Winners of the AIC Shareholder Communication Awards 2025
The awards recognise exceptional shareholder communication by AIC member investment trusts and their managers.
The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has announced the winners of its Shareholder Communication Awards 2025. The awards recognise exceptional shareholder communication by AIC member investment trusts and their managers.
The judges were Anthony Leatham, Head of Investment Company Research at Peel Hunt, Genevra Banszky von Ambroz, Partner at Evelyn Partners, Moira O’Neill, investment journalist, and David Stevenson, financial journalist and commentator.
It is encouraging to see more investment trusts than ever embracing integrated campaigns combining advertising, PR, social and digital media with traditional reports and factsheets to connect with both existing and potential shareholders.
Anthony Leatham, Head of Investment Companies Research at Peel Hunt
Chair of the judging panel, Anthony Leatham, Head of Investment Companies Research at Peel Hunt, said: “This year saw a record number of entries to the Shareholder Communication Awards, with the quality of entries rising year on year. Best Marketing, Best Shareholder Engagement, and Best Report and Accounts received the highest number of entries where shortlisted entrants impressed the judges with an exceptional standard."
“It is encouraging to see more investment trusts than ever embracing integrated campaigns combining advertising, PR, social and digital media with traditional reports and factsheets to connect with both existing and potential shareholders. On behalf of the judging panel, I extend my warmest congratulations to all the winners."
Richard Stone, Chief Executive of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), said: "We are pleased to see investment trusts continuing to enhance the quality of their communications with shareholders. This year’s entries showcased innovative, technology-enabled campaigns designed to engage both new and long-standing investors. I would like to congratulate the winners and thank all who entered the awards."
The awards were presented on Tuesday 30 September 2025 at Manzi’s, in London.
The winners are:
Best Report and Accounts – Generalist
Winner: Alliance Witan
The judging panel praised the thoughtful approach to reporting, clear communications and the visually engaging design. The report is easy to read and helps investors understand the company’s investment approach.
Highly Commended: Bankers Investment Trust
The judges commended the report’s layout and strong design, and the quality of information provided in the investment strategy.
Best Report and Accounts – Specialist
Winner: Polar Capital Technology Trust
The judges praised the polished presentation, clarity on numbers, and the manager’s eloquent and insightful summary. The report stood out for making complex technology trends accessible and for embracing AI technology to design areas of the report.
Best Report and Accounts – Alternative
Joint Winner: Oakley Capital Investments
The judges applauded Oakley Capital’s report and accounts for the accessible and mobile-friendly format. The report’s uncluttered design, engaging case studies and clever use of embedded content made it stand out from the crowd.
Joint Winner: Cordiant Digital Infrastructure
Cordiant Digital Infrastructure impressed the judges with an in-depth report featuring investor insights, valuable portfolio information and strong financial KPIs. The inclusion of photographs brought the business leaders to life, helping readers connect with the story.
Best Report and Accounts – VCT
Winner: Foresight Enterprise VCT
The panel complimented the uncluttered design to help shareholders understand VCTs and easily navigate the report.
Best ESG Communication
Winner: Mobius Investment Trust
Mobius’s ESG report stood out for its original, engaging approach and sophisticated content avoiding the repetition typical of some ESG documents. The clearly communicated strategy demonstrated how ESG integration contributes to stock-picking decisions rather than just serving as a compliance exercise.
Highly Commended: Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust
The judges commended the clearly presented report which brought to life the specialist investment strategy.
Best Factsheet
Winner: VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund
The judges applauded the winning factsheet for the insightful market and stock commentary. The changing landscape in Vietnam was communicated with simplicity while providing a comprehensive and accessible view of the country’s potential.
Best Marketing Campaign
Winner: Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust
The judges were impressed with the winning entry’s imaginative and meaningful multi-channel campaign. The scientific approach and measurable results showed the effectiveness of the campaign and the impact on shareholders.
Highly Commended: Aberdeen Investment Trusts
The judges commended Aberdeen’s marketing campaign for the clear, engaging messaging and educational approach, helping to reach new and existing shareholders.
Best PR Campaign
Winner: TR Property Investment Trust
The judges praised the strategic campaign describing it as well-executed and impactful in raising the trust’s profile. The governance focused campaign combined with straight talking opinion pieces and commentary on high profile developments was effective in positioning the company as a thought leader.
Highly Commended: Seraphim Space Investment Trust
The judges commended the well-coordinated campaign around the white paper which delivered measurable results including strong buy recommendations demonstrating the effectiveness of the campaign.
Best Shareholder Engagement
Winner: Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust
The judges applauded the winning entry for delivering proactive, regular engagement with shareholders across multiple channels. The judges highlighted the digital conference and 'Invest in Progress' podcast and the expanded email database which made information more accessible to shareholders.
Highly Commended: Vietnam Enterprise Investments
The judging panel commended Vietnam Enterprise Investment for engaging shareholders through in-person events and informative updates.
Best Social Media
Winner: F&C Investment Trust
The judges praised the winning entry for their bold approach to reaching new audiences through social media. The innovative use of tailored educational content on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube has achieved impressive metrics reaching millions.
Best Website
Winner: Alliance Witan
The winning entry was applauded by the judges for creating an engaging and accessible website with a clean appealing design, that delivers an exceptional user experience. The simple navigation and use of coordinated colour helps signpost visitors to key information and easy-to-use tools.
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Notes to editors
- The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) represents a broad range of investment trusts and VCTs, collectively known as investment companies. The AIC’s vision is for closed-ended investment companies to be understood and considered by every investor. The AIC has 294 members and the industry has total assets of approximately £267 billion.
- For more information about the AIC and investment trusts, visit the AIC’s website.
- Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendation and it is not an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity. You should seek independent financial and, if appropriate, legal advice as to the suitability of any investment decision. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investment company shares, and the income from them, can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the full amount invested and, in some cases, nothing at all.
