How the awards are decided
A named jury decides. The editorial team researches and shortlists; it does not vote. Criteria and weights are public, scoring is private, citations are published.
Principles
- Independent. A named jury decides every award. The editorial team prepares the shortlist and the research; it has no vote.
- Evidence-led. Every shortlisted entry is assessed on a research dossier, not on the entry form alone.
- Transparent. Criteria and weights are published here. Scores stay private. Every winner receives a public citation.
- Free of commercial influence. No fee, sponsorship, advertising or attendance affects eligibility, shortlisting or results.
- Two ways in. Self-entry by the brand or leader, or nomination by a peer, customer, journalist or the editorial team.
Power Brands eligibility
- A registered company, brand or business unit with at least three years of operation
- Verifiable market presence in the edition's region
- No unresolved regulatory or legal action that would make recognition inappropriate
- Up to two categories per brand; one entry per category
Power Leaders eligibility
- Currently in the role for which they are nominated, for at least eighteen months
- Their organisation meets the Power Brands presence test for the region
- Emerging Leader: aged 40 or under on the ceremony date
- Jurors, editorial staff and their organisations are not eligible
Scored 1 to 10, weighted
Criteria and weights
Power Brands
| Criterion | Weight | What the jury looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Market leadership and growth | 25% | Position in its market, sustained growth over three years, resilience through market shifts. |
| Brand strength and trust | 25% | Clarity of brand promise, customer loyalty and reputation, consistency across markets and channels. |
| Innovation | 20% | New products, services, models or ways of working that changed outcomes for customers. |
| Governance and responsibility | 15% | Leadership quality, ethics, sustainability commitments with evidence, treatment of people. |
| Influence and impact | 15% | Effect on its sector, economy or community beyond its own results. |
Power Leaders
| Criterion | Weight | What the jury looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Vision and strategy | 25% | A clear direction, decisions that shaped the organisation, bets that paid off. |
| Results delivered | 25% | Measurable business outcomes attributable to the leader’s tenure. |
| People and culture | 20% | Teams built, talent developed, culture strengthened, succession. |
| Innovation and transformation | 15% | Change led through technology, models or markets. |
| Influence and contribution | 15% | Standing in the industry, mentorship, public contribution, integrity. |
Seven stages
The process
- Nomination or entryA 60-second nomination, then a full entry: up to 300 words per criterion and up to five supporting documents.
- Eligibility screenThe editorial team checks the rules above and asks for missing evidence. Ineligible entries are told why.
- Research dossierFor every eligible entry: public record, market context, coverage, and reference checks where offered.
- ShortlistThe editorial board shortlists up to five per category on the dossiers. The shortlist is published and each entrant receives a Shortlisted badge.
- Independent jury scoringEach juror scores every shortlisted entry in their categories from 1 to 10 per criterion, applying the weights. Jurors recuse from any conflict.
- Jury meetingScores are aggregated and discussed. A winner needs a majority; ties go to the jury chair. The jury may decline to award a category.
- Citation and announcementWinners are told privately, announced at the ceremony and published here the next morning with their citations.
The jury
Nine to twelve jurors per edition: business leaders, investors, academics and senior editors, with a chair appointed by the editor. Each juror signs an independence declaration; recusals are recorded and published in summary on the jury page.
What is not considered
Sponsorship, advertising, event attendance and any commercial relationship with the magazine. None of these is visible to the jury, and none affects any stage of selection.