Deutsche Bank has become the inaugural winner of the Lloyd’s Arts & Business (A&B) Innovation Prize.
The award forms part of the 30th annual A&B awards, which celebrate excellence in the field of partnership between the business and art communities.
The prize celebrates partnerships that have truly revolutionised the sector through calculated risk-taking and innovation.
Deutsche Bank’s entry, which highlighted its partnerships with the Frieze Art Fair, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Art was described as ‘the most innovative and groundbreaking business/arts partnership of the last 30 years’ by judges.
The banking group was shortlisted with Becks, BP, Land Securities and Sky for the award and the winner was announced at a dinner at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, this week.
Colin Tweedy, Chief Executive, Arts & Business, said: "These are certainly challenging times for everyone working to develop partnerships between business and the arts.
The Arts & Business 30th Annual Awards are a tribute, not only to the remarkable partnerships of the last year, but a celebration of the last 30 years.”
Jeremy Bailey, Managing Director and Deputy Chairman of the Deutsche Bank European Art Committee, said: “The arts have been a central part of Deutsche Bank’s DNA since the 1970s.
“Since then our arts partnerships have become increasingly sophisticated and diverse, and now include a corporate collection of over 53,000 pieces.”
He added: “We do our utmost to ensure the arts are brought into every aspect of our work with clients, employees and the community and we are delighted that this long-standing dedication and commitment is being recognised.”
Lloyd’s CEO Richard Ward said of the market’s sponsorship of the award: "In art, as in business, we often need to take risks in order to innovate and succeed. This prize celebrates the most innovative partnerships of the last thirty years, where the arts and business sectors have been able to learn from each other.
"Through its partnership, Deutsche Bank has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to take calculated risk, an approach which we value highly at Lloyd’s."
