The European Pensions Awards 2010 consisted of 21 categories plus 4 special awards:
General categories
1) European Pensions Consultancy of the Year
Awarded to the pensions/investment/actuarial consultancy firm that the judges believe has delivered outstanding service to its pension fund clients in the last year, has shown a dedication to the delivery of pension scheme consultancy in its respective market, has demonstrated a superior understanding of the market's needs and has shown a commitment to helping clients through the pensions maze.
2010 winner: Lane Clark & Peacock
2010 highly commended: bfinance
2) Investment Manager of the Year
This award will recognise excellence in investment management at one of the most challenging times in European pensions history. When rising longevity rates coupled with investment market turmoil has put the pressure on investment managers to perform, innovation, dedication, sophistication and foresight have become the essential tenets of any investment manager hoping to succeed.
2010 Winner: M&G Investments
2010 highly commended: BlackRock
3) Equities Manager of the Year
This award will celebrate those managers who have led the way in managing equities in the past 12 months. The winner who is finally chosen will be the firm that has proved itself to be the most exceptional player of all entrants in the industry with its excellence in managing equities, and has proved itself truly invaluable to European pension funds today.
2010 Winner: BlackRock
2010 highly commended: RCM
4) Fixed Income Manager of the Year
European pension funds rely on fixed income for a reliable revenue stream, and as a result the fixed income market is now as diverse and sophisticated as any other. This award will recognise managers that offer a real specialisation in this key area and can offer their European pension clients a variety of solutions to meet the ever changing market conditions.
2010 Winner: Insight Investment
2010 highly commended: Henderson
5) Alternatives Investment Manager of the Year
As alternatives play an ever greater role in the majority of European pension fund portfolios, this category aims to reward the leaders in the provision of hedge funds, hedge funds of funds, private equity funds, commodities and other alternative investment classes. The winner will be the nominee that has proved itself the best of the best in their field and has shown a commitment to the European pensions market with its product offerings. Please note we have a separate category for property investment (please see below).
2010 Winner: HSBC
6) Property Manager of the Year
Property has gained true recognition as an essential asset class for pension funds across Europe seeking to diversify their portfolios, with managers seeking out returns from both the traditional and less accessible property market across the world. This award will recognise those managers that have proved themselves in the field of property investment, have shown innovation in their product offerings, and have displayed an excellence and consistency in their management of this diverse and exciting asset class.
2010 Winner: Threadneedle
7) Emerging Markets Manager of the Year
Seeking out potential in the less developed markets is a challenging role at which only the best can succeed; yet for those that do, the rewards for European pension funds investing in this area can be great. This award recognises those managers that have shown a dedication to the emerging markets space with a view to achieving performance often in areas where information flow is in short supply.
2010 Winner: BlackRock
2010 highly commended: HSBC Global Asset Management
8) Risk Management Firm of the Year
Effective risk management is now high up on the agenda for European pension funds bearing the burdens of increased risk, more stringent regulation, and a brighter spotlight on governance. We reward those firms that have assisted European pension funds in their quest for better risk management in this ever unpredictable economic landscape.
2010 Winner: Mercer
9) Currency Manager of the Year
Currency plays an increasingly important and diverse role in the pension fund portfolios today. This category will highlight those currency managers who have displayed a capability and an expertise in this sector.
2010 Winner: Investec Asset Management
10) LDI Manager of the Year
As longevity increases and markets continue to be unpredictable, Liability Driven Investment (LDI) has become one of the most popular buzzwords in pension scheme investment in today’s market. We reward those players who have excelled in their LDI offerings in an effort to assist European pension funds better match their assets with their liabilitiesgoing forward.
2010 Winner: Insight Investment
11) Index Provider of the Year
Indices are undoubtedly an essential tool for pension funds in the European space. This award will recognise those index providers offering the highest quality of relevant products and excellent service to European pension funds today.
2010 Winner: MSCI Barra
12) SRI Provider of the Year
European pension funds are becoming increasingly aware of the impact Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) can have on their portfolio returns. This award will recognise the leaders in this significant and increasingly sophisticated market.
2010 Winner: Aviva Investors
2010 highly commended: F&C Asset Management
13) Multi-Manager of the Year
The roles of the multi-manager and the manager of manager have become essential in the European Pensions space, helping European pension funds seek out the most appropriate managers to meet their needs from a range of offerings across the world. Our judges will be looking for the elite in this growing market of expertise.
2010 Winner: TKP Investments (AEGON)
14) Fiduciary Management / Delegated Consultancy Firm of the Year
The concept of Fiduciary Management has taken the Dutch pensions market by storm, and is now penetrating other parts of Europe. This award will commend those firms that have led the way in the fiduciary management space, tailoring their offerings to today's pension funds' needs.
2010 Winner: TKP Investments (AEGON)
2010 highly commended: Mn Services
15) European Pensions Law Firm of the Year
Many legal firms across Europe offer services for pension funds, but not all show a dedication to understanding the complexities facing pension funds in these challenging times. This award will award the firm that stands out in its dedication to understanding the complexities of pensions legislation, and works with its clients to see them through the legal maze.
2010 Winner: Allen & Overy
16) Custodian of the Year
The role of the Pension Fund Custodian is an ever changing one, as products and services evolve to match changing pension fund needs. This award will recognise those custodians that have proved themselves as leaders in this market with their excellence, innovation and dedication to meeting their European pension funds’ demands in today’s market.
2010 Winner: BNY Mellon Asset Servicing
17) Transition Management Firm of the YearThe role of the transition manager has become more acute as pension funds seek help in negotiating the minefield of moving to more complex investment strategies in order to meet increasing market demands. This award will reward those firms that have proved themselves experts in the transition management space and are a cut above the rest. Please click here to enter this category.
2010 Winner: BlackRock
18) Pension Provider of the Year
This award aims to recognise those providers (including life companies, investment companies etc) providing pensions and operating in the European pensions space. Judges will be looking for those firms that offer quality, relevant and (where necessary) innovative products in today's European pensions market.
2010 Winner: AEGON Global Pensions
19) Buyout firm of the Year
This award aims to recognise those providers offering buy-out and buy-in solutions to pension schemes today.
2010 Winner: This is a new category launched this year
20) Pension Scheme Administrator of the Year
The key role of the administrator is often overlooked but without an excellent administration service the pension fund member could not receive the level of service they deserve. This award recognises those administration firms that have gone beyond the minimum standards required to offer a truly value added service to their clients.
2010 Winner: JLT Benefit Solutions
2010 highly commended: Royal Mail
21) Pensions Technology Provider of the Year
Effective and reliable pensions technology is essential for the successful running of any pension fund. This award will recognise those firms that are leaders in the field of pensions technology, and ultimately reward who is the best of the best.
2010 Winner: PensionsFirst Analytics
Special categories
22) Pooling Award of the Year
Pensions / Risk pooling is currently one of the hottest topics in the European pensions space. This award will recognise those firms that have proved themselves to be leaders in the areas of pensions pooling / asset pooling / risk pooling, cross border or otherwise.
2010 Winner: AEGON Global Pensions
23) European Pensions Innovation Award 2010
This award will recognise those firms that have brought innovation to the pensions market-place, be it through a particular product, service offering or overall business approach. This is a new category launched this year, designed in response to the market volatilty and to recognise those firms that have responded to market pressures with originality and creativity.
2010 Winner: PensionsFirst Analytics
24) European Pensions Communication Award 2010
This award will recognise those firms that have used innovation and/or creativity to help improve pensions communication, be it through a particular product, service offering or overall business approach.
2010 Winner: Ferrier Pearce
25) European Pensions Personality of the Year
The European Pensions ‘Personality of the Year’ award, nominated by our readers, aims to recognise those individuals that have truly made their mark in the European pensions space in recent years. Nominees can include anyone who has had an influential role in the European pension sphere - be they a government representative, someone from a pensions association, someone working for a service provider (such as an asset manager or a consultant), or someone working for a pension fund.
2010 Winner: Gary Smith, Senior Investment Consultant, Towers Watson
General categories
1) European Pensions Consultancy of the Year
Awarded to the pensions/investment/actuarial consultancy firm that the judges believe has delivered outstanding service to its pension fund clients in the last year, has shown a dedication to the delivery of pension scheme consultancy in its respective market, has demonstrated a superior understanding of the market's needs and has shown a commitment to helping clients through the pensions maze.
2010 winner: Lane Clark & Peacock
2010 highly commended: bfinance
2) Investment Manager of the Year
This award will recognise excellence in investment management at one of the most challenging times in European pensions history. When rising longevity rates coupled with investment market turmoil has put the pressure on investment managers to perform, innovation, dedication, sophistication and foresight have become the essential tenets of any investment manager hoping to succeed.
2010 Winner: M&G Investments
2010 highly commended: BlackRock
3) Equities Manager of the Year
This award will celebrate those managers who have led the way in managing equities in the past 12 months. The winner who is finally chosen will be the firm that has proved itself to be the most exceptional player of all entrants in the industry with its excellence in managing equities, and has proved itself truly invaluable to European pension funds today.
2010 Winner: BlackRock
2010 highly commended: RCM
4) Fixed Income Manager of the Year
European pension funds rely on fixed income for a reliable revenue stream, and as a result the fixed income market is now as diverse and sophisticated as any other. This award will recognise managers that offer a real specialisation in this key area and can offer their European pension clients a variety of solutions to meet the ever changing market conditions.
2010 Winner: Insight Investment
2010 highly commended: Henderson
5) Alternatives Investment Manager of the Year
As alternatives play an ever greater role in the majority of European pension fund portfolios, this category aims to reward the leaders in the provision of hedge funds, hedge funds of funds, private equity funds, commodities and other alternative investment classes. The winner will be the nominee that has proved itself the best of the best in their field and has shown a commitment to the European pensions market with its product offerings. Please note we have a separate category for property investment (please see below).
2010 Winner: HSBC
6) Property Manager of the Year
Property has gained true recognition as an essential asset class for pension funds across Europe seeking to diversify their portfolios, with managers seeking out returns from both the traditional and less accessible property market across the world. This award will recognise those managers that have proved themselves in the field of property investment, have shown innovation in their product offerings, and have displayed an excellence and consistency in their management of this diverse and exciting asset class.
2010 Winner: Threadneedle
7) Emerging Markets Manager of the Year
Seeking out potential in the less developed markets is a challenging role at which only the best can succeed; yet for those that do, the rewards for European pension funds investing in this area can be great. This award recognises those managers that have shown a dedication to the emerging markets space with a view to achieving performance often in areas where information flow is in short supply.
2010 Winner: BlackRock
2010 highly commended: HSBC Global Asset Management
8) Risk Management Firm of the Year
Effective risk management is now high up on the agenda for European pension funds bearing the burdens of increased risk, more stringent regulation, and a brighter spotlight on governance. We reward those firms that have assisted European pension funds in their quest for better risk management in this ever unpredictable economic landscape.
2010 Winner: Mercer
9) Currency Manager of the Year
Currency plays an increasingly important and diverse role in the pension fund portfolios today. This category will highlight those currency managers who have displayed a capability and an expertise in this sector.
2010 Winner: Investec Asset Management
10) LDI Manager of the Year
As longevity increases and markets continue to be unpredictable, Liability Driven Investment (LDI) has become one of the most popular buzzwords in pension scheme investment in today’s market. We reward those players who have excelled in their LDI offerings in an effort to assist European pension funds better match their assets with their liabilitiesgoing forward.
2010 Winner: Insight Investment
11) Index Provider of the Year
Indices are undoubtedly an essential tool for pension funds in the European space. This award will recognise those index providers offering the highest quality of relevant products and excellent service to European pension funds today.
2010 Winner: MSCI Barra
12) SRI Provider of the Year
European pension funds are becoming increasingly aware of the impact Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) can have on their portfolio returns. This award will recognise the leaders in this significant and increasingly sophisticated market.
2010 Winner: Aviva Investors
2010 highly commended: F&C Asset Management
13) Multi-Manager of the Year
The roles of the multi-manager and the manager of manager have become essential in the European Pensions space, helping European pension funds seek out the most appropriate managers to meet their needs from a range of offerings across the world. Our judges will be looking for the elite in this growing market of expertise.
2010 Winner: TKP Investments (AEGON)
14) Fiduciary Management / Delegated Consultancy Firm of the Year
The concept of Fiduciary Management has taken the Dutch pensions market by storm, and is now penetrating other parts of Europe. This award will commend those firms that have led the way in the fiduciary management space, tailoring their offerings to today's pension funds' needs.
2010 Winner: TKP Investments (AEGON)
2010 highly commended: Mn Services
15) European Pensions Law Firm of the Year
Many legal firms across Europe offer services for pension funds, but not all show a dedication to understanding the complexities facing pension funds in these challenging times. This award will award the firm that stands out in its dedication to understanding the complexities of pensions legislation, and works with its clients to see them through the legal maze.
2010 Winner: Allen & Overy
16) Custodian of the Year
The role of the Pension Fund Custodian is an ever changing one, as products and services evolve to match changing pension fund needs. This award will recognise those custodians that have proved themselves as leaders in this market with their excellence, innovation and dedication to meeting their European pension funds’ demands in today’s market.
2010 Winner: BNY Mellon Asset Servicing
17) Transition Management Firm of the YearThe role of the transition manager has become more acute as pension funds seek help in negotiating the minefield of moving to more complex investment strategies in order to meet increasing market demands. This award will reward those firms that have proved themselves experts in the transition management space and are a cut above the rest. Please click here to enter this category.
2010 Winner: BlackRock
18) Pension Provider of the Year
This award aims to recognise those providers (including life companies, investment companies etc) providing pensions and operating in the European pensions space. Judges will be looking for those firms that offer quality, relevant and (where necessary) innovative products in today's European pensions market.
2010 Winner: AEGON Global Pensions
19) Buyout firm of the Year
This award aims to recognise those providers offering buy-out and buy-in solutions to pension schemes today.
2010 Winner: This is a new category launched this year
20) Pension Scheme Administrator of the Year
The key role of the administrator is often overlooked but without an excellent administration service the pension fund member could not receive the level of service they deserve. This award recognises those administration firms that have gone beyond the minimum standards required to offer a truly value added service to their clients.
2010 Winner: JLT Benefit Solutions
2010 highly commended: Royal Mail
21) Pensions Technology Provider of the Year
Effective and reliable pensions technology is essential for the successful running of any pension fund. This award will recognise those firms that are leaders in the field of pensions technology, and ultimately reward who is the best of the best.
2010 Winner: PensionsFirst Analytics
Special categories
22) Pooling Award of the Year
Pensions / Risk pooling is currently one of the hottest topics in the European pensions space. This award will recognise those firms that have proved themselves to be leaders in the areas of pensions pooling / asset pooling / risk pooling, cross border or otherwise.
2010 Winner: AEGON Global Pensions
23) European Pensions Innovation Award 2010
This award will recognise those firms that have brought innovation to the pensions market-place, be it through a particular product, service offering or overall business approach. This is a new category launched this year, designed in response to the market volatilty and to recognise those firms that have responded to market pressures with originality and creativity.
2010 Winner: PensionsFirst Analytics
24) European Pensions Communication Award 2010
This award will recognise those firms that have used innovation and/or creativity to help improve pensions communication, be it through a particular product, service offering or overall business approach.
2010 Winner: Ferrier Pearce
25) European Pensions Personality of the Year
The European Pensions ‘Personality of the Year’ award, nominated by our readers, aims to recognise those individuals that have truly made their mark in the European pensions space in recent years. Nominees can include anyone who has had an influential role in the European pension sphere - be they a government representative, someone from a pensions association, someone working for a service provider (such as an asset manager or a consultant), or someone working for a pension fund.
2010 Winner: Gary Smith, Senior Investment Consultant, Towers Watson