Editorial

Adam Smith Awards, ten years on…

We have certainly come a long way since our Adam Smith Awards for Best Practice and Innovation was launched in 2008. Not only is this awards programme acknowledged as the industry benchmark for corporate treasury achievement, it is also now synonymous with best practice and innovation.

2017 is a major milestone for the Adam Smith Awards – it is the tenth anniversary. We are expecting record-breaking participation and nominations open on 31^st January. Breaking records will not be easy given the number of entries we have received year-on-year from companies of all shapes, sizes, treasury structure and location but, so far, we have seen more nominations every year. Our judging panel each year faces the almost impossible task of selecting the winning corporates.

Over the past ten years, the Adam Smith Awards has survived, indeed flourished, during a period of dramatic change on the political, regulatory, economic and technological fronts. Can you imagine thinking about something called blockchain, considering the UK not being in the European Union, a businessman called Trump being the US President and investors being charged to deposit funds ten years ago?

That said, the companies which have participated, and there have been hundreds, really have demonstrated some incredible dedication, resilience, intuition, teamwork and innovation. From Antalis, our inaugural Top Treasury Team winner in 2008 to Etihad Airways who were awarded this accolade last year, it has been a truly remarkable journey.

The categories in which nominations are submitted have also kept abreast of the changing times. The core treasury disciplines of cash, liquidity, risk, finance and foreign exchange management have been supplemented with additional categories to recognise the introduction of SEPA, working capital moving up the agenda, the growing importance of SWIFT amongst the corporate universe and the growing focus on diversity and emerging talent with our Woman of the Year and Rising Star categories respectively. Best in Class Treasury Solutions in Africa and the Middle East gave us regional focus, whilst Harnessing the Power of Technology captured the many solutions where technology is the key enabler. One to Watch and Judges’ Choice complete the landscape today.

So, turning to our tenth anniversary programme, we are extremely excited and want it to be our best yet but we can only achieve this with your continued support. Nominating your projects is a simple process. All you need to do is submit your entry via the online nomination forms which are available at treasurytoday.com/adamsmith

Finally, if you are feeling confident why not pencil in a diary date of Thursday 22^nd June at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London – that’s where our celebratory Gala Presentation Lunch will be held.