Saturna: Best Sustainable Fund Manager Malaysia 2021

After a meeting with Islamic scholars in 1984, Saturna founder Nick Kaiser began to build a long-term, values-based, socially responsible and shariah-compliant investment portfolio in Washington State, USA. The Amana Income Fund became operational in 1986, Sextant Growth Fund followed the next year and Saturna Capital was incorporated in 1989 — making the group responsible for some of the earliest Islamic funds in the world. Amana has a track record of double-digit growth. Saturna started its operation in Kuala Lumpur in 2010. Saturna Sustainable Funds launched in 2015, and the Clean Shares scheme was introduced in 2017. Saturna’s sustainable equity and bond funds target larger, more established, worldwide issuers with stable profits and low ESG risks. Shariah principles and ESG considerations are some of the most important filters applied by Saturna asset managers. They conduct due diligence on all investment opportunities, with in-depth research into geopolitical developments, industry and technology trends, market conditions and leadership teams. It bets on companies with strong ESG performance, with the conviction that this correlates with more proactive risk management, higher resilience and greater contributions to the global economy. Saturna is proud to operate on a profit-sharing system, where clients pay no up-front fees, and everyone earns when performance is up. The team is now helping to accelerate Shariah and ESG investing throughout the region and in GCC countries. It has launched the first global Shariah ESG equity fund in Jakarta. The CFI.co judging panel declares Saturna as Best Sustainable Fund Manager (Malaysia) 2021.


IDFC FIRST Bank: Best Sustainable Banking Strategy India 2021

IDFC FIRST — born from the merger of IDFC Bank and Capital First in December 2018 — validates the theory that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It has built a business focusing on customer experience, solid corporate governance and preparedness. During its first financial year as a newly integrated entity, retail liabilities grew by 157 percent and retail loans were up 40 percent. Its net-interest margin rose from 1.56 percent (pre-merger) to 4.24 percent in Q4 FY 2020 — which is indicative of a strong Indian bank. IDFC FIRST serves clients from all walks of life — salaried and self-employed, small businesses and micro-enterprises — through an extensive national network and digital platform. The bank prioritises underserved segments and first-time borrowers. IDFC FIRST Bank takes pride in bringing more people into the financial mainstream and deploys analytics-backed credit risk assessments to expand lending capabilities. The bank ensures sustainable growth for present and future generations by rooting operations in responsibility, ethics, transparency, technology and human resources. It invests in digital technologies that increase customers’ convenience and reduce the bank’s carbon footprint. IDFC FIRST contributes to the creation of sustainable communities through CSR initiatives promoting education, skill and livelihood training, healthcare and hygiene, financial literacy and inclusion. IDFC FIRST Bank has attracted the attention of the CFI.co judging panel in several past awards programmes. This year the jury names IDFC FIRST Bank as 2021 winner of the award Best Sustainable Banking Strategy (India).


Hamraa Insurance: Best Insurance Company Iraq 2021

Founded in 2001, Hamraa Insurance relies on a process of continuous improvement for the benefit and surety of customers. The Iraqi market can be challenging, but Hamraa Insurance has found it to be full of opportunity and receptive to change. As pandemic restrictions eased and motorists worldwide took back to the streets, Iraq’s oil-centred economy has seen increased activity, leading to a jump in cargo and construction business. Hamraa Insurance has expanded its market reach significantly, serving local and international clients — individual, corporates and NGOs — with a range of plans that lend peace of mind. It strikes a balance between highest-quality services and lowest costs. Insurance products are optimised for ever-evolving regional circumstances, with coverage plans for life and annuities, health and medical, vehicle, aviation, financial reinsurance, guaranteed asset protection, marine and shipping, travel, liability, professional liability, property, casualty and group insurance. Hamraa Insurance has been very active over the past year and has seen a significant improvement in its financial figures. It has moved into the microinsurance business, signed a deal to arrange bank assurance products and launched a new project for the medical industry. Hamraa is a leading health insurer in Iraq. A solid financial base and dedicated team ensure the company is well-prepared for competition. Hamraa Insurance is rolling out the welcome mat for top global re-insurers to explore the domestic market. The CFI.co judging panel presents Hamraa Insurance — a repeat winner — with the 2021 award Best Insurance Company (Iraq).


Kasko: Most Promising InsurTech Start-up UK 2021

Founded in 2015, Kasko is helping to usher in Insurance 3.0 with its “Insurtech as A Service” model. It offers traditional insurance companies a white label API platform to build and distribute new products faster, more cheaply, and widely. Speed, flexibility, and an omni-channel presence are essential in capturing a larger share of millennials. Currently, insurance companies can take up to 18 months and €500,000 to develop a new product using legacy IT systems. With Kasko, it only takes around four to six weeks and €50,000. Kasko’s ingenious platform allows insurers to build, test, tweak, and launch a product. And products built using the system cover the whole customer journey from digital quotes to policy documents, administration and capturing the first notification of loss. Kasko began as a B2C startup but has found a more profitable niche in the B2B2C space. The CFI.co judging panel commends the company’s innovation in both product and product-market fit. Kasko’s success can be attributed to a rare mix of entrepreneurs, tech engineers, and insurance specialists among its founders. Nikolaus Sühr had over ten years of prior experience in the insurance and consulting industries while Matthew Wardle had spent over ten years in tech start-ups and IT consulting. The CFI.co judging panel is impressed by what Kasko has achieved and looks forward to witnessing its future growth. It is pleased to present Kasko with the 2021 award for Most Promising InsurTech Start-up (UK).


Abu Dhabi Global Market: Best International Financial Centre EMEA 2021

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) celebrated its sixth anniversary in October. Located on Al Maryah Island, the international financial centre and free zone has experienced strong growth over the past year: ADGM AUM is up by 148 percent, from $29bn to $75bn, and the island’s workforce is growing, with some 3,450 registered and licenced businesses employing 17,185 professionals. The UAE is ranked one of the most politically and economically stable countries, and its capital city Abu Dhabi is a global business hub with a vibrant social scene. Businesses considering international expansion or relocation can register at ADGM and operate in a tax-friendly free zone with exemption on import, export, corporate and personal taxation. ADGM promises easy set-up for new businesses, with streamlined and fully digital processes for registration and commercial licensing. Three independent authorities — the Registration Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority and ADGM Courts — are responsible for ensuring that ADGM operates according to international best practice and English common law. The financial centre enacts positive change throughout its actions and brings positive impact via collaboration at local, regional and international level. ADGM is committed to creating a sustainable finance ecosystem, supporting gender equality and increasing financial education. The ADGM Academy offers training programmes, school courses, conventions, webinars, career counselling and research assistance throughout MENA. The CFI.co judging panel declares Abu Dhabi Global Market the winner — for the third consecutive year — of the award Best International Financial Centre (EMEA, 2021).


Linklease: Most Innovative SME Equipment Leasing Solutions UAE 2021

Linklease continues to strive to close the financing gap for SMEs with equipment leasing solutions that free-up cashflow, enhance operations and unlock growth. Linklease tailors leasing agreements for clients who need equipment and those who want to liquidate assets and lease them back. It also offers inventory management services with GPS tracking and RFID tagging technology, to enable SMEs to monitor and control valuable equipment. Over the past 8 years, Linklease has expanded its SME asset-based financing model, connecting smaller businesses looking for leasing options with investors seeking fixed-income bonds. Linklease announced its third bond in October 2021. The first two bonds, issued in December 2018 and July 2020, have delivered on-time and with full payments to investors — a testament to the consistent cashflow in the Linklease business model. The bond programme provides Linklease with capital for new deals across various industries: clean energy, healthcare, transport, manufacturing, construction and logistics. The company is launching an app to allow investors to explore practical ownership opportunities of return-generating equipment. It would allow them to own a slice of an MRI machine or the wheel of a private jet. Linklease is looking to implement a club format for private jet travel as demand for this service is up 450 percent in the Middle East. The CFI.co jury presents repeat winner Linklease with the 2021 Most Innovative SME Equipment Leasing Solutions (UAE) award.


Kuwait International Bank: Best Banking Vision MENA 2021

Kuwait International Bank (KIB) traces its origin back to an incorporation in 1973 and the former name Kuwait Real Estate Bank. The bank has grown supported by strong leadership, a solid governance structure and a dedicated team. KIB has established a strategic banking network offering service points through numerous ATMs and branches. Corporate and individual clients can access services through KIB’s digital banking platform or the telebanking service, which allows users to access information via interactive voice response and connect to an agent whenever necessary. KIB offers a full suite of banking services, from credit cards and real estate to Shariah-compliant accounts. Clients earn cashback reward points when using KIB credit cards. Business clients appreciate KIB’s e-payments gateway, which offers a convenient and secure platform for e-commerce activity. KIB’s digital banking app, which is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones, gives clients anytime-anywhere control over their accounts. The bank has expanded its technological base to meet the needs of the contemporary consumer, adding visual-interface capabilities and instant card issuance at select branches. KIB is a public-quoted company that aims to become a catalyst of socio-economic development for the country and its people. The company first registered on the CFI.co radar in 2015 for its client-centric product range and exceptional ethical standards. KIB has placed every year since in the CFI.co awards programme, with the judges commenting on its high-growth track record. This time KIB claims the 2021 award for Best Banking Vision (MENA).


Kuwait International Bank: Best Sharia-Compliant Bank MENA 2021

Kuwait International Bank (KIB), incorporated in 1973, is an Islamic-aligned financial institution with a strong digital backbone. The bank has been operating according to Islamic law since 2007. It refers to a panel of Islamic scholars on matters of Sharia compliance and a team of IT specialists on matters of tech innovation. KIB offers a full suite of banking services, from credit cards and real estate to treasury services and direct investments. Murabaha accounts provide Sharia-compliant financing solutions to purchase vehicles, real estate and commodities. An Islamic deposit account offers competitive profit and FX spot rates in KWD, USD, GBP and EUR. KIB’s “Ijara Muntahia Bittamleek” is a Sharia-compliant lease-to-own solution. KIB is a bank that leads by example, promoting honest and ethical conduct in all dealings to assure compliance with regulatory requirements and Islamic principles. It engages with stakeholders and publishes transparent disclosures and timely reports. It adheres to international standards on due diligence and anti-money laundering. It has cultivated a corporate culture where each individual’s integrity and dignity are valued. KIB is proud to provide Sharia-compliant business services that support the Kuwaiti society and economy. The public-quoted company has placed in the CFI.co awards programme on numerous occasions, with the judges commenting on a balance between upholding traditions and spurring innovation. This year makes KIB one of the programme’s most winning participants, as the judges present Kuwait International Bank with the 2021 award for Best Sharia-Compliant Bank (MENA).


Tawuniya: Outstanding Contribution to Social Impact KSA 2021

Founded in 1986, Saudi Arabia’s Tawuniya has built a diversified portfolio of sharia-compliant cooperative insurance products and services to best serve the needs of individuals, SMEs and corporates. It offers a range of insurance products, including medical, motor, property and causality coverage. It also offers takaful insurance, wherein members contribute money into a pool system to collectively guarantee against loss or damage in accordance with Islamic law. Tawuniya has solidified its leadership position, ranking among the top three insurers in the MENA region, by focusing on customer-centricity, organic growth and regional expansion. It aims to become the largest insurer in the MENA region by 2025. The CFI.co judging panel has followed the insurer’s progress closely and was pleased to note its continued community contributions. The company increased the ratio of Saudi employees to 84 percent in 2020, with women holding more than half of those positions. Tawuniya considers the communities where it operates as both catalysts and collaborators for sustainable development. It continued to support Saudi society in the fight against Covid, donating $266,666 (one million Saudi riyals) through the Ihsan platform, which was launched by SDAIA “Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority” to facilitate charitable giving. It has also participated in global campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles, from anti-smoking and blood donation to gender empowerment and childhood cancer. The jury presents Tawuniya, a repeat programme winner, with the 2021 award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Impact (KSA).


ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch: Best Debt Market Solutions GCC 2021

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC), a top-ranking global bank founded in 1984, has been strengthening ties with the Middle East over the past 14 years. The bank serves client needs through a comprehensive network of domestic and international branches, including five in the Middle East, the star of which is located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The economic free zone connects corporate and finance clients from around the world in a business-friendly tax environment. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch is proud to play a part in the development and growth of the region’s debt market. The bank first began to participate in the GCC bond market in 2014, launching a $3bn CD programme which was then increased to $6bn in 2018 and $8bn in 2020. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch ranks as one of the largest investors, settlers and market makers in the GCC and China Inter-bank Bond Market. It has upped CIBM investments by more than 100 percent over the past four years and been recognised in consecutive awards programmes as an outstanding overseas institution for money markets and foreign exchange trade. The branch has achieved tremendous growth since its inception, due in part to the team’s expertise in bond investments. In 2021, its GCC bond investments increased by 20 percent over the previous year. The CFI.co jury presents repeat winner ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch with the 2021 award for Best Debt Market Solutions (GCC).


Société Générale Guinée: Best Business Bank Guinea 2021

Société Générale Guinée has a 35-year history as a catalyst of socio-economic development in Guinea. It’s a subsidiary of the Societe Generale group and the oldest fully private financial institution in Guinea. A 28-branch nationwide network and modern digital platform ensure clients are never far from assistance. The bank works with a range of local and international individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and associations, providing the financial services that help to improve quality of life and reach goals. Société Générale Guinée is more concerned with financial inclusion than profits. It makes every effort to bring more people into the financial fold, convinced that together, we all grow. Guinea has many mineral resources, and mining has long been an important part of the national economy. Société Générale Guinée relies on mobile banking to serve the majority in this sector. Mobile banking clients appreciate the ability to access accounts, transfer money and pay invoices — all from the palm of the hand. Société Générale Guinée provides business accounts in local and foreign currencies as well as business checks and a Visa credit card. It also offers treasury services, bond issuance, financing and savings solutions. Société Générale Guinée publishes useful information on its website for new entrepreneurs and organisations about the tax structure and legal requirements in Guinea. The CFI.co judging panel presents Société Générale Guinée, a bank anchored in the values of responsibility, engagement and team spirit, with the 2021 award for Best Business Bank (Guinea).


BIAT: Best Bank Governance Tunisia 2021

BIAT (Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie / International Arab Bank of Tunisia) has grown through a series of strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions since its launch in 1976. The universal bank has diversified its offering and established subsidiaries to provide insurance, asset management, private equity, stock market intermediation and advisory services. BIAT deploys a workforce of 2000 employees to serve individual and corporate clients through 205 branches. The bank is led by an experienced board of directors and supported by strategic supervisory committees, including those for compliance, audit and risk. All employees understand that compliance — the adherence to legal and ethical mandates — is a daily priority. The compliance committee has an independent structure that affords the autonomy to manage risks and reports directly to the CEO and board. Another independent entity oversees anti-money laundering prevention, mainly via IT tools and personnel training. BIAT goes beyond mere compliance requirements to fulfil a deeper imperative as a force for good. It established the BIAT Youth Foundation in 2014 to consolidate its CSR efforts around education, culture and entrepreneurship. BIAT supported local communities during the pandemic by donating $6.6m to the Ministry of Health fund, organising relief initiatives through the foundation and implementing strict measures onsite to protect employees and clients. It extended a lifeline to businesses affected by Covid, giving them the necessary credit to survive the storm. The CFI.co judging panel presents repeat programme winner BIAT with the 2021 award for Best Bank Governance (Tunisia).


BIAT: Best Digitalisation Strategy North Africa 2021

BIAT (Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie / International Arab Bank of Tunisia) is a universal bank and diversified financial services group with subsidiaries in insurance, asset management, private equity, stock market intermediation and advisory services. BIAT stays abreast of the technology that will benefit business efficiency and client satisfaction. The bank is currently beta-testing an online banking application. The app is available upon request through an evaluation platform that solicits feedback from clients. The bank has published a user’s guide to provide beta-testers with step-by-step instructions about the app, which gives clients an overview of their accounts and allows them to make transfers, load funds on prepaid cards and lock or unlock credit cards. The app is expected to go live for all BIAT clients in early 2022. A corporate version of the app is scheduled for launch in early 2023. Digital transformation is a key component of BIAT’s growth strategy. The bank is evolving along with the population, as smart devices and data packages redefine the boundaries between financial service providers and their customers. This new platform will integrate BIAT’s mobile and web applications into one convenient and secure tool that has been designed according to customer suggestions and international tech standards to provide increased access and facilitate remote operations. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously selects BIAT, a repeat programme winner, in the award category for Best Digitalisation Strategy (North Africa).


L Catterton Europe: Best Consumer Growth Investor Europe 2021

L Catterton is a leading global alternative asset manager specializing in growth investments in the consumer sector. The firm was established as a partnership in 2016 between Catterton, a US-based private equity firm, and luxury goods conglomerate LVMH / Groupe Arnault. The move combined Catterton's private equity operations in the Americas and the private equity and real estate operations of LVMH and Groupe Arnault in Europe and Asia. L Catterton has made over 250 investments since its inception in 1989 and now manages more than $30bn in equity capital. It operates in 17 locations across five continents — and L Catterton Europe plays an integral part in that network. L Catterton Europe's well-defined and disciplined investment process is highlighted by its differentiated deal sourcing and portfolio management capabilities. From its offices in London, Paris, and Milan, a team of experienced investment managers and operational specialists works with brands to help them enhance operations, forge partnerships, expand human capital, and foster growth. L Catterton Europe puts its resources to work for its portfolio companies, helping them to improve supply chains, optimise manufacturing capabilities, and trim operational costs. They also benefit from the firm's global network of industry experts, lending institutions, consultants, and recruiters. The portfolio covers a wide range of sectors, from retail, healthcare, and marketing to pets, tourism, and restaurants. L Catterton backs innovators using technology to disrupt consumer categories. It bets on service providers working to solve real problems in consumers' lives. The CFI.co judging panel announces L Catterton Europe as the 2021 award winner for Best Consumer Growth Investor (Europe).


Prestige IFA Recruitment: Best Wealth Manager Recruitment Services UK 2021

Founder Daniel van Niekerk has walked the talk. Prior to founding Prestige IFA Recruitment, he worked as an international financial advisor in several locations around the globe. This provided him with a valuable insider perspective on recruiting analysts for wealth management companies and managing talent. He brings a wealth of industry contacts to the table. But above all, the CFI.co judging panel is impressed by the force of his personality. Recruiting is a people game, and Daniel’s warm but direct personality is a refreshing asset for both analysts and wealth management companies. He is unafraid to give unvarnished advice and loves helping analysts take their careers to the next level. In wealth management scenarios, he drills down to find the right candidate rather than just a suitable one. He always keeps company needs in mind when identifying impeccable candidates, even if those employers are not currently looking for new talent. He is unafraid to take creative approaches to finding the right individual. With an international presence and a strong team, Daniel and Prestige have continued to help their clients get results during the current crisis. They are to be applauded for consistency and excellence. It is with great pleasure that the CFI.co judging panel presents Prestige IFA Recruitment with the 2021 award for Best Wealth Manager Recruitment Services (UK).


Kathrein Privatbank: Best Private Banking Solutions Austria 2021

Modern organisations are keen to display their sustainability credentials, but not many have planted a whole forest. That’s exactly what the Austrian bank Kathrein Privatbank has done. The bank believes that life is about more than financial wealth – it’s about people and their stories, it says. Kathrein Privatbank is one of the leading private banks in the German-speaking region, providing investment advice and asset management for families, businesses and entrepreneurs. It still operates from the same building in the heart of Vienna where, in 1924 at the height of a turbulent and uncertain economic period, Carl Kathrein founded his bank. In 2012 the bank established sustainable investment as a portfolio priority. Today its wealth management focus is rooted in sustainability. The bank tailors investment plans to customers’ personal requirements, regularly reviewing strategy and goals, with a network of experts available to give advice and support. Its green investment strategies are closely aligned to the values of customers. Kathrein Privatbank believes that responsible business practices contribute to a better outlook and a higher quality of life for future generations. Today the bank offers a broad portfolio of products, driven by customer demand. Kathrein Privatbank is so committed to sustainability that in 2020 it launched its “Corporate Forest” initiative - planting 3,150 trees in Togo, West Africa. In 2021, in recognition of the bank’s continuing pursuit of customer service, and for the third consecutive year, the judging panel is pleased to present Kathrein Privatbank with the award Best Private Banking Solutions Austria.


SaarLB: Best Cross-Border Sustainable Banking Strategy France/Germany 2021

SaarLB is a Franco-German regional bank with deep roots and specialised cross-border expertise. The SaarLB network includes headquarters in Saarbrücken and offices in Koblenz, Mannheim and Trier, Germany, as well as two branches in France — Strasbourg and Paris — and a three expected in Lyon within this year. The Saarland state, which is the main shareholder of SaarLB at 75 percent ownership, is right on the French border. This regional proximity is reflected in SaarLB staff, many of whom are bilingual with academic and professional experience in both countries. SaarLB has 516 employees and reported total assets in 2020 totalling €15.15bn. SaarLB specialises in cross-border financial services for SMEs, corporates, commercial real estate, renewable-energy project financing, municipalities, institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. The integrated offering is spread across a mixed portfolio of French and German business — with a strong concentration in renewable energies. SaarLB is a leading provider of structured project financing for German and French SMEs. It issues green bonds to fuel renewable-energy expansion and contribute towards climate-protection goals. It finances wind and solar energy projects, helping to balance the global energy mix by increasing the supply of renewables and decreasing CO2 emissions. It publishes an annual sustainability report and hires an independent company for a second-party opinion. Over its 80-year existence, SaarLB has endeavoured to be an engine of sustainable economic growth. The CFI.co judging panel presents SaarLB with the 2021 award for Best Cross-Border Sustainable Banking Strategy (France/Germany).


ARTICO Partners: Best Sustainable Equity Fund Manager Switzerland 2021

ARTICO Partners has built a diversified portfolio with high outperformance probability by systematically investing in companies with superior fundamentals. The firm looks for companies with stronger ESG performance, faster growth, higher profitability, healthier balance sheet and lower valuation. It processes incoming company data on a daily basis, translating characteristics into fundamental scores to maintain an updated company ranking list. ARTICO Partners developed its own ESG scoring system after finding mixed evidence for the predictive value of raw data. The firm starts with available ratings from the MSCI database, which is known for its broad coverage and institutional standard. It then assigns a proprietary adjusted ESG score. ARTICO believes its ESG scoring system could have contributed to outperformance in global core and emerging markets from 2012 to 2019. ARTICO portfolios and funds achieve admirable ESG and sustainability ratings — AA — and are Paris-aligned with a lower carbon footprint. The funds are managed by a team of experienced partners who co-invest alongside clients, ensuring interests remain aligned. This means that investment decision-makers share in all impacts and consequences, whether positive or negative. The five-man team harnesses 120 years of collective experience to conduct proprietary research supporting investment and risk management. ARTICO’s sustainable equity funds, which cover the global equity universe, have a track record of beating benchmarks — and indications point to that trend continuing. The CFI.co judging panel presents repeat winner ARTICO Partners with the 2021 award for Best Sustainable Equity Fund Manager (Switzerland).


Fondo Pensione Nazionale: Best Pension Fund Governance Italy 2021

Fondo Pensione Nazionale BCC (FPN) is an Italian second-pillar pension fund that’s raising the bar for responsible investing. Unlike most second-pillar peers, FPN has invested in a broad spectrum of alternative asset classes, including 13 new alternative investment funds in 2020 focused on private equity, private debt and infrastructure. Real estate and photovoltaic solar assets feature in that mix. FPN became the first Italian pension fund to publish a sustainability report in 2019. It released a follow-up edition the next year. FPN engages with investees to promote the establishment, monitoring and reporting of ESG strategies. It has made significant contributions in the green investments field, exercising its influence to inspire others. FPN now manages 97 percent of assets in line with an ESG policy, and a dedicated ESG team oversees more than half of FPN assets. It aims to increase sustainability coverage for the scheme's assets to 100 percent with a full-time ESG department to monitor and mediate. The pension fund began its sustainability journey ahead of any regulatory mandates, following instead its own internal compass and international best practices. FPN general manager Sergio Carfizzi was recently named an ESG forerunner at Pension & Investments’ 2021 WorldPensionSummit in The Hague. FPN was also honoured there the preceding year, in the category of innovative investments. The CFI.co judging panel adds another accolade to the list, presenting repeat programme winner Fondo Pensione Nazionale with the 2021 award for Best Pension Fund Governance (Italy).


AUM Asset Management: Best Sustainable Small Fund Manager Europe 2021

AUM Asset Management Ltd. is an independent investment management company that provides investment solutions, asset management, fund management and advisory services to institutional investor and family office clients around the world. AUM Management was founded in 2015 by financier and investor Jean-Francois de Clermont-Tonnerre and has its primary offices in Malta, London and Miami. AUM Asset Management serves institutional investors and family offices, delivering high-value traditional, alternative and real asset investment solutions through the firm's expansive international network in Europe and North America. The firm is domiciled in Malta, in part due to the country's strong sustainability framework created by Maltese regulators. AUM is a results-driven investment manager that seeks consistent growth of clients' wealth, while having a positive impact on the planet and society. AUM's multi-faceted investment approach offers investors access to a diversified set of strategies, markets, geographies and asset classes in a flexible and nimble investment framework, with the goal of delivering absolute returns and wealth creation over the long term. Investments included in AUM's portfolios are determined by their potential return profile and specific ESG factors. The firm then applies global macro, quantitative, fundamental and technical analyses to their investment theses to provide another layer of informed decision making prior to allocating to their portfolios. Investors are increasingly demanding investment solutions that meet social and environmental factors and deliver positive outcomes for communities and the environment. AUM considers all actions from a sustainability standpoint and takes pride in contributing towards sustainable development through its thoughtful, ESG-centric investment approach. The CFI.co judging panel presents AUM Asset Management with the 2021 Best Sustainable Small Fund Manager (Europe) award.


Fitch Ratings: Best Credit Services Global 2022

Fitch Ratings is a leading provider of credit ratings, commentary and research, with a 100-year history of value creation in its coverage markets, which include Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. In this era of volatility & technological transformation, Fitch provides clarity and insight, enabling its clients all over the world to make better decisions. In addition to ratings, Fitch Group offers courses, qualifications and apprenticeships through Fitch Learning, as well as targeted research and analytics through Fitch Solutions.

Fitch Ratings was one of the first agencies to respond to the global pandemic, publishing timely and in-depth COVID-19 related reports to share updated credit views, and providing a dedicated Coronavirus website with COVID-19 related research, multi-media content and webinars.

In 2021, nearly 6 million unique users visited fitchratings.com, a 38% increase year over year. Fitch Ratings’ analytical staff conducted over 16,000 rating committees, and published 31,243 pieces of content, an approximate 15% increase each year. They produced over 15,000 Rating Action Commentaries (RACs) and authored more than 9,500 issuer reports, Non-Rating Action Commentaries (NRACs) and Fitch Wires through 2021. Fitch also held more webinars than any other rating agency; its 438 webinars attracted 36,000 participants. These results have strengthened Fitch’s brand and have driven its business performance even in the face of a challenging global environment.

Fitch Ratings’ focus has, and in our opinion will continue to be, on providing transparent, objective and substantive data that enables confidence in decision-making. Thus, in September 2021, Fitch launched Sustainable Fitch, offering insights, tools and data that have been designed and built entirely and exclusively to help bring clarity to the ESG financial community. This includes the first global ESG Ratings solution for all asset classes at an entity and instrument level built from the ground up to exclusively help the ESG focused financial community make smarter decisions.

The CFI.co judging panel has decided in Fitch’s favour in previous awards programmes — and now finds cause to continue another year. Fitch Ratings wins the 2022 Best Credit Services (Global) award.


BVI Finance: Best Offshore Financial Services Centre Global 2021

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) evoke images of pristine beaches and verdant landscapes, but this archipelago is also home to one of the world’s leading offshore financial centres. BVI Finance has promoted the islands’ financial services industry over the past two decades, serving as spokesperson and liaison for new and existing partners in emerging and traditional markets worldwide. BVI Finance maintains a regular presence on the global conference and trade show circuit, engaging with key stakeholders and expounding on the many advantages of doing business in the islands. The Covid pandemic has prevented most of those events from taking place physically over the past two years, but BVI Finance has maintained momentum by embracing digital channels. It adjusted to complications and moved forward with technical innovation including developing a compelling proposition for FinTech. As a result, it has achieved strong yearly results, with business up by over 60 percent. In some areas, it was the highest growth rate seen over the past three years. The BVI is a self-governing British Overseas Territory with an independent legal and judicial system based on English Common Law. The jurisdiction boasts an innovative and internationally recognised regulatory regime with a business-friendly operating environment and no taxes on capital gains or withholdings. BVI Finance helps connect global markets and stimulate capital flows, particularly into developing countries. In recognition of the crucial role it plays in the global economy, the CFI.co judging panel presents BVI Finance — a repeat programme winner — with the 2021 global award for Best Offshore Financial Services Centre.


PGM Global Inc: Best Global Portfolio Strategy Team North America 2021

PGM Global, formerly Pavilion Global Markets, has an annual trading volume of some $70bn and a trading desk that operates around the clock throughout the work week. The company pulls from a 50-year history to provide institutional investors with industry-leading services in securities trading, transition management and global macro research. It conducts unbiased analysis of 35 countries and makes investment calls on a short-term horizon of nine to 12 months. It offers forward-looking, topic-focused research reports, which include four pages of detailed notes and eight informative graphs. On Fridays, it publishes a report called Out of Focus, compiling the research materials that didn’t go into the weekly topical reports. It’s solid timely research, and PGM Global thinks it would be a shame to waste it. PGM Global has some 10,000 charts that it references and updates in real time to conduct global macro research across all asset classes. It focuses on the impacts of macro events on equities, fixed income, commodities and currencies. It also offers bespoke research services that have proven equally successful for investment managers and pension funds. PGM’s global macro research team generates market insights that identify risks and opportunities. It combines a top-down, bottom-up and quantitative approach to analysis, starting with a global economic overview and then digging deeper to uncover anomalies. CFI.co announces PGM Global Inc, a repeat programme winner, as champion in the 2021 award category Best Global Portfolio Strategy Team (North America).


PGM Global Inc: Best Transition Management Team North America 2021

PGM Global has taken the final steps of the journey towards full independence since the acquisition of its former parent. The company, once called Pavilion Global Markets, has made a subtle name change — but it still maintains the same strong identity and principles. PGM Global embraces change, one of the few constants in life. It stays on top of ever-evolving capital markets to provide global macro research that facilitates informed investment decisions. Its trading desk is staffed 24 hours a day, five days a week, allowing investors to seize opportunities as they arise. PGM’s transition management team helps clients manage financial changes, altering allocation mix or rebalancing portfolios. The team continues to grow in the US and the Middle East. The Covid-19 pandemic brought numerous challenges, international travel being one of the more minor, but PGM Global has weathered the storm well. Long-running investments in tech infrastructure paved the way for a smooth transition to digital workflows. Over the last two years, PGM Global secured considerable transition management business in equities as well as fixed income. The team is proud of the revenue — and reputational advances — earned over the past year. The CFI.co judging panel presents repeat programme winner PGM Global with the 2021 award Best Transition Management Team (North America).


GoldenTree Asset Management: Best Credit Asset Manager United States 2022

GoldenTree Asset Management is an employee-owned firm that specialises in high yield bonds, leveraged loans, distressed, structured products, emerging markets, and credit-themed equities. GoldenTree has nearly $47bn in AUM as of December 1, 2021, deploying capital across alternative and fixed-income strategies covering diverse industries and geographies. GoldenTree is a global operation, with headquarters in New York and offices in West Palm Beach, London, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Dublin. The 250 employees collectively speak approximately 20 languages, and over 60 investment professionals bring an average of 16 years’ experience to the team. GoldenTree’s flagship credit hedge fund has delivered annualised net investor returns of between nine and 10 percent since its inception — and 2020 and 2021 saw an uptick in performance. GoldenTree investments include distressed opportunities, with $30bn invested since 2000 and over $6bn in distressed capital under management currently. These investments have averaged an internal rate of return (IRR) of 25 percent. GoldenTree began issuing collateralised loan obligations (CLOs, single securities backed by a pool of debt) in 2000 and has realised top decile IRRs across market cycles. GoldenTree CLOs have achieved market-leading equity distributions in the US and Europe, with annualised outperformance on the underlying loans relative to the index averaging over 100bps. In 2016, a CLO equity fund — the GoldenTree Loan Management programme — was launched with a differentiated structure for enhanced returns, witih a second vintage raised in 2019. The strategy in aggregate has raised over $1.3bn. The programme has achieved high quarterly distributions, around 15 percent per annum. The CFI.co judging panel presents GoldenTree Asset Management, a repeat programme winner, with the 2022 award for Best Credit Asset Manager (US).


Partners Wealth Management: Best Sustainable Financial Planning Advisers UK 2021

Partners Wealth Management (PWM), founded in 2004, seeks to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with team members, external groups and clients. It takes a partnership approach to financial advisory, listening carefully to client objectives and tailoring services to meet their needs. The firm has experienced steady growth, working now with more than 40 groups and overseeing some £2.5bn in client assets. It builds lifelong partnerships with clients, driving returns through investment independence and innovation while pulling from an extensive network of private offices to cover every potential financial need of clients. Partners Wealth Management is one of the UK’s largest independent advisors, promising unbiased and knowledgeable financial counsel. The firm seeks to create positive impacts by educating clients on responsible and sustainable investment opportunities. Partners Wealth Management has been praised for its efforts to bring pensions and portfolios under the auspices of responsible investing — assisting clients to deploy their capital for good. It developed the PWM Green Matrix to filter thousands of sustainable investments, using its own methodology to create a bespoke green investment footprint matching clients’ sustainability aspirations. It engages with fund managers and portfolio companies to accelerate change. It brings people together in sustainable investing forums to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration. The firm also conducts fundraising for local charities and organises finance courses for young people. The CFI.co judging panel presents Partners Wealth Management with the 2021 award for Best Sustainable Financial Planning Advisers (UK).


Avantium: Best Disruptive Technologies Innovator Europe 2021

Avantium is ushering in a new generation of plastic materials, made from biomass rather than fossil fuel sources. Avantium has 200 people working across its Amsterdam-based headquarters, laboratories and three pilot plants in the Netherlands. The company uses proprietary technology to catalytically convert plant-based sugars into the 100% plant-based, fully recyclable plastic material PEF (polyethylene furanoate) and into MEG (mono-ethylene glycol) for which the company runs two separate pilot plants. It also opened a third pilot plant in 2018 to support the transition of the chemicals and materials industries to non-fossil resources. The development of FDCA (furandicarboxylic acid), the main building block for PEF, has been pursued for over a century. Avantium is moving forward on plans to construct the world’s first commercial-scale FDCA factory. It had already finalised engineering, supply chain and offtake details before securing €90m in financing in December 2021. By industrialising the production of FDCA, considered a “sleeping giant” by industry standards, Avantium expects to unlock a market with a potential value over $200bn. PEF plastics are compatible with existing recycling facilities and the production of PEF has a 50 to 70 percent lower carbon footprint than fossil-based plastics. PEF’s improved barrier functionality extends the shelf life of packaged products. It also has superior mechanical strength, allowing for lighter packaging that requires fewer resources to produce and transport. Avantium is unravelling the possibilities of plant-based building blocks and will turn its sights next to explore CO2 as a feedstock. The CFI.co jury presents Avantium with the 2021 Best Disruptive Technologies Innovator (Europe) award.


SHUAA Capital: Best Sukuk Expert Global 2021

SHUAA Capital has developed the leading asset management and investment banking platform in the MENA region based a 40-year track record of creating value and delivering sustainable returns. The group is specialised in the niche market of high-yield sukuks and has begun to introduce green sukuks into the mix. SHUAA Capital tailors finance solutions to client needs and tends to complete transactions in the $15m range. Clients benefit from the group’s strong geographical presence, deal-driving network and extensive expertise in public and private markets, real estate, debt and investment banking. SHUAA Capital offers a comprehensive range of products and services: open- and close-ended funds, investment management and custody, bespoke discretionary portfolios, alternative debt and financing, M&A advisory and direct and co-investments. The group has operations in eight countries and a workforce of 350 employees to look after 2,000 clients and $13.1bn in AUM. SHUAA Capital’s strong balance sheet and solid fundamentals permit a “patient capital” investment approach, using its proprietary network and in-depth risk assessments to originate deals. It targets companies in the sectors of technology, shipping, insurance, financial services and real estate, then acquires controlling or minority stakes with substantial influence. Value creation forms the foundation of the group’s investment philosophy, and alignment of interests is ensured through trust and transparency. The CFI.co judging panel believes the aforementioned translates to drivers of continued and resilient growth — and announces SHUAA Capital as the 2021 global award winner for Best Sukuk Expert.


365.bank: Best Bank Governance Slovakia 2021

Slovakia’s 365.bank, founded in 1993, serves nearly a million clients through a nationwide network including 62 branches and over 7,000 cash-withdrawal points. It supplements standard banking services with an offer of insurance products, mutual funds and pension savings. The bank is led by a board of directors and a supervisory board. 365.bank benefits from close government connections and has long-standing professional relationships with the heads of several European states. Other firms rarely compare to 365.bank in terms of government access. This allows the bank to keep a finger on the pulse of regulatory developments, helping the team to make smarter investments and better shepherd portfolio companies. Digital advancements are opening new avenues of commerce and bringing previously unbanked populations into the financial fold — challenging government bodies to draft regulations that keep pace with the development. 365.bank’s close connections with start-ups and EU governments enable it to interpret the headwinds of the industry and help both sides work together. It collaborates with governments to identify trends in the digital financial ecosystem and helps fintech partners to navigate evolving regulatory environments. The bank harnesses digital advancements to bring added value to daily banking, using AI and machine learning to analyse data to support better decision making. The CFI.co judging panel announces 365.bank as the 2021 winner in the award category of Best Bank Governance (Slovakia).


Digital Ventures: Best P2P Blockchain Solution South East Asia 2022

Digital Ventures aims to simplify domestic and cross-border trades through the creative deployment of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). It’s striving to eradicate inefficiencies blocking the free flow of commerce, goods and services. An estimated $1.3tn of working capital is tied up in the supply chain, with around 55 million people involved in the invoice approval process. Traditional trade has relied on paper systems and third-party authorities, namely banks and government agencies, but DLT allows for the decentralised storage and synchronisation of secure data. This means suppliers get paid at shipment, buyers enjoy streamlined orders and banks avoid collection risks. Secured transactions can be exchanged through the internet with global scalability. Blockchain supports the industry’s need for air-tight records and easy integration. Digital Ventures was established in 2016 as a subsidiary of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), Thailand’s largest bank in terms of assets, profit and market cap. It was the first to graduate from SCB’s venture builder programme and obtained approval to spinout as a fintech start-up in January 2020. SCB — Digital Ventures’ first client — used its B2P platform (blockchain for procure-to-pay) to onboard thousands of suppliers, helping the bank to slash trade processing time in half and reduce costs by 70 percent. Digital Ventures is looking at global expansion via partnerships with banks in the APAC region, UK, US and Brazil. The CFI.co judging panel declares Digital Ventures as the 2022 award winner for Best P2P Blockchain Solution (South East Asia).


Augusta & Co: Best Renewable Energy Financial Advisory Europe 2021

Augusta & Co is fuelling the renewable energy transition. The London-based company was founded by a team of senior investment bankers 20 years ago, and the leadership — and ownership — of the company is still shared among senior staff. Augusta & Co has gained in-depth technical expertise throughout a history of financial advisory representing some 22 gigawatts of renewable energy assets and €12bn in equity capital raised across 100 transactions. It promises independent, unbiased financial advice that’s free from conflicts of interest and that supports a decarbonised future. It has helped clients to chart optimal funding routes and investment strategies across a range of renewable energy technologies: onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydro, biomass, landfill gas, biofuels, marine generation and energy storage systems. Augusta & Co has recruited some of the world’s smartest minds to its 35+-person workforce, which ranks as one of the largest specialised teams in the European renewable energy sector. The company is the top financial advisor for utility-scale wind and hydro energy assets in Europe, and it harnesses deep sector experience to unlock decarbonisation benefits for all businesses. It works with a global network of thousands of industrial leaders and renewable energy investors to provide clients with execution-focused advice and the most trustworthy and nuanced market insights. For a company assisting businesses to find a cleaner, greener path, the CFI.co judging panel declares Augusta & Co as the 2021 Best Renewable Energy Financial Advisory (Europe) award winner.


Renaissance Investment Management: Best Small Cap Investment Solutions USA 2021

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-10187 size-full" title="Renaissance Investment Management logo" src="https://cfi.co/awards/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/RenaissanceIM-logo.jpg" alt="Renaissance Investment Management logo" width="500" height="127" />

Renaissance Investment Management, based in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, today manages approximately $3 billion in assets under management and has been serving both institutional and individual clients since 1978.  Their Small Cap Growth strategy focuses on fundamentals in managing portfolios, utilizing proprietary quantitative models to help guide their decision making and to ensure discipline in staying true to their high-quality, growth-at-a-reasonable price philosophy.

Paul Radomski, lead portfolio manager for the strategy since its inception in 1996, and his team generated a 33.7% return (net of fees) for their clients in 2021, handily beating the Russell 2000 Growth index for the year, which was up 2.8%.  For the last ten years, the strategy has generated a net return of 18.8% annualized versus 14.1% for the Russell 2000 Growth index.

The Small Cap Growth team at Renaissance focuses their daily efforts on finding companies with strong management teams that have demonstrated consistent above average growth, with a well-articulated strategy for future growth.  Their quantitative models include measures of growth, quality, momentum and valuation.  This quant framework aids the team not only in “discovering” new investment opportunities but also helps ensure discipline in the overall portfolio construction process.

The team believes that successfully managing risk is a critical part of the results they’ve generated.  The Small Cap Growth strategy’s emphasis on various measures of margins, profitability and balance sheet strength help to control overall portfolio risk.  Since inception, the strategy has achieved a returns-based beta of 0.88 and a downside capture ratio of 85%.

The CFI.co judging panel announces Renaissance Investment Management as the 2021 award winner for Best Small Cap Investment Solutions (USA).


Ariya Capital: Best ESG Clean Energy Investment Partner Sub-Saharan Africa 2021

Ariya Capital invests in clean energy projects to fuel growth and alleviate poverty across sub-Saharan Africa. The holding company is led by an executive team with more than 80 years of experience in international finance, energy and emerging markets. They drive Ariya’s impact investing mission to deliver superior financial returns, quantifiable environmental benefits and positive social impacts. The company was founded in 2008 and incorporated in the Channel Island of Jersey. Ariya has offices in London, Namibia, South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya — enabling the team to build collaborative stakeholder relationships to accelerate the green revolution in Africa. It acts as a catalyst for growth via proprietary projects and equity investments across three main business lines: energy finance, independent power production and fund management. Ariya has found clean energy projects to pay out attractive financial, social and environmental dividends, whether small-scale embedded power systems or large independent power producers. It concentrates on the industrial and commercial sector using an investment approach that variates between leasing models and the provision of development capital. It focuses on natural gas as a transitional fuel to replace coal-fired power and community micro-grids to address the infrastructural gaps leaving nearly 600 million Africans without access to electricity. Ariya’s portfolio is diversified across geographies and products, from energy storage and stabilisation systems to desalination and hydrogen energy projects. The CFI.co judging panel announces Ariya Capital as the 2021 award winner for Best ESG Clean Energy Investment Partner (Sub-Saharan Africa).


Business Integration Partners: Best Corporate Consultancy Europe 2021

Business Integration Partners (BIP) was set up in 2003 with a small team and a disruptive offering. Now the Milan-headquartered company has 4,000 people manning the desks at 20 offices in 12 countries. BIP invests considerable time and resources in the recruitment and retention of top talent. It has assembled a team of analysts, scientists, engineers, designers, marketers, technologists and managers that are “in the business of making sense and making things”. The team works together to help corporate clients implement transformation strategies and achieve quality at scale. BIP believes the traditional binary economic model — mass production with acceptable quality or niche markets with high quality — has become antiquated. Technology has reached the point where scalability and quality are no longer mutually exclusive. BIP approaches each consultancy from the formula of value, people and technology. It suggests that clients consider if they’re offering an irreplaceable value, AKA, giving back more than what they’re asking for. It looks to augment the power of people, helping clients to build the best team and work environment. Then BIP shows how technology could enable them to operate better, faster and cheaper. The company works with clients across different industries and business functions, creating bridges where the competition only sees borders. BIP adds its expert opinion to the global conversation through a comprehensive digital library of articles, insights and case studies. The CFI.co jury declares BIP as the 2021 Best Corporate Consultancy (Europe) award winner.


Applied Science Private University: Most Innovative Community Impact Research University Middle East 2022

Applied Science Private University (ASU) is highly ranked among global higher education institutions. It was the first private university in Jordan to achieve an overall five-star rating from QS Stars, an international university rating system. ASU’s Faculty of Pharmacy was the only faculty in Jordan and the second worldwide to achieve a five-star distinction. The global pandemic proved the quality of the university’s online learning system and infrastructure — and reaffirmed the programme’s five-star rating. It also converted sporting facilities into the country’s first and largest Covid vaccination centre. ASU prepares students to compete, contribute and prosper in a rapidly evolving world. The university has been supporting sustainable development long before it became a buzz word. It aims to fuel social, economic and environmental development throughout the nation, region and international network. ASU has signed agreements and established working relationships with University College London and Queen's University. It is building a first-of-its-kind public health research centre in collaboration with the University of Sydney. ASU fosters a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion across its campuses and has established centres catering to the needs of female, disabled or pregnant students and faculty. ASU recently appointed Jordan’s first female university president, Prof. Dr Iman Amin Basheti, to further its tradition of excellence in education, research, community service and innovation. The CFI.co judging panel announces Applied Science Private University, a repeat programme winner, with the 2022 award for Most Innovative Community Impact Research University (Middle East).


Pollen Street Capital: Best Responsible Alternative Investment Team UK 2022

Compassionate, committed and caring — that’s how the Pollen Street team operates. Pollen Street Capital is a purpose-led asset manager with ambitious ESG targets to manage its carbon footprint. The firm expects to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of the year and takes steps to help portfolio companies become carbon neutral within five years of investment. The firm aims to generate positive impacts for its investors, people, portfolio companies and society at large by embedding ESG diligence throughout its operations and investments. Pollen Street employs more than 70 professionals through its London and New York offices. It operates dedicated private equity and credit strategies. The firm markets itself as a partner for growth rather than simply an investor. It recruits top talent and harnesses their insight and expertise to drive financial results and accelerate positive change. Digital transformation, analytical rigour and technology deployment are key elements of the investment approach. Pollen Street backs portfolio companies and credit partners that help consumers make greener choices, increase their access to finance and SMEs to promote job creation and socioeconomic growth. It’s a diversity champion working to close the gender funding gap and pushing for a target of 25 percent women at the board and executive level of portfolio companies by 2025. The CFI.co judging panel presents repeat winner Pollen Street Capital with the 2022 award for Best Responsible Alternative Investment Team (UK).


Couche-Tard: Best Convenience Store Diversity & Inclusion Employer Global 2021

Alimentation Couche-Tard has grown through acquisitions and organic expansion from one Canadian convenience store in 1980 to a global network with 14,200 stores and a growing international presence in North America, Europe, and Asia. Couche-Tard, a Canadian company, has its primary corporate office in Laval, Quebec. The company values remind people to act as one team, do the right thing, take ownership, and play to win. Couche-Tard prioritises diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation, aiming to build a workforce that’s reflective of the diverse communities it serves. It leaves no stone unturned when recruiting for top talent — then gives them the room and attention to grow. Couche-Tard has made inroads on gender diversity targets, with women holding 60 percent of shop floor positions. Couche-Tard CPO Ina Strand, an engineer, was brought into the executive leadership following the acquisition of a major oil company nearly a decade ago. She has spearheaded efforts to position the company as an ally to underrepresented groups. Strand offers 30-minute “Engage with Ina” sessions to address the ideas and concerns of all employees — from the floor to the c-suite. Mentoring and sponsorship programmes are bringing more women to leadership positions: five of Couche-Tard’s 16 executives are female. The company has an active women’s council as well as global groups for underrepresented minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities. The CFI.co judging panel presents Couche-Tard with the 2021 award for Best Convenience Store Diversity & Inclusion Employer.


BBVA Asset Management: Best Global ESG Strategy Spain 2022

BBVA Asset Management is committed to integrating sustainability into all aspects of the organization, prioritizing sustainability as a key driver of long-term impact, and have begun to integrate ESG criteria in the investing process.

BBVA Asset Management has incorporated Sustainability as one of their key strategic priorities, as evidenced by the recent signature of the Principles for Responsible Investment promoted by the United Nations and the Net Zero Asset Managers commitment, which covers the whole of their business globally. These commitments come after an intense work that began two years ago to design their own strategy.

The first step was the design of a plan to incorporate extra-financial criteria in the process of investment decisions and risk control of all their mutual and pension funds and portfolios, with the conviction that this improves their profitability and risk profile.

This has resulted in the development of an internal ESG rating for the instruments in which they invest, with a rating for around 93% of the assets in their portfolios. Also portfolio managers have other tools as sustainability metrics and scorings for all the instruments in which they invest, so that they can make more informed and complete investment decisions.

Another key of the strategy is engagement with the companies and influence on their strategic decisions, among other means through the exercise of voting rights, a very useful tool for their strategy to incorporate the issues they consider most relevant for the business model to be profitable and sustainable in the long term. BBVA AM has widened the scope of its voting activities in terms of geographies and types of vehicles which exercise voting rights and as a result there has been an increased in the number of companies with which is engaging.

A further step has been the design of solutions that incorporate sustainability into their investment policies. It has a wide range of Investment Funds and Pension Plans, with assets of more than 6,100 Mills Eur and a target of broadening the product catalog to meet the needs and preferences of any client profile.

Finally BBVA AM is working in the incorporation of climate risks within the management. It is its commitment to the urgency of climate change, but it is also a decision aligned with the interests of its clients.

BBVA Asset Management has done an important work over these years, but its Global Sustainability Plan goes much further with new developments that makes them lead the industry transformation.


PIB Group: Best Specialist Insurance Broker UK 2021

Since its launch in 2015, PIB Group has achieved an annual growth rate of at least 50 percent, including an increase between 10 and 12 percent of organic growth. It has acquired around 50 insurance distribution businesses and is conducting due diligence to onboard several more. PIB is only interested in opportunities where it can take a full stake in the company, insisting that vendors roll a portion of profits back into the business, pushing them to think more as investors rather than managers. The group has more than 2,000 employees, £179m in revenue and £1.1bn in gross written premium. PIB Group works primarily with clients across the UK, while increasingly leveraging its expertise, reach and stability to cover the risk and insurance needs of international clientele. The group focuses on advising clients rather than selling products, relying on in-depth analysis to identify risks to clients and their employees. It develops relevant employee benefits programmes that help employers maximise retention, thereby reducing costs in retraining and recruitment — which is particularly advantageous in the current job-seekers market. PIB credits its organic growth and high customer loyalty in part to the high retention of its workforce. The group invests significant resources in the development of its people, with established programmes for apprenticeships, ongoing technical training and sponsorship of MBA degrees for senior staff. The CFI.co judging panel announces PIB Group as the 2021 award winner for Best Specialist Insurance Broker (UK).


SENER: Best Engineering Corporate Governance Europe 2021

[caption id="attachment_10222" align="aligncenter" width="900"] SENER's President Andrés Sendagorta holding the CFI.co award[/caption]

Spanish engineering and technology group SENER continues to build on a 66-year foundation of innovation, quality and independence. The group focuses on three main business lines: Aerospace (space, defence and science); Engineering (infrastructure, energy and marine); and Renewable Investments. SENER deploys a workforce of 2,400 professionals across five continents to deliver high-tech solutions that push the realms of possibility. The organisational structure of the group facilitates collaboration between the multidisciplinary departments, which has resulted in significant tech innovations. The group, which was awarded the Family-Friendly Company Certificate by the Másfamilia Foundation, invests considerable resources into the recruitment and retention of top talent. SENER upholds ethical principles of corporate governance, with systems in place to ensure compliance with legislation as well as ESG benchmarks. It aims to create sustainable value for all stakeholders through the long-term management of operations, innovations, investments and CSR activities. It assesses the impacts of its operations to balance solutions with environmental respect. SENER takes a partnership approach to suppliers and allies to establish long-term relationships based on collaboration, loyalty and fairness. The group carries out a range of CSR projects and initiatives to support the wellbeing and socio-economic development of the communities where it operates. The SENER Foundation supports the development of solidarity projects via grants, sponsorships and donations. SENER — with €24m in 2021 in R&D investments — fosters innovation to create sustainable value for society and the environment. The CFI.co judging panel announces SENER as the winner of the 2021 award for Best Engineering Corporate Governance (Europe).


Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE): Best Stock Exchange Central Asia 2022

What makes a great stock exchange? A commitment to helping SMEs raise capital, the embrace of new technology and instruments, and maybe a demonstrated commitment to ESG? The Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) does all of this and more. Formed in 1993, KASE is now the second largest exchange in the CIS region and fifth largest among members of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges. Trading volume grew 43 percent in 2021 and it now has a market capitalisation of $66.6bn. KASE has 15 different financial instruments across its derivatives, forex, money market, and securities exchanges. The money market dominates in terms of trading volume with a total value of $358bn. In addition to corporate and government bonds, it has 23 bond issues from 15 microfinance organisations. It also has two funding project schemes for SMEs and has established minimum listing fees for SMEs. In November, it launched KASE global which allows participants to trade in selected shares from the NASDQ and NYSE. KASE is to be particularly commended on its progress in ESG financing. It joined the UN Sustainable Exchange Initiative in 2015, upgraded its ESG methodology with the IFC in 2018, issued green ADB bonds in 2020, developed an ESG Information disclosure methodology in 2021, and has introduced social bonds. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to award the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange with the 2022 award for Best Stock Exchange (Central Asia).


Ceconomy: Best ESG Retailer Germany 2022

Ceconomy, one of the largest retailers of electrical household products in Europe, is using its leading market position to accelerate circular and sustainable economies. The company has updated policies and operations to incorporate more green energy solutions. Products available at Ceconomy account for more than half of the energy consumption in an average household, giving the company the opportunity to meet consumer demand for ESG-designed products and to advice on renewable energy power suppliers. The company will have refurbished all of its stores according to ESG criteria by 2023 — and any new construction will meet those same strict standards. Over 80 percent of its electricity last year came from renewable sources. Sustainability is a constant topic at board meetings, with the executive team striving to help lower the carbon footprint of company and consumer alike. ESG commitments impact every aspect of the business, from logistics to packaging. Targets for the 2022/23 fiscal year include net-zero scope one and two emissions for Ceconomy operations and double the offering of sustainable products available in 2020. It stays on top of supply chain, conducting regular audits to ensure compliance with human and labour rights. The company works with suppliers to support their sustainability journey and is adjusting purchasing procedure to support ESG initiatives and pledges. Ceconomy also runs a recycling programme and is implementing one for refurbishing household appliances. The CFI.co jury presents Ceconomy — a company that challenges itself and others to shape, create and educate — with the 2022 Best ESG Retailer (Germany) award.


Lifecare International: Best Corporate Health Insurance Brokerage UAE 2021

Lifecare International has grown to be one of the leading insurance brokerages in the Middle East & Africa, specializing in Health Insurance. With 6 offices and employing over 125 people across the UAE, Kenya, and Qatar, Lifecare is a family-run business serving its core purpose: to help everyone protect and care for those that matter most.

Lifecare offers a range of turnkey insurance solutions covering health, life, critical illness, and general insurance lines, addressing the needs of individuals, SMEs, and large corporate clients. As an insurance partner relied on by over 1400 businesses, Lifecare takes the time to identify the risks facing each client and tailors a unique insurance scheme to suit their organizational and financial needs.

An independent, ISO-9001 certified company and one of the first GDPR compliant insurance brokers, Lifecare has established a 24/7 Health Assistance and Concierge Desk. Working with best in breed providers such as international SOS, Bupa Cromwell, and King’s College Hospital, it provides a level of service, typically reserved only for Fortune-500 companies.

Lifecare calls this program of care, Cura, an award-winning health and wellness concierge that custom-crafts a wellness journey for their clients from a range of over 20 allied partners. With Cura, clients get access to priority hospital bookings, telehealth consultations, medical and security travel assistance, wellness coaching, emotional support, talks, webinars, and more. Through claims analytics and risk assessments, it aims to understand where the major health risks lie and then implements impactful cost containment measures and controls to ensure sustainable premiums in the future. During the pandemic, where health was at the forefront, the company partnered with HealthX and TruDoc, to provide complimentary tele-health services to clients.

Lifecare continuously re-invests back into the company to fuel innovation and constant improvement. As an example, LifeNet, the company’s proprietary digital policy management platform, streamlines the administration of medical policies, reducing time and creating efficiencies by 60 percent.

The CFI.co judging panel announces Lifecare International Insurance as the 2021 award winner for Best Corporate Health Insurance Brokerage (UAE).


Jusan Invest: Best Investment Solutions Kazakhstan 2021

Jusan Invest is on a mission to boost financial literacy — and prosperity — across Kazakhstan. It has launched a free online academy to educate clients on investing basics and aims to empower the next generation of investors by providing financial literacy courses to schools and universities. The firm also established its own social network to connect clients for informal knowledge sharing and skills building. Jusan Invest has undertaken a digital transformation that has resulted in significant time and cost efficiencies as well as ecological benefits. Clients are onboarded to the trading platform in a convenient and secure digital process. The app interface is intuitive and interactive, with biometric controls to approve buy and sell transactions and a modern visual layout that helps investors understand a fund’s ESG footprint. Jusan Invest also has offices strategically located throughout the country for any clients that prefer interacting face to face. It manages mutual funds with concern for ESG principles, excluding companies with poor compliance from the investment universe. The firm has a welcoming corporate culture, with a relaxed dress code and flexible schedules. Employees build camaraderie through team lunches and sports days. Division heads get together in monthly “Breakfast Club” meetings to discuss fund strategies and market trends. A transparent remuneration programme, which prioritises initiative and accountability, allows for performance-based bonus pay. The firm encourages a healthy work-life balance — which is delivering big results in employee productivity and client satisfaction. Jusan Invest wins the 2021 Best Investment Solutions (Kazakhstan) award.


Eurofast: Best Cross-Border Tax Advisory South East Europe 2022

Over the past 44 years, Eurofast has helped clients navigate complex and constantly evolving tax requirements in the emerging markets of South East Europe and the Middle East. Eurofast employs tax advisors across 23 municipal jurisdictions at offices interconnected via state-of-the-art tech. The group is headquartered in Athens, Greece, with offices in Albania, the Baltics, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine and the UK. An intranet portal organises tax regulations by jurisdiction, making it easier to tailor advisory to each client and circumstance. The company partners with leading global brands and institutions, deploying a workforce of 220 professionals to look after 1,510 active clients. It can assist with transfer pricing and international tax, payroll and employment solutions, citizenship and residency, audit and assurance, accounting and tax compliance, M&A and corporate finance as well as corporate and trustee services. Eurofast presents itself as a one-stop-shop for professional services, boasting 24 service lines and competency in 14 languages. Client needs are addressed with proactive efficiency — usually in a single meeting. The company credits its success to a “dream team” of professionals with backgrounds in tax, law, corporate finance, payroll, accounting, auditing and consulting. Eurofast fuels growth by investing in product innovation, talent recruitment and jurisdiction expansion. The CFI.co judging panel announces Eurofast — local experts with global knowledge — as the 2022 Best Cross-Border Tax Advisory (South East Europe) award winner.

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Global Evolution: Best ESG Emerging Markets Investment Strategy Global 2021

Emerging markets, despite representing 80 percent of the world’s population, are under-represented in most fixed income portfolios because of the perceived risks. But one company believes emerging and frontier markets are quickly developing into a diversified, accessible and growing asset class. Global Evolution, a Danmark-based active investment company founded in 2007, specialises entirely in such products. The company’s single-minded focus, which sets it apart from many other investment groups, is backed by constant research, and the acquired knowledge of a stable and experienced staff. It also, crucially, fully integrates Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) into its investment process. The company believes there is a clear correlation between ESG adoption and market returns. Global Evolution’s experts are keen to highlight misconceptions in relation to frontier markets. It believes that while there are idiosyncratic political risks in many markets, these can be spread by careful portfolio construction – and when a portfolio is combined in a sensible manner risks can be evened-out, which is why market volatility in frontier funds is usually much lower than might be expected. Global Evolution is proud of its record in staff development; many employees have been with the company since its inception, which has resulted in unrivalled stability in its portfolio management teams, and is reflected in performance, the company says. Global Evolution is now approaching more than $16 billion in dedicated assets. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased, in 2021, to present Global Evolution with the award, Best ESG Emerging Markets Investment Strategy Global.


Merrill Edge Self Directed: Best Ease of Use Mobile Broker Global 2022

In barely two decades the world’s banking industry, in response to rapid technological advances and the growing sophistication of consumer demand, has changed beyond recognition – and Merrill Edge Self‑Directed a self-directed electronic investing platform, and a subsidiary of Bank of America, is leading the field in providing cutting-edge and efficient mobile investment tools. Merrill Edge Self‑Directed launched in 2010, responded quickly to investor trends to seek out sustainable and eco-friendly investments. Merrill has developed applications which provide a mobile gateway to individual customers, allowing access to ideas, and helping tailor portfolios to clients’ own values. Merrill, a leader in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing, is focussed on sustainable and impact investing, presenting customers with access to a mass of information to guide decisions. Individual customers are able, with a few clicks, to delve into the background of companies to check operations are in line with their own social values. Its latest apps, designed to be uncluttered and intuitive, help clients choose new investments, or evaluate existing portfolios, and can be used to drill down into layers of information, providing ESG scores for businesses, up-to-date insights, and access to the analysis instruments of MSCI, the global provider of index reports. Merrill advisors are also on hand, via phone or chat features, to give advice. This ease of access, says the company, means that users don’t have to be research experts. The Cfi.co judges have no hesitation in presenting Merrill Edge Self‑Directed with the 2022 award Best Ease of Use Mobile Broker Global.


AVEVA: Best Sustainable Industrial Software Solutions Global 2021

AVEVA connects teams with trusted information and insights to spark industrial ingenuity that enables responsible use of the world’s resources. Sustainability is key to the company’s mission and everyone in the team is committed to driving digital transformation that can accelerate decarbonization, efficiency and growth for customers across twelve industry verticals from energy and manufacturing to infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and marine. The portfolio spans the industrial lifecycle, combining data analytics, cloud computing and visualization with human insight to drive informed decision making, boost operational agility and optimize performance. Solutions span the spectrum from design and engineering to asset performance, monitoring and control and operations optimization. AVEVA puts customer needs at the centre of the industry lifecycle, using AI to predict challenges before they occur, and staying ahead of trends.

The company has set ambitious carbon reduction goals, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. AVEVA further benefits from the world’s largest industrial software ecosystem, with 5,500 partners and 5,700 certified developers, who unlock operational efficiencies for more than 20,000 customers. AVEVA believes that a diverse and inclusive work culture fosters innovation, performance, and profitability. It has more than 6,500 employees working at 90 sites in 40 countries — and has implemented a number of policies and programmes to ensure each individual feels valued and included. As an organisation AVEVA is committed to ensuring all policies, processes and behaviours promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employees are kept connected through open lines of communication, using multiple channels. The company recently launched a five-year Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan and an Impact Fund to support its regional and global diversity, equity and inclusion networks and employee groups. The CFI.co judging panel presents AVEVA with the 2021 award for Best Sustainable Industrial Software Solutions.


Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad: Best Development Bank South East Asia 2022

Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) has been fuelling socio-economic development in Malaysia since 1973. As one of the country’s first development financial institutions, the government-owned bank was a preferred financing partner for the burgeoning infrastructure, maritime, oil and gas and technology sectors. BPMB has shifted focus to align operations with government initiatives centred around sustainability, digitalisation and technology. In 2019, it announced a three-year transformation plan to meet evolving development needs through impact finance. The bank adheres to Islamic finance principles and supports the national development agenda while embracing the paradigm shift. BPMB brought in experts from the World Bank to help implement the evidence-based assessment framework Measuring Impact on National Development (MIND). The framework considers financial and sustainability metrics, allowing the bank to back projects with the highest potential to create positive impacts for all — people, planet and nation. BPMB utilised this framework in 2020 and has seen tangible results in terms of profits and impacts. It has achieved modest growth of 2.5 percent for the first time in five years. BPMB aims to identify gaps in the economy and fill them with the right players. Although catering mainly to corporate customers, the bank views SMEs as the backbone of the economy and, as a sector-agnostic financer with decades of experience, is well-positioned to support their growth. It intends to launch a private equity business line to provide further diversity of support to SMEs. The CFI.co judging panel presents Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad with the 2022 award for Best Development Bank (South East Asia).


Varengold Bank: Best Marketplace Banking Team Germany 2021

Varengold Bank has been providing banking and asset management services since 1995. The bank is headquartered in Hamburg with offices in the UK and Bulgaria. Varengold welcomes the influx of fintech companies in the finance world and supports the growth of marketplace lending platforms. Fintech partnerships have become a core focus of the business. It believes fintech companies represent the future of banking, with their efficient loan processing, user-friendly platforms and increased financial inclusion. Varengold partners with fintech companies, tailoring products to the needs of each business model in a process called “fronting”. Varengold pulls from decades of banking experience to enable clients to deploy cutting-edge technology while maintaining compliance with ever-evolving regulations. Varengold, with a full banking license and solid financial footing, can help to refinance a fintech’s loan portfolio, freeing up capital to scale business and accelerate growth. Varengold sees tremendous growth potential in marketplace banking and takes calculated risks to back early-stage innovators. The bank strengthens fintech marketplaces by facilitating growth, supporting product development and advising on risk management. Varengold aims to increase the business value of marketplace lending platforms and help attract investors. In addition to marketplace banking, Varengold offers transaction and commercial banking services for trade-oriented companies. It levers an extensive debt and equity capital market network to help clients cover borrowing requirements, structure large transactions and connect with new partners. The CFI.co judging panel announces Varengold Bank as the winner in the 2021 award category Best Marketplace Banking Team (Germany).


SegurCaixa Adeslas: Best Insurer Spain 2022

SegurCaixa Adeslas, the leading health company in Spain, continues to power ahead of the competition. It now controls almost one third of the health insurance market in the country. The company is continuously monitoring customer satisfaction levels and is doing all possible to ensure that experiences are uniformly good. New products and digital services have been well thought out and skilfully executed. Adeslas Salud y Bienestar is the number one health insurance app in Spain and boasts 450,000 users. The platform helps policy holders manage their health and offers personalised planning in anticipation of optimal results. The digital health initiative has been very well received, with patients showing full confidence in the company’s online support. According to the CFI.co judging panel, this winner is to be congratulated on the steps it has taken to ensure that policy holders benefit from the best possible services. It is also quite adept at avoiding premium increases. Furthermore, there is a closeness to patients that really must be described as exemplary. This insurer bettered the market in 2021 and has continued to grow despite the problems caused by the pandemic. SegurCaixa Adeslas has helped many thousands of Covid sufferers even though not contractually obliged to do so. It has given generously to a solidarity fund protecting Spanish healthcare workers and likewise supported the medical suppliers and hospital providers in its network. The panel agrees unanimously that repeat winner SegurCaixa Adeslas is deserving of the CFI.co 2022 award: Best Insurer (Spain).


KPMG Lower Gulf Limited: Best Financial Advisory Team GCC 2022

[caption id="attachment_10303" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Nader Haffar Chairman - KPMG Middle East and South Asia, Chairman and CEO - KPMG Lower Gulf receiving an award from CFI.co[/caption]

With unparalleled experience in audit, tax and advisory services, KPMG has the depth of knowledge and breadth of skills needed to guide banks as they harness the power of data and technology, empowering their people to provide a truly customer-centric service. Over the past five years, KPMG has been involved in every M&A in the Emirati and Omani banking sector. It also facilitated four M&A in the insurance sector last year.

KPMG has been servicing the Banking, Financial Service and Insurance regional market for over 40 years. Over the past 24 months, it assisted numerous UAE banks to implement International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) models and conducted dozens of assessments for regional clients. It was hired to assess clients’ cybersecurity systems, checking network vulnerability from the inside out. It organised industry-wide wargaming to test banks’ detection and defence capabilities against cyberattacks. It evaluated banks for credit and fraud risk exposure, designed and implemented security architecture, and provided outsourcing support for IT and compliance functions. It

KPMG LG has provided internal audit services to leading local and international banks, some of large sovereign wealth management entities, capital markets and insurance companies in UAE and Oman. KPMG LG has conducted dialogistic reviews and implemented corporate governance framework and practices in local banks and insurance companies in line with applicable regulatory requirements and global leading practices.

KPMG is committed to promoting the insurance and reinsurance industry in the MENA region and has organized joint seminars on various relevant topics for the benefit of the stakeholders and regulators, for example the Oman State Budget Seminar, and Covid-19: Implications for the GCC banking sector. It is among the most prolific producers of localized Financial Services thought leadership reports in the region.

KPMG Lower Gulf is part of KPMG International Cooperative’s global network of professional member firms. The network includes approximately 236,000 professionals in over 145 countries. The Lower Gulf firm now employs approximately 1,783 people, including about 192 partners and directors across the UAE and Oman.

It combines decades of experience with expert market analysis to publish reports and insights – free of charge – through its digital channels. It hopes these efforts will benefit clients as well as the community at large, keeping clients informed and providing a vast library of resources on its website for all to explore. Since its launch in 1973, KPMG has provided clients across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region with financial advisory services that move business forward.

The CFI.co judging panel presents KPMG Lower Gulf – a repeat programme winner – with the 2022 Best Financial Advisory Team (GCC) award.


KPMG Lower Gulf: Best Digital and Innovation Advisory Team GCC 2022

[caption id="attachment_10298" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Nader Haffar Chairman - KPMG Middle East and South Asia, Chairman and CEO - KPMG Lower Gulf receiving an award from CFI.co[/caption]

Over the past two years, KPMG Lower Gulf has made worked on many impressive digital and innovation projects for regional clients in the banking, public health and government sectors. It helped the region’s first digital banking platform to deploy synthetic data to improve customer onboarding, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. It worked with a healthcare regulator to develop a bespoke AI-powered simulator to aid policymakers with disease impact management and helped the UAE’s banking sector test their defences in a cyber wargaming exercise. It also led the digital transformation journey of a large regional hospital and a large government agency to accelerate technology adoption, upskill staff and increase automation. KPMG Lower Gulf has produced a vast array of thought leadership reports about D&I, and organized events, forums and webinars on everything from smart cities and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence and open data. They have also invested in the digital and innovation team having recruited 9 senior members including 4 Partners and 2 Directors.

KPMG achieved strong results in 2021 and reported global revenues of $32.13 billion in the 2021 fiscal year, an increase of 10%, with growth across functions: Advisory growing at 17%, Audit at 4% and Tax & Legal Services at 8%. It exhibited strong growth in its talent pool and impressive increases in key growth sectors such as financial services, government, infrastructure, energy and natural resources and healthcare.

KPMG Lower Gulf has been contributing to the socio-economic growth of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region since its founding in 1973. KPMG Lower Gulf is part of KPMG International Cooperative’s global network of professional member firms. KPMG in the UAE and Oman is well connected with its global member network and combines its local knowledge with international expertise, providing the sector and specialist skills required by our clients. The Lower Gulf firm now employs approximately 1,783 people, including about 192 partners and directors.

KPMG Lower Gulf – a repeat programme winner – claims the 2022 Best Digital and Innovation Advisory Team (GCC) award.


ENGIE New Ventures: Best CleanTech Strategic Investor Global 2022

[caption id="attachment_10308" align="aligncenter" width="915"] Managing Director: Johann Boukhors[/caption]

ENGIE New Ventures (ENV) levers a €180m fund to back cleantech energy companies striving to digitise, decarbonise and decentralise the power industry. It makes direct investment to scale operations of cleantech companies with proven track records, working closely with leadership teams to form long-term partnerships and guide strategic growth. The VC firm looks for innovators with solutions for Decentralized clean energy generation, smart cities and mobility, green gases such as green hydrogen and biomethane, carbon capture and usage, etc. The ENV portfolio features dozens of start-ups pushing the boundaries of possibility. AI-powered microgrids, decarbonising tech for natural gas, off-grid biogas appliances, solar films for buildings and energy efficiency upgrades with no upfront cost for customers — this only touches the tip of the iceberg. All ENV investees present a technology, customer solution or business model with the potential to unlock new market opportunities and spur innovation across ENGIE Group’s business units. ENV typically makes minority-stake investments, ranging between €1m and €5m and focusing on B2C, B2B and B2T (territory) companies entering growth and expansion phases. The firm points to 3 differentiators that have proven key to its success: support from sector experts, access to markets, and quality of the teams. Headquartered in Paris with offices in San Francisco and Santiago, and representations in Tel Aviv and Singapore, ENV is driven by a diverse and knowledgeable workforce. The CFI.co judging panel announces ENGIE New Ventures as the 2022 winner of the global award for Best CleanTech Strategic Investor.


IMCI Group International: Best Alternative Project Finance Solutions Global 2022

IMCI Group International has grown from a single proprietorship firm to a global business consultancy in under 20 years. The group takes a 360-degree approach to project finance that’s underpinned by an international network of over 200 engineering, procurement, and construction partners and technology and industrial providers. IMCI maintains cooperative relationships across the interim management, project management, auditing, legal and fiscal sectors — leaving the group in a privileged position to collaborate on government and public-private-partnership projects. IMCI benefits from a global structure, with a presence throughout the continents and in over 70 countries. It also has direct or syndicate links to 70 banks and privately owned institutional investors. IMCI offers eight alternative project finance programmes, starting with interest-based programs for small- and large-caps, government and philanthropic structures. It offers equity, bond, stock-listed and crisis-based project finance programmes. IMCI’s Swiss headquarters controls investments and fortifies the global group structure with managerial support. IMCI credits its success to a process of continuous improvement of the group’s structure, services and products. It operates along three main business lines: consulting and M&A services, corporate finance and investment solutions, and tailored advisory and coaching services. The group combines these divisions with flexibility and speed, local understanding and global vision to help clients fuel business growth. The CFI.co judging panel has followed the group’s progress over the years and once again found cause for merit. IMCI Group International wins the 2022 global award for Best Alternative Project Finance Solutions.