Categories

For each sector (1-19) these categories are based on the industry standard 'Super Sector' classifications as defined by FTSE. This ensures comparison of performance, management acumen and sector conditions will be meaningful and provide realistic and direct benchmarking for companies against their immediate peers, rather than just the market's highest-performing or most fashionable sector.

For Best Investor Communications (20) this category recognises those companies which have most effectively disseminated information to existing and potential shareholders across the full range of media - official RNS press releases, their annual report, webcasts, their website and via their public relations representative - regarding all aspects of their financial performance, strategy and market positioning.

Best Advisor - Corporate Sponsor (21) every firm on Aim has a Nominated Advisor (NOMAD) to supervise and advise on their initial public offering and subsequent corporate governance and development of that company's relationship with shareholders and the market, while Main Market stocks usually deploy a broker to provide the same service. The Best Advisor should therefore be able to bask in the glory that reflects upon them from the performance of their clients' shares, as this is verdict given by the market on their performance as a provider of both advice to their client management teams and guidance to ensure companies apply governance best practice.

Best Advisor - Legal (22) this category will reflect the work done by the City's leading law firms to ensure companies are well prepared for their initial public offerings, any transactions they wish to execute and also maintain the highest levels of corporate governance when dealing with the financial markets. As such the work of the Best Legal Advisor is likely to best reflected by the number of deals a firm has done, its reputation in the market and how well the shares of its clients have done.

Best Advisor - Financial PR (23) This category will recognise the agencies that advise listed companies on how to release and manage news flow and put across their investment case in the most effective manner. The current economic situation requires a more creative approach to Financial PR and therefore the winner in this section is therefore likely to be chosen not just for their skills in garnering coverage of their clients by financial analysts, local or national journalists, as well as digital and broadcast media, but also for how their clients are portrayed when they deliver both good and bad news.

CFO of the Year (24) this category will reflect not only delivery of strong fiscal results and the highest level of financial controls and corporate governance but also successful execution of any restructuring programme, financial restructuring, fund raising or transaction carried out by the company in question. All of these factors should have resulted in healthy share price increases and likely outperformance of both the peer sector and the FTSE All-Share.

CEO of the Year (25) this category will reflect not only delivery of strong fiscal results, the highest level of financial controls and corporate governance and expert communication with the market but also the successful development and implementation of a company's strategy. All of these factors should have resulted in healthy share price increases and likely outperformance of both the peer sector and the FTSE All-Share.

Deal of the Year (26) this category will assess which firm truly transformed its prospects in 2011, via the successful execution of a key acquisition, timely disposal or fund raising as a step towards the creation of shareholder value by correctly providing premium returns which compensated shareholders for the risks involved. A successful initial public offering could also come under consideration.