AmInvest: Best Investment Fund Manager Malaysia 2022

Digital and fintech disruptions are moving the market, and AmInvest is keeping pace with strategic investments in tech infrastructure and human capital. AmInvest, the brand name for AmFunds Management Berhad Berhad and AmIslamic Funds Management Sdn Bhd leverages on decades of industry experience to help investors optimise their investments. The company offers conventional and Shariah-compliant retirement funds across asset classes and geographical exposures — nearly 100 in total — in addition to managing exchange traded funds and private retirement schemes. AmInvest evaluates many factors when making investment decisions, with increasing consideration for ESG performance. AmInvest sees the pandemic as the catalyst that quickened the digitalisation transition, forcing organisations and individuals to become more versatile and digitally adept. The company has experienced a boom in digital onboarding. Despite working remotely, AmInvest’s fund managers carried on with business as normal, following a consistent investment philosophy that reflects the company’s mission and vision. Over the past few years, AmInvest has applied institutional investing expertise to better serve retail clients. It has invested its resources to expand distribution channel from traditional public-agency channels to an online platform with open architecture facilitating industry-leading partnerships. AmInvest places a priority on developing home-grown talent and complements the team through external recruitment. It has some 200 professionals staff, many of whom have made a career at the company, starting as analysts, and climbing ranks over the years. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates AmInvest, winner of the 2022 Best Investment Fund Manager (Malaysia) award.


CRC Credit Bureau Ltd: Best Credit Bureau Nigeria 2022

Lagos-based CRC Credit Bureau has developed a range of fresh initiatives to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The data collection agency was incorporated in 2006 and has evolved the product line-up to enable partners to gain deeper customer understanding, conduct more targeted marketing campaigns and support informed decision-making. The latest CRC initiative is designed to offer a clearer picture of those seeking loans in the aftermath of the economic damage inflicted by the pandemic, especially the country’s hard-hit SMEs. CRC Credit Bureau gives partners a 360-view of their customers, pulling from financial records as well as social media channels to understand how the pandemic has impacted them. Advanced data analysis is being utilised to identify customers with responsible repayment histories so that terms can be renewed or restructured. The company is also implementing recovery plans that seek to build IT capacity and digital awareness. It has set up a financial education centre where companies are given IT training in soft skills, credit evaluation and tracing, among other subjects. CRC hopes that stronger technical services will allow businesses in Nigeria to upscale more rapidly after the upheaval of Covid-19. The company is also running a number of internet seminars covering payment, digital and open banking systems. CRC Credit Bureau was accredited by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in 2021. The CFI.co judging panel presents repeat programme winner CRC Credit Bureau with the 2022 Best Credit Bureau (Nigeria) award.


BNP Paribas REIM : Best Real Estate lnvestment Manager Europe 2022

BNP Paribas Real Estate Investment Management (REIM) is part of BNP Paribas Real Estate, a leading European property and investment manager with a well-established portfolio and strategic focus on sustainable growth. The company ensures client proximity and local expertise with a workforce of 5,000 employees and a presence in 30 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It’s a people-centered business, with responsible practices that prioritise employee empowerment, community benefits and investor returns. lt assists clients with every step of the property lifecycle, from development and transaction to consulting, valuation and management of properties and investments. BNP Paribas REIM has identified eight key market transitions that will allow it to create opportunities white addressing future urban challenges. lt pushes for flexible community design of residential and commercial spaces and tech-enhanced buildings that generate and incorporate data to improve users' well-being and quality of life. Amenities-rich properties with human-centric spaces and services promote community cohesion - while also boosting property demand and value. BNP Paribas Real Estate lnvestment Management is the business line dedicated to Investment Management activities. It offers a range of real estate funds and investment solutions that meet the needs of international investors across Europe on all asset typologies. With a local presence in seven countries, BNP Paribas REIM employs nearly 360 employees offering solutions to more than 150,000 clients, institutional investors and individuals. At the end of 2021, BNP Paribas REIM managed €29.7bn assets in Europe. In 2020, it launched the first European institutional real estate fund aligned with the COP 21 Paris Agreement. The European Impact Property Fund (EIPF), which raised €300 million in equity commitments within a year of its launch, allows investors to reconcile portfolio performance and diversification with ecological priorities. BNP Paribas REIM invests in ail property sectors, from corporate offices to residential, hotels, healthcare facilities and logistics. The CFl.co judging panel presents BNP Paribas REIM with the 2022 award for BNP Paribas REIM (Europe).


S4 Capital: Best Digital Marketing Solutions Global 2022

S4 Capital takes brand messaging to market - faster, better, cheaper - with a disruptive "Holy Trinity" operation model. The company, which was founded by Sir Martin Sorrell and went public in September 2018, has 57 talent hubs in 33 countries and a $2.5B market cap. S4 Capital works with some of the biggest names in business - from Google and Amazon to PayPal and T-Mobile - marketing itself as a digital investment manager that can master the current digital marketing landscape and track the headwinds of future trends. S4 Capital aims to disrupt century-old marketing practices with a completely digital approach that capitalises on the 24/7 rhythm of the modern world. The media market in 2021 totalled about $750bn, 60 percent of which came from digital revenues - and forecasts predict a 20 percent increase in the market and over 10 percent increase in digital’s share by 2025. S4 Capital expects the advertising and marketing markets to grow faster than a country's GDP, fuelled almost totally by data-driven digital advertising models. In S4 Capital's "Holy Trinity” business model, data informs the creation, production and distribution of content in an ever-evolving digital media loop. It's agile in an always-on world, which has proven critical even in turbulent times, and monitors the market's ebb and flow by following a key selection of digital platforms, software and hardware companies. S4 Capital offers its services under one unified operational brand: Media.Monks. The CFl.co judging panel announces S4 Capital as the 2022 global award winner for Best Digital Marketing Solutions.


Union Bank of the Philippines: Best Digital Bank South East Asia 2022

Union Bank of the Philippines is acquiring the consumer banking business of Citi Philippines, the country’s largest foreign bank in terms of customers, assets and revenues. UnionBank ranks among the country’s top universal banks in terms of profitability and efficiency. Some 1,750 consumer banks and supporting staff will transfer to UnionBank upon close of the transaction, with expected completion in the second half of 2022. The transaction covers Citi's local credit card, unsecured lending, deposit and investment businesses, as well as a brokerage company providing retail insurance and investment services. The banks promise customers a seamless transition and zero changes in service. UnionBank has a strong digital game with years of targeted investments now delivering results. The bank credits its preferential market position to far-sighted vision and strategic preparation for the evolution of banking. UnionBank intends to compress five-year growth plans into a two-year window by accelerating the digital onboarding of new customers. The bank has seen a significant increase in the adoption of digital channels by new and existing customers, particularly throughout the global pandemic. Digital transactions gained traction as society coped with lockdowns and markets sought to move online. An award-winning advertising campaign helped UnionBank attract new clients and become one of the top three regional processors of InstaPay and PesoNet transactions. The CFI.co jury presents UnionBank with the 2022 award for Best Digital Bank – South East Asia 2022.


First Capital Bank Mozambique: Best Trade Finance Bank Mozambique 2022

First Capital Bank Mozambique provides exceptional care for commercial and corporate clients, regardless of their size. The bank offers a range of off-the-shelf products and customised solutions to catalyse the growth and development of local businesses. First Capital Bank Mozambique has proven to be a reliable long-term partner for Corporates and SMEs, supporting them throughout times of success and struggle. The bank makes itself available to business clients, all of whom have the CEO’s number and are encouraged to reach out if necessary. First Capital Bank Mozambique promises rapid response times, approving substantial loans for select applicants within fast turnaround times. It’s upfront with financing denials, too, allowing unsuccessful applicants to explore other options without unnecessary delays. First Capital Bank Mozambique ensures proximity through a growing branch network, dedicated relationship managers and internet banking services. The bank engages with clients to understand their cross-border ambitions and help resolve any problems. It attempts to accommodate clients if things go sideways. First Capital Bank Mozambique provided support to pandemic-impacted clients and assisted with restructuring and middle-ground solutions when regional conflict caused disruption in gas projects. First Capital Bank has established operations in five Southern African Development Community countries — Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi, where the group is headquartered. Each division pulls from group resources and connections to provide clients with solutions that are relevant throughout the regions. The CFI.co judging panel announces First Capital Bank Mozambique as the 2022 award winner for Best Trade Finance Bank (Mozambique).


Liechtensteinische Landesbank: Best Private Bank Liechtenstein 2022

The Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB) group pulls from a 160-year legacy to navigate evolving market conditions and regulations with confidence and competence. LLB is majority owned by the Principality of Liechtenstein, where the group is headquartered and has established a leading market position. It also has a strong presence in Austria and Switzerland and is increasingly active across Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the Middle East. LLB provides a broad range of products and services for private, corporate and institutional clients. It helps private clients to manage assets and plan for the future. Corporate clients appreciate the bank’s robust digital offerings and financing solutions. It enables institutional clients to make more time for their customers with LLB Xpert Monitoring and LLB Xpert Solutions. LLB has proven itself a reliable partner during challenging times. LLB business volume in 2021 exceeded 100 billion Swiss francs (CHF 105.7 bn). The bank’s Aa2 rating was reaffirmed by Moody’s this spring, placing LLB among the most stable and secure banks worldwide. The bank has a Tier-1 ratio of 20.3 percent. AUM is up more than 15 percent and there’s been an incremental increase in loans as well, contributing to an 25 percent rise in net profits. It has invested heavily in digitalisation over the past few years and continues to adopt more sustainable practices and products. The LLB Group's banking operations has become carbon-neutral in 2021 – making it the first bank in Liechtenstein and one of the first in Switzerland and Austria to do so. At the same time, the LLB Group is introducing measures to reduce the emissions of its own banking operations to net zero by 2040. The CFI.co judging panel cites these milestones as justification for LLB winning the 2022 award for Best Private Bank Liechtenstein.


Moody's Investors Service: Best Credit Risk Analysis LATAM 2022

Moody's has a 100-year history of facilitating better business decisions and protecting the integrity and transparency of capital markets. The group continues to strengthen its presence in Latin America through product innovation and regional partnerships. Moody’s follows country-specific methodologies to calculate domestic credit ratings in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Panama, Peru and Uruguay. It has introduced a cross-border investor service and established a strong domestic platform with regional ratings and local languages. Moody’s Investors Service helps clients navigate global debt markets, tracking debt across 130 countries and thousands of corporate and public finance issuers and structured finance obligations. Moody’s Investors Service has been in Latin America since 1997, supporting capital market and risk management professionals in more than 400 organisations. Expansion plans have been especially successful with the launch of Moody's Local Brazil and the upcoming launch of Moody's Local Mexico. Moody’s has achieved another milestone in its ongoing ESG journey with the addition of products related to green bonds. Moody's Investors Service is a leading provider of credit ratings, research and risk analysis. Moody's commitment and expertise contributes to transparent and integrated financial markets. Moody's Investors Service is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO), which reported revenue of $6.2 billion in 2021, employing approximately 12,000 people worldwide and maintaining a presence in 40 countries. The CFI.co judging panel has recognised Moody’s in previous award programmes and continues to find cause for celebration. Moody's Investors Service claims the 2022 award for Best Credit Risk Analysis (LATAM).


Federal Realty Investment Trust: Best ESG Real Estate Investment Strategy US 2022

Federal Realty Investment Trust, one of the oldest US REITs, boasts a 54-year record of annual dividend growth, the longest record in the REIT sector. The company targets high-density coastal markets where retail demand exceeds supply. It develops, operates and owns a portfolio of properties ranging from neighbourhood shopping-centres to mixed-used urban communities. Federal Realty is a long-term holder of real estate and its success is founded on continual reinvestment in its properties to meet evolving community and market demands. It has appointed a dedicated head of sustainability to oversee and coordinate all ESG efforts for its properties and external reporting. A multi-disciplinary sustainability council and Board of Trustee oversight support the goal of exemplary corporate governance. Federal has invested nearly $2.3bn in buildings that have achieved or are expected to achieve LEED-certification with most of that investment being in buildings with gold-level certifications. It has invested heavily in energy efficiency measures with 13.6 MW of solar capacity from its properties and LED lighting in more than 65% of its properties. Federal protects the biodiversity in its markets by not developing on greenfield locations and incorporating water conservation measures into its projects. Through a local partnership Federal is also investing in historically underserved markets and helping to drive their economic growth. The CFI.co jury presents Federal Realty Investment Trust with the 2022 Best ESG Real Estate Investment Strategy (US) award.

[caption id="attachment_10361" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Somerville, MA: Assembly Row[/caption]


Bedrock Group: Best Investment Portfolio Manager UK 2022

Over the past 18 years, Bedrock Group has evolved into a consolidated contact for the investment and administrative needs of high-net-worth families, endowments, foundations, institutions and investment professionals. It has recruited industry experts with shared values to oversee the management of client assets. Teams of Bedrock professionals collaborate from offices in London, Geneva and Monaco to provide clients with independent and unbiased global investment and advisory services. It tailors solutions to client circumstances and offers direct access to the founding partners. Bedrock has achieved economies of scale and passes associated savings along to clients with competitive fees for institutional banking and share classes. It offers a range of wealth structuring solutions, from estate planning and custodian arrangements to the creation and administration of brand-specific funds. It’s a preferential partner for high-net worth individual clients, affording prime access to and pricing power for some of the most stable balance sheets in the industry. Bedrock applies dynamic investment strategies in pursuit of absolute returns — and has a track record of hitting its mark. It rotates assets as required, and over the past year, has reduced bond exposure and increased the ratio of commodity-related assets. It has maintained global equity, which it believes to be one of the best asset classes, between 40 and 45 percent. It’s targeting high-dividend companies rather than high-growth sectors. The CFI.co judging panel announces Bedrock Group — a repeat programme winner — as the recipient of the 2022 award for Best Investment Portfolio Manager (UK).


RBC Caribbean Banking: Best Digital Banking Services Caribbean 2022

RBC Caribbean Banking forms part Royal Bank of Canada, one of world’s largest banking groups, among the top five in North America. RBC Caribbean Banking levers enterprise resources to best serve the local markets — 10 Caribbean countries and territories and serves more than half a million clients. It offers a diversified service suite tailored to fit the needs of individual, SME, government and multinational corporate clients. RBC Caribbean Banking began investing in digital transformation strategies a decade ago, allowing it to outpace other regional banks in the rollout of tech advances.

Access and convenience was a driving factor for the early investments. People rely on the bank’s digital services, which have proven convenient in normal times and critical during a crisis, like the pandemic. Clients can manage most of their day-to-day banking services, such as bill payments and transfers through the digital platform — and ongoing development promises to incorporate more of the bank’s service range over time. But RBC Caribbean Banking has no intentions of becoming a digital-only bank. It will maintain a strategic branch network for more complex financial advice, supported by knowledgeable staff and modern tech infrastructure. The idea is to complement the bank’s growing digital services with that ever-inestimable human touch. It already has 170,000 active users on the digital platform and processes over two million annual digital transactions. But that figure comprises less than two percent of RBC Caribbean Banking’s total transactions — leaving plenty of room for continued growth. The CFI.co judging panel presents RBC Caribbean Banking with the 2022 Best Digital Banking Services (Caribbean) award.


CAMRADATA: Best Investment Analytics Team UK 2022

CAMRADATA has been connecting asset owners with the right managers over the past two decades. The UK firm provides analytical tools to navigate constantly evolving markets. It provides independent analysis and research, with consideration for quantitative as well as qualitative factors, on over 700 global asset management firms and 5,000 investment products across 250 asset classes. CAMRADATA operates according to the belief that all institutional investors should have global access to investment information. CAMRADATA provides free investment data and analysis to institutional investors through a live feed. It acquired a specialist publishing business, Funds Europe, in 2017 that has extended its database reach in Europe, resulting in a boost in research, publishing and events business. CAMRADATA established a dedicated division to meet the needs of defined-contribution (DC) pension schemes, allowing it to capitalise on investment reporting and governance opportunities in DC market. It works with asset owners and managers, providing clients with investment analysis via an accessible and open platform. The company is driven by a gender-balanced team with deep industry experience. The team aims to propel CAMRADATA into a one-stop-shop for trustworthy investment research. It focuses on client engagement and long-term relationships. CAMRADATA works with investment consultants, pension schemes, insurance firms, financial mutuals, wealth managers and charities and provides information around ESG and Diversity & Inclusion in the investment sphere. The CFI.co judging panel announces CAMRADATA as winner of the 2022 award for Best Investment Analytics Team (UK).


Applied Science Private University: Best University Internationalisation Strategy Middle East 2022

Over the past three decades, Applied Science Private University (ASU) has expanded its campus, curriculum and collaborations to provide the most relevant and real-world educational experiences. ASU is home to a diverse student body, including 53 nationalities. The university was granted five stars in the QS rating category for internationalisation in 2022. ASU aims to advance research and bring collaborators together in academic publications. It offers research grants that are tailored to national priorities and international standards. ASU has established working relationships with University College London, Queen’s University and the University of Sydney — the latter of which ASU is collaborating with to establish a first-of-its-kind public health research centre. ASU has earned top quality assurance certificates from national accreditation bodies, and several faculties meet the strict eligibility requirements for international accreditation. The nursing faculty is accredited by an organisation recognised by the US Department of Education. The faculty of engineering and technology is ABET-accredited. The business school is taking steps to finalise AACSB accreditation and will soon become one of only five percent of institutions worldwide holding this distinction. The marketing programme became the first in Jordan and the Middle East to receive IIMP accreditation. Also the following international accreditations have been achieved by these different faculties: ACPE - Faculty of Pharmacy, ACEN - Faculty of Nursing, ABET - Faculty of Information Technology - Computer Science, HCE`RES - Faculty of Law, AACSB - faculty of business - Initial Approval, QS 5 stars - University level and finally 5 stars in online learnings by QS in addition to the national accreditation for quality assurance at the university level as well as for all its faculties.

In 2019, ASU established an international relations office to promote exchange programmes, experience sharing and partnerships among universities. The CFI.co judging panel announces Applied Science Private University as the winner and claiming the 2022 award for Best University Internationalisation Strategy (Middle East).


Omnia Holdings: Best Sustainable Diversified Chemicals Group Africa 2022

Omnia Holdings was founded 70 years ago, starting in the ammonia value chain and evolving into a diversified operation with a range of specialist solutions for agriculture, mining and chemical industries. The company aims to contribute to a better world through its products and practices. It pursues sustainable economic growth through diversification, technology and innovation, seeking to boost agricultural productivity and resilience. A solid governance structure, proactive stakeholder engagement and collaborative partnerships accelerate progress on the SDGs, which act as guideposts for social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Omnia strives to achieve zero-harm positive impacts, starting with its own people. The group prioritises the safety, wellbeing and development of its workforce and has launched an employee-share scheme enabling workers to benefit from the value they help generate. Omnia invests in the communities where it operates, supporting social initiatives in the areas of education, employment and food security. In 2021, Omnia dedicated 1.5 percent of net profit after tax into community social investment programmes. The group celebrates ESG milestones — improvements in greenhouse gas emissions, carbon credits, renewable energy production, oil recycling and mining practices — and uses them as the springboard and inspiration for further action. Omnia has benefited from the disciplined leadership and strategic alignment of businesses, achieving increased margins, prudent cash management and operational efficiencies that have allowed a significant reduction in debt. The CFI.co judging panel announces Omnia Holdings as the winner in the 2022 award category for Best Sustainable Diversified Chemicals Group (Africa).


PwC Middle East: Best Business & Tax Services Provider Middle East 2022

[caption id="attachment_10385" align="aligncenter" width="873"] Hani Ashkar Middle East Senior Partner & Mohammed Yaghmour Tax and Legal Services Leader[/caption]

PwC Middle East has a clear vision for accelerating regional transformation. Over the past four decades, PwC Middle East has fuelled organic growth by focusing on solving problems and building trust within society. A refreshed global strategy, The New Equation, calls for human-led and tech-powered solutions that deliver sustained outcomes and real-life results. The company puts people at the top of the agenda, starting with its own team. PwC invests in the recruitment and retention of top talent and has pledged to create 6,000 new jobs over the next five years. The company employs 7,000 people in 12 Middle Eastern countries. Flexible, remote working structures encourage employees to think in terms of performance and value delivery. It has established tax and transfer pricing centres of excellence in Jordan and Egypt that contribute to socio-economic development — and serve as a pipeline to regional talent pools. PwC Middle East offers a range of professional services: assurance and audit, consulting, deals, entrepreneurial and private business, tax and legal. Digital transformation investments have increased automation and reduced inefficiencies. PwC Middle East stays on top of regulatory developments and shares insights through regular publications. It aims to become the bridge between authorities and the clients, building trust with every interaction. The CFI.co judging panel presents PwC Middle East — a repeat programme winner — with the 2022 award for Best Business & Tax Services Provider (Middle East).


ENGIE New Ventures: Best CleanTech Strategic Investor Global 2022

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 decentralised 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 knowledgable workforce. The CFI.co judging panel announces ENGIE New Ventures as the 2022 winner of the global award for Best CleanTech Strategic Investor.


WiseEnergy: Best Solar Asset Manager UK 2022

WiseEnergy is fueling growth and innovation through a groupwide focus on strategy, culture and globalisation. The Company has a growing international presence on four continents, including offices in the UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the US.

WiseEnergy has been active in the solar industry for over a decade, and its wheelhouse of service delivery expertise covers the entire solar asset spectrum from construction through to operation. WiseEnergy’s goal is to maximise revenue, reduce operational expenditure and minimise risk for clients; in summary, maximising their clients’ return on investment.

WiseEnergy sets the groupwide strategy from its London headquarters, defining global objectives and individual country targets. It unites multiple nationalities and disciplines — finance, technology, project and contract management — into global teams working on portfolios with a wide geographic focus.

The group cultivates a work culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. It invests in employee wellbeing and has increased mental health support to help team members cope with the pandemic. WiseEnergy promotes knowledge sharing throughout the company and industry. Team members stay connected through frequent country-wide and global company update sessions and represent the group at conferences and other external events. It has also introduced new processes and systems to ensure greater resilience and flexibility across the business. For example, it has recently migrated three separate accounting systems into one global application. This was a time-consuming task, but it has made reporting across different countries an easier and more effective.

The CFI.co judging panel presents WiseEnergy, a repeat programme winner, with the 2022 award for Best Solar Asset Manager (UK).


Isomer Capital: Best European Technology Investment Strategy UK 2021

The early bird gets the worm in fast-moving commoditised markets — and Isomer Capital has the agility to lever its connections and data-backed research to get ahead of investment trends. The private firm was founded in 2015 by technology investors, operators and entrepreneurs. Isomer has built an extensive network of contacts across the private market space, and these relationships have opened a pipeline of valuable information and exciting opportunities. It targets venture capital deals across Europe, backing tech entrepreneurs through primary and secondary investments in VC funds and company co-investments. Isomer has made 50 VC fund investments, supporting 1,387 underlying portfolio companies in 37 countries. The firm is singularly focused on the European tech ecosystem. It’s an inside player contributing to the development of technology and talent throughout the region. It takes a partnership approach to venture capital and operates with complete independence and no conflicts of interest. Isomer monitors hundreds of funds and thousands of companies as part of its own market research. Strong tech and operational backgrounds allow the team to identify rising stars — and to help them soar. Isomer does its due diligence on companies and management teams, as investment terms and working relationships tend to last between five and 10 years. The firm follows its instincts, not the herd, to uncover new partners and shared prosperity. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously voted for Isomer Capital in the 2021 Best European Technology Investment Strategy (UK) award category.


Krungthai Bank: Best Social Impact Bank Thailand 2022

Founded in 1966, Krungthai Bank is a publicly listed company whose main shareholder is the Thai government. The bank has evolved to provide clients with ever-increasing convenience and functionality. Krungthai conducts business with the goal of growing together for sustainability and serving all segments of Thai society. The bank approached the pandemic as an opportunity to further develop digital capacities and incorporate AI technologies. It was able to slash the turnaround times on loan applications, using AI and big data to deliver real-time verdicts. Krungthai offered its third index-linked, principal-protected note in January, this time basing returns for the five-year note on a global AI and ESG index. The note aims to capitalise on the rising prevalence of AI across societies and industries, while the ESG focus underscores its commitment to improving the lives of Thai people and supporting the SDGs. It has expanded into digital bonds with low price points, which has facilitated financial inclusion. The youngest digital bond subscriber is only 15 years old. On the other side of the spectrum, Krungthai offers digital literacy assistance to older populations through a 1,000-branch network. The Krungthai mobile apps have millions of users, including 40 million people who used the bank’s digital wallet to register for the Covid vaccine. The CFI.co judging panel has followed the bank for several years and is pleased to note its continued progress. The judges present Krungthai Bank with its fifth CFI.co accolade: Best Social Impact Bank (Thailand).


OTP Private Banking: Best Private Banking Services Hungary 2022

The OTP Group has become one of the major financial institutions in Central and Eastern Europe over the past quarter century. The organisation, which began life in 1949 as a state-owned national savings bank during the communist era in Hungary, was privatised in 1995 a few years after the country’s transition to an independent, democratic state. Today the Budapest-based bank serves more than 16 million customers, having expanded into 11 countries in the region, using its local experience as a key pillar of the bank’s operations. OPT’s private banking arm is one of the largest independent financial service providers in Central and Eastern Europe, employing teams of experts with local expertise allied to a global network. Its specialists work with clients to create personalised asset management advice, taking advantage of the bank’s up-to-the-minute analyses of market trends. OPT believes its significant weight of local knowledge is what gives it the edge in delivering a tailored, quality service to customers. The cornerstone of its operation is transparency and innovation. The group’s goal is to continue to strengthen its position as a dominant regional player by providing a broad product portfolio and serving a diverse client base, offering innovation through the use of new technologies. OTP Bank is also committed to the improvement of social values in the region, and supports a range of activities and events which contribute to social wellbeing. The CFI.co judging panel, in 2022, has no hesitation in presenting OPT with the award, Best Private Banking Services Hungary.


BTG Pactual: Best Investment Banking Services Chile 2021

The constant exchange of ideas is a core principle of BTG Pactual, a leading investment bank in Chile’s financial sector. The business is an arm of the parent group founded in Brazil in 1983. Today it employs 2,300 staff across eight countries. The company is managed on a meritocratic, horizontal model - the main pillar of its culture. BTG values business with integrity, and has adopted Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives throughout the organisation. BTG signed up to the Principles of Responsible Investments (PRI) in 2015, pledging to embrace the values of human rights, labour relations, the environment, and to fight corruption. Today its asset management division operates from offices throughout Latin America, North America and Europe. It prides itself on encouraging the exchange of ideas, evaluation of investment opportunities across borders, and diligent risk management. BTG’s research team constantly studies global trends to inform investment strategy. The company invests on behalf of institutional investors, pension funds, corporations and governments, and individuals. In Chile, the company runs conversation events - BTG Talks - which connect businesses and entrepreneurs with global experts, where new ideas are exchanged and strategies formed. BTG promotes an online forum which publishes articles on politics, economics, and cultural trends. It also contributes to the community beyond its core business, developing and supporting various artistic, cultural and sports initiatives in Chile. In recognising the work of BTG Pactual, the CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present it with the 2021 award, Best Investment Banking Services Chile.


Man Group: Best Investment Management Services UK 2021

In terms of the technology of the day, the rum ration given to Admiral Nelson’s sailors arguably gave the Royal Navy of the 18th century something of an edge. The rum was supplied by James Man, son of a Billingsgate barrel-maker. Today the company he founded in 1783, is using more sophisticated technology to stay ahead of the curve. The London-based Man Group is a major independent active management firm, employing more than 1,000 staff in 15 centres across the globe. Technology is the driving force of its success in delivering good investment performance and client portfolio solutions. It uses up-to-the-minute tech advances to stay at the forefront of a sector which is constantly evolving. Man Group, which manages almost $140b for its global clients, offers bespoke services which utilise the skills of its expert staff, but in order to stay ahead, the company is continuously investing in the latest technology to deliver the best results for clients. The company always aims to achieve superior investment performance by being original in its thinking. In partnership with Oxford University’s science department, it has led revolutionary research into quantitative finance, machine-learning and data analytics since the founding of the Oxford Man Institute in 2007. This collaboration between business and academia continues to develop new tools for decision-making, involving artificial intelligence, financial theory and practice, and mathematics. In 2021, the judging panel, in recognition of the company’s trail-blazing approach, is pleased to present Man Group with the award, Best Investment Management Services UK.


Associated British Foods: Best ESG Grocery & Retail Sector UK 2021

Associated British Foods (ABF) is a diversified food, ingredients and retail group with operations in 53 countries. ABF grocery brands are consumer favourites in nine out of 10 UK households. ABF Sugar is one of the largest sugar producers in the world and the sole processor of UK sugar beet. The group works with all stakeholders — clients, consumers, communities, suppliers, employees, shareholders and the planet — to create value responsibly together. ABF structures commitments around a value system of respecting people’s dignity, acting with integrity, delivering with rigour and progressing through collaboration. The global workforce comprises 128,000 professionals, many of whom have built enduring careers with the group. A low turnover rate, especially at the executive level, lends to a strong sense of continuity. ABF made substantial investments in safety risk management in 2021 — £39m — 24 percent of which went to Covid safety measures. The group put another £34m towards environmental risk management and achieved an 11 percent annual reduction in scope one and two greenhouse gas emissions. It recycled, recovered or made use of 79 percent of waste generated and reused 25 percent of water abstracted. More than half of its energy usage in 2021 came from renewables. The group is making progress on goals to source only cage-free eggs and switch completely to reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging. The CFI.co judging panel presents Associated British Foods with the 2021 award for Best ESG Grocery & Retail Sector (UK).


TANQIA: Best Sustainable Growth Strategy Middle East 2022

TANQIA is a Regulated utility provide critical-need solution and far-sighted business vision.

The Utility affirms its mission in its name, which means 'purify' in Arabic. As the first privately owned, government-regulated wastewater collection and treatment utility in the UAE, TANQIA deploys state-of-the-art technology and deep industry expertise to strengthen water resiliency in Fujairah, which like much of the Gulf region, relies on desalination and underground aquifers for its water needs.

With declining ground water reserves and rising salinity caused by over-pumping and seawater ingress, the use of treated wastewater is even more crucial. TANQIA serves a concession area in Fujairah via a wastewater collection network running 546 kilometres. The Utility has revised its expansion plans to accommodate the recent boom in population growth - and the corresponding spike in demand for wastewater services.

The first phase of the Revised Expansion Plan is slated for completion by the end of the year and the second Phase by mid-2023. TANQIA will increase installed treatment capacities from 16,000 to 46,000 m3 per day and provide 1.5 billion gallons of high-quality effluent for sale through the distribution network developed by its partner Etihad Water and Electricity, a utility itself (EWE). TANQIA aims to drive down the costs of its operations and sale to partner of highly treated wastewater for reuse in restricted irrigation, while promoting sustainability and accommodating for future demand.

TANQIA's upcoming Green Energy Project is expected to cover 40% percent of the treatment plant's average annual energy requirements from Solar Energy and lower emissions by 6,061 tons of CO2 per year. The CFl.co jury presents repeat winner TANQIA with the 2022 Best Sustainable Growth Strategy (Middle East) award.


QNB ALAHLI: Best SME Bank Egypt 2022 and Best Retail Bank Egypt 2022

Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, with a head count estimated at 105 million — and QNB ALAHLI counts 1.3 million of them as clients. The QNB Group acquired a majority stake in NSGB bank in 2013 and rebranded the strengthened entity as QNB ALAHLI. The bank ensures absolute client centricity through a nationwide network of 231 branches, 872 ATMs, 62,234 point-of-sale merchants, robust digital channels and a 24/7 call centre. It wows retail clients with a comprehensive range of services and products: savings accounts and CDs; loans, credit and financing facilities; credit cards, prepaid cards and wristbands; self-employed professionals packages; payroll services; and luxury plans. It rolls out the red carpet for business clients — from multinational corporations to local SMEs — pulling from 44 years of market experience to develop products and services for key industries and sectors. It can assist entrepreneurs and business leaders with corporate banking, financial advisory, project financing, structured financing, trade financing, cash management and foreign exchange services. QNB ALAHLI believes SMEs have the power to push growth and deliver sustained development, and the bank is committed to supporting them throughout the peaks and troughs of market cycles. It has become a preferred partner of multilateral financiers for the distribution of credit to small businesses. The CFI.co judging panel presents QNB ALAHLI, a repeat programme winner, with the 2022 awards for Best SME Bank and Best Retail Bank (Egypt).


Forsyth Barr: Best Investment Banking Services New Zealand 2022

A commitment to customer service underpins every activity at Forsyth Barr, a New Zealand-based investment bank which has earned a reputation for problem-solving and risk management. Forsyth Barr, established in Dunedin in 1936, has broadened its horizons over the years, expanding from its core stockbroking activities, and moving into the provision of fixed interest monitoring services and investment solutions. The company continued to expand during the second half of the 20th century, developing cash management and nominee services, portfolio management and low cost retirement funds, and opening offices in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Invercargill. Growth has continued, through acquisition and partnerships, and Forsyth Barr now operates 24 offices across New Zealand, providing investment advice and portfolio management covering more than $20b of clients’ investments. In December 2021, the company announced the launch of a specialist funds management operation, Octagon Asset Management – a new entity designed to expand Forsyth Barr’s established funds management offering, with the aim of breaking into new markets. The business is fully focussed on sustainability, and has recently joined six other major companies in New Zealand to support an ambitious initiative to tackle the country’s housing shortage. The Aotearoa Pledge, based on the Maori name for the country, is bringing together investors from a range of sectors, and community housing providers to create a $100m fund to help finance affordable new homes across New Zealand. In 2022 the CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present Forsyth Barr with the award, Best Investment Banking Services New Zealand.


The Access Bank UK Limited: Best Africa Trade Finance Bank 2022

Founded in 2008, The Access Bank UK Limited levers a strong home base and international branches to build relationships with clients worldwide. The Access Bank UK Limited offers a wide range of Trade Finance, Commercial Banking, Private Banking and Asset Management products and services. The Head Office is located in the heart of the City of London and the Operations Division is based near Manchester. The Access Bank UK Limited has a branch operation within Dubai’s International Finance Centre and offices in Lagos, Nigeria. The Access Bank UK Limited is a subsidiary of Access Bank Plc which has recently also established business in South Africa and extended its operations in Zambia. Currently Access Bank Plc is ranked as the 14th largest banking group in Africa and its expansion efforts continue to gather momentum, with six new country projects underway.

The Access Bank UK has continued its controlled growth and expansion leveraging its trade finance capabilities. The bank saw an 8 percent increase in trade finance business in 2021, with nearly $4bn in trade finance over 4,500 transactions. It has established correspondent banking relationships in Nigeria and in several additional African countries. The Access Bank UK Limited credits the growth — and its dependable reputation — to the relationship model of the business. Customer satisfaction is a primary concern, which shows in the bank’s high rate of referrals and retention. During the pandemic the Bank has continued to grow and expand, recently welcoming new team members. The CFI.co judging panel presents The Access Bank UK Limited, a repeat programme winner, with the 2022 award for Best Africa Trade Finance Bank.


Eccelsa Aviation: Best Private Aviation Terminal Operator Europe 2022

The coronavirus pandemic grounded planes worldwide, cutting air traffic by 66 percent from 2019 to 2020. But private aviation has seen a bump in business, up 25 percent as more affluent travellers seek to escape commercial airways. Eccelsa Aviation operates a private and executive terminal in Sardinia along the Costa Smeralda in Italy. Sardinia was fortunate and not hit as hard by Covid as the majority of the country. Eccelsa Aviation capitalised on the rise in private air travel to exceed growth expectations for 2021. While others were operating in survival mode, Eccelsa Aviation was investing to expand the aircraft parking area and accommodate more traffic. The Eccelsa team pulled together to implement health and safety procedures and ensure clients stayed informed of documentation requirements for travel. Streamlined operations mean that clients spend the minimum time necessary in procedures. The company runs 28 flights per hour through the Olbia Costa Smeralda airport, rolling out the red carpet with concierge services that go above and beyond. Eccelsa Aviation can provide clients with chartered jets and yachts, luxury rentals, limousine chauffeurs, catering and tailored security services. Aircraft crews receive a warm welcome and appreciate Eccelsa’s snooze room and express laundry services. Eccelsa Aviation first registered on the CFI.co radar for its capacity to handle custom requests and its committed sustainability progress. The judging panel is pleased to confirm a three-year winning streak for Eccelsa Aviation with the 2022 award for Best Private Aviation Terminal Operator (Europe).


Aquis Exchange: Best Pan-European Equities Trading Exchange 2022

Aquis Exchange is the pan-European equities trading arm of exchange services group Aquis Exchange PLC. It is Europe’s 7th largest exchange by value traded and operates a unique subscription-based fee model that rewards its biggest users. Over 2,000 stocks from 16 European markets are available to trade on Aquis Exchange and in April 2022, it completed its takeover of the UBS MTF non-displayed business to complement its two lit pools operating from the UK and Paris offices.

In addition to its pan-European trading business, Aquis operates one of only two full equities exchanges in the UK (Recognised Investment Exchange) – the Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE). AQSE focuses on the IPO and secondary trading of small and medium sized growth companies on the two segments of its Growth Market: Apex for more mature companies and Apex for smaller, more early-stage ventures. During 2021, a record 24 companies floated on AQSE, raising over £100m in the process. In March 2022, Aquis Exchange PLC joined AQSE’s Apex segment itself, having first listed on AIM in 2018.

The third arm of Aquis is its technology licensing business – Aquis Technologies – which develops, licences and operates exchange software for third parties on a global basis. This division is increasingly focused on providing businesses with cloud-based platforms for their exchange business in an array of asset classes ranging from crypto, to reinsurance, and bonds.

The CFI.co judging panel present Aquis Exchange – a repeat programme winner – with the 2022 award for Best Pan-European Equities Trading Exchange.


Scottish Friendly: Best Mutual Insurer UK 2022

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6723" src="https://cfi.co/awards/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Scottish-Friendly.jpg" alt="Scottish Friendly" width="400" height="250" />Scottish Friendly pulls from a 160-year history to deliver value for members, colleagues and the community at large. The group helps members plan for the future with an affordable selection of life, savings and investment products, including adult and junior ISAs under the Scottish Friendly brand as well as working with a number of partners to manufactur life and critical illness products. The Glasgow-based group manages more than £5.3bn for over 750,000 members. Scottish Friendly believes that exceptional customer care starts with a focus on staff wellbeing. The past couple of years have been taxing for everyone, and Scottish Friendly has introduced numerous measures to ensure staff feel supported and engaged — leaving them in the best possible position to look after members. Collaborative working groups and yoga classes helped keep the team centred and connected. Scottish Friendly has continued to achieve strong sales, with a solvency ratio considerably higher than the regulatory requirement. The agile reaction times and stability of the group has allowed to weather the storm of the last couple of years — however, it warns members that the year ahead will be difficult, with inflation expected to rise beyond six percent by this summer as well as rising costs across the board. Consistent marketing campaigns ensure members stay informed and prepared for what’s to come. Scottish Friendly pledged a £10 donation for each new ISA account opened during the month of December — resulting in a £23,500 donation to support vulnerable families and children. This campaign forms part of the group’s ongoing community support programmes. The CFI.co jury presents repeat winner Scottish Friendly with the 2022 Best Mutual Insurer (UK) award.


KBC Asset Management NV: Best Asset Management Team Belgium 2022

KBC is a banking and insurance group with 41,000 employees and 12 million clients across Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. KBC Asset Management NV (KBC AM) acts as the group's investment arm, working with retail and institutional clients, developing products for intra-group distribution and providing investment fund sales and advisory support. KBC AM lives by the motto of "Everyone invested all the time" - starting with the 293 employees at the Brussels-based office. The company prioritises the health, wellbeing and work-life balance of its employees as the surest path to business success. A talented team works together to ensure proper asset allocation in managed funds and portfolios. KBC AM is striving to realise a dream of maximum investor participation, allowing people from all walks of life to benefit from capital markets. It has removed roadblocks to retail investing by lowering threshold requirements and focusing on digitalisation. The virtual assistant of KBC, named KATE, helps clients navigate investment options on digital channels, where over half of KBC investment plans is now sold. KBC expects artificial intelligence to play an increasingly important role in the future and was the first Belgian asset manager to launch a fund which investment strategy is driven by artificial intelligence software. KBC AM achieved significant growth in 2021, delivering strong performance on multiple fronts. Long term performance, with a mindset of fighting for every basis point, is core ambition of KBC AM’s investment teams. As of the end of 2021, KBC AM reports €236bn in AUM. The CFl.co judging panel announces KBC Asset Management NV as the 2022 Best Asset Management Team (Belgium) award winner.


DPM Finanzas: Best Independent Financial Advisory Team Spain 2022

DPM Finanzas believes that good investments start with the right financial advisor. Founded in 2013, DPM Finanzas is one of the few CNMV- regulated Spanish investment services companies that exclusively provides independent financial and wealth advice. Its “fee only” financial advisory model is reinforced by its exclusive specialisation — it does not provide any additional services or develop its own products — and the equity of the company is entirely in the hands of the management team. DPM Finanzas tailors bespoke solutions to client needs, working mainly with family groups, entrepreneurs, sports stars, charities and endowments. Services are supported by a strong technological platform, but the firm credits its team as the greatest asset. The firm recruits professionals with significant recognition in the sector, including high technical financial knowledge and extensive experience. Above all, they must share the values of the firm, always putting the client at the centre of decisions and acting with transparency and honour. DPM takes client commitments seriously, applying independent decision-making with a prudent, future-forward, global vision to differentiate solutions for each client’s circumstances. It assists clients to align portfolios according to their personal sustainability priorities. DPM’s unique advisory model, together with an important rigorous analysis and global investment strategy, has allowed the firm to achieve continuous and strong growth since its foundation, both in terms of clients and assets under advice. The CFI.co judging panel presents DPM Finanzas with the 2022 Best Independent Financial Advisory Team (Spain) award.


EMCORE Asset Management: Best Independent Investment Boutique DACH 2022

EMCORE Asset Management isn’t afraid of market volatility — it has the competence and diligence to turn uncertainty into opportunity. The staff-owned financial boutique takes an active approach to portfolio management using asymmetrical securities parameters to meet clients’ risk and return objectives. EMCORE has found targeted asymmetrical investing to minimise risks and optimise opportunities. It offers customised solutions combining derivative overlay strategies, yield-enhanced products, liquid bond and equity alternatives, convertible bonds and mutual funds. It doesn’t aim to be the biggest, but the best. EMCORE, as an independent financial partner free of any third-party obligations, promises continuity and commitment to client interests. Teams of investment professionals collaborate to tailor strategies according to each client’s risk tolerance and financial goals. They monitor risk parameters across numerous investment strategies, objectively assessing market activities through a quantitative lens combining technology, rules and human experience — then acting with confidence and precision to ensure optimal asset allocation. Sustainability commitments are integrated across the investment decision-making process. EMCORE excludes controversial industries and companies with poor ESG performance from the investment universe. It practices responsible asset management and engages with portfolio companies to support their sustainability journey. It prioritises transparency as an integral factor in building a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable partner. EMCORE Asset Management presents itself as a “House of Asymmetry” with a track record of generating steady performance with little risk. The CFI.co judging panel presents EMCORE Asset Management with the 2022 Best Independent Investment Boutique (DACH) award.


Aéroports de Paris (ADP): Best Airports Leadership Europe 2021

Aéroports de Paris (ADP) has responded quickly to the unprecedented challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic to the global air transport industry. The company, a world leader in airport design, construction and operation, runs a network of 28 airports, employs 26,000 people, and handles 230 million passengers in a normal year. The ADP ethos has always been that airports should be run like hotels – that hospitality and comfort are essential requirements for passengers who spend an average of three hours in every airport visit. The company believes travellers should never feel anxious – which is why ADP reacted quickly to the crisis, ensuring the safety of passengers and staff was its top priority. Cleaning operations were tightened, sanitisers installed, and thermal imaging cameras and screening stations were set up in Arrivals. ADP worked closely with health officials, implementing the protocols of the European Aviation Safety Agency, re-establishing passenger confidence. Throughout the pandemic ADP has striven to maintain its position at the forefront of the drive towards sustainability, recognising that the challenges of ecological and health concerns are changing attitudes. The group is determined to win the trust of passengers by ensuring safe travel environments, while accelerating the transition to low-carbon aviation. ADP has, for instance, remodelled plans for a Charles de Gaulle airport project, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, introducing new capabilities to handle hydrogen-powered aircraft, and catering for the need for alternative fuels. The judging panel is pleased, in 2021, to present ADP with the award, Best Airports Leadership Europe.


Kickstart Fund: Most Innovative Venture Capital Team US 2022

Kickstart Fund is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in Salt Lake City, UT. Started during the Great Recession of 2008, Kickstart took an innovative approach from the start. Led by visionary leader and seed investment specialist Gavin Christensen, Kickstart has a laser-like focus on backing the best early stage companies and founders in the Mountain West. The Kickstart team builds relationships with scrappy, resilient founders even before companies are fundraising. After investment, Kickstart plugs their portfolio companies into their community, helping to strengthen both the companies and individuals leading them. Kickstart’s mission is to help build great companies in the Wild West by backing the boldest entrepreneurs with capital, community, and expertise for the journey. Kickstart has even sponsored a student-run VC fund called Campus Founders Fund. Initial investment amounts are typically between $250k - $2M with reserved capital for follow on investments as part of the long-term commitment. Kickstart’s portfolio consists of 150+ companies who have raised over $2.7B combined. Alumni companies include the unicorns Podium and Lucid. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present Kickstart Fund with the 2022 award for Most Innovative Venture Capital Team (US).


Tirupati Graphite: Best Sustainable Value Creation Strategy Global 2022

Tirupati Graphite is a proactive corporate citizen levering the power of scientific knowledge, innovation and sustainability to combat global threats and create value for all stakeholders. The group is headquartered in the UK with natural flake graphite mining and processing operations in Madagascar and downstream graphite and graphene processing projects in India. The company makes a strong case for flake graphite, which has been classified as a critical material by multiple countries, including the EU and US. Flake graphite has over 150 applications and is a central component in energy storage, fire safety and thermal management. It improves energy efficiency and reduces energy and fossil fuel consumption, contributing to a greener footprint across numerous applications. The flake graphite market registers a 32 percent compound annual growth rate from green applications. Tirupati Graphite invests considerable resources into tech innovation and has developed processing technologies that maximise resource usage and reduce carbon emissions. The company capitalises on opportunities for sustainable value creation in the green economy. It seeks to create value for the planet and for future generations by developing materials and technologies with numerous green applications. It supports the personal and professional development of employees and aims to improve quality of life in the communities where it operates. In addition to providing financial support, Tirupati Graphite has established health care, education and recreational facilities for local communities. The CFI.co jury presents repeat programmer winner Tirupati Graphite with the 2022 Best Sustainable Value Creation Strategy award.


AVL: Best Mobility Tech & Engineering Innovator Global 2021

AVL has been driving mobility innovation for more than seven decades. It embraces the changes occurring throughout the automotive industry and shapes future mobility trends through active R&D investments. AVL directed 12 percent of 2020 turnover (€1.7bn) towards R&D, leaving the group well positioned to weather the pandemic. Headquartered in Austria, AVL is supported by a global workforce exceeding 11,000 employees. The private company was able to maintain full ranks, and staff responded to pandemic pressures with a surge of creativity and initiative. AVL introduced new patents, products and services last year — while much of the competition was merely treading water. AVL is a mobility tech powerhouse with a comprehensive range of solutions, including engineering, testing, simulation technologies, manufacturing, development speed and methodology. The group aims to accelerate a carbon-neutral future by pioneering affordable technologies that effectively reduce emissions. It pursues sustainable mobility advancements together with an international network encompassing 26 countries and 45 AVL Tech and Engineering Centres. It is paving the way for automated and connected mobility through investments in digitalisation and advanced driver-assistance systems. AVL was founded in 1948 by Austrian technical scientist, inventor and entrepreneur Hans List. The group has been run by the founder’s son, AVL chairman and CEO Helmut List, since 1979. The CFI.co judging panel has recognised AVL in previous awards programmes and is pleased to see continued cause for celebration. AVL claims 2021 global bragging rights for Best Mobility Tech & Engineering Innovator.


HFM: Best Forex Trading App Global 2022

HFM and HF Markets are the brand names of HF Markets Group, a global conglomerate of regulated multi-asset brokers operating across numerous borders. Since its launch in 2010, the Group has solidified a market-leading position by focusing on superior customer care and modern tech infrastructure, with its comprising entities serving clients worldwide. It has more than 200 employees and 3.5 million active trading accounts. HFM welcomes retail and professional traders to explore the platform, account options, software and tools. All clients — from beginners to institutional experts — enjoy a tailored trading experience that fits their skills and ambitions. Less experienced investors can hone their trading skills in live webinars that are free to clients and held three times per week. HFM is a client-centric company offering low spreads and competitive fees on over 1,200 trading instruments. It has introduced reward programmes designed to put extra cash in clients’ hands, including $1m in cash prizes through its ROFM (Return on Free Margin) promotion and its newest programme, RevShare+, which aims to increase partner earnings with up to $5,000 in extra rewards. Sports fans will be happy to hear that the company has renewed its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain. HFM continues to garner media praise and win industry awards — now at 60 and counting. The CFI.co judging panel adds another accolade, presenting HFM — a repeat programme winner — with the 2022 global award for Best Forex Trading App.


Infinity Asset Management: Best Fixed Income Fund Manager Brazil 2022

Infinity Asset Management began as a brokerage service provider 25 years ago in São Paulo, Brazil, and switched to fund management and custom investment solutions in 1999, recruited experienced finance professionals and developed their talents through training programs. Since then, the company have won several awards, with a focus on the fixed income strategy, vehicle for risk-adverse investors looking for steady, reliable returns. It takes a partnership approach to the management of human capital- from staff to clients. Investment committees, monthly newsletters, weekly economic reports drive our investment process, with periodic media updates, and a tireless pursuit to decipher the challenges of the World today - using cutting edge research to validate and execute our investment principles. Infinity manages fixed income, equity, and hedge funds. ESG criteria is becoming the core of our business: now, we are in the process of launching our first ESG fund, working with a focus on land that generates carbon credits, reforestation, projects for the production of clean energy and water recovery and treatment. Despite recent market instability, the results speak for themselves: our two-year return from three of our fixed income funds. Infinity also took advantage of this period to bring in new professionals to compose a high-performance cross-functional team. Infinity takes a 360-degree view of macro and microeconomic trends to balance diversification across investment funds. The team keeps in close contact with clients and collaborates to preserve and grow their wealth. We design credit solutions to meet companies' financing needs and invest in real estate and participation funds, which deal with shares, debentures, subscription bonuses and other bonds and securities. It combines products and services to create custom equity structures for organizational and fiscal optimization, succession planning, governance, and asset security, among others. The CFI.co judging panel announces Infinity Asset Management as the 2022 award winner for Best Fixed Income Fund Manager (Brazil).


AAY Investments Group: Best International Project Finance Team Panama 2022

AAY Investments Group provides financial and insurance services to clients across the public and private sector. The group is headquartered in Panama with 45 employees across the network. Credit intermediation is the main focus of the group, which comprises four subsidiaries and six affiliated partners. AAY Investments Group credits its success to the calibre of its team and the long-term relationships it establishes with clients. The group was founded in 1986 and is driven by a senior management team with more than 95 years of combined finance experience. The group has assembled a team with high qualifications and diverse backgrounds in law, risk management, investment banking, commercial project financing and venture capital funding. AAY aims to create a corporate culture where employees feel like valued members of a family. Department heads are focused on understanding their people’s needs — staff and clients. The group considers how its actions could impact stakeholders throughout the decision-making process. This attention to detail has resulted in high rates of customer loyalty and staff retention. AAY Investments Group adheres to strict standards of confidentiality and non-disclosure, never sharing information with third parties. It has become a trusted partner of wholesale insurance brokers as well as governments, public-listed companies, professional service providers and private-project owners. Future expansion plans include construction project insurance and investment solutions. The CFI.co judging panel presents AAY Investments Group with the 2022 Best International Project Finance Team (Panama) award.


Orbian: Most Innovative Trade Finance Solutions Global 2022

Orbian is a pioneer of supply chain finance, creating expansion opportunities for businesses small and large and delivering steady returns for investors over the past 20 years. Orbian understands that supply chain finance greases the wheels of global commerce and has a developed a trade finance platform to streamline connections between suppliers, corporate buyers and funding providers. It works with businesses to custom-create scalable supply chain finance programmes to accommodate working capital and cash flow goals. To date, Orbian has processed five million transactions and $240bn in trade finance — while maintaining an error-free transactional record. It has achieved a 100 percent integration success rate across all major Enterprise Resource Planning systems and proprietary A/P systems. Supplier onboarding is a simple web-based process with documentation specialists on-hand to support thousands of suppliers across the 53 countries where it currently operates. Orbian broadens the potential investor pool by giving suppliers access to multi-bank and source-agnostic funding. Flexible funding structures allow suppliers to use excess cash to fund the finance programme. Orbian invests a portion of annual revenues into the development of staff skills and enhancement of the customer experience. The company fuels growth through a process of continuous innovation, which includes regular upgrades to its state-of-the-art platform. Over the past year, Orbian has introduced new tools allowing for greater regional control over trade finance. The CFI.co judging panel presents Orbian, a repeat programme winner, with the 2022 global award for Most Innovative Trade Finance Solutions.


Al Fozan Holding Company: Best Diversified Holdings Governance GCC 2022

Al Fozan Holding Company is a third-generation family-owned conglomerate serving communities across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region for more than 60 years. It aims to build a brighter future for every person that its operations impact by creating value through intelligence, experience and creativity. The company is engaged in four key sectors — manufacturing, retail, real estate and trading — with a mix of investments in other vital areas. Al Fozan strives to create synergies between clients and sector experts, increasing return on investment through strong governance support and collaboration in the sustainable development of the sector. Investees in the Al Fozan portfolio, a diverse combination of mature enterprises and emergent start-ups, are united by a common set of rules and governance structures. Al Fozan owns 30 companies, and a central committee provides governance checklists regarding sustainability, hiring and conflict resolution, among other policies and procedures. Al Fozan guides the growth of portfolio companies through participation in board meetings, succession planning and corporate accountability. It stays ahead of the curve by hiring economic consultants to predict trends and restructuring development plans in accordance. It works with the Saudi ministry of social affairs to establish ESG benchmarks. It’s making strides towards gender empowerment, with succession plans to fast-track qualified female candidates to the executive suite. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously selects Al Fozan Holding Company, a repeat programme winner, as the 2022 winner in the award category for Best Diversified Holdings Governance (GCC).


Banque Saudi Fransi: Best Banking Customer Experience Saudi Arabia 2022

Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) deploys a workforce of 3,227 professionals to go the extra mile for clients. Over the past 45 years, the bank has sought to get as close as possible to its customers. It has established digital channels to supplement a nationwide network with 84 branches, 536ATMs and 45,031 point-of-sale devices. BSF has been running a customer experience programme called “Ask Once” since 2020. The programme, just as its name suggests, ensures that clients’ concerns come front and centre. They only need to ask once, and the BSF team mobilises to resolve problems and offer guidance. It has collected 150,000 customer feedback forms since the launch of the programme, which is rooted on the five pillars of listening, action, governance, training and culture. The bank seeks feedback across the organisation, focusing not only on customers but also bank departments, employees and colleagues. This includes measuring work environments and processes, as the bank has found happy employees to deliver the best results. BSF takes swift action to address any challenges clients might encounter, charting a custom course for each circumstance. The entire organisation gets behind the programme, starting with a dedicated Ask Once committee that’s supported by the bank’s top leadership. Initial and ongoing training encourages consistent on-brand customer care. BSF fosters a culture of honesty, simplicity and humility — where ideas come before egos. The CFI.co jury presents Banque Saudi Fransi with the 2022 Best Banking Customer Experience (Saudi Arabia) award.


Alistithmar Capital: Best Asset Manager Middle East 2022

Alistithmar Capital has been serving Saudi financial markets since 2008. The closed joint stock company operates with paid-up capital of $66.7m (250 million Saudi riyals). It focuses on three main areas: brokerage, asset management, and investment banking. An influx of fresh leadership in 2017 has resulted in exponential growth, delivery and performance enhancements and superior customer service. The equity asset management products at Alistithmar Capital has consistently outperformed their respective benchmarks in the past three years, also ranking in the top quartile against their respective peers. Alistithmar Capital provides clients with exceptional value, as evident by the growth of their asset under management, which also outpaced the industry growth rate. The company aims to maintain its leading position in the Saudi Financial Services industry by continuing to deliver superior performance and continually improve it costumer experience. Alistithmar Capital has implemented numerous initiatives to build cohesion and collaboration between its teams such as daily committees meetings to facilitate dynamic decision-making. The company attribute a lot of its success to its employees who are a mix of highly motivated young professionals and seasoned experts, all sharing common traits of high work ethics and uncompromising diligence. Digital integration across multiple platforms is bringing the company closer than ever to its clients. Alistithmar Capital works to wow clients, putting their interests as top priority and operating with honesty, integrity and transparency. The CFI.co judging panel presents Alistithmar Capital with the 2022 Best Asset Manager (Middle East) award.


Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA): Best Economic Zone Promotion South East Asia 2022

The Philippines has some of the most concentrated natural resources in the world — and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is publicising that fact to attract foreign development investments. PEZA acts as a catalyst for sustainable development in the Philippines, focusing on manufacturing, tourism and industrial exporters as well as land and building developers. It provides a complete service to investors, assisting with business registration, tax incentives and operational support. PEZA has undertaken a 25-year transformation strategy to accelerate the industrialisation of the country. Sustainability is a non-negotiable criterion for new and existing development, as environmental responsibility plays a critical role in decision making. PEZA looks to the future with lessons learned from the past. Previously the Philippines had centred around the extraction of raw materials, but now PEZA is building the infrastructure and workforce to claim more of the processing market. PEZA is training the people and developing the resources needed for this shift, which is expected to expound on benefits and improve margins. The transition will help to make the Philippines a more self-reliant and resource-generating country — and establish it as a major player in the global supply chain. PEZA intends to halt the “brain drain” of the country’s best talent by implementing inclusive policies to ensure smaller players — including SMEs, farmers and fisheries — aren’t overlooked. It is improving urban infrastructure, so workers have easy access to housing and facilities. PEZA is an integral part of the Philippines effort to lift the economic prospects for citizens. The CFI.co judging panel presents PEZA with the 2022 award for Best Economic Zone Promotion (South East Asia).


Octa Investama Berjangka: Most Transparent Broker Indonesia 2022

Octa Investama Berjangka is a futures brokerage company based in Indonesia helping investors to build wealth in a transparent and secure trading environment. The company fuels growth with a client-centric, data-driven approach to development. Upon identity verification, clients may begin trading in 27 currency pairs, gold, silver and indices on Octa’s MetaTrader4 platform. Clients can access the platform through the web portal and mobile app, or use offline channels to seek additional assistance. The broker is headquartered in Jakarta, and clients can call to speak with a specialist or schedule an appointment for any in-person queries. Client accounts within the Octa system are sacrosanct and untouchable. Accounts are monitored by the government, and Octa coordinates closely with Indonesian regulatory agencies — BAPPEBTI, ICDX, ICH — to ensure all operations remain above board. Clients can easily review Octa’s certificates and licenses, which are prominently displayed on its official website. The company looks after clients and community. It provides clients with negative balance protection to ensure they won't incur any debt towards the brokerage in cases where the trade ends with loss. It offers Sharia-compliant accounts with competitive trading conditions. The company conducts ongoing CSR activities to support communities in Indonesia. It helped fund the construction of a school library and sponsored the distribution of festive meals during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha last year. The CFI.co jury presents Octa Investama Berjangka with the 2022 Most Transparent Broker (Indonesia) award.


BCPG Public Company Limited: Best Clean Energy Community Solutions South East Asia 2022

BCPG Public Company Limited (BCPG) markets itself as a “greenergy” icon. BCPG is among Asia-Pacific’s leading companies in renewable energy with solar power, hydropower and wind power businesses in Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines. It aims to democratise energy for consumers, moving away from centralised management to a digitally enhanced, partner-powered model. BCPG first registered on the CFI.co radar in 2018, two years after the company’s IPO launch, for its burgeoning efforts to create communities of green-energy “pro-sumers” — households generating and trading renewable energy on a peer-to-peer platform. The Thai company pioneered the first and largest peer-to-peer energy trading project in South East Asia, the T77 Community in Bangkok, where solar panels on rooftops allow buildings to produce energy for their own consumption or for sharing. It has gone to the next level as smart lifestyle creator by developing CMU Smart City Clean Energy at Chiang Mai University, the role model of smart city equipped with innovative facilities, e.g. smart grid, energy storage systems, EV charging stations and carbon trading platform. The project has acquired regulatory approval and achieved first phase of commercialisation in November 2021.

BCPG has been in the solar game for over a decade and began diversifying the portfolio in 2017. Apart from green power plants and energy storage systems, BCPG is now developing a cross-border transmission line to transmit electricity from Laos to Vietnam and will significantly expand capacity of wind energy production through a 600MW wind energy project, ASEAN’s largest wind farm, which is expected to commence commercialisation in 2025. The CFI.co judging panel presents BCPG — a repeat programme winner — with the 2022 award for Best Clean Energy Community Solutions (South East Asia).


ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch: Most Innovative International Bank EMEA 2021

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) has a 38-year history of continuous innovation to best support the socio-economic development of the communities where it operates. It now serves some eight million global corporate and 650 million retail clients through a robust domestic and international network. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch anchors the group’s Middle Eastern network, which includes five regional branches. It provides clients with deposit and credit accounts as well as investment advisory, asset management and custody arrangement services. The bank’s enviable location in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) — an important financial hub for markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia — underscores its potential as catalyst and connector. It collaborates with governments, sovereign institutions and corporate clients to fuel infrastructure investments, economic diversification and green development across the GCC region. The bank’s diversified business structure and client-centric focus have allowed it to adapt with evolving times and stay ahead of trends. It drives innovation to pursue high-quality development and seize opportunities amid uncertainties. The group continues to roll-out increasingly intelligent services to meet modern banking needs. ICBC has built an integrated biosphere driven by an API open platform and financial cloud technology. It has introduced functionalities that support smart cities and rural financial inclusion. The CFI.co judging panel has recognised the bank in previous awards programmes and this year is no exception: ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch takes the 2021 award for Most Innovative International Bank (EMEA).


Tamer Group: Best Medical Technology & Equipment Distributor KSA 2022

Over the past century, Tamer Group has solidified a leading position in the Saudi marketplace by focusing on customer centricity, product and solution innovations and community development. It specialises in healthcare, beauty, prestige products, and fast-moving consumer goods and works with prominent global brands via agreements, partnerships and joint ventures. Tamer Group began investing in digital transformation 15 years ago — well ahead of the regional curve. It has developed healthcare platforms that boost connectivity between doctors and pharmacists and blur the lines between buyer and supplier. It’s backing a new company expected to accelerate the ease of at-home patient care. The group has made considerable investments in its latest initiative, Tamer Innovate, to meet rapidly growing demand for IT and consultancy services across the healthcare industry, among others. Tamer Group is committed to improving quality of life in the communities where it operates, particularly for underprivileged segments of the population. It collaborates with community leaders and local non-profits on education campaigns and social initiatives. Tamer measures up according to Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, as restated in the Davos Manifesto 2020, with 70 percent of basic ESG metrics implemented and a three-year plan to complete the remainder. The group pursues CSR objectives through its SA’AID & the Community programme, which has been supporting women’s empowerment, health education, conservation and workplace wellness for more than a decade. The CFI.co jury declares Tamer Group the Best Medical Technology & Equipment Distributor in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2022).


International Biotechnology Trust: Best Biotechnology Investment Strategy UK 2022

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10556" src="https://cfi.co/awards/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/InternationalBiotechnologyTrust.jpg" alt="International Biotechnology Trust" width="400" height="154" />

International Biotechnology Trust (IBT) backs companies striving to solve modern health challenges. Drug development is cash intensive, and companies have a limited window to recoup costs and redirect revenue into R&D during the patent period. Afterwards, society benefits from generic versions of the drug — available for pennies in the pound in perpetuity. IBT is proud to be part of this crucial social contract. It has identified seven SDGs where its operations have the most impact and is committed to adhering to the Principles for Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact. A comprehensive sustainability and ESG policy addresses IBT’s role as an investor, company and supply chain influencer. It has developed a proprietary ESG screening process for potential investments and engages with any companies falling short of expectations. The IBT board underscores the company’s commitment to diversity, which starts at the executive suite and ripples throughout the ranks. IBT requires the suppliers within its network to keep current ESG credentials. The board has found a responsible and proactive ESG approach to positively impact the performance and success of the trust and its portfolio companies. As at 30 April 2022, 88% percent of IBT investee companies were headquartered in the US and Canada, ten percent in Europe and the remainder were scattered around the world. The IBT portfolio comprised 80 companies — 102 counting those held through Venture Funds — and had a net asset value of £264.9m. The CFI.co judging panel presents International Biotechnology Trust with the 2022 award for Best Biotechnology Investment Strategy (UK).


Export Bahrain: Best SME Export Development Solutions MENA 2022

Since its launch in November 2018, Export Bahrain has helped national businesses to establish a growing foothold in global markets. The agency offers a range of credit and support solutions to unlock opportunities for active and aspiring exporters across Bahrain. Within the first two years of operation, Export Bahrain helped local businesses achieve $46m exporting products and services to 45 global markets. Nearly half of those exports went to new markets and almost a third were first-time exporters. It celebrated a new milestone in July 2021, helping home-grown start-ups, SMEs and microbusinesses to achieve over USD200 Million in export value since the agency’s inception. Products with the “Made in Bahrain” label have found their way into 55 markets across the US, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council region. It even managed to ramp up exports despite the challenging circumstances of Covid. The export value during the first half of 2021 surpassed the previous year’s total, while new exporters rose by 15 percent and new markets by 34 percent. First-time exporters could be eligible for a small grant covering up to 20 percent of their first export transaction. The agency is committed to gender empowerment and financial inclusion. From 2018 to 2020, it facilitated $10.2m in exports by women-owned Bahrain businesses. Future plans centre around national resiliency and global expansion. The CFI.co judging panel announces Export Bahrain as the 2022 award winner for Best SME Export Development Solutions (MENA).


Costa Rican Investment & Development Board: Best International Investment Team Latin America 2022

For the fifth consecutive year, Costa Rican Investment & Development Board (CINDE) has achieved top marks from the UN International Trade Center (ITC). The organisation earned the highest ranking among the 85 reviewed and received a perfect score on 81 percent of the indicators evaluated. The ITC commented on CINDE’s strong value proposition, which is rooted in investing with purpose for people, planet and prosperity. CINDE reported record figures in 2020 — and 2021 reports surpassed the previous year’s success. Last year, the organisation saw 22,461 new jobs created in the fields of life sciences, smart manufacturing, digital services and technologies, up by 13.4 percent over 2020. CINDE secured 103 new FDI projects over the past year, representing a 30 percent increase from 2020, with many new companies hailing from non-traditional destinations. Investor confidence in the country and its growing talent pool has enabled CINDE to attract a growing number of enthusiastic international investors. The organisation is proud to contribute towards the SDGs and publishes an annual report highlighting impact results in the areas of quality education; gender equality; decent work and economic growth; and industry, innovation and infrastructure. Women hold nearly half of new jobs created in 2021, and CINDE is collaborating to further reduce economic gender gaps. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates CINDE — a repeat programme winner — on claiming the 2022 award for Best International Investment Team (Latin America).


Subic International Management and Consultancy: Best Sustainable Management Consultancy Philippines 2022

Subic International Management and Consultancy (SIMC) is a female-owned Philippines business founded in 2014. SIMC offers a wide range of services in corporate business management consulting, construction management, facility operations, maintenance, logistics and supply services. It has extensive global experience and an excellent track record of delivering results on time and on budget. SIMC is a preferred partner of sub-contractors and suppliers, but its primary clients are the country’s state and defence government agencies. SIMC was awarded the prime contractor, consulting and programme management contract for the first new PNP base in many years. The base will be for the Philippine National Police, which will run social outreach programmes to educate against extremism, support gun trade-ins and provide training for sustainable professions. The contract was awarded, then slowed but not stopped by the Covid pandemic. SIMC helps clients manage projects from concept to completion. It provided management consultancy on a base in Bahrain and a $12.8m airport hangar in the Philippines. It serves the Philippines’ residential industry, building and renovating homes in accordance with international standards. SIMC works with clients across the marine, military, aerospace, government, construction and transportation sectors. SIMC is a proud participant in the UN’s Global Compact, a voluntary association of businesses collaborating to realise the SDGs by 2030. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates SIMC, the 2022 award winner for Best Sustainable Management Consultancy (Philippines).


Affirmative Investment Management (AIM): Best Social Impact Investment Manager UK 2022

Affirmative Investment Management (AIM), launched in 2014, invests to deliver mainstream financial return and environmental and social impact. AIM is a dedicated impact fixed income specialist.

The verification review is considered a critical first step in AIM’s investment process. All impact bond issuers and issues are reviewed through a sustainability lens to form the investable universe. From this point the portfolio team then builds portfolio with suitable risk and return objectives, with the final step in the process focussed on impact measurement and reporting.

AIM has developed a data-driven evidence-based impact measurement and reporting process that has garnered media attention and industry awards. AIM has established its own database which captures and compiles granular data on the issuers’ impact as well as the invested projects, which deliver social and environmental impact through mitigation or adaptation.

The CFI.co judging panel was impressed with the proprietary framework developed by AIM for the ESG and impact analysis and verification and initial and ongoing engagement of investments. As markets continue to broaden and become more liquid, AIM says that the verification process will also prove increasingly important.

AIM challenges the way people think about investing, pushing them to consider the social and environmental impacts created on equal par with the economic profits generated. It seeks to promote the impact bond market and amplify positive outcomes through collaborative partnerships with industry leaders. AIM manages over US$1.05bn in AUM (as of May 2022) on behalf of clients globally. The AIM annual impact reports cover over 90% of the portfolio, provide reporting at the individual project level and their portfolios support 15 of the 17 SDGs. AIM’s investments are focused on climate, gender equality, financial inclusion and resiliency among vulnerable groups. In 2020 AIM invested in over 2,551 projects in 165 countries (equating to ¾ of the globe) and avoided 189,219 tonnes of GHG emissions per year, equating to 64% GHG emissions savings, in its global portfolios. AIM’s flagship fund invested in impact bond issues that granted 240 SME loans, immunised 9,240 children and supported 400 students.[1] Affirmative Investment Management wins the 2022 award for Best Social Impact Investment Manager (UK).

[1] Figures for AIM’s flagship fund, the LO Funds – Global Climate Bond, as reported in the fund’s 2021 Impact Report


TGE Polish Power Exchange: Best Sustainable Commodities Exchange Central Europe 2022

Companies worldwide are feeling the pressure to move towards more responsible practices — and that momentum has spurred significant innovation across the energy landscape. TGE (Towarowa Giełda Energii) Polish Power Exchange has been contributing to the modernisation and democratisation of energy markets over the past 22 years. TGE is owned by the largest bourse in Central and Eastern Europe, the Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW). A groupwide ESG strategy has been integrated to promote ethical business behaviour. TGE believes the key to sustainable development lies in collaboration towards a shared vision. The pandemic proved this point, forcing society to alter hardwired habits and forge new paths. Digital capabilities are now more important than ever, and TGE’s continuous investments in tech infrastructure and energy efficiency are paying dividends in terms of convenience, transparency, value and energy security. It has introduced products to support building development and increase access to renewables. It’s pushing for better pricing benchmarks in the energy industry, as high prices and frequent fluctuations must be managed to prevent collateral damage and keep the market safe. In 2021, TGE partnered with other exchanges and countries to develop hydrogen, biogas and biomethane sectors in the region. In December, it announced a partnership with the Hungarian National Bank and Budapest Stock Exchange to establish a commodity market post-trade operator. The CFI.co judging panel presents TGE Polish Power Exchange — a repeat programme winner — with the 2022 Best Sustainable Commodities Exchange (Central Europe) award.