility: digital, environmental, social, and economic. The judges are pleased to offer Elisa the 2017 Best Digital Corporate Responsibility Finland Award.