CATEGORIES

Firm Level Awards

Best Active Asset Manager of the Year

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

Best Alternatives Asset Manager of the Year

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

Best Asset Manager for Family Offices of the Year

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

Best Multi-Asset Asset Manager of the Year

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

Best Overall Asset Manager of the Year

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

Best Passive Asset Manager of the Year

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

Best Newcomer or Emerging Asset Manager of the Year

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

Best ETF Provider of the Year

Recognises the ETF provider that has demonstrated excellence in product innovation, investor outcomes, asset growth and commitment to serving institutional and intermediary investors across the Middle East.

Judged on:

Product innovation and range
Asset growth and market presence
Investment performance and investor outcomes
Client engagement and education
Contribution to the development of the ETF market

Asset class and strategy awards

Best International Equities Asset Manager of the Year

Recognises an international equities asset manager that has delivered strong investment performance, demonstrated investment excellence and achieved meaningful growth in the Middle East market.

Judged on:

Investment performance and consistency
Strength of investment philosophy and process
Business growth and client acquisition
Innovation in products and solutions
Commitment to clients in the Middle East

Best Regional Equities Asset Manager of the Year

Recognises an asset manager specialising in regional equities that has demonstrated outstanding investment capabilities, delivered strong client outcomes and made a significant contribution to regional capital markets.

Judged on:

Investment performance and consistency
Depth of regional market expertise
Innovation in investment strategies
Client service and engagement
Contribution to regional market development

Best Regional Fixed Income Asset Manager of the Year

Celebrates a fixed income asset manager who has demonstrated excellence in managing regional debt strategies, delivering strong investment outcomes while navigating evolving market conditions across the Middle East.

Judged on:

Investment performance and consistency
Depth of regional fixed income expertise
Strength of investment process and risk management
Innovation in fixed income products and solutions
Client service, business growth and market impact

Best International Fixed Income Asset Manager of the Year

Recognises an international fixed income asset manager that has demonstrated excellence in investment performance, risk management and client service for investors in the Middle East.

Judged on:

Investment performance relative to objectives
Risk-adjusted returns and portfolio management
Strength of investment process
Innovation in fixed income solutions
Client service and market engagement

Best Hedge Fund Strategy of the Year

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

Best International Infrastructure Asset Manager of the Year

Recognises an international infrastructure asset manager that has demonstrated excellence in sourcing, managing and delivering infrastructure investments while generating attractive outcomes for investors.

Judged on:

Investment performance and value creation
Quality and diversity of infrastructure investments
Portfolio management and risk oversight
Sustainability and long-term impact
Client engagement and business growth

Best Regional Infrastructure Asset Manager of the Year

Recognises a regional infrastructure asset manager that has demonstrated leadership in infrastructure investing, delivering strong investor outcomes and supporting economic development across the region.

Judged on:

Investment performance and value creation
Regional expertise and market knowledge
Quality of infrastructure assets and projects
Sustainability and long-term impact
Client relationships and market presence

Best Digital Assets Initiative of the Year

Recognises an asset manager, asset owner, financial institution or service provider that has demonstrated innovation and leadership in the development, implementation or adoption of digital assets, delivering tangible benefits for investors, clients or the wider financial ecosystem.

Judged on:

Innovation and originality of the initiative
Strategic impact and market significance
Implementation and execution
Benefits delivered to clients, investors or stakeholders
Potential for scalability and long-term growth

Most Innovative Investment Strategy or Product of the Year

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

Best Private Debt Manager of the Year

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

Best Private Equity Manager of the Year

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

Best Private Real Estate Manager of the Year

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

Best Sustainable Investment Strategy of the Year

Honours the asset manager with the most impactful and integrated ESG or sustainable investment strategy — across public or private markets — with a clear sustainability thesis and measurable outcomes.

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

Best Wealth Management / Private Bank Partnership of the Year

Recognises a successful partnership between an asset manager and a wealth management firm or private bank that has delivered exceptional outcomes for clients and demonstrated a collaborative approach to growth.

Judged on:

Strength and effectiveness of the partnership
Client outcomes and satisfaction
Innovation in products or solutions
Business growth and commercial success
Long-term strategic value of the relationship