Judging Criteria

Corporate structure and policies conducive to best practices in IR
Clear delineation of the role of executive management and their accountability to the board
High quality, effective composition and structure of the board of directors that enables the board to exercise its duties/ responsibilities independently and effectively while implementing best practices in IR
Evidence of protecting and advancing rights and interests of all shareholders, including minority shareholders
Evidence of maintaining good relationships with different stakeholders through various channels and responding to their needs and concerns

Best IR by Chairman/CEO

Strategic vision and leadership in steering the company to greater heights regardless of market competition, trends and challenges
Management capability in leading the company to deliver sustainable business performance, creating long-term value for shareholders
Demonstration of high standards of business ethics and integrity
Demonstration of achievements in pursuing IR best practices and positioning IR as an essential discipline within the company
Commitment to pursuing timely, transparent and credible information disclosure as well as accessibility of CEO/Chairman by the investment community

Best IR by CFO

Financial leadership in growing/ expanding the company through effective funding and/or treasury management, achieving the best financial structure, debt maturity profile, investor/ shareholder base, etc., for the company
Demonstration of high standards of financial integrity
Commitment to best practices in financial reporting which advances the quality and transparency for the disclosure of financial information
Effective communication of financials and performance guidance to the investment community
Good financial, accounting, regulatory and compliance knowledge and professionalism

Best IRO (Investor Relations Officer)

Maximum one IRO in each listed company would be recognised for the award
Effective communication of investment proposition on the strategy, business and revenue models, plans and risks to investors
Fairness and transparency in information disclosure to all kinds of investors, shareholders and the public as a whole
Responsiveness to investor inquiries during benign and crisis times to enable investors to have well-informed investment decisions
Consistency of messaging to the investment community and the public as a whole
Good company and industry knowledge to give investors professional information about the company's current performance and future prospects

Best IR Team

Maximum one IR team consisting of at least two persons in each listed company would be recognised for the award
Concerted team efforts in achieving team-driven goals and overcoming challenges
Effective communication of investment proposition to investors on the strategy, business and revenue models, plans and risks
Fairness and transparency in information disclosure within the team and to all kinds of investors, shareholders and the public as a whole
Team consistency of messaging to the investment community and the public as a whole

Best Investor Meeting

Effective communication and insight into the company's investment proposition and financial position
A strengthened and accurate presentation of the company story, business plan, and overview of financial/non-financial information
Participation of senior management
Demonstration of acquaintance and preparation associated with the investor
Responsiveness to investor inquiries to enable investors to have well-informed investment decisions
Clear explanation to investors on the value of transaction and accurate reflection on the latest financial and/or non-financial information

Best ESG (E)

Demonstration of quantified achievements in pursuing improvement on carbon and GHG emissions.
Demonstration of quantified achievements in pursuing improvement on water & wastewater treatment.
Demonstration of quantified achievements in pursuing improvement on solid waste & hazardous materials.
Demonstration of quantified achievements in pursuing improvement on energy saving.

Best ESG (S)

Policy commitment to ensure good labour standard (e.g. workplace health and safety, employee diversity), customer responsibility and social supply chain.
Demonstration of quantifiable social efforts related to good labour standard (e.g. workplace health and safety, employee diversity), customer responsibility and social supply chain.
Data security protocol to ensure confidentiality of employees’ and customers’ personal information.
Quantified support for local employment, charity actions and NGOs

Best ESG (G)

Policy commitment to countering bribery, eg. clear set of penalties in reaction to corruption, risk assessment of operations etc.
Demonstration of quantifiable governance efforts on areas such as anti-corruption, tax transparency, risk management, and corporate governance.
Indicators of good corporate governance, eg. board diversity, separate Director & CEO, frequency of board meeting & attendance rate, shareholder voting rights etc.
Disclosure of tax payment aligned with revenue-generating activities.

Best Investor Presentation Material

Effective communication and insight into the company’s investment proposition and financial position
Innovation and reader-friendliness in terms of presentation formats, design and the medium delivered
Easy comprehension with clear and concise language
Key metrics in professional and simple format
A strengthened and essential presentation of the annual report content
Easy accessibility to the archive and through search engines or from company’s business website by the investment community and the wider public
Consistency and quality of content across different language version
Availability of past publication, reports, multimedia, etc.

Best Annual Report

Effective communication and insight into the company’s investment proposition and financial position
Innovation and reader-friendliness in terms of content, layout, design, and printing materials
Easy comprehension with clear and concise language
Providence of adequate details to the investment community and the wider public, in areas of company overview, products or services, business operations, marketing strategy, sales and promotion, management, and future potential of the company
Disclosure beyond the required statutory/regulatory disclosure is relevant, contextual and ordered to augment the other key information and overall reader comprehension

Best IR Company for an IPO

This Award recognizes the best IR company which was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2022 and 2023
The companies awarded last year in this award category are not eligible to be nominated and enter the “Best IR Company for an IPO” Award
Effective communication of investment proposition on the strategy, business and revenue models, plans and risks to the investors
Effective use of communication channels in raising the awareness of the company and educating investors and the public for the successful launch of the IPO
Responsiveness to investor inquiries to enable investors to have well-informed investment decisions
Consistency of messaging to the investment community and the wider public before and after the IPO
Good company and industry knowledge to give investors professional information about the company's current performance and future prospects

Selected by Judging Panel

Grand ESG Award

Demonstration of excellent, all-round efforts under ESG in all 3 areas (Environmental, Social and Governance efforts)

Most Progress in IR

The Judging Panel will select among the winners of all the award categories to honour companies which demonstrate the most progress in IR in the above areas during the year of 2023.
Winners who have not been previously awarded in the IR Awards is a key consideration for this award.

IR Committed Company

Demonstration of substantial efforts and allocated valuable resources towards enhancing their IR functions

Overall Best IR Company

The Judging Panel will select among the winners of all the award categories to honour companies which demonstrate outstanding and all-round excellence in the above areas.
The total number of awards received by the winning companies is one of the criteria for selection.