Best international business news reporting in any medium
AWARD YEAR: 2023
AWARD NAME: The Malcom Forbes and Morton Frank Award 2023
RECIPIENT: Miles Johnson
AFFILIATION: Financial Times
HONORED WORK: “Wagner Inc: The Criminal Empire of Yevgeny Prigozhin”
Despite repeated threats, Financial Times investigative reporter Miles Johnson plumbed the depths of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner, Inc. business empire. Johnson’s reporting exposed how Western lawyers and other professionals helped the late Russian criminal known as “Putin’s chef” evade international sanctions. Johnson also illuminated how the mercenary’s forces pillaged Africa and Ukraine, looting, raping, torturing, committing arson and murdering many, including journalists.
Links to the winning work:
“Wagner Inc: A Russian warlord and his lawyers”
“Wagner leader generated $250mn from sanctioned empire”
“Horses, art and private jets: the charmed life of Russian warlord’s family”
Citation for Excellence:
Spencer Woodman, Neil Weinberg, Delphine Reuter, David Kenner, Matei Rosca and Staff
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists
“Cyprus Confidential”