best investor communication award

sponsored by Rothschild & Co.

The 2022 shortlist: 

Balfour Beatty plc

Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group based in London. The group finances, develops, builds, maintains and operates the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies.

Balfour Beatty scored well in the bench marking exercise due its clear, consistent communication. The group takes a personalised approach to its stakeholder engagement, which is not often seen. Its case studies focus on how the group delivers large-scale projects, in addition to specific examples of stakeholder engagement in action.

ESG Initiative: Balfour Beatty’s new Sustainability Strategy embodies its ambition to go further to reduce its environmental footprint and to have a positive, sustainable impact wherever the group works.

Britvic plc

Britvic is an international business, based in Hemel-Hempstead, originally founded in the 1930s. Since inception, the group has grown into a global organisation with 37 much-loved brands sold in over 100 countries.

Britvic has a track record of consistently excellent communication with stakeholders. The group uses its investor communication tools to provide engaging insights into how the board makes decisions. Britvic is very proactive with regards to holding regular analyst days, which are well received within the investor community. Its formal activity is supported by a consistent drumbeat of engagement with investors and analysts away from the reporting calendar.

ESG Initiative: Britvic are one of the few companies that are currently publishing their ethnicity pay gap in addition to gender, marking a key progression in pay disclosures.

Coats Group plc

London-based Coats is the world’s leading industrial thread company. The group’s products are a critical component in global industries such as Apparel and Footwear and Performance Materials.

Coats places great emphasis on investor communications, regularly holding Capital Markets Days following company acquisitions and presenting new market opportunities. The IR team are always readily available to shareholders and the group’s sustainability reports and disclosures are extensive and informative. 

ESG Initiative: Last year Coats Established a new Board sustainability sub-committee to enhance its governance framework and focus on achieving targets. 

Hollywood Bowl Group plc

Hemel-Hempstead based Hollywood Bowl is the UK’s market leader and the second largest operator of ten-pin bowling centres in the world. The group was formed in 2010 following a merger with the AMF portfolio and now has 69 centres across the UK and 6 centres in Canada.

Hollywood Bowl was one of the top scoring companies in the benchmarking exercise. The group’s transparent communication is a key strength that crosses multiple reporting channels, from site selection criteria to recruitment and the introduction of the group’s new NED in the Annual Report. Hollywood Bowl’s targets are related to its sustainability strategy, which is clearly presented on the Investor section of the website.

ESG Initiative: Hollywood Bowl has enhanced its ESG strategy this year with the creation of a Board Corporate Responsibility Committee and an extended range of ESG targets.

Ocado Group plc

Hatfield-based Ocado is one of Britain's leading online retailers and also has a 50:50 joint venture with Marks & Spencer. The group uses market-leading software and technology to deliver a range of own-brand products in addition to a growing non-food selection.

Ocado have a strong IR team that provides multiple opportunities to help the investor community understand its tech and investment case. Its website is forward-looking and has pages dedicated to innovation, using new technology and how the business is creating sustainable long-term value. The group’s Annual Report was one of the top performers in the benchmarking exercise.

ESG Initiative: 2022 was Ocado’s first year reporting on climate related risks and opportunities in line with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

Volution Group plc

West-Sussex based Volution Group is a market leader in residential and commercial ventilation solutions. The group’s products enhance customers’ experience of ventilation by reducing energy consumption, improving indoor air quality and making them easier to use.

Volution is committed to consistent, transparent Investor Communication and the group’s management team have proven to be keen to engage with investors. The Investor section of the website is designed to bring the group’s product examples to life and its Annual Report is compelling and well-designed. 

ESG Initiative: Last year Volution added more disclosures around people reporting and recruited a new Group HR Director to build on this work.

transaction of the year award

sponsored by Houston

The 2022 shortlist: 

Coats Group plc

London-based Coats is the world’s leading industrial thread company. The group provides complementary and value-adding products, services and software solutions to the apparel and footwear industries, in addition to developing high technology performance materials threads, yarns, fabrics and composites.

In July 2022, Coats announced the acquisition of footwear solutions provider, Texon International Group, for £198m, strengthening the group’s existing presence in the athleisure footwear market. Shortly afterwards, Coats completed a £92.2m fundraising to buy footwear reinforcement company, Rhenoflex, which was highly complementary to the Texon acquisition and transformed Coats in terms of size and scale.

ESG Initiative: Both acquisitions are industry-leaders in sustainability and well-aligned and additive to Coats’ own ambitious sustainability agenda.

Essentra plc

Oxford-based Essentra is a global market leading manufacturer and distributor of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items. The group supplies low cost but essential products in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.

In October 2022, Essentra completed the sale of Essentra Packaging to Mayr-Melnhof Group for a total consideration of £312m and shortly afterwards, in December, completed the sale of Essentra Filters to Frank Acquisition Four Limited for £200m. The two transactions enabled the group to return approx. £150m of the residual net transaction proceeds to shareholders via a special dividend and significantly strengthened the group’s balance sheet.

ESG initiative: The sale of the Filters piece enhanced Essentra’s ESG credentials while allowing for more attractive growth potential.

Inchcape plc

London-based Inchcape is the leading independent multi-brand global automotive distributor. The group operates in over 40 markets and geographies across Asia, Australasia and the Pacific; the Americas; Africa; Europe and the UK.

In July last year, Inchcape announced its proposed acquisition of Latin America’s largest independent automotive distributor, Derco, for £1.3bn. The transaction was a significant M&A milestone, extending the group’s distribution leadership, generating significant additional revenue and profit, and creating substantial shareholder value. 

ESG initiative: Transaction will provide significant opportunities for customers, OEMs, and employees of the enlarged business.

Informa plc

London-based Informa is a leading international events, digital services and academic knowledge group. The group works in two main markets: in Academic Markets, serving and supporting researchers and institutions worldwide, and in Business-to-Business Markets, championing businesses and professionals across a number of different sectors.

In February 2022, Informa agreed to sell its Pharma Intelligence business to US private equity group, Warburg Pincus, for £1.9bn. Informa’s share price rose by 7% following the announcement of the transaction and the group returned a portion of the divestment proceeds to shareholders through a share buyback. 

ESG Initiative: Informa aims to embed sustainability content inside 100% of its brands and products.

Vistry Group plc

Kent-based Vistry Group is comprised of two businesses; Vistry Housebuilding, which creates homes and developments with contemporary living standards, and Vistry Partnerships, which works closely with Governmental bodies, housing associations and local authorities (in affordable housing).

In November 2022, Vistry Group completed a £1.27bn takeover of Countryside Partnerships, creating one of the country’s leading homebuilders and a business that will deliver thousands of homes annually for both the open market and the affordable housing sector.  The transaction is the latest in a string of mergers and acquisitions by Vistry and creates a leading capability across all housing tenures at a time when the need for affordable housing has never been keener.

ESG initiative: The transaction takes advantage of the opportunity to support social housing initiatives while encouraging a more balanced portfolio.

John Wood Group plc

Aberdeen-based John Wood Group is one of the world’s leading consulting and engineering companies operating across the Energy and Materials markets. The group is organised across three primary business units, Consulting, Projects and Operations.

In September 2022, the group sold its Built Environment consulting division to Canadian firm WSP Global Inc., in a deal worth $1.8bn. The transaction was a bold strategic move and marked a new chapter for Wood as the proceeds transformed the group’s balance sheet and restored its financial flexibility.

ESG initiative: The group’s financial position accelerates its strategy to capture growth opportunities in energy security and sustainability.

growth business of the year award

sponsored by Squire Patton Boggs

The 2022 shortlist: 

4imprint Group plc

4imprint are a direct marketer of promotional products with operations in North America, the UK and Ireland. The group’s purpose is to harness the appeal of promotional products to help customers build their brand and make lasting connections with key contacts.

From 2010 to 2019, 4imprint delivered a decade of uninterrupted market-beating organic revenue growth. Revenue and profits were disrupted in 2020 by the effects of the pandemic, however due to strategic decisions taken by management, in 2022 the group took significant market share and exceeded its long-held target of exceeding $1bn in revenue. 4imprint’s growth was delivered using a wide range of data-driven, online, offline and brand-based marketing techniques. 

ESG initiative: The group launched the 'better choices' programme to enable customers to voice their needs, including sustainability characteristics.

Kainos Group plc

Belfast-based Kainos is an IT services provider with expertise across three divisions - Digital Services, Workday Services, and Workday Products. The group’s purpose is to help customers with their most challenging projects and assist with the capability to succeed in the digital age.

Last year, Kainos recorded its twelfth consecutive year of growth across a wide range of key metrics. The group’s very strong performance reflects robust underlying market demand and high levels of customer engagement, which resulted in revenues growing to £302.6m, a 29% increase, and adjusted pre-tax profit growing 3% to £58.8m.

ESG initiative: Kainos delivered over 1,100 work placements including targeted programmes aimed at improving gender diversity, supporting social mobility and for students with special educational needs.

Kin + Carta plc

London-based Kin + Carta is a global digital transformation consultancy. The group has over 2,000 engineers, strategists and designers who have combined to form a maker-culture that serves the healthcare, financial services, B2B, consumer, agriculture and transportation sectors.

Kin + Carta’s pure-play focus on the business-critical digital transformation sector enabled the group to enjoy continued growth during a period of economic volatility. In 2021, Kin + Carta outlined a plan to leverage four dimensions of growth through services, partnerships, geography and industry sectors, which was successfully executed in FY22 with the group achieving a 48% net revenue growth year-on-year to £190.3m.

ESG initiative: The group is the first publicly-traded business listed on the London Stock Exchange to achieve B Corp certification, providing a clear demonstration that its ESG strategy influences its business strategy.

Man Group plc

London-based Man Group is a global, technology-empowered active investment management firm focused on delivering alpha and portfolio solutions for clients. The group manages $138.4bn and operates across multiple offices globally.

Man Group achieved strong growth last year, despite the last quarter being a challenging time for the asset management industry. The group delivered a solid investment performance of $1.6bn from absolute return strategies and achieved net outflows of $0.5bn. The group’s growth was attributed to its diversified range of products and longstanding client relationships, combined with its diverse talent pool and cutting-edge technology. 

ESG Initiative: Man Group introduced a proprietary ESG analytics tool as part of its responsible investment framework. 

Telecom Plus plc

London-based Telecom Plus, which trades as Utility Warehouse (UW) is the UK’s only genuine multiservice provider, meaning the group’s customers can bundle together their energy, broadband, mobile and insurance, to help save on household bills.

Telecom Plus has a track record of long-term, sustainable growth that spans the last two decades. Last year the group’s turnover, profit, customer and service numbers all reached record highs. The growth achieved was attained organically, and predominantly during H2, which represented an annualised customer growth rate of over 20%. The group reported revenues increased by 12.3% to £967.4m.

ESG Initiative: The group switched the electricity supply of all UW operations to 100% zero carbon renewable (REGO-backed) electricity.

Watches of Switzerland Group plc

Leicester-based Watches of Switzerland is the leading luxury watch specialist in the UK, with a growing presence in the US. The group provides the largest selection of luxury watches covering a wide range of prices and consumer preferences.

Last year, Watches of Switzerland delivered an outstanding performance with consistently strong sales and demand which continued to exceed supply. The group attributes its impressive growth to its distinctive business model, the strength of its brand partnerships, it’s increasing international scale and bold marketing. The group reported increases in group revenue by 37% to £1,238m.

ESG Initiative: Watches of Switzerland recently established an ESG Steering Group to strengthen the governance of ESG matters and deliver a cohesive sustainability strategy.

tech business of the year award

 
The 2022 shortlist:

Bytes Technology Group plc

Surrey-based Bytes Technology Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of software, security and cloud services. The group enables effective and cost-efficient technology sourcing, adoption and management across software, security, hardware and cloud services.

Since listing in 2020, Bytes has extended its long track record of consistent double-digit growth. The group’s performance reflects robust demand from both corporate and public sectors, with its customers showing a continued appetite to invest in their IT requirements despite the macroeconomic environment.

ESG initiative: In FY22 the group took steps to formalise its ESG and sustainability framework, building on the Corporate Responsibility policies already in place within its operating companies.

Hostelworld Group plc

Dublin-based Hostelworld is a leading Online Travel Agent focused on the hostelling category, with a loyal customer base built up over 22 years. The group’s core business provides customers with hostel accommodation options and hostel-focused small group adventure tour products.

Hostelworld operates in over 180 countries worldwide via its website and native app platforms in 19 languages. The group continues to invest in its technology offering and last year launched a networking platform within its app and website to grow back its share of solo travellers. Other tools in the pipeline include platforms to help guests organise events, or even work together.

ESG initiative: The group is increasing its focus on improving the sustainability of the hostelling industry, through its active involvement in the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.

Indivior plc

Headquartered in the US, Indivior operates as a global biopharmaceutical company. The group discovers, develops and commercializes medicines for substance use disorders and serious mental illnesses.

Indivior brings science-based, life-transforming treatments to patients. The group’s lead product, SUBLOCADE®, is the first long-acting buprenorphine-based injectable approved by the US FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder. Indivior’s proprietary RECOVER™ Study examines long-term recovery in individuals with moderate to severe opioid use disorder following their transition from SUBLOCADE® into a real-world setting.

ESG initiative: Indivior introduced quarterly emissions reporting internally in 2022 and, as part of this process, is intending to expand the range of its Scope 3 reporting.

Kainos Group plc

Belfast-based Kainos is an IT services provider with expertise across three divisions - Digital Services, Workday Services, and Workday Products. The group’s purpose is to help customers with challenging projects and provide the capability to succeed in the digital age.

Kainos works collaboratively with public, commercial and healthcare customers around the world to provide innovative and transformative solutions. The group leverages the benefits of the public cloud and enables customers to utilise their data to drive decision-making. Kainos has invested heavily in its Workday Products as the group makes progress towards its stated £100m ARR target by 2026. 

ESG initiative: The group acknowledges the tech sector has a significant gender imbalance issue and has implemented a three-step plan to address this. 

London Stock Exchange Group plc

Based in the heart of the City, the London Stock Exchange is a doorway to growth, enabling companies to raise capital and investors to build their portfolios across a range of global markets.

Over recent years, the London Stock Exchange has shifted its focus from a markets and exchange business into a much wider data operation. The group’s transformational acquisition of data and analytics giant, Refinitiv, in 2021, was implemented in response to the increasing importance of data and analytics, and the shift towards electronic and multi-asset trading. The merged company positions the London Stock Exchange as a leading global financial markets infrastructure and data provider.

ESG initiative: The group is a strategic enabler of sustainable economic growth by accelerating the  transition to net zero, growing the green economy, and creating inclusive economic opportunity. 

QinetiQ Group plc

Based in Hampshire, QinetiQ operates primarily in the defence, security and critical national infrastructure markets. The group offers its customers world-class expertise in advice, services (particularly test and evaluation) and innovative technology-based products. 

QinetiQ acts as catalyst for fast-track innovation, offering outstanding experimentation facilities, technical, engineering and scientific expertise. Last year, the group completed the acquisition of Avantus Federal LLC, a leading provider of cyber, data analytics and software development solutions to the US Department of Defense, extending is technical capabilities and helping QinetiQ achieve its ambition to become the largest defence and security business in the world. 

ESG initiative: The group has taken a leading role in developing the definition of social value within the defence sector in line with UK public policy discussions. 

transformation of the year award

sponsored by Odyssean Capital

The 2022 shortlist: 

Coats Group plc

London-based Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear. The group’s critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data and the environment. 

Coats had a very significant year of transformation across a number of verticals last year. The group made two significant acquisitions of the top two players in the footwear component market in a short time scale, in addition to making a complex disposal of two of its operations in Brazil and Argentina. Coats optimised its portfolio and footprint during the period, improving overall efficiency and transforming the profitability of its Performance Materials division. 

ESG Initiative: The business is focused on innovation with its materials and producing products made from recycled materials.

Essentra plc

Oxford-based Essentra is a global market leading manufacturer and distributor of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items. The group supplies low cost but essential products in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.

Last year Essentra fully disposed of its cigarette filters and pharmaceutical packaging businesses, significantly strengthening the group’s balance sheet. In 2021, the group announced its goal was to become a pure play components business over time and the completion of these transactions marked the final step towards that goal.

ESG Initiative: The sale of the Filters piece enhanced Essentra’s ESG credentials while allowing for more attractive growth potential.

Investec plc

Investec is an international banking and wealth management group that provides a range of financial products and services to a client base in Europe, Southern Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Investec plc is the holding company for the majority of the group's non-Southern African operations.

The group’s demerger of Investec Asset Management, successfully listed as Ninety One, represented the first major milestone in Investec’s path to become a more simplified and focused business. The group has increased its strategic focus on growth and continued to build scale and relevance in its market, reflected in its strong loan book growth, increased client activity and new client acquisition. Investec strives to achieve greater representation at all levels of the business and currently has a 36% female representation on its Board. 

ESG initiative: introduced several targets related to environment and climate change initiatives, as well as sustainable finance and investment.

Ricardo plc

West-Sussex based Ricardo is a global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy, specialising in the transport, energy and scarce resources sectors. The group delivers innovative cross-sector sustainable outcomes to support energy transition and scarce resources, environmental services, and safe and smart mobility.

Ricardo has undergone a significant transformation in the last two years due to a change in leadership and implementation of a new strategy focused on environmental and energy related work. The group demonstrated its resilience through its impressive performance in challenging markets, resulting in a strong order book, a number of high-value contracts and a share price rise of 51% over the last two years. 

ESG initiative: Ricardo has transformed its business to support the transport, energy and scarce resources sectors by providing sustainability and environmental consultancy.

Spire Healthcare Group plc

London-based Spire Healthcare Spire Healthcare is a leading independent healthcare group and the largest in terms of revenue. The group’s purpose is to make a positive difference to people’s lives through outstanding personalised care.

Spire Healthcare delivered a very strong performance in 2021, with outstanding growth in private revenues. The group experienced unprecedented growth in self-pay, signalling a seismic shift for the business and the wider market. Spire Healthcare responded by implementing a true business-to-consumer proposition and investing further in marketing to meet the elevated demand, whilst creating excellent opportunities for margin expansion.

ESG initiative: Spire Healthcare procures all its electricity from renewable sources and has an ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Wilmington plc

London-based Wilmington provides information and training services to professional business. The group has a portfolio of digital-first data and information assets and innovative digital learning solutions delivered via single technology platforms.

Wilmington’s new operating model has enhanced the group’s position in the large, expanding and rapidly evolving Governance Risk and Compliance markets.  Its investments in data and technology are accelerating the group’s growth ambitions and its resilient business model has delivered increasing recurring revenues and substantial cash generation. 

ESG initiative: Places its responsible business culture at the heart of its approach to doing business.

fund manager award

sponsored by Winterflood Securities

 
The 2022 shortlist:

Kevin Barker

UBS Global Asset Management

Kevin is head of the UBS Equity Specialist team and has worked as an investment professional in equities for over 30 years as Portfolio Manager, Analyst and Specialist.

Kevin started his career at UBS as a trainee Fund Manager in 1983. He left the group in 1994, taking a position as Head of UK Equities at Foreign & Colonial, where he developed and implemented a value-based UK equity process, leading a team of around 20 portfolio managers and analysts. Kevin re-joined UBS in 1998, taking on a senior portfolio management role and also acting as Client Director on a number of large funds. In 2007, Kevin moved to an Equity Specialist role, initially focusing on UK equities, and later broadening his responsibilities to Europe.

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: +8.3
3 years: +26.4
5 years: +35.8 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

Laura Foll

Janus Henderson

Laura Foll is a Portfolio Manager on the Global Equity Income Team at Janus Henderson Investors, a position she has held since 2014. She also works as joint manager of Lowland Investment Company plc, Law Debenture Corporation plc, and Henderson Opportunities Trust plc. 

Laura joined Henderson in 2009 as part of the graduate scheme. She was subsequently named a global analyst and later an assistant fund manager for the Global Equity Income Team. Laura graduated with a BSc degree (Hons) in economics and economic history from the London School of Economics and has 14 years of financial industry experience.

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: -7.0
3 years: +10.4
5 years: +11.2 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

Richard Penny

CRUX Asset Management

Richard has been Fund Manager of the FP CRUX UK Special Situations Fund since it launched in October 2018. 

Prior to this, Richard worked at Legal & General Investment Management for 15 years, where he  managed the award-winning L&G UK Alpha Trust and L&G UK Special Situations Trust, as well as several segregated mandates. Richard is known for hunting out underappreciated companies with the potential for outperformance and small cap stocks the market is less aware of. This approach has led to a concentrated portfolio of companies with high growth, high return on capital, and strong management alignment. In June 2021 Richard received a AAA rating from Citywire. 

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: -5.1
3 years: +27.5
5 years: +37.1 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

Barney Randle/Dan Vaughan

Teviot Partners

Barney and Dan co-manage the VT Teviot UK Smaller Companies Fund.

Barney has a strong performance record, having managed the VT Teviot UK Smaller Companies Fund since launch in August 2017. Barney has focused on UK Smaller Companies for 27 years, initially advising investors and corporates on the sell side, where he specialised in original and rigorous investment analysis, and developed a deep understanding of the implications of liquidity in an illiquid asset class.

Dan joined Teviot in May 2021 and acceded to Partner in January 2022. After graduating from Oxford University, Dan specialised in UK Smaller Companies in the mid-1990s at Aviva. He then spent 13 years managing UK Smaller Companies pension and life funds at Colombia Threadneedle, of which the final 7 years were as Head of Team. 

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: -13.3
3 years: +18.4
5 years: +52.5 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

Richard Staveley

Rockwood Strategic plc 

Richard joined Gresham House in 2019 as fund manager for Gresham House Strategic Plc. Harwood Capital LLP were appointed its Investment Manager in 2021, which Richard joined and continues to manage under the fund’s new name, Rockwood Strategic. 

Richard has over twenty years’ experience of equity investment and fund management. Having qualified as a chartered accountant at PwC, Richard joined Bradshaw Asset Management, as assistant fund manager, in 1999. Moving to Société Générale Asset Management, he became Head of UK Small Companies and a CFA charterholder. In 2006, Richard co-founded River and Mercantile Asset Management, where he launched both the UK Small Company Fund, the UK Income Fund and was Head of Research and later joined Majedie Asset Management to co-manage and subsequently solely manage the UK small company investments. 

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: +22.8
3 years: +62.0
5 years: N/A 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

Martin Walker

Invesco

Martin is Head of the Henley-based UK Equities team and manages the Invesco UK Opportunities strategy. 

Martin began his investment management career in 1997 after previous experience as an investment analyst with BWD Rensburg.  Martin joined Invesco in 1999 as a junior fund manager and has developed his career within the Henley-based UK Equities team, managing UK equity portfolios since 2003.  As part of a succession plan, Martin took over additional portfolio management responsibilities in 2008 before being appointed Head of the UK Equities Team in May 2020. Martin is a concentrated non-consensus stock picker who has consistently beaten the benchmark. 

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: +9.8
3 years: +27.9
5 years: +23.7 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

Ken Wotton

Gresham House

Ken is Managing Director, Public Equity, and leads the investment team managing public equity investments. He is lead manager for LF Gresham House UK Micro Cap Fund, LF Gresham House UK Multi Cap Income Fund, Strategic Equity Capital plc and manages AIM listed portfolios on behalf of the Baronsmead VCTs. 

Ken was an equity research analyst with Commerzbank and then Evolution Securities prior to spending the past 12 years as a Fund Manager at Livingbridge. Ken has delivered a strong risk-adjusted performance over the long term, which was evident in the performance of the LF Gresham House UK Micro Cap Fund, which Ken has managed since launch in 2009. 

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: -16
3 years: +12.6
5 years: +33.9 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

Hugh Yarrow

Evenlode

Hugh is the lead portfolio manager of Evenlode Income, the UK Equity Income fund he launched in October 2009. 

Prior to Evenlode, Hugh worked as an investment manager on several equity income funds at Rathbone Unit Trust Management Hugh. Hugh has the led the Evenlode Income team through a challenging period for UK equities, nevertheless delivering a marginally positive absolute return for investors but outperforming the IA sector by c.9%. The fund has underperformed the FTSE ALL Share benchmark, but this reflects a high active share and low turnover, in addition to an ESG based decision not to hold Energy stocks, which have driven the strong benchmark performance. 

Cumulative performance (%)
1 year: -2.8
3 years: +5.9
5 years: +32.1 
_{*source Trustnet.com}

breakthrough of the year award

sponsored by RBC Capital Markets

 
The 2022 shortlist:

Centamin plc

Jesery-based Centamin's principal asset, the Sukari Gold Mine, is a long-life, bulk tonnage open pit and underground operation. It began production in 2009 and is the first large scale modern gold mine in Egypt, as well as one of the world’s largest producing mines.

Last year was a landmark year for Centamin due to the group’s commission of the largest global hybrid solar farm to power a gold mine. The 36MW solar plant reduces its annual consumption of diesel fuel for power generation by 22% (up to 70,000 litres of diesel displacement per day). In addition to this, Centamin is investigating additional opportunities to reduce its carbon intensity and reliance on diesel and has commenced negotiations to connect to the increasing renewable sourced Egyptian grid. 

ESG Initiative: Centamin welcomed changes to the Egyptian regulatory framework that removed restrictions to the employment of women in the mining sector.

Coats Group plc

Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and an innovative pioneer in performance materials. The group’s partners include companies from the apparel, footwear, automotive, telecoms, personal protection, and outdoor goods industries.

Coats is pushing boundaries by developing new manufacturing techniques, creating ground-breaking composite materials, and investing in digital services. The group’s EcoVerde is the first globally available 100% recycled line of premium corespun and textured sewing threads, delivering the same proven level of performance as the industry’s leading non-recycled threads. Coat’s innovation is transforming the apparel industry by offering a sustainable alternative without compromise. 

ESG Initiative: The group continues to drive bio-material development opportunities supported by the repurposing of its Innovation hub in China and a $10m investment in scaling green technologies.

Energean plc

London-based Energean is a leading independent, gas-focused E&P company in the Eastern Mediterranean. The group explores and invests in new ideas, concepts and solutions to produce and develop energy efficiently, at low cost and with a low carbon footprint. 

In October last year, Energean confirmed it had reached first gas at the Karish field, offshore Israel. This is a landmark project for the group that brings competition to the Israeli gas market, enhances security of energy supply in the East Med region and brings affordable and clean energy that will displace coal-fired power generation, making a material impact to the environment. 2022 saw delivery of the first commercial gas sales from the Karish field.

ESG Initiative: The group’s long-term net-zero plan involves blue hydrogen & carbon capture storage and utilisation. 

Telecom Plus plc

London-based Telecom Plus is the UK’s only genuine multiservice utility provider. The group offers customers energy, broadband, mobile and insurance and is fully regulated by Ofgem, Ofcom and the Financial Conduct Authority.

Telecom Plus experienced a dramatic turnaround during the last twelve months, delivering a very strong performance that exceeded expectations. The group refused to engage in the value destructive fray of the energy price war, instead remaining focused on long term value creation, which paid dividends. Telecom Plus’ unique multi-utility solution is unavailable from any other known supplier, which further strengthens its position, reduces any competitive threat and totally validates its business model.

ESG Initiative: The group remains focused on delivering against its ESG strategy and has developed a detailed Net Zero transition plan.

Victrex plc

Lancashire-based Victrex is a world leader in PEEK and PAEK-based polymer solutions. The group works continuously to achieve improved economic and performance solutions, guided by megatrends such as climate change, social demographics and technology breakthroughs.

Last year, Victrex collaborated with the French aircraft manufacturer and equipment supplier, Daher, to produce a 176-ply laminate structural aircraft panel, with a thickness of 32 mm. This strategic breakthrough uses light-weight, potentially time-saving composite materials, and innovative manufacturing technologies, thereby offering key advantages for the global aerospace industry in primary structural applications. Additionally Victrex is trialling PEEK in knee replacement surgery.

ESG Initiative: Victrex has a bold ESG strategy, which includes a carbon net-zero goal by 2030, and ambitious targets to increase the proportion of sustainable products.

XPS Pensions Group plc

Reading-based XPS Pensions Group is a leading pensions consulting and administration business. The group specialises in pensions actuarial and investment consultancy and administration, providing a wide range of advisory services to trustees and sponsors of pension schemes.

XPS Pensions experienced several significant milestones during the period. The group’s revenue increased to £139m, which was highest level of year-on-year organic growth since its listing in 2017. In addition, in a ground-breaking deal, XPS Pensions was appointed pensions advisory partner by BT Group, while also making  the significant acquisition of Michael J Field Consulting Actuaries, assisting the group’s substantial growth. 

ESG initiative: XPS Pensions undertook its biggest ever annual ESG ratings exercise of clients’ investments and issued a Responsible Investment Framework to all clients.

CEO of the year award

sponsored by Citi Commercial Bank

 
The 2022 shortlist:

Stephen Burns

Hollywood Bowl Group plc

Stephen joined Hollywood Bowl as Business Development Director in 2011. He was promoted to Managing Director in 2012 and became CEO in 2014.

Stephen was the driving force behind Hollywood Bowl’s growth last year, overseeing the execution of several milestones, including expanding the group’s portfolio, completing a transformational acquisition in Canada and accelerating its digital offering. This contributed to the group’s excellent financial performance which exceeded the Board’s expectations, and subsequent significant share price rise. 

Prior to Hollywood Bowl, Stephen worked within the health and fitness industry, holding various roles within Cannons Health and Fitness Limited from 1999. 

Adam Couch

Cranswick plc

Adam joined Cranswick in 1991. He was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in 2011 and then advanced to the role of CEO in 2012. 

Under Adam’s leadership Cranswick has continued to expand and develop further as a major player in the food processing industry. Last year Adam delivered further commercial and strategic progress, despite a relentlessly challenging operating environment, demonstrating the group’s resilience. Cranswick reported strong revenue growth last year at £1,116.3m, an increase of 12.4% year-on-year, positioning the group for further development over the longer term.

Adam is also Non-Executive Director of Thomas Broadbent & Sons Limited and a member of the UK Government's Agri-Food Trade Advisory Group.

Brian Duffy

Watches of Switzerland Group plc

Brian was appointed as CEO of the Watches of Switzerland Group in 2014. During his tenure he has harnessed a wealth of expertise working with luxury global watch brands.

WOS had an exceptional year with record performance delivered in both the US and UK. Much of the group’s success is attributed to the relationships Brian has built with key brands, in addition to the investment made in stores and inventory and training employees. The group announced it has seen a 48% increase in group revenue for Q4 2022, totalling £304m.

Prior to WOS, Brian was Group President of Polo Ralph Lauren Europe and the Middle East for nine years, based in Geneva Switzerland.

Leslie Hill

Record plc

Leslie took on the role of CEO at Record in 2020. She started as Head of Sales at Record in 1992 and became Deputy Chief Executive 2010. 

Leslie has been credited with transforming Record. She has diversified, modernised, and revitalised the business, resulting in revenue increases of 35% to £22.1m and operating profit increases of 46% to £7.5m. Leslie has driven the business forward by focussing on broadening Record’s product range and specialist skill sets, whilst continuing to invest in technology. 

Prior to Record, Leslie held positions as Head of Sales at Merrill Lynch and Head of Sales at Lloyds Bank.

Nick Jefferies

discoverIE Group plc

Nick was appointed CEO of discoverIE  in 2009. He is also Chairman of the Group Executive Committee and a member of the Nomination and Sustainability Committees.

Nick has been instrumental in the success, growth and vision of discoverIE. He has demonstrated strong and successful leadership of the business and shaped its vision and strategy. Nick set an ambitious goal, to become a leading global innovator in electronics, which is being achieved via organic expansions and acquisitions, including that of Magnasphere, which completed in December 2022 and was immediately earnings enhancing. 

Nick started his career as an electronics engineer for Racal Defence. Prior to discoverIE, he was General Manager for electronics globally at Electrocomponents plc.

Kevin Lyons-Tarr

4imprint Group plc

Kevin became CEO of 4imprint Group in 2015. Kevin has been with the business since 1991, serving in several capacities, including Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

4imprint had a record year last year, which is credited to the strategy put in place by Kevin prior to Covid. The clarity of this strategy, combined with the flexibility and resilience of the business model, resulted in group revenues increasing by 45% to approximately $1.14bn, and profit before tax reaching in excess of £100m, above the upper end of the range of analysts’ forecasts.

Kevin’s career at 4imprint has spanned 32 years.

Alison Rose

NatWest Group plc

Alison joined Natwest as a graduate in 1992 and was appointed as CEO in 2019. 

Alison is the first woman to lead one of the UK’s big four banks. In 2020, Alison set a clear purpose for the bank, to put customers and communities at the heart of the business, which has transformed the group. Despite a challenging environment, NatWest continued to deliver a strong financial performance and implemented several notable achievements, including completing £6.2bn of climate and sustainable funding and financing and completing £2.1bn of green mortgages. 

Alison’s diverse career at NatWest Group has included a number of senior leadership roles, including Deputy CEO of NatWest Holdings, Chief Executive of Commercial & Private Banking and Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Markets & International Banking.

new company of the year award 

sponsored by Link Group

 
The 2022 shortlist:

First Class Metals plc

Blackburn-based First Class Metals is a mineral exploration company. The group is focused on a portfolio of gold, base and battery metal exploration assets in Ontario, including the flagship North Hemlo project. 

First Class Metals floated on the Main Market in July 2022 through an IPO raising £1.85m, priced at 10p per share, giving the group a market cap of £1.13m. Since its debut in July the group has performed very well in a tough market for its sector. First Class Metals is partly owned by AIM listed Power Metal Resources and the proceeds from the fund raise are expected to support its ongoing work.

ESG Initiative: First Class Metals has placed its focus on rare and critical resources that will be vital for a sustainable future.

First Tin plc

London-based First Tin is an ethical, reliable and sustainable tin development company with advanced, low capex projects in Germany and Australia, led by a team of renowned tin specialists. 

First Tin listed on the Main Market in April 2022. The fundraising raised proceeds of £20m, giving the group a market cap of approximately £80m, based on the offer price of 30p per share. The net proceeds were primarily used to execute key development milestones in line with First Tin’s plan to bring two tin mines into production before the end of 2025 in order to support the current global clean energy and technological revolutions.

ESG Initiative: The group has positioned its proposition around offering responsibly sourced tin in support of sustainable development objectives. 

Haleon plc

Surrey-based Haleon is a global leader in consumer health, whose brands include Sensodyne, Panadol, Aquafresh and Advil. The group’s product portfolio spans five major categories - Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health and Other, and Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements.

Haleon, a consumer spin-off from GSK, begun trading on the London Stock Exchange in July last year in the biggest European listing in a decade. The group’s shares started trading at 330p, with a market value of approximately £31bn, ranking it in the top 20 companies, by market cap, in London's FTSE index. 

ESG Initiative: The group launched the Haleon Centre for Human Sciences, which brings together the expertise of practising health professionals and scientists to address the behavioural challenges impacting everyday health.

Ithaca Energy plc

Ithaca Energy is a leading independent oil and gas operator in the North Sea. The group has stakes in six of the ten largest fields in the UK North Sea and two of largest three prospective developments, thereby playing a pivotal role in meeting the current and future energy needs of the UK. 

Ithaca Energy listed on the Main Market in November 2022. The group’s IPO was priced at 250p, giving a market cap of approximately £2.5bn, making it the largest UK IPO of 2022. Ithaca was the first major firm to take advantage of new London listing rules implemented at the end of 2021 that reduced the proportion of shares required to be in public hands.

ESG Initiative: The group’s Environmental Stewardship (ES) process identifies and addresses the environmental impact of all aspects of operations, driving continuous improvement in environmental performance.

company of the year award

sponsored by Berenberg

 
The 2022 shortlist:

4imprint Group plc

4imprint is a direct marketer of promotional products with operations in North America, the UK and Ireland. From 2010 to 2019 the group delivered a decade of uninterrupted, market-beating organic revenue growth. 4imprint is nominated for three awards at this year’s plc awards. 

Last year was a record year for 4imprint due to the group’s flexible and resilient business model and its strategic investment in marketing. Following on from several positive market updates during the course of 2022, the group enjoyed a particularly strong finish to the year. In a recent trading update the group disclosed its unaudited group revenue for the year to end December 2022 was $1.14bn, a year-on-year increase of 45%. The group’s profit before tax should exceed $100m.

ESG initiative: The group’s better choices™ programme addresses demand for products with verified sustainability credentials.

Beazley plc

London-based Beazley is a leading global specialist insurer. The group is passionate about bringing innovative and progressive thinking to the challenges of the insurance market.

Beazley has delivered a strong track record of profitable growth over recent years, as validated by the group’s entry to the FTSE100 in 2022. The group’s high-quality risk selection and diversification has enabled the business to thrive. In November last year, Beazley raised £385m in a share placing to provide growth capital to fund attractive underwriting opportunities. For the six months to end June 2022, Beazley achieved strong growth of 26% with gross premiums increasing to $2,554.9m.

ESG initiative: The company vision is to be the highest performing sustainable specialist insurer. 

Hollywood Bowl Group plc

Hollywood Bowl is the UK’s market leader and the second largest operator of ten-pin bowling centres in the world. The group operates a high-quality, well-invested estate with diverse revenue streams and multiple levers. Hollywood Bowl is nominated for three awards at this year’s plc awards.

2022 was a very strong year for Hollywood Bowl with record revenues reported. The group’s excellent performance was supported by strong customer demand, investment in innovation and technology which drove a higher spend per game, a transformational acquisition in Canada and expansion of the portfolio. For the year to end September 2022, the group reported revenues of £193.7m, up 49.2% year-on-year and group adjusted EBITDA up 58% to £60.6m.

ESG initiative: Hollywood Bowl has developed a strong strategy for improving the sustainability performance of its entertainment facilities.

Kainos Group plc

Kainos is an IT services provider with expertise across three divisions. The group’s purpose is to help customers with their most challenging projects and assist with the capability to succeed in the digital age. Kainos has been shortlisted for three awards at this year’s plc awards. 

Last year Kainos achieved another outstanding year of operational and financial performance. The group has sector-leading metrics for revenue retention and is delivering outstanding growth in recurring revenue. Kainos delivered strong international growth and was appointed a Phase 1 partner for the US market, which was a significant milestone for the group. For the six months to end September 2022 Kainos reported revenue growth of 26% to £179.8m and adjusted pre-tax profit increase of 16% to £34m.

ESG Initiative: Having retained its carbon neutral status for 2022, Kainos remains on track to achieve carbon net zero by 2025. 

Telecom Plus plc

Telecom Plus is the UK’s only genuine multiservice utility provider, offering customers, through the Utility Warehouse brand,  the opportunity to bundle together their energy, broadband, mobile and insurance, to help save on household bills. The group has been nominated for two awards at this year’s plc awards.

Telecom Plus used its disruptive business model to achieve a dramatic turnaround last year, delivering a strong performance which exceeded expectation. The group were able to leverage high power prices to win significant new customers, in addition to achieving churn rates of a historic low. The group’s half-year results for the six months to end September 2022 showed revenues increased 51.5% to £562.4m and adjusted profit before tax increased 22.5% to £32.1m.

ESG initiative: Telecom Plus switched the electricity supply of all UW operations to 100% zero carbon renewable (REGO-backed) electricity.

Watches of Switzerland Group plc

Watches of Switzerland is the leading luxury watch specialist in the UK, in addition to having a growing presence in the US. The group’s selection of luxury watches covers a wide range of prices and consumer preferences. WoS is nominated for three awards at this year’s plc awards. 

Last year was another exceptional year for the group with record sales and profit delivered through both organic expansion and acquisition. The group’s impressive growth is credited to the strong relationships it has with its brands, in addition to continued investment and increased international expansion.  For the year to end May 2022, WoS reported a group revenue increase of 37% to £1,238m. 

ESG initiative: Following the launch of the group’s Listening Forums in the UK and the US, a new range of benefits including a Health Cash Plan was launched in June 2022.