Recognises excellence in active management, including consistent alpha generation and thoughtful investment stewardship.

Judged on:

• Performance vs benchmarks
• Active share and portfolio conviction
• Research quality and depth
• Stewardship and engagement
• Risk-adjusted results

Celebrates a firm excelling across alternative asset classes, including hedge funds, private markets, or real assets.

Judged on:

• Performance and risk profile
• Breadth of alternatives offering
• Client access and education
• Innovation in structure or access
• Governance and operational strength

Celebrates excellence in servicing family offices with tailored strategies, discretion, and intergenerational wealth planning.

Judged on:

• Customisation and service model
• Investment strategy and performance
• Relationship longevity
• Governance support and reporting
• Client testimonials or endorsements

Recognises excellence in managing digital asset funds with a focus on structure, strategy, and investor confidence.

Judged on:

• Fund structure and custody
• Strategy design and clarity
• Risk management and security
• Regulatory alignment
• Performance and transparency
  

Honours a manager with strong performance in global equities, underpinned by research depth and stock selection discipline.

Judged on:

• Benchmark-relative performance
• Investment research quality
• ESG integration and stewardship
• Portfolio construction
• Global market expertise

Celebrates a hedge fund or absolute return strategy delivering consistent risk-adjusted performance with effective diversification.

Judged on:

• Risk-adjusted performance
• Strategy design and execution
• Innovation and diversification
• Transparency and reporting
• Fund stability and governance

Recognises a leading infrastructure investment strategy that combines long-term value with strategic economic or ESG impact.

Judged on:

• Asset selection and deployment
• Long-term return profile
• Contribution to economic development or ESG goals
• Risk controls and governance
• Innovation in structuring or partnerships

Recognises a firm excelling in multi-asset portfolio construction and delivering consistent results through diversified strategies.

Judged on:

• Asset allocation approach
• Consistency of returns across market cycles
• Downside protection and volatility control
• Investment philosophy and team expertise
• Client communication and education

This flagship award recognises the asset manager that has demonstrated exceptional overall performance, innovation, and client service across various asset classes in the Middle East. The winner will have established the standard for excellence in the region.

Judged on:

• Multi-year fund performance across strategies
• Growth in assets under management and client base
• Innovation and differentiation in offerings
• Client satisfaction and retention
• Regional presence and influence

Honours a firm delivering efficient, low-cost access to markets through index-based or systematic strategies.

Judged on:

• Tracking error and cost efficiency
• Strategy transparency
• Scale and distribution
• Innovation in passive design
• Client satisfaction and adoption

Honours an asset manager with a leading private credit strategy, combining credit discipline with attractive, risk-adjusted income generation.

Judged on:

• Yield and credit performance
• Origination capabilities and deal flow
• Risk management and portfolio diversification
• Borrower relationships and due diligence
• Market relevance and investor demand

Honouring excellence in private equity investing, this award is presented to the manager who delivers value through disciplined investment selection, execution, and exits. 

Judged on:

• IRR and realised returns
• Deal sourcing and execution quality
• Sector or geographic specialisation
• Portfolio company performance and exits
• Innovation in fund structuring

Awarded to the asset manager demonstrating excellence in real estate strategy, asset management, and long-term value creation.

Judged on:

• Portfolio performance and income
• Acquisition or development strategy
• Asset quality and management
• Market timing and location insight
• Sustainability and ESG considerations

Recognises a specialised strategy focused on the Middle East, delivering strong performance and market insight.

Judged on:

• Regional market insight and expertise
• Strategy performance and consistency
• Contribution to regional market development
• Client interest and take-up
• ESG or policy relevance, where applicable

Judged on:

• Application of AI across functions
• Governance and transparency
• Measurable performance or efficiency gains
• Ethical use and data handling
• Innovation leadership
  
  
  

Recognises technology-led improvements that enhance investment operations, decision-making, or the client experience.

Judged on:

• Operational impact
• Cost and efficiency benefits
• Innovation and scalability
• User or client outcomes
• Integration with investment or service model

  
  

Recognises a game-changing investment product or strategy that demonstrates originality, strong uptake, and investor value.

Judged on:

• Product differentiation and innovation
• Market need addressed
• Commercial success or uptake
• Scalability and structure
• Risk controls and investor alignment

Judged on:

• ESG integration into the investment process
• Sustainability outcomes and reporting
• Innovation in engagement or product design
• Independent ESG ratings or certifications
• Stewardship and governance practices
  
  

Recognises excellence in the development and delivery of Shariah-compliant investment strategies that meet performance and religious standards.

Judged on:

• Shariah screening and compliance
• Strategy performance and appeal
• Governance and certification
• Investor access and education
• Innovation in structure or delivery
  

Judged on:

• Performance vs benchmark and peers
• Volatility and downside protection
• Manager tenure and consistency
  
• Investment process transparency
  
• Fund size and investor base
  
  
  
  

Recognises a young or emerging firm with high potential, innovation, and growing influence in the region.

Judged on:

• Early performance and momentum
• Differentiation and strategic focus
• Growth in assets or client base
• Market engagement or thought leadership
• Investor testimonials or recognition

Judged on:

• Career achievements and firm impact
• Industry visibility and influence
• Mentorship and inclusion efforts
  
• Innovation or transformation led
  
• Peer or stakeholder endorsements

Judged on:

• Business impact and results
• Vision and execution
• Innovation leadership
  
• Team and talent development
  
• Industry recognition  

Judged on:

• Team outcomes and contributions
• Collaboration and communication
• Culture and leadership
  
• Internal and external recognition
  
• Alignment with firm goals

Judged on:

• Role performance and initiative
• Growth and development
• Innovation or fresh thinking
  
• Endorsements from leaders or peers
  
• Industry involvement or visibility