AIA Insurance Lanka Limited: Best Life Insurance Company Sri Lanka 2022

AIA Insurance Lanka — a part of the largest independent, publicly listed life insurance group in the Asia-Pacific region — delivers on a promise to help clients lead healthier, longer, better lives. It offers inflation-fighting pension schemes and smart savings plans. AIA’s healthcare ecosystem is complemented by telemedicine consultations, online fitness classes and exclusive member discounts. AIA Insurance Lanka has been serving the island for more than three decades and has established an expansive distribution network including 100 branch offices and 4,000 wealth planners. The company is credited with numerous pioneering achievements in Sri Lanka. It was at the vanguard of bancassurance and now works with leading banks to expand distribution. AIA Insurance Lanka is leading the industry’s digital transformation with cloud-based processing, automation, digital signatures and data analytics. AIA Sri Lanka’s strongly capitalised shareholder’s equity — LKR 19.8 billion as at the end 2021 — gave the company the strength and stability to withstand any risks while continuing to honour customer commitments. Its high-quality portfolio and prudent investment strategy helps to maintain a solid fiscal footing. CSR initiatives in 2022 included donations to underprivileged children and elders, donations to the SL Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Foundation, educational scholarships, community safety programmes and foster-parenting programmes. AIA Insurance Lanka has been recognised in numerous awards programmes over the years — and the CFI.co judging panel adds to the accolades with the 2022 award for Best Life Insurance Company (Sri Lanka).


Byblos Bank Europe: Best International Trade Finance Bank Europe 2022

Since its launch in 1950, Byblos Bank has evolved to consistently meet and exceed client expectations. The group is headquartered in Lebanon, where it has an expansive branch network in addition to a firm foothold in countries across Asia, Africa and Europe. The group levers its status as a trade finance bank in a niche market, allowing Byblos Bank Europe to extract insights and react with decisive speed. Byblos has been dealing with emerging markets for decades and is familiar with their inner workings. It has been a consistent partner for clients seeking to capitalise on the opportunities and mitigate the challenges present across these markets. The bank combines digital capabilities with human capital to provide clients with the highest levels of customer service and product innovation. Bank representatives are available seven days a week and can be contacted by phone at customers’ convenience. Byblos Bank Europe is an international organisation that forms an integral part of the group. The bank pulls from its wide knowledge and in-depth experience in emerging markets to facilitate the trade flow of clients both in and out of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. With Byblos Bank Europe and its network of trusted correspondent banks worldwide, business clients can expand their operations beyond borders to compete in the global arena. The CFI.co judging panel presents repeat winner Byblos Bank Europe with the 2022 award for Best International Trade Finance Bank (Europe).


KPMG in Saudi Arabia: Best Auditor Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2022

KPMG in Saudi Arabia (Legal Name: KPMG Professional Services) is an independent member firm of KPMG International within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The private joint stock company is led by 77 shareholders, which includes both citizens and expatriate residents in its shareholder base. The firm specialises in audit, tax, and advisory services, working from a country rather than regional model, which allows it to place more emphasis on improving its relationship with regulators. KPMG in Saudi Arabia was founded in 1992 and employs 1,634 full-time professionals (as of December 2022) through its local footprint which includes Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar. It is an independent member firm of KPMG International. KPMG firms operate in 143 countries and territories with more than 265,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. KPMG’s vision is to be the most trusted and trustworthy professional services firm. In the local market, it is one of the largest audit firms of public listed companies as well as an advisor to several companies which it does not audit. These companies place their trust in KPMG for their auditing and business consultancy needs. KPMG is also a reliable partner to government entities and provides auditing services to the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and the government-backed smart-city project, NEOM. It works closely with the Saudi Central Bank (“SAMA” and Capital Markets Authority (“CMA”) to ensure compliance with strong governance standards. KPMG collaborates with the Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (“SOCPA”) to promote capacity building and organise continuing professional development training. KPMG invests considerable time and resources in the development of human capital, especially through KPMG’s nationalisation program to help develop and increase the number of Saudi youths in the workplace, and through using online learning platforms and student mentorships to raise standards countrywide. It prioritises good corporate citizenship through pro-bono support of new businesses, charitable sponsorships, female empowerment programmes and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) alignment. The CFI.co judging panel announces KPMG in Saudi Arabia as the 2022 award winner for Best Auditor (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).


Kathrein Privatbank: Best Private Bank Austria 2022

Kathrein Privatbank has undergone several rebranding and restructuring transitions over its 98-year legacy, but its focus on innovation and exceptional customer service has never waivered. The renowned Austrian bank was founded by Carl Kathrein and has maintained the same headquarters since its inception. Apart from being one Austria’s oldest private banks, it’s also one of the most exclusive. Kathrein Privatbank caters to affluent clientele and takes a partnership approach to help them achieve their dreams. The bank recruits top talent and works with industry experts to ensure clients’ needs are never left unresolved. Customised solutions are the gold standard at Kathrein Privatbank, which specialises in wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, private foundations, institutional investors and corporate clients. Over the past decade, the bank has pursued increasingly ambitious sustainability targets. Kathrein Privatbank has found that sustainable investments can provide attractive returns while also actively shaping a better future. The bank structures its sustainable funds according to international standards, quality certifications and exclusion criteria. It enjoys crunching the numbers — but is even more interested in the story behind each client’s values and ambitions. Kathrein Privatbank takes a holistic approach to understand clients’ personal goals and then tailors solutions to fit. The CFI.co judging panel has followed the bank’s progress for several years and continues to be impressed with the level of customised care it provides. The judges declare Kathrein Privatbank as the 2022 award winner for Best Private Bank (Austria).


Société Générale Guinée: Best Business Bank & Best Corporate Banking Team Guinea 2022

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Société Générale Guinée (SG Guinea) — one of the oldest private banks in the country — began serving the Guinean population just 27 years after the nation gained independence. It was created in 1985 as a subsidiary of Societe Generale, a group with a 158-year legacy and 32 million customers in 76 countries. The bank contributes to the benchmark status of its parent company by embracing the values of commitment, responsibility, team spirit and innovation. SG Guinea levers a capital position composed of international and local shareholders to fuel the economic development of the individuals, entrepreneurs, companies and associations that make up its client base. The bank has established itself as a leader in the credit market as well as corporate and retail banking. The values-driven team eschews the short-sighted, profits-crazed strategies favoured by lesser banks by focusing on becoming a powerhouse in the development of human capital. Socio-economic development is the primary role and ambition of SG Guinea. In 2022, the bank turned its attention to address the knock-down effects of the crisis deriving from the Russo-Ukraine war. SG Guinea will inaugurate new headquarters soon, underscoring the permanence of its commitment to the region, its people and their financial stability. The CFI.co judging panel has recognised the bank in past awards programmes and is pleased to note that it continues to pursue the mandate of growing with Africa. SG Guinea claims the 2022 awards for Best Business Bank and Best Corporate Banking Team (Guinea).


Thai Life Insurance: Best Life Insurance Provider Thailand 2022

Thai Life Insurance continues to build on its 80-year legacy as the first public insurance company established by Thai nationals. The company is headquartered in Bangkok and engages with clients through multiple sales channels with 64,000 professional agents. The company is pursuing a 10-year vision that’s underpinned by strong corporate governance and a mandate to create value for all stakeholders. Digitalisation and diversification are key components of its sustainable business model. Thai Life Insurance is ramping up the e-commerce side of the business to complement the expansive national footprint it has established — now at 260 branches and customer service centres. The insurer prides itself on a fully inclusive strategy that covers all segments of Thai society and brings increasingly innovative products to market. It offers insurance products for every lifestyle and stage of life to provide financial security and stability for Thai families. Insurance plans cover everything from health, life and critical illness to investments, savings and taxes. It trains employees to embrace the corporate principles of care, compassion and trustworthiness. The company differentiates itself as an insurer that has remained true to its oriental heritage while also adopting the best practices from around the developed world. Thai Life Insurance has earned a AAA rating from Fitch and struck a strategic partnership with a Japanese insurer to expand into new markets and capitalise on fresh opportunities. The CFI.co judging panel announces Thai Life Insurance as the 2022 award winner for Best Life Insurance Provider (Thailand).


JWG Group Ltd: Best AI-Powered Compliance RegTech UK 2022

How can financial service procedures stay current and compliant when market regulations form a stack of documents reaching three times higher than the Eiffel Tower? JWG solutions sift through the ever-changing mountain of regulatory information to ensure that crucial documents are delivered to the right person at the right time. The company’s flagship product is a multi-user platform called RegDelta that relies on artificial intelligence and natural language processing to streamline regulatory compliance. Horizon scanning radars alert the company to regulatory updates that are happening once every minute worldwide. The system scans more than 900 sources and 18 languages. JWG analysts then complement the AI-enabled automation by summarising and enriching the documents with 12 metadata fields that allow users to seamlessly navigate vast digital libraries. Users can set the system to generate customised radar reports, and the data is presented in XML format with an enhanced style sheet via SFTP or API. JWG combines 15 years of insight and experience to inform users of regulatory obligations with near real-time alerts as global policy evolves. RegDelta’s SaaS and data model is budget friendly and easily exploitable by downstream policy owners. JWG solutions help financial service providers safeguard their reputations in the age of accountability. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates JWG on harnessing the power of technology to filter out the noise and pinpoint only the most relevant information for its clients. JWG Group wins the 2022 award for Best AI-Powered Compliance RegTech (UK).


Banca IFIS: Best SME Finance Bank Italy 2022

Italy’s Banca IFIS was established in 1983 as a challenger bank specialised in SME financial services. The bank has remained true to its specialist focus and guiding values of innovation, speed and strength. Banca IFIS has a well-established presence in Italy as well as subsidiaries in Poland and Romania. Nearly 2,000 employees cater to the needs of the bank’s 100,000 SME and corporate clients. Banca IFIS has become the fifth Italian player in factoring turnover with a five percent market share. It’s also the fourth operator on the Italian market for non-performing loans (NPL) and a leader in unsecured NPL investments. Banca IFIS offers a range of credit solutions to support SME growth, from factoring and leasing to medium- and long-term loans as well as structured financing. It has facilitated €100m in financing for SMEs to invest in sustainable transition projects. A high-yield online savings account promises returns with an annual gross rate up to 3.50 percent. Banca IFIS works with cross-sector clients in logistics and transport, medical and pharmaceutical, agricultural, manufacturing, construction and food. It takes pride in a proven capacity to customise solutions to fit clients’ needs. The bank has fuelled growth through years of strategic acquisitions and corporate consolidation. It supports the real economy by prioritising the development of its workforce and promoting the achievements of the businesses it serves. The CFI.co judging panel unanimously voted for Banca IFIS in the 2022 award category for Best SME Finance Bank (Italy).


Qatar Insurance Company: Best Insurance Leadership GCC 2022

Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) was founded in 1964 as the country’s first domestic insurer. Now it’s reshaping the regional landscape by pioneering customer-centric, digital-first capabilities. The group employs 700 professionals from 54 countries. QIC has solidified its status as the digital giant of regional insurers, with a 240-person team dedicated to ushering in a new age of connectivity through the integration of banking and fintech partnerships. QIC’s comprehensive online platform allows clients to buy and renew insurance policies within a few clicks and a couple of minutes. QIC has earned top marks for stability from international rating agencies, making it one of the most highly trusted insurance companies in the Gulf region. In 2021, the QIC group reported excellent performance in terms of profitability, diversification and investments. Gross written premiums reached $3.5bn (12.6bn QAR) and net profit was up by 400 percent over 2020. The group’s diversified portfolio covers profitable sectors across the globe: insurance, reinsurance, corporate ventures, business acceleration and real estate. QIC’s wholly owned subsidiary Epicure Investment Management is among the country’s largest regulated investment firms, managing over $7bn in equities, fixed income and real estate assets for its clients. Innovation and digitalisation have played a key role in the strategic direction of the company — and will continue to do so in the future. The CFI.co judging panel has found Qatar Insurance Company as the award winner for the second consecutive year in the category of Best Insurance Leadership (GCC, 2022).


C-Quadrat Investment Group: Outstanding Contribution to Social Improvement Global 2022

Over the past three decades, C-Quadrat (CQ) Investment Group has earned a pioneering reputation for its quantitative asset management and ESG-driven investments. The group has also begun to make a name for itself as a conscientious manager of pension funds and alternative investments. The Vienna-headquartered group has an active presence in 21 countries and distributes products to institutional clients through wholesale channels in various markets. The group’s cofounder and CEO, Alexander Schütz, views responsible investing less as a competition and more of a mindset. CQ Investment Group has been setting up educational programmes in orphanages over the past 20 years. Once the programmes are in place, the group passes them to local organisations to operate. The group takes pride in its track record of commercial successes — and satisfaction in fulfilling its goal of giving back to society. The group is among the most socially active investment managers worldwide thanks to its role as a pioneer in the field of microfinance funds, ESG investment solutions and social activities in the area of support for children and young people from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds or regions. CQ Investment Group’s funds, products and strategies consistently rank among the best of their respective asset classes. When the firm first launched, it introduced Austria to a higher calibre of investment products than was previously available, bringing in big names like Morgan Stanley and Meryl Lynch. The CFI.co judging panel announces CQ Investment Group as the 2022 global award winner for Outstanding Contribution to Social Improvement.


Etihad Engineering: Best MRO Service Provider Middle East 2022

Etihad Engineering works with airlines and aviation suppliers worldwide to keep fleets in top form. With over 35 years of experience and expertise, the company has become a leading global provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. It has a massive aviation MRO facility adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport. The 500,000 square-metre area has ample space for heavy maintenance including state-of-the-art hangars, dedicated paint facilities, back shops and extensive aircraft parking and preservation facilities. Despite unprecedented industry challenges, Etihad Engineering has honoured existing commitments while also expanding on services, capabilities and strategic partnerships and its global customer footprint. It added extra parking space during the pandemic to support the parking and preservation of customer aircraft and is now building additional hangars to expand its capacity of delivering around 300 aircraft annually. Etihad Engineering works closely with aircraft OEMs Airbus and Boeing and has strategic partnerships with leading industry players like MOOG and TDA for component services and EOS and BigRep to amplify its industrial additive manufacturing capabilities using 3D printing systems. Etihad Engineering has maintained its full workforce throughout the Covid pandemic and expended significant effort to ensure the safety and health of its employees and clients. It employs around 2,000 professionals from more than 60 nations, including a solutions-oriented team of design, engineering and innovation specialists. The company has many world firsts to its credit like the world’s first 12-year maintenance check on an A380 and the first stripping and painting of a B787 by an MRO outside the OEM network. The CFI.co judging panel has followed the company’s progress over the past three years and is pleased to note it has handled recent industry-wide turbulence with cool competence. Etihad Engineering takes the 2022 award for Best MRO Service Provider (Middle East).


Toledo Capital: Best Financial Planning Solutions Switzerland 2022

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Toledo Capital levers a decade of experience in wealth management and financial planning. The firm caters to high-net-worth individuals, tailoring solutions to cover their needs & long-term financial objectives.

It is one of the few multi-family offices fully regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and one of the first to offer to their clients access to a unique operating Investment Ecosystem with their Real Estate and Innovation scouting group companies.

Toledo’s ecosystem introduces its clients to exclusive private deals, giving them the opportunity of diversifying their portfolio. Thanks to their professional approach to wealth management & financial planning, Toledo has been able to maintain their clients trust for more than 10 years. The CFI.co judging panel presents repeat winner Toledo Capital with the 2022 award for Best Financial Planning Solutions (Switzerland).


Access Bank SA: Best Business Banking Solutions South Africa 2022

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Access Bank SA can trace roots back 76 years, from the founding of Bank of Athens (South Africa) followed by its acquisition by Grobank Limited. It joined the Access Bank Group in mid-2021, following a rebranding and conversion to include retail and corporate banking, together with the historical business banking division. Access Bank SA forms part of a financial services conglomerate with a well-established international presence, including subsidiaries in 12 African countries, the UK and the UAE as well as representative offices in China, India and Lebanon. Access Bank SA has developed a comprehensive suite of personal, corporate, business and alliance banking solutions. It pursues a relationship-centred banking model that focuses on people rather than products. Business clients benefit from a dedicated relationship manager who will make on-premises visits to ensure the bank has a full understanding of a company's needs. Relationship managers serve as the single point of contact for business clients and help to tailor solutions to their needs. Businesses run smoother with access to everyday banking solutions, including online banking, transactional accounts, bank guarantees and attorney trust accounts. Borrowing solutions consist of commercial loans and financing to cover working capital as well as the purchase of vehicles, property and other crucial assets. Access Bank SA helps businesses grow with a range of deposit accounts and keeps them connected to overseas interests through a selection of Forex instruments. The CFl.co judging panel presents Access Bank SA with the 2022 award for Best Business Banking Solutions (South Africa).


MauBank: Best Growth Strategy Banking Mauritius 2022

MauBank has achieved steady growth over the past three years given its prudent management of assets and liabilities. It reports an increase in after-tax profits of 130 percent from 2021 to 2022, thanks to a strategy of consolidation and reinvention resulting in reduced operating costs, an uptick in revenue and the liquidity to meet unexpected challenges. The judging panel was impressed with the bank’s steadfast piloting of pandemic challenges, fuelled by a focus on expansion, conquering market shares and product development.  Our winner is moving forward significantly in terms of its four pillars: retail, SME, corporate and international banking.  Impressive growth comes from MauBank’s international banking efforts, serving global entities and non-resident customers with a comprehensive range of well-defined products and services. Technological developments to further enhance the customer experience are also fostering significant growth. The jury applauds the bank’s new Green Financing Scheme (financing to promote renewable energy improvements).  All told, it is clear to the panel that MauBank, appreciating the increasing competition in the sector, is determined and well-equipped to maintain its position among the country’s top three banks. Brand CX Tracker, 2021, confirms that MauBank has risen to the top tier of the banking sector: helped, in good part, by its creative marketing and communications strategies.  The judging panel is delighted to present MauBank with the 2022 award: Best Growth Strategy Banking (Mauritius).

[caption id="attachment_11109" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Deputy CEO Vishuene Vydelingum (L) and CEO Premchand Mungar[/caption]


Banco do Brasil: Best Sustainable Bank South America 2022

Banco do Brasil (BB) follows through on ESG commitments by consistently directing investments towards the country’s sustainable development. Over the past 40 years, the bank has implemented initiatives to reduce emissions, expand green financing and empower communities. In the last decade, BB was recognised during seven editions of Corporate Knights’ 100 most sustainable corporations in the world, topping the list on four occasions — 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 — as the most sustainable financial institution worldwide. The bank has maintained its leadership position by assuming a catalyst role in the country’s social and environmental transformation.

Its sustainability activities are centred around 10 long-term commitments targeting renewable energies, sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, public infrastructure, ESG investments, sustainable bonds, environmental care, diversity, digitalisation and good corporate citizenship. The bank is a pioneer in Brazil’s carbon market and actively involved in the origination and commercialisation of carbon offsetting credits. These efforts have already resulted in the preservation of tens of thousands of hectares of forest and the prevention of hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 equivalent. In 2022, BB’s individuals renewable energy credit line reached a disbursement milestone of $99.6m, allowing businesses and households to finance 100 percent of energy efficiency improvement projects. The whole renewable energy portfolio reached R$ 9.67 billion balance in Sep/22 (including project finance, loans to SME's, individuals, government and for agribusiness).

It has partnered with a German development bank to distribute up to €80m to finance environmental conservation and reforestation projects. Its diversity, equity and inclusion programme strives to put more women and minorities in leadership positions. The CFI.co jury congratulates repeat winner Banco do Brasil on claiming the 2022 Best Sustainable Bank (South America) award.


Metito: Most Impactful Water Company Global 2022

Metito, a pioneer in the water industry, boasts 65 years of history and 4,500 employees at 20 international offices. The company has experience in 50 countries and a portfolio of over 3,000 projects. Founded in 1958 in Lebanon, Metito has played an innovative role in the water and wastewater industry. It was the first company to introduce the reverse osmosis technology for desalination outside the US and has brought water and wastewater solutions to countries across the MENA region through public-private partnerships (PPP). Metito has developed its four business lines — design and build, utilities, operation and maintenance, chemical solutions — with a focus on impact and sustainability. It aims to kick-start the circular economy by partnering with governments, industries and communities to implement intelligent management solutions across the entire water treatment value chain. It relies on high-value engineering capabilities to hasten the smart water ecosystem of the future. It integrates cutting-edge technologies to reduce freshwater and energy use as well as recover nutrients and materials in a carbon-free, sustainable hydrological cycle. Metito has been placed in the CFI.co awards programme numerous times, and over the past year, has achieved more milestones to warrant the attention of the judging panel. It built the world’s first and largest floating desalination barge for Saudi Arabia and has also secured new PPP contracts for projects in Qatar, the UAE, Serbia and Uzbekistan. The CFI.co judging panel crowns Metito with the 2022 global award for Most Impactful Water Company.


Dorchester Wealth Management: Best Asset Allocation Strategy Canada 2022

Dorchester Wealth Management has been helping clients across North America and overseas to maintain and multiply their investments since 1928. Dorchester’s 10-person investment management team levers over 300 years of cumulative experience to create customised solutions that contribute towards clients’ long-term financial goals and can withstand the complexities of modern markets. The team carefully considers each client’s circumstances, objectives and risk tolerance before constructing an investment portfolio. Neither broker nor custodian, Dorchester serves as a registered portfolio manager in Canada and a registered non-resident investment advisor in the US. It has earned the continued trust of its clients and is currently responsible for AUM valued above $1.2 billion US ($1.6 billion Cad). The firm was proud to report attractive results in 2022, despite the ongoing challenges caused by inflation. It achieved very positive results by focusing on the fundamentals of client-driven and research-backed asset allocation. It remains flexible to take advantage of market changes and conducts constant analysis to build diversified portfolios regarding asset mix, industry weights and company exposures. It considers clients’ tax obligations and global socioeconomic issues that can impact portfolio returns. In 2015, following a 49.5 percent economic interest in the bottom line by Focus Financial Partners, Dorchester became part of an international network of independent and entrepreneurial wealth management firms. Dorchester and its partners benefit from shared expertise, turbocharged growth potential and multi-generational continuity. The CFI.co judging panel presents Dorchester Wealth Management — a repeat programme winner — with the 2022 award for Best Asset Allocation Strategy (Canada).


Worthwhile Capital Partners: Best ESG Specialist Fund Solutions Europe 2022

As suggested by the name, Worthwhile Capital Partners only pursues investments that deliver worthwhile impact, and the firm rejects opportunities that do not align with its ethos. The firm believes in the transformational power which connects institutional capital with sustainable investment opportunities that support our planet, society and economy. Of the 60 fund managers that approached the firm in 2022, 95 percent did not pass the firm’s due diligence process for risk, return and sustainability. Worthwhile Capital Partners is not interested in opportunistic solutions; it seeks to partner with fund managers who are fully committed to protecting and preserving the planet. Impact targets must be identified, monitored, measured, and reported back to investors. Worthwhile Capital Partners’ hard-line sustainability focus and thematically identified investment thesis have helped build a reputable brand in short time and most of the managers that the firm represents come from the US, Australia and Europe. Since its launch in 2018, this winner has raised $1.2bn for renewable energy investing, avoiding more than 50 million tons of CO2 emissions. The team has been particularly successful in supporting fund manager first closes, where it has dominated capital commitments, driving momentum for the remainder of the fundraising period. The firm’s strengths are its independence, thematic approach, and conviction-based selection of partners, and it supports its investor base with thematic research. Worthwhile Capital Partners is just as proud of its selection of sustainable investment strategies as its well-rounded workforce and highly-focused recruitment process. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Worthwhile Capital Partners – a previous programme winner – on claiming the 2022 award for Best ESG Specialist Fund Solutions (Europe).


First Marine Insurance: Best Marine Insurance Broker Greece & Italy 2022

Considering that global maritime shipping accounts for up to 90 percent of international trade volume, specialised insurance solutions are crucial to protect against disasters and disruptions. First Marine Insurance was founded in 2011 to provide ship owners, charterers and operators with peace of mind. First Marine Insurance has established a strong foothold in the Mediterranean, with offices in Athens, Genova and Monte Carlo. The company’s late president, Pier Luigi Ferrari, pioneered Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance in Italy more than 60 years ago. First Marine Insurance takes a partnership approach to tailor services to clients’ needs and protect their interests. This partnership mindset extends to staff as well, with the understanding that first-class service is only achievable with a first-class workforce and knowhow. The company recruits young trainees from universities and helps shape them into experts. Its training investments allow the company to maintain a buffer zone of qualified human resources to support clients, with new business growing at 20 to 30 percent per year and client retention at nearly 100 percent. The boutique P&I and Hull and Machinery insurers and its clients benefit from a seasoned management team comprising ex-captains, economists and lawyers with deep industry experience and personal connections with CEOs across the insurance sector. The company also produces an annual market report providing in-depth analysis of market-wide loss ratios and projected results of the running year. The CFI.co judging panel has unanimously selected First Marine Insurance in the 2022 award category of Best Marine Insurance Broker for both Greece and Italy.


Sequoia Investment Management Company: Best ESG Infrastructure Investment Strategy Global 2022

Sequoia Investment Management Company strives to deliver competitive risk-adjusted returns for investors while pursuing ambitious ESG objectives. The company was founded in 2009 and listed the Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund (SEQI) — the largest FTSE 250 debt fund at £1.6bn — on the London Stock Exchange in 2015. It’s one of the longest-running funds of its kind, boasting a track record of favourable value generation and unparalleled access to the massive US market; the fund is in high demand and has raised capital 11 times, with half of its investments originating there. The company also manages the Luxembourg-domiciled Sequoia Infrastructure Debt Fund. ESG considerations are embedded throughout the business and investment process. Sequoia assesses potential investments with an internally-developed ESG model and conducts extensive due diligence before approving borrowers, 90 percent of whom are turned down. It engages with borrowers and refines loan terms as ESG scores are improved. The firm and SEQI offset carbon emissions from the business by planting sequoia trees and restoring peat bogs, which promises a faster impact than trees. Sequoia is a proud signatory of the UN PRI, fully supports the Global Compact, and adheres to the reporting guidelines of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. SEQI was also the first FTSE 250 infrastructure debt fund to request a limited assurance ESG audit, which was performed by KPMG. The CFI.co judging panel announces Sequoia Investment Management Company as the 2022 global award winner for Best ESG Infrastructure Investment Strategy.


Atom Bank: Best Mortgage Solutions Provider UK 2023

Founded in 2014, Atom Bank was the first app-based and digital-only bank in the UK to be granted a regulatory licence. The bank doesn’t attempt to cover all financial services, as that avenue only breeds mediocrity. Instead, it chooses to specialise in a few select services — savings, mortgages and business loans — and delivers them with speed, efficiency and at a competitive price. Atom Bank pays market-leading rates on savings accounts, passing along 85 to 86 percent of the market base rate to customers. The bank aspires to get mortgage applicants the best deal possible — even if that means they don’t go with Atom. The bank works with independent brokers that recommend the best mortgage loans through an intermediated process that promises impartial advice and assistance with the application. Atom offers mortgage products for first-time buyers, less-than-perfect credit scores, new purchases, remortgages and product transfers. The bank has earned a five-star rating from Trustpilot, an independent reviews platform, making it one of the highest rated banks in the UK, far above the majority of its competitors. Atom has also earned a five-star rating for its IOS and Android banking app. The bank enjoys excellent word-of-mouth marketing from satisfied customers who would recommend the business, as evidenced by its Net Promoter Score of 86 percent. Atom’s employee engagement score reaches nearly as high, at 84 percent. The CFI.co judging panel announces Atom Bank as the 2023 award winner for Best Mortgage Solutions Provider (UK).


JP Morgan Chase Payments: Best Payment Digital Transformation Strategy Global 2023

JP Morgan Chase & Company can trace its roots back to the combination of more than 1,200 predecessor institutions over the past 224 years. JP Morgan Chase Payments is a vital part of the group’s global network, processing $9.6tn in daily payments across more than 160 countries and 120 currencies. It offers corporate treasury, trade finance, card and merchant services. The company likens payments to a language that speaks volumes about the growth trajectory, trustworthiness and innovation of a business, from MSMEs to multinational corporations. It looks at global trends and predicts that the next decade will be transformational for the payments ecosystem. Harnessing key innovations could unlock up to $54bn in new opportunities for businesses — and JP Morgan Chase Payments is partnering with powerful players to accelerate these changes. In September 2022, it announced an agreement to acquire Renovite Technologies, a leading cloud-native payments technology company. The move will help to modernise JP Morgan Chase Payments’ infrastructure and increase the flexibility of merchant acquiring capabilities worldwide. Renovite has been supplying services to JP Morgan since 2021, and its integration with the group will bolster clients’ capacity to accept more methods of payments and support their business growth. This acquisition complements the company’s strategic investment in Viva Wallet, a European cloud-based neobank, and its partnership with Volkswagen Financial Services. The CFI.co judging panel announces JP Morgan Chase Payments as the 2023 global award winner for Best Payment Digital Transformation Strategy.


Citi: Best Social Finance Bond Global 2023

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Founded in 1812, Citi has a heritage of enabling growth and economic progress through a global network of financial services across nearly 160 countries. It moves over $4tn in financial flows daily and has over 100 million customers and 13,000 institutional clients serving 90 percent of the world’s Fortune 500 companies. Citi throws the weight of these operations behind ambitious sustainability goals. The bank prioritises sustainable development across its value chain, over half of which is rooted in emerging markets. It adheres to strong leadership principles by taking ownership and working together with partners to succeed. In 2021, Citi announced the launch of an inaugural $1bn Social Finance Bond. Proceeds from the bond will finance projects that expand access to financial services, affordable housing, basic infrastructure, healthcare and education in underserved and unbanked communities in emerging markets. The bond will contribute to Citi’s pledge of providing $1tn in sustainable finance by 2030, including $500bn for social finance and $500bn for environmental finance. It worked exclusively with women and minority-owned brokers on the $1bn Social Finance Bond to advance racial equity and gender equality. Within the next few years, Citi expects its social finance programme to create positive impacts by expanding access to essential services for 15 million low-income households, including 10 million women. The CFI.co judging panel points to the bank’s expansive network and noteworthy achievements in sustainable finance as factors in selecting Citi as the 2023 global award winner for Best Social Finance Bond.


Fidelity: Best Online Broker Global 2023

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Since its launch in 1946, Fidelity has established a global investment presence spanning four continents. More than 40 million people trust the Boston-headquartered company to help them achieve their financial goals. As of December 2022, Fidelity had $10.3tn worth of assets under administration and $3.9tn in total discretionary assets. It offers a range of investing and financial planning services, including a full-featured, low-cost brokerage account that’s suitable for novice and experienced investors alike. Fidelity’s online trading account enables access to a range of investments, including stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, CDs, IPOs and precious metals. It’s one of the most competitive brokerage accounts on the market, delivering superb execution quality that saved customers over $1.9bn through price-improved trades in 2021. It charges no commission for stock, ETF and options trades; no fees on outgoing account transfers, bank wires and insufficient funds; as well as zero-expense-ratio index and mutual funds. Fidelity’s competitive pricing is complemented by more than 20 free and independent research providers covering individual stocks, thematic topics and daily market updates. Fidelity account holders have access to over 3,400 mutual and exchange-traded funds, including Fidelity's own products (with long track records of reliable performance). Fidelity customers enjoy access to trading in 25 international markets and exchanging money in 16 currencies. They can even buy fractional shares, or “stocks by the slice”. The CFI.co judging panel announces Fidelity as the 2023 global award winner for Best Online Broker.


Orbian: Most Innovative Trade Finance Solutions Global 2023

Orbian is the longest-running firm in the supply chain finance (SCF) industry. It was incorporated as a joint venture between Citibank and SAP in 1999 and became a privately held company in 2004. To date, Orbian has processed over five million error-free transactions and financed $400bn in trade flows for thousands of suppliers across five continents and 53 countries. Orbian’s client roster includes many Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies, which have praised the flexibility and scalability of the firm’s SCF programme. Suppliers benefit from Orbian’s capacity for unlimited, multi-currency, multi-bank, source-agnostic funding. Onboarding of new suppliers is a streamlined and simple process with Orbian’s best-in-class platform. The firm has achieved flawless integration of the platform across all major ERP systems and is resident in the SAP ecosystem. Orbian is headquartered in California with offices in London and Munich. Customer service is available around the clock and in various languages. The firm reported significant growth over the past year, helping companies to overcome the continued challenges presented by the Covid pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In 2022, Orbian’s unique Fixed Rate offering provided suppliers that had chosen this an average 300 basis points lower cost of finance. In 2023, such Fixed Rate offering is expected to give suppliers greater confidence and certainty as the market completes its transition away from Libor benchmarks.  This offer is unique to Orbian thanks to the firm’s unparalleled grasp of data and risk. The CFI.co judging panel presents Orbian — a repeat programme winner — the 2023 global award for Most Innovative Trade Finance Solutions.


ICICI Bank UK: Best International Digital Banking UK 2023

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ICICI Bank is one of the leading Indian multinational banking and financial services institution with a presence in 15 countries. Since 2003, the UK operation has evolved into a full-service commercial bank for retail, SME and corporate customers. The bank caters to clients through a physical branch network (seven in the UK and one in Germany) as well as digital channels for mobile and internet banking. It’s one of few UK banks that can open a digital current account within minutes and the only one allowing individuals to open and activate a UK bank account from India. The bank’s digital enhancements have enabled instant remittances to India at very competitive rates. Indian and British passport holders can open a range of personal banking accounts (current, savings and deposit) through the Mobile app, whether they are in the UK or India. It also serves Non-Resident Indians based in the UK by facilitating opening and servicing NRE/NRO account in India, home loans and property management services in India. ICICI Bank UK helps businesses streamline operations with numerous banking services, from forex conversion to bill collection and working capital finance. It also offers financing for commercial real estate and investment products, including Indian corporate bonds and India-dedicated funds. The upward trajectory of the bank’s presence has made it a preferred partner for financial services among the Indian diaspora. The CFI.co judging panel presents ICICI Bank UK — a repeat programme winner — with the 2023 award for Best International Digital Banking (UK).


Prospect Capital Management: Best Middle-Market Lending Investor USA 2023

Prospect Capital Management (“Prospect”) is an SEC registered investment adviser that was founded in 1988 (along with its predecessors) and has been led by the same executive team over the past 23 years. Prospect has over 100 employees and $8.8 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2022. Prospect invests across middle-market lending, middle-market buyouts, structured credit, and real estate. Prospect currently operates two business development companies focused on middle-market debt investments in the US, including both sponsor-owned and non-sponsor-owned companies. Prospect's track record in middle-market lending includes the deployment of $14.2 billion across 418 investments with 314 realizations. Since 2006, Prospect has achieved significant outperformance versus the industry benchmarks S&P 500, Barclays High Yield and LSTA Leveraged Loan Index. Prospect demonstrates alignment with investor interests, with Prospect managers and employees owning $1.1 billion in its funds under management. The CFl.co judging panel announces Prospect Capital as the 2023 Best Middle-Market Lending Investor (USA) award winner.


Moody’s Investors Service: Best Credit Risk Analysis LATAM 2023

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Businesses worldwide trust Moody’s to assign the credit ratings that signal their investment worthiness to potential shareholders and finance providers. Moody’s Investors Service is the first point of contact in the rating process. It connects prospective clients with a relationship manager and then assigns an analytical team to review the company’s submitted documentation. The analytical team goes over the material with company management and then passes the analysis on to the rating committee. Issuers receive a ratings notification and review the press release prior to publication. Moody’s Local, a domestic credit ratings platform launched in 2019, provides the regional expertise to complement the group’s global coverage. The regional affiliate covers research and risk analysis across Latin America through an established presence in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay. Moody’s Local is driven by experienced regional analysts using customised methodologies to deliver market-specific insights. The corporation is in the process of acquiring SCRiesgo’s domestic credit agencies in Central America and the Dominican Republic, which will significantly expand Moody’s footprint in Latin America and support its continued development of regional capital markets. Moody’s cloud-based IssuerFocus platform serves as a customisable, one-stop-shop for corporate ratings, research and peer assessment. The user-friendly platform enables round-the-clock access, real-time updates and tailored alert preferences. IssuerFocus is available throughout Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas. The CFI.co judging panel announces repeat winner Moody’s Investors Service as the victor in the 2023 awards category Best Credit Risk Analysis (LATAM).


Sherritt International: Best Mining Corporate Governance North America 2022

Founded in 1927, Toronto-based Sherritt International aims to create shared prosperity for its employees, investors and communities. The Corporation is a global leader in the production and refining of high-purity nickel and cobalt – two metals deemed critical in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The metals are extracted and processed through a 50/50 joint venture in Cuba, then refined in Canada. It also develops technological solutions to improve environmental performance and increase economic value in mining operations worldwide. Sherritt believes that sound corporate governance is critical to earning and retaining the trust of their shareholders. Their governance practices reflect the vision and priorities for the Company including promoting ethical behaviour and high-performance standards throughout the organization. Sherritt’s Board is composed of six members, 43% of which are women, and all of whom are unrelated and independent directors except for the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board is structured in adherence with the current TSX and OSC guidelines. The Chairman of the Board is an independent director, with the remaining Board responsibilities being discharged to four committees, each of which are chaired by non-executive members. Sherritt recognizes the importance of having strong accountability mechanisms and governance structures in place and transparently reporting on the effectiveness of their policies and outcomes of activities. The CFI.co judging panel announces Sherritt International as the 2022 award winner for the Best Mining Corporate Governance (North America).


Priority Income Fund: Best CLO Closed-End Fund Investor US 2023

Priority Income Fund, a closed-end investment fund, bridges the gap between banks and financial markets to provide the capital American-based businesses need to flourish. The fund is managed by Prospect Capital Management, an SEC registered investment adviser since 2004, with $8.8bn of assets under management as of December 31, 2022.

Priority Income Fund follows an investment strategy that prioritises investing in Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs), which are pools of first lien, floating rate, senior secured loans. These loans benefit from a history of benign market default rates, averaging just over two percent over the past 20 years, which translates to a low 0.55 percent average annual market credit loss rate when coupled with a 75 percent historical market recovery rate.

Over the last four years, the Priority portfolio achieved a lower average default rate (0.80 percent) than the market (1.59 percent). Senior secured loans also offer collateral and lender protections through a first lien on assets of the borrower. Priority Income Fund favours disciplined underwriting practices and has selected to collaborate with only 25 of the 130 CLO managers that have issued since the credit crisis. The fund has a nine-year track record of paying consistent income to shareholders. Minimum investments start at $1,000 and the current dividend of 10.91 percent annualised is paid monthly. The CFI.co judging panel announces Priority Income Fund as the 2023 award winner for Best CLO Closed-End Fund Investor (US).


KBC Asset Management NV: Best Asset Management Team Belgium 2023

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KBC is a banking and insurance group with headquarters in Belgium and core operations in Central and Eastern Europe. KBC Asset Management forms an integral part of the group, shepherding the group's investments and helping clients to grow and protect their wealth.

KBC performs scrupulous money management and consistently ranks above the credit rating norm for Belgium and the EU. It achieved 14 percent return on equity in 2022. KBC Asset Management reported excellent progress over the past year, achieving record net sales despite downturn markets. It onboarded 95,000 new clients by the end of 2022, reaching a total of 2.7 million investors. Sustainability continues to drive KBC development.

It was recently included on Euronext BEL ESG stock market index and received a CDP "A" label for its climate communication - one of only four companies in Belgium with this distinction. KBC private banking clients are assigned a dedicated private banker to serve as a single point of contact and sounding board for their complex investment needs. The private banker listens carefully and suggests investment strategies that align with clients' circumstances and ambitions. Investment advisory is complemented by inhouse and network experts, including legal, tax, inheritance planning, real estate and insurance. KBC encourages career mobility, whether horizontally or vertically, and offers several development programmes centred around strategic and organisational themes. 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. The CFI.co judging panel presents KBC Asset Management NV - a repeat programme winner - with the 2023 award for Best Asset Management Team (Belgium).


Western Development Commission: Best Regional Investment Promotion Team Europe 2022

[caption id="attachment_11240" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Geraldine McLoughlin; Investment Executive, Jonathan Kavanagh; Investment Executive, Gillian Buckey, Investment Fund Manager and Olive McLucas; Investment Executive pictured with the CFI.co award for Best Regional Investment Promotion Team in Europe.[/caption]

Western Ireland is famous for its rugged wild natural landscapes — but the region has been battling against population decline since the late 1840s. Western Development Commission (WDC) was established to address the region’s weak infrastructure, dwindling job opportunities and widespread emigration. According to WDC, the seven counties comprising the western region account for 37 percent of the country’s landmass yet only 17.4 percent of the population. The vast majority of the population lives outside of urban centres, with five of the counties reporting disposable per capita income below 90 percent of the national average in 2015. The commission has helped to stem the exodus of talent by developing regional strategies, advising on government policies and providing funding support through the Western Investment Fund (WIF). WDC operates according to the belief that communities are stronger working together. It relies on evidence-based research to co-create positive socio-economic impacts throughout the region. It targets organisations with long-term vision and the capacity to scale on a national and global level. Offshore renewables, gaming, AI and creative industries are all areas of interest. Since its launch in 1997, WDC has invested €75m in regional enterprises and supported more than 6,000 jobs. The WIF provides equity finance, loans and bridging finance to businesses, community enterprises and audio-visual companies based in or moving to the region. The CFI.co jury applauds the revitalisation milestones accomplished by Western Development Commission, the 2022 award winner for Best Regional Investment Promotion Team (Europe).

See for press release.


CAIXA Economica Federal: Best Socially Responsible Bank Brazil 2022

CAIXA is one of the largest banks in Latin America, from the number of clients to the size of its distribution network. In Brazil, it’s also proud to deliver some of the highest social impacts, dispensing more than $309bn (R$1.6tn) in continuous and emergency social benefits over the past four years. CAIXA has been serving the needs of the country and its people since 1861. In partnership with Brazil’s Ministry of Citizenship, CAIXA provides financial benefits to promote citizenship, support youth development, increase financial inclusion and lift families out of poverty. CAIXA champions women’s causes to prevent domestic violence and combat sexual harassment. It organises financial education and entrepreneurship programmes and prioritises the leadership and career progression of female employees. The bank has three million female clients and its CAIXA for Her programme provides psychological support for women in dangerous domestic situations as well as the tools to help lower-income women gain financial independence. Social promotions include breast cancer awareness campaigns and mental health programmes. Product innovations include a maternity moratorium for loan payments. As part of its gender empowerment initiatives, CAIXA is training 5,000 employees from the Social Assistance Reference Centres, and more than 40 companies and associations have embarked on this prevention journey with bank. CAIXA’s gender strategies go beyond financial support to implement life-saving measures for women. The CFI.co judging panel applauds the “good neighbour” business practices of CAIXA Economica Federal, the winner of 2022 Best Socially Responsible Bank (Brazil) award.


Boursa Kuwait: Best Capital Market ESG Strategy GCC 2022

Established in 2014, Boursa Kuwait is the operator of the Kuwait stock exchange, the national stock market of Kuwait. Since 2016, it has been responsible for driving engagement, growth and innovation in the Kuwaiti capital market, while supporting the Capital Markets Authority, issuers, investors and various other key stakeholders. Since its inception, Boursa Kuwait has played a pivotal role in the development of Kuwait’s capital market and the diversification of the national economy. The company’s market developments and enhancements have contributed to the reclassification of the Kuwaiti capital market to “Emerging Market” status in the world’s top three indices, strengthening Kuwait’s position as a leading financial center in the region.

A trailblazer in Kuwaiti privatization, Boursa Kuwait underwent a privatization process over two stages, the first in February 2019, when a 44% equity stake was awarded to an international exchange and a group of Kuwaiti investment companies in early 2019. In December 2019, the privatization process was finalized after the initial public offering of the Capital Markets Authority’s 50% stake in the company was offered to Kuwaiti citizens, with an oversubscription rate of 850 percent making Boursa Kuwait the only stock exchange in the Middle East owned by the private sector. Boursa Kuwait has been self-listed on the “Premier Market” since September 2020, and is one of the government entities in Kuwait to successfully undergo privatization.

The Kuwaiti bourse joined the UN’s Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative in 2017 to share and promote best practice standards among market organisations and participants. In 2021, Boursa Kuwait released an electronic guide to help listed companies prepare ESG reports that provide transparent information to all concerned stakeholders, including recommended sustainability metrics and indicators for assessing current performance and setting future goals. It hosts and participates in forums to collaborate on ESG imperatives. This guidance aligns with industry standards like the UN’s SDGs, the Global Reporting Initiative, and the pillars of the New Kuwait 2035 vision. The bourse’s sustainable development strategy centres around the two pillars of society and environment, supporting the 2035 vision by raising the country’s distinguished international status and contributing towards its creative human capital, effective government administration and diversified economy.

The CFI.co judging panel presents Boursa Kuwait — a repeat programme winner — with the 2022 award for Best Capital Market ESG Strategy (GCC).


Boursa Kuwait: Outstanding Contribution to Financial Inclusion GCC 2022

Boursa Kuwait has been a major driving force in promoting engagement, growth, and innovation in Kuwait's capital market since its establishment. The company's efforts have not only supported key stakeholders such as the Capital Markets Authority, issuers, investors, and various other parties, but have also helped elevate the Kuwaiti capital market to "Emerging Market" status in the world's top three indices, reinforcing Kuwait's position as a leading financial centre in the region.

One of the key factors in Boursa Kuwait's success has been its successful privatization process, which played a pivotal role in the development of Kuwait's capital market and the diversification of the national economy. The company now has a 44% equity stake held by an international exchange and a consortium of Kuwaiti investment companies. In December 2019, Boursa Kuwait became the only stock exchange in the Middle East to be fully owned by the private sector following a public offering of the Capital Markets Authority's 50% stake in the company, which saw an oversubscription rate of 850%. In September 2020, Boursa Kuwait self-listed on the “Premier Market”.

Boursa Kuwait also facilitates liquidity for Kuwaiti companies by raising capital through listing in the exchange and providing investors with valuable insights into promising opportunities in the Kuwaiti capital market. The company adheres to international best practices with regards to infrastructure, governance, work culture, transparency, and financial literacy. Additionally, Boursa Kuwait is committed to maximizing its social responsibility initiatives through collaboration with industry organizations.

As a repeat program winner, Boursa Kuwait has been recognized for its commitment to equipping current and future generations of investors with the necessary skills and knowledge to invest in local and international capital markets. The company was honoured with the 2022 award for Outstanding Contribution to Financial Inclusion (GCC) by the CFI.co judging panel.


Acin: Best Operational Risk Management UK 2023

Acin has established a strong track record of delivering value, as evidenced by the conﬁdence of its investor base and the repeat business of its clients.

The risk analytics and intelligence firm is supported by long-term strategic investors like Fitch, a global leader of credit ratings and capital market research, and five of the world’s largest banks: JP Morgan, Citi, BNP Paribas, Barclays and Lloyds.

Acin offers a quality assessment of a clients’ data readiness, a platform for enterprise-wide risk management and a peer network for trigger-based control of the risk framework.

Acin employs meticulous attention to detail and adaptability to help clients in financial services address regulatory and operational risks in a quantitative, measured and well-informed method. Risks abound in modern business, whether resulting from malicious intent or human error.

Acin AI-powered platform gives financial services greater control over any non-financial risks (NFR) caused by compliance failures, misconduct, technology or operational challenges.

From its UK headquarters, Acin has created a global risk management hub and data network receiving a stream of multi-formatted updates from banks and financial firms.

Client data is authenticated and anonymised before becoming part of the Acin network, which enables peer connectivity and calibration through a dynamic risk assessment framework.

Risk intelligence and threat analysis is conducted on a real-time basis and is complemented by third-party feeds concerning losses, events, news and regulatory changes.

The CFI.co judging panel announces Acin as the 2023 award winner for Best Operational Risk Management Partner (UK).


Taylor-DeJongh: Best Energy Project Finance Advisory EMEA 2023

Taylor-DeJongh is a UK-based investment banking firm with over four decades of experience in project finance and advisory. It works with oil and gas, energy, industrial and infrastructure clients from around the world, with a long history of collaboration in China, the Middle East, Africa and Russia. Taylor-DeJongh has advised on $250bn worth of debt and equity investments across 600 projects and 110 countries. In six of those projects, Taylor-DeJongh played a role in the development, structuring, negotiation and financing of the first independent power plant in a host country. Taylor-DeJongh employs analysts with the technical background to comprehend clients’ aspirations and challenge their assumptions. The firm levers decades of experience in capital markets and infrastructure operations to help clients achieve their goals. It brings key project operators to the table and guides them towards a successful conclusion. Taylor-DeJongh has established a wide network of associates and expert contacts to complement its advisory capacity and facilitate the business plans of clients. The firm maintains strong relationships with potential partners, including equity investors and government agencies. Taylor-DeJongh has partnered with numerous governments to bring about the energy and infrastructure projects needed to spur socio-economic development. To date, the firm has advised on 267 conventional and renewable power projects as well as 145 oil and gas projects, many of which have been in the emerging markets. The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Taylor-DeJongh on claiming the 2023 award for Best Energy Project Finance Advisory (EMEA).


Prospect Capital Management: Best Real Estate Investor USA 2023

Prospect Capital Management (“Prospect”) is an SEC registered investment adviser that was founded in 1988 (along with its predecessors) and has been led by the same executive team over the past 23 years. Prospect has over 100 employees and $8.8bn of assets under management as of December 31, 2022. Prospect invests across middle-market lending, middle-market buyouts, structured credit and real estate. Prospect operates a private REIT focused on real estate investments in the US. Prospect’s track record in real estate includes investing in $3.8bn of initial property value across 108 properties with 45 realisations. Prospect’s real estate investments are predominantly in multifamily properties and other tenant diversified real estate. To date, Prospect has invested in 81 multifamily, 12 self-storage, eight student housing, four senior living, and three triple-net lease properties. Prospect invests in class B and C multifamily workforce housing in secondary and tertiary markets with value-add upside potential, helping to alleviate the affordable housing crisis in the US. Prospect also conducts environmental analysis prior to investing and implements "green" efficiency improvements. Historical annual multifamily real estate returns of 10.2% have outperformed the broader real estate asset class by 1.2%. A diverse portfolio including multifamily real estate improves returns and lower volatility. The CFl.co judging panel presents Prospect Capital with the 2023 Best Real Estate Investor (USA) award.


Fortem Capital: Best Alternative Growth Fund Manager Europe 2022

Since its launch in 2016, Fortem Capital has sought to create an environment of excellence, where young, talented and commercially-driven professionals are given the room and support to grow. All team members pull towards the common goal of redefining the investment process to help clients distinguish themselves from the competition. Fortem Capital offers independent and specialised services in liquid alternatives. It gives investors access to traditional asset classes that provide respectable returns. Fortem Capital’s alternative growth fund aims for positive returns of four to five percent over the medium to long term, while maintaining negligible equity market beta. Portfolio investments are rooted in alternative beta strategies across the asset class spectrum, providing capital growth independent of equity market cycles and macroeconomics. Fortem employs stringent counterparty controls, limiting credit exposure to high-grade sovereign risk, to capitalise on opportunistic trades caused by structural distortions in derivative markets. The team understands and manages expectations of fund performance to minimise potential surprises for clients. They conduct regular stress testing and don’t give in to knee-jerk reactions, as they’re confident in their strategy and skills. The fund was established in 2019, and the team is proud of the positive performance thus far. The firm is committed to delivering reliable solutions to clients and has built its technology infrastructure around that mandate. The CFI.co judging panel recognises the top-notch team and tech-powered solutions of Fortem Capital with the 2022 award for Best Alternative Growth Fund Manager (Europe).


Lagos Business School: Best Strategy Implementation Executive Education Africa 2023

[caption id="attachment_11280" align="aligncenter" width="754"] CFI.co Chairman Lord Waverley and Professor Chris Ogbechie[/caption]

Since Lagos Business School (LBS) inaugurated its campus in 1991, the management development institution has continued to build upon a reputation for quality education by preparing high-calibre professionals to excel in the corporate world. LBS offers several study programmes, including MBA degrees, a doctorate of business administration, executive education programmes as well as open-enrolment and company-customised courses. From the internal working of the private university to the structuring of its educational programmes, everything at LBS revolves around the central pillars of business ethics and sustainability. LBS aims to shape responsible leaders capable of managing ethical and profitable businesses, whether on a local or globe scale. The university has attained some top-tier accreditations, including the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). LBS is among only two percent of business schools in 70 countries to obtain AMBA accreditation and among less than five percent of business schools globally to be accredited by AACSB. The graduate business school forms part of the Pan-Atlantic University and is inspired by principles from Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church. It adheres to a values system rooted in integrity, professionalism, service, mutual respect and community. LBS MBA graduates enjoy high prospects in the labour market, 92 percent of which secure positions at top companies within a year of graduation. The CFI.co judging panel announces Lagos Business School as the 2023 award winner for Best Strategy Implementation Executive Education (Africa).


Aquis Exchange: Best Pan-European Equities Trading Exchange 2023

Aquis Exchange pioneered the subscription-based model for multilateral trading facilities (MTFs) of pan-European shares in London and Paris. The company has three distinct business lines: Aquis Exchange, the MTF operator; Aquis Technologies, the exchange tech developer; and Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE), the home of growth-stage companies across the UK. Aquis forges close connections with company boards prior to and post their IPO listing. Aquis Stock Exchange believes that one of the best ways to support their growth is through fair and proportionate rules that don’t put smaller companies at a disadvantage.  It is also committed to protecting growth companies from aggressive short selling by third-party players. As a fully regulated growth exchange, Aquis brings public markets together to provide companies with scale-up capital when it’s most needed. The exchange is helping companies go public earlier, at the £10-100m valuation bracket. Aquis expanded its offering from lit book to dark pool trading by acquiring the MTF business line of Swiss investment banking company, UBS. Since its launch in 2022, Aquis Matching Pool has shown remarkable success. Aquis Exchange continues to gain traction and an increasing share of the market. As of December 2022, AQSE supported 107 companies with a combined market value of £1.8bn. It also had more new entrants than its larger peer, AIM. Aquis is dual listed on its own and the AIM market. The CFI.co judging panel presents Aquis Exchange — a repeat programme winner — with the 2023 award for Best Pan-European Equities Trading Exchange.


3J Capital Partners: Best Global Asset Allocation Strategy Brazil 2023

3J Capital Partners serves institutional and private clients around the world, personalising services to fit varying risk profiles and growth objectives. The investment advisor is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and forms part of a group with licensed and regulated companies in Brazil, the US, the UK, Luxembourg and Portugal. Over the past two decades, the 3J group has built a global network of financial institutions, execution platforms, trading desks, legal service providers and independent research teams. 3J Capital Partners levers the collective expertise and access of the group network to help clients achieve their goals. As a registered external investment advisor with prominent international banks, 3J Capital Partners gives clients access to products and services designed for ultra-high-net-worth investors. It conducts daily reviews of client portfolios, finetuning asset allocation strategies and soliciting direct involvement from investors as needed. It deploys a team of specialists in portfolio and fund management, trading desk, asset allocation, state planning and M&A to provide clients with the most comprehensive view of global investment markets. 3J Capital Partners is developing the first sustainable agricultural private equity fund in Brazil. The fund aims to build national and global food resiliency by investing in 120,000 hectares of Brazilian farmland. It will extract returns through the sustainable production of cash crops and the appreciating value of the responsibly managed land. The CFI.co judging panel announces 3J Capital Partners as the 2023 award winner for Best Global Asset Allocation Strategy (Brazil).


Abu Dhabi Global Market: Best International Financial Centre EMEA 2022

The UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi, has earned recognition as the “Capital of Capital” for its prominent positioning among investors and business leaders. Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is the international financial centre (IFC) connecting these global players with regional opportunities. Driven by its robust regulatory ecosystem, ADGM aligns with Abu Dhabi’s economic goals and vision bringing innovation, transformation and diversification in various key sectors by leveraging its strengths and introducing progressive initiative. ADGM notable initiatives in 2022 have made it the fastest growing IFC in the middle east region.

In preparation for the upcoming COP28 in 2023, ADGM has begun to bolster guidelines and frameworks around sustainable finance with a focus on environmental instruments and disclosures. One such initiative has been by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM towards introducing an ‘environmental instrument’ as a class of financial instrument, an approach that has allowed carbon offsets to come under its regulatory umbrella.

The innovative regulatory framework has allowed for the world’s first regulated voluntary carbon trading exchange and clearing house, AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) to be established within the IFC. ADGM’s FSRA has also proposed a comprehensive sustainable finance regulatory framework, issued in November 2022, that provides a robust regulatory framework for sustainability-focused products and services, including rules on sustainability-orientated investment funds, managed portfolios and bonds. It also contains a framework for environmental disclosures by companies based in ADGM. ADGM’s proposed framework, which it will finalise in early 2023, aims to enable accelerated growth of a sustainable finance ecosystem in the jurisdiction and support the UAE’s transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

ADGM understands the importance of mobilising private finance to unlock critical infrastructure investment and advance net-zero goals to mitigate further climate catastrophes. Furthermore, ESG and sustainable finance events such as the R.A.C.E (Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration, Ecosystem), part of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2022 and the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) in mid-January 2023 promoted collaboration between world leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at local, regional and international level. ADGM Academy and its partners have also launched an entrepreneurship initiative to establish an SME hub that provides national and expatriate talent with the tools, training and start-up accelerator programmes that support the development of the tech ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. The CFI.co judging panel has recognised ADGM in several awards programmes and reaffirms its meritocratic successes with the 2022 Best International Financial Centre (EMEA) award.

Commenting on receiving the distinguished award, Dhaher Bin Dhaher Al Mheiri, CEO of ADGM Authority, “We are proud to be recognised as the Best International Financial Centre (EMEA) by the CFI.co judging panel and are grateful for this award. ADGM's jurisdiction will continue to play the role of a catalyst in supporting Abu Dhabi's efforts as the 'Capital of Capital' while also driving progress towards the rise of its sustainable falcon economy”.

"With 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’ in the UAE, ADGM is committed to building a sustainable financial ecosystem that promotes collaboration between global players and regional opportunities. Our innovative regulatory framework and sustainable initiatives aim to support the UAE's transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and reflect our dedication to unlocking critical infrastructure investments that advance these goals.”, he further added.


The Access Bank UK Ltd: Best Africa Trade Finance Bank 2023

The Access Bank UK is headquartered in The City of London, the European financial centre that's actually a city within a city. In addition to this prime location, the bank has a strong base in the UK and abroad, with fully regulated branch operations in Dubai's International Finance Centre and in Paris, France and a Representative Office in Lagos, Nigeria. The UK bank forms the international expansion arm of the Access banking group, which has a network spanning three continents, 12 countries and 55 million customers. The Access Bank UK offers a comprehensive range of services, including commercial banking, asset management and trade finance. It is a correspondent bank to the Central Bank of Nigeria and a confirming bank in the IFC's Global Trade Finance Programme. The Access Bank UK has a wide ranging geographical footprint and internationally experienced staff which allows it to unearth and nurture opportunities across OECD markets. This year, the bank has advanced plans to open in other new jurisdictions . The Access Bank UK provides trade finance services that help attract investments to Sub-Saharan Africa and support the international expansion of its businesses. The bank’s income has risen consistently over the past twelve years. Over the past year, the bank's income-driven strategy has led to increases of 18 percent in revenue, 13 percent in pre-tax profits and 26 percent in lending. The CFl.co judging panel presents repeat winner The Access Bank UK with the 2023 award for Best Africa Trade Finance Bank.


King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra): Outstanding Contribution to Cultural Development Middle East 2022

King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture — commonly known as Ithra — is the largest citizenship initiative by Saudi Aramco to promote talent development and cross-cultural engagement in Saudi Arabia. Ithra, which means “enrichment” in Arabic, was designed around the pillars of culture, creativity, community, art and knowledge.

The centre has hosted over 20 exhibitions and welcomed more than 3 million visitors since its launch. Ithra was built around the country’s first commercial oil well, paying tribute to the wealth generated while also reframing the narrative around the power of human potential. Visitors can roam through the museum galleries to discover the permanent collections as well as regular temporary exhibitions, or immerse themselves in theatre productions designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Life-long learners will find knowledge and opportunity at their fingertips in the first digitally integrated library in Saudi Arabia. Ithra’s Idea Lab supports the development of a creative-based economy by stimulating individual and sector growth across arts, sciences and technology. The Children’s Museum offers a hands-on experience for younger audiences, while the Ithra Tower provides skill-based programming for all age groups and interests. Ithra champions regional content and film production by providing funding and development opportunities to talent and small businesses. In addition to being the venue for the first cinema in Saudi Arabia in 2018, Ithra has nurtured Saudi independent filmmakers, consistently showcasing their work in the most high-profile international film festivals.  Ithra has produced 20 films, supported 14 content series projects, 10 VR/AI projects and more than 500 printed projects related to art and culture in Saudi Arabia. Ithra also conducts studies and research on cultural and creative industries across the MENA region to provide reference to peers and industry players.

The CFI.co judging panel presents ITHRA with the 2022 award for Outstanding Contribution to Cultural Development (Middle East).


Scottish Friendly: Best Mutual Insurer UK 2023

Scottish Friendly continues to build upon a legacy that started back in 1862, when it operated under the name City of Glasgow Friendly Society. The mutual insurer is now responsible for over £5.4bn in assets under management and has a roster of more than 776,000 members. As a mutual, Scottish Friendly serves the interests of its members and isn’t beholden to shareholders. It adheres to an ethos that aims to help individuals and their families support themselves and take better control of their financial wellbeing. It offers a range of tax-free investment solutions, including investment ISAs, junior ISAs and life insurance solutions for over 50’s, as well as working with a number of partners to manufacture and administer life and critical illness products.

The mutual credits its strong position to a consistent approach to investments and a time-tested 3-part growth strategy. Scottish Friendly also prioritises the wellbeing of its colleagues, including personal development opportunities for those colleagues. It also prides itself on its investment in local communities, working with the likes of Action for Children and the Scottish Book Trust.

Scottish Friendly has been placed in the CFI.co awards programmes consecutively since 2019 and once again claims the title ‘Best Mutual Insurer in the UK for the fifth consecutive year.


Vingroup: Best Sustainable Development Strategy Vietnam 2023

Vingroup began in 1993 in Ukraine and expanded into Vietnam in the early 2000s. The multi-sector corporation aims to create a better life for people by delivering international-quality products and services across three core pillars: technology and industry, trade and services, and social enterprise. The group weaves sustainability goals throughout a comprehensive ecosystem of products and services covering everything from housing, shopping, tourism and hotels to entertainment, education, healthcare, and office buildings.

Vingroup aims to accelerate sustainable development by activating internal resources and a global partner network to respond with speed and flexibility to the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity of the modern world. It has adopted circular economy practices to optimise resources and an ecosystem-in-ecosystem strategy to unlock synergies across sectors and sub-ecosystems. For example, Vingroup has created an interconnected business network through its smart technology and green automotive operations. While one arm provides the big data and Al for electric vehicles (EV), other Vingroup divisions are developing battery, energy, charging and closed-loop EV battery recycling solutions. Vingroup’s Chairman also launched an EV rental and taxi company in Vietnam with a fleet of 10,000 electric cars and 100,000 electric motorbikes. Over the next 12 months, it will begin mass production and global deliveries for two electric SUV models and start taking early reservations for two other EV models.

The group will also commence construction on a new EV production facility in North Carolina, US. The CFI.co judging panel announces Vingroup as the 2023 Best Sustainable Development Strategy (Vietnam) award winner.


Agronomics: Best Sustainable Food Technology Investor Global 2023

Nearly half of all water used in the US goes to raising livestock, the most emissions-intensive food consumed by humans. Agronomics believes the solution to environmental and hunger crises lies in the niche food industry of cellular agriculture and precision fermentation.

The sustainable food tech investor looks for companies combining time-tested techniques with specialised modern equipment to the meet the world’s growing food needs while conserving resources and reducing emissions. As of the fourth quarter 2022, Agronomics had £29.8m in cash reserves to seize new cellular agriculture opportunities. The uninvested cash represents 18.4 percent of the portfolio breakdown at that time, with the remainder divvied up between dozens of innovative enterprises. Agronomics investees are at the forefront of the food revolution, offering a range of cellular-cultivated and fermentation-derived products. These companies turn cellular cultures into poultry, pork and beef products that can pass the most discriminate taste testing. They employ precision fermentation to create dairy and egg proteins. They’re working with plant-based proteins, gene-edited crops and cultivated leather. An investee has struck high-profile partnerships in Japan and the EU. Agronomics portfolio companies are poised for commercialisation. Agronomics (ANIC) is the only UK-listed biotech venture capitalist specialising in cellular agriculture.

The CFI.co jury presents Agronomics with the 2023 global award for Best Sustainable Food Technology Investor.


Federal Realty Investment Trust: Best ESG Real Estate Investment Strategy US 2023

Federal Realty Investment Trust views ESG as a framework for long-term growth and value creation. Its key objectives involve advancing decarbonisation, strengthening resiliency, connecting communities, empowering teams and governing responsibly.

The company earned its first LEED certification in 2012 and within a decade had invested around $2.3bn in LEED-certified buildings. It has reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 22 percent between 2019 and 2021 and is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2021, 60 percent of the electricity used by Federal came from renewable sources. The company installed its first rooftop solar system in 2012; now they crown nearly a quarter of Federal properties. Over 300 EV charging stations support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Federal invests in underrepresented communities in ways that advance social equity. It protects biodiversity through urban revitalisation rather than greenfield development and keeps beehives on multiple properties. One of Federal’s flagship projects — Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts — demonstrates how ESG planning makes good business sense and benefits all stakeholders. The transformation project turned a polluted former industrial site into a thriving social centre and economic growth engine, delivering positive impacts for government coffers, city residents and Federal shareholders. The S&P 500 REIT has delivered 55 consecutive years of increased dividends, while honouring a sustainability commitment that demands financial investments serve a greater societal good.

The CFI.co jury presents repeat winner Federal Realty Investment Trust with the 2023 Best ESG Real Estate Investment Strategy (US) award.


Banco Hipotecario: Best Financial Inclusion Banking Strategy Central America 2023

Banco Hipotecario, a state bank of El Salvador, prioritises financial inclusion for all municipalities and individuals across the country. It tailors services to fit the needs of the population and seeks to remove obstacles to credit approval.

It has established a specialised unit to listen to clients and address their financial challenges without exclusion. Gender equality and financial empowerment are of paramount importance at Banco Hipotecario, which has launched a range of credit lines specifically for women. Women tend to oversee household spending, with an average of 89 percent of women worldwide controlling or sharing daily shopping needs. Banco Hipotecario gives women access to the financial products to buy their own home, further their professional development and improve social well-being for themselves and their families. The bank provides educational resources to help aspiring entrepreneurs launch an enterprise and help established SMEs optimise operations. It offers products for agribusinesses and microenterprises, including street merchants. Banco Hipotecario is embracing blockchain technologies. It has incorporated bitcoin into the financial system and instructs clients on how to use this emergent fintech tool. Banco Hipotecario is a people-centric, solutions-driven financial institution that treats all Salvadorans as partners in the wealth creation and socio-economic development of the country. It assesses applicant credit worthiness by the analysis of capital flow rather the formality of their circumstances.

The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Banco Hipotecario — a repeat programme winner — on claiming the 2023 award for Best Financial Inclusion Banking Strategy (Central America).


Applied Science Private University: Best University Internationalisation Strategy Middle East 2023

Applied Science Private University (ASU) believes continuous improvement leads to academic excellence. It was founded in 1991 to give Arab youth an alternative to overseas studies.

Now international collaboration is a staple of the curriculum. ASU has established dozens of external agreements with international universities to further cross-border collaboration, including 14 in the UK and nine in the US. It was the first university in Jordan to obtain American accreditation for the faculties of engineering, nursing and pharmacy. It’s considered a “premier institution” by the Accreditation Services for International Schools, Colleges & Universities (ASIC), a British accreditation standard. ASU was recently awarded the ESQR certificate from the European Quality Assurance Commission— the only Middle Eastern university with such a distinction. Over the past year, ASU has risen in the QS ranking from the top 100-110 to the top 80-90 universities in the Arab world. This achievement reflects the largest improvement possible for a university over a 12-month span and underscores significant advancements in the areas of publications, citations, educational facilities, international academics and student employability. The university consistently expands course and degree offering to remain competitive with global trends and real-world challenges. It has introduced new bachelor’s degrees in financial technology and risk management, AI in accounting and auditing, cybersecurity and cloud computing as well as a master’s in cyber laws.

The CFI.co jury is proud to recognise a stronghold of scholastic excellence and a repeat programme winner — Applied Science Private University — with the 2023 award for Best University Internationalisation Strategy (Middle East).


QNB Alahli: Best SME Bank Egypt 2023 and Best Retail Bank Egypt 2023

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QNB Alahli combines the benefits of local expertise with the international scale of its parent company, which has grown over the past six decades to become the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa.

QNB Alahli offers a wide range of services for business and retail clients that align with ongoing trends in digital transformation, financial inclusion and sustainable finance. At the COP27 conference, the bank entered collaborations with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to promote green mortgage financing, climate risk management practices and technical assistance and incentive grants for green economy youth projects. QNB Alahli launched Nilepreneurs, a five-year running programme, in collaboration with the Nile University to develop, support and train the next generation of SME entrepreneurs. It has implemented financial inclusion measures to bring modern banking conveniences to artisans and micro businesses. The bank has established specialised subsidiaries to meet Egypt’s leasing, factoring and life insurance needs. QNB Alahli serves more than 1.4 million individual and business clients through a network of hundreds of banking branches and ATMs along with thousands of POS merchants nationwide. The bank has maintained a sound asset quality and cost ratios, while also achieving substantial growth in its loan and deposit portfolio, market share and returns.

The CFI.co judging panel presents QNB Alahli — a longstanding repeat programme winner — with the 2023 awards for Best SME Bank and Best Retail Bank (Egypt).


Applied Science Private University: Most Innovative Community Impact Research University Middle East 2023

Since Applied Science Private University (ASU) first opened its doors in 1991, the institution has been a pioneer of academic excellence.

It continues to add to an impressive list of firsts with every year in operation. It was the first university in the Middle East to earn the Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance, the first in Jordan to obtain a “golden level” quality assurance certificate, the first to obtain international accreditations at program-level and the first private university to warrant a four-star QS international rating. ASU believes continuous improvement to be the most straightforward path to excellence. ASU students and faculty collaborate and publish on numerous community research projects, particularly in the fields of health, economics and environmental sciences. It established a consultation and training centre to spur impactful interaction between the university and regional business sectors. It was the first university in the Middle East to open a cadaveric laboratory — one of only 11 worldwide — which was approved as a global training centre for residents and doctors in all surgical specialties. The lab has put Jordan on the map for medical education as well as medical tourism. ASU is also a contributor and promoter of the Jordanian Database for Nursing Research, a repository of published nursing studies that supports continued investigation across priority areas. The expertise of the faculty members at ASU are well recognized and received at national and international levels, this is demonstrated by the representations and memberships of various accreditation and evaluation bodies such as heading decision makers committee to develop guidelines for the schools of Nursing in Jordan regarding the establishment of new programs at graduate levels with the Jordanian Nursing Council (JNC) and act as a peer evaluator for international programs with the Accreditation Commission for Nursing Education (ACEN).

The CFI.co judging panel presents Applied Science Private University — a repeat programme winner — with the 2023 award for Most Innovative Community Impact Research University (Middle East).


New World Development: Best Investor Relations Team Hong Kong 2022

New World Development (NWD) is a publicly listed property investor and developer with operations in Hong Kong and mainland China. NWD’s investor relations (IR) team practices proactive shareholder engagement to publicise the group’s mission statement and milestones.

NWD properties are marked by artisanal excellence, with bespoke features that aspire to inspire. The group’s corporate governance is structured for the long-term sustainable development of the business and the communities where it operates. It applies forward-looking strategic planning for continuous improvement and innovation, demonstrating the courage to take risks and the credentials to influence the market. The IR team celebrates NWD’s high ranking among international sustainability rating agencies. It was one of only 20 real estate companies to be included in the 2022 Dow Jones Sustainability (DJS) World Index and placed for the fourth consecutive year in the DJS Asia Pacific Index. It received high marks in the Carbon Disclosure Project for its climate change and water security assessments and maintains a leading regional ranking in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark. NWD has a flair for luxury and a heart for social inclusion. In 2022, it broke registration records for the highest number of first-round sales for luxury residences in the New World Hangzhou Arts Centre development. The previous year, it launched the non-profit social housing enterprise, New World Build for Good.

The CFI.co judging panel presents New World Development — a repeat programme winner — with the 2022 Best Investor Relations Team (Hong Kong) award.