THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AWARDS 2019
2019
INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS
A celebration of excellence
Welcome to this special edition of International Investment to commemorate the 20th International Investment Awards, which were held in the City of London on 16 October 2019. These Awards have, in no small measure, become something of an industry institution. Over the past two decades we recognised extraordinary talent and remarkable achievements from every corner of the globe. Our anniversary was marked with a new name, a new logo and exciting new categories for 2019 include Campaign of the Year, Excellence in Client Service, Best Fintech Innovation and Excellence in Fintech. Among some of the headlines from the evening, Emerging Talent of the Year went to Riyad Adamou, Holborn Assets. This and the Personality of the Year awards were decided by a mix of online voting and the judging panel. Canada Life International picked up four awards on the night, including best International Life Group (UK). Stiff competition in a new category, Excellence in Client Service, was seen off by Hansard and Holborn Assets which won the Industry and Advisers awards, respectively. Aetna International was named Best International Private Health Insurance Provider. And Nigel Green, the founder and CEO of deVere Group, scooped the title of Personality of the Year. The judges praised his "ability to adapt to changing environments, has seen some remarkable fintech initiatives in recent years." Green is, they said, "Controversial to some, inspirational to others." Green is also the keynote speaker at our first International Investment Middle East Forum, which will take place at the Ritz-Carlton in Dubai on 26 November. I hope as many of you as possible will join us then, in the first of our regional events to be launched. Christopher Copper-Ind Publisher International Investment
Contents
Roll of Honour Video Highlights Meet the Judges The Winners
Emerging Talent of the Year Personality of the Year The Night in Pictures
Best International Pension Plan Best International Financial Centre Best International Platform Best International Fund Group Best International Portfolio Bond Best International Discretionary Fund Manager Best Family Office International Campaign of the Year Excellence in Private Banking Best Fintech Innovation Excellence in Fintech Best International Savings Plan Best International Life Group (UK) Best International Life Group (Non-UK) Best International Protection Plan (Life) Best International Private Health Insurance Provider Best International Trust and Estate Planning Excellence in Client Service, Advisers – sponsored by Hansard Excellence in Advisory Best Practice – sponsored by Investors Trust Excellence in Client Service, Industry
ROLL OF HONOUR
Winners and Highly Commended
Best International Pension Plan Best International Financial Centre Best International Platform Best International Fund Group Best International Portfolio Bond Best Intl Discretionary Fund Manager Best Family Office International Campaign of the Year Excellence in Private Banking Best Fintech Innovation Excellence in Fintech Best International Savings Plan Best International Life Group (UK) Best International Life Group (Non-UK) Best International Protection Plan (Life) Best Intl Private Health Insurance Provider Best International Trust and Estate Planning Excellence in Client Service, Advisers Excellence in Advisory Best Practice Excellence in Client Service, Industry Emerging Talent of the Year Personality of the Year
Winner: Zurich International – Zurich International Pension Plan Joint highly-commended: Fairway Group – Fairway Jersey Personal Pension Scheme; Momentum Pensions – Momentum International Sipp
Winner: Jersey Highly-commended: Isle of Man
Winner: Old Mutual International – Wealth Interactive Highly-commended: Ardan International
Winner: Quilter Investors Highly-commended: Rathbones
Winner: Canada Life International – Premiere Account Joint highly-commended: Investors Trust; Old Mutual International – Wealth Portfolio
Winner: Rathbones Highly-commended: Tilney
Winner: Wimmer Family Office
Winner: RL360 Joint highly-commended: Finance Isle of Man – Isle of Man for Life; Old Mutual International
Winner: Standard Bank Offshore Group Limited (SBOG)
Winner: deVere Group Highly-commended: SharingAlpha
Winner: Old Mutual International - Wealth Interactive Highly-commended: Investors Trust
Winner: Canada Life International – Offshore Savings Account Highly-commended: Zurich International Life – Zurich International Life Pension Plan
Winner: Canada Life International Highly-commended: Utmost Wealth Solutions
Winner: Zurich International Life Highly-commended: RL360
Winner: Old Mutual International – Silk Life Plan Highly-commended: Canada Life International - CanProtect Whole of Life
Winner: Aetna International Highly-commended: Now Health International
Winner: Canada Life International – The Wealth Preservation Account Highly-commended: Old Mutual International – Tailored Trust
Regional: Lat Am – Aiva; Australia – Atlas Wealth Management ; Europe – deVere Group; Middle East and Asia – Holborn Assets; UK – Partners Wealth Management Overall winner: Holborn Assets Highly-commended: deVere Group
Regional: Asia – The Fry Group; Middle East – Abacus Financial Consultants; Africa – VFS International; Europe – deVere Group; UK – The Fry Group Overall winner: Holborn Assets Highly-commended: deVere Group
Regional: Asia – RL360; Europe – Dolfin; Lat Am – Hansard; Middle East – Old Mutual International; UK – Utmost Wealth Solutions Overall winner: Hansard Highly-commended: RL360
Winner: Riyad Adamou, Holborn Assets Highly-commended: Carl David Turner, Infinity Financial Solutions
Winner: Nigel Green, deVere Group Highly-commended: Trevor Keidan, Infinity Financial Solutions
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) Malcom Kerr Senior Advisor EY Financial Services Malcolm Kerr is a Senior Adviser within EY's UK Financial Services division providing advice to the key providers in the life, pensions and retail investment markets and to major intermediaries. Before moving into professional services some 15 years ago, Malcolm held a number of senior executive and board positions in the industry including IFA director at Canada Life(UK), vice-president of MetLife (US) and chairman of Albany International (IOM). EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services with 250,000 staff worldwide. www.ey.com 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
Best International Pension Plan
The judges said...
Zurich International – Zurich International Pension Plan
HIGHLY COMMENDED Fairway Group – Fairway Jersey Personal Pension Scheme Momentum Pensions – Momentum International Sipp
“Long-standing player, with comprehensive and portable international proposition”
Zurich International is headquartered in the Isle of Man with over 300 employees in their Douglas-based office. Zurich International is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, offering life insurance, investment and protection solutions throughout the world.
www.zurichinternational.com
BEST INTERNATIONAL PENSION PLAN
Pictured L/R: Nigel Simpson, Head of International Markets at Zurich International with presenter Suzi Ruffell
RETURN TO CONTENTS
Best International Financial Centre
Jersey
HIGHLY COMMENDED Isle of Man
“Jersey is a strong, well-regulated jurisdiction...”
"Already a strong jurisdction, Jersey has had a big year in 2019, with new international products launched and ongoing regulatory initiatives making it a stand out candidate..."
www.jerseyfinance.je
Pictured L/R: Bradley Jones, Senior External Relations Officer, Government of Jersey with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best International Platform
Old Mutual International – Wealth Interactive
HIGHLY COMMENDED Ardan International
“Clear leader in the category. Full-service offshore fund platform with all the features that advisers would expect...”
"Excellent platform with innovative new developments driven by regulation..."
www.oldmutualinternational.com
Pictured L/R: Brendan Dolan, Sales Director, Old Mutual International, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best International Fund Group
Quilter Investors
HIGHLY COMMENDED Rathbones
“An outstanding offering from one of the top companies in the sector...”
“Having gone through a recent rebrand, Quilter Investors continues to be a first rate all-rounder,with an impressive international offering..."
www.quilterinvestors.com
Pictured L/R: Sacha Chorley, Portfolio Manager, Quilter Investors with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best International Portfolio Bond
Canada Life International – Premiere Account
HIGHLY COMMENDED Investors Trust Old Mutual International – Wealth Portfolio
“Good to see improvement in digital space. Para-planner support is innovative and [will be] valued by intermediaries....”
“An unrivalled product in this field...”
www.canadalife.co.uk
Pictured L/R: Sean Christian, MD and Executive Director, Wealth Management Division, Canada Life UK, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best International Discretionary Fund Manager
Rathbones
HIGHLY COMMENDED Tilney
“Good company providing strong support for the advisory sector...”
"Winning for the third year in a row, the company has a strong and active presence across Europe, providing extensive support for advisers"
www.rathbones.com
Pictured L/R: Maurice Keane, Managing Director, Rathbones International Business Development, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best Family Office
Wimmer Family Office
“Launched in 2011, Wimmer Family Offcie was an exceptionally strong application, presenting an international business driven by offering a sophisticated choice to the consumer, consistently exhibiting a deep understanding ofthe complexities of the European market.”
www.wfo.am
Pictured L/R: Per Wimmer, CEO Wimmer Family Office with presenter Suzi Ruffell
International Campaign of the Year
RL360
HIGHLY COMMENDED Finance Isle of Man – Isle of Man for Life Old Mutual International
“The company has put in efforts and resources for advisers to fully understand and promote its products...”
“RL360 consistently excel in their blend of strong design and clear messages...”
www.rl360.com
Pictured L/R: Nigel Danzelman, Marketing Services & Communications Manager, RL360, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Excellence in Private Banking
Standard Bank Offshore Group Limited (SBOG)
“I like the approach of providing well known and well regulated business and product across the African continent..."
standardbank.com
Pictured L/R: Sanshia Tumblety, Head of Banking Propositions, Standard Bank, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best Fintech Innovation
deVere Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED SharingAlpha
“I like their focus on providing services that global investors expect without added excessive cost e.g. exchange rates...”
“Putting fintech at the heart of their business as the industry changes has helped deVere stand out from the pack...”
www.devere-group.com
Pictured L/R: Nigel Green, CEO deVere Group with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Excellence in Fintech
HIGHLY COMMENDED Investors Trust
“I like the ability for stakeholders to communicate as well as constant updating for compliance. OMI's community involvement is noteworthy....”
“They are navigating well in this growth space..."
Best International Savings Plan
Canada Life International – Offshore Savings Account
HIGHLY COMMENDED Zurich International Life – Zurich International Life Pension Plan
“I like this proposition. Put quite simply the market leader...”
“A first rate proposition with good customer value.”
Best International Life Group (UK)
Canada Life International
HIGHLY COMMENDED Utmost Wealth Solutions
“Strong online delivery and clear market-leader in terms of annual growth and UK sales..."
“Winners in this category five out of the last six years for a reason. A very impressive entry...”
Best International Life Group (Non-UK)
Zurich International Life
HIGHLY COMMENDED RL360
“Inclusion of protection a big differentiator. Tends to be very focussed on Middle East, rather than wider jurisdictions but overall a very impressive player...
Pictured L/R: Walter Jopp, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East, to Zurich International Life, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best International Protection Plan (Life)
Old Mutual International – Silk Life Plan
HIGHLY COMMENDED Canada Life International – CanProtect Whole of Life
“A strong and active presence across Europe, providing extensive support for advisers. This is one of a host of quality products on offer from this excellent company...”
Pictured L/R: Marle Coetzee, Head of Portfolio Bond Pricing & Illustrations, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best International Private Health Insurance Provider
Aetna International
HIGHLY COMMENDED Now Health International
“Aetna continues to be a market leader in international medical insurance...” “Consistently proven to be a safe place for individuals, families and companies to place their medical insurance...”
“Despite their size as one of the biggest providers of international private medical insurance, Aetna are able to provide a personal touch to their members and sustain a high level of customer service levels...”
www.aetnainternational.com
Pictured L/R: Vicky Dymoke, Marketing Director – Europe, Aetna International, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Best International Trust and Estate Planning
Canada Life International – The Wealth Preservation Account
HIGHLY COMMENDED Old Mutual International – Tailored Trust
“An indispensable tool to support education needs of the next generation...” “A nice product using technology and life insurance...”
“Strong online delivery and clear market-leader in terms of annual growth and UK sales...”
Excellence in Client Service, Advisers
This new award was one that was decided via a mix of votes submitted by readers of International Investment alongside our judges votes. Regional winners are below with one winner (see right) selected overall.
Holborn Assets
HIGHLY COMMENDED deVere Group
Regional winners (pictured above): Lat Am – Aiva; Australia – Atlas Wealth Management ; Europe – deVere Group; Middle East and Asia – Holborn Assets; UK – Partners Wealth Management
www.holbornassets.co.uk
Pictured L/R: Riyad Adamou, chief commercial officer, Holborn Assets. with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Sponsored by
Excellence in Advisory Best Practice
Abacus Financial Consultants
HIGHLY COMMENDED The Fry Group
"A vastly experienced team that combine to make Abacus the stand out proposition for Excellence in Advisory Best Practice..."
Regional winners (picured above): Asia – The Fry Group; Middle East – Abacus Financial Consultants; Africa – VFS International; Europe – deVere Group; UK – The Fry Group
www.abacus.ae
Pictured L/R: Con Lillis, Managing Director, Abacus Financial Consultants, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Excellence in Client Service, Industry
This new award was one that was decided via a mix of votes submitted by the advisory world and readers of International Investment alongside our judges votes. Regional winners are below with one winner (see right) selected overall.
Hansard
“A champion of IFAs across a broad international spectrum...”
Regional winners (pictured above) : Asia – RL360; Europe – Dolfin; Lat Am – Hansard; Middle East – Old Mutual International; UK – Utmost Wealth Solutions
www.hansard.com
Pictured L/R: Kevin Ledsham, Global Key Account Manager, Hansard, with presenter Suzi Ruffell
Emerging Talent of the Year
Riyad Adamou, Holborn Assets
HIGHLY COMMENDED Carl David Turner, Infinity Financial Solutions
“Riyad's rise to prominence in international financial services makes him a very worthy recipient of this award…”
This award was one that was decided via a mix of votes submitted by readers of International Investment alongside our judges votes.
Personality of the Year
Nigel Green, deVere Group
JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED Trevor Keidan, Infinity Financial Solutions Nigel Sillitoe of Insight Discovery
“CEO of one of the world's largest independent financial consultancies, he has led the company's growth from one single office to well over 70 offices around the world in just 14 years. Outspoken, he is often as controversial as he is inspirational...”
PhotograPhic highlights
The night in pictures
THE NIGHT IN PICTURES
Click L-R through a gallery of photos taken from this very special event held in the historic Gibson Hall in the City on 16 October 2019.
Highlights from our 20th anniversary event
