The Second Annual London Sukuk Summit Awards of Excellence last night honoured a host of regulators and bankers who have made significant contributions to the Islamic banking and finance movement over the last three decades. Richard Thomas, Managing Director of Global Securities House, UK, and Chairman of Gatehouse Bank, the latest Islamic investment bank to be authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA),  received an award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Finance in the UK'. Mr.Thomas has over 25 years experience in Islamic banking - a career which started in the 1980s at Saudi International Bank and then at United Bank of Kuwait and more recently at ABC International Bank in London.

The Awards ceremony was held during the Gala Dinner at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in Whitehall following the opening day of the 2008 London Sukuk Summit based on the theme 'Gearing Up for UK Sukuk Originations'. The Summit is endorsed by the UK Treasury; UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), City of London Corporation; and the London Stock Exchange.   Other Recipients of awards at the gala dinner include Adnan Al Musallam,  Chairman & CEO of The Investment Dar in Kuwait, Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and The Late Tan Sri Dato' Jaafar Hussein, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

Full List of Sukuk Summit Awards of Excellence:

1. Special Award Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Global Islamic Finance
The Late Tan Sri Dato Jaafar Hussein Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia June 1985 - May 1994

2. Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Islamic Capital Markets
H.E Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

3. Outstanding Leadership in Islamic Finance
Adnan A. Al Musallam, Chairman & CEO Investment Dar

4. Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Finance in the UK
Richard Thomas Managing Director, Global Securities House, UK

5. Most Innovative Financing Transaction
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) For the $2.875bn Islamic Syndication Financing Facility

6. Most Innovative Sukuk Structure/Deal
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), For the SAR8 billion SABIC-II Issuance

7. Best Sukuk Structure by a Private Corporate Issuer
Al Thani Group For the $100 million Musharaka Sukuk Issue

8. Best Administrator/Trustee Global Transaction Banking Trust & Securities Services
Deutsche Bank AG

9. Best Arranger(s) of a Sukuk Structure
Barclays Capital and CitiGroup For the $1 billon, Dana Gas PJSC Convertible Sukuk

10. Award for Excellence for Shariah Advisory
Sheikh Nizam Yaquby Shariah scholar

11. Outstanding Contribution to the Islamic Finance Sector
Kuwait Finance House

12. Best International Islamic Finance Centre
Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre

13. Outstanding Contribution by a Law Firm to Islamic Financial Services
Clifford Chance

14. Outstanding Contribution to the Development of The Islamic Finance Services Industry
Prof. Rifaat Abdel Karim Secretary General, Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB)