2013 FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards Winners Announced

2013 FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards Winners Announced

LONDON, June 13, 2013: The Financial Times and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today announced the winners of the 2013 FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards, with M-KOPA of Kenya winning the Award for Excellence in Sustainable Finance, Banco Santander taking the Sustainable Global Bank of the Year transaction prize, and Impax Asset Management of the UK recognised as Sustainable Investor of the Year.

The FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards, now in their eighth year, have established themselves as the world’s leading awards for environmentally and socially responsible banking and investment. The 2013 Awards attracted a record 254 entries from 164 financial institutions and 57 non-financial groups in 61 countries.

The awards were presented at a special dinner in London attended by around 200 senior decision-makers in finance and sustainability. Jim O’Neill, former chief economist and head of asset management at Goldman Sachs, was keynote speaker at the dinner. The event followed a one-day Sustainable Finance Conference organised by the Financial Times and IFC.

The 2013 winners and special commendations in each category are:

Sustainable Bank of the Year

Regional winner Africa/Middle East: Standard Bank, South Africa

Special Commendation for Leadership in the Middle East: Bank of Palestine

Regional winner Americas: Banco Santander Brasil, Brazil

Regional winner Asia/Pacific: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Japan

Regional winner Europe: GLS Bank, Germany

Special Commendation for Leadership in Eastern Europe: Center-Invest Bank, Russia

Sustainable Global Bank of the Year (transactional): Banco Santander, Spain

Sustainable Investor of the Year

Winner: Impax Asset Management, UK

Special Commendation: LeapFrog Investments, Australia

Sustainable Investment of the Year

Winner: WHEB Partners and Resysta International, Germany

Technology in Sustainable Finance

Winner: M-KOPA, Kenya

Special Commendation: Etisalat, UAE

Achievement in Inclusive Business

Joint Winners: Kenya Tea Development Agency, and Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Colombia

Achievement in Impact Investing (special award supported by UK Department for International Development)

Winner: Root Capital, USA

Excellence in Sustainable Finance

Winner: M-KOPA, Kenya

“This year’s short-listed entries were among the most diverse we have had, particularly in the areas of technology and inclusive business. The winners really are leading the way in their respective fields and we congratulate them,” said Martin Dickson, US Managing Editor of the Financial Times and co-chair of the awards judging panel.

"I’m excited that these awards provide us with the opportunity to continue to identify and reward the most innovative companies committed to leadership in sustainability as well as those dedicated to serving and integrating the economic base of the pyramid. The winners are finding transformational and profitable ways that are both replicable and scalable to help improve the lives of millions around the world," said Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC Vice President, Business Advisory Services, said.

The judging panel consisted of:

Martin Dickson, US Managing Editor, Financial Times (co-chair)

Nena Stoiljkovic, Vice President, Business Advisory Services, IFC (co-chair)

Fabio Barbosa, CEO, Grupo Abril

James Cameron, Non-Executive Chairman, Climate Change Capital

James Gifford, Executive Director, UN PRI

David Harris, Director, FTSE ESG

Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO, Women’s World Banking

Chris Locke, Managing Director, GSMA Development Fund

PwC was technical advisor for the programme.

For more details on the FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Conference and Awards, please visit www.ft-live.com/sustainablefinance

Pictures of both events will be available on that website from 0900 hours (GMT) the following day.

ENDS

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