> UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP: MOST INNOVATIVE RESEARCH INSTITUTION EUROPE 2019
The University of Antwerp fuels cutting-edge research with innovative educational offerings and collaborative partnerships. Over 20,000 students contribute to scientific research through its 17 Research and Innovation Centres. Research domains range from socioeconomic policy and globalisation to genomics, infectious diseases, and sustainable development. The university disseminates 3,650 scientific publications per year to highlight researchers’ work and promote the free exchange of knowledge. It casts a wide net for corporate and academic partners to
create an ecosystem of collaborative research opportunities that extends well beyond Flemish borders. In one flagship project, the university unites students with a network of hospitals to study tropical diseases — starting with a strong focus on microbiology — and bring vaccinations quicker to market. In December, it launched a joint project to establish the Antwerp Biobank, a facility which processes and stores human bodily samples for scientific research. It anticipates cutting the ribbon this spring on the innovation hub, Blue App, which aims to scale
the university’s research projects in sustainable chemistry. The university inspires young people to focus on passion projects with the power to positively impact quality of life. In September, three of the university’s research students were awarded prestigious starting grants from the European Research Council — a testament to the high calibre of scientific research for which the university is known. For these reasons and more, the CFI.co judging panel presents the University of Antwerp with the 2019 award for Most Innovative Research Institution (Europe).
> ICBC DUBAI (DIFC) BRANCH: MOST INNOVATIVE INTERNATIONAL BANK EMEA 2019
For over a decade, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has been contributing to the development of the Middle East from its branch in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). As a part of the ICBC family, the Dubai (DIFC) Branch benefits from a network covering 48 countries and a customer base including 7 million global corporates and 600 million individual clients. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch has made headway on the “Belt and Road Initiative” by fortifying trade exchanges between China and the Middle East. The bank
has funded flagship projects, like the world’s largest solar thermal power plant and the first Middle Eastern clean-coal power plant. It mobilises resources and coordinates between project investors and operators in the search for innovative financing solutions. The bank has customised products to meet the targeted financing needs for big-name clients, like the Emirates National Oil Company. ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch investigates — and invests in — fintech advances for the most efficient future. Its inhouse platform manages global
financial market operations according to a parametric, modular configuration that enables direct connectivity between middle and backoffice applications. Innovation is at the heart of ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch, and employees are encouraged to stoke their imagination — and fuel the future development of the institution — in annual branch-wide innovation contests. The CFI.co judging panel has recognised the bank in previous programmes and is pleased to present ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch with the 2019 award for Most Innovative International Bank (EMEA).
> THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY: BEST CORPORATE TREASURY MANAGEMENT TEAM UNITED STATES 2019
One of the world’s most beloved entertainment brands, the Walt Disney Company has a storied past nearly a century long. What began as a family-owned cartoon studio has grown into a multinational publicly-traded company spanning four segments: Media Networks; Parks, Experiences and Products; Studio Entertainment; and Direct-to-Consumer and International. The company is home to creative spirits and tech superstars who bring storytelling to life — and financial experts who are next-level mages in matters of money. Disney’s Corporate Treasury Department is responsible 88
for billions in working capital, financing, foreign currency exposure, and retirement assets. A team of experienced financing, financial risk, and investment managers strives to keep the company on a sound fiscal footing. The department experiences low turnover and high engagement, with regular opportunities for employees to cross train and sharpen skills. The enduring stability of the team encourages long-term relationships with rating agencies based on honesty and integrity. The Walt Disney Company can chalk up 2019 as a milestone year of transformation, and the CFI.co | Capital Finance International
treasury team was instrumental. The Company strengthened its offerings with the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which follows on Disney’s prior acquisitions of Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), and Lucasfilm (2012). This top-tier selection of exclusive content bodes well for the company’s recently launched streaming service, Disney+. The CFI.co judging panel notes that business is booming across the brand — leading the judges to present The Walt Disney Company with the 2019 award for Best Corporate Treasury Management Team (United States).