Government Pension Fund (GPF): Best Pension Fund Governance Thailand 2019

Thailand’s Government Pension Fund (GPF) is tasked with looking after members' savings — and it’s a responsibility the company takes to heart. The way forward, in GPF’s opinion, lies within good corporate governance principles paired with an investment approach that prioritises sustainable development. GPF follows a strict code of ethical conduct and strives to avert any conflicts of interest with caution, honesty, and scrupulous accordance with regulations. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals guide the organisation. At present, GPF throws its weight behind ESG recommendations throughout the stakeholder network, which includes the companies it funds, the retirees it protects, and the communities in which it operates. GPF was established in 1991 by government decree to guarantee pension payments for retired civil servants and promote member savings. GPF is classified as neither a government nor state organisation, but Thailand’s Finance Minister oversees and supervises the fund’s general management. To balance investment management for healthy long and short-term returns, GPF focuses on reducing the risk of negative returns for any given year. The organisation anticipates the increase of measurable ESG indicators will prove a handy metric for future risk-mitigation strategies and enable it to cherry-pick investments that inspire confidence. As a signatory of the Investment Governance Code of the Securities and Exchange Commission, GPF commits to good governance and forward-thinking management in pursuit of positive returns. In recognition of its highly principled management practices, the CFI.co judging panel presents GPF with the 2019 award for Best Pension Fund Governance in Thailand.


Berkley International Latinoamerica: Best Insurance Solutions Latin America 2019

Berkley International Latinoamerica exhibits the reach of a global brand with the know-how of a supraregional. Berkley International Latinoamerica traces its roots to the acquisition of two venerable Argentine insurers. In 1994/5, it purchased 80% of Independencia Cia de Seguros of Argentina and a controlling interest in La Union Gremial Cia de Seguros S.A.. Its understanding of Argentina's insurance market needs has helped the company to support regional insurance market growth. As a member of Berkley, one of the largest U.S. commercial insurance providers, Berkley International Latinoamerica operates autonomously and fosters long-term relationships to better respond to local needs. The network extends to 8 insurance and reinsurance companies in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, an insurance agency in Puerto Rico and one Facultative Reinsurance operating unit. The companies comprising Berkley International Latinoamerica offer a wide spectrum of specialty commercial, workers’ compensation and personal insurance solutions. Workers’ compensation solutions cover accidents, disability, and death, while corporate insurance provides coverage for a range of commercial risks. People are the cornerstone of the business, and the insurance provider demonstrates that commitment through its corporate conduct, employee engagement, and community initiatives. Berkley International Latinoamerica counts its team as its key differentiator. With the resources of a global corporation and the expertise of a long-term local player, the CFl.co judging panel can imagine no more fitting recipient than Berkley International Latinoamerica for the 2019 Best Insurance Solutions (Latin America) award.


Greggs: Best Hospitality CSR United Kingdom 2019

With almost 2000 shops, ownership of their supply chain and 23,000 colleagues serving 6 million customers each week Greggs is one of the UK’s leading food on the go retailers. Behind the golden puff pastry and freshly made sandwiches Greggs have always been committed to having a positive impact on people’s lives (HAPI).

Greggs leads by example in Sustainable Development Goals 17 (SDGs) through global partnerships and is taking part in a related scheme with the British Retail Consortium (Better Retail, Better World).

Greggs social responsibility programme has five areas of focus which are currently being developed to fully integrate the UN’s SDG’s. The five areas of focus are;

Customer Health – encouraging healthier food-on-the choices.

Responsible sourcing – Caring about where their ingredients come from.

Community – Sharing success with the people around them.

Environment – Using energy efficiently and minimising waste.

People – Creating a great place to work.

Key highlights include reformulating the sweet product range to meet Public Health England’s sugar reduction target – in 2018 they achieved 17.4% and are therefore on track to meet the overall target of 20% by 2020. Greggs partnership with Fairtrade now in its 14th year has enabled farmers to invest over £3m into their farms and communities. Greggs donates one percent of all pre-tax profits to the Greggs Foundation since the charity was founded over 30 years ago it has given in excess of £30m to make a difference to the communities that we serve. Greggs are proud holders of the Carbon Trust Standard achieving a 14% reduction in intensity in 2018. Greggs share 10% of their profits with employees and shared a record £10m with our people in 2019 as a result of our performance in 2018.

For keeping its corporate compass pointed towards true sustainability, the CFI.co judging panel presents Greggs with the 2019 award for Best Hospitality CSR (United Kingdom).


PPS Portfolio Performance: Best Investment Services For Pension Funds Brazil 2019

Planning for the golden years of retirement has long been a priority, and a preoccupation, for many. In the Brazilian market, one company has become synonymous with trusted pension investment advice — PPS Portfolio Performance. Founded in 1996 by Everaldo Guedes de Azevedo França, PPS modernised the Brazilian market with innovative software to analyse investment portfolios, using objective metrics to measure risk and return. Although staff turnover at the company is low, there has been an influx of new talent which has resulted in an increase in mathematical modelling and a succession of sophisticated international investments. PPS prides itself on its history of conflict-free policies, eschewing partnerships with banks or portfolio managers that clash with investors’ interests. It applauds recent Brazilian legislation — bringing the country into line with long-established PPS policies — that limit conflicts of interest and crack-down on corruption. In an often-turbulent political situation, PPS clients remain strong and steady — another sign that public confidence in the company’s stewardship is sound and justified. For the third consecutive year, the CFI.co judging panel recognises PPS Portfolio Performance as a trusted and competent authority for optimising portfolio performance. The panel confers the award for the 2019 Best Investment Services for Pension Funds (Brazil).


Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc: Best Hotel Experience Europe 2019

Nestled into a private bay on the Côte d’Azur of the French Riviera stands a timeless legend, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. The guest list of this iconic hotel, founded in 1870, is an era-skipping who’s-who of the rich and famous, from Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway to Heidi Klum and Kylie Jenner. The resort’s blend of exclusive service — discerning, dedicated, and discreet — has been honed over the generations to perfectly match the luxurious setting. The hotel caters to the most refined palates with gourmet dishes created by a team of celebrated chefs, and for those with a sweet tooth there is an artisanal chocolate atelier hand-crafting delectable treats. Guests can enjoy a Mediterranean panorama from the heated luxury of the saltwater infinity pool, while 30 cabanas tucked into sculpted gardens offer residents secluded sea views. Sumptuous spa treatments offer a relaxing and rejuvenating respite after personalised coaching sessions with Olympic medallist trainers and private yoga instructors at the modern fitness facilities. There are 117 guest rooms in the palatial hotel and two private villas, all airy, light, and decorated in classic French style. A private limousine shuttle service completes the five-star experience. The Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc makes its attentive staff and grand setting available for exclusive events, and the entire property can be reserved for private, personalised use. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously agrees: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is the winner of the 2019 award for Best Hotel Experience (Europe).


IDFC FIRST Bank: Most Promising New Bank India 2019

IDFC FIRST Bank is a new bank in India formed by the merger of IDFC Bank and Capital First in December 2018 and led by the former founder and Chairman of Capital First after the merger. The history of the two entities couldn’t be more different. In 2015, IDFC Limited, India’s premier Infrastructure Financing Institution with loans in excess of $12b, secured a commercial banking licence and spun out its loans to create IDFC Bank. Capital First on the other hand was founded by entrepreneur Vaidyanathan who acquired 10% in the company and executed a leveraged Management Buyout (LBO) in 2012. The company grew from $14m in 2010 to $4.3b in 2018 all focussed on financing consumers and small entrepreneurs. The new bank re-constituted as IDFC First Bank, has stated that it proposes to expand is the analytics-inspired consumer lending of Capital First on the superior liability platform of the former IDFC Bank. And why not, after all Capital First shareholders had seen their wealth multiply 10 times in six years ending 2018. Though loss making yet, it’s got a leadership team that once turned around an entity thatentity that made losses off $4m to a strong entity posting profits of $47m in 2018. The judges declare IDFC FIRST Bank as the winner of the 2019 award for the Most Promising New Bank (India).


Manulife Investment Management: Best ESG Team North America 2019

For Manulife Investment Management, environmental, social and governance (ESG) analysis and integration are not merely an aspirational policy – they are seamlessly part of the daily practices of the firms’ global investment teams. The firm operates as the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation, providing investment solutions to clients across its institutional, retail and retirement businesses globally. As a signatory to the PRI since 2015 – the world’s leading international network for the promotion of responsible investment – Manulife Investment Management strives to implement a best-in-class ESG integration program for an organization of its size and boutique investment approach. The improvement in its PRI assessment each year (A to A+ across all reported categories in 2019) reflects the innovations of the ESG team and global efforts of the global investment teams. Active and responsible stewardship is a core component of Manulife Investment Management’s sustainable and responsible investing agenda. This means intentional effort is placed on seeking to catalyse long-term sustainable business strategies and operational excellence among investee companies.

Manulife Investment Management pursues ongoing innovation in sustainable and responsible investment. As part of this, the ESG team has embraced the Sustainable Development Goals as an emerging framework for sustainable investment solutions which aim to contribute to positive environmental and social outcomes. Manulife Investment Management collaborated with its group affiliate, John Hancock Digital Advice, to launch the digital advisor platform COIN. The COIN offering attracts “conscious investors”, even those with no investment experience or knowledge, as it empowers the individual to align their capital with SDG thematic areas of their choice.

Manulife Investment Management has been lauded for its exemplary SDG leadership and its comprehensive contribution to ESG accountability and transparency throughout the industry. The CFI.co judging panel declares Manulife Investment Management the winner of the 2019 award for Best ESG Team, Investment Management, North America.


JP Morgan: Best CSR Banking United States 2019

JP Morgan is a trusted global financial institution with a 200-year legacy and a presence in over 100 markets worldwide, serving millions of consumer and corporate clients in the US as well as governments, investors, and institutions around the world. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the cornerstone of its operations, with billions invested in — and even more pledged to — initiatives that address the world’s most pressing environmental and social concerns. By the end of 2108, JP Morgan had facilitated more than $100bn in funding for businesses in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors and companies developing sustainable transportation, waste management and water treatment solutions — with a pledge of $200bn more by 2025. JP Morgan, understanding that sound environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies lead to sustainable business growth and greater stakeholder engagement, has established a Sustainable Investment Leadership Team to coordinate strategies that systematically incorporate ESG factors along with client objectives. JP Morgan attributes its success in large part to a diverse workforce of talented professionals united behind the common purpose of contributing to the sustainable growth of economies and communities. JP Morgan fosters a work environment that celebrates diversity and has launched two flagships initiatives — Advancing Black Leaders and Women on the Move — aimed at attracting, retaining, and promoting the top talent from underrepresented demographics. JP Morgan has demonstrated a commitment to uplifting underserved communities; 30 percent of the new branches planned for 2019 are slated for low- to moderate-income neighbourhoods with employee hourly rate increases of 10 percent. In recognition of exemplary corporate citizenship, the CFI.co judging panel declares JP Morgan as the 2019 winner of the Best CSR Banking (United States) award.


MindMaze: Best AI & Mixed Reality Team Global 2019

Switzerland’s first “unicorn” company, MindMaze, transforms futuristic possibilities into today’s reality. The company is an innovative disruptor with extensive knowledge and experience in neuroscience, mixed reality, and artificial intelligence (AI). MindMaze has developed a breakthrough neuro-inspired computing platform that enables a human-machine interface. The MindMotion platform for neurorehabilitation— a complex medical process to aid recovery from injuries to the nervous system — has been a gamechanger. FDA-approved MindMotion combines medical technology, motion-capture cameras and sensors with AI computing, all within a virtual reality environment. Therapy starts with MindMotion Pro hospital sessions, while the MindMotion GO system enables patients to continue with home-based care. It presents more than 30 gamified neurorehabilitation activities — game-playing elements to encourage patient engagement — rooted in evidence-based neurorehabilitation principles to enhance recovery potential. The latest innovation from MindMaze is its patent-pending CogniChip, a next-generation neurotech chip designed to mimic the brain’s capacity for simultaneously processes by integrating continuous data streams from multiple sensors. MindMaze’s breakthrough technology can capture brain activity upon intent with the prescient decoding of brain signals via neural prediction. These developments have nudged MindMaze closer to its ultimate goal of creating a fully interactive, synchronous, multi-sensory virtual reality. MindMaze is spurring transformation in the healthcare and gaming sectors, as well as other industries. The CFI.co judging panel declares MindMaze as the winner of the 2019 award for Best AI & Mixed Reality Team (Global).


Etihad Credit Insurance: Most Innovative Finance Solutions Middle East 2019

When vision and values align, promising results are likely to follow. Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) is the specialised state partner helping Emiratis expand their businesses internationally. ECI supports and develops the UAE’s non-oil exports, trade, investments, and strategic sectors — an anticipated value-creation of about $3bn over the next two years. ECI was founded as a result of an initiative by the federal government to fuel national export activity and advance the UAE Vision 2021 agenda. ECI has made remarkable strides since its late-2018 launch to forge strategic partnerships that promote the export and trade of Emirati goods and services and protect Emirati foreign investments. During ECI’s start-up phase, a “Customer Voice Project” was established in collaboration with the UAE Chambers of Commerce to understand the challenges faced by Emirati manufacturers, entrepreneurs and exporters. ECI provides customers with trade credit insurance products that cover UAE exporters against commercial and non-commercial risks, including buyer insolvency or refusal of delivery of goods, import bans or cancellation of import licence, as well as civil disorder and natural disasters. ECI surety bonds provide guarantees for contract bids, repayments, customs duties, and new employee hires. ECI partners with commercial banks to provide export financing solutions at concessional interest rates designed to facilitate business and boost sales. It has also developed an export trade credit solution for UAE-based SMEs to expand in high-growth markets. The CFI.co judging panel is impressed with the progress made in such a short time-span, and declares Etihad Credit Insurance the winner of the 2019 award for Most Innovative Finance Solutions (Middle East).


Saïd Business School: Most Innovative Digital Value Creation Programme UK 2019

The University of Oxford is a name that resonates throughout the world as a pinnacle of academic excellence, and an affiliation with the institution carries a certain gravitas. Saïd Business School is more than a mere affiliate: its programmes are embedded in the fabric of Oxford’s collegiate offering. Saïd Business School taps the brightest minds from academia and industry to help guide student discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing the business community — and the world at large. It has the aim of solving societal issues through research, education, and engagement. Saïd approaches its mission from the perspective of people, purpose, and partnerships, collaborating with global research projects and initiatives in societal enterprise, impact finance, inclusive capitalism, and responsive business practices. The business school offers face-to-face degree and open enrolment programmes at the Oxford campus, as well as online courses to allow broader access. Saïd students pursue business degrees and diplomas in economics, finance, management, and leadership. They can also delve into hi-tech subjects such as AI, algorithmic trading, blockchain and fintech. The school offers learning opportunities tailored for busy business lead-ers, with executive educational programmes providing a blended learning experience — online, on-campus, and on-site. These include practical and impactful projects as well as one-on-one coaching support. The CFI.co judging panel agrees with Saïd that education is about transformation, and believes the school has the power to influence policy through its research efforts. The judges were also convinced that it can create meaningful change in individuals and organisations via its strong portfolio of programmes. The panel declares Saïd Business School the winner of the 2019 award for Most Innovative Digital Value Creation Pro-gramme (UK).


Tadau Energy Sdn Bhd: Best Solar Power Developer & Operator Malaysia 2019

Since its launch in 2015, Tadau Energy has been an advocate for and participant in the accelerated worldwide development of renewable and clean energy. The company has done much to bring solar energy into lower income areas of Malaysia. Tadau operates two solar power plants in agricultural regions, supporting the country’s power grid by feeding renewable energy to around 380,000 households. The plants stimulate regional economic growth and increase employment and training opportunities. The company fosters environmental responsibility and awareness with all stakeholders, starting with the professionals it employs and the communities it impacts. It promotes the benefits of clean energy and bio-agricultural practices, considering bioenergy as an avenue for diversification. Tadau made news in 2017 as the first company in the world to issue a green sukuk, a sustainable Islamic-finance bond. Tadau promotes solar power as an ideal energy solution and partners with clients worldwide to help them realise their clean energy ambitions, covering the full spectrum of developer and operator services. The company helps clients source engineering, procurement, and construction providers; manage project development; and handle day-to-day opera-tion and maintenance. It provides technical engineering consultations to ensure civil, electrical, and power systems are working to the highest standards. Tadau serves as a venture capitalist for clients looking to boost sales, enhance operations, and capture new markets. The CFI.co judging panel feels that the future looks brighter with Tadau Energy and presents the company with the 2019 Best Solar Power Developer & Operator (Malaysia) award.


Walmart: Most Innovative Retailer United States 2019

Very few sectors are as competitive as retail, and the fact that Walmart has gone from a single discount store to the world’s largest retailer in 50 years speaks volumes. The company’s ability to give its customers what they want by giving more for less is undeniable. Of course, as all business leaders know, getting to the top is one thing, staying there another. That Walmart has managed to do so is very much down to innovation. As the world’s largest private employer, it recognises that customer needs are moving along, and retail work is changing to meet those needs. In 2019, the firm announced a new way to make online grocery shopping even easier – Walmart Voice Order – a service that gives customers the option to add items to their Walmart Online Grocery Cart by simply saying the words. Through a partnership with Apple, that service is now available on Siri. Walmart believes in empowering staff to reach their full potential and has opened 200 Walmart Academies since 2016. These academies provide a clear path to advancement; more than 52,000 associates have graduated in the past three years. New working practices that maximise the use of technology have streamlined many tasks and allow managers to take on a more solutions-based role, helping their teams meet their goals. Last year, it launched Walmart2World, a global money transfer service that has driven down prices. The CFI.co judging panel wishes to reward its continued dedication to innovation and improvement by naming Walmart the Most Innovative Retailer United States (2019).


The Washington Post: Most Innovative News Outlet Global 2019

Few media organisations can boast the proud and illustrious history of the Washington Post. Since its foundation in 1877, the newspaper has won 47 Pulitzer prizes, including six awarded in a single calendar year (2008). These are tough times for the printed press, but the Post has been successful where many of its competitors have failed: namely in its ability to adapt to technical innovations, to experiment with new business models and to take risks in the new media environment. Always maintaining the highest tenets of traditional journalism, the publication has managed a smooth transition to a technology-first media company able to compete on equal terms with the competition.  Since being acquired by Jeff Bezos in 2013, the Washington Post has vigorously adapted to the new media age: by 2016 it had signed-up over a million digital-only subscribers, a 300 percent increase year-on- year. Moreover, the company has moved into the software space, its proprietary code powering its cutting-edge application. Its in-house publishing platform, Arc, has proved so attractive that both the Los Angeles Times and the New Zealand Herald, amongst others, have invested in its solutions; sites running on Arc have reached 200 million readers worldwide. Indeed, Arc Publishing, far from distracting from the print side of the business, has provided a financial boost that has arrested the decline in readership of the printed product. The company sees the platform as capable of becoming a $100 million business. The Washington Post has innovated in ways that most media companies have not been able to do and for this reason CFI.co’s judging panel considers it appropriate to confer on the company the 2019 award for Most Innovative News Outlet Global.


Electrolux: Best Sustainable Sourcing Team Global 2019

If good corporate citizenship were a sport, Electrolux would be its star athlete. For over a century, the company has influenced every aspect of our daily lives — from the morning coffee to the cleaning routine and evening meal — while improving the world around us. Each year, Electrolux sells upwards of 60 million household and professional products in over 150 markets. It has offices in more than 60 countries and has over 55,000 employees worldwide, with over a quarter female representation at managerial level. The group holds itself to exacting standards of sustainability and demands the same throughout its vast network of suppliers.  Electrolux has earned a reputation for integrity of sustainability, and consumers can trust that each product is crafted “with care for the environment and for the people that produced it”. The company disseminates knowledge and best practices throughout its global network, working to fulfil mandatory minimal requirements of sustainability. It welcomes suppliers and colleagues into the Electrolux family for the long term and prioritises their development as paramount to the company’s continued success. Suppliers are regularly audited by an inhouse team of experts trained in responsible sourcing with the goal to drive continuous improvement throughout the supply chain. Electrolux is on a mission to enrich our eating experiences, improve the care of our clothes, and foster healthy wellbeing in our homes — with solutions made with care for people and planet. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the group’s exemplary ESG leadership and names Electrolux as worthy winner of the 2019 award for Best Sustainable Sourcing Team (Global).


Tencent: Most Innovative Social Media Company - Asia 2019

Since launching its first social media product, Tencent QQ, in February 1999, the company has enjoyed the kind of exponential growth that most companies can only dream of. By the end of 2010, the company had almost 650 million instant messaging user accounts, which made it the largest online community in the world at the time. In 2009 Tencent launched QQ International, an English-language service and on July 3, 2014, QQ entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest number of simultaneous online users on an instant messaging program: a staggering 210 million. Not content to rest on its laurels, Tencent introduced WeChat in 2011, a multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app which by 2018 had attained over one billion monthly active users. As of June 2019, the number of monthly active accounts of WeChat reached 1.13 billion. It has become an open platform for connecting various industries, connecting people, content, services and smart devices. Since introducing WeChat Pay, a digital wallet service incorporated into WeChat, the service has proved so popular that by 2019 it had become China’s number one online payment medium. This year saw it expand into Hong Kong and it can now be used in 25 countries outside China including the UK. Tencent has established an innovation-based R&D matrix to create a future-oriented technology engine that enables technology innovation to benefit consumers and is at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, always striving to enhance the user experience. Given this unrivalled level of innovation, the CFI.co judging panel had no hesitation in presenting Tencent with the award for Most Innovative Social Media Company - Asia 2019.


European Energy Exchange (EEX): Best Energy & Commodities Trading House Global 2019

[caption id="attachment_7038" align="aligncenter" width="898"] EEX Traders Party 2019[/caption]

The European Energy Exchange (EEX), is the leading physical commodity and derivatives energy exchange in Central Europe. In 2018, its revenue grew by 19 percent to €267.7 million with earnings before tax increasing by 24 percent to €92.1 million. Active in 20 markets in Europe and as part of EEX Group, commercially active in the USA and Asia, the Exchange develops, operates, and connects secure, liquid and transparent markets for energy and related products. EEX offers contracts on power and emission allowances in addition to freight and agricultural products. In 2018, the company managed to maintain its position as the world´s leading power trading exchange for the second year in a row. In the gas sector, performance was outstanding, with growth of 34 percent in the spot markets. The emissions business also had a fine year, with overall volume more than doubling. Significantly, EEX migrated its IT systems to Deutsche Börse’s state-of-the-art infrastructure. This will fulfil additional regulatory requirements and provide extra protection against cyber-attacks. The innovative application of blockchain technology further enhanced customer experience. The CFI.co judging panel notes these many worthy achievements and wishes to offer EEX the 2019 award for Best Energy & Commodities Trading House Global 2019.

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Kommunalkredit Austria AG: Best ESG Infrastructure Finance Europe 2019

The focus of Kommunalkredit Austria’s business model is reflected in its mission statement, which promises sustainable success for projects in the areas of energy, environment, social infrastructure, communications technology, and transport. Founded in 1958 and privatised in 2015, the specialist bank has modernised its infrastructure policy through a process of continuous innovation and evolution. Kommunalkredit connects project developers and infrastructure operators with institutional investors seeking long-term asset classes with reliable cash flows. The bank pursues a three-pronged approach to address social, environmental, and economic issues. It evaluates those same criteria to determine the sustainability impact of financed projects during each credit application process. It keeps a pulse on social concerns by attending town hall meetings, sponsoring events, and maintaining open dialogue through a network of channels. It has developed an environmental management system that guides everything from waste disposal to business travel. Over 70 percent of Kommunalkredit energy consumption is now fuelled by renewable resources. Through its subsidiary Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC), it provides advisory and management services for every stage of an infrastructure project. KPC also offers the Climate Austria product, which has offset about 240,000 tons of CO2 over the past 10 years. The bank demonstrates good corporate citizenship and advances climate change action. The CFI.co judging panel confirms Kommunalkredit Austria AG as the 2019 Best ESG Infrastructure Finance (Europe) award winner.


Fortman Cline Capital Markets: Best M&A Advisory Team Southeast Asia 2019

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Boutique investment firm Fortman Cline Capital Markets has found its niche by serving emerging conglomerates and mid-market entrepreneurs and corporations. The approach has served it well; since its inception in 2007, the Hong Kong-based corporate finance advisory firm has closed more than $16bn in mergers and acquisitions and fundraising transactions. Its expertise covers a diverse spectrum of industries, including consumer products, healthcare, natural resources, power and energy, technology, and transport. The firm has a proven record of creating strategic opportunities for its clients in emerging Southeast Asian markets. Fortman Cline’s superior customer service is backed by profound industry experience and cross-border expertise, leading its ranking in the top five financial advisers in the region. Outstanding client care starts with an engaged and motivated work force, and Fortman Cline embraces and endorses that by providing its team with professional and personal development opportunities. Mentorship programmes enable new recruits to learn from seasoned veterans, and Fortman Cline president and co-founder Danny Ibasco has personally taken interns under his wing for one-on-one training. The company treats its clients like partners, providing them with sound fiduciary counsel. Its presence in Southeast Asia consists of 3 offices, in Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore. The judges present Fortman Cline Capital Markets with the 2019 award for Best M&A Advisory Team (Southeast Asia).


CERN Pension Fund: Best Pension Fund Governance Europe 2019

[caption id="attachment_7051" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] CEO of CERN Pension Fund: Matthew Eyton-Jones[/caption]

Scientists at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) search for answers to timeless questions, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and advancing scientific breakthroughs.  Since its inception in 1955, the CERN Pension Fund has provided pension and social security benefits to its staff and fellows, and in 1968 the fund invited staff from ESO (the European Southern Observatory), the world’s most productive ground-based observatory, to join. Today the CERN Pension Fund is a multi-asset investment portfolio, which counts over 7,500  members and beneficiaries on its roster and is responsible for making pension payments  in 48 countries. The fund gets high marks for governance, with a clearly defined organisational structure, high quality reporting and transparency, and effective board and committee oversight. The Fund’s CEO, Matthew Eyton-Jones, who was appointed in 2015, has as strong focus on good governance and has worked hard to make sure the CERN Pension Fund is considered best in class amongst its international peers. In particular, the CERN Pension Fund has upgraded the female gender balance of its board from 0 percent to 33 percent, including a female Chair, whilst the Fund’s staff are over 60% female including both the Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer. As research has proven, more diverse boardrooms and teams leads to improved productivity and higher returns. For an organisation that exemplifies innovation and transparency, the CFI.co judging panel is delighted to name CERN Pension Fund as the 2019 winner of the Best Pension Fund Governance (Europe) award.


Active Capital Reinsurance Ltd: Best Credit Reinsurance Solutions for Institutions Latin America 2019

Since its inception in 2007, Active Capital Reinsurance (AC Re) has been proving the benefits of reliable reinsurance solutions. As financial markets worldwide were being buffeted by political and economic unrest, AC Re was recognised for its stable outlook and promising future with an upgraded credit rating of A-. As its reputation grew, AC Re registered on the radar of professional intermediaries around the world, helping the company secure new business from non-traditional markets. AC Re is headquartered in Barbados with offices in Miami, Panama, London, Madrid, facilitating its plans for regional business development. A strategic network of branches and a coterie of accomplished professionals in the reinsurance market have helped to strengthen AC Re’s market presence in Latin America and expansion into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The company credits its team of fresh recruits for sourcing unprecedented volumes of new clientele from these markets — and for providing the bespoke service that has kept them. AC Re anticipates a new era of connectivity and client benefits as the company flexes a strategic network from which to oversee its global business. As a previous award winner, the CFI.co judging panel can attest that the momentum has continued to gain steam. In 2019 — and for the second consecutive year — the judges are delighted to present Active Capital Reinsurance with the Best Credit Reinsurance Solutions for Institutions (Latin America) award.

Juan Antonio Niño: Outstanding Contribution to Banking and Insurance Latin America 2019

The distinguished career of Juan Antonio Niño spans more than four decades, and his professional efforts have had an undeniable impact for good in Latin America. Niño is a Panamanian entrepreneur with a prestigious international education and a successful background in banking. He applies the principle of “benefits for all” in his business endeavours. Niño gained experience and esteem during his early years as a regional bank founder and through leadership roles with the Panamanian Banking Association (ABP), Latin-American Federation of Banks, National Council of Private Enterprises of Panama (CONEP), and Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE). Niño now dedicates his time to running Active Capital Reinsurance, the company he launched to provide reinsurance solutions for a global institutional and corporate audience. He founded the company in 2007 and counts most of his early clients among the present portfolio. According to Niño, the beauty of business is to turn customers into allies and grow with them. Working closely with clients across three continents, Niño is an advocate of the business case for reinsurance, and his message is well-received in markets near and far. The CFI.co judging panel can confidently identify an industry game-changer, with Niño possessing the necessary vision and drive. The judges are pleased to offer Juan Antonio Niño the 2019 award for Outstanding Contribution to Banking and Insurance (Latin America).


Reitan Convenience AS: Best ESG Convenience Retailer Nordics & Baltics 2019

[caption id="attachment_7057" align="aligncenter" width="800"] CEO: Johannes Sangnes[/caption]

"People rarely succeed when they do something they don't enjoy," said Odd Reitan, who founded the family business in 1948. His advice - "Do what you love, and with zealous discipline" - is reflected throughout today' s group structure. The Reitan empire comprises five business areas and employs more than 38,000 in the Nordic and the Baltic region. Reitan team members ascribe to a positive and proactive mindset and demonstrate personal responsibility towards environmental, social, and governance (ESG) progress.

Reitan Convenience has a network of 2,200 stores in seven countries, providing customers with the products and services they want, when and where they want them. The Reitan group turns an innovative eye towards sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and Reitan Convenience has major milestones to report in terms of people, product, and planet. The most important person is the company is the customer and staff a close second. The value system that binds and guides has contributed to the company's status as a top employer, ranked second in Norway and tenth in Europe (Great place to work). Reitan Convenience also offers relief to refugees with work opportunities and language courses. Reitan Convenience is moving away from plastics to product packaging that is bio-degradable and recyclable. Vegan and vegetarian products give the line-up a healthy update. Planet-prioritising upgrades throughout Reitan Convenience facilities have reduced energy consumption. The CFl.co judging panel has no hesitation in presenting Reitan Convenience AS with the 2019 Best ESG Convenience Retailer (Nordics & Baltics) award.


Hypoport AG: Best Financial Technology Network Europe 2019

Hypoport can trace its roots back through 65 years of strategic mergers and acquisitions. The Hypoport Group has grown into a network of autonomous subsidiaries in the credit, private client, real estate, and insurance sectors. Hypoport AG, the holding company responsible for the group’s central management functions, serves as the engine for the advancement and expansion of Hypoport subsidiaries. Since Hypoport was admitted to the German Small-Cap Index (SDAX) in 2015, it has seized upon acquisition opportunities to future-proof its tech capabilities and diversify its product portfolio. The group is completing a tech infrastructure overhaul that’s been 15 years in the making. Hypoport has implemented Cisco ACI across its multi-site data centre and network to deploy iron-clad fail-safes to prevent security breaches and protect clients’ sensitive data. Hypoport welcomes the decentralised future that fintech heralds, feeling confident in the control afforded by its upgraded tech infrastructure, which allows it to monitor digital traffic in real time. In 2018, Hypoport’s market capitalisation exceeded $1.1b, and 2019 growth is expected to reach double digits, with projected revenue of $345m to $378m and EBIT at $35m to $44m. Reinvesting profits into growth strategies and curating top-rate talent continue to fuel the company’s upward mobility. Hypoport asserts that every challenge can be solved with the right talent, and the company has cherry-picked a team of 1,800 people with the complimentary expertise — and shared drive — to overcome any obstacles. The CFI.co judging panel declares Hypoport AG as the 2019 winner of the Best Financial Technology Network (Europe) award.


Honcho Markets: Most Innovative B2C Insurance Pricing Global 2019

[caption id="attachment_7071" align="alignleft" width="200"] CEO: Gavin Sewell[/caption]

Insurance industry disrupter, honcho, has flipped the market by creating a real-time live auction where insurance providers compete for consumers’ business. The company is an FCA-regulated software solutions business that brings together the UK’s top insurance providers in a digital reverse-auction platform for prospective policy holders. With honcho’s mobile and desktop application, UK drivers upload their licence and make their policy wish list. Insurers then fight it out in a 30-second auction to pitch the best deal. Consumers are guided to the most suitable fit, whether by bottom-line budget or the app’s “honchometer” score, which shows how closely each bid matches the specified policy parameters. Since its August 2019 launch, the company has focused mainly on the young driver market and signed up more than 10,000 people to the app. As the company continues to on-board providers, it is gaining traction across all age brackets in the car insurance market. Honcho Markets exceeded its funding targets by nearly $265,000 in 2018, ultimately raising over $1m and closing the round early. In 2019, it received further funding from Maven Capital Partners, totalling more than $990,000. As 2020 unfolds, the company expects to expand services across a range of other insurance products and markets. honcho’s reverse-auction marketplace encourages transparency and healthy competition — and invites consumers to “play hard to get”. The CFI.co judging panel agrees that fair competition promotes cost-efficient consumerism as well as better customer care. The judges declare Honcho Markets as the 2019 Most Innovative B2C Insurance Pricing (Global) award winner.

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SFO Group: Best Real Estate Investment Team Middle East 2019

SFO Group (“SFO”) is a leading multi-family office and an active global real estate investor with a disciplined investment strategy. The firm offers asset management services to a number of families, and views real estate as the preferred asset class which, when added to a traditional portfolio, lowers its overall volatility, allowing for capital appreciation during bull markets and the downside protection of a stable source of income in bear markets. Real estate investments therefore constitute a defensive alternative, hedging against inflation while providing geographical diversification. SFO deploys a team of 20-plus professionals, mostly from its base in Beirut but also via its presence in London, Paris and Miami. The firm has assembled a highly experienced international team that is well equipped in driving its agenda forward and growing its global portfolio of real assets. The team brings on board diverse and complementary experience in PE, advisory and investment banking, with previous tenures of its members at leading global financial institutions and management consulting firms. This results in a balanced mix of youth and experience that makes SFO a proven dynamic and agile player. The company track record shows that agility trumps size, with a portfolio in excess of $1bn, adding 3-5 new acquisitions each year. SFO is a member of Saradar Capital Holding, a third generation diversified family conglomerate which has been at the centre of the Lebanese financial sector for over 70 years. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to recognize a company with a history of success and a promising future. Congratulations to SFO, winner of the 2019 award Best Real Estate Investment Team (Middle East).


ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch: Most Innovative International Bank EMEA 2019

For over a decade, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has been contributing to the development of the Middle East from its branch in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). As a part of the ICBC family, the Dubai (DIFC) Branch benefits from a network covering 48 countries and a customer base including 7 million global corporates and 600 million individual clients. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch has made headway on the “Belt and Road Initiative” by fortifying trade exchanges between China and the Middle East. The bank has funded flagship projects, like the world’s largest solar thermal power plant and the first Middle Eastern clean-coal power plant. It mobilises resources and coordinates between project investors and operators in the search for innovative financing solutions. The bank has customised products to meet the targeted financing needs for big-name clients, like the Emirates National Oil Company. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch investigates — and invests in — fintech advances for the most efficient future. Its inhouse platform manages global financial market operations according to a parametric, modular configuration that enables direct connectivity between middle and back-office applications. Innovation is at the heart of ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch, and employees are encouraged to stoke their imagination — and fuel the future development of the institution — in annual branch-wide innovation contests. The CFI.co judging panel has recognised the bank in previous programmes and is pleased to present ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch with the 2019 award for Most Innovative International Bank (EMEA).


AIB in Northern Ireland (former First Trust Bank): Best Bank Rebrand Europe 2019

Formerly trading under the name First Trust Bank, the institution has entered the final stage of rebranding and officially adopted its new moniker. First Trust Bank was created in 1992, providing a wide range of financial products and services to help customers achieve their dreams and ambitions. The bank covers the Northern Ireland market for its parent company, Allied Irish Banks (AIB), one of the top four Irish banks, with headquarters in the Republic and a strong presence in Great Britain. Over the past several years, AIB Group has invested £10m in transforming AIB in Northern Ireland, enhancing its products, services and digital capability and thereby improving the customer experience. The AIB team in Northern Ireland has responded with energy and enthusiasm to the synergies brought about by the rebrand, as well as a commitment to compliance and customer care. Team members participate in regular strategic sessions to discuss both the direction of the company and its driving motivations. Customer-centricity is paramount and every aspect of the rebrand has been considered from the client perspective to create the smoothest transition possible. Along with the name change and some aesthetic updates to the bank’s digital banking platforms, clients can expect uninterrupted service. As AIB Group unites its three main markets under a single, revitalised brand identity, AIB (NI) harnesses the power of the group to better serve its customers. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the bank’s customer-focused consistency and declares AIB in Northern Ireland (formerly First Trust Bank) as the winner of the 2019 Best Bank Rebrand (Europe) award.


Fiduciaria Central: Best Regional Socio-Economic Impact Finance Latin America 2019

Mr Oscar Marín: Outstanding Contribution to Socio-Economic Development Colombia 2019

From its headquarters in Bogota and Medellin, partners with national clients and international investors to spur the socio-economic development of Colombia. As a subsidiary of IDEA (Institute for the Development of Antioquia), Fiduciaria Central is a crucial partner for projects spanning the sector-strata of hotel tourism, real estate, and various commercial enterprises. Since its inception in 1992, Fiduciaria Central has established a positive and prevalent presence in Colombia, covering departments and municipalities unlike any other company. The fiduciary’s versatile line-up of products and services includes investment fund management, representation of bondholders and administration of pension liabilities, amongst others, but its overarching goal is to serve as a financial facilitator between businesses by “untying knots in the economic process”. Oscar Marín, Fiduciaria Central President since 2016, spearheaded the bank’s acquisition in his former capacity as IDEA Management during the early 2000s. Marín’s political career experiences before joining the fiduciary gave him an understanding of service leadership that now permeates the corporate culture. Fiduciaria Central’s high-impact projects have boosted economic growth and strengthened national infrastructure. Marín levers the fiduciary’s widespread presence to apply financial inclusion strategies that help lower-income families become homeowners and generate jobs for indigenous communities. Care is a recurring theme throughout the fiduciary’s playbook, whether it’s looking after the wellbeing of employees and their families or collaborating with regional authorities to create support systems for the local population. Good corporate governance is a constant, and Fiduciaria Central manages to balance the need for corporate transparency with respect for client and staff confidentiality. Marín and his team were rewarded for their efficient portfolio management with an upgraded rating of AAA in 2019. The CFI.co judging panel recognises Fiduciaria Central’s sterling performance with the 2019 award for Best Regional Socio-Economic Impact Finance (Latin America) and Mr Oscar Marín with the 2019 award for Outstanding Contribution to Socio-Economic Development (Colombia).


Blue Lagoon: Outstanding Contribution to Eco-Tourism Global 2019

Since its creation over 35 years ago, Blue Lagoon has been taking advantage of the beneficial powers of geothermal seawater from the Svartsengi power plant. In 1995, after intensive research confirmed the healing properties, Blue Lagoon Ltd launched its acclaimed line of skin care products and, four years later, established its pioneering spa resort. Both use the water’s primary elements: silica, algae and minerals to make their customers feel rejuvenated and reinvigorated. In 2018, the resort was named as one of the World's Greatest Places by Time Magazine. The complex now features the Retreat which encompasses a 62-suite luxury hotel, a 4000 sqm subterranean spa, a mineral-rich lagoon carved into the centuries-old lava, and a Michelin-recommended restaurant that turns seasonal ingredients into unforgettable meal experiences. The Retreat boasts an exquisite ultra-private suite, Lava Cove, offering gourmet dining, in-water massage, and guided yoga sessions with its own mineral-rich lagoon, wood-burning fireplace, dining area, kitchen, butler, and world-class Italian furnishings. This investment in an even more luxurious eco-tourism experience complements the original relaxing and enchanting offering. The CFI.co judging panel confirms that Blue Lagoon deserves the 2019 award for Outstanding Contribution to Eco-Tourism (Global).


Megaworld Corporation: Best CSR Real Estate Developer Philippines 2019

Philippines developer Megaworld Corporation has left its mark on the skyline of Manila – creating high-end properties (both residential and commercial) and earning a reputation for quality, innovation, and productivity. Principles of good corporate governance have been institutionalised throughout the entire organisation. Megaworld pledges to serve all stakeholders and support balanced and beneficial development. Megaworld believes that corporations exist to serve others, and it channels that belief into purposeful action. Founded in 1999, Megaworld Foundation upholds the company’s principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) through such noble undertakings as poverty alleviation, people empowerment, and environmental conservation. The foundation supports 12 out of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past decade, it has awarded 5,800 educational grants, leading to 600 scholars graduating from degree programmes — nearly half with honours. In addition to the scholarship programme, Megaworld supports initiatives that benefit regional communities, and has forged over 270 partnerships in 15 regions. Megaworld Corporation employs over 3,000 people and has been listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange for 25 years. The company reported good returns in 2018, and all signs indicate that 2019 will prove just as profitable. For its strong governance framework and exemplary outreach efforts, the CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present Megaworld Corporation with the 2019 award for Best CSR Real Estate Developer of the Philippines.


Nordea Asset Management AB: Best ESG Investment Process Europe 2019

When it comes to sustainability Nordea Asset Management leads by example, the firm serves as the investment arm of the Nordea Group, managing assets of more than €200bn. As the largest financial service group in the Nordic region and one of the biggest banks in Europe, Nordea helps align global finance with sustainable development. Nordea Group is one of the 30 founding signatories of the Principles for Responsible Banking which has recently launched a Collective Commitment to Climate Action that has been adopted by 130 banks. Delivering returns with responsibility has for a long time been a vital part of what they do and part of our mission as a leading European asset manager. The continuous development of a rigorous environmental, social and governance (ESG) analysis that guides the investments is crucial as well as active ownership activities that support a sustainable future. Nordea Asset Management support the Task force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures recommendation and view Climate change is one of the single largest threats to the economy. Nordea Asset management is working on an ongoing basis to assess how companies manage climate-related risks and opportunities. Nordea’s exemplary track record has resulted in regular repeat award wins. The judging panel commends the firm’s proactive approach to responsible investing which has pushed competitors to step up their ESG game — or risk getting left behind. The judges recognise Nordea Asset Management as a pioneer of sustainable finance and the worthy winner of the 2019 Best ESG Investment Process (Europe) award.


Nordea Asset Management: Best Institutional Investment Management Europe 2019

Nordea Asset Management (NAM) is one of the fastest growing asset managers in Europe with EUR 229 billion in assets under management and a global business model that prioritises client service through its local offices in 18 different cities.

NAM’s position has continued to strengthen within different client segments, in particular its diverse institutional client-base, which includes pension funds, insurance companies, municipalities, foundations, etc. NAM currently has investment management agreements with more than 500 distributors, global wealth managers and institutional clients.

To meet the demand of institutional clients, NAM has built a strong product offering in both equity and fixed income strategies ranging from European Covered Bonds to High Yield and Multi Asset solutions to address investors’ needs in different market environments. NAM’s internal Multi Asset Team, managing over €100bn AuM, has developed a strong expertise in risk premia and built a wide range of solutions with the specific aim of delivering long-term stable returns.

Being of Nordic heritage, sustainability and responsible investment are deeply rooted in NAM’s DNA. Its first ESG sector screened funds were launched over 30 years ago and NAM has been managing its Climate and Environment strategy since 2008. An early signatory of UNPRI in 2007, NAM considers it its fiduciary duty to care about all factors that are material to clients’ investments, including those that are non-financial such as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). NAM has developed a number of equity and fixed income STARS ESG solutions that aim to have a positive impact while delivering attractive returns. Today, NAM manages over €60bn in ESG-enhanced strategies.

It is this commitment to financial stability and delivering returns with responsibility that has persuaded the CFI.co judging panel to present Nordea Asset Management with the 2019 award for Best Institutional Investment Management Europe.


AMC Natural Drinks: Best Corporate Sustainability Strategy Spain 2019

AMC Natural Drinks is one of the two holdings of AMC Group, a third generation family company founded in 1931, today the third largest Spanish food company in international sales, with a Group turnover of 1.290M€ in the last exercise.

AMC Natural Drinks is European leader in chilled fruit juices, smoothies, veggie drinks, natural soups and plant yoghurts & plant “mylks”. AMC Natural Drinks is still setting the very highest standards in its quest to deliver the freshest, healthiest and most sustainable fruit & vegetable drinks through a unique & fully owned vertical integration chain. Growth has been strong, rapid and shows all signs of continuing in this pace.

Antonio Muñoz, CEO of AMC Natural Drinks, and co-CEO of AMC Group with his brother Alvaro Muñoz, learned from his father to understand first the market & the consumer and then develop and create the necessary competitive advantages to bring to the market what it’s needed, with added value and unique points of difference. This lesson, his personal experience, and his solid business background in Deusto (Spain) and Stanford (USA), enabled him to create almost from scratch, this successful natural drinks international business holding, that has a unique R&D, Innovation, Technology & Sustainability division, AMC Innova, with more than 150 scientists, based on the AMC original headquarters in Murcia, in Spain’s beautiful and fertile south-east .

Antonio Muñoz Beraza, the CEO of the AMC Natural Drinks and co-CEO of AMC Group, won the Spanish National Innovation Award that is awarded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, and which was presented by the king and the queen of Spain.

AMC Natural Drinks pillars are innovation, consumer centric, natural health, team passion and, above all, sustainability. Antonio, attributes their success to focus, vision and a very strict recruitment policy which has enabled the beverages holding to create a high quality, very professional and committed team of 1.000+ in the 18 years he has lead AMC Natural Drinks business holding.

Proof indeed that when a company considers customer satisfaction as an absolute priority, it reaps the rewards. So impressive has been the AMC Natural Drinks story, that the World Economic Forum included the company in a study of prime examples of how to grow internationally. The study concluded that the company is a model when it comes to partnering with local educational institutions and sourcing not just the best local produce but also top local talent, thereby contributing to the sustainable growth of Murcia, and by extension, Spain.

The company’s commitment to sustainability includes i.e. using antioxidant watermelon and pomegranate skins in its functional natural drinks instead of wasting them. Other example is how they have created know-how & technology to transform orange peel side stream from the AMC squeezing process to create the first ever natural orange peel bio-bottle as a more sustainable alternative to plastic. More examples: a revolutionary seawater cooling system on AMC’s Vlissingen site, placed next to the Atlantic Ocean and used to lower temperature in the first steps of the global factory refrigeration systems, increasing its efficiency and drastically reducing the energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Last example, when sourcing from abroad, AMC Sustainability staff first verifies that working conditions, wages and right fair treatment are all satisfactory and aligned with their strong sustainability policy.

Having taken all these factors into consideration, the CFI.co Judging Panel is delighted to confer on AMC Natural Drinks the 2019 award for Best Corporate Sustainability Strategy (Spain).


BNP Paribas: Most ESG Responsible International Bank Global 2019

This leading European bank, with an international presence in 72 countries, is well positioned to move the needle on the global energy transition. In response to the climate emergency, BNP Paribas in 2015 realigned its financing and investment criteria to support the objectives outlined by the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It began by cutting funding for new coal facilities and doubling financing for players in climate change transition and renewable energies. The bank pledged to increase financing to €15 bn ($16.8 bn) by 2020. When it exceeded its target a full year early, it set a revised target of €18 bn ($20.2 bn) by 2021. Committed to accelerating the global energy transition, BNP Paribas is restructuring its portfolio to eliminate exposure to thermal coal in the European Union within the next decade and world-wide by 2040. The bank tracks its progress — and wins points for transparency — by publishing annual reports that breakdown financing activity by energy source and power generation. In 2019, BNP Paribas was the leading financer of renewable energy projects in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, while ranking third in Asia and in the world overall, contributing nearly $3 bn in new project financing. BNP Paribas has a decades-long history of supporting energy producers, and the climate change strategy it has implemented will spur the industry’s sustainable transformation. The CFI.co judging panel presents BNP Paribas with the 2019 award for Most ESG Responsible International Bank (Global).

For further information, please see BNP Paribas News Release.


IBM: Outstanding Workforce Training Global 2019

Technological breakthroughs are forcing the modern professional to commit to life-long learning to remain relevant and competitive. IBM works with individual and corporate clients worldwide to help them reinvent themselves and future-proof their careers. Organisations can contact an IBM Global Training Provider to create a continuous learning programme that drives employee performance and improves retention. Studies from IBM Research indicate that initial employee training results in 60 percent of new hires deciding to stay, as opposed to only 21 percent otherwise. Well trained teams showed a 10 percent increase in productivity translating to annual savings of $70,000. Companies deploying learning technology enjoyed a 16 percent increase in customer satisfaction. Investing in continuous development of employee capabilities — from soft skills to tech — creates a corporate culture based on respect, responsibility, and reward. IBM also offers a personalised digital learning platform, featuring more than 7,000 educational offerings, including over 2,000 courses as well as more than 4,000 no-cost opportunities, such as articles, podcasts, and tutorials. Students work through the IBM portal at their own pace and according to their interests and needs. The IBM Digital Learning Subscription provides full content at a budget cost. The CFI.co judging panel agrees with IBM’s assertion that corporate ladders are a relic of bygone days, replaced by the “job-lattice” age: which encourages job movement over the course of a career. The judges unanimously declare IBM as the 2019 global award winner for Outstanding Workforce Training.


SG Finans: Most Innovative Climate Impact SME Finance Scandinavia 2019

[caption id="attachment_7175" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] SG Finans Team[/caption]

As a key financer of Nordic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), SG Finans also supports regional business growth and climate change action. The company specialises in leasing and factoring services and is serious about sustainability. In September 2019, it attained Eco-Lighthouse certification, the most widely used Norwegian standard to document and demonstrate corporate sustainability efforts. SG Finans submitted to a sustainability audit for the certification and must repeat the process regularly to maintain it. The process also includes sustainability training to ensure that best practices are anchored throughout the staff, from executives to entry-level employees. The certification is EU-approved and aligns with international environmental standards like EMAS and ISO 14001. In June 2019, the company announced a credit line agreement of over $165m from the European Investment Bank (EIB). SG Finans sees SMEs as stimulators for the transition from fossil fuels to climate-neutral economies; 70 percent of the funds were earmarked for SMEs and 10 percent will go to proactive climate projects. The fresh EIB funding follows a successfully implemented credit line of $100m in 2018 that enabled qualified SMEs to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. SG Finans aims to cultivate a healthy and balanced portfolio, and as it goes forward, climate risk will be weighed more heavily in each business decision. The CFI.co judging panel commends the company’s sustainability commitments and declares SG Finans as the 2019 winner of the Most Innovative Climate Impact SME Finance (Scandinavia) award.


DHL Express UAE: Best Logistics Solutions GCC 2019

Choosing a solid logistics partner is a crucial business decision in today’s interconnected world. DHL Express UAE boasts a global network of over 220 countries with more than 1.5 billion parcels delivered each year. The company’s 2020 strategy focuses on what it already does best: delivering excellence on a global scale with local insight. In the United Arab Emirates, certain significant challenges exist — including unclear addresses, postcode problems, and skyscraper deliveries — and local knowledge of drivers is key. The DHL Express UAE family is comprised of more than 1,200 motivated professionals with a deep understanding of the market. DHL Express UAE has received a resounding stamp of approval as an employer. It reports less than five percent staff turnover and wins the top employer award in the Middle East year after year. It continues to invest in technology and infrastructure to maximise efficiency and boost profits. The company has identified four trends shaping the industry — globalisation, digitalisation, e-commerce, and sustainability — and has laid out a plan to harness that momentum. The CFI.co judging panel has no reservations in declaring DHL Express UAE as 2019 winner of the Best Logistics Solutions (GCC) award.


Tactical Management DWC LLC: Best Private Equity Partner GCC 2019

At Tactical Management, every business opportunity is assessed from a position of social responsibility and sustainability to create long-term, added value for clients and communities. The Dubai-based firm provides independent private equity, multi-family office, and corporate structuring services. Tactical Management eschews the hard-line approach typical of many private equity firms to look beyond the balance sheet and prioritise the people backing each project. It focuses on the substance behind each proposal and considers the future of each business idea. It specialises in helping distressed businesses transform their fortunes and views itself as an effective tool in the restructuring process. When Tactical Management takes on a project, it favours exit strategies that are fluid rather than rigidly set timelines. It prefers to stay in as long as necessary to help correct course and ensure that corporate management stands on a secure footing. Tactical Management hopes to “redefine what investors, governments, and citizens expect of foreign direct investment” by cultivating a diverse project portfolio that prizes integrity and long-term results. The company often comes aboard through related Holding Companies or Joint Ventures with equity stakes ranging from 10 to 50 percent and chooses from a variety of projects, from hospitals to fruit processing plants. Tactical Management deploys a 17-person team from its Dubai offices to provide strategic management support to clients around the world. The firm benefits from an established network of banking contacts built up over the years and has created 1,784 jobs via 27 projects in nine countries. The CFI.co judging panel is delighted to present Tactical Management DWC LLC with the 2019 Best Private Equity Partner (GCC) award.


ABA – Invest in Austria: Best Destination for Investment in Innovation Europe 2019

Austria boasts a business-friendly environment, attractive tax benefits, modern infrastructure, skilled workforce, and occupies an important strategic location. ABA – Invest in Austria promotes the country as an ideal destination for new business ventures. ABA – Invest in Austria is the national investment promotion company and as part of the national Economic Development Agency Austrian Business Agency (ABA), the first point of contact for international investors looking to enter the market. ABA – Invest in Austria employs a team of 30 professionals (fluent in 12 languages) whose extensive regional and sectorial expertise provides support and consulting services tailored to individual interests — completely free of charge. Founded in 1982, the company is owned and operated by the Republic of Austria and overseen by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs. Since its launch, ABA has created over 60,500 jobs and attracted some $10.9b in investments. Last year, the company assisted 355 international companies to set-up business operations in Austria, resulting in the creation of nearly 3,000 jobs and investments totalling $809m. ABA – Invest in Austria explains the advantages of doing business in Austria, starting with a favourable corporate tax scheme which allows for a 14 percent rebate on R&D spending. ABA – Invest in Austria connects Austria-based enterprises with public and private funding to fuel innovation, particularly in the sciences and technology. ABA appeared on the radar of the CFI.co judging panel last year through its efforts in establishing Austria as a tech start-up hub. As ABA – Invest in Austria continues to hit — and exceed — its 2019 goals, the judges expect another record year. Congratulations to ABA – Invest in Austria, winner of the 2019 award for Best Destination for Investment in Innovation (Europe).


Fitch Ratings: Best Credit Services Latin America 2020

Over the past three decades, Fitch Ratings has kept a finger on the pulse of the world’s most relevant developing and emerging markets. With more than 1,500 analysts, including 200+ analysts fully dedicated to credit ratings and research in Latin America, Fitch Ratings offers global perspectives shaped by strong local market experience and credit market expertise. Their dynamic teams of professionals, experienced in global analytics and knowledge of local public finance, infrastructure, banking, financial institutions, structured finance and corporate sectors, produce insightful market forecasts and reputable credit ratings. As part of the global Fitch Group, the company ascribes to the same exacting standards of integrity, ensuring that credit assessments remain objective and accurate and that forecasts are underpinned by well-researched — and actionable — data. A leading global provider of credit ratings, commentary and research, Fitch Ratings has operations in more than 30 countries, with 13 offices throughout Latin America, covering more than 1,600 corporate credit ratings across diverse sectors. As an industry innovator, Fitch Group’s offering includes credit ratings and research, market solutions and services, training and professional development. The Group has garnered a reputation for the reliability of its reports, and Fitch Ratings serves as a crucial regional representative and global contributor. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns weigh on investors’ minds more each day, and Fitch Ratings has taken steps to ensure transparency and accuracy of ESG disclosure in credit rating assessments. The CFI.co judging panel commends Fitch Ratings for its solid market coverage and product line-up. The judges present Fitch Ratings with the 2020 award for Best Credit Services (Latin America).

Message from Carlos Fiorillo, Fitch Ratings’ Head of Latin America:

“Fitch Ratings is the leading rating agency in Latin America and this award confirms market recognition of Fitch Rating’s high standards, knowledge and excellence across different analytical and BRMs, local and regional groups to serve the complex and dynamic Latin American market during 2020 and beyond”.


BCS Global Markets: Best Prime Brokerage Services Russia 2019

As Russia’s largest brokerage firm, BCS Global Markets opens a door to cross-border investing for local and international players seeking access to foreign capital markets. Founded in 2012, the company serves as the Global Markets and Investment Banking arm of the BCS Financial Group, a leading capital market specialist and fintech innovator in Russia. BCS Global Markets offers prime brokerage and investment services for institutional, corporate, and high-net-worth individual clients, at home and abroad. It has an expansive reach, with additional operations in Cyprus, the UK, and USA. BCS Global Markets leverages next-generation technology to optimise infrastructure for rock-solid stability and ultra-low latency. The firm boasts the broadest coverage of Russian stocks and the most aggressive finance rates. It launched a sophisticated synthetic prime brokerage solution last year for global exchange trading with flexible swaps. BCS Global Markets celebrates the proud performance of Russian equities in 2019 and predicts a steady pipeline of Russian companies to list IPOs on the Moscow Stock Exchange in 2020. Across the Moscow Exchange, whether measuring equity derivatives or FX options, BCS Global Markets consistently claims top spot. It takes pains to never over-promise or under-deliver by engaging in honest dialogue with clients about risk management. It regularly reviews customer feedback to ensure product development is aligned with client needs. For its seamless service, value-added offering, and tailored solutions, the CFI.co judging panel presents BCS Global Markets with the 2019 Best Prime Brokerage Services (Russia) award.


Kathrein Privatbank: Best Private Banking Solutions Austria 2019

Austria’s leading bank for wealth management, Kathrein Privatbank, stands rooted by a history stretching back 95 years. The seasoned specialists at Kathrein Privatbank fine-tune investment and asset management strategies with nimble flexibility to match each client’s unique needs. The bank cultivates long-term relationships with high-net-worth retail clients, entrepreneurs, and family enterprises. It also counts institutional investors and private foundations amongst its prestigious clients. The bank specialises in the exclusive services expected by this calibre of clientele. Kathrein Privatbank is the premier regional partner for all foundation matters, offering consulting and support services for the establishment or management of a private foundation. Entrepreneurs appreciate the bank’s well-earned reputation for discreet consultancy and applaud its educational outreach and networking opportunities. Kathrein Privatbank practices principle-based asset management and is committed to providing objective fiduciary advice with integrity, honesty, and confidentiality. The bank’s dedicated portfolio management team has been working together for the past 20 years, launching a broad range of funds to fulfil clients’ diverse appetites as well as offering access to other premium third-party investment products. As a subsidiary of Raiffeisen Bank International AG, Kathrein Privatbank forms part of one of the largest banking groups in Europe. The bank has made a tradition of delivering on quality — and the CFI.co judging panel has taken notice. The judges present Kathrein Privatbank with the 2019 award for Best Private Banking Solutions (Austria).


Enfuce: Best Payment & Compliance Solutions Europe 2019

The payments sector is subject to changing regulations, evolving consumer demands, and advancing tech capabilities. A new kind of payment service provider, Enfuce, is capable of not only rolling with industry change but of influencing its trajectory. Based in the Nordics with offices in Finland and Sweden, Enfuce is one of the fastest growing fintech companies in the region. The company attributes its success to a workforce of over 50 experts with fintech and banking backgrounds and can-do attitudes. Enfuce works to custom-craft solutions for compliance and collaborative partnerships. The Finnish start-up has achieved a ground-breaking year: launching new product categories — and securing a €5M round of funding in November 2019. Part of this funding is earmarked to develop its new open banking platform and sustainability services. Sustainability and collaboration are two of the company’s founding values, and its latest digital tool — My Carbon Action — enables consumers to measure the climate impact of their purchases. My Carbon Action is a sustainability service for banks, other financial service providers, and merchants to help their customers track their actual carbon footprint per purchase. The fully automated, payment-based model calculates the CO2 emissions of every purchase, providing environmental insights that enable consumers to seek carbon-neutral shopping while providing businesses with a tool to prove their sustainability claims. Founded in 2016, Enfuce delivers a secure, cloud-based platform and an easily integrated API. It plans to leverage its innovative suite of services, which has already attracted over 8 million end-users, to capture more of the European market in 2020. Secure and fast, scalable and feature-rich, the CFI.co judging panel declares Enfuce the 2019 winner of the Best Payment & Compliance Solutions (Europe) award.


Kuwait International Bank (KIB): Fastest Growing Islamic Bank MENA 2019 & Best Sharia-Compliant Bank MENA 2019

KIB began its journey over four decades ago catering to Kuwait’s emerging real estate sector, but now sees itself more as a lifelong financial partner. While KIB’s early specialisation enabled it to shape the economic and architectural landscape of Kuwait, in 2017 it embarked on a transformation to address the changing economic climate and cater to regional needs. Since then, KIB has operated as a fully-fledged Sharia-compliant bank, embracing the traditions of Islamic finance, modern best practices and next-generation technology. Customer-centricity is an integral aspect of operations, and the bank harnesses the power of fintech advances to pioneer convenient products and secure services that are tailored to client needs. As a repeat winner in CFI.co award programmes, the judges have witnessed KIB’s meteoric rise. In 2018, it was included in the Premier Market segment of Boursa Kuwait, further boosting its investor profile at the regional and international levels. In 2019, KIB issued a $300 million AT1 perpetual Sukuk to fuel its local expansion plans and enhance its capital base. KIB’s ambition to be a “Bank for Life,” accompanying clients at every step and with every aspect of their daily lives, is very much evident. Without reservation, the judges declare Kuwait International Bank as winner of the Fastest Growing Islamic Bank & Best Sharia-Compliant Bank (MENA 2019) awards.


Department of Finance, Government of Ajman UAE: Best Financial Planning Public Sector UAE 2019 & Best Budgeting Systems & Procedures Public Sector UAE 2019

[caption id="attachment_7186" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Chairman and Director[/caption]

Best Financial Planning Public Sector UAE 2019

The Department of Finance of the Government of the Ajman Emirate (Ajman DOF) does more than crunch numbers; it’s responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of all Ajman government financial activity. Established by government decree in 2002, the department fuels the sustainable development of the region and contributes to the competitiveness of the United Arab Emirates as a nation. In support of national and regional strategic vision objectives, Ajman DOF improves government’s resource efficiency, upgrading policies and systems to best international standards, and empowering employees through skills-building workshops and training. The training courses, which acquaint employees with governmental accounting standards and familiarise them with Ajman’s unified financial system, have benefited more than 200 employees over the past six months. Ajman DOF has created a digital financial platform — the Smart Financial Planning and Analysis System — to facilitate the Emirate’s development process and prosperity. It authors the annual Budget, supervises the collection and distribution of government funds, and provides consultation and technical support to government agencies and departments. The CFI.co judging panel believes Ajman DOF is making great strides towards realising its goal of an open, and globally competitive, green economy. The judges are pleased to present Ajman DOF with the 2019 award for the Best Financial Planning Public Sector (UAE).

Best Budgeting Systems & Procedures Public Sector UAE 2019

The Ajman Emirati Department of Finance (Ajman DOF) serves as the financial arm of the government to execute the planning and implementation of financial strategy. Ajman DOF provides innovative financial services that contribute to the sustainable development of the Emirates, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the nation. Ajman DOF develops financial policies and legislation, prepares and implements the annual budget, and liaises with regional government bodies. It has also launched a next-generation financial system to maximise national efficiency — and prosperity. The Smart Financial Planning and Analysis System is Ajman DOF’s pioneering financial platform. The unified system, which is underpinned by AI, has registered remarkable progress in managing Ajman’s governmental resources. It tracks expenses, enables smart planning and analysis, and assesses financial performance. Public financial management is assessed using quantitative indicators to measure performance, provide snapshot summaries at specific points, and show changes over time. Digital dashboards display data in clear and actionable information panels that help government leadership identify potential problems and generate solutions. The system aims to rationalise government spending, tighten fiscal discipline, and hone financial sustainability to achieve more diversified and sustainable economic growth. It also features tools to analyse and assess financial risks, and can predict the financial impact of future projects. For a breakthrough platform that integrates strategic financial planning with AI-backed technology, the CFI.co judges recognise Ajman DOF as the worthy winner of the 2019 award for Best Budgeting Systems & Procedures Public Sector (UAE).


Pavilion Global Markets: Best Transition Management Team North America 2019

Over the past 50 years, Pavilion Global Markets (PGM) has earned a sterling reputation for its superior service and innovative dedication to transparency, liquidity, and communication. The agency-only broker is based in Montreal but serves institutional clients around the world, offering a global equity execution platform, global research, and transition management services. The Transition Management (TM) team is responsible for 25 percent of PGM business and has established a strong presence in the Canadian market and a growing one in the USA. The TM department was founded over 20 years ago to assist institutional investors and financial intermediaries with the most efficient and cost-effective implementation of portfolio changes. In 2014, PGM opened two US offices to capitalise on the high-growth opportunities in the American market, and now the company has its sights set on expansion into European and Middle Eastern markets. PGM’s centralised trading desk runs 24 hours a day, six days a week, to provide clients with a high-touch service that enables agile response to market risks and opportunities. PGM is an employee-owned company with a dynamic business model that is driven by customer feedback for future diversification and innovation. The company consistently receives the highest marks on customer satisfaction surveys. The CFI.co judging panel notes PGM’s transparent pricing schedule and conflict-free executions as further cause for contentment. The judges congratulate Pavilion Global Markets, winner of the 2019 Best Transition Management Team (North America) award.


The Walt Disney Company: Best Corporate Treasury Management Team United States 2019

One of the world’s most beloved entertainment brands, the Walt Disney Company has a storied past nearly a century long. What began as a family-owned cartoon studio has grown into a multinational publicly-traded company spanning four segments: Media Networks; Parks, Experiences and Products; Studio Entertainment; and Direct-to-Consumer and International. The company is home to creative spirits and tech superstars who bring storytelling to life — and financial experts who are next-level mages in matters of money. Disney’s Corporate Treasury Department is responsible for billions in working capital, financing, foreign currency exposure, and retirement assets. A team of experienced financing, financial risk, and investment managers strives to keep the company on a sound fiscal footing. The department experiences low turnover and high engagement, with regular opportunities for employees to cross train and sharpen skills. The enduring stability of the team encourages long-term relationships with rating agencies based on honesty and integrity. The Walt Disney Company can chalk up 2019 as a milestone year of transformation, and the treasury team was instrumental. The Company strengthened its offerings with the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which follows on Disney’s prior acquisitions of Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), and Lucasfilm (2012). This top-tier selection of exclusive content bodes well for the company’s recently launched streaming service, Disney+. The CFI.co judging panel notes that business is booming across the brand — leading the judges to present The Walt Disney Company with the 2019 award for Best Corporate Treasury Management Team (United States).


Avelacom: Best Connectivity & IT Infrastructure Provider Global 2020

Avelacom has developed a comprehensive suite of data services and cloud solutions to ensure financial institutions stay current and competitive with fast and reliable access to market trading and pricing data. Traders using high volatility strategies — where a few milliseconds’ delay could spell disaster — are sensitive to issues such as packet losses, jitter and latencies. Avelacom’s proprietary network of fibre and microwave tower relay technologies allows the transfer of limitless data at high speeds and high volume across global markets. With offices in North Carolina, London, Singapore and Moscow, the company operates across more than 80 data centres worldwide. A focus on network ownership and connectivity updates has enabled Avelacom to establish some of the lowest latency routes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Avelacom set the speed record with its London-Tokyo route, and recently announced a partnership with Brazilian exchange B3. Despite the diverse scope of client demands, Avelacom is a one-stop-shop for telecom solutions. It offers direct connectivity to all major cloud service providers, and deploys ready-to-go, rentable infrastructure to help clients expand into new markets with minimal upfront investment. It presents analysed data to clients in an understandable format, and is constantly looking for ways to make products more user-friendly. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Avelacom, the 2020 winner of the global award for Best Connectivity & IT Infrastructure Provider.


Grieg Group: Best Maritime Sustainability Strategy Europe 2019

Measuring up to modern standards of sustainability is an opportunity to do good and represents sound business thinking. The family-owned Grieg Group has a distinguished maritime history stretching back to 1884, and the world-wide business is still guided by key shared values. The core business today ranges from shipping and logistics to investments and seafood. The group welcomed the opportunity to revise its business strategy based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has targeted five goals where it can affect the most change. The Grieg Group considers its people as its strongest asset and ensures their professional growth through continuous lifelong learning support. It has cultivated a diverse team of professionals and strives for gender parity across all levels of employment. The group has begun a self-assessment with the aim to become a top-three industry performer in diversity and gender equality. The Grieg Group envisions a zero-effluent future to support climate action and promote maritime biodiversity. The group fosters industry innovation through partnerships for collaboration in order to reach our common goal of restoring the ocean.  The Grieg Group also tracks its progress on three additional SDGs: decent work and economic growth; peace, justice, and strong institutions; and partnerships for the goals. The Grieg Foundation, which owns 25 percent of the group, supports children’s programmes, cultural activities, and medical and environmental research. The CFI.co judging panel sees a purpose-driven company that has pledged to deliver bold solutions that are both sustainable and profitable. The judges applaud the ambition and name Grieg Group as winner of the 2019 award for Best Maritime Sustainability Strategy (Europe).


Brahms Group: Best African Project Developer Switzerland 2019

Brahms Group is a Swiss-based and African-led company, bridging Western investing with African opportunity. The company was founded by African entrepreneur Daouda Fall to spur economic development in the continent. Over the past decade, Brahms Group has directed investments towards the sectors with the most potential: energy, agriculture, and finance. The group is structured as three distinct yet integrated businesses including consulting activities, oil refineries, and agro-industries. Brahms Consulting is a relationship-driven and results-oriented advisory firm that assists companies planning projects in Africa by connecting them with finance sources and negotiating government contracts. Brahms Oil Refineries address the shortage of refining facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa by implementing modular refineries for strategic local production. This solution reduces the oil import burden, contributes to infrastructure development, and boosts local employment. Brahms Agro-Industries (BAIL) links Senegalese agricultural and livestock producers to international industry leaders for the optimisation and industrialisation of the sector, fostering self-sustaining national food supplies and improving the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. Brahms employees are united behind a mission to create wealth for clients, communities and the continent. Brahms brings a profound understanding of African markets and a solid international finance network to each project, laying a foundation for a stable and sustainable future. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the company’s impact investing strategy and presents Brahms Group with the 2019 award for Best African Project Developer (Switzerland).


Commerzbank: Best Universal Banking Services Germany 2019

As Commerzbank approaches its 150th anniversary, it can reflect on the innovation and versatility which has enabled it to thrive for a century and a half. The bank transacts 30 percent of Germany’s foreign trade and is the market leader in corporate banking. Its 800 branches and 36,000 staff serve over 11,000,000 private and small business customers. In a recent survey, Commerzbank achieved an 82 percent approval rate from heads of finance making it the most highly rated German bank among corporate clients. Since 2014 it has pursued a consistent retail banking strategy in private and small business customers and the implementation of the Commerzbank 4.0 strategy, which has led to 60 percent of all core processes being available digitally, resulted in a net profit of EUR 865m in 2018. Sales processes and customer advisory are being revolutionised through digital data management, but the bank is still maintaining its human touch in the lending, private pension plans, and wealth management sectors – where advisors will always be on hand to deliver a personal service. A three-pronged strategy underlies the bank’s ability to provide a world-class service: its wide product range in both the retail and corporate banking spheres, its digital transformation helping entrepreneurs to better manage their business, and its personal banking with over 300 branches serving small business customers and over 100 locations offering wealth management expertise. This commitment to offering a wider variety of services than its competitors and innovate constantly mean that the CFI.co judging panel is delighted to present Commerzbank AG with the 2019 award for Best Universal Banking Services Germany.


NCB Capital: Best Global Asset Management Team GCC 2019

As one of the largest banks in the GCC, Saudi Arabia’s National Commercial Bank (NCB) has been at the forefront of the region’s banking and finance activities for more than 60 years. Also known as Al Ahli Bank, NCB was the kingdom’s first official and licensed banking institution and the first to launch a mutual fund product, offer credit cards, and introduce ATMs. Its investment arm, NCB Capital, has also notched many landmark milestones since its launch in 2007, and now claims over a million clients and US$42.4b in assets under management (as of 2Q19), making it the largest asset manager in the kingdom with a dominant 32.8% market share. The company’s AUMs grew 9.3% over the last 12 months (ending 2Q19), despite the disadvantage of their massive base and turbulent market conditions. This is a vote of confidence in the asset managers’ team by the existing and newly on boarded clients. NCB Capital (NCBC) team comprises of seasoned professionals who have earned their spurs over lengthy leadership careers in private enterprise and financial management and have deep collective regional expertise. NCBC asset managers chart a confident course for clients’ investment objectives, serving as the steady hand at the helm or providing expert navigation advice. The firm caters to both retail and institutional investors with a full suite of conventional and Shariah-compliant finance solutions, including fiduciary, investment advisory, portfolio management, brokerage, and market research services. Public equities are the flagship component of NCBC’s innovative product line-up, and NCBC offers funds for every interest and investor profile. Despite the volatile market, NCBC equities grew nearly 30 percent year-on-year in 2018. The diversity and range of NCBC asset management offerings is remarkable. To ensure that the complete spectrum of investor profiles is served and the cutting edge of market products and innovations are made available to its clientele, the company regularly expands and adjusts its product offerings. NCBC added one Private Fund to its offerings so far during 2019, taking total number of Public and Private Funds to 86. This represents twice the number of funds offered by the closest competitor in this metric. The NCBC team draws upon the vast resources at its disposal — including a well-defined business vision backed by a high-tech infrastructure, sophisticated control environments, and a country-wide presence — to provide clients with investment solutions catered to their needs. For the second year running, the CFI.co judging panel presents NCB Capital with the Best Global Asset Management Team (GCC) award.