‘Leading’ businesses honoured at FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards 2013

Some of global finance’s most innovative organisations were honoured for their work in sustainability on Thursday evening, as the Financial Times (FT) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) handed out gongs at the 2013 Sustainable Finance Awards.

Among the winners were Impax Asset Management, which scooped the sustainable investor award, and WHEB Partners, which went home with the sustainable investment award for its work with Resysta International of Germany.

Santander (Brazil), GLS Bank (Germany), Standard Bank (South Africa) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (Japan) won regional awards for sustainable banking. Meanwhile, Kenyan solar power provider M-KOPA was honoured for its excellence in sustainable finance – as well as an award for technology in sustainable finance.

Martin Dickson, US managing editor of the Financial Times and co-chair of the awards judging panel, said, “This year’s shortlisted 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.”

Meanwhile, Nena Stoiljkovic, a vice-president at the IFC, described the winners as businesses that were “finding transformational and profitable ways that are both replicable and scalable to help improve the lives of millions around the world.”

The event, which was preceded by a daytime conference, was attended by over 200 senior finance officials from across the world. Former Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O’Neill was keynote speaker at the dinner, which was held at London’s InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane.

Full details of the 2013 winners can be found below.

Sustainable Bank of the Year

Africa/Middle East: Standard Bank, South Africa

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

Americas: Banco Santander Brasil, Brazil

Asia/Pacific: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Japan

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

Impax Asset Management, UK

Special Commendation: LeapFrog Investments, Australia

Sustainable Investment of the Year

WHEB Partners and Resysta International, Germany

Technology in Sustainable Finance

M-KOPA, Kenya

Special Commendation: Etisalat, UAE

Achievement in Inclusive Business

Kenya Tea Development Agency and Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Colombia (joint winners)

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

Root Capital, USA

Excellence in Sustainable Finance

M-KOPA, Kenya

Further reading:

Shortlist revealed for FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards

Speakers announced for FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Conference

Justine Greening and Jim O’Neill confirmed for FT/IFC sustainable finance event

Inspiring innovation in sustainable finance: FT/IFC Conference

The Guide to Sustainable Investment 2013