Journalism Awards

Michael Wilson

Business & Finance Journalist

Mr Wilson joined Sky TV at its inception in 1989 and for more than 20 years he was a main anchor for Sky’s coverage of major business events. Since leaving Sky, he has broadcast for the BBC, ITV, Fox News, Al Jazeera and Arise Networks, a global television service aimed at Africa.

Sr. Prof. Agnes Lucy Lando

Sr. Prof. Agnes Lucy Lando PhD is a seasoned communications academician, working as an Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Daystar University, Nairobi. A George Gerbner Excellence Award winner (2013). The author of five books, Sr. Prof. Lando regularly covers subjects such as media ethics, crisis communication and new media. Joining the jury in 2022, Sr. Prof. Lando holds a PhD in Social Communication from La Pontificia Università Gregoriana, Roma, Italia.

Samia Heeda

former Managing Director Willis Towers Watson Re (Egypt)

Ms. Heeda has been involved in insurance and reinsurance in Egypt for over 45 years, including roles as Managing Director at Willis Towers Watson Re (Egypt) and vice chairman at Egypt Re. Retired in 2021, Ms. Heeda holds a Bachelor of Commerce "Insurance Section" from Cairo University. Being a native Arabic speaker and joining the jury in 2022, Ms.Heeda offers a rich understanding of insurance matters, particularly for the newly launched Arabic award category.

Chakib Abouzaid

General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF), Secretary-General

Mr Chakib Abouzaid is the Secretary-General of the General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) since 2019. For over 30 years Mr Abouzaid served in various positions in the insurance industry including Vice Chairman of Global Takaful Group (GTG). A first time judge in 2022, he is an ambassador for the International Insurance Society (IIS). Mr Abouzaid holds, amongst others, a Masters degree in Emerging Economies from the university in Grenoble (France) as well as a Masters degree in Finance & Insurance from IFID Tunis.

Nadia Mensah-Acogny

Journalist, Forbes Afrique

Ms Mensah-Acogny is a journalist and columnist at Forbes Afrique, where she is the author of the annual ‘100 Most Influential Women in Africa’ report. She has more than 30 years of experience as a communications expert and is the co-founder of Acosphere, a business consultancy. Ms Mensah-Acogny is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Africa Centre in London and a member of the Council of Women in Africa WIA.

Kenneth Igbomor

Market News Editor (West Africa), CNBC Africa

Mr Kenneth Igbomor is a seasoned financial journalist and business news television producer and is currently the Market News Editor for CNBC Africa, where he heads the West Africa editorial team. He is also a development economist previously working as a financial planner in the insurance industry in Nigeria. He remains an “unrepentant optimist” about development outcomes in Africa.

Gareth Stokes

Founder, Stokes Media Group

Mr Gareth is a professional freelance journalist and writer who specializes in the financial services industry. Based in South Africa, his work has been published in magazines and newspapers, including Daily Mail & The Guardian, Financial Mail, FA News, FIA Insight and others. He is the author of a basic guide to stock market investing and co-author of ‘Short Term Insurance in South Africa 2016’. Gareth currently writes on risk management and insurance topics.

Shiamdass Appanah

Insurance Industry Expert

Mr Shiamdass has more than 40 years of experience in Africa’s insurance industry. He is currently the Lloyd’s General Representative in Mauritius and the Founding Partner and Director/Consultant, former CEO and former Chairman of Reinsurance Solutions Group companies in Mauritius, Kenya and Cote D’Ivoire. He’s skilled in reinsurance programme structuring, designing risk finance vehicles and captive Insurance.