Offshore excellence awards 2014

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The firm was delighted to have won AI’s award for Offshore Insurance Launch of the Year. St Bernard is very proud and appreciative that our innovative approach to insurance and our dedicated team are being recognised by Acquisition International’s Insurance Launch of the Year award. Our company is founded on the promise of always putting the customer and quality first through the use of innovative technology, and the Acquisition International award is evidence that we are fulfilling this promise.

“ “

William Fawcett, CEO of St Bernard Assure Limited

We are happy and give glory to God for this achievement. We owe our gratitude to the workers whom have shown a high level of safety and professionalism. Mr AA Atamuno, Managing Director of Midis Energy Services Limited

Offshore Excellence Award: Best Stock Exchange

Official Regional Sponsor

UK



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Welcome to the 2014 Offshore Excellence Awards sponsored by IMG Composites. The offshore industry is one of the most specialised in the business world. From keeping pace with the latest ever-changing legislation and regulations to overseeing complex operations that span the globe, it takes a special kind of firm to excel in offshore, which is why we’re honoured to be able to share so many amazing success stories this year. We’re paying tribute to the law firms, advisers, banks and companies who, through tireless work, dedication to innovation and commitment to peerless customer service have surged ahead to establish themselves as leaders in the offshore industry. As with all of our awards, to be named a winner is a prestigious accolade, due to the successful companies being nominated and voted for by their peers and clients. All of our awards are given entirely on merit, acknowledging their fantastic achievements over the course of the past year. So, if you want to hear about some of the biggest offshore successes from the past year and get to know a little more about the people and businesses shaping this fascinating industry, read on…

MIDIS Energy Services

St Bernard Assure Limited

Best Oil and Gas Services Company - Nigeria Page 4

Offshore Insurance Launch of the Year Page 8

Malta Stock Exchange

IMG Composites

Offshore Excellence Award: Best Stock Exchange Page 12

Best Offshore Engineered Repair Solutions Provider Page 14

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices

Aqua Tech Diving Services

Best Outsourcing Legal Practice - Philippines Page 17

Best Offshore Shipping Solution Page 19

Regional Sponsor UK

Please remember that recognition from rating services or publications is no guarantee of future investment success. Working with an adviser, regardless of how highly rated, does not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the adviser by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluations. www.acquisition-intl.com


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Best Oil and Gas Services Company - Nigeria

MIDIS Energy Services The oil and gas industry In Nigeria currently accounts for 75 per cent of the Nigerian government’s revenue and up to 95 per cent of dollar earnings.

History of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Oil was discovered in Nigeria in 1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta after half a century of exploration. The discovery was made by Shell-BP, at the time the sole concessionaire. Nigeria joined the ranks of oil producers in 1958 when its first oil field came on stream producing 5,100 bpd. After 1960, exploration rights in onshore and offshore areas adjoining the Niger Delta were extended to other foreign companies. In 1965 the EA field was discovered by Shell in shallow water southeast of Warri. In 1970, the end of the Biafran war coincided with the rise in the world oil price, and Nigeria was able to reap instant riches from its oil production. Nigeria joined the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1971 and established the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in 1977, a state owned and controlled company which is a major player in both the upstream and downstream sectors. Following the discovery of crude oil by Shell D’Arcy Petroleum, pioneer production began in 1958 from the company’s oil field in Oloibiri in the Eastern Niger Delta. By the late sixties and early seventies, Nigeria had attained a production level of over 2 million barrels of crude oil a day. Although production figures dropped in the eighties due to economic slump, 2004 saw a total rejuvenation of oil production to a record level of 2.5 million barrels per day. Current development strategies are aimed at increasing production to 4million barrels per day by the year 2010. Petroleum production and export play a dominant role in Nigeria’s economy and account for about 90% of her gross earnings. This dominant role has pushed agriculture, the traditional mainstay of the economy, from the early fifties and sixties, to the background. Development of Nigeria’s Oil Industry The advent of the oil industry can be traced back to 1908, when a German entity, the Nigerian Bitumen Corporation, commenced exploration activities in the Araromi area, West of Nigeria. These pioneering efforts ended abruptly with the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Oil prospecting efforts resumed in 1937, when Shell D’Arcy (the forerunner of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria) was awarded the sole concessionary rights covering the whole territory of Nigeria. Their activities were also interrupted by the Second World War, but resumed 1947. Concerted efforts after several years and an investment of over N30 million, led to the first commercial discovery in 1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta. This discovery, opened up the Oil industry in 1961, bringing in Mobil, Agip, Safrap (now Elf), Tenneco and Amoseas (Texaco and Chevron respectively) to join the exploration efforts both in the onshore and areas of Nigeria. This development was enhanced by the extenwww.acquisition-intl.com

sion of the concessionary rights previously a monopoly of Shell, to the newcomers. The objective of the government in doing this, was to the pace of exploration and production of Petroleum. Even now more companies, both foreign and indigenous have won concessionary rights and are producing. Actual oil production and export from the Oloibiri field in present day Bayelsa State commenced in 1958 with an initial production rate of 5,100 barrels of crude oil per day. Subsequently, the quantity doubled the following year and progressively as more players came onto the oil scene, the production rose to 2.0 million barrels per day in 1972 and a peaking at 2.4 million barrels per day in 1979. Nigeria thereafter, attained the status of a major oil producer, ranking 7th in the world in 1972, and has since grown to become the sixth largest oil producing country in the world. Current Status of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Oil and Gas Reserves A 2003 estimate showed recoverable crude oil reserves at 34 billion barrels. The reserve base is expected to increase due to additional exploration and appraisal drilling. Already, over 900 million barrels of crude oil of recoverable reserves have been identified. The government has also set a target to achieve a reserve of 40 billion barrels by 2010. Nigeria has an estimated 159 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven natural gas reserves, giving the country one of the top ten natural gas endowments in the world. Due to a lack of utilization infrastructure, Nigeria still flares about 40% of the natural gas it produces and re-injects 12% to enhance oil recovery. Official Nigerian policy is to end gas flaring completely by 2008. The World Bank estimates that Nigeria accounts for 12.5% of the world’s total gas flaring. Shell estimates that about half of the 2 Bcf/d of associated gas -- gaseous by-products of oil extraction -- is flared in Nigeria annually. The new industry strategy is to collect the associated gas and process it into liquefied natural gas (LNG), greatly enhancing Nigerian natural gas revenues while simultaneously reducing carbon dioxide emissions Oil Fields Of the 606 oil fields in the Niger Delta area, 355 are on-shore while the remaining 251 are offshore. Of these, 193 are currently operational while 23 have been shut in or abandoned as a result of poor prospectivity or total drying up of the wells. Outside the Niger Delta, a total of 28 exploratory oil wells have been drilled all showing various levels of prospectivity as seen in Table 2. These wells include two (2) discovery wells in Anambra State, one (1) discovery well each in Edo State and Benue State each and Twenty-four (24) wells in the Chad Basin. However, production is yet to commence from any of the wells. Nigerian liquefied Natural Gas The Nigerian LNG project is being implemented in phases with an initial production from two trains. The plant is situated at Bonny Island. NLNG has successfully secured market for its moderate production volume from its base project and train three.

Fact File

“We are happy and give glory to God for this achievement. We owe our gratitude to the workers whom have shown high level of safety and professionalism.” Company: MIDIS Energy Services Name: A. A. Atamuno Email: sales@ midisenergyservices.com Web: www.midisenergyservices.com Address: 190 Senator George Sekibo Road, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Tel: +234 802 315 7903 +234 706 744 2856


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Sources of Gas The bulk of the gas for base project is mainly NAG supplied from the following gas supplier fields: SPDC - SOKU; NAOC - OBIAFU OBIKROM; EPNL - OBITE; The bulk of gas for train three will contain more of associated gas from which both LNG and LPG will be produced. Gas Supply Contract: The NLNG had signed Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs) with three upstream gas producers in 1992. This is aimed at securing adequate and regular supply of gas for the project. These gas producers are: The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) - NNPC/SPDC/NAOC/EPNL JV: operator & sellers’ representative - SPDC (Shell affiliate); Nigerian Agip Oil Company limited (NAOC) - NNPC/NAOC/POCNL JV: operator & sellers’ representative - NAOC (Agip affiliate); ELF Petroleum Nigerian limited (ELF), (then Elf Nigerian Limited) - NNPC/EPNL JV: operator & sellers’ representative - EPNL (Elf affiliate). These three joint ventures are expected to supply the gas requirement for the project for the next 221/2 years.

Midis Energy Services Midis Energy Services is a world-class oil and gas services company based in Nigeria. The firm focuses on quality, cost-effective, innovative and cutting-edge solutions designed to meet the present day challenges of the oil and gas industry and other industrial markets in Nigeria. Mr A Atamuno is managing director at Midis Energy Services and he explains a little bit more about the company and the areas it specialises in. “Our footprints are in almost all the major oil and gas projects particularly the offshore fields,” he says of the sector. “We provide a full range of offshore and onshore support solutions. Our services include, but are not limited to, Operations & Maintenance of Offshore Facilities such as FPSO’s, Semi-Subs, FSO’s; Engineering, Procurement & Construction [EPC] of same facilities; and Subsea Engineering Services. Project and Technical support services.” Midis was incorporated in 2005 and is now based in Lagos, Port Harcourt, London & Houston. “Our clients are the International Oil Companies such as Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Addax and Agip. “We have about 146 staff (30 in-house staff and about 116 technical professionals working in various projects across the oil & gas companies in Nigeria. “We are focused on quality, cost effective, innovation and cutting-edge solution designed to meet the present day challenges of the oil and gas industry and other industrial market in Nigeria,” he said.

Gas Supply Contract Quantities: The joint venture will supply a total of 302.17 billion standard cubic metres (BSCM) of feed-gas required for the NLNG’s three trains. The feed-gas for the three trains will be a combination of associated and non-associated gas. When NLNG’s train three becomes fully operational, a total of about 41.83 million standard cubic metres will be required by the plant daily. Licenses and Leases. There are two types of licenses issued to oil producers in Nigeria namely: the Oil Prospecting License (OPL) and the Oil Mining License (OML) with validity periods ranging from 5 to 20 years respectively. As at February 1999, there were a total of 48 OML’s and OPL’s issued mainly to Joint Ventures with government participation.

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panama

FOLIO GROUP The Folio Group is a leading, multi-jurisdictional offshore service provider to Investment Funds, Insurance Companies and Business Companies. Founded in 2001 in the British Virgin Islands, the Group now has additional offices in the Cayman Islands, Malta and Panama and is represented in a number of other important financial services centres, such as Barbados, Delaware and Anguilla. The Group utilises a wealth of product and industry knowledge to provide specialist services that include Fund Structuring and Administration, Insurance Management, Corporate Management and Director Services.

Blue British mail box in the British Virgin Islands

Our primary focus is providing our global clientele with a complete range of tailored solutions and value added services. As a fully independent practice, we allow our clients to benefit from our wealth of experience and our established relationships with banks, brokers, custodians, auditors, advisors and lawyers.

cayman islands

“providing tailored solutions and value added services” malta

Contact the Folio Group for more information on our services and methodologies. Folio Chambers, PO Box 800, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands Tel: +1 284 494 7065 Fax: +1 284 494 8356

www.folioadmin.com

“strict attention to detail and timely service delivery”


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Managing Director – Mr AA Atamuno Mr. A.A. Atamuno has more than 16 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry. He is responsible for the overall running of the company’s operations by delivering trouble free services to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Reporting to the Board of Directors, he has overall responsibilities for the financial results of the company as well as employee motivations and the highest safety standards.

These projects include: Bonga South-West Aparo Project (Shell), Ofon Deep water offshore (Total E&P), USAN deep water Offshore, Erha Field Development (ExxonMobil), Yoho Field Development (ExxonMobil), Expansion into deep offshore by oil majors in Nigeria, Escravos Gas-To-Liquid Project – Phase2 (Chevron), Bonny LNG expansion (Shell & Others), OK LNG Project (Various), Brass LNG Project (Agip), Akpo Field Development (Total Upstream).

A visionary business entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in managerial ability; he has contributed immensely and participated in various oil and gas seminar in recent times. His vast influence in the business has earned Midis Energy Services the agency and partnership with major companies abroad. He is an astute businessman with right connections both locally and globally. As a Managing Director, he has negotiated several successful deals ranging from trade to energy and from manpower consulting to construction; his direct interaction with major players of the industry has been one major factor that fuelled the growth of the company.

“We have worked on AGBAMI FPSO for the past three years without any accident or incident, and we successfully undertook the execution of AGBAMI FPSO COLD VENT [VRU] COMPRESSION PROJECT,” explains Atamuno, speaking of the company’s successful long-standing relationships with clients.

He has attended several programs in Entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and management. He is responsible for the strategic planning and the development of the unified corporate vision and strategy and has contributed to ensuring and maintaining a high operational and credit facility, management development program, managing resources efficiently which has increased organisational return in investment. Best Oil and Gas Services Company – Nigeria, 2014 Recently, Midis Energy Services was named Best Oil and Gas Services Company 2014 in the Acquisition International Finance Awards – a prestigious accolade voted for by readers of Acquisition International magazine and its corresponding website. Mr Atamuno was understandably delighted to clinch this title and enthuses: “We are happy and give Glory to God for this achievement.” He also believes that it was the hard work of his team which helped win this award and who continue to make the company a success, as he adds: “We owe our gratitude to the workers whom have shown high level of safety and professionalism.”

Speaking of successful working relationships, Atamuno embellishes on what he believes potential clients should look for when seeking out and choosing an energy company to employ. “Clients should be looking for good quality services delivered on time and within budget,” he states, underpinning Midis Energy Services’ core values once again. “That is the Midis way of project delivery. “Our edge is our PEOPLE - Midis is a PEOPLE-oriented company.” And it is clear that investment in people is another of Midis’ keys to success, and something that makes it stand head and shoulders above its peers and competitors. “We are adapting to the changing climate by expanding our already-successful team to be able to provide more services to more clients.” When it comes to the future, Atamuno envisions it as big and bright, and explains: “The IOC’s moving to the offshore and ultra-deep offshore is affecting the dynamics of the business in Nigeria; and Midis Energy is also adapting through the formation of technical partnership’s with world-class EPC Companies and improving our scope of services. “Oil majors in Nigeria will continue to expand their operations into the deep offshore region in view of the vastness of the untapped reserves being discovered and it also presents huge opportunities for offshore vessel operators and technical professionals.”

Mr Atamuno believes that awards such as this are important to both individual businesses such as Midis Energy Services as well as the wider sector, as it actively enhances the firm’s profile and its reputation within the industry. The offshore industry differs from working in other investment areas as there is a constantly evolving landscape of rules and regulations which must be adhered to, as Mr Atamuno describes. “This industry presents unique opportunities as well as challenges, even though these opportunities come with very high risk. “It is a highly regulated industry and there are major laws which have to be adhered to, such as The Nigeria Law on Petroleum; API Regulations on standards, Nigerian Content Development Law 2010, and other Laws on Safety. “I guess working in the offshore sector, the most important things to be aware of and to focus on to ensure that Midis Energy Services remains at the forefront of any developments in the industry are SAFETY, SECURITY & QUALITY. Midis adhere very strictly to these variables in order to sustain our integrity and excellence.” Midis has embarked on various projects like the Bonga FPSO, Sea-Eagle FPSO, Bonga South- West Field Development, Agbami FPSO Development and operation, Panting Repair Services at OML 100; 102 and FSO UNITY offshore facilities and structures among others. Plus the Midis boss sees high potential and prospect of growth in the oil and gas industry in view of upcoming projects. www.acquisition-intl.com


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Offshore Insurance Launch of the Year

St Bernard Assure Limited AI spoke to executives at Gibraltar-based St Bernard Assure Limited about how the recently-formed company’s unique business model and focus on customer service is helping it make its mark in the highly competitive insurance industry.

St Bernard Assure Limited is a new offshore insurance and reinsurance company based in Gibraltar. The company was formed in October 2012 by the Haverford Group to be the cornerstone of its European operations. The company was licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission in August 2013. The company wrote its first reinsurance contract on January 1, 2014, a retrocessional treaty for a major German insurer covering global property, marine and aviation risks. Next, the company formed a branch in Switzerland which was licensed by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) in December 2013. Using the newly formed branch, the company launched its insurance business in Switzerland on May 1, 2014. Being a new insurer without yet having obtained a rating, St Bernard launched with capital exceeding the regulatory requirements. It is further protected from catastrophic losses by a three year ceded reinsurance treaty with one of the world’s largest reinsurers possessing an A+ financial rating. The company will also be Solvency II compliant well in advance of the 2016 implementation date. One of the unique characteristics of St Bernard’s insurance business is that it uses an entirely online business model for its Swiss motor insurance offering. This model offers Swiss drivers auto insurance plans with customisable benefits for optimal flexibility, customer safety and cost savings. The company is a niche player in the motor insurance category, with a clear mission. “Buying insurance is never going to be fun,” says company CEO William Fawcett, “but St Bernard makes it as uncomplicated, quick and transparent as possible. Our website was specifically designed not to look like traditional insurance sites but rather to be more engaging and dynamic for tech-savvy consumers.” Although all business can be transacted online, the company has a Swiss customer support centre which answers questions and gives support 24 hours per day, seven days a week. No other insurance company in Switzerland offers this service. St Bernard’s proprietary rating engine can generate quotes for any driver and automobile in Switzerland. Through the use of extensive industry analysis, St Bernard knows the pricing of all of its competitors and which demographics they are targeting. For the firm’s preferred target driver (Swiss, 30-55 and driving a non-commercial vehicle in the middle to lower price range) St Bernard’s prices will always be in the top positions of aggregator sites. “Our target segments are price sensitive, responsible and ecological oriented drivers,” says marketing director Martina Hessel. “They regularly use the internet to search for information and are comfortable with online purchases.” www.acquisition-intl.com

Fawcett says the firm was delighted to have won AI’s award for Offshore Insurance Launch of the Year. “St Bernard is very proud and appreciative that our innovative approach to insurance and our dedicated team are being recognised by Acquisition International’s Insurance Launch of the Year award,” he says. “Our company is founded on the promise of always putting the customer and quality first through the use of innovative technology, and the Acquisition International award is evidence that we are fulfilling this promise.” St Bernard’s human capital is at the core of the success and it is because of the team’s hard work, enthusiasm and devotion to our business that the firm has been able to successfully launch an innovative new company in only fifteen months, Fawcett says, adding that the business is founded on a culture which promotes integrity, entrepreneurial talent and intelligent risk-taking. St Bernard’s chief information officer, Leo Hall-Hoffarth, was equally pleased at the firm’s success. “It’s a great feeling, we are ecstatic that the hard work is now paying off. Our success ultimately comes from the dedication of the entire team as we focused on the launch date,” he said. Hall-Hoffarth expressed great pride in his team and hinted that they are working on technology that could revolutionize insurance distribution; particularly in developing countries.

Fact File

“St Bernard is very proud and appreciative that our innovative approach to insurance and our dedicated team are being recognised by Acquisition International’s Insurance Launch of the Year award. Our company is founded on the promise of always putting the customer and quality first through the use of innovative technology, and the Acquisition International award is evidence that we are fulfilling this promise.”

Using respected offshore centres, St Bernard writes insurance and reinsurance risks throughout Europe. It also writes global catastrophe risks from its affiliated reinsurance company in Bermuda. Through its Swiss branch, St Bernard specialises in online personal insurance. “The first offering was automobile insurance for the Swiss consumer market, but we expect to expand into other lines of business,” says Fawcett. “Using the EU’s freedom of services directive for insurance, we also expect to enter other jurisdictions by the end of the year. We are continuously researching other jurisdictions for new opportunities.” St Bernard is licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission. The FSC is a respected regulator and the only British offshore centre that is part of the European Union. The company is regulated in each jurisdiction in which it operates. In Switzerland, the company is regulated by FINMA and is a member of the National Guarantee Fund / National Insurance Bureau of Switzerland. “Not long ago, we completed our first reinsurance agreement with a world leading reinsurer,” Fawcett says. “After a successful first term we are looking forward to continuing the partnership and have negotiated a second term.”

Company: St. Bernard Assure Limited Name: William Fawcett, CEO Email: info@stbernard.gi Web: www.stbernard.gi Tel: +350 200 68150 Address: 1st floor, 85 Main Street, Gibraltar


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Given the competitiveness of the insurance market, Fawcett says he believes awards such as AI’s to be highly important, both to individual businesses and to the wider industry. The insurance market is saturated and so standing out for something good can be a challenge. For us, the Acquisition International Insurance Launch of the Year award provides a great opportunity for St Bernard to showcase its unique selling proposition and to generate interest with potential business partners. From an organisational perspective, the award recognises our team’s talent, creativity and, above all, their excellence. “The award recognises the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes, and as such is a great milestone in our journey as an innovative challenger to the traditional insurance industry.” Fawcett acknowledges that working in offshore presents challenges, but adds that it also presents great opportunities. “Certainly the changing regulatory landscape is a challenge and requires us to adapt our business models, distribution channels and some of our products. The compliance function is more complex when dealing in several different legal systems. Local regulations and relations need to be respected if we are to be successful in the long run,” he says. “However we remain optimistic that these changes will result in material improvements and greater respect for offshore institutions”. In terms of opportunities, having access to the single European market (and therefore a potential client base of over 500m people) is a unique advantage to operating offshore from Gibraltar.

“Our international structure also provides other advantages. For example, St Bernard’s Hyderabad, India office provides insurance processing, accounting and IT services. Having a dedicated BPO in Hyderabad, India gives St Bernard an advantage in operating costs and an extended work day”, commented CFO Lingaraju Rayaprolu. Being an international organisation, St Bernard can easily replicate operations in different markets maximizing economies of scale and scope. Our business operations were built with fluidity and flexibility in mind. “As an offshore company, it is a prerequisite for our success to spot new opportunities, to be agile and to get to market faster than our onshore competitors,” Fawcett says. “The Haverford group has operations in eight countries, St Bernard uses the group’s reach to understand client needs and behaviours in different markets. With that knowledge, we adapt our products and offerings to the local marketplaces,” says Fawcett. “The experience gained in other markets is used when entering other markets. The design of our platform allows the delivery of services without duplicating functions in each country” Says Chief Administrative Officer, Christie Meacham. Insurance is regulated at the country level, and so companies must adhere to a unique set of laws in each jurisdiction where they write coverage. Additionally, as markets expand and require harmonization, regional laws have recently been enacted, for example the European Solvency Directives.

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Regulations applicable to St Bernard are the European regulatory guidelines, the guidelines issued by the Finance Services Commission in Gibraltar and the guidelines issued by FINMA in Switzerland. Major laws are the Financial Market Supervisory laws in Switzerland. These regulations are in addition to the laws in each jurisdiction where we conduct business, i.e. consumer rights, data protection, etc. The key to success is to be agile and to think that “all business is local business”. We’ve watched other firms attempt to impose their way of doing business on other cultures and then wonder why their previous success could not be replicated. In contrast, our offshore experience has taught us that success abroad comes from management’s ability to listen and to adapt to each marketplace. “Keeping at the forefront of developments is substantially helped through participation in the marketplace and affiliation with local industry associations. Sometimes transporting new developments in one marketplace to another marketplace helps to gain competitive advantages whilst maintaining the costs within acceptable boundaries.” Communication in a multi-cultural environment is more complex than in a single market, Fawcett explains. “And thanks to the international offshore experience of our team, this hurdle is perhaps lower for us.” There are any number of challenges when entering a new market, and this challenge is of course amplified when trying to introduce new methodologies in markets not known for innovation. “In traditional businesses like insurance, it is sometimes difficult for local authorities and business partners to embrace new ways of doing business; however when they do, the results are dramatic,” says Fawcett.

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“Because many consumers have a negative view of insurance companies, St Bernard’s founders decided to confront head-on the behaviours which most upset insurance consumers. Starting from the premise that we will treat others the way we would like to be treated ourselves, we are making our insurance processes as transparent as possible. Company research has shown that most car owners find buying insurance complicated and frustrating so we developed an easy-to-use online insurance platform that allows customers to tailor their policies to their needs and their budget. Then we made the purchasing process fast and secure with all documentation delivered electronically within minutes.” At StBernard.ch, customers can purchase auto insurance in less than 15 minutes while saving around 15% off of traditional insurers’ prices. “Our webportal has unique features including pre-selected insurance packages and insurance coverage customisable for all drivers,” says Hessel. “Our clients will know exactly what they are getting and that they have saved money.” Having chosen to be an innovator in the insurance market, St Bernard is challenging the traditional car insurance industry to adapt to the savvy consumer’s needs the way we have. For example, the company doesn’t use agents to sell its insurance products. Instead, the company offers an online shopping model which cuts out the traditional middle man. By avoiding the agent, savings in sales commissions of up to 15% are passed on to customers in the form of discounted rates.

Gibraltar Lighthouse at Sunset


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When seeking an insurance or reinsurance provider, customers should be looking for quality, price and credibility, says Senior Underwriter, Urs Isenschmid. “Our commercial reinsurance clients are looking for quick responses on their applications, a fair price for the protection and straight-forward claim processing. St Bernard meets its clients’ needs by having experienced teams and setting clear performance standards,” he says. “In direct, personal lines insurance, we find that we can avoid a lot of the stereotypical complaints about insurers by simply following the Golden Rule: we treat others the way we would like to be treated ourselves. That means courteous, prompt, fair and transparent. It is particularly important for our success to have a distinguishing philosophy and then ensure we are following through in all things we do added Fawcett. “Before making a car insurance purchase every customer should decide whether they would like to buy a pre-packaged coverage or customise their own insurance solution. Both alternatives have advantages; a pre-packaged solution is less time consuming but it does not take into consideration your particular needs. On the other hand a 100% customisable solution is flexible and can be designed to meet your exact needs.” St. Bernard offers both solutions to its clients; and if the customer is uncertain about what’s right for them, St Bernard provides direct, no non-sense advice through our 24/7 customer support center added Underwriter Isenschmid. “We insure clients the way we want to be insured. For the customer, this means a trustworthy provider which offers a fair price without sacrificing the quality of product or the service level,” says Fawcett. St Bernard is a small team of innovative professionals with years of experience in a number of jurisdictions. “Our size gives us flexibility to discover industry trends early and to quickly respond to new customer expectations,” says Fawcett. We are using social media to respond to our customer’s changing needs. One idea we have for next year is an online contest which will engage our customers in co-creating a new insurance product. “Our local insight and expert industry knowledge guarantee top quality product offers especially designed to fulfil the customers’ requirements. We built this company with the intent of doing things differently and not repeating the errors of other insurers.”

cesses and easy access to personalised coverage,” he says. “Customers will expect to have relevant information for their insurance purchase at their fingertips at any given time and place.” To meet these new demands, St Bernard constantly works on improving its website and services through customer feedback of its website and product offerings. An online chat function and a mobile app are two of the planned additions to increase accessibility in the coming year. Another industry trend is the increasing proportion of customers who use their smart phone or tablet for insurance purchases, he continues. “This development is in line with St Bernard’s philosophy and its core values of transparency, helpfulness, and value for your money. The insurance industry will need to become more accessible in the coming years and St Bernard has already embarked on this path. Our 100% online car insurance is not only a means of staying ahead of the competition in developed markets but we are using the technology as a proof of concept for a micro-insurance platform we use in emerging economies with new insurable values that cannot be served by traditional insurers with heavy operational costs” says Fawcett with a knowing smile. According to the company’s marketing director, “another trend is the ’single customer view’ - - an aggregated, consistent and holistic representation of the data known by an organisation about its customers. To have this view of each customer gives important insight for the creation of new insurance products and services,” explains Hessel. “Insurance is grounded in security, trust and reliability therefore when insurance companies begin to access ‘big data’ they will have to be acutely attuned to privacy issues and maintain strict integrity policies” she says. “St Bernard intends to be a change agent. Our initial success in a relatively short time has only come about with a lot of hard work. If it were easy everyone would do it,” says Fawcett. “For our team to see that their hard work has been recognised with this award is extremely motivating.” Fawcett does not intend to rest on his laurels however and tells AI to watch for more to come next year.

Below: Catalan Bay Gibraltar

In terms of industry trends, Fawcett says the increased competition and poor investment environment has led to challenges for insurers with inefficient processes. Profit margins in personal insurance lines have always been small but they are shrinking even further as price sensitive customers readily change insurers to save even small amounts on their annual premium. “When we founded St Bernard we knew that customer expectations didn’t stop at price and that expectations for service levels were high even on discount policies. Experience has shown that customers buy on price but they stay because of service. St Bernard is able to offer competitive prices and top quality service by reducing operating costs through the use of technology.” As respects recent changes to laws and regulations that have affected how businesses in our industry operate, Fawcett says that while at first it may sound counterintuitive, St Bernard’s advantage that it is a ‘new’ player. “Without pre-existing institutional baggage, we are able to design our processes and products from ground up such that they are already in compliance with new regulation. Major regulatory changes include Solvency II implementation in 2016 and the upcoming changes to the Insurance Law in Switzerland. These will present challenges to our competitors that we have already overcome,” he says. Looking towards the next 12 months, Fawcett foresees digital sales channels increasing their importance for insurance purchases particularly in developing countries. “This development is fuelled by an increased customer demand for autonomy, simplified prowww.acquisition-intl.com


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Offshore Excellence Award: Best Stock Exchange

Malta Stock Exchange The Malta Stock Exchange became a reality upon the enactment of the Malta Stock Exchange Act in 1990 which had the main objective to develop the capital market in Malta and also charged the new institution with regulatory responsibilities including that of Listing Authority.

The Exchange opened its doors to trading and the provision of post-trading services over twenty years ago, precisely on 8 January 1992, initially servicing only Malta Government Stocks. From this very modest beginning during the last 24 years, the Exchange has undergone many corporate, technological and operational changes which have enabled it continue increase and diversify its operations and to serve as an effective catalyst to mobilize capital. Today, the Exchange operates a multi-currency regulated market trading in various instruments including equity and corporate bonds as well as money-market instruments.The Exchange also operates a central securities depository together with other ancillary services, operating, as an EU market, within internationally recognized standards. In 2002, consequent to significant changes in legislation which also saw the establishment of the Malta Financial Services Authority as the single regulator for regulated financial services in Malta, the Exchange shed all its regulatory roles including that of Listing Authority which allowed it to increase its focus on new business opportunities. Later on, in 2007, the Exchange changed its corporate structure from that of a public authority into a group of companies structure incorporated under Maltese company law albeit still owned by the Government. This corporate development was considered to be crucial as the Group structure better reflects the core services provided by the Exchange and moreover provides the best legislative, regulatory and governance platform for it to continue to expand its current operations and enter into new areas of business. As a regulated market and central securities depository the Exchange offers a whole range of services including admission to trading on either of its two markets, membership, trading, clearing and settlement, register maintenance and related register administration services, custodial services and other related services as well as also carrying out the role of the National Numbering Agency for Malta in relation to the provision of ISIN numbers. Its latest service offering, in response to the market’s needs, is in respect of providing practitioners with facilities in order for them to comply with the requirements of EMIR reporting. The Exchange is proud to be able to offer services along the whole value chain of a transaction and remains committed to providing a holistic service to those who require it, however, a key strategic initiative undertaken over the past few years has been to unbundle the various service streams in order that such services may be provided separately in accordance with the needs of the individual users of our services, in order to be able to address the needs of a diverse range of clients and to provide a more efficient and cost-effective offering. While the Exchange to date remains a largely domestic, retail-investor based market, in order to continue to achieve sustainable growth, the Exchange has not only widened the range of services that it provides, as we have seen, even moving out of its more traditional areas of business into new areas of operations, but is www.acquisition-intl.com

focusing on attracting international business as well as focusing on specific areas of business which it is felt , the Exchange is ideally suited to provide, such as providing a market for the admission and trading of small and medium sized companies, and through the post-trading infrastructure, custody and the dematerialized administration of financial assets. In order to achieve these goals the Exchange has invested heavily in technology to support its business strategy and to provide international connectivity within both its trading and post-trading infrastructures, designed to bolster and support its international service offerings. In fact, over the past two years the Exchange has invested heavily in a new international hosted trading platform and has undertaken a significant upgrade to its post-trading infrastructure, the latter, also in readiness of its participation in Target-2 Securities, another project that the Exchange felt it had to be part of in order to enhance its international connectivity and remain relevant and competitive within the international market place. The greatest investment of the Exchange has, however, by far been in its human resources, to ensure that it has not only the quantity but moreover the quality, experience and expertise to sustain the level of service it sets itself to provide and to be able to meet the future challenges and continue to grow and innovate. Winning the Offshore Excellence Award for 2014 as Best Stock Exchange is for us, a recognition of the hard work and commitment put in by all the team and other stakeholders of the Exchange, the significant investment in technology with a view to future growth and above all, recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit of our young, small, but innovative Exchange. We believe that such internationally recognized awards help to give not only international recognition of our efforts but also give increased credibility to our service offerings. Indeed, international accessibility through technology, cost effectiveness, transparency, flexibility and creative innovation have led to sustainability and growth and have enabled the Exchange to become a service provider of choice for a diversity of users. All this, coupled with a “can do” work ethic have led to the Exchange being deemed best in class and winning this prestigious award. We believe that in the future we will see many new opportunities opening up but we are also fully cognizant that many challenges will have to be overcome in order to sustain continued growth both in offshore services and other investment areas. In the offshore arena the biggest challenges that, as a small market, we are already facing are to create a truly competitive service, price-sensitivity and to attract large volumes to create a large market with niche operational opportunities. On the other hand, our small size perhaps allows us to be more adaptable and flexible which allows us to provide a more specialized service that may require smaller volumes to make it a more attractive business proposition.

Fact File

“Winning the Offshore Excellence Award for 2014 as Best Stock Exchange is for us, a recognition of the hard work and commitment put in by all the team and other stakeholders of the Exchange, the significant investment in technology with a view to future growth and above all, recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit of our young, small, but innovative Exchange.” Company: The Malta Stock Exchange plc Contact: Eileen V Muscat Email: evmuscat@borzamalta.com.mt Web: www.borzamalta.com.mt Address: Garrison Chapel, Castille Place, Valletta VLT 1063, Malta Tel: +356 21 244 051 Fax: +356 25 696 316


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Challenges and opportunities will, in the future, also have to be faced in the more traditional capital market and post-trading spheres of operations. While Malta and the Exchange have weathered the recent financial storm there is no doubt that the financial crisis has left a mark on all financial service operators and practitioners, whether directly or indirectly. Like any other EU financial market the Exchange is now facing the double-edged sword of increased regulation and compliance regimes. Double-edged because while of course, capital adequacy costs as well as compliance costs are soaring making it ever more difficult to remain competitive and offer cost-effective service proposals particularly for small institutions or practitioners like the Exchange which still have to adhere to all international standards if they want to continue to operate, on the other hand regulation has proven to be the backbone of Malta’s development as a financial centre which now is considered to be one of the most transparent and reputable in the world. Year-on-year growth of the financial services has made this sector one of the principal mainstays of the economy. Indeed, the financial sector has grown by about 25% annually over the last few years and now accounts for around 12% of GDP and at the same time provides almost 10,000 jobs. These achievements are certainly impressive, particularly when seen against the background of the financial turmoil. That Malta’s financial sector has proven to be so resilient in times of crisis is very apparent, however, there is no easy answer why this is so. The answer may partly lie in the stakeholders’, be these successive Governments, regulators or service providers, taking a long-term view focused on steady growth, of quality over quantity and above all focusing on reputation, reputation and yet more reputation. This focus has allowed Malta to develop a financial centre based on transparency and tough but flexible regulation which supports innovation, while harmonizing its legislation with best practice standards of EU legislation. Competitive costs, access to key international markets and professional service providers have catapulted our financial centre into the limelight as one of Europe’s fastest growing and most dynamic financial centres bolstered by a strong regulatory framework as well as a transparent and competitive fiscal regime.

This gradual development and focus on reputation has allowed a steady growth in the range and depth of services that are provided which besides a thriving capital market and central securities depository, include banking services, investment funds business, custody and wealth management and ancillary back office services. It is within this background and ethos of quality over quantity, that the Exchange, as other financial sector service providers in Malta, is in a position to offer an effectively regulated and a highly personal service which is low cost and enjoys beneficial tax treatments. Easy access to all stakeholders within the industry, including the regulator, coupled with a personal, flexible and speedy service provision have positioned the Exchange, as one of the front runners to attract new business. Furthermore, in recent years, the requisite support services, such as lawyers, accountants, administrators and other consultants have gained the necessary experience and expertise to meet the needs the more demanding, larger international operators and investors. Other significant pieces of legislation such as MIFID II, AIFMD and the CSD Regulation are going to continue to add regulatory burdens but will also offer up new opportunities. The lighter regulatory framework for SME MTFs under MIFID II, the need for investment funds, which have been Malta’s success story, to have local depositaries under the AIFMD and the whole range of services encompassed and contemplated under the CSD regulation provide a robust framework for the Exchange to continue to develop into new, innovative areas of business which will contribute to its continued growth and sustainability.

Below: Valletta, the Capital City of Malta

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14 | 2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS

Best Offshore Engineered Repair Solutions Provider

IMG Composites IMG Composites has been named Best Offshore Engineered Repair Solutions Provider by Acquisition International readers. Business Development Manager, Ian Taylor, tells us more about the company, its products and its services.

IMG Composites are internationally recognised as a supplier of advanced composite engineered repair solutions to the energy and defence sectors. Ian Taylor, Business Development Manager, explains a little more. “It is an honour for us to be nominated to this award by our clients and to be voted as winner by the AI magazine readers. Since the beginnings of the CompoSol® brand in the 1990s there has been a process of development to get the company to the position it occupies today, that of world leader in the composite repair sector. Today we have excellent people, a well honed management system and, crucially, an unrivalled composite material in the CompoSol® brand. The establishment of such a material required a lot of time and finances in research and development, which would have been impossible without the support of our clients, major Oil & Gas companies. Today we have never been in a better position for achieving our aim of taking a practical and professional approach to integrity management issues and it is clear from this award that our large network of clients appreciate this.” About the Company Based in Aberdeen, IMG Composites is a composite engineering specialist company that provides high quality composite repair solutions to the Oil and Gas industry. As an integral member of the joint industry working group set up to standardise the composite repair of pressure pipework through the internationally recognised ISO/TS 24817, IMG Composites is regularly contacted by Oil and Gas operators from around the globe for sophisticated composite solutions. IMG Composites provide industry leading Pipework repairs, Pipeline repairs, Caisson repairs, Stub Encapsulations, Flat Surface Deck repairs and many others.

High quality of repairs, embodied in the unique CompoSol® brand, and excellence in ongoing customer service is something that really marks them out from the competition. Being committed to safety and quality, IMG Composites is regularly audited by independent bodies to ensure management systems and performance are in line with the best standards possible. The History The CompoSol® story is one of experience, innovation and a crucial management buyout that enabled a world leading composite pipe repair solution to be born, which has since saved millions of dollars worth of potentially lost production. The CompoSol® Brand was pioneered by the partnership of two leaders in industrial maintenance; Brian Whytock and Bob Taylor. Brian Whytock has spent over 30 years in the pipe industry, beginning with a 14 year term at British Gas in a variety of technical and management roles, during which time he has gained numerous engineering and management qualifications and is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Services. This experience gave Brian an excellent grounding in the operational side of pipe systems, especially the problem of repairing damaged and degraded pipes. Bob Taylor has spent over 40 years in the surface coatings industry in a variety of technical, marketing and management roles. He began his career with Dunlop in the UK Development Laboratories and, after obtaining an Honours Degree in Applied Chemistry, moved into Sales Support/Product Management. Later experience in Europe as Product Manager with a leading US adhesive tape company was followed by five years as Marketing Manager on the management board of a major UK adhesives manufacturer. They were to meet in the 1990s on the board of another company and went on to be a successful partnership, leading a new and exciting business.

Bob Taylor and Brian Whytock

Brian’s experience of poor pipe repair solutions, often finding that laboratory innovations were not fit for field conditions, gave him the motivation to find an excellent solution and he knew the pitfalls awaiting the uninitiated. Bob had the technical knowledge to develop a system that would overcome all the obstacles the service conditions had to offer and thus a chemical formulation was born for the perfect composite pipe repair material. It is this chemical formulation that is the basis of the various CompoSol® composite materials currently in use. In 2001 IMG Offshore was formed as a division of a business to carry out the repair of pipes using the CompoSol® materials and for years served the onshore and offshore markets. However, a very significant amount of financial investment was required to transform CompoSol® into the world’s leading technology for engineered composite pipe repairs. In order to secure this investment and the future of the technology, Brian and Bob conducted www.acquisition-intl.com

Fact File

“Due to our success in the demanding Offshore Oil and Gas sector, IMG Composites have successfully branched out into assisting other sectors with asset integrity, most notably the defence sector,” Ian continues. “In the big projects for the defence sector, we combine large scale coating encapsulation works with the individual engineering of reinforcements to isolated trouble spots.” “As mainly major Oil & Gas companies with stringent adherence to high standards, it is IMG Composites’ clients that drive their own high standards. Importantly IMG Composites is also a member of the Association of Composite Repair Suppliers (ACoReS) and, as such, has been independently audited by a leading engineering safety and risk consultancy company, ESR Technology, for compliance to ISO/TS 24817, the American composite repair standard ASME PCC2 and industry best practice.” Company: IMG Composites Ltd Web: www.imgcomposites.com Address: 4 Point Commercial Centre, Craigshaw Road, West Tullos, Aberdeen AB12 3AP Tel: +44 1224 879966


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a successful management buyout of the business unit in 2005. The buyout of what was to become IMG Composites took all the innovative capability and technology into the secured control of the separate business, which allowed it to flourish. Within a few years, fast paced research and development elevated CompoSol® to a trusted global brand that was the first choice for reliable pipe repair solutions to industry. As a leading composite pipe repair company, the new IMG Composites sat on the Joint Industry Working Group committee that developed the ISO standard for composite pipe repairs to hydrocarbon systems, 24817, and have been active in advancing the reputation of reliable composite repairs for pipes across industries.

Bright future With the CompoSol® brand, IMG Composites are well placed to expand their excellent asset integrity support to more customers in more locations around the world. “The management team are excited about the prospects for the future and our customers are pleased to see that our professional approach is paying dividends and receiving recognition.” Concludes Ian.

Regional Sponsor UK

Ian remarks “We are proud of the groundbreaking history of the business and it is that pride which has bred a conscientious attitude amongst staff in our present dealings.” Current Position CompoSol® repair solutions are now provided to 5 of the 6 Oil & Gas Supermajors, and also to some of the biggest national and public Oil and Gas companies around the world. IMG Composites have a core of excellent Operations personnel who go through exacting training and qualification. With a multidiscipline Technical Department, they have the Engineers on hand to deal with emerging challenges. Our global reach is an asset for us, as it allows us to make sure clients are looked after properly. In December 2012 our General Manager - Middle East and India, Rajesh Aerat, was promoted to the board as Commercial Director, and he now is able to ensure that these regions receive the proper resource allocation to ensure they are well serviced.” Europe is the region in which IMG Composites was established, but regions from all over the world contact the UK HQ for consultation on composite repairs.

Left: Commercial Director Rajesh with some of the team in Aberdeen

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2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 17

Best Outsourcing Legal Practice - Philippines

Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices

ANGARA ABELLO CONCEPCION REGALA & CRUZ LAW OFFICES (ACCRALAW®) is a cohesive multi-disciplinary team of legal professionals who possess in-depth knowledge in specialized fields of law, backed by extensive experience of over forty years in the practice of law in the Philippines. From a core group of seven lawyers at its inception in 1972, the Firm has grown to a prestigious service organization of over 140 lawyers and over 150 non-legal personnel. Its principal offices are in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila and full-service branches in the Visayas and Mindanao – Cebu City and Davao City. ACCRALAW’s clientele represents the full spectrum of business and industry, and includes professional organizations and individuals. To service its clientele, the Firm divides itself into seven specialized practice departments, to wit: • Retainer • Intellectual Property • Taxation • Corporation and Special Projects • Litigation or Alternative Dispute Resolution • Immigration • Labor and Employment When seeking a law firm, clients should consider retaining a full service firm that provides a complement of lawyers who possess in depth knowledge in specialized fields of law. ACCRALAW’s clients may, therefore, expect a holistic and complete legal service. As ACCRALAW has been in the legal profession for more than forty (40) years, it has acquired extensive experience and has been retained

and is servicing many of the country’s multinationals, including the leaders in the offshoring and outsourcing industry. Specifically, in the said industry, the Firm has been assisting the leading and largest business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in the country, including Convergys Philippines Services Corp., Sykes Asia, Inc., GWI Business Solutions, Inc., KGB Inc., Aegis People Support Inc., Headstrong Philippines, The Results Companies, ePerformax Contact Centers & BPO, Alorica Phils. Inc., Transcom Worldwide, Inc., Acquire Asia Pacific, Inc., Proview Global Administration, Inc., Thomson Reuters Corporation Pte. Ltd., SPI Global Holdings, Inc., DOCOMO interTouch Group of Companies, Macquarie Offshore Services Pty. Ltd., Cash Flow Outsourcing Services, Inc., TSD Global Inc., Infosys BPO Ltd., and JPMorgan Chase Bank NA. The Firm has an excellent track record in handling diverse, significant, and complex business projects and transactions for both local and multinational clients, and has been involved in several landmark litigation cases. The Firm has also been known to provide quality and efficient services to its clients and strives to maintain such reputation by offering timely, creative, and strategic legal solutions from simple and daily requirements to sophisticated and complex matters at a reasonable cost. ACCRALAW takes pride in having been named the Best Outsourcing Legal Practice in the 2014 Offshore Excellence Awards. It has always been the Firm’s objective to set the pace of excellence in the practice of law in the Philippines. Owing to its wide range of expertise and extensive experience it has accumulated over the years, the Firm was able to overcome many challenges that go with working with offshore and outsourcing businesses.

Fact File

“ACCRALAW takes pride in having been named the Best Outsourcing Legal Practice in the 2014 Offshore Excellence Awards. It has always been the Firm’s objective to set the pace of excellence in the practice of law in the Philippines. Owing to its wide range of expertise and extensive experience it has accumulated over the years, the Firm was able to overcome many challenges that go with working with offshore and outsourcing businesses.” Company: Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW®) Contact: Emerico O. De Guzman Email: eodeguzman@accralaw.com Web: www.accralaw.com Address: 22/F ACCRALAW TOWER Second Avenue corner 30th Street, Crescent Park West Bonifacio Global City, 0399 Taguig Metro Manila, Philippines Tel: +632 830-8000 Fax: +632 403-7007; +632 403-7009

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Best Offshore Shipping Solution

Aqua Tech Diving Services Based in Durban, South Africa, Aqua-Tech Diving Services offers the Merchant Shipping and Civil Industries a variety of different services. Recently, the Aqua-Tech was named Best Offshore Shipping Solution.

Tracy Nettmann of Aqua-Tech tells us a little bit more about the company. “Aqua-Tech Diving Services is a family team,” he begins. “Our main focus is to create a relationship with our clients whereby it is known that we care about their vessels as much as they care about them. Our services range from inspection work through to repairs including hull cleaning work. “Aqua-Tech Diving Services operates in 2 main sectors that we call Shipping Division and Civils Division. Our Civils Division although much smaller than our shipping division will assist with surveys and maintenance on pipelines, dams, reservoirs and harbours. “Our shipping division can assist with shipping surveys through to maintenance including our specialised hull cleaning reclaim system. All of these works are completed within the Port of Durban and whilst the vessel completes cargo and bunkering operations.” Working in the offshore sector, there are certain things to be aware of and to focus on, and Miss Nettmann explains how Aqua-Tech ensures its services remain at the forefront of industry developments. “One of our specialities is the hull cleaning reclaim system. This system is a South African development that we are very proud of. And our engineering and diving team have to remain on their toes improving and ensuring that we offer our clients the best technology available.” There are also particular changes to laws and regulations that affect how the industry operates, as Miss Nettmann continues: “Hull cleaning has been a restriction that we have been trying for years to overcome. At the end of last year, Transnet Port Authorities granted Aqua-Tech Diving Services a research and development licence to test this new technology on the basis of unbanning this service.” Recently, Aqua-Tech Diving Services was named Best Offshore Shipping Solution by readers of Acquisition International magazine. Miss Nettmann explains both his and the team’s delight at receiving this prestigious accolade. “We are humbled by this honour. Thankful and blessed also come to mind. We owe everything to the dedicated team including operations administrators through to our divers and tenders. The management team is hands on which allows for the jobs to be completed smoothly and timeously.

“There are many opportunities and challenges that we as a company face every day, but the one we focus on is to ensure that our team can assist our client with whatever they need whenever they need it. “Our main focus is to ensure that our clients and their fleet are taken care of, from keeping them informed, to addressing all of their concerns and to ensuring that we completed everything we are requested to do and assist with more if possible. We have focused this past year on addressing everyone’s concern on where can we do hull cleaning where it is safe for the divers and safe for the vessel as well as not delaying the vessel or cargo in anyway. With the assistance of Transnet Port Authorities, we have made this a reality in the Port of Durban. For this I know our clients are happy.” Finally, Miss Nettmann tells us what he believes makes a great shipping company, what clients are looking for, and how Aqua-Tech is constantly evolving to differentiate and stay one step ahead of its peers. “Attention to details, attention to the vessels needs is vital importance. Our dedicated teams in the office and on the work site ensure that vessels are not delayed, team arrive timeously and go the extra mile to ensure the job is completed smoothly “Aqua-Tech Diving is a family business and so we treat all as part of our family. We are smaller enough that you get the one-on-one attention but bigger enough to get the work done.”

Fact File

“The award itself is a cherry on the top. What drives this home for us, is the fact that our clients / our family believe in us as much as we believe in ourselves. It is great to have these awards available as it promotes smaller companies like ourselves to strive and reach their full potential, whether it be a service or a product that could revolutionise the industry.” Company: Aqua Tech Diving Services Contact: Tracy Nettmann Email: tracy@ aquatechdivingservices.com Web: www. aquatechdivingservices.com Address: 56 Dudley Road (Entrance in Manchester Road) Jacobs, Durban 4052, P O Box 35375 Northway 4065 Tel: +27 (0) 31 301 3631 Fax: +27 (0) 31 468 5403

“The award itself is a cherry on the top. What drives this home for us, is the fact that our clients / our family believe in us as much as we believe in ourselves. It is great to have these awards available as it promotes smaller companies like ourselves to strive and reach their full potential, whether it be a service or a product that could revolutionise the industry.” He goes on to explain the unique challenges that offshore working presents, and how these challenges have been overcome to help Aqua-Tech clinch this award. www.acquisition-intl.com


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Best Commercial Litigation Team, Guernsey

At Babbé we have an exceptional dispute resolution team. Forceful and effective, we work across the full range of commercial activity, but with a particular focus on finance related matters. We have represented clients in some of the largest and most complex cases ever to have taken place in Guernsey and boast one of the largest dispute resolution teams in the jurisdiction focussed on international work.

We acted in a shareholder dispute arising out of a major onshore joint venture conducted through a Guernsey corporate vehicle. Having demonstrated the strength of our client’s case in emergency injunctive proceedings, we were then able to obtain third party commercial funding for an unfair prejudice action. We achieved a satisfactory settlement of the dispute within 5 weeks.

We are widely acknowledged for our expertise in fields including contentious trust litigation, investment fund litigation, commercial fraud, insolvency, and professional indemnity. Due to the nature of Guernsey’s status as an offshore jurisdiction we have developed significant expertise in matters that have an international dimension.

We are acting for construction professionals in a multi-million pound dispute concerning a major mixed use development.

In addition to acting in the courts of Guernsey, our lawyers also provide a wide range of services in support of overseas litigation, often acting as the local agent for leading international law firms. Experience you can trust We are acting for the executive directors of an investment fund defending claims put at in excess of $1 Billion. We successfully took a preliminary issue to the Privy Council in an action where we acted for a local corporate trustee defending a claim for breach of trust arising out of the trust’s investment strategy. This £65 million claim was subsequently settled. We have recently been successful in having a claim dismissed on a preliminary issue on a point of construction of Guernsey’s Companies Law in relation to claims against directors of a film fund. We won an appeal to the Guernsey Court of Appeal on behalf of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), enabling it to be joined as a party to a Hastings-Bass application. This was the first such joinder anywhere in the world. We are acting for a corporate trustee defending claims in excess of £180million in a case which raises ground-breaking law on the right of recourse to trust assets and potentially insolvent trust structures.
We act for the auditors of an investment fund facing claims of professional negligence as part of a suite of claims relating to losses in the fund. We successfully acted on behalf of a major trust company, obtaining judgement for in excess of €3million from a fiduciary agent. We also obtained a worldwide freezing order in support of the judgement and the first ever order in Guernsey for interest on costs.

BIAS Global Dividend Income Fund – Best Long-Term Total Return Strategy, Bermuda and Cayman Islands

“In a time when investors are overwhelmed by the vast amount of conflicting information available, our responsibility at BIAS is to bring clarity to our clients, so that they can achieve their financial objectives.” Created in 1991, BIAS is the oldest non-bank asset management company in Bermuda; the firm’s independence guarantees impartial and balanced opinions. BIAS is also the only non-bank asset management firm with offices in Bermuda and Cayman Islands and boasts 3 Best of Bermuda Awards! BIAS primary business is the management of investment portfolios for high net worth individuals, trusts, charities, family offices and captive insurance companies. The firm also provides wealth building, pension solutions and self-directed custody services, and prides itself in offering each client tailored investment solutions and top-notch services. The 3 senior members of the team have in average 30 years of experience managing client assets, with Robert Pires, CEO, having worked in London and Australia before creating BIAS. Portfolios managed under the discretionary management service range from $1 million to $48 million. Smaller portfolios are directed into BIAS Global Portfolios SPC, which are Cayman domiciled funds listed on the Bermuda and Cayman Islands Stock Exchanges. BIAS Global Portfolios SPC provides asset allocation packages for the smaller non-corporate investor. Through these funds, the sub-million dollar investor gets the same economies of scale as well as care and attention as the multi-million dollar portfolio.

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We obtained a freezing injunction as part of a worldwide claim arising out of allegations of the fraudulent use of voyage and time charterparties for an Eastern European tanker fleet. Key Dispute Services • Trust litigation • Funds litigation • Insolvency and liquidation • Shareholder and director disputes • Professional negligence • Asset tracing, disclosure orders and asset freezing • Compliance, regulatory and fraud • Obtaining injunctive relief • Reciprocal enforcement of international judgements • Contract law and disputes • Employer and employee disputes Ian Swan a partner at Babbé and head of the dispute resolution team. He has unrivalled breadth and quality of experience as a litigator having practised in commercial litigation for nearly 20 years at the London Bar before moving to Guernsey in 2004 with his locally born wife and young family. He undertakes a wide range of commercial litigation, including frequently acting for and against banks and trust companies and in disputes relating to funds and investments. He has considerable experience of insolvency, administration and liquidation. He is used to dealing with complex heavy-weight cases and seeing them through to trial, or to appeal where necessary. However, his focus is on meeting his clients’ commercial objectives whether that is by negotiation, mediation, or litigation. He is an accredited mediator, a member of the Chancery Bar Association and of ACTAPS, and an Honorary Member of the Commercial Bar Association. He frequently advises in relation to compliance and regulatory issues. Email: i.swan@babbelegal.com Tel: +44 (0) 1481 746176
 Fax: +44 (0) 1481 712245

Launched 29 December, 2006, the BIAS Global Portfolios include a Short Duration Income Fund, a Global Balanced Fund and a Global Equities Fund. The more recent Global Dividend Income Fund launched 28 September, 2012 focuses on high dividend paying stocks from around the world. After back-testing it, BIAS found that this dividend income strategy appreciated 45.7% in the five years ending 31 August, 2012, compared to a 5.10% drop in the S&P Global 1200 Index over the same period. “We cannot guarantee such out-performance going forward,” cautioned Pires, “but we were astounded that any strategy could have provided positive performance during what was likely the worst markets since the Great Depression.” “To be awarded with the Best Long-Term Total Return Strategy is a great recognition for the whole BIAS team,” added M. Pires, “we work hard to make all our clients’ portfolios prosper.” Company: BIAS Name: Robert R. Pires, MBA, CFA Email: info@bias.bm Web: www.bias.bm | www.bias.ky Tel: Bermuda +1441 292 4292 | Cayman +1 345 943 0003 Bermuda Investment Advisory Services Limited - Registered Advisor with the U.S Securities & Exchange Commission - Licensed to Conduct Investment Business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority BIAS (Cayman) Limited -Licensed by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority to conduct Investment Business


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Offshore Estate Planning Firm of the Year

The British Virgin Islands International Finance Centre (BVIIFC), established in 2002, serves as the voice of the financial services industry; marketing and promoting the products and services and managing and maintaining the reputation, stability and developments of the BVI financial services industry. Over the past 30 years, the BVI has established a strong reputation in the areas of BVI business company incorporations, investment/funds administration, captive insurance, trust formation and administration, accountancy, legal services, banking services and the registration of mega yachts/ships and aircrafts. There exists a long standing pedigree of political, legal and economic stability on account of its British Overseas Territory status and legal system based on English law. The BVI Commercial Court allows commercial litigation matters pertaining to the jurisdiction to be dealt with expeditiously and on a prioritised basis, thereby helping the BVI to maintain its competitive international profile. The passing of the new Arbitration Act brings legislation up-to-date, and is expected to see the BVI become an increasingly sought after venue for international commercial arbitration.

Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year, Mauritius

The jurisdiction has always played an active role in internationally regulatory bodies including the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the Offshore Group of Insurance Supervisors (OGIS), the Offshore Group of Banking Supervisors (OGBS) and a member of the prestigious International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO). With all of these bodies, the BVI has demonstrated a clear commitment to fighting financial crime while preserving a legacy for striking a balance in maintaining our competitive edge. The BVI continues to lead the way in respect of international financial services with the opening of the BVI House Asia in Hong Kong just the latest testament to its proactivity in addressing the needs of international businesses and HNWIs. Recently described as the “plumbing” in the global financial system, facilitating international trade and development, creating jobs and stimulating growth, the BVI is maturely poised to be your international business partner. Feel free to visit our website www.bviifc.gov.vg and connect with us on twitter and facebook.

The BVI has earned a solid reputation as the world’s leading offshore corporate domicile. Since the enactment of the IBC Act, over 1 million companies have been incorporated, with over 450,000 remaining active. The BVI BC Act 2004 has retained the flexibility and ease of use of the original IBC Act, but with new capabilities and attractive modern corporate governance features, thereby proving this vehicle to be a tremendous success globally for wealth management and investment structures.

Company: British Virgin Islands International Finance Centre Email: info@bviifc.gov.vg Web: www.bviifc.gov.vg Address: Haycraft Building, 1 Pasea Estate, Road Town, Tortola, BVI VG1110 Tel: +1(284) 468-4335 Fax: +1(284) 468-1002

Capital Horizons is a boutique financial services company licensed by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. Our clients include multinationals companies from South Africa and Europe who use the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements that Mauritius has signed with almost 40 countries.

solutions for companies working in telecommunications, software development, energy and the insurance sector. It is our ability to combine tax efficiency with a financing solution in multi jurisdictions that I think have been instrumental in getting us this award.

We feel very honoured to have received this award and we owe our success to the systematic approach we have adopted in running our business. We have also invested in a state-of-theart Enterprise Resource Planning System as well as recruited talent young individuals with an open mind capable of finding the best solutions for our clients.

Capital Horizons Ltd stands apart from our competitors and peers because of our ability to understand the client’s needs in a short amount of time. Through our organisation, we offer fast responses and solutions while ensuring a delivery time which is above industry standard. Being able to offer a range of services, from raising equity, to advice on exit strategies, as well as ensuring high level introductions in Sub Saharan Africa, puts Capital Horizons in another league.

Being recognised as a major player in our field is important to us. For the local financial services industry it is important to have visibility on the global scene and position Mauritius as a preferred financial platform for investments in Africa. We specialise in fiscal optimisation through the creation of offshore companies which make use of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements which Mauritius has signed. We are particularly skilled in mezzanine finance and debt restructuring through interest rate and currency swaps. We combine fiscal optimisation solutions and corporate finance which is beneficial to both promoters of a project as well as its investors. Working in offshore presents a number of opportunities and challenges. We have met clients from numerous backgrounds both culturally and in terms of the businesses they are involved in. Understanding the challenges of their industry and adapting their models to the local legislations has been the most challenging aspect. Over the past year, we have looked into the financing of two major real estate deals and the refinancing of the debt of a well-established hospitality company in Mauritius. However, internationally we have also assisted in advising and finding

As for the coming year, we see the outlook as very positive and expect growth in the sector as a whole. Currency risks and stringent fiscal measures in southern Africa and Europe respectively have impacted us positively. We are also increasingly looking into more investment coming from new areas in Africa namely Indian investments into Africa. We are also keeping an eye on other Africa to Africa investments, using Mauritius as an intermediary and hub due to both the tax advantages of doing so but also to allow those companies to raise capital here, both from the private sector or through a listing. Company:Capital Horizons Ltd Name: Shaan Kundomal Email: info@capital-horizons.com Web: www.capital-horizons.com Address:1st Floor, Ebene Tower, 52 Ebene Cybercity, Mauritius Phone: +230 466 0050 Fax: +230 464 8590

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Offshore Joint Ventures Specialists Team of the Year

Duane Morris’ office in Singapore provides clients with access to legal services in markets throughout the Asia Pacific region and the rest of the world. In 2011, Duane Morris and Singapore-based Selvam LLC entered into the first US-Singapore joint venture to be approved by Singapore as part of the enhanced liberalisation of its legal services market to form Duane Morris & Selvam LLP. This strategic joint venture leverages Selvam LLC’s top-ranked corporate practice to strengthen Duane Morris’ capabilities, access and presence in Asia.

Duane Morris & Selvam’s dispute resolution practice conducts a wide array of contentious and non-contentious work. Its reach includes: admiralty and maritime; banking, finance, securities and brokerage disputes; contractual disputes; disputes arising out of partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures; employment matters; intellectual property, technology, media and entertainment; insurance; property and construction disputes; and white-collar crime.

Selvam LLC is regularly ranked among Singapore’s top corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions law practices by Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyers and the International Financial Law Review 1000, which have also noted its reputation as a “pioneer” in the Islamic banking and financial services market. In addition, Asian Legal Business has repeatedly named Duane Morris & Selvam an Employer of Choice in Singapore.

Duane Morris & Selvam LLP Address: 16 Collyer Quay #17-00, Singapore 049318 Tel: +65 6311 0030 Web: www.duanemorris.com/offices/singapore

Operating from one of the continent’s financial and high-tech hubs, the firm’s attorneys in Singapore represent businesses, ranging from small entrepreneurial enterprises to multinational corporations with operations in Asia, as well as businesses seeking to establish investments in Asia. Duane Morris also can leverage its global platform to facilitate Singapore-based companies’ entry into markets in the United States, Latin America, the United Kingdom and beyond. The firm’s attorneys have strong relationships with the business community in Singapore, including one attorney who previously served as a high-ranking diplomat to this truly global island nation inhabited by many large domestic companies and thousands of multinational businesses. Duane Morris & Selvam’s corporate law attorneys advise early-stage and mature companies on a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters. Members of the firm’s corporate practice group are experienced with mergers and acquisitions, including negotiated acquisitions and divestitures, hostile acquisitions and defence against takeover attempts. The firm’s attorneys represent clients in numerous types of transactions covering nearly every aspect of project and structured finance transactions and have extensive experience with financings involving corporations and financial institutions on a regional, national and international level. The firm’s project and structured finance attorneys represent clients in acquisition financings, securitised and syndicated loans and other complex finance transactions.

Swiss Fund Services Team of the Year

EY is leading the way in fund services in Switzerland. The company told us why At EY, we are committed to building a better working world – with increased trust and confidence in business, sustainable growth, development of talent in all its forms, and greater collaboration. We want to build a better working world through our own actions and by engaging with like-minded organizations and individuals. This is our purpose – and why we exist as an organisation. Running through our organisation is a strong sense of obligation to serve a number of different stakeholders who count on us to deliver quality and excellence in everything we do. We want to use our global reach and scale to convene the conversation about the challenges facing economies and the capital markets. When business works better, the world works better. Our global Wealth & Asset Management network encompasses key financial centres in the Americas, Asia Pacific, EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa) and Japan. Globally, we have more than 15,000 professionals, including over 1,100 partners with deep technical and business experience. Our combination of talent and resources gives us the ability to anticipate and adapt to the rapid and accelerating changes of today’s global economy. We are the most globally connected of the Big Four organizations, operating in four integrated regions – the Americas, EMEIA, Asia-Pacific and Japan. That means our clients benefit from faster response times and customised service, as well as broad, experienced teams with deep industry knowledge and a consistent approach. Ultimately, it enables us to help you meet your goals and compete more effectively. Here are some examples of our market leadership in the sector: we provide services to 88% of the top 25 global asset managers; we

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provide services to more than 65% of the top 100 global hedge funds; we serve 65% of the top 20 global pension funds; we provide services to 80% of the top 25 global private equity firms; we provide services to nine of the top 10 US mutual fund complexes and 82% of the top 50; and we provide services to the managed account division of 7 of the top 10 global private banks/wealth managers. Company: EY Name: Christian Soguel Tel: +41 58 286 41 04 Email: christian.soguel@ch.ey.com Web: www.ey.com/CH


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 23

Best in Insurance Premium Tax, Malta

FiscalReps provide outsourced Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) compliance solutions for captives and insurance companies domiciled in Malta that are ‘passported’ to write insurance across the EU-EEA. Mike Stalley from FiscalReps tells Acquisition International a little about the unique challenges and opportunities that offshore working presents. “As a business based in the UK, building relationships with clients in Malta is of vital importance,” he explains. “Fortunately the ease of travel between London and Malta, and the fact that English is a common language, has meant that we have been able to spend time in Malta building relationships. “As well as this, our clients operate in a highly regulated sector. Tax compliance is a hot topic amongst multi-national corporates and consequently clients are determined to remain in full compliance with all premium tax legislation – it is the job of FiscalReps to ensure that this happens.” FiscalReps offer a single point of contact for a client’s premium tax compliance solution. “It is important that clients can rely on a firm’s ability to maintain the delivery of compliance services for the long term,” continues Mr. Stalley, commenting on what he believes clients are looking for in a firm such as FiscalReps. “This is comprised of a number of factors including, financial stability, operational infrastructure, technical excellence and attention to detail. Many things could go wrong and FiscalReps have built a robust compliance engine and a prudent business model to ensure that clients can rely on our ability to serve clients for the long-term.”

and this is one of the key factors which makes the company stand out from its peers and competitors. “We also have a deliberately non-aggressive approach to premium tax compliance,” states Mr. Stalley. “This has enabled FiscalReps to build strong relationships with tax offices across the EU-EEA meaning that FiscalReps and its clients can maintain open and non-confrontational dialogues with tax officials.” It looks like all this hard work and sector diligence has paid off, as recently FiscalReps were named Best in Insurance Premium Tax – Malta by readers of Acquisition International magazine. Mr. Stalley tells of his delight on clinching this prestigious title. “Being acknowledged by the market is a real boost for our business. A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into building a reputation and business in Malta and an award such as this is recognition of our efforts.” Company: Fiscal Reps Limited Name: Mike Stalley Web: www.fiscalreps.com Address: Fiscal Reps Limited, 40 Gracechurch Street London, EC3V 0BT Tel: +44 (0)20 7036 8070

In addition to simple lines of communication FiscalReps have developed an unparalleled level of technical IPT knowledge,

Offshore Director Services Provider of the Year

The Folio Group’s director services arm has been recognised for its commitment to help companies grow by providing them with the highest possible standard of leadership. The Folio Group is a leading, multi-jurisdictional offshore service provider to investment funds, insurance companies and business companies. Founded in 2001 in the British Virgin Islands, the group now has additional offices in the Cayman Islands, Malta and Panama and is represented in a number of other important financial services centres, such as Barbados, Delaware and Anguilla.

“We are delighted to be recognized in this area for the services we provide. This demonstrates our commitment to providing real added value services and it clearly justifies the investment in and implementation of our corporate governance procedures” The group utilises a wealth of product and industry knowledge to provide specialist services that include fund structuring and administration, insurance management, corporate management and director services. Folio is affiliated with director services company, Fiduciary Group Limited (FGL), which has been in operation since 2004. Its executives have been in the industry for almost 50 years combined and it is through this experience, accrued knowledge, established and developed networks and, not least, the willingness to continually learn, that the firm is able to solve problems and add value to our clients. FGL’s approach to business is straight-forward and personable; the firm believes that relationships prosper when they are based on confidence and mutual trust. FGL encourages

transparency in its relationships, and that allows the firm to identify, understand and nurture the uniqueness of each entity and tailor its services accordingly. FGL is an open-minded and flexible company, and for that reason the firm does not define all of the services it offers to its clients. Ultimately, FGL’s goal is to provide a complete platform of solutions, leaving clients to get on with running their business. In appointing FGL or one of its executives as a director clients can have complete confidence and trust that there is a professional looking out for the company’s best interests. The firm’s commitment to quality director services means that clients gain a truly independent director, providing their company with real substance and valuable expertise. FGL only uses the four most senior persons in its group to provide individual directors. Between them they have been involved with funds, insurance companies and brokerage, corporate administration and compliance for over 65 years. All four reside offshore in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands or in Panama. Ensuring that the mind, management and control of the company’s assets or activities are physically carried out offshore comes via the appropriately resident director who can at all times evidence that they have taken their decisions based upon detailed background material. This provides a vital component to an effective offshore investment, insurance or related structure. Company: Folio Corporate Services Limited Name: Calum Mckenzie Email: calum@folioadmin.com Web: www.folioadmin.com Address: Folio Chambers, PO Box 800, Road Town, British Virgin Islands Tel: +1 (284) 494 7065 Fax: +1 (284) 494 8356

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Best in Insolvency, Jersey

With offices in Jersey and Guernsey, Grant Thornton Limited is one of the Channel Islands’ leading accounting, tax and business advisory firms dedicated to serving the needs of privately held businesses, financial services and private clients. We offer a full range of audit, assurance, tax, corporate recovery and advisory services. As a member firm within Grant Thornton International we have access to member and correspondent firms in over 100 countries, offering our clients specialist local knowledge supported by international expertise and methodologies. For Liquidations and Insolvency we supply a wide range of services to under-performing businesses and their stakeholders. We focus on identifying and resolving issues affecting profitability, protecting enterprise value and, where necessary, recovering value for stakeholders. Our assignments vary from financially robust companies seeking to acquire under-performing competitors, to distressed businesses requiring an urgent solution.

Offshore Focused Software Solution of the Year

We are delighted to have been named Best in Insolvency – Jersey, this reflects the efforts of our team, which is the largest single dedicated insolvency team in the Channel Islands. Our strengths and depths of expertise are unrivalled, and this award clearly recognises that. We believe that awards like this are important as they demonstrate to our market places our level of expertise. Our work is frequently cross border, which presents unique challenges and opportunities in respect of understanding different legal and technological differences within different offshore jurisdictions.

Our corporate investigation and recovery teams focus on identifying and resolving issues affecting profitability, protecting enterprise value and facilitating a full recovery where possible. These teams undertake independent business reviews, independent strategic reviews and all types and size of corporate insolvency appointments for creditors and other business stakeholders, including:

We believe that our point of difference is our expertise and understanding of a global market place, and that our local understanding is backed by a global organisation.

Integrum is a fully integrated Quality Health Safety Environment (QHSE) Risk and Compliance management system solution, rich in functionality and highly configurable. Beven Schwaiger, Chief Executive Officer, explains how it feels to have been named Offshore Focused Software Solution of the Year.

for the offshore sector. The uniqueness of the integrum solution to fully operate offline on Windows based devices has given us a significant competitive edge in the offshore market. The highly configurable nature of the system means all types of sectors can utilise, configure and deploy the integrum system without massive customisation required.”

Today, Integrum is a mature 8th generation application with in excess of 180,000 users across more than 40 countries. Integrum possesses a range of unique features and functionality that is not available in other compliance software applications. As well as being OGP compliant, Integrum conforms to International Standards including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, AS/NZS 4801, ISO 31000 and ISO 22000.

Company: Grant Thornton Limited Web: www.gt-ci.com Address: Kensington Chambers, 46/50 Kensington Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE1 1ET Tel: +44 (0)1534 885885 Fax: +44 (0)1534 885775

Schwaiger continues to describe how it feels to be awarded the prestigious title of Offshore Focused Software Solution of the Year. “We are very honoured to have been named Offshore Focused Software Solution of the Year.

In addition, Integrum also includes a fully integrated ‘worldclass’ business intelligence capability, providing rich reporting & dashboard capability as well as revolutionary mobile analytics and collaboration tools that are simple and intuitive.

“Our success is largely due to the ability for the offshore industry to operate our web based system fully offline with simple synchronisation back to head office. This is highly attractive for the offshore industry, together with rapid deployment and first class global support of our solution.”

Our clients include large industry (Fortune 500), such as Energy, OGP, Shipping, Manufacturing, Engineering, Utilities, Aviation, as well as small to medium sized operations across all sectors.

“Awards such as this are important, as recognition of Integrum’s achievements and progress we have made and continue to make in the various industry sectors in which we operate.”

Chief Executive Officer, Beven Schwaiger, explains the unique challenges and opportunities working offshore presents.

Company: Integrum Management Systems Name: Beven Schwaiger, Chief Executive Officer Address: Sydney | Perth | London | Glasgow | Doha | Bogota Sydney Office: Tel: +61 2 9663 1004 Web: www.integrumsystems.com

“The remoteness of the worksites and connectivity issues provide challenges in providing web based software solutions

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• Administrations • Company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) • Administrative receiverships • Compulsory liquidations and creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs) • Supporting other formal and informal insolvency proceedings


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 25

Best Investment Strategy Team, Hong Kong

Established in 2007, Kerogen Capital Limited is an independent private equity fund manager focused on the international oil and gas sector. The founding team originated from J.P. Morgan’s Energy and Natural Resources Group in Asia and the team includes operational and technical industry specialists. Kerogen currently manages the Kerogen Energy Fund L.P. with approximately $1 billion in commitments, on behalf of a range of blue-chip institutions including endowments, foundations, fund of funds, international corporations and family offices. The team managed a predecessor fund that realised a gross return in excess of 100% IRR and 3.2 multiple on invested capital. The Fund’s investment strategy is designed to capture a number of important long-term trends in the oil and gas industry: - -

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The significant resource potential from international basins and unconventional assets; The growing role played by smaller, technically-talented and entrepreneurial companies in opening up and developing new plays in the international sector; The increasing importance of Asia to the global energy industry, both as an end user and a strategic player.

Website: www.kerogencap.com For further information contact: Asia Name: Jason Cheng, Managing Partner Company: Kerogen Capital (Asia) Limited Address: 4802 Cheung Kong Center 2 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong Tel: +852 2127 3000 Email: jason.cheng@kerogencap.com London Name: Roy Kelly Company: Kerogen Capital (UK) Limited Address: 3rd Floor, Empire House 175 Piccadilly London W1J 9EN, U.K. Tel: +44 0207 399 4540 Email: roy.kelly@kerogencap.com

Kerogen’s team is based in Hong Kong and London, comprising experienced professionals with finance, investment, technical and operational expertise in the international energy sector.

Best Arbitration Practice, Botswana

Luke & Associates

Luke & Associates is a leading firm in Botswana, with wide-ranging expertise covering International Arbitration, International investment treaty, banking and finance, corporate and financial services, insurance, estate, litigation and criminal law.

tswana. The firm has also been involved in diverse litigation matters mainly in the High Court and the Court of Appeal including an appeal on the Rules of natural justice. Director, Edward W Fashole-Luke II has also defended several clients in high profile trials in Botswana.

Established in 1996, Luke & Associates has a broad-based practice with a reputation for offering a full range of high quality legal services. The firm provides a diverse range of corporate and commercial legal services required by companies, financial institutions and government bodies.

Company: Luke & Associates Tel: +09 (267) 3919345 Email: luke@info.bw edwardwilliamluke11@gmail.com Web: www.attorneys.co.za/luke Address: 1st Floor, Sable House, Plot 14416 Gaborone West, Industrial Estates Gaborone 14416, Botswana PO Box 301097 Tlokweng

The firm’s major corporate clients are insurance companies, banks and large energy companies. In these fields, Luke & Associates advises on major take-over bids, and drafts agreements and contracts for large companies. Luke and Associates maintains contacts with numerous firms of international repute in several jurisdictions around the world. Due to international experience, the firm has the capacity to service a multinational client base which is enhanced by its close working relationship with colleagues in the USA, Europe, the UK, South East Asia and Africa. Luke & Associates is a leading firm in Botswana. Its expertise encompasses a wide range including banking and finance, corporate and financial services, insurance, estate, litigation and criminal law. The firm has significant experience in reviewing, interpreting and drafting legislation for the leading institutions in Bo-

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Best in Corporate Governance, Mauritius

The New India Assurance Co. Ltd was incorporated in the year 1919 in India. We are operating in Mauritius from 1935.

competitors and peers in respect of above and hence we remain always a better choice of the customers.

We have more than 30,000 customers across the Island and we are servicing Motor, Fire, Marine, Liability, Aviation and all other General Insurance Business. It is indeed a great pleasure for us to be selected for “Best Corporate Governance” Award. The credit goes to our loyal customers who gave us an opportunity to serve them in the best possible manner. Corporate Governance is impossible without good coordination amongst the entire team comprising of Chief Officers, Service Providers like Accredited Agents, Salespersons, Brokers, Legal Advisers other Service Providers. We are specialized in servicing all the general insurance products which perhaps many companies may not be having an expertise including Aviation as we get strong technical support from our corporate office.

The Island is having its own Laws and Regulations governed by the Regulator, “Financial Services Commission”. The Regulators are very disciplined and regulating general insurance business in a very systematic manner. We are keeping ourselves abreast of the recent changes and follow the guidelines scrupulously so that we always remain in the fore front of developments of the industry.

The General Insurance Industry is very limited in the Island and hence there is tremendous competition in the market. The only criteria to overcome the challenges is the quality of services you offer and the trust you create in the mind of the customers. This, I feel is the mantra of success in the business. Our main thrust is the quality services to be imparted to our customers. It is therefore necessary for us to be alert and take a prompt decision so that we remain a fore runner in the corporate governance. We are always analyzing the market trend and pouring additional benefits so that we are always update in the market. We are definitely different from our

Most Trusted Specialist Engineering Solutions Provider of the Year

Oxifree was established to tackle the global corrosion epidemic, which ravages all sectors of industry. Corrosion on offshore installations worldwide is, without question, a “round the clock concern” that affects every sector of operations. Safety on offshore installations is paramount and with corrosion being the biggest enemy in this and risk to safety, Oxifree was developed to protect a number of critical areas, including corrosion under insulation, firewater mains and deluge systems and pressure relief valves. Oxifree TM198 is a sprayable polymeric resin coating for the protection of metallic components. It contains organic corrosion inhibitors, is reusable and provides protection against all corrosive contaminants, with the key commercial advantage of remaining extremely easy to apply and reuse. In addition Oxifree TM198 contains under 0.5% Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and therefore has no adverse ecological or environmental impact. When applied by a simple heated application machine it provides a pliable polymeric barrier coating, which will protect all types of metal components against galvanic pitting and atmospheric corrosion. Oxifree is designed to create a barrier for a range of vulnerable equipment and components from water and dust ingress. It is ideal for flanges and valves on process piping, and long term storage of equipment in normal atmospheric conditions, with a key commercial differentiator of being reusable. The marine environment is without a doubt the most corrosive environment, where nature takes its toll 365 days a year. Whilst paint coating can provide a reasonable protection to

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The New India Assurance Co. Ltd has completed 96 years of existence and is one of the Premier Player in general insurance in Afro-Asian Nations. The recognition given to us are a testimony of our excellence in Mauritius viz : • • • •

“A-“ Excellent by A. M. Best, USA “Claims Initiative of the Year” by Africa Leadership Best Non-Life Insurance Company 2013, Mauritius by World Finance, London “Assurance of the Year” by Acquisition International, M&A Awards, 2014

Company: The New India Assurance Co. Ltd Name: B. R. Barahate, Chief Operating Officer Email: niasurance@intnet.mu Web: www.newindia.co.in Address: 15, Sir William Newton Street – PORT LOUIS Tel: +230 2081442 – 2107448 – 2117443 – 52939495 / 96 / 97 Fax: +230 2082160

large areas of vessels, it is ineffective for protection against corrosion to valves, flanges and sensitive components kept in storage. Oxifree has the unique capability of encapsulating these components, forming a 100% protective shield which eliminates the harsh corrosive environment destroying these key components. Oxifree Global LLC is based in Houston, Texas. Oxifree UK Ltd is delighted to promote Oxifree in the UK as a solution to tackle the corrosion epidemic which ravages all sectors of industry. Oxifree organic resin encapsulation offers a shield to the elements as well as inhibiting corrosion on the metal surface while having no impact on the environment. The Oxifree team based in the UK is driven from a wealth of experience in a wide range of global industry sectors from marine to offshore oil and gas to petrochemicals to industrial and heavy industry We believe this provides the perfect blend of experience and enthusiasm for offering our customers sound and solid support. Oxifree Email: info@oxifree.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 330 330 0004 Web: www.oxifree.co.uk Address: 5 Glenholme Park, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2EG


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 27

Offshore Management Company of the Year, Mauritius

Premier is a fast growing Management Company / Trust Company. Licensed and regulated by the Mauritius Financial Services Commission, Premier offers its services to high net worth individuals, private companies, multinationals and listed entities across the globe. Our group and affiliate companies are based in Seychelles and Singapore. We maintain our position in the top league by offering top class, punctual and cost effective services coupled with the highest ethical standards to our clients. Your confidentiality, discretion and protection of your assets are our priority – we are focused on serving you.

Best Insurance and Reinsurance Team, Bermuda

Premier is a Member of the INAA Group, a worldwide network of independent professional firms consisting mainly of audit and accounting firms. Premier is able to draw resources from experts in this network for the benefits of its clients. INAA’s influence is worldwide. The organisation is represented by 65 firms in over 50 countries and the number is constantly increasing. It is the intention to provide an international client service which is second to none. Each member is responsible for its own work and members are not associates, partners or agents. INAA members come from all parts of the continent.

Premier aims at long term relationships with its clients, by providing a competitive and attractive range of customised, innovative and flexible solutions to suit your requirements, including and ensuring tax minimisation, reduction of global operating cost and assets protection. We form and administer onshore and offshore entities to allow our clients to achieve their personal and business objectives at a very reasonable cost coupled with a high level of professionalism, integrity and personalised service.

Our Mission & Vision Our goal is to be the leader in providing the best international, corporate, international tax and fiduciary services. Our vision is to enhance our ever-increasing international client base, with our personalised top class service and help them grow and succeed through our presence in major financial centres, to be distinguished from other service providers while laying emphasis on the satisfaction of our clients’ needs and maintaining an ever personalised service. There is no need for clients to ask for it, they will get the best services.

Our teams are made of exceptional, dynamic and proven members, most of whom are qualified in the fields of Economics, Accountancy, Law and International Taxation and are members of professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Our collaborative team efforts reflect our capabilities to offer the level of skills and services unmatched in the industry.

Company: Premier Financial Services Limited Name: Mr Vimal D. Damry Email: vimal.premier@intnet.mu Address: Premier Business Centre, 10th Floor, Sterling Tower 14, Poudriere Street, Port Louis, Mauritius Tel: +230 245-6703 Fax: +230 245-6704 Web: www.premier.mu

PwC Bermuda is the largest professional services firm in Bermuda, and the leading provider of services to the Bermuda insurance and reinsurance industry.

“No other professional services firm can match our ability to deliver coordinated services, nor can they match the depth of resources and the range of experience we offer.

PwC Bermuda has the leading brand presence in the insurance market and is part of a global insurance practice that is the leader globally in providing insurance assurance, advisory and tax services.

“We offer clients a broad range of services, with strong credibility, industry expertise and specialties across all lines of service including Insurance & reinsurance and Captive Insurance; Audit and Assurance, Advisory, Crisis Management, Human Resources Services, Tax Services, Trust and Accounting Services. We have a dedicated stand-alone captive insurance group.

The firm’s in-house expertise focuses principally on its key industry groups, including commercial (re)insurers, captive insurance and offshore investment funds. PwC provides a full range of advisory and consulting services in the areas of governance, innovation & technology, operations, regulation, risk & control, strategy & growth, sustainability, talent, the economy and the capital markets. Receiving the Best Insurance and Reinsurance Team award on behalf of PwC, Arthur Wightman, Insurance Leader – PwC Bermuda and Caribbean, noted: “We are delighted and humbled to receive this prestigious awards, reflecting a multi-year commitment to the evolution of the market and the companies within it. “The broad coverage of the award made to PwC represents in part the deep commitment we have made in the many areas in which companies are looking for a trusted business adviser. This award represent a testament to the incredible professionals of PwC.” Wightman continues to explain what it is that sets PwC Bermuda apart from the competition.

“Currently PwC Bermuda are either auditors of, or provide significant consulting, tax and other services to almost all of Bermuda’s top tier insurance and reinsurance companies. We are also auditors and business advisors to more than 300 captive insurance clients ranging from small single-parent captives to large complex association captives. “PwC Bermuda is a member of the PwC network of firms with over 184,000 people in 157 countries. Our clients also have ready access to 1,200 professionals from across the Caribbean region. Our highly integrated network means that we can quickly mobilise our people to focus on clients’ needs where and when they are most needed.” Company: PwC Bermuda Name: Arthur Wightman Email: arthur.wightman@bm.pwc.com Web: www.pwc.com/bm Address: Dorchester House, 7 Church Street West Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda Tel: +1 (441) 295 2000

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Offshore Master-Feeder Structure Specialist of the Year

Sandler & Company (Cayman), an accounting and auditing firm, is an Approved Auditor by the Cayman Island Monetary Authority (CIMA). As an Approved Auditor, Sandler & Company (Cayman) can provide accounting and auditing services to Cayman Island Mutual Funds and Mutual Fund Administrators which are regulated by the Cayman Island Monetary Authority. Other specialized services include performance reviews, review of organizational documents, consultation on structural and choice of entity matters, jurisdictional matters, taxation alternatives and election requirements, incentive allocation arrangements, and investor and third-party due diligence services. During the critical start-up phase of a fund, Sandler & Company ( Cayman ) provides valuable structural advice and expertise and collaborates with the fund’s general partner and legal counsel on partnership agreements, private placement memorandums and other offering documents. Our clients’ funds — which include both domestic and offshore funds — invest in a variety of financial instruments including the following: •Derivative financial instruments •Distressed securities •Foreign securities •Other investment partnerships (funds of funds) •Traditional domestic debt and equity securities Once hedge funds are operational, our accounting, audit, and tax services include the following: •Annual audit of financial statements •Preparation of tax returns and related schedule K-1’s •Preparation of PFIC statements

Offshore Human Resources Consultancy of the Year, Isle of Man

Sandler & Company ( Cayman ) provides audit, tax, accounting and advisory services to a diversified clientele including hedge funds, private equity funds, commodity pools, broker dealers and investment advisers. . We are members of the Hedge Fund Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Massachusetts Society of CPA’s . Alternative Investments Committee. We are also registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. (PCAOB) Our experienced professionals are on top of the constantly evolving issues that face the industry including tax legislation, the latest accounting pronouncements, new securities laws and market tactics that affect investment decisions. We provide technical consulting to allow general partners and/or investment management companies to plan for and achieve optimal financial and tax benefits. Company: Sandler & Company, P.C. Name: Donald R. Sandler, CPA, MST Address: 144 Gould Street Suite 204, Needham, MA. 02494 Email: don@sandlercpa.com Tel: +1 781-455-1480 Fax: +1 781-455-6239 Web: www.sandlercpa.com

Smart HR Solutions Limited (SmartHR) is a leading provider of multi-sector HR consultancy, outsourcing and training solutions. Managing Director, Gail Yeowell, talks to AI magazine about being named Offshore Human Resources Consultancy of the Year.

employment documents that comply with IOM employment legislation. “Our online ‘E-HR Shop’ can be used by IOM and UK employers and is an easy, cost effective way for SMEs to source template documents.”

Since SmartHR was established in May 2010, it has successfully provided tailored HR solutions to organisations in a wide range of industries, including accountancy, advertising & PR, architects, audit services, aviation, banking and financial services, building services, charities, childcare, CSP/TSP, e-gaming, e-business, healthcare, investment management, IT services, manufacturing, motor industry, nursing homes, optician, retail, ship management and the travel industry.

Recently SmartHR was named Offshore Human Resources Consultancy of the Year by readers’ of Acquisition International magazine, and Gail describes how it felt to receive such an accolade.

Gail Yeowell, Managing Director, explains more about the firm: “We partner with organisations to help them drive sustainable performance improvement, achieve their people management objectives, and minimise the risk of litigation by offering a comprehensive range of flexible and effective HR consultancy and training solutions including the delivery of professional advice or services that are ethical, responsible and value-adding. All our clients are different, so we tailor our solutions to their business needs.” She goes on to explain what it is that makes SmartHR so unique and really sets it apart from the competition. “Our HR expertise gained over 20 years and flexibility ensures that clients receive tailored HR solutions bespoke to their needs; supported by a friendly, collaborative, client-focused service. SmartHR’s online ‘E-HR Shop’ is a unique resource for IOM based clients. No other company provides online template

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•Preparation of partnership economic and tax allocations •Quarterly compilation or review of financial statements •Corporate tax outsourcing •Performance reviews •Surprise examinations pursuant to Rule 206(4)-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940

“I am extremely delighted and proud that SmartHR has been formally recognised as a leading provider of multi-sector HR consultancy, outsourcing and training solutions by Acquisition International, particularly as the award sets out to recognise the achievements of businesses operating in the offshore industry. We provide a wide range of tailored services and HR expertise to our clients – from supporting new business set-ups and SMEs through to global organisations, and pride ourselves on supporting them to achieve their people management objectives.” “I believe the awards play an important part in demonstrating to both existing and potential clients the businesses that are leading providers of services in their industry; this provides additional credibility in the marketplace for SmartHR.” Company: Smart HR Solutions Limited Name: Gail Yeowell Chartered FCIPD FInstAM(Dip) FCMI FIRP, Managing Director Email: gail@smarthr.co.im Tel: +44 1624 61919 / +44 7624 478764 Web: www.SmartHR.co.im


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 29

Best Offshore Aviation Finance Team

Richard Munden is based in Walkers’ Cayman Islands office where he is a partner in the firm’s Global Finance and Corporate Groups. He advises on a broad range of finance and corporate matters and specialises in the following areas: • aircraft, shipping and other asset finance acting for lenders, leasing companies, manufacturers, export credit agencies and operators • financing for hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds and advising with respect to downstream acquisitions and other transactions • share acquisitions and sales, equity issues and joint venture and shareholder arrangements across a wide range of industry sectors Prior to joining Walkers Richard worked in a magic circle law firm in London and then as general counsel and head of fleet of a Spanish airline. Leading Law Firm As one of the longest established law firms in the Cayman Islands - celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2014 - Walkers is a leading Cayman Islands law firm. Throughout our history, the firm has played a central role in advising on the drafting of laws and regulations that influence the financial services sector, in particular through our presence on the Private Sector Legislative Committee. Recent examples of this have been the new Exempted Limited Partnership Law in the Cayman Islands and the wide-ranging review of Corporate Governance in the Investment Fund sector by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.

Walkers’ has been recognised by numerous awards in recent years, including Aviation Law Firm of the Year 2013 – Cayman Islands by Acquisition International magazine and Cayman Islands Law Firm of the Year 2012 from Who’s Who Legal. Walkers’ Cayman Islands Asset Finance team has been recognised for the past five years by Airfinance Journal, the most recent in 2013 in a variety of categories. The team was further recognised with the award of Global Transport Finance’s ‘European Aircraft Debt Deal of the Year 2013’, for the EETC (Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate) financing of 14 aircraft for British Airways. These awards highlight the impressive performance of Walkers’ Asset Finance team during 2013, advising on transactions for the financing of over $7.5 billion of new commercial aircraft deliveries during the calendar year. Company: Walkers Name: Richard Munden, partner Email: richard.munden@walkersglobal.com Web: www.walkersglobal.com Address: 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town Grand Cayman, KY1 9001 Tel: +1 345 814 6835

Our leading franchise lawyers Dr Mark Abell, London

Victoria Hobbs, London

Graeme Payne, London

Melissa Murray, Abu Dhabi

Tel: +44 (0)20 7905 6234 mark.abell@twobirds.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7982 6474 graeme.payne@twobirds.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 7982 6412 victoria.hobbs@twobirds.com Tel: +971 2 6108 104 melissa.murray@twobirds.com

twobirds.com

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AFR is a leading law firm based in Guernsey. We are committed to offering high calibre legal services, with lawyers who are flexible in their approach and have a broad breadth of legal knowledge. As a consequence, AFR has an exceptionally strong client base, including leading law firms in other jurisdictions (for example the UK, USA, and Switzerland), international financial institutions and companies, and insurers, as well as local businesses and private clients. We are a full service firm, specialising in corporate and commercial law, litigation, clinical negligence, employment, property, insolvency, family, inheritance and probate, maritime, trusts and regulatory. AFR also offers a full range of fiduciary, management and administration services for offshore companies and trusts through its in-house service provider, AFR Trustees (Guernsey) Limited, which is fully licensed and registered by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. AFR Advocates Address: PO Box 688 Court Place Rue du Manoir St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3XZ Tel: +44 (0)1481 743999 Email: info@afradvocates.com

We offer a breadth and depth of expertise in our areas of practice, which is acknowledged as exceptional. Our lawyers work in client focused teams, with the energy and ability to respond to the range of our clients’ needs efficiently, providing innovative solutions with a commitment to quality. Our lawyers have held a range of responsibilities in global corporations and in government entities. We appreciate and respond quickly to the realities in the new business and financial environment. Our clients include individual entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and North American, European and Australasian based global corporations. We advise on multi-jurisdictional transactions and arrangements. Goodwins Law Corporation Address: 3 Anson Road #07-01, Springleaf Tower, Singapore 079909 Tel: +65 64649449 Email: info@goodwinslaw.com Web: www.goodwinslaw.com

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AGP Law Firm (A.G. Paphitis & Co. LLC) is one of the fastest-growing, full-service, multi-awarded International Law Firms and Business Consultants in Cyprus. Clients from all over the world, including private individuals and corporations, banks, multi-million and multi-billion groups and foundations, rely on AGP’s lawyers and consultants for tailor-made, clear advice to help them succeed in their objectives. We are proud of AGP’s committed and fresh-minded people who are determined to help you succeed in your endeavours, whatever these may be, from private matters to large business imperatives. We strongly believe that hard work, personal attention and immediate response to clients’ needs, backed with focused professionalism and talent, is what sets us apart. AGP is divided to three main departments: (a) the Corporate & Commercial Department (b) the Financial Services Advisory, Private Banking and Portfolio Management Department, and (c) the Litigation Department. AGP Law Firm Head Office: AGP Chambers, 84, Spyros Kyprianou Avenue, 4004 Limassol, Cyprus Tel: (+357) 25 731000 Fax: (+357) 25 761004 Email: agp@agplaw.com Web: www.agplaw.com

AO Hall was established in 2005 by Alison Ozanne and Louise Hall, two leading Guernsey advocates specialising in dispute resolution and employment law. The founding of AO Hall signalled a new generation of law firm in Guernsey, focused on key areas and delivering intellectual expertise through approachable people. From the very outset, we wanted to combine the gravitas of solid legal expertise with a fresh, dynamic and friendly approach. We didn’t buy in to the traditional law firm mentality and we didn’t think our clients did, so we asked them. The answer was loud and clear: our clients wanted quality advice, delivered by accessible people. We set out to deliver that goal and our clients’ feedback tells us that we’re achieving it. From those early beginnings, we have grown rapidly, adding two new core practice areas of corporate and fiduciary to respond to our clients’ needs. In the space of a few years, AO Hall has become a specialist law firm with an enviable reputation in its core practice areas of corporate, dispute resolution, employment and fiduciary.

The Blacktower Group was formed in 1986 to provide independent wealth management advice and a bespoke service for both individual and corporate clients.

As a full-service offshore law firm, we have client-focused core business lines in corporate and financial services (banking, private equity, funds and capital markets), litigation and insolvency, and private client work (local and international, trusts, foundations, employment, property and probate).

As we celebrate over 28 years in business, our independent financial advisers are continually evolving to meet the needs of our customers and changes in regulation and legislation. Our Group Managing Director John Westwood is one of the founders of the firm. In 1996, Blacktower expanded into Europe from the UK and opened its first office in Portugal during 2000. From this office we provide financial advice to expatriates. Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd (BFMI) was formed in 2003 in Gibraltar. We now operate from 13 worldwide locations and will continue our offshore expansion in 2014.

Bedell Cristin Address: 26 New Street St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RA Tel: +44 (0)1534 814814

Appleby’s Fiduciary and Administration group of companies provide offshore management and administration services to high net worth individuals, private companies, funds and global corporations. Appleby Address: 9th Floor Medine Mews La Chaussée Street Port Louis Mauritius Email: mauritius@applebyglobal.com Tel: +230 203 4300

AO Hall Address: 12-14 New Street St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 2PF Tel: +44 (0)1481 723723 Fax: +44 (0)1481 723023 Email: enquiries@aohall.com

We are a leading award-winning offshore law firm, headquartered in Jersey with a jurisdictional presence in Guernsey, London, Geneva, Mauritius, BVI and Singapore.

We provide onshore and offshore advice and expertise to clients worldwide. We have the expertise and resources to handle large and complex cross-border transactions. Working with our trust company Bedell Trust, we offer efficient, complementary offshore legal advice and fiduciary services in key financial centres.

As an offshore legal services provider, Appleby lawyers advise on the principal areas of corporate and commercial, litigation and insolvency, property, and private client and trusts.

The Blacktower Group Head Office: Suites 34 & 43 Victoria House, 26 Main Street – Gibraltar UK Head Office: Fetcham Park House, Lower Road, Fetcham - Surrey Tel: +350 200 43253 Email: info@blacktowerfm.com Web: www.blacktowerfm.com

“We are happy and give Glory to God for this achievement. We owe our gratitude to the workers whom have shown high level of safety and professionalism.” - Midis Energy Services


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 31

Cains is an Isle of Man based independent international law and professional services group and is at the forefront of the development of the Isle of Man as an international finance centre. We offer specialist legal services to our international and domestic clients. We provide Isle of Man legal expertise and regularly co-ordinate the provision of advice and the management of multi-jurisdictional transactions. Our lawyers work closely with metropolitan professional advisory firms with regard to company incorporations, transactions, restructuring and related corporate activities. Our international clients include major banks and financial institutions and multi-national enterprises including major airlines and ship-owners, in addition to other public and private companies drawn from a wide cross-section of global industry and commerce. We also act for a select number of private individuals. Cains Address: Fort Anne Douglas Isle of Man IM1 5PD Tel: +44 1624 638300 Email: law@cains.com

Collas Crill is seen by its clients as knowledgeable, practical, intelligent, responsive, and client-oriented in its approach. The firm has the ethos of being easy to do business with and focuses on a ‘hands on’ approach from the Partners and senior staff, ensuring client work gets done accurately and efficiently first time, every time. Collas Crill has an innovative attitude to its growth in new and existing markets. The firm was the first Channel Islands law firm to open an office in Singapore, is at the leading edge of promoting and developing image rights legislation for Guernsey, leads in the provision of legal services to the e-gaming industry and is establishing itself as key player in the renewable energy sector in the Channel Islands. Collas Crill Address: PO Box 140, Glategny Esplanade St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4EW Tel: +44 (0)1481 723191 Email: guernsey@collascrill.com

Campbells has over 40 years’ experience advising local and international clients on Cayman Islands law and regularly represents large corporates and financial institutions in substantial international transactions and disputes. Our lawyers are well recognised for their expertise by leading directories and trade publications and regularly advise some of the most prominent names in finance, investment and insurance. Our team is actively involved in the development of Cayman legislation, sitting on various government financial services legislative committees. Campbells’ headquarters office is located in the Cayman Islands and in Cayman’s premier business community, Cricket Square. Our new state-of-the-art building offers our clients and business partners the highest level of facilities and business continuity protection. In addition to Cayman, we have an office in the British Virgin Islands and a number of our Cayman based lawyers are admitted to practise in the BVI. We also offer real-time Asian investment fund advice, through Australia, with experienced professionals able to provide 24 hour service. Campbells Address: Floor 4, Willow House, Cricket Square, PO Box 884, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands KY1-1103 Tel: 001 345 949 2648 Email: campbells@campbells.com.ky

Consolidated Shipping Agencies is a wholly-owned Ghanaian freight forwarding and logistics company. The organisation, which is also known as Conship, was established in 1996 with a service orientation in freight forwarding. Over the years, Conship has successfully built its presence in the freight market at national and international levels, through key relationships with its clients and agents. Over the past decade, Conship has become one of the leading freight forwarding companies in Ghana. Is has been achieved by providing superior freight solutions to clients; inducing a passion for excellence in Conship employees through training and incentives; and upholding standards of service that are dependable, efficient and excellent value for money. Consolidated Shipping Agencies Email: shipping@conshiponline.com Web: www.conshiponline.com Tel: +233-303-204016 Address: Plot 21/22, Commercial Warehouse Area, Tema Harbour, Ghana

Carey Olsen is a market leading offshore law firm. We deliver exceptional services to our clients from the key offshore financial centres of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. We also have an established presence in Cape Town and the City of London. We’re consistently the firm of choice for clients and advisers who refer work to our jurisdictions. Our firm offers a partner-led service. We employ 300 people and our 42 partners head up a total complement of 185 fee earners. We provide legal services in relation to all areas of corporate and finance law, trusts and fiduciary law, investment funds and dispute resolution as well as to private clients. We work with an extensive range of clients including directors, global financial institutions, investment funds, private equity houses, corporations, trustees, governments and private individuals including entrepreneurs. We also routinely work with leading legal advisers elsewhere on international transactions and cases involving our jurisdictions. Carey Olsen Address: P.O. Box 98 Carey House Les Banques, St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4BZ Tel: +44 (0) 1481 727272

Founded in 1928, Conyers Dill & Pearman is an international law firm advising on the laws of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Mauritius. With a global network that includes 140 lawyers spanning eight offices worldwide, Conyers provides responsive, sophisticated, solution-driven legal advice to clients seeking specialised expertise on corporate and commercial, litigation, restructuring and insolvency, and trust and private client matters. Conyers is affiliated with the Codan group of companies, which provide a range of trust, corporate secretarial, accounting and management services. Conyers Dill & Pearman Address: Clarendon House 2 Church Street PO Box HM 666 Hamilton HM CX Bermuda Tel: +1 (441) 295 1422 Fax: +1 (441) 292 4720 Email: bermuda@conyersdill.com

Charles-Lim Capital is an independent Asia-based firm that provides investment management services to institutions, family offices and high net worth individuals. Charles-Lim Capital is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (Type 9 Asset Management license). We manage capital for clients through Wealth Funds and Managed Accounts. We manage focused portfolio funds with global mandates but a distinct emphasis on listed equities of businesses in Asia. We employ a value investing philosophy combined with a quality discipline and deep understanding of long-term economic and industry drivers. We invest globally for maximum opportunity set and the best Asia exposures, and are prepared to make focused thematic commitments and concentrate on our highest conviction ideas. We employ a multi-disciplinary approach in selecting investments, including fundamental analysis, disciplined value-focused strategies, economic insights and proprietary models. Our team of research professionals conducts independent and in-depth company and industry research and analysis. We generally do not employ leverage for the capital we manage. We add value through our distinct Investment Philosophy and unique experience and strategic insights across Asia. Charles-Lim Capital Address: Suite 1001, The Workstation 43 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR Tel: +852 2697-7001 Fax: +852 2697-7006 Email: enquiries@charleslimcapital.com

“St Bernard is very proud and appreciative that our innovative approach to insurance and our dedicated team are being recognised by Acquisition International’s Insurance Launch of the Year award. Our company is founded on the promise of always putting the customer and quality first through the use of innovative technology, and the Acquisition International award is evidence that we are fulfilling this promise.” - St Bernard Assure Limited www.acquisition-intl.com


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Cox Hallett Wilkinson is the third largest law firm in Bermuda. It was formed in January 1998 by the merger of two long established local law firms andsubsequently strengthened its presence on the island with the merger with former Ernst & Young-tied firm Hollis & Co. in July 2004. The firm serves a diverse local and international clientele focusing primarily on corporate and commercial, litigation, private client, estate planning, real estate and intellectual property-related matters. Its affiliated company Coson Corporate Services Limited provides corporate administrative services to a variety of local and exempted companies carrying on business in, among other things, insurance, reinsurance, mutual funds, investment holdings, international trade, shipping and aviation. Cox Hallett Wilkinson Address: Cumberland House 9th Floor 1 Victoria Street Hamilton HM 11 Bermuda Tel: 004412954630 Fax: 004412927880 Email: chw@chw.com

We have an experienced litigation team which is able to assist in contentious matters of practically any nature. The majority of work we undertake involves, in one way or another, disputes involving offshore structures and entities in the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands. Much of our work has cross-border elements. While our primary markets are the BVI and Cayman Islands, we are also able to assist in cases involving other common law Caribbean jurisdictions where we have lawyers locally admitted and/or relationships with local firms. We have a broad-based corporate insolvency practice, and act for creditors, debtors and office holders in a variety of insolvency and restructuring situations. We have considerable familiarity with the use of insolvency remedies in fraud and asset tracing exercises, and in shareholder disputes. Forbes Hare Address: Qwomar Building PO Box 4649 Road Town Tortola VG1110 British Virgin Islands Tel: +1 284 494 1890 Email: info@forbeshare.com

CSL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mauritius Telecom Group, has been the pioneer in the development of the contact centre and BPO industry in Mauritius since 1999. The core services of CSL are the inbound and outbound CRM services. With more than 630 full time employees and 467 positions, CSL operates 24 hrs/7 days. CSL handles more than 1 million inbound calls and 300000 outbound calls per month. Our bilingual staffs, speaking standard English and French, have a solid experience in the handling of your customer service relation. CSL services customers in sectors like telecom operators, utility companies, financial institutions, market research and government bodies. Its 15 years of specialist experience in the Call Center/BPO industry and association with the latest technology (CISCO and VOCALCOM HERMES NET V 4.0) and state of the art infrastructure gives CSL a competitive edge over its competitors. Certified ISO and NF 345 (Normalisation Française), CSL is now in the process to obtain the COPC (Customer Operation Performance Center) certification. CSL BPO Services Email: csl@cslbpo.mu Web: www.cslbpo.com Address: 5th Floor, Orange Tower, Ebene, Mauritius Contact Persons: Shane Seebaluck (Acting General Manager), Chanda Peerthum Woodun (Head of Business Development, Sales & Marketing) Tel: +230 203 9000 / +230 203 9914 Fax: +230 211 8648

Founded in 2001, General International Associates Limited is an established professional provider of comprehensive financial planning services. By designing top-quality financial solutions, the company walks along with individuals and companies in achieving their financial goals. The company is a fully facilitated station providing the following services carried out by an outstanding team of dynamic, passionate professionals, including public award winners, who are responsive to the frequently volatile markets: Personal Financial Planning Insurance Planning • Estate Planning • Retirement Planning • Child Education Planning • Tax Planning • Legacy Planning Corporate Risk Management Business Interruption Insurance • Employees Compensation Insurance • Property Insurance • Professional Liability Insurance • Product Liability Insurance • Marine Cargo Business Solutions Business Financing • Executive Benefit Scheme • Legal Advisory • Key Executives Retention Planning • Employees Medical and Critical Illness • Mandatory Provident Fund • Business Continuity Program • Business Succession Planning Contact Us Tel : +852 3108 6666 Email : customerservice@giahk.com.hk Website : www.giahk.com.hk

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Frequently, business sale and purchase agreements contain a mechanism for adjusting the “headline” price or value obtained, commonly through Completion or Earn-Out Accounts. However, these clauses often lead to a dispute. To maximise chances to improve the final position, preparation for a potential dispute over such a price-adjustment mechanism needs to start early. In the earlier phases of a transaction much ground can be lost through inexperience and it becomes increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to recover that ground at a later stage. Our dispute professionals have extensive experience of such dispute situations, whether advising a party to the deal or acting as the Independent Accountant. We have acted in many different industries covering all sizes of dispute, from those involving a single item through to large multinational deals with over 100 separate items in dispute.

We have developed expertise in an extensive range of corporate and commercial matters involving the Isle of Man and as such have advised a range of clients including local and multi-national corporations, insurance companies, banks, public bodies, entrepreneurs and HNWIs. We also have established relationships with City, European and US law firms. We provide a highly responsive, bespoke service at competitive rates and are regarded by clients and competitors alike for our pragmatic and commercial can-do approach to our clients requirements and quick turnaround times. Dougherty Quinn Limited Address: The Chambers , 5 Mount Pleasant Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2PU Tel: +44 1624 626999 Email: mail@dq.im

What we do When acting as the Independent Determining Accountant, our goal is to provide an efficient, effective, properly justified and objective determination of the matters in dispute. Deloitte 2 New Street Square London EC4A 3BZ United Kingdom Phone number : +44 20 7936 3000 Fax number : +44 20 7583 1198

With offices in Jersey and Guernsey, Grant Thornton Limited is one of the Channel Islands’ leading accounting, tax and business advisory firms dedicated to serving the needs of privately held businesses, financial services and private clients. We offer a full range of audit, assurance, tax, corporate recovery and advisory services. As a member firm within Grant Thornton International we have access to member and correspondent firms in over 100 countries, offering our clients specialist local knowledge supported by international expertise and methodologies. Financial services have to operate in a highly competitive commercial world and at the same time are surrounded by increasingly complex and constantly changing regulation and legislation. This creates a difficult business environment which requires the sound independent professional advice that we are able to offer. The breadth and depth of our experience, coupled with our reputation for providing practical, commercial and innovative solutions, means that our clients are drawn from all sectors of the financial services industry: • fiduciary service providers • funds • IFA’s • investment managers • fund managers • pension providers both local and international • insurance - captives, re-insurance, general insurance, brokers. To find out how our Financial Services team can assist you please contact: Cyril Swale Cyril.swale@gt-ci.com | 01481 753400

“Winning the Offshore Excellence Award for 2014 as Best Stock Exchange is for us, a recognition of the hard work and commitment put in by all the team and other stakeholders of the Exchange, the significant investment in technology with a view to future growth and above all, recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit of our young, small, but innovative Exchange.” - Malta Stock Exchange


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Harney Westwood & Riegels is a leading international offshore law firm. We provide the world’s top law firms, financial institutions and corporations with legal services relating to British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cyprus and Anguilla law. At Harneys we understand the commercial environment in which our clients operate, and the firm has a long-standing reputation for providing fast, accurate and commercially astute advice. Our core philosophy is a commitment to absolute quality in the work we deliver, and unparalleled responsiveness and client service. As a result, we are consistently ranked as one of the world’s top offshore legal practices by independent ranking directories. Harneys’ associated corporate and private wealth services business, Harneys Services, delivers a full complement of company, trust, and fund formation and administration services in the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands. We hold a Class 1 Trust License and offer a broad range of fund, trust, and fiduciary services. Harney Westwood & Riegels Address: Craigmuir Chambers PO Box 71 Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands VG1110 Tel: +1 284 494 2233 Fax: +1 284 494 3547 Email: sheila.george@harneys.com

ISOLAS is a full service Gibraltar law firm offering expertise in every sector of the law. The services on offer range from the traditional offering of criminal and civil litigation specialists, looking out for and protecting your interests, to a growing and dynamic team of commercial Gibraltar lawyers possessing knowledge and expertise in emerging and growing areas of practice such as Funds and online gaming. Whatever the nature of the Gibraltar legal advice you’re looking for, you can be assured of quality, considered and sensible advice given in a commercial context, designed to maximise the potential of your business concept or operation. Isolas Address: Portland House Glacis Road PO Box 204 Gibraltar Tel: +350 2000 1892

Hassans is one of the world’s foremost offshore law firms. We have an old world approach to client service, but a new world approach to business and technology. We have always been professional and pragmatic, analytical and creative, rigorous and open to new ideas. We are trusted advisers to clients both locally and overseas, who seek legal guidance in a fast-moving, multi-jurisdictional world. Our expertise extends beyond Gibraltar and covers key jurisdictions around the world. Many of our assignments are cross-border and we have considerable knowledge of other key jurisdictions. The extent of our expertise, combined with our worldwide network, gives us the international reach to satisfy our clients’ needs. Hassans International Law Firm Address: 57/63 Line Wall Road PO Box 199 GIBRALTAR Email: info@hassans.gi Tel: +350 200 79000

M&A transactions are fundamental to strengthen your market position and to support your long-term growth strategy. These transactions constitute a real creation of value and significant tax savings may be realized. Meticulous analysis of the jurisdictions involved is key. M&A tax planning should be carefully monitored. With a global understanding and deep local knowledge of tax jurisdictions, our experienced tax professionals can provide a full range of M&A tax services to corporate and private equity investors. KPMG Luxembourg Giuliano Bidoli Director, M&A Tax Tel: +352 22 51 51 5528 Email: giuliano.bidoli@kpmg.lu www.kpmg.lu

IOMA GROUP is a specialist provider of services to the insurance and wealth management industries.

The IRSE is a public institute with legal personality, endowed with autonomy in administrative, financial and asset management.

We provide niche retail and bespoke private client and institutional services to our international customer base of independent financial advisors, private banks and wealth managers.

Its primary mission is to ensure a climate of confidence for investment and provide favorable conditions for the electricity market is competitive, to develop a balance between the agents and for the benefit of the Company.

Operating from our bases in London and the Isle of Man, we offer one of the industry’s most comprehensive ranges of services through our Life Assurance, Pensions, Investment Management, General and Captive Insurance, and Fund Administration divisions. Our team has a wealth of experience in financial services, backed by the Group’s 36 year proven track record in delivering exceptional results. IOMA GROUP Tel: IOM: +44 (0)1624 681 200 Tel: UK: +44 (0)20 7612 7630 Email: info@iomagroup.co.im

In 2007 lecocqassociate was formally organised as a law firm in Geneva, but the firm’s roots began in the 1990’s. Dominique Lecocq founded lecocqassociate Geneva as a family firm followed by the incorporation of lecocqassociate ltd in Malta, and most recently added lecocqassociate Dubai to the portfolio of offices. Today, lecocqassociate Geneva, Malta and Dubai boast around 15 diverse lawyers who have the experience, maturity, and legal skills to satisfy every clients’ needs with utmost professionalism and diligence. lecocqassociate’s geographic expansion has also been directly related to client’s needs. The opening of the Malta office provided an alternative jurisdiction based in the EU which facilitates the marketing of the firm products to other European entities. The Dubai office of lecocqassociate specialises in structuring and incorporating financial and non-financial companies. It also provides cost-effective corporate advisory services to start-up and established companies. lecocqassociate Managing Partner: Dominique Lecocq Email: drl@lecocqassociate.com Web: www.lecocqassociate.com Address: 42, route de Frontenex CH-1207 Geneva, Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 707 93 36 Fax: +41 22 786 14 68

With the emergence of Regulatory Institute, aims to create an institutional environment for the sector to work efficiently with minimal losses and high collection rates, ensuring the financial viability of the sector, also creating conditions for indirect state intervention, as the regulatory authority and inspection focused on the social. IRSE Address: Rua de João de Barros n.º 50 –Luanda República de Angola

“It is an honour for us to be nominated to this award by our clients and to be voted as winner by the AI magazine readers.” - IMG Composites

www.acquisition-intl.com


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Majuro Marine Inc Whether you are a private or corporate client, Maitland can assist you. Maitland was founded in Luxembourg in 1976 and now employs over 700 people in 13 offices across 12 countries. The firm is a global provider of multi-jurisdictional legal, tax, fiduciary, investment advisory, and fund administration services. We provide the highest levels of expertise and competence and work in a way that is uniquely personal, proactive, and responsive. Over the years we have added corporate administration to our services and the Malta office can provide directors, trustees, and an entire suite of company secretarial services, including accounting and legal services, to local and international families, trusts, and corporate structures. We are also able to offer advice on the local residence and citizenship schemes. Our team in Malta is able to draw on Maitland’s cross-border expertise and knowledge of multiple jurisdictions in providing clients with optimal solutions. Maitland Name: Mel Roberts Email: mel.roberts@maitlandgroup.com Web: www.maitlandgroup.com Tel: +356 21 44 63 77

MJM is one of Bermuda’s leading law firms. We have a broad ranging practice with an emphasis on civil and commercial litigation, banking and finance, general corporate, trusts, insolvency and restructuring. We also offer advice and services to international individual and commercial private clients..MJM is regularly retained by leading international law firms. We offer practical, common sense advice based on an in-depth knowledge of the legal, regulatory and commercial environment in Bermuda. We also offer a high degree of partner involvement in the work that we do. Each practice area is led by a partner who is recognised as a leading practitioner in Bermuda in their respective field of specialisation. Our collective knowledge and experience across practice areas enables us to offer a comprehensive and thorough service to our clients. MJM Address: Thistle House, 4 Burnaby Street Hamilton HM FX Bermuda Tel: 004412921345

Majuro Marine, Inc. provides high quality, 24/7 international shipside services for any vessel visiting the port of Majuro. Established in 2006, the company provides a vast network of services and support to Marshall Islands’ economy, offering much needed shipping links in this part of Micronesia and Pacific Islands. With a highly trained team boasting over 27 years of experience in dealing with international shipping companies, is what makes Majuro Marine, Inc. the shipping agent of choice. It has a wealth of experience in catering for: Container Vessels • Cruise Vessels • Super Yachts • Naval Vessels • Tankers • Fishing Vessels (Long Line/Purse Seiner) • Ship Channelling Majuro Marine, Inc. is committed to continuous service improvements and conditions for its customers.

Maples and Calder Address: PO Box 309, Ugland House South Church Street George Town Grand Cayman KY1-1104 Cayman Islands Tel: +1 345 949 8066 Fax: +1 345 949 8080 Email: info@maplesandcalder.com

The company has recently established several new ventures to provide integrated transport solutions for customers, and further growth and diversification is planned for the future.

Whatever your legal needs may be, Marshall Diel & Myers Limited can clear the way to achieve your goals. Our team of talented and dynamic lawyers is committed to satisfying the needs and objectives of our clients by providing practical, innovative and effective legal solutions. Our goal is to become trusted legal advisors to our clients. Our clients recognise and value this. Understanding, anticipating and satisfying our client’s legal needs is our top priority. We believe we set ourselves apart by our versatility and our willingness and ability to adapt to our client’s objectives. We approach matters in a collaborative manner working alongside clients and their advisors to devise and implement custom-designed legal solutions for their commercial, business or personal needs. Marshall Diel & Myers Ltd Address: 31 Reid Street Hamilton HM12 Bermuda Tel: (441) 295-7105 Email: mdm@law.bm

Majuro Marine, Inc. Name: Bori Ysawa Email: bysawa@majuromarine.net Telephone: +692 625 7133 Fax: +692 625 6253

Moore Stephens has been operating in the Isle of Man since 1986 and delivers a wide range of professional and advisory services which includes the traditional offerings of accountancy and tax, assurance and consultancy, with specialised service lines of fiduciary (both trust and corporate), foreign exchange, financial advisory, yacht structuring and registration, and crew benefits to both local and international clients.

Mourant Ozannes is one of the leading offshore law firms. We advise on the laws of the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey.

Of particular note, through our yachting and aviation services we are able to provide clients with a multitude of bespoke services including registration, offshore ownership structures, crew services, management and VAT consultancy. Moore Stephens Isle of Man is uniquely positioned (because the Isle of Man is part of the EU for trade purposes) to assist non-EU businesses when looking to trade with the EU single market.

We are chosen regularly to work alongside the most respected international law firms with whom we enjoy deep and longstanding relationships.

To complement yachting and aviation we set up Moore Stephens Brokers Limited to place insurance directly through our Lloyd’s appointed brokers and even the underwriters themselves. We arrange international hull and PI cover for superyachts and private jets as well as luxury assets (that include antiques, bloodstock, fine art, luxury/vintage automobiles or stately homes) and specialist personal and third party liability risk (including in high risk areas). Moore Stephens Email: mail@msiom.com Web: www.msiom.com Address: PO Box 25, 26-28 Athol Street Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1BD Tel: +44 (0) 1624 662020 Fax: +44 (0) 1624 662430

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Maples and Calder was formed in the Cayman Islands over 50 years ago and today is the largest law firm in the Cayman Islands. We are also acknowledged by clients and competitors alike as being the market leader in each of our principal practice areas, in particular funds, finance and corporate. Our Cayman office also provides, through our regulated affiliate, incorporation and registered office services.

Our clients include many of the world’s leading financial institutions, public companies, corporations and fund promoters as well as high net worth private clients.

Mourant Ozannes Address: Palm Grove House PO Box 4857 Road Town Tortola British Virgin Islands Tel: +1 284 852 1700

“ACCRALAW takes pride in having been named the Best Outsourcing Legal Practice in the 2014 Offshore Excellence Awards. It has always been the Firm’s objective to set the pace of excellence in the practice of law in the Philippines. Owing to its wide range of expertise and extensive experience it has accumulated over the years, the Firm was able to overcome many challenges that go with working with offshore and outsourcing businesses.” - ACCRALAW®


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 35

Nedbank Private Wealth Limited is a multi-award-winning bank which has been operating in the Isle of Man since 1987. We offer a comprehensive private and personal banking operation on behalf of a wide range of clients and intermediaries, including private individuals, non-trading companies, trusts, governments and institutional investors. The gateways to our banking, investment, trust and corporate services are through our offices in the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, South Africa, UK and the Middle East. Formerly Fairbairn Private Bank, Nedbank Private Wealth was rebranded in October 2012 to align with our longstanding shareholder, Nedbank. Johannesburg-based Nedbank is the fourth largest bank in Africa and is owned by the well-known and highly regarded FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 financial services group, Old Mutual plc. The cornerstone of our international banking operation is ’Focus’, the first fully integrated banking and investment platform, which provides for the ultimate in private banking flexibility and has served to create an international product and service approach that remains unique across Europe and the British offshore markets. Focus offers far richer functionality and greater flexibility than standard fund platforms, as clients can access their private banking and their investments in one consolidated service. Nedbank Private Wealth Name: Cathy Cowin, Senior Marketing Executive Email: cathy.cowin@nedbankprivatewealth.com Tel: + 01624645094 Address: St Mary’s Court, 20 Hill Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1EU

PEM Offshore offers a wide range of products and services aimed at improving safety, quality and reliability in the marine, oil and gas sector. Over the years, PEM Offshore has served numerous clients ranging from IOCs, marine companies, oil service companies, construction companies, to drilling companies. PEM Offshore Limited Tel: +234 (0) 84 361 390 Address: Plot 231 Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Off Ordinance Rd, Behind Sasun Hotel, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, Nigeria PEM Offshore Inc., USA Tel: +1 713 297 8868 Address: 2425 West Loop South, Suite 200 Houston 77027 TX USA Email: office@pemoffshores.com Web: www.pemoffshores.com

The roots of O’Neal Webster date back to 1989. The firm was founded by Paul Webster Q.C., Colin O’Neal and Barbara O’Neal, who were all associates in law firms in the British Virgin Islands. Their commitment to delivering a high level of legal service with a commitment to clients and the community, led them to form the partnership of O’Neal Webster O’Neal. In 1993, a strategic alliance was formed with leading Caribbean law firm Myers Fletcher & Gordon of Kingston, Jamaica, to establish and develop what is now one of the leading commercial law firms in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), one of the world’s most important offshore financial services centres. From our beginnings as a general local practice, O’Neal Webster has grown with the British Virgin Islands and has become established as a firm recognized for its expertise in British Virgin Islands corporate and commercial law as well as litigation, where our attorneys have distinguished themselves at every level of the judicial system in the British Virgin Islands, the Caribbean and at the Privy Council in London. O’Neal Webster Address: Simmonds Building, 30 DeCastro Street, Road Town Tortola, British Virgin Islands Tel: +1(284) 494-5808 Fax: +1(284) 494-5811 Email: info@onealwebster.com

SFM is the global de-facto leader in the corporate services industry, providing company registration, administrative management, and bank account opening in 15 offshore & onshore jurisdictions. Regulated by the Swiss financial authorities, SFM has successfully incorporated tens of thousands of companies. We have been helping our clients maintain and build wealth for over 15 years. At SFM, we are 100% committed to customers. During the course of SFM’s development as a company, we have been able to develop a network of offshore service providers that remains unparalleled. This is an advantage that is directly passed on to customers via competitive pricing policies and the provision of superior client services. Understanding a client’s profile is critical to making smart decisions for the future. Hence SFM’s professional team follows a strategic process to determine what is in our customer’s best interest and to identify the best opportunities to proceed in a matter most profitable to our diverse client base. SFM Corporate Services S.A Switzerland Web: www.sfm-offshore.com Address: 20, rue Adrien Lachenal 1207 Geneva, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 311 03 83

Ogier Legal provides advice on the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and Luxembourg law through our global network of offices that cover all time zones and key financial markets and we are the only law firm to advise on these five laws. We employ the very best people to ensure that we deliver practical advice and we have over 350 people in our offices in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Tokyo. We provide the highest-quality legal advice and professional client service across all jurisdictions and service lines and we regularly win awards for the quality of our client service, our work and our people. Ogier Address: Ritter House Wickhams Cay II PO Box 3170 Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands VG1110 Tel: 01 284 852 7300 Email: Legal@ogier.com

Corporate Trust Provider Pearse Trust is a significant and recognised provider of
 international onshore and
 offshore services. Our services are designed to assist clients to create, manage and distribute wealth. Clients who trade in international markets are faced with the complexities of differing tax and legal frameworks in a variety of jurisdictions. Good corporate governance and compliance are vital. Our expertise is designed to ensure that clients adopt the optimum structure to meet their commercial objectives. We offer integrated planning solutions, driven by specific requirements of each client. We deliver expertise, transparency and value. Our service excellence allows us to build lasting partnerships with our clients, some of whom have been with us for over 25 years. Details of our various office locations and services are available at: www.pearse-trust.ie Pearse Trust Group Email: info@pearse-trust.ie Web: www.pearse-trust.ie Address: Hume House, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland Tel: +353 1 634 9500

The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown Dependency situated in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. Favoured by its geographical and political positions the Island is a financial centre of benefit to companies and individuals worldwide. As the Manx government is entirely responsible for its own flexible and stable internal legislation, an environment has been developed in which modern and effective trusts can be created, and where banking, insurance and other institutions can operate in a well-regulated regime. Associate membership of the European Union gives the Island access to the markets of member states whilst minimising its obligations. The Isle of Man is well served by air and sea transport, is equipped with the latest communications technology, and has a highly-skilled workforce. Importantly, too, the island retains a high quality of life in an attractive and unspoiled environment. Simcocks Address: Ridgeway House Ridgeway Street Douglas Isle of Man IM99 1PY Telephone: +44 (0)1624 690300 Fax: +44 (0)1624 690333 Email: enquiries@simcocks.com

“The award itself is a cherry on the top. What drives this home for us, is the fact that our clients / our family believe in us as much as we believe in ourselves. It is great to have these awards available as it promotes smaller companies like ourselves to strive and reach their full potential, whether it be a service or a product that could revolutionise the industry.” - Aqua Tech Diving Services

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SOLOMON HARRIS is ranked as one of Cayman’s top tier law firms by the leading UK and international law firm directories, such as Chambers Global and Legal 500 and is renowned for providing effective offshore legal solutions promptly and commercially. The firm is a full service law firm with offices in the Cayman Islands and Switzerland. Our attorneys specialise in international offshore work and our established expertise includes Cayman Hedge funds (investment funds), advising Cayman companies (including incorporation through the Companies Registry), banking and finance (including provision of legal opinions), captive insurance, Cayman trusts, trust litigation, capital markets, corporate restructuring/insolvency, licencing (including banks and local businesses) and immigration services and advice for companies with offices and businesses operating within the Cayman Islands (including Trade and Business licensing, work permits and Permanent Residency). Solomon Harris Address: First Caribbean House, PO Box 1990, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1104, Cayman Islands Tel: 345-949-0488 Fax: 345-949-0364 Email: info@solomonharris.com

We are a progressive and dynamic firm that holds the highest professional values in our work. We set out below further information about this firm which you may find useful. We have a reputation for providing creative, practical, and commercially orientated solutions. We want our clients to use these skills to impact their bottom line, either by making cost efficiencies, increasing revenue, or providing a higher quality product. We are looking at developing a long term relationship with our clients. We know that this is difficult to do and that we have to provide a high quality service at all times. We know that costs are important to our clients and that predictability of costs is vital. We have developed a range of methods to suit different situations and clients to ensure that there are no surprises and that costs are well understood before we start on a matter. If you would like to know more about our pricing strategy please contact us. Trott & Duncan Building Address: 17A Brunswick Street Hamilton HM 10 Bermuda Tel: (441) 295 7444 Fax: (441) 295 6600 Email: info@td.bm

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Stenning & Associates is predominantly a litigation practice. Our dedicated team of talented in-house legal professionals has the ability to tackle some of the most challenging instructions and deadlines. Our team has expertise within enforcement of foreign judgments, as well as multi-jurisdictional commercial and insolvency litigation. Additionally, we can assist with civil advisory work and litigation within, but not limited to, such areas as; fraud, financial regulation, compliance and asset recovery. We can provide advice and representation within all areas of criminal defence, to include: Serious crime, extradition, regulatory offences, fraud, money laundering and restraint orders.

Travers Thorp Alberga is a boutique Cayman Islands law firm that provides intuitive and incisive advice on all types of offshore structure including hedge funds, private equity, corporate and partnership vehicles, asset and structured finance, capital markets, and general corporate and commercial matters. The firm specialises in litigation and insolvency. We also advise on the laws of the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

We offer expert advice and knowledge across a variety of sectors and legal practice areas. The firm is divided into 6 practice areas namely Corporate & Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Financial Services, Private Client, Property and Shipping & Admiralty.

Travers Thorp Alberga Address: Harbour Place, 2nd Floor PO Box 472 103 South Church Street Grand Cayman, KY1-1106, Cayman Islands Tel: +1 345 949 0699

Gibraltar is a well-recognized and regulated EU finance centre and accordingly a large part of the firm’s practice is devoted to finance centre related work, both local and international.

Stenning & Associates Name: James Stenning Email: jstenning@stenning.ky Web: www.stenning.ky Tel: +(345) 945 0220 Address: Stenning & Associates 4th Floor, Harbour Centre, 42 North Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Voisin has longstanding experience of Jersey’s strengths as an offshore centre, and offers high service standards and good value. Voisin’s ‘professional and supportive’ group is led by ‘attentive and knowledgeable’ managing partner Ian Strang. Highlights included advising the independent directors of Computer Patent Annuities Holdings on a proposed acquisition of the company by a scheme of arrangement. Ian Strang and Nigel Pearmain are recommended.” Voisin Law Address: 4th Floor 37 Esplanade St Helier Jersey JE1 1AW Channel Islands Tel: 0044 1534 500300

We also offer advice on matters of Spanish law through our offices in Marbella and Sotogrande.

The firm is recognised as a leading business firm in Gibraltar and a number of the firm’s practitioners are recognised as leaders in their chosen fields by independent sources such as Chambers, Legal 500, IFLR and Practical Law. Lawyers at the firm practice as part of the fused profession in Gibraltar and the vast majority of our pratictioners are English qualified in the first instance. Triay & Triay Address: 28 Irish Town Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 200 72020 Email: info@triay.com

Wakefield Quin Limited was established in January 2001 through the merger of M.L.H. Quin & Co. and Hector, Wakefield, Dwyer & Pettingill. The merger brings together two long established Bermuda law firms with an international reputation for the high calibre of the service they provide. We are a modern, open and friendly firm and our aim is to provide clear, concise and practical advice based on an in-depth knowledge of the legal, regulatory and commercial environment in Bermuda. Our priority is to deliver a responsive, efficient and cost effective service to our clients. Wakefield Quin Limited Address: Victoria Place 31 Victoria Street Hamilton HM10 Bermuda Tel: 001441 494 4000

Walkers is a leading International Financial Centre law firm and a member of the International Financial Centres Forum (IFC Forum). From our offices in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Jersey, London and Singapore, we provide legal services to FORTUNE 100 and FTSE 100 global corporations and financial institutions, capital markets participants, investment fund managers and middle market companies. Walkers Address: 190 Elgin Avenue George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9001 Cayman Islands Tel: +1 345 949 0100 Fax: +1 345 949 7886 Email: info@walkersglobal.com



38 | 2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS

and the winners are... Angola Ana Maia Gonçalves, Mediator José Miranda Dias & Associados - Sociedade de Advogados, RL Ordem dos Arquitectos Anguilla WEBSTER WEBSTER WEBSTER Aruba Croes Wever Tchong Australia Ascalon Capital Managers Limited Barwon Investment Partners Codan Container Refrigeration Deloitte Ecospecifier IFS Integrum Management Systems LoneStar Australia MLC Investment Management - MLC Private Equity SEAS Offshore SkyCool Pty Ltd WeldNet

Offshore Mediator of the Year Offshore Boutique Law Firm of the Year Offshore Excellence Award - Angola Best Caribbean Commercial Litigation Practice Best Caribbean Law Firm Best Finance Team - Anguilla Offshore Real Estate Law Firm of the Year Offshore Focused Investment Manager of the Year Best Open-Ended Fund: The Barwon Global Listed Private Equity Fund & Best Offshore Focused Fund Manager Must Trusted Offshore Manufacturer No. 1 Offshore Refrigeration Container Supplier Best Offshore Tax Compliance Team Commitment to Sustainable Energy Solutions Award Best Offshore Focused Business Software Platform Offshore Focused Software Solution of the Year Best Offshore Focused Manufacturer Best Investment Approach - Australia Best Offshore Equipment Manufacturer Most Innovative Property Solutions Firm Best Offshore Focused Engineering Consultancy

Austria Alset GmbH

Best Offshore Engineering Company

Bahamas Callenders & Co. Callenders & Co. Callenders & Co. Callenders & Co.

Commercial Legal Practice of the Year - Bahamas Insolvency Practice of the Year - Bahamas Law Firm of the Year - Bahamas Most Trusted Law Firm - Bahamas

Bahrain Norton Rose Fulbright Norton Rose Fulbright Zu’bi & Partners Attorneys & Legal Consultants

Best in Infrastructure & Real Estate - Bahrain Best Offshore Focused Private Equity Practice Offshore Litigation Practice of the Year

Barbados Barbados Investment and Development Corporation BARBADOS PUBLIC WORKERS’ CO-OPERATIVE CREDIT UNION LIMITED CLEMENT PAYNE CHAMBERS WAYNE P. CUMBERBATCH & CO Belarus Sysouev Bondar Khrapoutski Vlasova, Mikhel & Partners Bermuda AAA Risk Solutions Limited Abbott Associates Appleby ASW Law BIAS - Global Dividend Income Fund Bosphorus 1 Re Ltd. Butterfield US$ Bond Fund Limited CATCo Reinsurance Opportunities Fund Ltd Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited Hyper Secure Ltd. Independent Management Ltd. Independent Management Ltd. JLT Insurance Management (Bermuda) Ltd. KPMG LOM Equity Growth Fund LOM Holdings Limited Mello Jones & Martin Northstar Financial Services Orbis Institutional SPC Ltd - Institutional Global Equity Fund Performa Performa High Yield Fund Ltd

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PwC Bermuda Wendell Malcolm Hollis Barrister & Attorney Botswana Luke & Associates PIYUSH SHARMA ATTORNEYS Brunei Cheok Advocates & Solicitors BVI British Virgin Islands International Finance Centre Deloitte Folio Corporate Services Limited Forbes Hare Harney Westwood & Riegels Harneys Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán Lennox Paton Newhaven BVI Ogier Simpson Grierson Cayman Islands Appleby Appleby Appleby BDO BDO Bodden & Bodden Attorneys At Law Campbells Campbells Campbells Cayman Finance Cayman Islands Department of Commerce and Investment Deloitte Design (Cayman) Limited DMS Offshore Investment Services Genesis Trust & Corporate Services Ltd

Commitment to Industrial Development - Barbados Best Credit Union - Barbados

Hampson and Company Attorneys at Law Harneys Harneys

Chambers of the Year - Barbados Most Client Focused Law Firm of the Year - Barbados

Harneys IP Navigation Group Neil Timms Nelson & Company Opus Fiduciary Services Ltd

Offshore Tax Practice of the Year Best Renewable Energy Legal Practice

Overseas Asset Management (Cayman) Ltd. Best Risk Solutions Team - Bermuda Best Actuaries of 2014 - Bermuda Most Client Focused Law Firm of the Year - Bermuda Insurance & Reinsurance Law Firm of the Year - Bermuda Best Long-Term Total Return Strategy – Bermuda and Cayman Islands Best Catastrophe Bond - Bermuda Best Open Ended Fixed Income Fund - Bermuda Best Closed-Ended Fund - Bermuda Best Commercial Legal Practice - Bermuda No. 1 Cybersecurity Innovators - Bermuda Accountancy Team of the Year - Bermuda Captive Insurance Manager of the Year - Bermuda Most Respected Insurance Consultancy Team of the Year - Bermuda Best ILS Team - Bermuda Best Long-Term Fund - Bermuda Wealth Management Services Provider of the Year - Bermuda Litigation Practice of the Year - Bermuda Most Trusted Actuarial Team - Bermuda Best Institutional Fund - Bermuda Best Bermuda-Based Asset Manager Best Captive & Re/insurance Fund - Performa High Yield Fund Ltd

Sandler & Company (Cayman) Smeets Law Solomon Harris Solomon Harris Stamford Law Corporation State Street State Street Summit Management Limited Tower Marketing Voisin Law Walkers Walkers Walkers Zolfo Cooper

Best Insurance and Reinsurance Team - Bermuda No. 1 Barrister of the Year - Bermuda Best Arbitration Practice - Botswana Sustained Excellence in Commercial Litigation - Botswana Offshore Support Services Law Firm of the Year Offshore Estate Planning Firm of the Year Best BVI Insolvency Practitioner Offshore Director Services Provider of the Year Latin American Practice of the Year - BVI BVI Litigation Team of the Year Offshore Trust Creation Team of the Year Offshore Capital Markets Law Firm of Year Offshore Fund Law Firm of the Year Offshore Secretarial & Fiduciary Services Provider of the Year Offshore Dispute Resolution Practice of the Year Offshore Insurance & Product liability Issue Specialist of the Year Litigation & Insolvency Team of the Year - Cayman Islands Best Offshore Asset Finance Team Offshore Structured Finance Team Caribbean Focused Insolvency Firm of the Year Offshore Captive Insurance Team of the Year Offshore Directors’ Liabilities Litigation Specialist of the Year Best Offshore Private Fund Legal Team Best Funds Structuring Team - Cayman Islands Best Investment Fund Litigation Team - Cayman Islands Offshore Excellence Award - Cayman Islands Offshore Excellence in Commerce & Investment Best Caribbean Auditors Best Offshore Office Portfolio Offshore Fund Governance Specialist of the Year Director Services Administrator of the Year - Cayman Islands Best Boutique Litigation Law Firm - Cayman Islands Best BVI Focused Restructuring Team Best Hedge Fund Disputes Team of the Year - Cayman Islands Offshore M&A Law Firm of the Year Offshore Patent Monetization Firm of the Year Best in Contentious Trust - Cayman Islands Best Trust Practice of 2014 - Cayman Islands Offshore Multi-Jurisdictional Trust Specialist of the Year Open-Ended Fund Manager of the Year - Cayman Islands Offshore Master-Feeder Structure Specialist of the Year Best Family Offices Focused Law Firm - Cayman Islands Offshore Full Service Law Firm of 2014 Best Hedge Funds Focused Law Firm - Cayman Islands Offshore Dealmaker of the Year Offshore Fund Accounting Team of the Year Investment Management Services Team of the Year Best Private Equity Funds Focused Director Services Team Best in Financial Marketing - Cayman Islands Offshore Estate Administration Firm of the Year Best Offshore Aviation Finance Team Best Offshore Hedge Funds Focused Practice Best Offshore Contentious Restructuring Firm Offshore Based Cross Border Liquidation Team of the Year

Channel Islands Kleinwort Benson

Best in Wealth Management - Channel Islands

Chile Dalgalarrando, Romero & Cía Abogados

Best Capital Markets Law Firm - Chile


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 39

China Sovereign Trust (Hong Kong) Ltd Cook Islands Financial Services Development Authority Costa Rica Citi LAN Abogados Oller Abogados Pacheco Coto Cyprus Anagenesis Bioenergy Corporation Ltd Andreas A. Papadopoulos & Co. Advocates - Legal Consultants Christos Patsalides Llc Chrysanthou & Chrysanthou Chrysses Demetriades & Co

Offshore Excellence Award - Company/Trust Administration Offshore Excellence Awards - Cook Islands Best in Banking - Costa Rica Offshore Excellence Awards - Costa Rica Best Offshore & Real Estate Planning Practice - Costa Rica Corporate Law Firm of the Year - Costa Rica Environment & Energy Technology Innovator of the Year Offshore Excellence Award - Cyprus

Emily Lemoniati Law Chambers And Associates InterQuality Montanios & Montanios LLC NCI Law Group Xenios L. Xenopoulos LLC Law Office Xenofontos Legal

Best Offshore Focused Corporate Management Team Best Offshore Focused Ship & Yacht Registration Team Offshore Focused Property Finance Team of the Year Best Offshore Business Orientated Law Firm Best Auditor of the Year - Cyprus Best Admiralty & Maritime Law Firm - Cyprus Trustee Services Provider of the Year - Cyprus Best Offshore Law Firm - Cyprus Best Active Litigation Law Firm - Cyprus

Denmark ARM Steel Solutions. CT Offshore AS Esbjerg Airport Foga ApS IAT Base & Energy MARTEC Procurator A/S

Offshore Industry Supplier of the Year Offshore Subsea Service Provider of the Year Offshore Focused Airport of the Year Best Offshore Focused Marine Advisor Service Provider Best Offshore Logistics Provider of the Year Offshore Safety Training Provider of the Year Personal Protective Equipment Supplier of the Year

Dominican Republic Castillo y Castillo

Caribbean Foreign Investment Law Firm of the Year

Finland Dittmar & Indrenius

Technology, Outsourcing & IPR Practice of the Year

Ghana Activa International Insurance Company A-Cube Plus Investment & Money Lending Ltd. AIDEC Consultancies International Ltd ALEX KOFI AKUDE Amarteifio & Co. Bank of Baroda Limited Baton Consult B-BOVID LIMITED Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah De Medeiros & Associates Ecosave Financial & Management Service EDC Consulting Ltd Glenview Consulting Gh. Ltd. KDA ACCOUNTING SERVICES Knight Systems Incorporated Metropolitan Insurance Parents Accountancy Ramseyer Credit Union TANOE - The African Network of Entrepreneurs Uptom Consults Ltd. Yapra Rural Bank Gilbaltar Barclays Bank PLC Benady Cohen & Co Group Benzaquen & Associates Castiel Winser Financial Consultants Limited Castle Fund Administrators Limited Credit Suisse (Gibraltar) Limited EY GFIA Hassans Hodgson Bilton, Barrister & Solicitors KPMG Limited Robus Corporate Services (Gibraltar) Limited

Whitmill Gibraltar

Offshore Excellence Award - Gibraltar Offshore Insurance Launch of the Year Best Fund Administration & Investment Management Services Provider - Gibraltar Private Client Service Provider of the Year - Gibraltar

Greenland Arctic Base Supply A/S

Best for Logistics Support Services

Guatemala A.C. Palomo & Porras Arias & Muñoz Despacho De Abogados Salazar-Muñoz

Best Maritime & Port Law Practice - Guatemala Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year - Guatemala Offshore Excellence Award - Guatemala

Guernsey A O Hall A O Hall Asia Pacific Basket Limited Babbe Legal British Capital Property Investments Limited Heritage Legis Group Robus Group Limited Robus Risk Services Limited

Best Dispute Resolution Firm - Guernsey Best Employment Practice - Guernsey Best Closed-Ended Investment Company - Guernsey Best Commercial Litigation Team - Guernsey Property Investors of the Year - Guernsey Best Fund Administrator - Guernsey Trust Administrators of the Year - Guernsey Best Offshore Insurance-Linked Securities Team Fine Art Insurance Speciality of the Year

Simmons Gainsford LLP St Bernard Assure Limited Velay Financial Services Limited

Hong Kong Affinity Equity Partners (HK) Ltd. Appleby Baker & McKenzie Baker & McKenzie Barclays Plc Carey Olsen Castle Peak Executive Search Cheung Tong & Rosa Solicitors

Insurance Specialist of the Year - Ghana Micro Finance Team of the Year - Ghana Ghana Service Provider of the Year - Business Development Services Fund Financial Product Portfolio of the Year - Ghana Best Investment Law Firm - Ghana Bank of the Year - Ghana Auditors of the Year - Ghana Best Ghanaian Agro-Business Best in Secutirties - Ghana Capital Markets Law Firm of the Year - Ghana Best in Business Sevices - Ghana Best in Enterprise Management Advisory Services - Ghana Offshore Excellence Award - Ghana Best in Limited Liability Companies Advisory - Ghana Best in Computer Services - Ghana Best in Insurance - Ghana Best in Accountancy - Ghana Best Credit Union - Ghana Best Entrepreneur Network - Ghana Best in Business Management Consulting - Ghana Best in Banking - Ghana Best Corporate Banking Team - Gibraltar Best Accountants of the Year - Gibraltar Best Closed End Fund Focused Law Firm - Gibraltar Best Corporate Financial Planning Firm of the Year - Gibraltar Bespoke Fund Administration Firm of the Year - Gibraltar FSA & FSC Regulatory Compliance Team of the Year - Gibraltar Best in Business Advisory Services - Gibraltar Best Offshore Funds & Investments Association Offshore Finance Team of the Year Best Offshore Company Formation Team Best in Gaming - Gibraltar Best Insurance Focused Regulation Team - Gibraltar

China-ASEAN Capital Advisory Company Commerzbank AG Deacons Deacons Deutsche Bank Harney Westwood & Riegels Hendersen Taxandis Kerogen Capital Kinetic Partners Kinetic Partners LBN Advisers Limited Linklaters Manivest Asia Limited Mayer Brown JSM Minter Ellison Mintz Group Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia Ltd. Oldham, Li & Nie, Lawyers Oxford Capital Partners P C Woo & Co Pacific Risk Advisors Proskauer Rose Proskauer Rose Rebecca Lo & Co Sidley Austin Sinopac Asset Management Skybound Capital Stephenson Harwood Stephenson Harwood The Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd Total Credit & Risk Management Group Woodstone Capital Partners

Korea Focused Portfolio Management Firm of the Year Best Caribbean Focused Corporate Advisory Firm - Hong Kong Financial & Regulation Specialist of the Year - Hong Kong Private Client Tax Law Firm of the Year - Hong Kong Best Prime Brokerage Service Provider - Hong Kong Best Pension Scheme Focused Trust Practice - Hong Kong Best Insurance Focused Securities Division - Hong Kong Private Clients Choice Award: Estate Planning Firm of the Year Best Hong Kong Fund- China-ASEAN Investment Cooperation Fund Best in Banking - Hong Kong Asia Focused Equity Derivatives Team of the Year Best Securities Team - Hong Kong Best Agency Securities Lending desk - Hong Kong BVI Focused Law Firm of the Year Best Tax Due Diligence Team - Hong Kong Best Investment Strategy Team - Hong Kong Best SEC Registration Team - Hong Kong Offshore Financial Services Regulatory Experts of the Year - Hong Kong Best China Hedge Fund - LBN China+ Opportunity Fund Best Offshore Focused M&A Practice - Hong Kong Best in BPO - Hong Kong Best Non-Performing Loan Disposals Specialist - Hong Kong Listed Companies Focused Compliance Firm of the Year - Hong Kong Offshore Excellence In Securities - Hong Kong Asia Focused Private Equity Team - Hong Kong Best Offshore Tax Planning Firm - Hong Kong Asian Focused Project Manager of the Year - Offshore Wind Farm Development Listed Companies Focused Law Firm of the Year - Hong Kong Asia Pacific Focused SRM Consultancy of the Year Asia Fund Formation Team of the Year Best Securities Offering Team of the Year - Hong Kong Best in Alternative Investment - Hong Kong Investment Fund Transaction Team of the Year - Hong Kong Best Asia Focused Quant Fund Overall Fund of the Year - CHINA RED FUND Ship Finance Team of the Year - Hong Kong Asia Focused IPO Listing Firm of the Year - Hong Kong Best Unit-Linked Product Fund - Rupiah Indonesia Greater China Equity Fund Hong Kong Focused Credit & Risk Management Service Provider Insurance Focused Asian Financial Services Markets Team of the Year

www.acquisition-intl.com


40 | 2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS

India phamax Ireland Arran Dowling-Hussey, Barrister - Law Library, Dublin Byrne Wallace Campion Insurance Company Bureau Formations Ltd Craig Fund Consultancy Erwin Mediation Services Eugene F Collins KB Associates Offshore Fund Consulting Kinetic Partners Kinetic Partners KPMG KPMG Lion I Re Limited O’Connell Brennan Solicitors Phoenix Fund Services Providence Forensic Accounting Experts SouthWestern State Street Stembridge Trust (Ireland) Limited William Fry Isle of Man Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd DFK Chancery Trust Dougherty Quinn Dougherty Quinn EMCS International Ltd Equilibrium Pensions Ltd Knox House Trust Limited Mann Made Corporate Services Limited Moore Stephens Trust Company Limited Mossack Fonseca & Co. (Isle of Man) Limited Optimal Payments plc PDMS Business Solutions Quinn Legal Quinn Legal Smart HR Solutions Limited Israel Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co. Advocates and Notary Gornitzky & Co Hamburger Evron & Co NTK law firm Pricewaterhouse­Coopers Robus SONIGO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING, PACKING & MOVING, LTD. Tal Ron, Drihem & Co., Law Offices Zemah Schneider & Partners Jersey Grant Thornton Limited Pinel Advocates Viberts Viberts Viberts Viberts Jordan The Jordanian Counselor - Attorneys-at-Law & Legal Advisors (JC Law) Zalloum & Laswi Law Firm Lebanon Middle East Venture Partners Smayra Law Office

www.acquisition-intl.com

Best Consulting Company in Healthcare Offshore Excellence Award - Ireland Bank Portfolio Review Specialist of the Year - Ireland Best Insurance Provider of the Year - Ireland Offshore Excellence: Company Formation Firm of the Year - Ireland Offshore Excellence Award: Non-Executive Directors Provider of the Year - Ireland Offshore Excellence in Succession Planning - Ireland Director Rights Specialist of the Year - Ireland Best Irish Mutual Funds Pioneer Asset Management Regulatory Consulting Firm of the Year - Ireland UCITS Fund Advisor of the Year -Ireland Best Investment Fund Focused Auditor - Ireland Best Islamic Finance Team - Ireland Best Reinsurance Vehicle Private Client Choice Award: Best Irish Estate Planning Team Offshore Fund Administration Service Provider of the Year Offshore Forensic Accounting Team of the Year - Ireland Business Process Outsourcing Firm of the Year Best Irish Multi-Currency Valuation Team Offshore Focused Wealth Management Firm - Ireland Irish Stock Exchange Rules Law Firm of the Year Best in Litigation - Isle of Man Best Trust Service Provider - Isle of Man Best BVI Focused Law Firm - Isle of Man Offshore Employment Law Firm of the Year Best Marine Resourcing & Consultancy - Isle of Man Offshore Pension Scheme Product Portfolio of the Year Offshore High-End Fiduciary Services Provider Best High Net Worth Individuals Trust Services - Isle of Man Offshore Trust Company of the Year Offshore Excellence Award - Isle of Man Best Offshore Payment System Offshore Service (SaaS) & Specialist Cloud Service Provider of the Year Family Wealth Management Firm of the Year - Isle of Man Offshore Commercial Law Firm of the Year Offshore Human Resources Consultancy of the Year - Isle of Man Best In Fund Formation - Israel Israeli Law Firm of the Year - Energy & Resources Best in Transactions - Israel Capital Markets Law Firm of the Year - Israel Tax Advisory Firm of the Year - Israel Legal Marketing Firm of the Year - Israel Company of the Year - Israel Offshore Law Firm of the Year - Israel Best in Venture Capital Funds - Israel Best in Insolvency - Jersey Best in Investment Funds - Jersey Offshore Private Wealth Team of the Year Best Offshore Conveyancing Law Firm - Jersey Private Client Law Firm of the Year - Jersey Trusts Law Firm of the Year - Jersey Best in Capital Markets - Jordan Best in Securities - Jordan Fund Launch of the Year - The IMPACT Fund by MEVP Best In Banking & Finance - Lebanon

Liechtenstein Batliner Wanger Batliner Rechtsanwälte AG Dr Batliner & Dr Gasser

Best in Commercial Litigation - Liechtenstein Best in Liechtenstein Foundations

Luxembourg Advokatfirmaet CLP DA Bonn Steichen & Partners Brucher, Thieltgen & Partners Deloitte SA Loyens & Loeff NautaDutilh Avocats Luxembourg Rato, Ling, Vong, Lei & Cortes - Advogados State Street

Best in Investments - Luxembourg Best in Investment Funds - Luxembourg Best in Property Law - Luxembourg Best in Fund Structuring - Luxembourg Best in Private Equity funds - Luxembourg Best in Capital Markets - Luxembourg Offshore Excellence Award - Macau Best in Business Strategy - Luxembourg

Malta Aver Trustees Malta Limited GVTH Advocates Kirton & Co Limited KSI Malta Le Meridien St Julians Hotel & Spa Maitland MALTA STOCK EXCHANGE Prestige Cabs Malta Steves & Co. Media & Advertising

Best in Estate Planning & Trustees - Malta Best in EU Law - Malta Offshore Super Yacht Travel Agent of the Year Maltese Auditor of the Year Offshore Hotel of the Year Best in Third-Party Fund Administration - Malta Offshore Excellence Award: Best Stock Exchange Offshore Corporate Travel Company of the Year Best in Media & Advertising - Malta

Marshall Islands www.marshallislandslawyers.com

Best in Corporate Law - Marshall Islands

Mauritius AAMIL (Mauritius) Ltd ABC Banking Corporation Ltd Alliott (Mauritius) Atlas Financial Group Limited Banymandhub Boolell Chambers Banymandhub Boolell Chambers Bramer Banking Corporation Ltd Capital Horizons Ltd Chambers of A.R.M.A. Peeroo SC GOSK Chambers of A.R.M.A. Peeroo SC GOSK Chambers of A.R.M.A. Peeroo SC GOSK COPEX Management Services Limited Daiichi Process (Mauritius) Ltd. Home Builders Ltd. Kross Border Trust Services Ltd. Mardemootoo Solicitors New India Assurance Company Ltd Poonyth & Co Premier Financial Services Limited Renesis Financial Services Ltd Rosemees Company Limited Streak Designs Ltd.

Company Formations Experts of the Year - Mauritius Best Bank - Mauritius Rising Stars in Accountancy - Mauritius Tax Planning Specialists of the Year - Mauritius Best Commercial Law Firm - Mauritius Boutique Law Firm of the Year - Mauritius Commercial Bank of the Year - Mauritius Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year - Mauritius Best in Offshore Transactions Law - Mauritius Best Set of the Year - Mauritius Property Investment Practice of the Year - Mauritius Best in Wealth Management - Mauritius Best Creative Communication Company - Mauritius Best Property Surveyor of 2014 - Mauritius Fund Administrator of the Year - Mauritius Law Firm of the Year - Mauritius Best in Corporate Governance - Mauritius Best Accountants of 2014 - Mauritius Offshore Management Company of the Year - Mauritius Tax Advisory Team of the Year - Mauritius No. 1 Telemarketing Solutions Provider - Mauritius Best Graphic Design Firm - Mauritius

Monaco Cabinet Günther Schmalz Netherlands Bronswerk Heat Transfer Leenaars Marine & Offshore Design Venko Offshore WRS Marine Inspections and Services Netherlands Antilles AMICORP FUND SERVICES New Zealand Bridon Lowndes Associates Simpson Grierson

Best Boutique Intellectual Property Law Firm - Monaco Most Innovative Heat Exchange Solutions Provider Most Innovative in Ship Design Award Best in Fabric Maintenance Services - Netherlands Marine Industry Inspection Services Specialists of the Year Best Fund Services Provider - Netherlands Antilles Best Offshore Exploration Drilling Product Line of the Year Best in Director’s Duties - New Zealand Offshore Insurance and Product Liability Specialist of the Year

Nigeria MIDIS Energy Services

Best Oil and Gas Services Company - Nigeria

Norway Favuseal Jotron M7 Offshore

Best Offshore Technology Solution - Norway Best Offshore Professional Communication Solution Best in Offshore Project Management - Norway

Netherlands Antilles Optimal Payments plc

Offshore Excellence Award: Company of the Year


2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS | 41

Pakistan Student Shelter In Computers Panama Arosemena & Diaz Pardini & Asociados Philippines Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW) SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co – Ernst & Young (EY) IVC Immigrant Visa Center, Inc. Ocampo & Manalo Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leaño Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leaño Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leaño Platon Martinez Flores San Pedro & Leaño Puyat Jacinto & Santos Law Offices (PJS Law) Puyat Jacinto & Santos Law Offices (PJS Law) Sapalo Velez Bundang & Bulilan Security Bank SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan Veralaw Del Rosario Bagamasbad & Raboca Saint Vincent and Grenadines Wilfred Services Ltd Seychelles Intershore Consult (Pty) Ltd Sterling Offshore Ltd Singapore Abraham LLC ACIES Law Corporation ACIES Law Corporation Advisors Incorporated PTE LTD Aequitas Law LLP Alpha & Omega Law Corporation Amica Law LLC Baker & McKenzie Bank Sarasin Bedell Cristin Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP CapAsia CapAsia

Clyde & Co LLP Colin Ng & Partners LLP Conyers Dill & Pearman DEEPBLUE Drew & Napier Drew & Napier Duane Morris Selvam Harry Elias Partnership LLP Hogan Lovells Infinity Continuity ING Bank Jones Day Joyce A Tan & Partners K&L Gates LLP

Onshore & Offshore Focused Training Provider of the Year Maritime Law Firm of the Year - Panama Best Law Firm - Panama

Kendall Court KPMG in Singapore

Mezzanine Fund Manager of the Year - Asia Pacific Cross-Border Tax Advisory Team of the Year - Singapore

KPMG in Singapore

Asset Finance Tax Advisory Team of the Year - Singapore Best Private Equity Fund: L Capital Asia Sustained Excellence in Offshore Transactions Singapore Based Offshore Trusts Legal Practice of the Year Corporate Governance Practice of the Year - Singapore Onshore & Offshore Corporate Secretarial Consultancy of the Year International Cross-Border M&A Practice of the Year Offshore Investment Advisory Team of the Year - Singapore Sustained Excellence in Offshore Leveraged Leases Advisory Offshore Investment Funds Practice of the Year Singapore Onshore & Offshore Focused IP Practice of the Year - Singapore Best Legal Practice for Offshore and Onshore Fund Structures Singapore Based Offshore Project Management Company of the Year Best in Complex Cross-Border Transactions - 2014 Best Marine Law Firm - Singapore Oil & Gas Industry Disputes Practice of the Year - Singapore Wholesale Banking Transfer Pricing Team of the Year Offshore Finance Legal Practice of the Year Commodity Disputes Practice of the Year - Singapore Most Innovative IP Strategists of the Year Ship Finance Law Firm of the Year Sustained Excellence in Onshore & Offshore Transfer Pricing Consultancy Best Commercial Arbitrators of 2014 - Singapore Onshore & Offshore Joint Ventures Legal Practice of the Year Best in Offshore Company Formations

L Capital Asia, L.L.C. Law Asia Linklaters

Best Outsourcing Legal Practice - Philippines Loo & Partners Best Indirect Tax Advisory Team - Philippines Best Visa Counseling Firm Energy & Natural Resources Legal Practice of the Year - Philippines Best in Aviation Litigation - Philippines Best in Onshore & Offshore Tax Law - Philippines Foreign Investments Practice of the Year - Philippines Offshore Projects Legal Practice of the Year - Philippines Best in Infrastructure and Energy Law - Philippines Onshore & Offshore Project Finance Team of the Year - Philippines Tax Practice of the Year - Philippines Offshore Banking Team of the Year - Philippines Best in International Arbitration - Philippines Best in Onshore & Offshore Investment Law - Philippines Shipping Practice of the Year - Philippines Best in International Mutual Funds - Saint Vincent and Grenadines Best Wealth Management Firm - Seychelles Best Company Formation Specialists - Seychelles Tax Planning Practice of the Year - Singapore Engineering Industry Focused Law Firm of the Year - Singapore Offshore Projects Legal Practice of the Year - Singapore Best Independent Boutique Tax Consultancy - Singapore Sustained Excellence in Offshore ADR Best Intangible Asset Law Practice - Singapore Offshore Industry Focused IP Law Firm of the Year - Singapore Offshore Focused Patent Law Firm of the Year - Singapore Private Banking Team of the Year - Singapore Offshore Law Firm of the Year - Singapore Offshore Energy Projects Practice of the Year - Singapore Infrastructure Investment Manager of the Year - Singapore Private Infrastructure Fund of the Year: The South East Asia Strategic Assets Fund & Infrastructure Investment Manager of the Year - Singapore Offshore Oil and Gas Legal Practice of the Year - Singapore Admiralty and Shipping Practice of the Year - Singapore Offshore Focused Corporate Finance Practice of the Year - Singapore Best in Energy & Offshore Consultancy - Singapore Offshore Focused Banking & Finance Team of the Year - Singapore Offshore Energy M&A Practice of the Year Offshore Joint Ventures Specialists Team of the Year Sustained Excellence in Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Projects Infrastructure and Project Finance Legal Practice of the Year - Singapore Onshore & Offshore Start-up Consultancy of the Year Natural Resources Advisory Team of the Year - Singapore Offshore Disputes Team of the Year - Singapore Best Offshore IP Disputes Practice Infrastructure & Resources Disputes Law Firm of the Year

Max Lewis Consultants Pte Ltd Morrison & Foerster PKWA Law Practice LLC Pointer LLC Rajah & Tann LLP Ravindran Associates Rodyk & Davidson Sea Forrest Offshore Stamford Law Corporation Stamford Law Corporation Stamford Law Corporation Standard Chartered Stephenson Harwood Thomas Cooper Singapore LLP Transpacific IP Group Limited TSMP Law Corporation Velten Partners LLP White & Case LLP William Poh & Louis Lim Wong Tan & Molly Lim LLC South Africa Account IT SA Aqua Tech Diving Services Bernadt Vukic Potash & Getz BVA Loss Adjusters Cullinan & Associates Hedge Fund Academy IBA Global Training Knowles Husain Lindsay Inc Legal and Labour Law Advisory Service Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative marcusbrewster Marlow Capital McPherson Kruger Attorneys Mechanical Cooling Maintenance Musa Capital Fund Managers (Pty) Ltd Nedgroup Beta Solutions (Pty) Ltd Old Mutual Private Equity Smit Sewgoolam Inc STANLIB Collective Investments Ltd STANLIB Collective Investments Ltd Strauss Scher The Standard Bank of South Africa Unigrain Trading (Pty) Ltd Werksmans Inc Zakira Mohamed Attorneys Spain Solmed Alliance

Commitment to Offshore Commercial Services Award Best Offshore Shipping Solution Best in Estate Planning - South Africa Onshore & Offshore Loss Adjusters of the Year Most Socially Responsible Attorneys of the Year Commitment to Offshore Tax Compliance Award Best South African International Business Consultancy Best Offshore Focused Construction & Engineering Legal Practice Best Offshore Focused Labour & Employment Legal Practice - South Africa Commitment to Offshore Infrastructure Award Best Onshore & Offshore Focused PR Firm Best Offshore Focused Alternative Asset Manager Offshore Focused Niche Commercial Practice of the Year Marine and Offshore Installations Team of the Year Catalyst Investment Managers of the Year Sustained Excellence in Capital Markets Best Offshore Focused Multi-Boutique Investment House South African Tax Planning Legal Practice of the Year Offshore focused Multi-Manager of the Year Offshore Scheme of the Year: STANLIB Offshore Unit Trust Best International Real Estate Development Law Firm Most Trusted Offshore Banking Team of the Year Best Global Exporter South Africa Based Offshore Investment Team of the Year Best South Africa Based Offshore Focused Legal Boutique Best In Offshore Facilities Management - Spain

www.acquisition-intl.com


42 | 2014OFFSHOREEXCELLENCEAWARDS

St.Vincent and Grenadines Defreitas & Associates Sweden Eureka Safety Switzerland Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee Armada Investment Group AG autociel.ch Chabrier Avocats CODETHIC SA Credit Suisse Credit Suisse Funds AG Cross Equity Partners AG ecamos Investment AG Ernst & Young Ernst & Young Future Trade AG Hans Rudolf Steiner Hôtels et Patrimoine/H&R Aux Remparts IndexInvestor AG IndexInvestor AG INSCH Capital Management SA INSCH Capital Management SA INSCH Capital Management SA Jeremy Lack Esq Kasser Schlosser avocats Neff Legal Newedge Group Niederer Kraft & Frey Partners Group Ralph Hennecke Schneider Feldmann Ltd. – Patent and Trademark Attorneys Sensima Inspection Solidum Partners AG

Leading Innovator in Protective Clothing Swiss Trusts & Estates Team of the Year Best Offshore Focused Venture Capital Firm Best Offshore Focused Automotive Supplier Swiss Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year Commitment to CSR Award Swiss Private Banking Team of the Year Swiss Bank of the Year Swiss Private Equity Firm of the Year Best Investment Strategy - Switzerland Swiss Indirect Tax Advisory Team of the Year Swiss Fund Services Team of the Year Best Swiss Commodity Trading Adviser Swiss Commercial Arbitrator of the Year Best Swiss Hotel Operator ETF Asset Manager of the Year - Switzerland Overall Wealth Manager of the Year Best Swiss Boutique Investment Manager Best Swiss Currency Manager Swiss Financial Services Research Team of the Year Swiss Mediator of the Year Swiss Contract Legal Practice of the Year Best Swiss IT Legal Practice Best Swiss Brokerage Specialist Best Swiss Tax Practice of the Year Best Private Markets Investment Manager Commitment to Offshore Services Best Swiss Patent Attorneys of 2014

Walder Wyss Ltd Wenger Plattner World Trade Institute

Best Swiss Technology Company of 2014 Best Swiss Insurance Linked Securities Investment Adviser Most Ecologically Responsible Swiss Investment Adviser of the Year Swiss Investment Manager of the Year Swiss Private Fund of the Year: SUSI Energy Efficiency Fund Swiss Trademark Legal Practice of the Year Swiss Corporate Law Firm of the Year Commitment to International Trade Award

Trinidad & Tobago J and L Financial and Counselling Services Limited

Leading Consultancy of the Year - Trinidad & Tobago

SUSI Partners AG SUSI Partners AG SUSI Partners AG

Turkey KPMG Turks & Caicos Islands Misick & Stanbrook UAE ADCO Bin Shabib & Associates (BSA) LLP

Best Renewable Energy Industry Focused Advisory Firm Best Law Firm - Turks & Caicos Islands

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Best Oil Producing Company - Middle East Offshore Company Incorporation Practice of the Year Best Logistical Solutions Team - UAE Most Trusted Offshore Industry Focused Shipping Agency of the Year Offshore Focused Risk Management Consultants of the Year - UAE Private Bank of the Year - UAE & Most Trusted Offshore Banking Team of the Year Offshore Investigations Legal Practice of the Year Offshore Focused Oil & Gas Practice of the Year Offshore Focused Shipping Agency of the Year Projects & Infrastructure Legal Practice of the Year Best in Marine Vessel Design - UAE Best Offshore Focused Wealth Management Firm - UAE Offshore Corporate Structures Advisory Team of the Year Best in Private Equity - UAE

UK Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services Andrew Jackson Ashfields

No. 1 Oilfield Equipment Rental Supplier Rising Stars in Offshore Renewable Energy Law Best Anguilla Focused Legal Boutique

DASA INTERNATIONAL MOVERS DASA INTERNATIONAL MOVERS Diligence Management Consultants Dubai Islamic Bank Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants Herbert Smith Freehills ISS Worldwide Movers Jones Day Marine Assets Corporation Sovereign Corporate Services The Rights Lawyers

www.acquisition-intl.com

Thomas Cooper LLP University of Hull

Most Environmentally Conscious Global Consultant of the Year Best in Insurance Premium Tax - Malta Offshore Recruitment Team of the Year Best Offshore Engineered Repair Solutions Provider Independent Offshore Consultancy of the Year Offshore Focused Education & Training Provider of the Year Offshore Industry Focused Heavy Lifting Specialist of the Year Best Offshore Medic Training Provider Installation Company of the Year No. 1 Offshore Wind Turbine Installation Firm Most Trusted Specialist Engineering Solutions Provider of the Year Oil & Gas Industry Focused Sign Provider of the Year Best Marine Lift Equipment Manufacturer Offshore Focused Energy Management Firm of the Year Global Oil & Gas Industry Service Provider of the Year Shipping Disputes Practice of the Year - UK Offshore Virtual Software Developers of the Year

Uruguay Bado, Kuster, Zerbino & Rachetti DR Consultores Litwak & Partners

Maritime Law Firm of the Year - Uruguay Offshore Focused Transfer Pricing Team of the Year Offshore Investment Funds Law Firm of the Year

ERM Accountancy Firm of the Year - St. Vincent & the Grenadines

FiscalReps Horizon Recruitment Energy & Offshore IMG Composites LDA Design Consulting LLP Lowestoft and Waveney Education Services Ltd Mechan MediPro Mojo Maritime Limited MPI Offshore Oxifree UK Ltd. Plastics W Graham Ltd Romica Schneider Electric Siem Offshore Contractors UK Ltd

USA Compass Water Solutions Inc CoorsTek Morales & O’Connor, PLLC ORR Safety Six Maritime Solar Design Associates, Inc. SynapSense TerraMar Networks Wasser Venezuela Casas Rincon Gonzalez Rubio & Asociados

Most Innovative Offshore and Marine Solutions Provider of the Year Most Innovative Manufacturer of the Year U.S. Immigration Law Firm of the Year Best for Industrial Safety Offshore Focused Security Company of the Year Solar Installation Company of the Year Thermal Risk Manager of the Year Best Drilling Platform Leading Advanced Coatings Technology Innovator Venezuelan Based Offshore Focused Law Firm of the Year




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