ENTRY RULES AND CRITERIA

When entering the 2015 Awards, please read through the following criteria for your chosen category (ies), which explain what the judging panel will be looking for when they judge the entries and select the winners.

The judging period for the Awards will be July 2014 - June 2015.

All entry forms should be submitted by Friday August 28, 2015.

The awards will be publicized internationally in the general and hedge fund media. All awards finalists will be honoured — and the winners announced at a lunch on thursday October 22 at the Cipriani, 42nd St, New York.

All winners will also be invited to be interviewed by HFMWeek.

Criteria:

Fund Administration Advisory, Accountancy & Technology Legal Prime Broker

FUND ADMINISTRATION

Best administrator - under $30bn single manager

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, responsible for assets under administration of under $30bn, that have shown growth and innovation over the course of the last 12 months in serving the needs of single managers. Success in this category depends on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as product/brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which displays significant success.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation and description of how market responded to the idea
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - under $30bn fund of hedge funds


This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, responsible for assets under administration of under $30bn, that have shown growth and innovation over the course of the last 12 months in the funds of hedge funds space. Success in this category depends on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as
product/brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which can boast significant success.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation for FoHFs
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - under $30bn overall


This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, responsible for hedge fund assets under administration of under $30bn, that have shown growth and innovation over the course of the last 12 months in both the single manager and fund of hedge funds space. Success depends on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as product/brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which can boast significant success.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation and description of how market responded to the idea
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - over $30bn single manager

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, responsible for assets under administration of over $30bn, that have shown growth and innovation over the course of the last 12 months in serving the needs of single managers. Success in this category depends on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as
product/brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which can boast significant success.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation and description of how market responded to the idea
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - over $30bn fund of hedge funds

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, responsible for assets under administration of over $30bn, that have shown growth and innovation over the course of the last 12 months in the fund of hedge funds space. Success in this category depends on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as product or brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which can boast significant success.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation for FoHFs
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - over $30bn overall

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, responsible for hedge fund assets under administration of over $30bn, that have shown growth and innovation over the course of the last 12 months in both the single manager and fund of hedge funds space. Success in this category depends on a mixture of
customer and revenue growth, as well as new product or brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which can boast significant success.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation and description of how market responded to the idea
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - small and start-up firms

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms that have shown growth and innovation in providing bespoke services to small and recently launched HF management businesses. Success in this category depends on a mix of customer and revenue growth, as well as new product or brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which can boast significant success.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation specifically for small and start-up firms
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administration – technology and reporting

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms that have shown excellence and innovation in reporting and technology services. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how new products – like FormPF, Annex IV, investor transparency and Fatca reporting - and the improvement of existing reporting and technology services have contributed to winning new business and improved the customer experience.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Most innovative fund administrator - under $30bn

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, with assets under administration of under $30bn, that have demonstrated consistent and recent innovation across their suite of products. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how new products and services, as well as the improvement of
the core offering, has helped to meet client need and had a discernible impact on the growth of the business.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Description of new product and services
• Demonstration of improvement of existing services
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Most innovative fund administrator - over $30bn

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, with assets under administration of over $30bn, that have demonstrated consistent and recent innovation across their suite of products. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how new products and services, as well as the improvement of the core offering has helped to meet client need and had a discernible impact on the growth of the business.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Description of new product and services
• Demonstration of improvement of existing services
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - under $30bn client service

This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, with assets under administration of under $30bn, that have managed to consistently exceed the service expectation of their client base. Success in this category depends on providing key examples, backed up by customer testimonials, of how the firm has delivered a high level of customer service.

Criteria:
• Details of approach to customer service
• Examples of problem solving on complex issues
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - over $30bn client service


This award is designed to reward hedge fund administration firms, with assets under administration of over $30bn, that have managed to consistently exceed the service expectation of their client base. Success in this category depends on providing key examples, backed up by customer testimonials, of how the administration firm has delivered a high level of customer service.

Criteria:
• Details of approach to customer service
• Examples of problem solving on complex issues
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best administrator - managed accounts


This award is designed to honor a managed account platform that has proved itself over the past 12 months via client growth and growing assets. Success in this category depends on demonstrating both customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing examples of innovation, diversification and solid performance.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increase in product and investment
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials


ADVISORY, ACCOUNTANCY & TECHNOLOGY


Best middle-office service

This award is designed to reward hedge fund service providers who have made advances in providing middle office services to hedge fund and fund of hedge funds clients. Success in this category depends on providing examples on how a middle-office service has grown in customers and revenue, innovated via new product and ideas and helped to reduce operational risk.

Criteria:
•Commercial success and business growth
•Sales/market share figures
•Demonstrate how the service has made advance in one or
•several of the following areas:
•Trade capture and confirmation
•Reconciliation
•Risk reporting and analysis
•System of record maintenance
•Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best fund accounting and reporting software

This award is designed to honor a firm that has provided excellent service and innovative product development as a provider of outsourced accounting and reporting software solutions for the hedge fund sector. Success in this category depends on demonstrating both customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing examples of how the product has been able to significantly improve the effectiveness of the accounting and reporting systems of a client or clients.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increase in hedge fund clients
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best risk management technology provider

This award is designed to reward hedge fund risk management providers that have shown growth and innovation in providing hedge fund traders, portfolio and risk managers with superior risk, scenarios and portfolio analytics across complex and multi-asset investment portfolios. Success in this category depends on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as product or brand development that demonstrates new thinking and which can boast significant success and positive customer feedback.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increase in hedge fund clients
• Demonstration of product innovation (e.g. support for new asset classes)
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best portfolio management software provider

This award is designed to reward hedge fund PMS providers that have shown growth and innovation in providing hedge fund traders,
portfolio and risk managers with the ability to manage their portfolio and make real time decisions. Success in this category depends
on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as product or brand development that demonstrates new thinking and which can boast significant success and positive customer feedback.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increase in hedge fund clients
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best advisory firm – regulation and compliance


This award is designed to reward compliance professionals that have demonstrated expertise and innovation in providing hedge
fund clients with key regulatory advice. Success in this category depends on a mixture of demonstrating customer and revenue
growth, as well as detailing how new initiatives and compliance products have aided the business over the past 12 months.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increase in hedge fund clients
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Detail specific examples of where advice has helped clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best overall advisory firm

This award is open to entrants across all categories of advisory firm and is designed to honor a firm that has demonstrated the highest level of innovation and customer service. Success in this category depends on demonstrating customer and revenue growth, as well detailing how a new product/initiative, or a particularly excellent example of client consultancy, has aided the business needs of the hedge fund sector.

Criteria:
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Examples of going above and beyond in providing the best advice to clients
• Detail specific examples of how advice has helped clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials


Best marketing and communications consultancy


This award is designed to honour a firm that has demonstrated a genuine ability to manage the media and reputational profile of hedge fund clients. Success in this category depends on demonstrating customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing how advice has represented the best interests of clients.

Criteria:
• Demonstration of client numbers and client wins over the last 12 months
• Specific examples of where advise has aided a client
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials


Best third party marketing firm

This award is designed to honor a firm that has demonstrated a genuine ability to raise capital for its hedge fund clients, as well as well as raising the hedge fund sector’s general profile among institutional and private investors alike. Success in this category depends on demonstrating customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing the success rate in raising assets for clients.

Criteria:
• Demonstration of client numbers and wide investor coverage
• Specific examples of success in raising assets
• Examples quality marketing material produced for clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials


Best PR firm

This award is designed to honor a firm that has demonstrated a genuine ability to manage the media and reputational profile of hedge fund clients. Success in this category depends on demonstrating customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing how advice has represented the best interests of clients.

Criteria:
• Demonstration of client numbers and client wins over the last 12 months
• Specific examples of where advise has aided a client
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best outsourced technology infrastructure provider


This award is designed to honor a firm that has provided an excellent service as a provider of outsourced IT infrastructure solutions for the hedge fund sector. Success in this category depends on demonstrating both customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing examples of how service provision has been able to improve the communication, IT and business development of a client or clients.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increase in hedge fund clients
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Detail specific examples of how advice has helped clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best technology for small and start-up firms

This award is open to entrants across all categories of software provider and is designed to honor a firm that has demonstrated the highest level of innovation and customer service. Success in this category depends on demonstrating customer and revenue growth, as well detailing how a new product/initiative or a particularly excellent example of client consultancy has aided the business needs of small and start-up hedge fund managers.

Criteria:
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Examples of going above and beyond in providing the best advice to clients
• Detail specific examples of how advice has helped clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best technology firm – client service

This award is designed to honor the technology vendor that that has shown genuine commitment to customer service. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has been particularly responsive and innovative in meeting customer need, as well as detailing examples of where client advice has made a real difference to the business development of a hedge fund management firm.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Most innovative technology provider

This award is designed to honor the technology vendor that that has developed an exceptional new product or a genuinely bespoke solution to a client problem. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has been able to leverage good ideas and people to push the boundaries of hedge fund technology.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of an exceptional new product or service
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best technology – overall

This award is designed to honor the technology vendor that that has shown genuine commitment to product development and service. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has, through financial and market share growth, as well as via innovation and customer service, outperformed the whole of its peer group.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of exceptionally innovative new product or service
• Description of high-level of client service
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials


Best research and data vendor

This award is designed to honor the best provider of data services. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has been able to provide a good quality feed of tradeable insights, cutting edge research, reporting services or a database that helps with business development.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of an exceptional new product or service
• Examples of how research and data services have made a difference to clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best co-sourcing solution

This award is designed to honor the service provider that that has developed an exceptional co-sourcing solution and relationships with clients. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has been able to leverage good ideas and people to push the boundaries of hedge fund service provision. It should also provide an example of how the service provider has worked in tandem with a client(s) to add value to their business process.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth in this area
• Description of an exceptional new product or service
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best accounting firm

This award is designed to reward hedge fund audit specialists that have shown growth and excellent customer service over the past 12 months. Success in this category depends on a mixture of customer and revenue growth, as well as product or brand development that demonstrated new thinking and which can boast success and positive customer feedback.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Sales/market share figures
• Demonstration of product innovation and description of how market responded to the idea
• Description of future development possibilities
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials


LEGAL

Best offshore law firm

This award honors a firm that has demonstrated a consistently high standard in providing legal services to the hedge fund sector. Success in this category depends on showing both customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing examples of innovation and where the service has made a real difference to clients.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best onshore law firm

This award is designed to honor the firm that has demonstrated a consistently high standard in providing legal services to the sector. Success in this category depends on demonstrating both customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing examples of innovation and where the service has made a real difference to clients.

Criteria:
Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best onshore law firm - hedge fund start-ups

This award is designed to honor the firm that has developed a suite of effective services particularly aimed at hedge fund start-up businesses. Success in this category depends on demonstrating both customer and revenue growth, as well as detailing examples of where client advice has made a real difference to the direction of
a new fund or hedge fund management firm.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Demonstration of increase in product and service
• Demonstration of product innovation
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best offshore law firm - client service

This award is designed to honor the law firm that firm that has shown genuine commitment to customer service. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has been particularly responsive and innovative in meeting customer need, as well as detailing examples of where client advice has made a real
difference to the business development of a hedge fund management firm.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best onshore law firm - client service

This award is designed to honor the law firm that firm that has shown genuine commitment to customer service. Success in this category depends on providing examples of how the firm has been particularly responsive and innovative in meeting customer need, as well as detailing examples of where client advice has made a real
difference to the business development of a hedge fund management firm.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

PRIME BROKER

Best prime broker - technology

This award is designed to honor the prime broker that has been able to show excellence in providing technology services and advice for clients. Success in this category depends on a mixture of demonstrating
how proprietary tech services have furthered the needs of clients; as well as how consultancy services have helped clients developed their own solutions.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service
• Examples of key areas of recent advice and where this has made a difference
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best prime broker – innovation

This award is designed to honor the prime broker that has been able to show real excellence in improving its offering over the last 12 months. Success in this category depends on demonstrating how significant improvements to a core service or the launch of a new service/product have improved operational or asset raising conditions for clients.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service
• Examples of how a new or existing service has added to user experience of clients
• Positive customer

Best boutique prime broker

This award is designed to honor the best boutique prime broker. Success in this category depends on demonstrating how technical expertise and excellent customer service have benefited clients and enabled the prime broker to effectively compete against larger players in this field.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service
• Examples of how a new or existing service has added to user experience of clients
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best prime broker - capital introduction

This award is designed to honor the prime broker that has shown the greatest commitment and aptitude in the forum of cap intro. Success in this category depends on demonstrating how, via investor contacts and cap intro events, the prime broker has been able to aid client attempts to meet relevant and active investors.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service and innovation in the field of cap intro
• Examples of portfolio of capital introduction events
• Demonstrate breadth and quality of investor contacts
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best prime broker – consulting services

This award is designed to honor the prime broker that has demonstrated the most insightful, relevant and useful consulting service. Success in this category depends on demonstrating a wide skill-set that illustrates strength and depth of expertise and the ability to advise clients on a wide variety of issues.

Criteria:
• Description of high-level of client service and innovation
• Demonstration of diversity of consulting service
• Examples of key areas of focus over the past 12 months
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best overall prime broker


This award is designed to honor the prime broker that has demonstrated consistency and skill across the whole of its organization. Success depends on demonstrating a wide skill-set that illustrates strength across all of prime brokerage’s core areas of service, as well as a commitment to innovation and customer service.

Criteria:
• Commercial success and business growth
• Description of high-level of client service and innovation
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

Best prime broker – start-ups NEW

This award is designed to honour the prime broker best suited for start-up firms. Success in this category depends on demonstrating how technical expertise and excellent customer service have benefited clients and enabled the prime to effectively compete against its peers.

Criteria:

  • Commercial success and business growth

  • Description of high-level of client service

  • Examples of how a new or existing service has added to user experience of clients

  • Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials

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