Institutional investor of the year: National Council for Social Security Fund

This award is about recognizing an organization that is not only successful in meeting its targets, but is raising standards for the region. The NCSSF has been repeatedly cited for having created a professional, thoughtful investment organization and process, in a short period of time.

One anecdote that struck us was from a manager whose firm bid for an international mandate from NCSSF but lost. Nonetheless, the NCSSF came back and explained in patient detail exactly why. This kind of communication back to

fund managers, even those who didn’t end up working for the organization, shows the extent to which the operations and investment process is understood.

It also demonstrates a degree of mutual respect that is not always shared among state-linked investors, which is appreciated by the industry and will make fund managers and service providers ready to go the extra distance for this client. Other investors should take note.