Aberdeen has won Emerging markets manager of the year for combining sustained leadership in emerging market debt (EMD) with standout 2025 growth, deep research capability, and insurer-focused innovation.

Building on a track record in EMD since the 1990s, Aberdeen grew EMD assets to $22bn in 2025 (from $20bn at end-2024), supported by inflows and performance across hard-currency, local-currency, corporate and frontier strategies.

A notable $500m blended mandate from a US public pension plan - spanning sovereigns, corporates, local debt and up to 10% EM private credit - highlights its ability to design and manage bespoke, multi-sleeve solutions.

For insurance clients, Aberdeen has demonstrated liability-aware portfolio construction and disciplined risk governance. It has seen accelerating demand for EM corporate debt, which offers higher spread per rating than EM sovereigns and developed-market corporates - helping insurers enhance returns while staying efficient against solvency capital requirements.

The judges said: "Strong 2025 record, to go with the history and strong innovation. Breadth of offering to go with depth."