FOW International Awards
12 February 2026
The Waldorf Hilton, London
2026 awards have completed – see you in 2027
Welcome to the FOW International Awards 2026
The awards recognise the best and brightest innovations in the derivatives industry.
The awards are arranged into four categories: Banks, Exchanges, Clearing Houses/ Sell-side; Technology providers; Buy-side; Individuals. Award winners will be decided by a specialist panel of experts from across the region with Exchange categories will be decided by FOW Data.
The Chief Executive of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards are selected by our editorial team. If you would like to put someone forward for consideration, please do so through this site, and explain in the comments box why you are nominating the individual for the award.
Entry Criteria
1. The period under consideration is 1st September 2024 – 30th September 2025
All entries must focus on this period. Growth or notable achievements should focus on this period. Events outside this period will be considered ancillary to the entry by judges.
2. Entries will only be accepted for the categories you are entering. You may enter multiple categories and the same entry may be submitted to multiple categories but you should consider the need to impress judges in that specific category when submitting your award so tailoring multiple entries of the same product or entity to each award category may be more successful than a copy and paste job.
3. All entries must be in English and completed by the awards deadline - 8 December 2025
4. The word count for each awards entry is a maximum of 750 words, please do not exceed this. Additional information such as press releases or brochures may be submitted but the core of the entry that will be considered by judges will be the 750 word entry.
5. Focus on specific and tangible achievements or innovations. The judges are asked to consider these and are required to support their decision with references to innovations or achievements. A history of the firm may make for interesting reading but will not give the judges enough information to make an award. Remember you are being judged on achievements during the period. This may relate to products or innovations launched outside the judging period but the growth or contract wins that you are highlighting should be during the period.
How to craft a winning entry
Highlight key achievements: Focus on your most significant accomplishments and their impact.
Provide supporting evidence: Include data, case studies, or testimonials to support your entry.
Be clear and concise: Ensure your entry is easy to read and understand.
Grading criteria
5 points - Excellent
A fully tailored, well-structured submission that clearly addresses category criteria and demonstrates outstanding achievement, supported by strong, relevant evidence.
4 points - Above Average
A complete and credible submission supported by relevant evidence, with minor issues relating to clarity, structure, or depth.
3 points - Average
A submission that meets some but not all category criteria, with uneven or incomplete evidence and limited differentiation.
2 points - Below Average
A submission that addresses fewer than half of the relevant criteria, with limited supporting evidence and lack of clarity.
1 point - Poor
A generic or non-tailored submission that fails to address category-specific criteria or provide meaningful evidence.