HONG KONG — Hong Kong Investor Relations Association (HKIRA) is pleased to announce that public nomination is now open for the HKIRA 4th IR Awards 2018 (the Awards). Held for the fourth consecutive year, the annual Awards recognise and honour investor relations excellence and best practices among Hong Kong-listed companies and IR professionals.
Dr Eva Chan, Founding Chairman of HKIRA, said, “Building on the success over the past three years, we proudly present the 4th IR Awards 2018 to recognise the outstanding IR efforts of companies and individual professionals alike and to encourage best IR practices. Continuing our commitment to excellence in IR practices and setting world-class IR standards for companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, we are happy to see the Awards are attracting more listed companies and market practitioners who appreciate the strategic value of IR and are striving to implement best IR practices in Hong Kong stock markets which has ranked among the world’s largest.”
Dr Chan continued, “To honour excellence across a broader range of IR aspects, this year, we have expanded the Best IR Presentation Collaterals across three categories, “Best Digital IR,” “Best Investor Presentation Materials” and “Best Annual Reports” to recognize expertise of candidate companies in these specific areas. As in previous years, all listed companies, service providers, as well as those in the domestic and international investment communities are invited to nominate worthy Hong Kong-listed companies and local IR professionals for their outstanding investor relations efforts. ”
Last year, the Awards enjoyed widespread support from the investment community with 165 listed companies participating. In addition, over 640 eligible voters cast a total of more than 8,400 votes for 54 listed companies winning awards in different categories. The volume of polling testifies to the wide recognition of the IR Awards and appreciation of their role among listed companies and within the investment community. Among the winners, Tencent Holdings Limited (stock code: 700), Tongda Group Holdings Limited (stock code: 698) and Canvest Environmental Protection Group Company Limited (stock code: 1381) were awarded the Overall Best IR Company by company size – Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap – respectively.
In another highlight at today’s HKIRA IR Awards media event, China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited (CR Beer; stock code: 291) and Emperor Watch & Jewellery Limited (Emperor W&J; stock code: 887), both winners of HKIRA Awards for three consecutive years, shared their insights on investor relations.
“We are honored to be recognised by the HKIRA IR Awards three years in a row for our IR efforts,” said Mr Vincent Tse, Head of Investor Relations of China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited. “This success would not be possible without the support of our Board and senior management. They have always realised the importance of IR, which has spurred the IR team to aim to achieve more for CR Beer. Looking forward, we hope to maintain constructive dialogues with investors.”
“IR work for small caps is never easy, and it is encouraging that our work on Emperor Watch & Jewellery had been recognised by the HKIRA IR Awards in the past three years,” Ms. Anna Luk, Group Investor Relations Director of Emperor Group. “We strive to build investor confidence in the company’s vision to deliver shareholder value. Being voted by the investment community and awarded as Best IR Company and Best IRO is certainly a sign that we are on the right track.”
Ms Catherine Chan, Head of Investor Relations and Global Communications of Tencent Holdings Limited, also shared her insights earlier. “We communicate proactively to the capital market through thick and thin, and aim to build a long-lasting relationship with analysts and investors based on trust. We felt encouraged by the recognition we earned in 2017, and will continue to uphold high standards in IR and corporate governance practices.”
Once again, the HKIRA 4th IR Awards 2018 are honoured to have Professor Louis Cheng, Professor of Finance, School of Accounting and Finance of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, as the Chairman of the Judging Panel. During the past years serving as a judge, Professor Cheng has conducted research based on the past award results, with the findings also revealed at today’s media event.
Public nomination is now open to Hong Kong listed companies. Nominated individuals and companies are required to participate in an online award survey upon confirmation of their participation. As for polling, the investment community, including buy-side and sell-side analysts and fund managers, are eligible to vote. Nominees with the highest votes (weighted) in each award category become the award winners. They then undergo a final assessment by the judging panel for the Most Progress in IR and the Overall Best IR Company Awards. For a fair and balanced evaluation, the judging panel comprises academics, representatives from professional associations, the investment community and compliance and financial reporting experts.
The HKIRA 4th IR Awards 2018 scheme has a total of 12 awards honouring best IR practices of individuals and companies. The awards winners are to be announced at a ceremony to be held in Hong Kong in May/June 2018. For more information, please visit www.hkira.com/awards.
Strategic Public Relations Group is once again proud to be the Official Public Relations Partner and sponsor for the HKIRA IR Awards. Please find key dates relating to the HKIRA IR Awards 2018 with its categories and criteria for selection listed in the Appendix.