Who were the stars of 2013?

December tends to be a time to reflect – both on the year that's (almost) just gone, and on the year ahead.

That's why we've just released a second edition of Perspectives, our annual overview of what’s really top of mind for LPs as we head into a new year. Based on a survey of institutional investors worldwide, Perspectives examines the issues that LPs are most worried about at the moment – from macro shocks, to allocation issues, to fund terms, to GP strategy. Subscribers can have a read HERE.

But December also means that it's time for you to tell us which groups have outperformed in 2013, by voting in our annual awards. 

It's been a funny old year for private equity: optimism seems to be on the rise (the debt markets have been positively buoyant), but M&A remains sluggish and some countries (not least in the emerging markets) have had a decidedly slow year. Similarly, the fundraising market has seen a growing split between the haves and the have-nots.

Still, there are clearly some groups that have been making hay regardless, as the calibre of our shortlists proves. There are nearly 70 categories to vote on, spread across three regions – EMEA, Asia-Pacific and the Americas – and we encourage you to vote in as many of them as you can. This is a global industry and these are global awards, so what North American LPs think of Asia's finest (for example) is just as relevant and important as the opinion of investors in the region.

To make the process a bit easier, our global edit team has drawn together a shortlist of four for each category, based on our coverage during the year and our conversations with the market. But if you feel strongly that the rightful winner isn't on the list, we've also left you a space to add in your own choice.

These are, after all, your awards – the only private equity awards decided entirely by the industry, for the industry.

We can't wait to hear what you think. CLICK HERE TO START VOTING.