Aviva Investors Announces 2024 Award Winners

4 December 2024

(London) – Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva Plc (‘Aviva’), has announced the winners of the “Aviva Investors Sustainability Media Awards 2024”, in recognition of the outstanding reporting across sustainability topics in the UK media.

  • In the fourth iteration of the event, the awards saw over 117 submissions from leading publications and journalists across the investment media
  • This latest edition of the awards also saw an expanded categories list, reflecting the increasing breath of sustainability topics and issues covered by the media

The Awards aim to celebrate the consistently high standards achieved by publications in the national press, institutional and wholesale investment trade media and specialist sustainability publications over the past year.

Entries were judged by a panel of experts led by Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Aviva Investors. Steve was supported by respected industry figures, comprising of:

  • James Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF)
  • Rhian-Mari Thomas, Chief Executive, Green Finance Institute
  • Rose Easton, Chief RI Ecosystems Officer for the UK, Europe and IMEA, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

The journalists received their Awards at a ceremony hosted by Mark Versey, Chief Executive Officer of Aviva Investors, held at the company’s Sustainable Finance Factory.

Commenting on the Awards, Mark Versey, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"The awards are now in their fourth year, and we continue to be overwhelmed by the level of participation and number of quality submissions from the media.

“The calibre of writing we've seen this year underlines that the reporting of sustainability topics has continued to evolve and mature. Our winners and highly commended reporters have shown remarkable skill in untangling complex environmental and social challenges. They have made these topics accessible and compelling reads for their audiences, spotlighting both the risks our world faces and the innovative solutions being developed to address them.

“As we navigate the critical transition to a sustainable future, quality journalism plays an ever-essential role in holding both individuals and organisations accountable and inspiring positive change. This year's winners exemplify the power of storytelling in accelerating progress towards a more resilient and equitable world."

Winners and Highly Commended:

Publication awards

1. Publication of the year

Responsible Investor [Winner]
Environmental Finance [Highly Commended]

2.  Best editorial campaign

New Private Markets [Winner]
MA Financial Media [Highly Commended]

3.  Institutional publication of the year

ESG Investor [Winner]
Responsible Investor [Highly Commended]

4. Retail/wholesale publication of the year

FT Adviser [Winner]
Investment Week [Highly Commended]

5. Real Assets publication of the year

IPE Real Assets [Winner]
Infrastructure Investor [Highly Commended]

6. Multimedia publication of the year

FT Adviser [Winner]
Sustainable Views [Highly Commended]

Individual awards

1. Journalist of the year

Mike Scott, Freelance [Winner]
Dominic Webb, Responsible Investor [Highly Commended]

2.  Newcomer of the year

Atharva Deshmukh, Net Zero Investor [Winner]
Michael Nelson, PA Future [Highly Commended]

3.  DEI journalist of the year

Shruti Chopra, Financial News [Winner]
Kristen McGachey, Financial News [Highly Commended]

4. Climate and environment journalist of the year

Attracta Mooney, Financial Times [Winner]
Peter Cripps, Environmental Finance [Highly Commended]

5. Freelance journalist of the year

Thomas Helm [Winner]
Oliver Balch [Highly Commended]

Article awards

1. Climate change article of the year

Lucy Scott, REC Europe [Winner]
Hermione Taylor, Investors’ Chronicle [Highly Commended]

2.  Biodiversity article of the year

Gina Gambetta, Responsible Investor [Winner]
Attracta Mooney, Financial Times [Highly Commended]

3. Social article of the year

Justin Cash, Financial News [Winner]
Garnet Roach, IR Magazine [Highly Commended]

4. Policy and regulation article of the year

Noemi Distefano, IR Magazine [Winner]
Mike Scott, Freelance [Highly Commended]

For more information contact:

Steve Ainger

Head of Media Relations

Thomas Green

Media Relations Manager

Important information

About Aviva Investors

Aviva Investors is the global asset management business of Aviva plc. The business delivers investment management solutions, services and client-driven performance to clients worldwide. Aviva Investors operates in 14 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and the United Kingdom with £234 billion in assets under management as at 30 June 2024.

Key risks

Investment risk: Investment values can fluctuate, and past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investors’ capital is at risk

Policy and regulatory risks: changes in government policies, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements, which can impact project viability, funding, and long-term sustainability. 

Delivery and counterparty risks: There are risks of delays or failures in delivering promised carbon removal services and the reliability of partners or stakeholders in fulfilling their contractual obligations.

Climate and physical risks: impacts of extreme weather events, changing climate conditions, and natural disasters, which can disrupt operations, damage projects and infrastructure, and affect the effectiveness of carbon removal processes.

Price and value risks: fluctuations in the market price of carbon credits and the uncertainty of the long-term economic value of the carbon removal project, which can affect project returns. The generation of carbon credits and positive returns from them are not guaranteed.

Technology and methodology risks: uncertainties and potential inaccuracies in the measurement, reporting, and verification processes, which can affect the credibility and effectiveness of the carbon removal outcomes.

Reversal and permanence risks: potential for sequestered carbon to be released back into the atmosphere due to factors like land-use changes, natural disturbances, or project failures.

Illiquidity risk: difficulty of selling an asset quickly if required without significantly impacting its price, which can limit financial flexibility and increase investment risk.

Emerging Markets Risks: Investments in emerging markets carry additional political, legal, and corporate governance risks compared to developed markets. 

Investments in natural capital, private and venture capital, and other private market assets incur higher costs and expenses compared to public market assets. These costs are borne by the Fund and disclosed in the Private Placement Memorandum.

This summary highlights key risks but is not exhaustive. Investors should read the Private Placement Memorandum for a complete description of risks and conduct appropriate due diligence before making any investment decisions.

The information and opinions contained in this document are for use by the financial press and media only. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information or opinions contained in this document nor should they be seen as advice.

The press release is provided on the basis that Aviva Investors Global Services Limited is not causing the communication of a financial promotion under exemption of the Financial Promotion Order, as Aviva Investors Global Services Limited has no control over the way in which an article based on this press release is prepared and published by the financial press and media.

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (“Aviva Investors”). Unless stated otherwise any views, opinions expressed are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature.

The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested.

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is with the alternative investment fund manager, Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, as of the 5th of September 2024. Unless stated otherwise, any views, opinions and expected returns expressed, are those of Aviva Investors and based on Aviva Investors internal forecasts. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested.  Past performance is not a guide to future returns.

The information within this document is based on our current understanding of taxation and is not to be construed as investment, legal or tax advice. The basis and rates of tax may change in the future. Some of the information within this document is based upon Aviva Investors estimates at the time of issuance. These should not be relied on by anyone else for the purpose of making investment decisions.  Prospects should obtain and rely on their own examination of the Fund, prior to making an investment decision and it is advised that parties engage their own professional advisors. This document should not be taken as a recommendation or offer by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such an offer is not authorised or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

Where relevant, information on our approach to the European Regulation 2019/2088 of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 November 2019 on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (the “SFDR Regulation”) in Luxembourg on 10 March 2021,  including policies and procedures can be found on the following link: https://www.avivainvestors.com/en-gb/capabilities/sustainable-finance-disclosure-regulation/

Aviva Investors Sustainable Outcomes SCSp SICAV-RAIF is a Luxembourg special limited partnership under the reserved alternative investment fund (fonds d'investissement alternatif réservé) regime within the meaning of the Luxembourg Law of 23 July 2026 (“RAIF Law”). The Fund itself being an alternative investment vehicle, is not regulated by the Luxembourg CSSF or any foreign regulatory authority, while its AIFM is regulated entity under the Luxembourg CSSF. As a consequence, Investors will not benefit from the same investment protection regime applicable to regulated Luxembourg collective investment schemes. Units are reserved to Institutional Investors and Well-Informed Investors who are aware of the risks attaching to an investment in a fund investing in direct or indirect interests in real estate. The Prospectus or Offering Memorandum (as relevant) of Aviva Investors funds are available together with the Report and Accounts free of charge by contacting us at the address below.

The Aviva Investors Sustainable Outcomes SCSp SICAV-RAIF consists currently one sub-fund:: Aviva Investors Carbon Removals Fund.

Aviva Investors Luxembourg, a Luxembourg public limited liability company (société anonyme) governed by and existing under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 2, rue du Fort Bourbon, L-1249 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and registered with the RCS under number B25708, has been appointed as the AIFM of the Fund. The AIFM is authorised and regulated by the CSSF (firm reference number A00000592).

Aviva Investors Global Services Limited

80 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4AE

Phone         +44 (0)20 7809 6000

Fax                +44 (0)20 7489 7940

Web              www.avivainvestors.com

Email            info@avivainvestors.com

Issued by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, registered in England No. 1151805. Registered Office: 80 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4AE. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and a member of the Investment Association. Telephone calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.