Highlights from the IR Magazine Awards – South East Asia 2013
After several consecutive finishes among the top three South East Asian companies, Singaporean real estate company CapitaLand was named as the number one firm at the IR Magazine Awards – South East Asia 2013 at the M Hotel, Singapore on December 10.
The company enjoyed a good return of four awards from six nominations, beating off strong local competition to win the grand prix for best overall investor relations by a large-cap company and individual recognition for CapitaLand’s CFO, Arthur Lang. Close behind came TV, mobile and internet service provider StarHub, whose long-serving head of IR Jeannie Ong was named the best IRO in the region.
Other notable winners on the night include DBS Group, which maintained a third consecutive top-three finish as well as holding on to awards for best IR by a CEO or chairman and best IR in the banks & financial services sector. SingTel, 2012’s high-flyer, finished as the fourth-best company in South East Asia while being recognized with awards for corporate literature and corporate governance.
After a 28th-place finish in 2012’s standings, Ascendas REIT climbed to reach fifth spot in this year’s South East Asia Top 25, landing the grand prix for best overall investor relations by a small or mid-cap company along the way. This year also saw Metro Pacific Investments make an impressive debut, taking joint ninth spot in the utilities firm’s first appearance at the IR Magazine Awards – South East Asia.
This year’s winners were identified by an independent survey of 370 investors, buy-side analysts and sell-side analysts throughout the region.
All of the winners and other highly ranked companies in the survey have been profiled in the Investor Perception Study - Asia 2013/14. Click for more information and to download this report.
South East Asia winners
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CapitaLand
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 1
Awards
Grand prix for best overall investor relations – large cap
Best investor relations by a CFO
Best investment community meetings
Best in sector – real estate
What the investment community says: ‘It is the highly co-ordinated investor relations program that makes CapitaLand stand out. Leading by example, the team makes a huge effort to help us understand the business’ – Singapore, sell side
What the company says: ‘Against the backdrop of an uncertain macroeconomic situation, it is important we provide strong, consistent and clear guidance on the group’s strategic business direction. Investor relations is not about getting as many investors as possible to invest but, rather, about getting the right shareholders to invest – that is, shareholders that are aligned with the group’s strategic direction and business thinking’ – Arthur Lang, CFO
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StarHub
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 2
Awards
Best investor relations officer
Best in sector – technologies & telecoms
What the investment community says: ‘There has been a constant stream of quality information from StarHub over the past year and it is now a leader in investor relations in the sector’ – Singapore, buy side
What the company says: ‘I always say the skills critical for the head of IR are the same as those for a top executive in any company. I often tell my fellow IR practitioners that, when we meet with investors, we must think, act and speak as if we are the chief executive of the company. Only when we do that will the investment community turn to us for more information on the company’s performance and trends’ – Jeannie Ong, head of IR
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DBS Group
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 3
Awards
Best investor relations by a CEO or president
Best in sector – banks & financial services
What the investment community says: ‘DBS consistently provides the best investor meetings, giving specific, detailed information’ – Singapore, sell side
What the company says: ‘I think having credibility is the single most important aspect of our approach. This comes from being candid and consistent, and having an attitude to disclosure that is responsive to market concerns’ – Michael Sia, head of IR
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SingTel
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 4
Awards
Best corporate literature
Best corporate governance and disclosure
What the investment community says: ‘The IR team at SingTel is always up to speed and really knows what investors need. It explains its international operations with clarity and detail’ – Singapore, sell side
What the company says: ‘We are committed to delivering high standards of disclosure and corporate transparency. We believe in doing our best to help investors make informed investment decisions’ – Sin Yang Fong, head of IR
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Ascendas REIT
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 5
Awards
Grand prix for best overall investor relations – small or mid-cap
What the investment community says: ‘Ascendas has a consistent message that’s delivered with great transparency and plenty of disclosure’ – Singapore, buy side
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PLDT
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 6
Awards
Best investor relations by a Philippine company
What the investment community says: ‘At PLDT the investor relations team is very responsive and on top of everything, and can answer 99 percent of my questions’ – Singapore, sell side
What the company says: ‘The sustained improvements in the Philippine economy are attracting a lot of investors, both foreign and local. As such, Philippine listed companies – aware of the role of investor relations in harnessing investor interest – have given greater focus and support to IR’ – Melissa Vergel de Dios, head of IR
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Olam International
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 7
Awards
Best use of technology
Best in sector – diversified industrials (including construction, conglomerates & utilities)
What the investment community says: ‘It’s a complex business but Olam makes every effort to simplify it and to provide open access to management. The annual report is painfully long but informative’ – Singapore, buy side
What the company says: ‘It was a momentous year for us, and it obviously created both challenges and opportunities, particularly in the way in which we interact with our investors’ – Aditya Renjen, head of IR
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Kasikornbank
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 13
Awards
Best investor relations by a Thai company
What the investment community says: ‘The quality of communication from Kasikornbank is excellent, as is the IRO, who has a great knowledge of the company and sector’ – Singapore, sell side
What the company says: ‘Investors are asking corporates for more information, increasing disclosure demands and focusing more on non-financial goals, including ESG’ – Dr Adit Laixuthai, head of IR
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Astra International
South East Asia Top 25 rank: =14
Awards
Best investor relations by an Indonesian company
Best in sector – consumer goods & services (including retail) (joint winner)
What the investment community says: ‘The IRO at Astra is excellent and provides us with a good, up-to-date website and reporting’ – Singapore, sell side
What the company says: ‘To help investors understand our business and the industry we operate in, we make our best effort to ensure investors are constantly kept educated’ – Tira Ardianti, head of IR
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CIMB Group
South East Asia Top 25 rank: 20
Awards
Best investor relations by a Malaysian company
What the investment community says: ‘The management of CIMB is approachable, accessible and helpful’ – Malaysia, buy side
What the company says: ‘With the internet coming to the fore, information flow and market reaction to news and rumors have accelerated. As a result, IROs are increasingly challenged to be constantly accurate with information provided’ – Steven Tan, head of IR
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AirAsia X
Awards
Best investor relations for an IPO
What the company says: ‘IR plays a critical role in connecting the organization with the investor community at large’ – Chin Jo Sie, head of IR
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City Developments
Awards
Best sustainability practice
What the investment community says: ‘Sustainability is an integral part of the company and its vision. Green technology is used for every new project and applied throughout its building programs. City Developments is leading the way with green technology’ – Singapore, sell side
Other sector award winners
| Consumer goods & services | Wilmar International (joint winner) |
| Energy | PTT Exploration and Production, Thaioil Group (joint winner) |
| Healthcare (including pharmaceuticals & biotechnology) | Raffles Medical Group |
| Transport (including logistics & infrastructure) | AirAsia |
Laurie Havelock
Laurie has been part of the IR Magazine team for more than a decade, starting out as a reporter and research editor before becoming editor in 2023. He was previously acting business editor at the i newspaper and deputy business editor at The Daily...
