We are delighted to launch our Adam Smith Awards 2021 – A Winner’s Guide podcast series. In this first short episode I will explain what the Adam Smith Awards are, why you should consider nominating and the key dates for your diaries. Nominations open on 25th January and close on 12th April 2021.

Overall Winner – Klook, Ching Ling, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Asset Management. In this category we showcase how companies have addressed the trade-off between yield, liquidity, cash preservation and counterparty risk. AAA-rated money market funds are frequently involved, with CNAV, VNAV or Low Volatility Net Asset Value (LVNAV) funds included.

Overall Winner – Shell International Ltd, Michael Dawson. Highly Commended Winner – Phoenix Group, Hana Harrison. Many corporates are exploring alternative sources of funding, diversifying and/or refinancing their funding sources. We see many different types of funding submitted here and companies have taken the opportunity to benefit from the low interest rate environment. We've even seen one major company renewing its Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) in anticipation of the demise of LIBOR.

The Women in Treasury US Forum 2020 featured a vibrant and insightful virtual panel discussion with four leading industry speakers, providing a lively debate of some of the key topics highlighted by the respondents of our Women in Treasury Global Study 2020, in association with State Street Global Advisors.

Overall Winner – Pulat Yunusmetov, Danone. This category recognises talent coming through the corporate treasury ranks. The individual may have excelled in a professional qualification or may be a future Finance Director or CFO.

Overall Winner – Severn Trent Water Ltd, Anthony Kilkenny. Highly Commended Winner – Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Urs Berger. Risk continues to be top of every treasurer's agenda, from foreign exchange risk, counterparty risk, commodity risk and interest rate risk to cyber risk, reputational risk and supply chain risk. All are covered.

Overall Winner – Tricia Ho-Hudson, Woolworths Group Ltd. Highly Commended – Rita Jiao, Beijing Didi Infinity Technology & Development Co Ltd. This category is open to any woman operating in the corporate treasury environment who can demonstrate real innovation, achievement and someone who is an inspiration in her current role.

With treasurers and their organisations focusing more closely than ever on ESG and sustainability, it's important to pin down what ESG really means and how treasurers can tackle this issue.

Overall Winner – JetBlue Airways, Ursula Hurley, in partnership with BNP Paribas. Highly Commended – d.light Ltd, Josphat Rotich, in partnership with Citi. Here we look at sustainable projects including the finance related to the mitigation of and/or adaptation to climate change/CO2 emissions as well as investment strategies which incorporate ESG/CSR factors.

Overall Winner – Esperanza Casillas Arana, AbbVie Inc, in partnership with Citi. Highly Commended Winner – Hallvard Bokn Eikeland, Equinor ASA, in partnership with Citi. This category addresses any corporate treasury solution on the continent of Africa. We feature solutions from Nigeria and South Africa.