Judging Panel
An independent panel will judge all applications for the Awards.
The judges bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from the finance, policy, social investment, media, community and research sectors.
This year's judges include:
Bob Annibale
Global Director of Citi Community Development and Inclusive Finance
Bob leads Citi’s partnerships with global, national and local organizations to support inclusive finance and community development through economic empowerment, focusing on responsible and accessible finance; financial coaching and asset building; neighbourhood preservation and revitalization; access to college education; and small business and microenterprise development.
He also leads Citi’s commercial relationships with microfinance financial institutions, corporations, investors and municipalities, working across Citi’s businesses and geographies to expand access to financial services in underserved communities.
Since joining Citi in 1982, Bob has held a number of senior regional and global treasury, risk and corporate positions in Athens, Bahrain, Nairobi, London and New York City.
Dr Vicki Belt
Enterprise Research Centre
Dr Vicki Belt is a Deputy Director at the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC), a research centre based at the Universities of Warwick and Aston. The ERC provides independent, trusted expertise and insight into SME performance and growth, based on rigorous research and analysis.
Vicki is responsible for communicating and maximising the value of ERC research to stakeholders, strengthening the evidence base upon which they can make decisions, allocate resources and build policy.
Prior to joining the ERC she was an Assistant Director at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). Whilst at the UKCES Vicki directed and managed number of flagship research projects, and also directed the UKCES’s strategic research partnerships programme. She has over 20 years of experience of research in the business, employment and skills field. Vicki holds a PhD from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Anna Laycock
Executive Director, The Finance Innovation Lab
Anna leads the Finance Innovation Lab’s work for a financial system that serves people and planet. The Lab incubates the people and ideas with the potential to positively disrupt finance: innovators developing new business models, campaigners changing the rules of the game, and professionals seeking to change the system from the inside out.
Anna is an Associate of the St Paul’s Institute, a Trustee of the Just Finance Foundation, an Associate of the Institute for Social Banking, and a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce). She has been a judge for the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards and Young Banker of the Year, and in 2017 she was recognised as one of the leading Women in Social Enterprise and on the Women in Fintech Powerlist. More recently, she has been nominated one of 30 Ones to Watch in 2018 by Brummel Magazine.
Prior to joining the Lab, Anna worked in sustainable finance in the UK and internationally. She has previously worked in international development, campaigning, impact assessment and community development. She holds an MSc in Global Ethics and has written for a wide range of publications including the Guardian, Stir to Action, Pioneers Post and the New Statesman.
James Pickford
FT Money, The Financial Times
James is deputy editor of FT Money. He also writes news and features on British arts and culture.