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