Methodology

The awards scheme is administered by Incisive Media, which will appoint a judging panel, composed of experts involved in the investment and offshore industry. Entrants are required to complete a submission for each award they enter. Submissions will be judged according to the stated criteria.  Those judged best in their category will progress to the shortlist.  From the shortlist, the judging panel will decide on a winner and highly commended entries. Underlying data such as fund performance and product analysis will be calculated by outside agencies. The judges' decision is final. The judges have the right to determine the standards of an award and to withhold an award in any category, if, in their view, the entries are not of sufficient merit. The judges also have the right to give a special award if deemed appropriate.

In assessing a submission, judges will be looking for the following attributes:

• Commitment to target market
• Appropriateness of product range and/or services
  
• Use of technology and product innovation
• Levels of service and support to distributors

Best International Fund Group Methodology

Fund groups will be subject to an initial performance check by Morningstar. This looks at fund performance over calendar years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Those fund groups that pass the initial quants screen automatically make it on to the short list. They may then be invited to complete a short questionnaire.

• As in previous years the judges are looking at a universe of offshore open ended funds with FSA approval and are marketed back into the UK, domiciled in Dublin, Jersey, Guernsey, Luxembourg and the Isle of Man.
• All funds with assets of less than £15m and less than three year track record to be removed.
• All money market sectors and those with less than 10 funds in each to be taken out.
• Decile ranking for each fund will be added up for the period 2009, 2010, 2011 and for the 36 month period 2009 - 2011, giving it a score (best possible 4, worst possible is 40).
• Judges will consider any group that has six or more funds, this range must include at least one European, UK or US offering.
• Judges are then looking to draw up a short list of groups where the overall fund range is marked out by consistent, strong performance.