Awards are presented in recognition of achievements attained during the past year, judged either by a group of peers, or representatives of 'the buy side'. In most cases, they are intended to recognise superior work performed by industry practitioners in the pursuit of superior investment returns for their clients.

This culminates in an award for general services to the industry, which usually reflects beyond the year in question. However, attention is also paid to the lighter side of the work of a stockbroker, as a mark of a true professional is the ability to see the lighter side of their work.