JUDGES
As we prepare for the City AM Awards 2025 we are excited to introduce our panel of Judges who will bring their experience and insights to the process. The Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts, with voting taking place after vigorous debate.
Nominees for each category are determined by a group of experts including the senior operational and editorial leadership team at City AM, drawing on the input of external experts and the insights of our Judging Panel. This year, Judges will also evaluate and consider external nominations. To submit a nomination please click here to provide the name of the category for which you are proposing a nomination; full details of the proposed nominee (name of business or individual along with website link, if applicable) and a statement of no more than 500 words to support the nomination. But be quick; the shortlist will be determined by Friday 7 March. And please note, due to the potential volume of submissions it may not be possible to respond to each application, but rest assured all submissions will be evaluated as part of the shortlisting process.
As with all City AM awards, we work to ensure a fair, independent, transparent and rigorous judging process. The Judges will meet before the Awards for a session chaired by our City AM Editor Christian May. Judges will review a comprehensive explanation of all nominees and will debate the shortlists. Following the discussion, a vote will take place and the winners of each category will be agreed, ready to be unveiled on the night.
Christian May, Editor in Chief City AM
Editor of City AM from 2015 to 2021 before resuming the role in 2024, Christian has played a key role in solidifying the publication’s position as a voice in London’s financial and business communities. Known for his sharp insights, he ensured City AM remained relevant and influential, delivering high-quality journalism during a time of significant change for the country and the media sector. As well as Journalism Christian also has experience in communications and corporate affairs.
John Baldwin, CEO Corporate & Commercial Banking Santander
John Baldwin is CEO of the Corporate & Commercial Banking (CCB) business at Santander UK, having joined the Group in 2013. He has had a long career in Corporate and Commercial Banking, as well as enjoying roles in Retail Banking, Strategy and Corporate Venturing during his time with Lloyds Banking Group. John has extensive relationship management, credit and risk experience. He previously led the Commercial Clients coverage and Client Services teams in CCB where he drove an ambitious tech and data-led change agenda, alongside market leading levels of client satisfaction. In addition to extensive banking experience, John also has an entrepreneurial background; he founded and ran a directly regulated finance business and has led the development and transformation of new businesses in both FTSE10 and SME environments.
Baroness Helena Morrissey, Chair of the Diversity Project and Chair, Fidelis
Baroness Helena Morrissey DBE was CEO of Newton Investment Management for 15 years and chaired the Investment Association from 2014-17. She now chairs Barnett Waddingham, Fidelis, and Altum Group, and is involved with Eton’s Endowment Committee, CT Group, All Perspectives Ltd, and McKinsey Investment Office. Helena founded the 30% Club in 2010, increasing female representation on FTSE350 boards from under 10% to over 40%, with branches worldwide. She also chairs the Diversity Project and initiated the ‘Pathway’ program for female fund managers. Appointed to the House of Lords in 2020, she has received numerous accolades, including FT’s ‘Person of the Year’ in 2017 and Fortune’s ‘50 Greatest Leaders.’
Joanna Jensen, Entrepreneur and Chair of the EIS Association
Joanna Jensen is the founder of the British multi-award winning, baby and child personal care brand, Childs Farm which she created in 2010 as a result of her own daughters’ sensitive and eczema prone skin. The brand was launched into mainstream retailers Boots and Waitrose in 2014 and became the number one brand in the baby and child segment in 2019 disrupting and reducing the market share of other more established brands, for example Johnson’s Baby reduced from 32% to 15%. In March 2022, Jensen sold Childs Farm for £36.8m to PZ Cussons Plc, the branded consumer goods business and owner of well-known brands such as St.Tropez, Imperial Leather, and Carex. Jensen is a keen supporter of other female entrepreneurs. She is an investor in 13 female founded brands and a leading advocate of supporting female founded businesses. She works on the advisory board of Buy Women Built (BWB)and in June 2024 was appointed Chair of the EISA (Enterprise Investment Scheme Association)
Charlotte Keenan, Head of Corporate Engagement at Goldman Sachs
Charlotte leads the Office of Corporate Engagement's international responsibilities and serves as global head of 10,000 Women. She is a member of the EMEA Inclusion and Diversity Committee. Charlotte joined Goldman Sachs in 2015 as an executive director in the EMEA Office of Corporate Engagement and was named managing director in 2019. Prior to joining the firm, Charlotte was chief executive of Tony Blair's Foundation. Previously, she worked in Investment Banking at JPMorgan Cazenove in London and Jefferies and Co. in Houston. Charlotte serves as chair of the Expert Advisory Council for the UK government’s Help to Grow: Management program for small businesses. Charlotte earned an MA from Oxford University in 2003. She was a Frank Knox Fellow at Harvard University from 2003 to 2004 and earned an MA in International Affairs from Columbia University.”
Natalie Campbell MBE, Entrepreneur, Co-CEO of Belu Water & Chancellor of the University of Westminster
Natalie Campbell MBE ran as an independent candidate for Mayor of London in May 2024. She is Co-CEO of Belu Water, which has donated over £5.8m to WaterAid for clean water, toilets, and hygiene. Natalie is an award-winning social entrepreneur, broadcaster, and Chancellor of The University of Westminster, where she launched the 'Chancellor's Circle' to connect businesses with students. Previously, she led insight and innovation for The Royal Foundation, founded Kensington Creates, and co-founded A Very Good Company, working with brands like Virgin Media and Marks & Spencer on sustainability. She advises FTSE businesses, including PwC and Stonehage Fleming
Mark Kleinman, City Editor, Sky News
City Editor at Sky News, known throughout the Square Mile and beyond for his scoops and breaking news. He is also a weekly City AM columnist, providing sharp insight and top quality analysis of the stories, people and issues shaping the business landscape.
Sally Osman, NED and former Director of Communications for the BBC, Sony & The Royal Household
Sally is a NED, Senior Advisor and leadership coach. A board member of Our Future Health, now the world’s largest health research programme, she is also a Governor of the Courtauld Institute of Art and a trustee of English National Opera. An alumnus of Wharton Business School and former journalist, she was Director of Royal Communications for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II until 2018. She also headed Corporate Affairs and communications at the BBC, for SONY Europe and at Sky in its formative years. Sally has significant experience in managing reputational risk and crises, institutional change and purpose, and the practicalities and impact of soft power to help address leadership challenges and build corporate resilience.
Bin Afolami, former City Minister & former Conservative MP, Board HSBC
Bim Afolami is a former City Minister and former Conservative MP. He served in Parliament from 2017 to 2024, prior to which he worked as a corporate lawyer at Freshfields and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, then as a senior executive at HSBC. Since leaving Parliament he has joined the board of HSBC UK and the board of the Quoted Companies Alliance.
Martin Gilbert, Chairman of Revolut
Martin Gilbert has been one of the most prominent figures in the City for decades. He is currently the Chairman of Revolut. He co-founded Aberdeen Asset Management in 1983 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1991 to 2017. He is the Senior Independent Director at Glencore and has previously served as Deputy Chairman of Sky.