How to Submit a Winning Entry for Citywealth’s Future Leaders Awards

Date: 26 Feb 2025

Karen Jones

The Citywealth Future Leaders Awards are highly coveted, recognizing rising stars who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community contribution, and career achievements in the financial services industry.

To maximize your chances of winning, it’s crucial to craft a compelling and concise submission. Here’s how to make your entry stand out and the career benefits that come with a win.

What the Judges Want to See

Citywealth judges look for clarity, evidence of impact, and a well-rounded narrative that goes beyond day-to-day duties. To help you create the best submission, here are key insights from the judges themselves:

1. Be Concise and Clear
   Judges appreciate submissions that are easy to read and straight to the point. Avoid lengthy narratives or attaching extra documents that dilute the impact of your achievements. Instead, craft a clear and compelling story that highlights why you deserve the award.
2. Provide Concrete Evidence
   Supporting your claims with measurable results is crucial. Judges want to see statistics on company performance, team sizes, and geographical reach to compare organizations effectively. Don’t just state your achievements—quantify them.
3. Highlight Additional Contributions
   Helen Grantham from Butterfield, Guernsey emphasizes the importance of showcasing contributions beyond your role, including community involvement and leadership impact. Detail how you achieved your objectives and the positive changes that resulted from your efforts.
4. Include Client Testimonials
   According to Alice Leadbeater-Terris from Deloitte, Isle of Man, client testimonials are powerful proof of your impact. While endorsements from colleagues are valuable, client feedback carries more weight as it directly reflects your professional influence and effectiveness.
5. Demonstrate Mentorship and Positive Influence
   David Stead from Oakcrest and Beth Wyatt from Buzzacott look for evidence of mentorship and knowledge-sharing. Show how you’ve invested time in developing others and contributing to your team’s success while maintaining a positive and approachable demeanor.
6. Show Breadth and Depth of Experience
   James Arrowsmith from Alvarez & Marsal Tax LLP advises candidates to highlight not just career achievements but also non-work actions that have benefited clients or the broader community. Demonstrating a well-rounded character and leadership capacity can set you apart.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overlong Submissions: Keep your entry concise. Overly detailed or verbose submissions are not favorably received.
• Lack of Information or Too Brief: Striking the right balance is key. Provide enough detail to support your achievements without being vague.
• Too Many Entries: Submitting across more than three categories is discouraged. Focus on the categories where your achievements shine the most.

Career Benefits of Winning a Citywealth Future Leaders Award

Winning a Citywealth Future Leaders Award can significantly boost your career. Here’s how:

• Enhanced Credibility and Recognition: The award is a mark of excellence in the financial services industry, enhancing your professional reputation.
• Networking Opportunities: The award ceremony is attended by influential leaders, offering unparalleled networking opportunities.
• Career Advancement: Recognition from Citywealth can increase your visibility within your organization and the wider industry, opening doors to leadership roles and career growth.
• Client Confidence: Being recognized as a leader can strengthen client trust and loyalty, positively impacting client retention and acquisition.

Final Tips for a Winning Submission

• Start early to allow time for gathering testimonials and refining your narrative.
• Be strategic in selecting categories—focus on areas where you have the strongest evidence and impact.
• Proofread for clarity and conciseness. A polished and well-organized submission leaves a positive impression.

A successful Citywealth Future Leaders Award submission requires strategic storytelling, concrete evidence, and a demonstration of leadership beyond day-to-day duties. By following these guidelines and leveraging the judges’ insights, you can maximize your chances of standing out and reaping significant career benefits.

Ready to make your mark? Start crafting your submission today and let your achievements shine.

The deadline for submissions is 7th March.

Click here to submit: https://www.citywealthmag.com/future-leaders-submissions/

Here are the questions you will find on the submission

Submission Questions

Individual Categories

• Please provide the name of the person you are submitting.
• Please provide the company of the person you are submitting.
• Please provide their email address
• Please provide a short bio, including relevant qualifications. Max 150 words
• What was the most interesting deal or case you worked on in the last 12 months? Max 500 words
• Which other responsibilities with the organization do you hold? Max 200 words
• Do you have any hobbies outside work? Max 200 words
• Can you let us know of any philanthropy or charitable causes you support personally? Max 200 words
• Do you have a funny story or anecdote to share from your work experience? Max 200 words
• Please provide a supporting quote from a senior person within the organization. Max 200 words
• If you wish to provide supporting information, please upload. A max of 2 sides A4 is permitted.

Organization Categories

• Please provide the name of the company you are submitting
• Please provide a short bio. Max 300 words
• Please demonstrate evidence of: Leadership and development of individuals under 40 within the organisation including investment in qualifications and extra responsibilities. Max 1000 words
• If you wish to provide supporting information, please upload. A max of 2 sides A4 is permitted.

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