Europe’s 12 best businesses are celebrating after being named winners in the 2014/15 European Business Awards, sponsored by RSM, at an exclusive awards ceremony in London was attended by leading business leaders, politicians, ambassadors and academics from across Europe.
The winning businesses have achieved their success after 16 months in the largest, and one of the toughest, business competitions in Europe, which this year attracted over 24,000 businesses and generated over 170,000 votes from the public.
Business VIPs presented trophies to the 11 category winners of the competition, the ‘European Public Champion’, and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award (listed overleaf).
Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, the 7th largest network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, said: “The calibre of this year’s competition finalists is outstanding. The extraordinary entrepreneurialism, innovation and business success demonstrated by the Ruban d’Honneurs and the overall category winners shows how much can be achieved in challenging market conditions. At RSM, we believe it is important to champion business excellence as successful and thriving companies are an integral force in driving growth and stimulating economies. All those involved are a credit to their country and we wish them every success for the future.”
Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards, added: “These brilliant businesses are the best of the best. They are adapting, innovating, achieving financial success and creating strong growth opportunities. Together they are forging a stronger business community in Europe and creating a better future for us all.”
Monika Marečková, Managing Partner RSM CZ, added: “The Czech Republic had five great opportunities in the final contest, which is more than last year and I think it is a big success. As the nominations for the 2015/2016 awards have just opened, I’m convinced that also this year, we will find strong Czech companies to represent us at next year’s awards.”
The 11 category winners went through a process of written submissions, video entry judging and face-to-face interviews, and were shortlisted as one of 709 National Champions and 110 Ruban d’Honneur recipients before reaching the final.
In the 2014/15 competition, all EU member markets were represented plus Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The combined revenue exceeded €1.5 trillion, and together they generated profits of over €60 billion and employ over 2.5 million people.
Supported since their inception by lead sponsor and promoter RSM International, the European Business Awards’ is now in its 9th year and its primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe.
For further information about the entering the European Business Awards, the 2015 winners, and to download pictures from the evening, please visit www.businessawardseurope.com.
The winners
About the European Business Awards
The European Business Awards’ primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe.
For all of the citizens of Europe, our prosperity, social and healthcare systems are reliant on businesses creating an even stronger, more innovative, successful, international and ethical business community – one that forms the beating heart of an increasingly globalised economy.
The European Business Awards programme serves the European business community in three ways:
- It celebrates and endorses individuals’ and organisations’ success
- It provides and promotes examples of excellence for the business community to aspire to
- It engages with the European business community to create debate on key issues
The European Business Awards is now in its 9th year. It attracted over 24,000 businesses to the competition last year and in the public vote generated over 170,000 votes from across Europe. www.businessawardseurope.com.
About RSM International
RSM International is the 7th largest network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, encompassing over 112 countries, 700 offices and 37,400 people internationally. The network’s total fee income is US$4.4 billion. RSM is the 6th largest provider of tax services and audit and accounting services worldwide.
RSM International is the lead sponsor and corporate champion of the European Business Awards promoting commercial excellence and recognition of entrepreneurial brilliance.
RSM International is a member of the Forum of Firms. The objective of the Forum of Firms is to promote consistent and high quality standards of financial and auditing practices worldwide.
RSM is the brand used by a network of independent accounting and advisory firms each of which practices in its own right. RSM International Limited does not itself provide any accounting and advisory services. Member firms are driven by a common vision of providing high quality professional services, both in their domestic markets and in serving the international professional service needs of their client base. www.rsmi.com