THE Business Times’ (BT) correspondent Raphael Lim has been recognised for his work in financial journalism at the Securities Investors Association (Singapore)‘s (Sias) Investors’ Choice Awards 2022.

He was presented one of three awards for Investor Education Journalist of the Year at the event on Friday (Oct 7), for his work on special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). He has led the newspaper’s coverage on the subject with scoops, explainers and commentaries, which have shed light on the nature of the new investment vehicle in Singapore.

He said: “I’m grateful for the recognition from Sias. SPACs are a relatively new product here, and I wanted to help retail investors understand it better to make an informed choice.”

Through the awards, Sias and its industry partners annually recognise excellence in companies and individuals for adopting good corporate governance and sustainability practices.

BT’s executive editor Chen Huifen said: “At a time when SPACs were all the rage in the US, Raphael covered their introduction to the local market with a balanced hand, giving equitable play to both the pros and cons. He came up with explainers, provided insights and even collaborated with a colleague on a video. We expect more good work coming from him and other reporters at BT.”

This year, Sias also introduced a new Investors’ Choice Outstanding CEO award, which recognises chief executives of public-listed companies for their competency, integrity and communication, and for leading good corporate governance and financial performance.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

The winners this year are Loh Chin Hua, chief executive officer (CEO) and executive director of Keppel Corp; Piyush Gupta, group CEO of DBS; Sean Lee, CEO of Marco Polo Marine; and Wong Kim Yin, group president and CEO of Sembcorp Industries.

The winners of the Singapore Corporate Governance award, distinguished by market capitalisation, for example, include Keppel Corporation, Del Monte Pacific, PropNex, Stamford Tyres Corporation, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust and Singapore Post.

Other journalists from SPH Media Trust (SMT) also bagged awards for financial journalism at the event.

Lianhe Zaobao’s senior business correspondent Chew Boon Leong took home the Financial Journalist of the Year award; The Straits Times’ senior business correspondent Chor Khieng Yuit and Lianhe Zaobao’s business correspondent Lai Oi Lai each bagged the Investor Education Journalist of the Year award; Straits Times’ senior business correspondent Joyce Lim won the special award.

Outside SMT, Gerard Wong from CNA938 was presented the Financial Story of the Year award, while Jovi Ho from The Edge Singapore bagged the Most Promising Journalist of the Year award. CNA was also awarded the Media Excellence in Community Investor Education award.