Author: Neel Achary

Circle Awards shine spotlight on business partners driving long-term growth

Ras Al Khaimah, Feb 20: Circle Awards 2026 placed long-term partnership at the centre of recognition, honouring the individuals and organisations whose sustained contribution continues to shape the business community at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). As a flagship annual celebration, the Circle is rooted in the principles of consistency, credibility, and shared standards, standing as a symbol of enduring collaboration and meaningful growth across the economic zone.

The event recognises partners whose performance, integrity, and long-term commitment directly influence the economic zone’s growth trajectory, going beyond short-term targets to deliver lasting value to investors.

The 2026 edition of the awards reflected on key achievements recorded across the RAKEZ community in 2025, a year that delivered record-breaking results in both company formation and visa issuance, further reinforcing the economic zone’s position as one of the most sought-after business destinations in the UAE. The event also looked ahead to the year to come, signalling priorities and initiatives that will shape the next phase of growth across the RAKEZ ecosystem.

Close to 300 service providers and agents were recognised across a wide range of categories, including Compliance, Growth, Long-Lasting Contribution, Loyalty, Newcomer, Partner of the Year, Service & Renewal, Value Creation, and Volume Performance.

Today, RAKEZ is home to nearly 40,000 active companies and is supported by an international network of more than 1,200 active agents, reflecting the scale and global reach of its business community.

Commenting on the occasion, RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said: “Circle Awards is designed to recognise partners whose contribution extends beyond short-term results. At RAKEZ, progress is built on consistency and credibility, and on partners who uphold the standards that investors expect. Through their professionalism, integrity, and market relationships, our partners play a vital role in strengthening confidence in the RAKEZ ecosystem. As we look ahead, it is these enduring relationships that will continue to shape our growth and direction.”

Stressing on the significance of the event, RAKEZ Chief Commercial Officer Anas Hijjawi, said, “Circle Awards represent more than recognition; they reflect the strength of the relationships we build and nurture throughout the year. Our partners are instrumental in translating RAKEZ’s value proposition into tangible results in the market. By working closely with our agent network and service providers, we ensure that investors experience consistency, responsiveness, and clarity at every touchpoint. This success is a shared achievement.”

The event also underscored RAKEZ’s focus on enabling sustainable commercial outcomes, with shared insights on strengthening investor engagement, improving cash flow performance, accelerating sales cycles, and introducing enhanced rewards aimed at supporting long-term business growth. Looking ahead to 2026, the economic zone’s objective is to further empower its partners by helping them maximise revenue opportunities, increase transaction volumes, and deliver higher levels of customer satisfaction across every stage of the investor journey.

Circle Awards reflect RAKEZ’s commitment to recognising partners who contribute to the ecosystem’s long-term resilience, credibility, and continued growth.

Zee Business and BSE to Host 6th Edition of Bull Run 2026 in Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 20: Zee Business in association with BSE will host the 6th edition of the Zee Business BSE Bull Run 2026, BSE’s flagship initiative promoting both financial and physical well-being. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at R2, MMRDA Ground, located in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.

Event gates will open at 5:00 AM, with the run commencing at 7:00 AM. Participants can choose from multiple race categories, including a 5 km Fun Run, 10 km Fun Run, and a 10 km Elite Competition Run.

Over the years, the Zee Business BSE Bull Run has evolved into a marquee community platform, bringing together citizens, corporates, investors and fitness enthusiasts. The initiative highlights the powerful synergy between physical fitness and financial awareness, encouraging individuals to pursue balanced, goal-oriented lifestyles.

The upcoming edition is expected to witness strong participation from leaders across India’s financial sector, corporate community and fitness fraternity. As the event continues to grow in scale and impact, it reinforces its position as one of the most anticipated community-led initiatives within India’s financial ecosystem.

With its continued focus on promoting health, discipline and long-term financial thinking, the 2026 edition of the Bull Run aims to further strengthen engagement across diverse audiences while celebrating the spirit of resilience, growth and well-being.

Tourism Western Australia unveils second iteration of Walking On A Dream

Feb 20: Tourism Western Australia unveiled the second iteration of ‘Walking On A Dream’, its immersive global tourism brand that celebrates the state’s spellbinding landscapes, vibrant culture and creative talent.

 The campaign captures WA as a place where vast deserts glow beneath endless skies, coral reefs shimmer in turquoise seas, and ancient landscapes tell stories that stretch back millennia.

 Filmed across iconic locations, including Ningaloo Reef, Margaret River, Rottnest Island, Perth, and the ancient beauty of Mirima National Park in the Kimberley, the cinematic series brings WA’s dreamlike spirit to life through five 30-second destination vignettes and a 60-second film.

 \At its heart is the reimagining of Empire of The Sun’s hit song Walking On A Dream, overseen by WA–raised frontman Luke Steele, and performed by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) Aboriginal artist and Karajarri man Billy-Jo Shoveller.

 “Walking On A Dream has always been about a sense of wonder and escape,” said Steele. Working with Billy-Jo and WASO to create this new version was magical—it feels like WA itself, magical and otherworldly.”

Billy-Jo Shoveller said the collaboration was deeply personal and reflects his passion for sharing the Kimberley’s spirit with the world.

“I’m proud to be part of this campaign as a Karajarri man, working with Luke Steele on ‘Walking On A Dream’ gave me a chance to bring some of my culture and connection to Country into the project— WA is a special place, and it feels good to help show that to people everywhere.”

 Starring Nyikina man Nelson Baker and emerging actor Angelica Blazeska, both of whom are Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alumni, the films blurs the line between reality and reverie, celebrating Western Australia as a place where culture, creativity and nature are deeply connected.

Developed alongside Traditional Owners and WA’s Aboriginal tourism sector, the campaign celebrates culture, Country and connection. The campaign rolls out from February 2026 across key global markets.

 First launched by Tourism WA in 2022, Walking on A Dream has played a key role in driving Western Australia’s tourism recovery, with WA welcoming just over one million international visitors in the year ending October 2025, surpassing the previous record of 996,000 international visitors set in 2019.

CISI awards three new Honorary Fellowships

The board of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) is delighted to announce that three Honorary Fellowships have been awarded to:

• Paul Stockton
• Debbie Clarke CF Chartered FCSI
• Danny Corrigan MCSI

Honorary Fellowships are awarded annually by the CISI’s Board of Trustees to individuals who have made an outstanding positive contribution, both to the financial services profession and to the CISI. Honorary Fellowship carries the designatory letters FCSI(Hon).

 CISI Chair, Michael Cole-Fontayn MCSI, said: “The CISI Board and I are delighted to announce our highest accolade this year is awarded to three accomplished and outstanding financial services professionals. They are consummate role models for our next generation of sector talent with their commitment to lifelong learning and the CISI community. We look forward to their inspiration and leadership over the years ahead.”

Paul Stockton (left) began his career as a chartered accountant in 1988 with Price Waterhouse (PW) in Windsor specialising in financial services. After four years Paul accepted a position with PW in New York where he worked closely with insurance and asset management companies before returning to London in 1996. In 1999 he joined Old Mutual Plc as group financial controller, becoming finance director of wealth manager Gerrard Limited in 2001. In 2005, two years after the sale of Gerrard to Barclays, he left to work initially for Euroclear and then subsequently, as a divisional finance director of the Phoenix Group. Paul joined Rathbones Group Plc as Group Finance Director in 2008, serving until becoming Managing Director of Rathbones Investment Management in May 2018. In May 2019 Paul was appointed as Group Chief Executive at Rathbones, a role he enjoyed until his retirement in September 2025, two years after completing Rathbones’ merger with Investec Wealth UK. 

Alongside his executive career Paul has served as a non-executive director of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, as a board member of the Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association (PIMFA), and as a member of the FCA Practitioner Panel. Paul is a Freeman of the City of London.

Prior to taking on a NED portfolio career Debbie Clarke CF Chartered FCSI (right) was working within financial services, corporate finance and M&A since 1996 and held a number of leadership roles within the accountancy practices where she was an equity partner. During this time she directed M&A and refinancing projects for a wide range of clients. As an adviser she worked with a wide range of investors and organisations both public and private, within the UK and internationally and has a strong regulated background. She regularly presented at industry conferences and training sessions and assisted student training and mentoring as part of her portfolio.

 Her experience has been across a variety of industries from education, sports, technology, real estate, manufacturing and support services where she has provided a range of strategic advice to her clients. Across her NED portfolio she has been chairing and vice chairing various board and committees and continues to advise private companies and their boards on their strategic plans.

 Debbie became a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (‘CISI’) in 1999 and started volunteering with CISI in 2007 when she was asked by a fellow Corporate Financier, Frank Moxon to help set up what has become the Corporate Finance & Capital Markets Forum. Working together with Frank and others for many years in relaunching the Diploma in Corporate Finance and championing professionalism in wholesale markets has been a passion during her career. She became a non-executive Director of the CISI in 2017 a post she held for six years before stepping down to focus on her Trustee role on the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Future Foundation (‘Future Foundation ‘) which the CISI set up in 2022. In 2022 Debbie was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. Debbie has been and continues to be a mentor and supporter of many people throughout their careers in financial services.

Danny Corrigan MCSI (left) is a senior manager with 40 years’ experience of the wholesale financial markets as a London based Director, Managing Director, and CEO leading teams across a range of asset classes including fixed income and derivatives. He also has extensive international experience having worked locally in the markets of Moscow, Sydney, Tokyo, and others.

 He has worked as a banker, trader, and broker, for a dozen firms, has written five books on the markets and has an extensive network in the city. He has sat on various central bank committees and was seconded to London Clearing House, a crucial part of the global market infrastructure, as part of an industry wide response to the default of Lehman Brothers to lead the closure of its trading books.

 Danny and his co-founders launched London Reporting House, a fin-tech start-up in April 2023, has funding, wonderful employees, and a perfect little office in the alleyways of Bow Lane. He was also a Trustee and Board member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and chaired its International Committee. He spent years promoting the City of London with non-for-profit promotional bodies including the Lord Mayor / Mansion House and was formerly Chair of the Eurasia Group at TheCityUK.

 He graduated in Economics from the University of Liverpool in 1981 and has an MBA (Finance) from City University. He is married to Kerrie, and they are proud parents of three sons; an actor James, Ben a co-founder of London Reporting House and an earlier survivor of ‘Dragon’s Den’, Luke an accomplished professional and are grandparents to Wren.

 Danny is a retired Football Association coach having led Hampstead FC youth teams to glory in the 2000s and he was an occasional referee. He stood for the Brexit Party in the unwinnable seat of Hornsey & Wood Green in 2019 and came 5th.

Funding ​Annapurna Finance Raises USD 100 Million through Syndicated Multi-Currency Social Loan Facility

Bhubaneswar, Feb 20 : Annapurna Finance Private Limited has secured a USD 100 million through syndicated multi-currency term loan facility, along with a USD 50 million greenshoe option. The facility, denominated in USD and JPY, marks a significant step in enhancing Annapurna Finance’s access to new currencies and international lenders, the facility structured as a social loan underscores the organisation’s continued commitment to inclusive and responsible finance. Standard Chartered Bank acted as the Sole Mandated Lead Arranger, Underwriter, and Bookrunner, successfully leading the transaction with deep expertise and execution capability. Commenting on the transaction, Mr Dibyajyoti Pattanaik, Director Annapurna Finacne Private Limited said,

“This transaction is more than fundraising—it’s a defining milestone for our institution. In a challenging global and liquidity environment, its size and timing reflect strong confidence in Annapurna’s model and governance. Diversified, long-term global capital strengthens our balance sheet and reinforces our commitment to sustainable financial inclusion, women empowerment and climate resilience in India.”

This transaction builds on the company’s USD 109.5 million syndicated loan facility concluded last year, also led by Standard Chartered Bank, and reflects sustained market confidence in Annapurna Finance’s business model, governance framework, and execution strength.

Annapurna Finance Private Limited (AFPL) is one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies and ranks as the fourth-largest NBFC–MFI in the country, anchored in a strong customer-centric and responsible lending framework, Annapurna combines a wide on-ground distribution network with technology-enabled processes to enhance access, efficiency, and transparency. The institution remains committed to advancing sustainable financial inclusion by expanding formal credit access, strengthening household resilience, and supporting micro-entrepreneurship across its operational footprint.

NICMAR’s Bharat Nav-Nirmaan Challenge: Mumbai City Round Concludes, Students Showcase Innovative Infra Solutions

Mumbai, Feb 20th: The Mumbai City Round of the Bharat Nav–Nirmaan Challenge, NICMAR’s flagship and nationwide student innovation initiative, concluded in the Maximum City, bringing together undergraduate engineering and architecture students to present practical solutions to real-world infrastructure challenges.

The city–round finale saw more than 20 teams participating from leading institutions across Mumbai and Maharashtra, with student teams showcasing projects focused on addressing India’s built environment and other infrastructure challenges. The competition forms part of a structured, multi-stage national platform designed to encourage young technical talent to engage with India’s fast-evolving Construction, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Project (CRIP) sectors. 

Projects were evaluated by an industry jury comprising Dr. Smita Patil (Dean – School of Engineering, NICMAR University, Pune), Mr. Yayati Kene (Co-Founder & CEO at Amala Realty) and Ms. Sanika Sarang Andhale (Former Vice President-Planning, Nahar Group) who assessed entries on innovation, feasibility, scalability and relevance to current infrastructure demands. The jury noted the strong application of technical fundamentals combined with practical implementation thinking. 

Congratulating the winners of Mumbai city–round and highlighting the importance of such challenges, Dr Tapash Kumar Ganguli, Director-General, NICMAR said, “The objective of the Bharat Nav–Nirmaan Challenge is to give students exposure to real infrastructure problem statements early in their academic journey. The quality of solutions presented at the Mumbai City Round reflects the growing interest among young engineers in contributing to India’s built environment.” 

The winners of the Mumbai City Round are:

• 1st – Datta Meghe College of Engineering, Airoli
• 2nd – Pillai HOC College of Engineering & Technology, Rasayani
• 3rd – L S Raheja College of Architecture, Mumbai 

These winning teams will advance to the regional round of the challenge, competing with top teams from other cities across India. 

Supported by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Bharat Nav–Nirmaan Challenge is an initiative aimed at encouraging undergraduate students to solve real-world infrastructure challenges, which has evolved into one of India’s largest student-led innovation movements focused on the built environment, with prizes worth Rs 30 lakh.

Regional Community Radio Sammelan (North) Highlights Growth, Innovation and Sustainability of Community Radio Sector

Chandigarh, Feb 20: The two-day Regional Community Radio Sammelan (North) was inaugurated in Chandigarh. Organised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, the theme of the Sammelan is “Celebrating 20 Years of Community Radio in India.” More than 75 Community Radio Stations from the Northeastern region are participating in the event.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Shilpa Rao, Director (CRS), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized that while the Ministry is actively expanding the community radio network, stakeholders must come forward to share their experiences and success stories to further consolidate the sector. She also highlighted that several new innovations are being introduced to support the sustained growth of community radio.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri L. Madhu Nag, Registrar, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), noted that although content continues to be the backbone of community radio, the sector faces challenges in terms of trained manpower. He stressed the importance of developing sustainable operational models and prioritizing the adoption of technology to address these challenges effectively.

During a technical session, Shri Manish Sheelwant, Deputy Director, Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, simplified the Saral Sanchar Portal process for participants by clearly explaining procedures related to approvals, auto-renewals, and spectrum charges, thereby making regulatory requirements easier to understand and comply with.

Another key session was conducted by Shri Sri Sai Vempati, Deputy Director (AV), Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), MIB, who provided detailed insights into the empanelment process and highlighted the role of government advertising in enhancing the outreach and sustainability of community radio stations.

An experience-sharing session featured representatives from Radio Salam Namaste, Sanjha Radio, and Radio Hewalvani, who shared practical insights on content creation, sustaining community radio stations and engaging effectively with district and state administrations.

Concluding the series of sessions, Shri Ashwini Kumar from Akashvani delivered an informative presentation on content creation and the AIR Code of Ethics, emphasizing responsible broadcasting and adherence to ethical standards in community radio operations.

On the second day, the Sammelan will feature sessions on the NaVigate Bharat portal, a presentation by the Ministry on documentation, and discussions on participation, including the sharing of studies, reports on CRS and stakeholder experiences.

The Sammelan provides Community Radio practitioners a platform to share experiences, raise concerns, explore innovative approaches and collectively strengthen the future of grassroots broadcasting across the northeastern region.