The European Business Awards
Encyclopedia
About the Awards
The European Business Awards is a European awards programme started in 2006. The European Business Awards sponsored by HSBCHSBC
HSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
is an independent Awards programme designed to recognise and promote excellence, best practice and innovation in the European business community. Judged in line with the broad aims of the European Union and business representative groups across the member states, the Awards celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2011.
Since its launch in 2006 the European Business Awards has established itself as the ultimate platform for outstanding businesses in the EU. Designed to celebrate exceptional results across a variety of categories, the EBAs are a global showcase for the best in the business.
Every year the European Business Awards is judged by a prestigious panel of experts and involves some of Europe’s key political figures. Past participants have included Yves Leterme
Yves Leterme
Yves Camille Désiré Leterme is a Flemish Belgian politician, a leader of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party , and the 48th Prime Minister of Belgium.Leterme was the Prime Minister of Belgium from March 2008 to December 2008...
, Prime Minister of Belgium,Emil Constantinescu
Emil Constantinescu
Emil Constantinescu was President of Romania from 1996 to 2000.He graduated from the law school of the University of Bucharest, and subsequently started a career as a geologist...
, former President of Romania
President of Romania
The President of Romania is the head of state of Romania. The President is directly elected by a two-round system for a five-year term . An individual may serve two terms...
; Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel OIH was the third President of the Republic of Estonia from October 8, 2001 to October 9, 2006. He was the second President since Estonia regained its independence in 1991....
, former President of Estonia
President of Estonia
The President of the Republic is the head of state of the Republic of Estonia.Estonia is a parliamentary republic, therefore President is mainly a symbolic figure and holds no executive power. The President has to suspend his membership in any political party for his term in office...
; and Petar Stoyanov
Petar Stoyanov
Petar Stefanov Stoyanov is a former President of Bulgaria from 1997 until 2002. He was elected as a candidate of the Union of Democratic Forces...
, former President of Bulgaria; business leaders including Isidoro Unda, CEO of Atradius, Peter Brabeck-Lethmathe, former CEO of Nestle
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
, and Gilbert Ghostine, Managing director of Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
Continental Europe; top academics and media representatives from Europe’s most influential media owners.
There are no borders in business, and the Awards celebrate successes of the entire European business community, as well as the achievements of individual countries. Every year, thousands of entries from businesses far and wide are received. Due to the quality of the entrants and the rigor of the judging process, only the crème de la crème are selected to represent their country. Finalists receive a Ruban d’Honneur and overall winners earn themselves a prestigious European Business Award, the ultimate honour in European business.
Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards says, “The European Business Awards provide dynamic and forward thinking businesses a platform to showcase their achievements and share their success with other like-minded companies. Now, more than ever we need to consider how the European economy trades globally and we need brave enterprising European businesses who invest in innovation and excellence to lead the way. This is an opportunity for Europe’s brightest businesses to gain the recognition they deserve on a global stage.”
Participating countries
Phase 1 Countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Malta, Poland.
Phase 2 Countries: Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia.
Structure
The Judging ProcessThe first phase of judging is undertaken by an independent panel who rigorously select up to 25 companies to represent their country (not category based) and be entered into the next round of the competition.
The second phase of the Awards programme involves judges evaluating the entries and selecting the top scoring companies to become the Ruban d’Honneur recipients in each category.
If an organisation is selected as a Ruban d’Honneur recipient they are invited to attend face-to-face presentations and interviews to a panel of judges for the third stage of judging, who then determine the overall winner of each category.
All Ruban d’Honneur recipients will be invited to attend the Awards presentation ceremony where they will be honoured and the overall Award winners revealed in front of Europe’s top business leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, business commentators, and media.
Judging Panels
Judges are invited to participate in the European Business Awards based on their experience, business acumen and expertise. Each panel includes different nationalities and the judges are naturally well-versed in the cultural aspects of each of the finalist’s countries. The judges are fully independent and receive no personal or financial benefit from their participation, other than first-hand experience of finalists’ success stories, and the opportunity to influence, encourage and promote the highest standards of business.
Some of the judges that have sat on the panels are:
Emil Constantinescu
Emil Constantinescu
Emil Constantinescu was President of Romania from 1996 to 2000.He graduated from the law school of the University of Bucharest, and subsequently started a career as a geologist...
, former President of Romania
President of Romania
The President of Romania is the head of state of Romania. The President is directly elected by a two-round system for a five-year term . An individual may serve two terms...
Arnold Ruutel
Arnold Rüütel
Arnold Rüütel OIH was the third President of the Republic of Estonia from October 8, 2001 to October 9, 2006. He was the second President since Estonia regained its independence in 1991....
, former President of Estonia
President of Estonia
The President of the Republic is the head of state of the Republic of Estonia.Estonia is a parliamentary republic, therefore President is mainly a symbolic figure and holds no executive power. The President has to suspend his membership in any political party for his term in office...
Petar Stoyanov
Petar Stoyanov
Petar Stefanov Stoyanov is a former President of Bulgaria from 1997 until 2002. He was elected as a candidate of the Union of Democratic Forces...
, former President of Bulgaria
Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM International
RSM International
RSM International is a professional services network. It is the 6th largest accounting network of independently owned and managed accounting, auditing and tax firms with over 700 offices in 80 countries....
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis
Georgios Chatzimarkakis is a German politician of Greek descent, Member of the European Parliament with the Free Democratic Party of Germany ....
, MEP
Oliver Rapf, CEO of World Wildlife Fund
Wim Kok
Wim Kok
Willem "Wim" Kok ; born September 29, 1938) is a retired Dutch politician of the Labour Party . He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from August 22, 1994 until July 22, 2002....
, former Prime Minister of The Netherlands
Prime Minister of the Netherlands
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands is the chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Netherlands. He is the de facto head of government of the Netherlands and coordinates the policy of the government...
Jon Houseman, former Managing Director of The Wall Street Journal Europe
The Wall Street Journal Europe
The Wall Street Journal Europe is a daily English-language newspaper that covers global and regional business news for Europe, the Middle East and Africa...
Jose Maria Aznar
José María Aznar
José María Alfredo Aznar López served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 1996 to 2004. He is on the board of directors of News Corporation.-Early life:...
, former Prime Minister of Spain
Prime Minister of Spain
The President of the Government of Spain , sometimes known in English as the Prime Minister of Spain, is the head of Government of Spain. The current office is established under the Constitution of 1978...
The categories that businesses can enter include:
The Award for Environmental and Corporate Sustainability
The Award for Customer Focus
The Employer of the Year Award
The HSBC
HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
International Growth Strategy of the Year Award
The RSM International
RSM International
RSM International is a professional services network. It is the 6th largest accounting network of independently owned and managed accounting, auditing and tax firms with over 700 offices in 80 countries....
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The UKTI Award for Innovation
The HSBC
HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
Import/Export Award
The Infosys
Infosys
Infosys Limited, formerly Infosys Technologies Limited is a global technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is the second largest IT exporter in India with 133,560 employees as of March 2011. It has offices in 33 countries and development centers in India, China,...
Business of the Year Award (T/O €0-25m)
The Infosys
Infosys
Infosys Limited, formerly Infosys Technologies Limited is a global technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is the second largest IT exporter in India with 133,560 employees as of March 2011. It has offices in 33 countries and development centers in India, China,...
Business of the Year Award (T/O €26-150m)
The Infosys
Infosys
Infosys Limited, formerly Infosys Technologies Limited is a global technology services company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is the second largest IT exporter in India with 133,560 employees as of March 2011. It has offices in 33 countries and development centers in India, China,...
Business of the Year Award (T/O €150m+)
The European Business Awards Winners
2011The Award for Environmental and Corporate Sustainability –
Mercator Group (Slovenia)
The Employer of the Year Award –
Global Bilgi A.Ş. (Turkey)
The HSBC Growth Strategy of the Year Award –
Software AG
Software AG
Founded in 1969, Software AG is an enterprise software company with over 10,000 enterprise customers in over 70 countries. The company is the second largest software vendor in Germany, the fourth in Europe and among the top 25 globally...
(Germany)
The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award –
Maesa Group (Julien Saada & Gregory Mager) (France)
The Award for Customer Focus –
TAXIS G7 (France)
The Infosys Business of the Year Award with Turnover of €0-25m –
Companeo (France)
The Infosys Business of the Year Award with Turnover of €26-150m –
bigpoint (Germany)
The Infosys Business of the Year Award with Turnover €150m or higher –
H&M
H&M
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing offerings for women, men, teenagers and children....
(Sweden)
The UKTI Award for Innovation –
SENER (Spain)
The HSBC Import/Export Award -
Sheffield Forgemasters International (UK)
Chairman’s Selection –
Byurakn LLC (Armenia)
2010
The Award for Corporate Sustainability –
Fairtrade Foundation (UK)
The Employer of the Year Award –
&Samhoud (Netherlands)
The HSBC Growth Strategy of the Year Award –
Infinis (UK)
The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award –
Taxback.com (Ireland)
The Award for Customer Focus –
Etiketten Carini (Austria)
The Infosys Business of the Year Award –
Milicom International Cellular SA(Luxembourg)
The Environmental Awareness Award –
A.P Moller Maersk Group (Denmark)
The UKTI Award for Innovation –
Pipistrel d.o.o Ajdovscina (Slovenia)
The Infosys Business of the Year Award (below 60M Euro) –
Softonic.com
Softonic.com
Softonic.com is a software download portal based in Barcelona, Spain, founded in 1997. Since 2007, the portal has included a blog called OnSoftware...
(Spain)
Chairman’s Selection –
Wissol Group (Georgia)
2009
The Business Innovation of the Year Award –
Tennant Company
The Atradius Growth Strategy of the Year Award –
Webmart Ltd
The Award for Customer Focus –
Air Berlin
Air Berlin
Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG is Germany's second largest airline, after Lufthansa, and Europe's sixth largest airline in terms of passengers....
The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award –
Duncan Goose, Global Ethics Ltd
The Award for Corporate Sustainability –
Acciona S.A.
The Infosys ICT Effectiveness Award -
FreeFlow
The Employer of the Year Award –
FedEx Express
The Environmental Awareness Award –
Manchester Rusk Company Ltd
The bigmouthmedia Marketing Strategy of the Year Award –
DVLA
The Business of the Year Award –
Q-Cells SE
2008
The RSM International
RSM International
RSM International is a professional services network. It is the 6th largest accounting network of independently owned and managed accounting, auditing and tax firms with over 700 offices in 80 countries....
Entrepreneur of the Year Award -
Steve Leach, Group CEO of Bigmouthmedia
The Award for Corporate Sustainability -
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
The Société Générale
Société Générale
Société Générale S.A. is a large European Bank and a major Financial Services company that has a substantial global presence. Its registered office is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, while its head office is in the Tours Société Générale in the business district of La...
Award for Customer Focus -
Isuzu Truck (UK) Limited
The Business Innovation of the Year Award -
Intamac Systems Ltd
The CMS Business of the Year Award -
Econcern
Econcern
Econcern was an international holding company, consisting of five operating companies: Ecofys, Evelop, Ecostream, Ecoventures and OneCarbon. These companies deliver solutions for renewable energy and carbon credits, with a mission to "ensure a sustainable energy supply for everyone"...
The Atradius
Atradius
With an estimated 31% global market share, Atradius is one of the world’s largest trade credit insurers. The company, rated A- by Standard and Poor turned over €1.5 billion in 2010....
Growth Strategy of the Year Award -
Petrotechnics Limited
The Business Leader of the Year Award -
Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo
Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo
Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo currently chairs the committee for World Design Capital Helsinki 2012, and is the former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Nokia, as well former board member for Nokia Siemens Networks.-Career:Kallasvuo joined Nokia in 1980 as Corporate Counsel, and has held...
, President and CEO of Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
2007
The CMS Business of the Year Award -
ARM Holdings
ARM Holdings
ARM Holdings plc is a British multinational semiconductor and software company headquartered in Cambridge. Its largest business is in processors, although it also designs, licenses and sells software development tools under the RealView and KEIL brands, systems and platforms, system-on-a-chip...
plc
The AXA
AXA
AXA S.A. is a French global insurance group headquartered in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. AXA is a conglomerate of independently run businesses, operated according to the laws and regulations of many different countries. The AXA group of companies engage in life, health and other forms of...
Award for Corporate Sustainability -
HP Corporation EMEA
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award -
Hans-Martin Rueter of Conergy AG
The Grey EMEA Growth Strategy of the Year Award -
Innocent Drinks
Innocent Drinks
Innocent Drinks is a UK-based company founded in 1999 whose primary business is producing smoothies and flavoured spring water, sold in supermarkets, coffee shops and various other outlets nationally as well as in Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland...
The Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
Business Innovation of the Year Award -
CoreMedia AG
The Société Générale
Société Générale
Société Générale S.A. is a large European Bank and a major Financial Services company that has a substantial global presence. Its registered office is on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, while its head office is in the Tours Société Générale in the business district of La...
Award for Customer Focus -
TNT
TNT
TNT is the chemical explosive trinitrotoluene.TNT or T.N.T. may also refer to:-Television:* TNT , American cable television channel and its international offshoots* TNT , a television station in Launceston, Australia...
Express
The Business Leader of the Year Award -
Jean-Paul Votron, CEO Fortis
Fortis (finance)
Fortis N.V./S.A. was a company active in insurance, banking and investment management. In 2007 it was the 20th largest business in the world by revenue but after encountering severe problems in the financial crisis of 2008, most of the company was sold in parts, with only insurance activities...