RBS Coutts and the Financial Times (FT) are calling for nominations for the 2nd Women in Asia Awards, a platform to celebrate the growing contributions of women in Asia. The awards are being launched in Singapore this year after a successful debut in Hong Kong in 2009.

Increasingly, women are shaping boardroom decisions, driving government policies and inspiring communities. The Women in Asia Awards aim to promote, inspire and recognise the growing ranks of successful women around the region.

Nominees will set an important benchmark for women who have contributed to Asian and international economies, as well as their own communities through innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, dedication and determination.

The Women in Asia Awards will provide winners with significant new opportunities by increasing their visibility and profile both locally and internationally. At the same time, the awards will create new role models for the next generation.

The awards will be presented in three categories:

- Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the woman who has successfully created jobs and market opportunities by building or turning around a business. A woman who is innovative, visionary and motivational.

- Woman Who Makes a Difference Award for the woman who has outstanding achievements in the fields of philanthropy, sciences, arts, culture, literature or sports. A woman who motivates and inspires the next generation.

- Rising Star Award for the younger woman (born on or after 30 June 1975) who has demonstrated her talent and potential in business. A woman who fosters the spirit of enterprise and is poised for the top.

“This award is a great opportunity to celebrate the growing ranks of successful women in the region,” said Ms Esther Heer, Head of Private Banking, North Asia, RBS Coutts. “Women in Asia are making a significant impact on society today, be it in business or tackling social and environmental issues. Asia, and in particular Singapore, is brimming with success stories of women who have made it on their own terms.”

David Pilling, Asia Editor, Financial Times, said: “We had a wonderful response to last year’s inaugural Women in Asia Awards in Hong Kong, with dozens of high-calibre entries and some truly worthy winners. The FT is extremely proud to participate in an event that promotes and celebrates the achievement of women, and we hope this year’s ceremony in Singapore will help further that mission.”

In addition to Ms Heer and Mr Pilling, the six-strong judging panel includes Amanda Brooks, Deputy High Commissioner & Director of Trade and Investment, British High Commission; Claire Chiang, Senior Vice President, Banyan Tree Holdings Limited; Fang Ai Lian, Chairman, Great Eastern Holdings Ltd; and Lee Suet Fern, Senior Director, Stamford Law Corporation.

Nominations are open and will close on 15 June 2010. All nominees must be female Singapore residents, working or living in Singapore, and over 21 years of age.

The nomination form can be downloaded from www.rbscoutts.com/womeninasiaawards

Three finalists will be shortlisted for each category and informed in July. They will be invited to the Awards presentation dinner, to be held in Singapore on 15th September 2010 at Eden Hall, the residence of the British High Commissioner.

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RBS Coutts is the international private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Our foundations in private banking draw on Coutts & Co, one of the early pioneers in private banking with a heritage spanning more than 300 years. RBS Coutts offers clients a broad spectrum of wealth management services. With offices in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, RBS Coutts employs more than 1,200 staff in 10 locations worldwide. RBS Coutts has offices in the key Asian hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong, employing close to 500 staff in the region.

The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy, and is an essential source of news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community. The newspaper is printed at 23 print sites across the globe with a daily circulation of 390,203 (ABC figures February 2010) and FT.com has over 2 million registered users and 126,281 digital subscribers. The FT has a combined print and online average daily readership of 1.9 million people worldwide (PwC audited figures, April 2010).

Azmar Sukandar, Financial Times, +852 2905 5519 or azmar.sukandar@ft.com

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