The gala ceremony for the , an event organised and produced by Paperjam+Delano and Luxembourg for Finance, took place on Tuesday 21 November in the presence of the new finance minister (CSV), who gave an . A grand jury of 346 financial sector professionals selected the financial sector players who demonstrated excellence and exceptional knowhow in eight categories. Here are the winners of the first Finance Awards.
“Visionary”: Nicolas Mackel (CEO of Luxembourg for Finance)
Nicolas Mackel is CEO of Luxembourg for Finance. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
, CEO of Luxembourg for Finance, is the winner in the “Visionary” category. It’s a description that fits him like a glove. At the head of Luxembourg for Finance (LFF) since 2013, this career diplomat and keen traveller crisscrosses the globe to attract players and activities that will ensure the long-term development of the Luxembourg financial centre. He’s the “ambassador of the Luxembourg Financial Centre,” as it were. His mandate as CEO of LFF runs until 2025.
“Banking personality”: Françoise Thoma (CEO of Spuerkeess)
Françoise Thoma (right) is CEO of Spuerkeess. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
Although , CEO of the Spuerkeess since 2016, was destined to become a lawyer, it was within the bank that she made her career, rising through the ranks over the years. Her influence is not limited to the banking world: she is also a member of the boards of directors of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, Cargolux, SES and Enovos.
“Insurance personality”: Marc Lauer (CEO of the Foyer Group)
Marc Lauer (left) is CEO of the Foyer Group. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
, CEO of the Foyer Group, won the “Insurance Personality” award. Lauer has been active in the sector for 34 years now, and it’s a period marked by the growth of the business. He began his career at the insurance commission before joining Foyer Group in 2004, becoming CEO 10 years later. Lauer has been chairman of the Association des compagnies d’assurances et de réassurances (Aca) since 2020.
“Fund personality”: Alexandre Cegarra (managing director of Société Générale Private Wealth Management)
Alexandre Cegarra (right) is managing director of Société Générale Private Wealth Management. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
“Fund personality” has extensive experience in asset management. He has been with Société Générale for almost 19 years, and now heads up the banking group’s private wealth management business in the grand duchy. To make their mark on the Luxembourg landscape, Cegarra and his team are focusing in particular on the deployment of special vehicle structuring and management solutions.
“ESG Champion”: Laetitia Hamon (head of sustainable finance at the Luxembourg Stock Exchange)
Laetitia Hamon, head of sustainable finance at the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
In 2016, seven years ago, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange pioneered green finance by launching the LGX platform. Responsible for sustainable finance at the stock exchange, “ESG champion” Laetitia Hamon embodies this ambition. “There should no longer be any disconnect between finance and sustainable finance,” insists Hamon, who previously worked at KPMG and has been interested in ESG investment since her university days.
“Private equity executive:”: John Penning (CEO of Luxempart)
John Penning (right) is CEO of Luxempart. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
Private equity is the common thread running through the career of , the winner in this category. After studying political science and international relations, he co-founded Saphir Capital Partners, an advisory firm based in Luxembourg and London, in 2009. He has been head of private equity firm Luxempart since 2020.
“Fintech entrepreneur”: Georges Bock (founder and CEO of Moniflo)
Georges Bock (right) is founder and CEO of Moniflo. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
After 27 years at KPMG Luxembourg, which he left in 2018 and where he was managing partner from 2012 to 2016, “Fintech entrepreneur” award winner turned to the world of entrepreneurship and fintech: first with the the regtech Governance.com, then the robo-advisor Investify and now the investment platform Moniflo.
“Capital markets--expert in M&A”: Philippe Harles (partner at Arendt & Medernach)
Philippe Harles (right) is a partner at Arendt & Medernach. Photo: Eva Krins and Marie Russillo/Maison Moderne
A member of the bar since 2014, joined Arendt & Medernach the same year. He became a partner in April 2023. Winner of the “Capital Markets--Mergers & Acquisitions Expert” category, he is also interested in governance issues. In addition to his work as a lawyer, Harles teaches general company law at the Chamber of Commerce and the University of Luxembourg.
This article was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.