Nick Moloney, a record-setting sailor and adventurer, started the night off with a rousing tail of survival in difficult conditions, a theme that many of our awards winners returned to when looking back at the last two decades.
But the overall tone was, unsurprisingly, optimistic. FinanceAsia has been covering the region’s markets for the last two decades, and many banks, companies, deals and individuals have impressed us during that period. But the men and women attending the ceremony were truly those who stood out from the crowd.
Many of Asia’s best and brightest companies attended the event, with an impressive turn-out of high-level executives. Astra International, Ayala, CK Hutchison, CLP Holdings, Infosys, PTT, PTTEP, SingTel and Sun Hung Kai Properties were among the attendees.
There was also, of course, an impressive turn-out from the banks. Bank Mandiri, Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO, CICC, CIMB, Citi, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Public Bank and UBS all sent senior bankers — as did many of the region’s best securities houses.
S&P Global Ratings arrived to collect an award for two decades at the top in its category. Linklaters came in force to celebrate being picked as the best law firm in Asia over the last two decades.
Many of our guests were familiar faces to one another, through collaboration or competition. But for one night they came together with a shared aim: to celebrate a job well done.
For the full list of winners, and the rationale for the decisions, please see part one and part two of the awards announcement. You can also view a full gallery of pictures.
