THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AWARDS 2020
2020
ENTER
INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS
A celebration of excellence
Contents
Roll of Honour Video Highlights Meet the Judges The Winners
The Woman of the Year (Advisers) The Woman of the Year (Industry) Emerging Talent of the Year (Advisers) Emerging Talent of the Year (Industry) The Personality of the Year (Advisers) Personality of the Year (Industry)
Best International Pension Plan Best International Trust Product Best International Financial Centre Best International Platform Best International Discretionary Fund Manager Best ESG Fund – sponsored by RL360 Best Family Office Best International Savings Plan Best International Portfolio Bond Excellence in Trust and Estate Planning Excellence in Private Banking Excellence in Fintech (Advisers) Excellence in Fintech (Industry) International Campaign of the Year Best International Fund Group Best International Life Group (UK) Best Life Group (Non-UK) Best Protection Plan Best IPMI Provider Excellence in Client Service (Advisers) – sponsored by Hansard Excellence in Advisory Best Practice Excellence in Client Service (Industry) European Fund Selector of the Year – in conjunction with SharingAlpha
This was a big year for the International Investment Awards. The event on 8 October was, of course, the first time the event was virtual. It also drew record numbers of participants, votes and viewers – more than any other year in the ceremony’s 21-year history. We saw more companies entering, and more people voting, from more countries, than ever before. These Awards, already the longest-running of their kind, continue to go from strength to strength.
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The latter has proved among the most popular categories we’ve ever had, with hundreds of people entering. The Best ESG Product award was sponsored by RL360; our Excellence in Client Service (Advisers) Award was sponsored by Hansard. This special report is a record of this unforgettable event, and I hope you’ll enjoy revisiting the remarkable achievements that this challenging year has yielded.
Christopher Copper-Ind, Editor-in-Chief International Investment
The II Awards are a landmark event in the calendar for the industry and for advisers around the world. Given the strangeness of the times, it is heartening to see so many from across the financial services industry and all around the world view the II Awards as a firm fixture in their calendar each year. For 2020 we introduced three new categories: Woman of the Year, European Fund Selector of the Year and Best ESG Product.
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ROLL OF HONOUR
Winners and Highly Commended
Best International Savings Best International Portfolio Bond Excellence in Private Banking Excellence in Fintech (Advisers) Excellence in Fintech (Industry) Excellence in Trust and Estate Planning International Campaign of the Year Best International Fund Group Best International Life Group (UK) Best Life Group (Non-UK) Best Protection PlanBest IPMI Provider Excellence in Client Service (Advisers) - sponsored by Hansard Excellence in Advisory Best Practice Excellence in Client Service (Industry) European Fund Selector of the Year– in conjunction with SharingAlpha The Woman of the Year (Advisers) The Woman of the Year (Industry) Emerging Talent of the Year (Advisers) The Personality of the Year (Advisers) Emerging Talent of the Year (Industry) The Personality of the Year (Industry)
Best International Pension Plan Best International Trust Product Best International Financial Centre Best International Platform Best International Discretionary Fund Manager Best ESG Fund – sponsored by RL360 Best Family Office Best International Savings Best International Portfolio Bond Excellence in Private Banking Excellence in Fintech (Advisers) Excellence in Fintech (Industry) Excellence in Trust and Estate Planning International Campaign of the Year Best International Fund Group Best International Life Group (UK) Best Life Group (Non-UK) Best Protection PlanBest IPMI Provider Excellence in Client Service (Advisers) - sponsored by Hansard Excellence in Advisory Best Practice Excellence in Client Service (Industry) European Fund Selector of the Year– in conjunction with SharingAlpha The Woman of the Year (Advisers) The Woman of the Year (Industry) Emerging Talent of the Year (Advisers) The Personality of the Year (Advisers) Emerging Talent of the Year (Industry) The Personality of the Year (Industry)
Winner: Zurich International – Zurich International Pension Plan Highly commended: Fairway Group
Best International Pension Plan
Winner: Canada Life - Wealth Preservation Account Highly commended: Quilter - Lifestyle Trust
Best International Trust Product
Winner: Isle of Man Highly commended: Jersey Finance
Best International Financial Centre
Winner: Ardan International
Best International Platform
Winner: Rathbones Highly commended: Tilney
Best International Discretionary Fund Manager
Winner: Nordea Asset Management – Nordea Emerging Stars Bond Fund Highly commended: Pictet Asset Management – Pictet's Global Environmental Opportunities (GEO) Product
Best ESG Fund – sponsored by RL360
Winner: Wimmer Family Office Highly commended: MBMG Group Family Office
Best Family Office
Winner: Investors Trust - S&P 500 Index - 15 Year Plan Highly Commended: Fairway Group’s Fairway International Master Trust and Canada Life – Offshore Savings Account
Best International Savings Plan
Winner: Premier Account – Canada Life International.
Best International Portfolio Bond
Winner: Standard Bank Offshore Group
Excellence in Private Banking
Winner: DeVere Group
Excellence in Fintech (Advisers)
Winner: Hansard
Excellence in Fintech (Industry)
Winner: Quilter International Highly commended: Fairway Trust Limited International
Excellence in Trust and Estate Planning
Winner: Finance Isle of Man - ‘Isle of Man For Life’ campaign Highly commended: Canada Life International - ‘Let’s talk wealth’ campaign
Campaign of the Year
Winner: Momentum Global Investment Management
Best International Fund Group
Winner: Canada Life International Highly commended: Quilter International
Best International Life Group (UK)
Winner: RL360 Highly commended: Quilter International
Best Life Group (Non-UK)
Winner: Zurich International Life Limited - Futura Highly commended: Canada Life - CanProtect Whole of Life
Best Protection Plan
Winner: Aetna International
Best IPMI Provider
Aiva – Latin America Abacus - Middle East deVere Group - Europe and Australasia Holborn Assets - Africa and Asia Partners Wealth Management – UK
The regional winners for the Excellence in Client Service (Advisers) – sponsored by Hansard are:
Winner: Holborn Assets Highly commended: deVere Group
Overall winner Excellence in Client Service (Advisers) – sponsored by Hansard
Abacus Financial Consultants – Middle East The Arlo Group – Europe deVere Acuma – Latin America Holborn Assets – Africa and Asia Partners Wealth – UK
The regional winners in the Excellence in Advisory Best Practice are:
Winner: Abacus Financial Consultants - Middle East Highly commended: Partners Wealth
RL360 - Lat Am Hansard - AsiaIQ-EQ – UK and Europe Standard Bank International Personal Banking - Africa Zurich International Life - Middle East
Excellence in Client Service, Industry – regional winners:
Winner: Hansard Highly commended: RL360
Excellence in Client Service (Industry) overall winner:
Winner: Austen Robilliard, Murdoch Asset Management Highly commended: Filippo Valvona, Amundi
European Fund Selector of the Year award – in conjunction with Sharing Alpha
Excellence in Advisory Best Practice overall
Winner: Claire Walker, deVere Group Highly commended: Michele Carby, Holborn Assets
The Woman of the Year (Advisers)
Winner: Louise Bracken-Smith, Fairway Group Highly commended: Bahamas Financial Services Board’s Tanya McCartney
The Woman of the Year (Industry)
Winner: Stefan Terry, Holborn Assets Highly commended: Nathan Prior, Partners Wealth Management
Emerging Talent of the Year (Advisers)
Winner: Robert Parker, Holborn Assets
The Personality of the Year (Advisers)
Winner: Christopher Mourant, Fairway Group Highly commended: Paris Jordan, Virtuvest
Emerging Talent of the Year (Industry)
Winner: David Kneeshaw, RL360 Highly commended: Neil Jones, Canada Life
The Personality of the Year (Industry)
RETURN TO CONTENTS
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
A night to remember
MEET THE JUDGES
Our panel of experts
The judges
Rex Cowley Founder New Dawn Consultancy Rex has over 25 years of experience in the wealth management industry covering life insurance, banking, investment management, trust and the retirement sectors. He is recognised as a pioneer having helped shape the offshore multi asset investment space and the international pension and the tax efficient retirement sectors. Educated to Masters level Rex holds an MSc, from a leading UK business school, together with a range of other academic and professional qualifications including a post graduate diploma in International Tax from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Passionate about his chosen profession, he is regularly quoted in the press and is seen as a thought leader on a range of specialist wealth management topics from trends in the expatriate markets to detailed analysis of the international pension, trust and investment sectors. www.newdawn-consultancy.com Allyson Gibson QC Barrister The Bahamas Allyson Gibson has extensive experience in the areas of trusts and estate planning and investment (especially foreign direct investment) law - having advised clients ranging from private individuals to publicly listed corporations. She was called to the Bar of the England and Wales in 1980 and to the Bahamas Bar in 1980. Invested as Her Majesty's Counsel January 2015, she was the first and is currently the only female Queen's Counsel. Allyson's wide experience in Trusts and Estate Planning, Offshore Finance law and Investment law was gleaned from her private practice; representing high net worth individuals in their tax and estate planning matters; advising in relation to Protectors and Family Offices, serving as the first Minister of Financial Services and Investments of the Bahamas (2002-06); and, as a former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affair of The Bahamas (2012-17 and 2006-07). As the first minister of financial services and investments, she led efforts to pass a compendium of "new product" legislation including both foundations and segregated account companies. Also, with the private sector, the Ministry of Financial Services promulgated and implemented the first ever 5-Year Strategic Plan. She brought the insurance industry and the Regulator together to agree the Domestic Insurance Act, and she commenced the consultation process that led to the External Insurance Act 2009. Gibson, an Honorary Member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (2013), is a former president of the Nassau Chapter of the Links and a former International President of President of the International Women's Forum (2009-11) and the Leadership Foundation (2003-05) Oren Kaplan Core Founder SharingAlpha Oren Kaplan took knowledge from a 20+ year investment career to co-create digital fund ratings agency SharingAlpha in a bid to "improve mutual fund ratings by leveraging on the knowledge and experience of thousands of Investment Advisors and Fund Selectors worldwide”. SharingAlpha providea the quantitative data that is used to help determine the new European Fund Selector of the Year category in this year’s event. Philip Martin Marketing Director Openwork Philip joined Openwork in September 2011 from F&C Investments, where he had responsibility for the asset manager's UK retail proposition, and sales and marketing. Prior to that, Philip was Business Development Director at wrap provider Nucleus Financial Group, which he co-founded in 2006. He had previously been a founder-director of consultancy Abacus Financial Marketing, working with more than 65 life companies, asset managers, IFAs and industry bodies on a variety of strategic and proposition projects. Philip is responsible for all elements of our marketing communication and PR as well as the development and delivery of our investment propositions through Omnis, our own fund management company. Steve Nelson International Sales Manager Medibroker Steve has spent more than 25 years in the financial services sector. Beginning his career with stockbrokers Wise Speke in Newcastle in 1989 he moved down to their city office in London in 1991. With their take over by Brewin Dolphin Steve became an Assistant Director and worked in London for 12 years in total. Returning to his North East roots, Steve joined Medibroker in 2003. Specialising in international private medical insurance (iPMI) he works with both individuals and SME's around the World ensuring they have the best medical insurance plan for their specific needs. A respected expert in iPMI he is often asked to comment on industry issues. Paul Stanfield Chief Executive FEIFA – the Federation of European Independent Financial Advisers Paul has 25 years' industry experience, within the UK and mainland Europe. He has considerable knowledge of both the provision of independent advice and the promotion and distribution of investment funds and financial products. For over 13 years he was a Director of a cross-border IFA business based in southern Europe. He is presently CEO of FEIFA and Secretary General of FECIF, two major European trade associations - the former dedicated to assisting English-speaking advisers across the Continent and the latter representing around 250,000 advisers and intermediaries in domestic markets throughout Europe. In addition he manages a consultancy firm that provides specialist services to investment firms, trust companies and advisory businesses. www.feifa.eu Guy Vanner Managing Director AKG Guy graduated from University of Birmingham, before going on to become visiting Commonwealth Universities Scholar to Nigeria. He developed an area of research expertise with regard to social dynamics in industrialising economies. Guy joined AKG from this background in social research. His initial role being to add social analysis to AKG's pioneering research into issues such as pension lapse rates, originally produced for the Securities and Investment Board. Following this, Guy moved into AKG's wider activities, developing and promoting company analysis within the UK financial services industry. As well as overall responsibility for the strategy and the promotion of AKG, Guy maintains involvement in the AKG research and assessment process, including financial strength analysis and ratings Patricia Woo Partner Squire Patton Boggs Patricia Woo is a Partner of Squire Patton Boggs and she co-heads the firm's Global Family Office Cross-Practice Team. She is a fund, trust and tax lawyer specialising in helping global ultra-high-net-worth families setting up their family offices. Her latest offering is an integral approach to family office which brings together transpersonal psychology and legal aspects of family offices. Patricia is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, Certified Tax Advisor, member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (and its Academy Community) and Certified Islamic Finance Executive.
THE WINNERS
The judges said...
Zurich International – Zurich International Pension Plan
HIGHLY COMMENDED Fairway Group – Fairway Jersey Personal Pension Scheme
“A long-standing player, with the experience and know-how to really perform at the highest level”
www.zurichinternational.com
Canada Life – Wealth Preservation Account
HIGHLY COMMENDED Quilter – Lifestyle Trust
“...a market leading product from a first class company. Canada Life are once again the ones to beat in this category”
www.canadalife.co.uk
Isle of Man
HIGHLY COMMENDED Jersey
“...a stand-out, well-regulated jurisdiction with a unique collegic approach to financial services and a winner – for the third time in the last four years"
www.financeisleofman.com
Ardan International
“...a platform that “is easy to navigate and provides 24/7 service for international intermediaries tailor the perfect proposition for their clients”
www.ardan-international.com
Rathbones
HIGHLY COMMENDED Tilney
“...Rathbones has had another strong year increasing its influence in the international advisory discretionary sector”
www.rathbones.com
Best ESG Fund
Nordea Asset Management - Nordea Emerging Stars Bond Fund
HIGHLY COMMENDED Pictet Asset Management – Pictet's Global Environmental Opportunities (GEO) Product
“...long-standing expertise, with innovative products makes Nordea a go-to in this category.”
www.nordea.com
Sponsored by RL360
Wimmer Family Office
HIGHLY COMMENDED MBMG Group family Office
“...client focus and impressive range of services gives Wimmer the edge.”
www.wfo.am
Investors Trust for its S&P 500 Index – 15 Year Plan
HIGHLY COMMENDED Fairway Group’s Fairway International Master Trust & Canada Life – Offshore Savings Account
“...no longer the new kid on the block this company has proven that it has staying power and products that the international adviser and broker market continues to embrace”
www.investors-trust.com
1) After three highly commended in the last couple of years – how does it feel to have won your first Winner’s Trophy at the II Awards? We are very excited to be recognized as the winner of Best International Savings Plan as we’ve known our S&P 500 Product is the optimal solution for international investors seeking greater opportunities with a peace of mind. 2) What makes the S&P 500 Index – 15 Year Plan stand out in the global fund and products market? The Investors Trust S&P 500 Index 15 Year Plan provides clients with the opportunity to invest in one of the most
Winner's Q&A with Investors Trust’s Chief Marketing and Distribution Officer Ariel Amigo
widely held companies from all sectors of the economy. What separates the Investors Trust S&P 500 Plan from the competition is the guarantees allowing for unlimited investment growth with downside protection. 3) Why is it important that Investors Trust receives recognition in this way? We value ourselves on being innovative, offering the most flexible solutions and providing world class customer service to a global audience. Our products have always been some of the best in the industry and we’re honored to be recognized in the 2020 awards. It is always great to receive accolades awarded by an impartial jury conducting reviews across all products from our competitors. 4) How does it feel to stand out against some of the biggest names in the industry? With great competition in the industry, it makes the award even more valuable. We are honored to be recognised alongside many other industry leaders.
Premier Account from Canada Life International
“...Always a highly-regarded company in this space, with a strong balance sheet, good IT and digital interface and wide range of investment options”
Quilter International
HIGHLY COMMENDED Fairway Trust Limited
“...absolutely deserving of this accolade, having perfectly adapted its proposition to fit with the ever-changing needs of its clients”
www.quilterinternational.com
Standard Bank Offshore Group
“...providing a well-regulated business and a product that is based globally but particularly across the African continent”
international.standardbank.com
Excellence in Fintech – Advisers
deVere Group
“...industry leading with its apps and ahead of the competition in this hugely important”
www.devere-group.com
Hansard
“...delivers on its technical online business – without missing a step during the ongoing pandemic”
www.hansard.com
International Campaign of the Year
Finance Isle of Man for its ongoing ‘Isle of Man For Life’ campaign
HIGHLY COMMENDED Canada Life International for its ‘Let’s talk wealth’ campaign
“...achieving that perfect balance of a well thought-out campaign that has already been watched and viewed by huge numbers ”
Momentum Global Investment Management
“...the winner stood out as a quality proposition in a field that is difficult to get right. What stands out and is reassuring is that this is a team of a professionals that have many years of experience of working together as a unit”
momentum.co.uk
Canada Life International
HIGHLY COMMENDED Quilter International
“...another impressive entry and well-established company that just keeps on achieving the highest standards year after year”
Best International Life Group (Non-UK)
RL360
“...consistently excellent across the board in what was a undoubtedly a big year for the company”
www.rl360.com
Zurich International Life Limited – Futura
HIGHLY COMMENDED Canada Life – CanProtect Whole of Life
www.zurich.ae/home/product-futura
Aetna International
“...year on year it has demonstrated a high level of customer service yet never forgetting the importance of a personal touch”
www.aetnainternational.com
Excellence in Client Service (Advisers)
Holborn Assets
HIGHLY COMMENDED deVere Group
“...a firmly established company with bold ambitions across the international advice arena"
holbornassets.com
Sponsored by Hansard
Regional winners Aiva – Latin America Abacus – Middle East deVere Group – Europe and Australasia Holborn Assets – Africa and Asia Partners Wealth Management – UK
Excellence in Advisory Best Practice
Abacus Financial Consultants
HIGHLY COMMENDED Partners Wealth
“...Exceptional approach to quality and standards”
www.abacusifa.com
Regional winners Abacus Financial Consultants – Middle East The Arlo Group – Europe deVere Acuma – Latin America Holborn Assets – Africa and Asia Partners Wealth – UK
Excellence in Client Service (Industry)
HIGHLY COMMENDED RL360
“...A well run company with its clients always at the forefront of what it does”
Regional winners RL360 – Latin America Hansard – Asia IQ-EQ – UK and Europe Standard Bank International Personal Banking – Africa Zurich International Life – Middle East
European Fund Selector of the Year
Austen Robilliard, Murdoch Asset Management
HIGHLY COMMENDED Filippo Valvona, Amundi
“...this has been a good year for Austen with stand-out performance against his peer group”
www.m-a-m.co.uk
In conjunction with Sharing Alpha
Woman of the Year (Advisers)
Claire Walker, deVere Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED Michele Carby, Holborn Assets
“...popular with II readers and the judges, Walker's professionalism shines through”
devere-group.com
Woman of the Year (Industry)
Louise Bracken-Smith, Fairway Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED Tanya McCartney, Bahamas Financial Services Board
“...she leads by example while allowing others to shine. Bracken-Smith is a true pioneer for Woman in the industry”
www.fairwaygroup.com
Stefan Terry, Holborn Assets
HIGHLY COMMENDED Nathan Prior, Partners Wealth Management
“...a stand out entry from an adviser with passion and drive for industry excellence”
Christopher Mourant, Fairway Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED Paris Jordan, Virtuvest
“...hard working and professional Mourant's attention to detail is visible in all tha he does”
Personality of the Year 2020 (Advisers)
Robert Parker, Holborn Assets
“...a true gentleman and a giant of the advice world”
Personality of the Year 2020 (Industry)
David Kneeshaw, RL360
HIGHLY COMMENDED Neil Jones, of Canada Life
“...a passionate and inspirational leader who is never afraid to speak out when he needs to”
