Julian Black Lifetime Contribution to the Industry Award
The Fund Finance Association (FFA) established the Julian Black Lifetime Contribution to Industry Award in 2018 to recognize individuals who demonstrate dedication to the selfless service of the Fund Finance industry, which is the legacy left by the beloved Julian Black. Mr. Black's contributions to the fund financing market both in the Cayman Islands and globally, as well as his extensive charitable efforts, are remembered and honored each year with the presentation of this award.
Nominations are now closed for 2026 Awards
2026 Recipient
Robina Barker Bennett
Robina Barker Bennett is a true pioneer of the fund finance industry whose leadership helped shape the market into what it is today. As one of the original senior leaders in the space, she played a critical role in building Lloyds Banking Group's subscription finance business at a time when fund finance was still a niche and largely unproven product. Through her vision and strategic leadership, she helped transform subscription finance from a specialist offering into a widely accepted and commercially significant financing solution for the alternative investment community.
Robina was also instrumental in the development of secondary NAV financing, helping position Lloyds as an early leader in what has become one of the industry's fastest-growing and most dynamic segments. The platform she helped establish earned Lloyds a reputation as one of the most respected and enduring lenders in fund finance—a legacy that continues today.
Her impact extends far beyond individual transactions or business lines. Robina's success in fund finance laid the foundation for an extraordinary career that included serving as Head of Financial Institutions, Audit Director, and ultimately Chief Operating Officer of Lloyds Consumer Lending. Her progression reflects not only exceptional professional achievement but also the breadth of her leadership and influence.
Now retired, Robina's contributions continue to resonate throughout the industry. Her work helped build the foundations of modern fund finance, and her influence can be seen in the growth of the market, the strength of the institutions she helped shape, and the many professionals she mentored and inspired throughout her career. Few individuals have had such a lasting impact on the development of the fund finance market.