It has been a challenging year for the world and the private equity industry, to say the least. And yet, a look back at the highlights reveals positive signs amid a year of turmoil.

2020 began with three major LPs – Government Pension Investment Fund, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System and Universities Superannuation Scheme – pushing for sustainable investing. It also saw an industry becoming more intolerant of non-inclusive workplaces: this month, nearly 50 investment firms, including Blackstone and the Carlyle Group, as well as investors such as Teacher Retirement System of Texas, signed an initiative launched by the Institutional Limited Partners Association aiming to improve diversity and inclusion among their ranks.

It was also a year of embracing digital – from improved LP-GP communications to virtual due diligence and fundraises – evidence the industry can thrive remotely. Managers raised a total $348.5 billion in final closes in the first nine months of the year, on par with capital raised in the equivalent period in prior years and a sign that investors remain hungry for private equity despite global uncertainty and market volatility.

As year-end approaches, it’s time for you, the industry, to let us know who you think deserves to be recognised for their achievements over these last challenging 12 months. The shortlist is packed with success stories, such as: Lyon-based ArchiMed’s 73.8x multiple on investment after the sale of Polyplus to Warburg Pincus in May; secondaries giant Ardian’s mammoth $19 billion fundraise for its eighth secondaries programme; and placement agent Evercore’s work on UK firm Tenzing Private Equity’s £400 million ($540 million; €443 million) fundraise in nine weeks – reportedly the first to be completed entirely virtually.

To help you navigate the voting process we’ve drawn up shortlists for each category based on our coverage throughout the year, our conversations with the market and your submissions. You can vote in as many categories as you wish.

The polls close on Friday, 8 January, 2021, with results revealed in our March Annual Review.

Make your opinion count: vote now!