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.
Mona Shah
Founder, Chocolatier and Managing Director, Harry Specters
Harry Specters is a business which makes lovingly handcrafted chocolates. Its products have won numerous awards for their taste and quality.
It’s also a business with a mission: to offer paid employment to, and free training for, young people with autism. Harry Specters won the Social Enterprise of the Year Award in the 2017/18 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards.
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.