Categories and Criteria
The categories for the With Intelligence Fund Operations and Services Awards were developed in consultation with the sector to ensure they are representative of the broad and fast-moving nature of fund services and solutions. Each category’s criteria is designed to ensure that entrants best showcase their achievements.
Our judging process is designed to be rigorous and thorough to ensure all entries receive full consideration and that excellence in each of the categories is truly rewarded.
Administration
- Best ETF Administrator
- Best Fund Administrator for Small/Start-up Funds
- Best Interval Fund Administrator
- Best Multi Series Trust provider
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Best Mutual Fund Administrator
Back/Middle Office
- Best Accounting & Audit Services
- Best Back/Middle-Office Tech Provider
- Best Cloud-based Back/Middle-Office solution
- Best Data Management Solution- Back/Middle Office
- Best New Product- Back/Middle Office
- Best Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services
Compliance/Legal
- Best Compliance Advisory firm
- Best Cybersecurity Solution
- Best Law Firm
- Best Regulatory Reporting Solution
- Best Risk Management Solution
Data
- Best Data Provider Alternative Data Sources
- Best Data Provider
Front Office
- Best Portfolio Management System (PMS)
- Best Cloud-Based Front-Office Solution
- Best Front Office Technology Provider
- Best Front-Office Data Management Tool
- Best New Front-Office Fintech Solution
Overall
- Best Communications and PR Firm
- Best EMS/OMS Provider
- Best Machine Learning Development
- Technology Innovation Award
- Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award – Service Providers
Trading
- Best Options Trading Platform
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Best Trading Platform
Administration
Best ETF Administrator
This award is designed to honor the best provider of ETF administration for asset management companies. Success in this category is dependent on demonstrable customer and revenue growth, as well as product development innovation that boasts significant positive customer feedback and success. Superior candidates will submit quantifiable material to ground their success and growth.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Examples of product innovation and development and how they have helped asset managers navigate industry challenges
- Must have launched business in 2024
- Demonstration of increased number of clients
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Fund Administrator for Small/Start-up Funds
This award is designed to honor the fund administrator that has excelled in services for small to mid-size advisors. Consideration will be given to firms that can provide evidence of helping small to mid-size advisors bring innovative fund ideas to the market as well as proving ongoing administrative support.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Description of how firm has reacted to market and regulatory trends
• Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Interval Fund Administrator
This award is designed to honor the interval fund administrator that has excelled in client service. Success in this category is dependent on demonstrable customer and revenue growth, as well as product development innovation that boasts significant positive customer feedback and success.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Description of how firm has reacted to market and regulatory trends
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Multi Series Trust provider
This award is designed to honor the best multi series trust provider. Success in this category is determined by customer and revenue growth, new investment in technology and infrastructure, as well as how services have helped fund managers bring their strategies to markets while also growing their existing assets.
Criteria:
- Customer growth and business success
- Specific examples of success for clients
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Mutual Fund Administrator
This award is designed to honor the mutual fund administrator that has excelled in client service. Success in this category is dependent on demonstrable customer and revenue growth, as well as product development innovation that boasts significant positive customer feedback and success.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Description of how firm has reacted to market and regulatory trends
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Back/Middle Office
Best Accounting & Audit Services
This award rewards accounting and audit firms that have excelled in client services over the last 12 months. Success in this category is determined by customer and revenue growth, new investment in technology and infrastructure, as well as forward-looking plans on how to create smooth client interfacing and client interaction. Examples of how a specific initiative positively impacted client growth are critical to success in this category.
Criteria :
- Customer growth and business success
- Specific examples of success for clients
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Back/Middle-Office Tech Provider
This award is designed to reward a data management provider who has displayed growth while providing innovative tech solutions to back and middle-office functions.
Criteria :
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Demonstration of increased number of clients
- Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Cloud-based Back/Middle-Office solution
This award is designed to reward the fintech provider that has led the way in terms of providing an innovative and client-centric cloud-based back and middle-office solution for asset management firms. This category is open to vendors providing a range of trading solutions to asset management firms.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Description of how firm has reacted to market and regulatory trends
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Data Management Solution- Back/Middle Office
This award is designed to honor the best provider of data management solutions for back and middle office functions. Success in this category depends on providing example of how the firm has been able to provide a research or database that has helped with the efficiency of business operations. Clear explanations of what types of data the firm is leveraging is mandatory.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Innovative data management solution expansion
- Demonstration of increased number of clients
- Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best New Product- Back/Middle Office
This award is designed to honor the best back/middle office trading technology product launched or enhanced in the trading space this year. Success in this category is determined by demonstrated attention to clients’ needs and future needs, submitted positive feedback from consumers on their experiences, a thorough focus on client engagement and consistent positive results from consumers using the new or updated technology. Successful applicants will demonstrate quantifiable success in the above requirements and show forward-looking growth and technology initiatives.
Criteria:
- Quantifiable commercial success and business growth
- Overarching positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
- Demonstrated ability to utilize client feedback loop to update and create new technology innovation
- A focus on client engagement that surpasses other providers in the space and is increased from year prior
Best Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services
This award rewards transfer agent and shareholder service providers that have excelled in client services. Success in this category is determined by customer and revenue growth, new investment in technology and infrastructure. Examples of how a specific initiative positively impacted client growth are critical to success in this category.
Criteria:
- Customer growth and business success
- Specific examples of success for clients
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Compliance/Legal
Best Compliance Advisory firm
This award is designed to honor the compliance firm that has displayed excellence in supporting institutional traders. Success in this category depends on a mixture of demonstrating business and revenue growth, as well as illustrating strong expertise in how new and existing regulatory requirements should be handled. Firms should detail new and innovative initiatives that have aided in business growth and client experience.
Criteria:
- Commercial success and business growth
- Sales/market share figures
- Demonstration of product innovation
- Examples of where advisory services have aided clients with industry problems
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonial
Best Cybersecurity Solution
This award is designed to honor cybersecurity firms who have provided excellent service to their clients in the asset management industry. Firms should detail new and innovative solutions used to help keep their clients safe from cyber-attacks.
Criteria:
- Description of an exceptional solution that has delivered positive client outcomes
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Law Firm
This award is designed to recognise the law firm that provides top tier legal advice to companies in the asset management industry. Consideration will be given to firms that display range and expertise in handling cases related to the industry.
Criteria:
- Expertise in industry legislation
- Demonstrated growth
- Growth and retention of client numbers
- Client testimonials
Best Regulatory Reporting Solution
This award is designed to honor the firm that has provided an excellent regulatory reporting solution for traders. Success in this category depends on a mixture of demonstrating business and revenue growth, as well as illustrating strong expertise in reporting and explaining new regulations. Firms should detail new and innovative initiatives that have accelerated traction of the solution, and that have aided in business growth and client experience.
Criteria:
- Commercial success and business growth
- Sales/market share figures
- Demonstration of product innovation
- Examples of where advisory services have aided clients with industry problems
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonial
Best Risk Management Solution
This award is designed to reward institutional trading risk solution providers that have displayed growth and innovation while providing traders, portfolio and risk managers with superior risk, scenarios and portfolio analytics across complex and multi-asset investment portfolios. Success in this category is dependent on demonstrable customer and revenue growth, as well as product development innovation that boasts significant positive customer feedback and success. Superior candidates will submit quantifiable material to ground their success and growth.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth in 2024
- Innovative risk management platform or solution development (i.e. expansion into new asset classes).
- Must have launched business in 2024
- Demonstration of increased number of clients
Data
Best Data Provider Alternative Data Sources
This award is designed to honor the best provider of alternative market data. 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. Clear explanations of what types of alternative data the firm is leveraging, and how those insights will provide valuable results for managers is mandatory.
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 Data Provider
This award is designed to honor the best provider of data and is open to providers across asset classes. 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
Front Office
Best Portfolio Management System (PMS)
This award is designed to honor the portfolio management provider who has displayed excellent service. Success in this category is determined by proven organizational and operational streamlining through technology advancements, proven cost reduction for clients and minimal security order errors.
Criteria:
- Commercial success
- Business growth and development
- Use of cutting-edge PMS technology solutions and deployments
- Reduction of error and cost for customers
- Positive feedback via submitted testimonials by consumers
- Demonstration of forward-looking initiatives and expansion plans for the technology
Best Cloud-Based Front-Office Solution
This award is designed to reward the fintech provider that has led the way in terms of providing an innovative and client-centric cloud-based front-office solution for traders. This category is open to vendors providing a range of trading solutions to asset management firms. Candidates should provide concrete examples of how their technology has helped front office clients increase their speed to market, boost data storage capabilities, support organizational structures and reduce errors.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Description of how firm has reacted to market and regulatory trends
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Front Office Technology Provider
This award is designed to reward a technology provider who has displayed growth while providing innovative technology solutions to front-office traders. Consideration will be given to firms that can illustrate in tangible ways in which their program or platform creates operational efficiencies for clients.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Demonstration of increased number of clients
- Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Front-Office Data Management Tool
This award is designed to reward a data management provider who has displayed growth while providing innovative data management solutions to front-office traders. Consideration will be given to firms that prove they have narrowed down the scope of implementing “big data” infrastructures and strategies and can illustrate tangible ways in which their data management program or platform creates operational efficiencies for clients.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Innovative data management solution expansion
- Demonstration of increased number of clients
- Description of future potential endeavors in the sector and demonstrated efforts to further those goals
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best New Front-Office Fintech Solution
This award is designed to honor the best new innovative fintech solution for front office traders. Success in this category is determined by leading innovation by the provider, attention to clients’ needs and future requirements from a trading perspective, thorough knowledge of the sector and existing products, and driving tangible results through product optimization. Successful applicants will demonstrate quantifiable success in the above requirements and show forward-looking growth and technology initiatives.
Criteria:
- Quantifiable commercial success and business growth
- Overarching positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
- Demonstrated ability to utilize client feedback loop to update and create new technology innovation
- A focus on client engagement that surpasses other providers in the space and is increased from year prior
Overall
Best Communications and PR Firm
This award is designed to honor communication and PR firms who have provided exceptional service to their clients in the asset management industry. Success in this category is dependent on demonstrated examples of helping raise the brand awareness and reputation of clients.
Criteria:
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Details of ways you have helped clients increase their business either through new partnerships, additional assets or expanded business.
- Positive customer feedback from testimonials
Best EMS/OMS Provider
This award is designed to honor the order or execution management provider who has displayed excellent service. Success in this category is determined by proven organizational and operational streamlining through technology advancements, proven cost reduction for clients and minimal security order errors.
Criteria:
- Commercial success
- Business growth and development
- Use of cutting-edge OMS or EMS technology solutions and deployments
- Reduction of error and cost for customers
- Positive feedback via submitted testimonials by consumers
- Demonstration of forward-looking initiatives and expansion plans for the technology
Best Machine Learning Development
This award is designed to honor the best third-party tech provider that has launched or enhanced a machine learning solution geared toward the institutional trading marketplace. Success in this category is demonstrated by attention to regulatory scrutiny on machine learning, attention to potential future needs of clients in the trading space, submitted positive feedback from consumers and an intense focus on creating a solution that drives tangible results. Successful applicants will demonstrate quantifiable success in the above requirements and show forward-looking growth and technology initiatives.
Criteria:
- Quantifiable commercial success and business growth
- Overarching positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
- Demonstrated ability to utilize client feedback loop to update and create new technology innovation
- A focus on client engagement that surpasses other providers in the space and is increased from year prior
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award – Service Providers
This award will recognize the service provider that has done an exceptional job in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion across their businesses. Firms should detail how they have driven representation for people of underrepresented backgrounds within the industry.
Criteria:
- Specific examples of a prioritisation of diversity, equity and inclusion frameworks, policies and practices
- A description of how firms have gone above and beyond to recruit and retain a diverse set of candidates and employees
- A description of how firms have developed internal practices and policies that have helped foster a sense of community and inclusion for all employees at all levels
Technology Innovation Award
This award is designed to reward the firm that has driven technological innovation, both proprietary and through partnerships. Success in this category depends upon a demonstration of new solutions and technology, and how that technology infrastructure helped end clients.
Criteria:
- Specific examples of success for clients based upon technology innovation
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
- An original initiative or launch and detailed success rate
Trading
Best Options Trading Platform
This award is designed to honor the service provider that has excelled in its outsourced options trading desk support for the asset management industry. Success in this category is dependent upon a mixture of business and revenue growth, demonstration of strong expertise in options trading services, and continued innovation of services for traders. Firms should detail new and innovative solutions and technology used in 2024 to help asset managers successfully fulfill trading requirements.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Description of how firm has reacted to market and regulatory trends
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Best Trading Platform
This award is designed to honor the service provider that has excelled in its trading platform support. Success in this category is dependent upon a mixture of business and revenue growth, demonstration of strong expertise in options trading services, and continued innovation of services for traders. Firms should detail new and innovative solutions and technology used in 2024 to help asset managers successfully fulfill trading requirements.
Criteria:
- Demonstrable commercial success and business growth
- Description of innovations that have delivered positive client outcomes
- Description of how firm has reacted to market and regulatory trends
- Positive customer feedback via submitted testimonials
Get in touch
If you have any questions or need any more information please contact Marco.