The judges were impressed with the clear vision and integrated activities demonstrated by the finance team. The investment and focus on systems and processes to enable the integration of sustainability within day-to-day decision making was commended by the judges.

Marcos demonstrates what happens when education and opportunity come together with a passion for sustainability. Developing proof of concept funding models that tie together the needs of Chief Financial Officers and Chief Sustainability Officers into platforms that are scalable was a particular strength of this rising star’s work.

The innovative BMO SME Climate Clinic provides a solution that mutually benefits students, SMEs and the wider business environment. This innovative, replicable model empowers the next generation of professionals to drive sustainable change and effectively tackles the “long tail” of Scope 3 emissions – a significant data gap in the market.

Claus demonstrated a clear understanding of using finance as a lever for long-term change, and how CFOs can therefore leverage their positions to drive meaningful change by integrating sustainability into core business operations. By championing innovation and creating space for new approaches, he has cultivated a culture of collaboration, positioning sustainability not just as a priority but a driving force for business success. This is clear in his support for initiatives such as the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition, as well as his public outreach and leadership on sustainability.

This is a new award for Finance for the Future and was given in recognition of Professor King’s extraordinary influence and impact on corporate governance and sustainability in finance. As Chair of the King Committee, Professor King’s work redefined governance by integrating sustainability into core business strategy.

Olu has successfully blended his substantive professional strength with succinct communication and “multilingual” capacity to bridge the disciplines of sustainability and finance. His self-awareness drives his continued professional development and positive contributions towards his company and industry.

The judges were impressed by the passion, dedication and focus shown by the team to enable and implement new sustainable financing solutions that demonstrated additional benefits whilst maintaining returns. The examples given were compelling, concrete and responded effectively to macro sustainability trends.

Martin’s approach to integrating sustainability into finance is characterised by a clear focus on innovation and long-term impact. The judges valued his ability to connect sustainability initiatives to tangible business outcomes, illustrating how sustainability principles can be woven into decision-making and strategy. His openness to continuous improvement and adaptability has established him as a leader who leverages emerging trends and data to enhance business performance, while embedding sustainability at every level of the organisation.

The judges were impressed by Melanie’s effectiveness in embedding sustainability within the organisation’s financial strategy. She has championed robust climate reporting and been instrumental in the integration of a four-bottom-line approach, ensuring that sustainability is central to decision-making across the organisation. Her commitment to aligning financial decision-making with sustainability goals has driven significant, organisation-wide progress.

The judges commended Rishi’s leadership in embedding sustainability into financial and strategic decision-making. Through initiatives like the Integrated Impact Statement and the creation of the Finance for Sustainability team, Rishi demonstrates how sustainability can be measured and reported with the same rigor as traditional financial reporting. His development of datadriven platforms for sustainability outcomes and training of finance teams to manage both financial and environmental indicators reflects a deep commit.

Alexandre has a vision for sustainability that is wide ranging, beautifully articulated and integrated with core financial systems. Navigating the peaks and troughs of sustainability, and realising that the forest will only be sustained if people are there, was an inspiration.

Margaret impressed the judges with her energy and commitment, showcasing how she’s creating space within her organisation where real change can occur with both colleagues and clients. Her work goes beyond reporting to use metrics and innovative communication to drive real change.

The judges were impressed with the clear vision and integrated activities demonstrated by the finance team. The investment and focus on systems and processes to enable the integration of sustainability within day-to-day decision making was commended by the judges.

The judges were impressed by the breadth and particularly the strategic impact of Jonathan’s leadership. He demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and a clear understanding of his influence as CFO. He shows an exceptional ability to drive cultural and systemic change, build trust across stakeholders, influence capital markets, and create a multiplier effect by empowering others.

The passion, collaboration and innovation shown by Finance Earth was evident to the judges as was the innovative ways of working across the organisation. The focus on returns and addressing systemic challenges to unlock funding for environmental initiatives was a key highlight.