110 Businesses Reach Final of Prestigious European Business Awards

LONDON, February 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

110 businesses from 31 European countries have been named as the finalists and Ruban d'Honneur recipients in the 2014/15 European Business Awards sponsored by RSM.

The 110 finalists were chosen from 709 National Champions by an esteemed panel of judges, consisting of European business and political leaders, academics and entrepreneurs. The judges will now undertake face-to-face interviews with each finalist in order to decide the overall winners of the Awards' eleven categories, to be announced later this year.

Now in its 8^th year, the European Business Awards 2014-15 has engaged with over 24,000 businesses, from 33 European countries.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards said: "To survive in this economic climate is hard enough, so to innovate, prosper and expand in the way this year's Ruban d'Honneur recipients have is truly remarkable. Europe needs more companies like these. Well done to them all."

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, the seventh largest global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms and the lead sponsor of the European Business Awards, said: "At RSM we are passionate about helping businesses succeed in Europe and across the world. These 110 businesses are typical of those that our member firms work with on a daily basis, and it is so encouraging to see this growth, prosperity and excellence celebrated today. We wish them well in the third and final round of judging and look forward to announcing the overall category winners at our Gala Event."

Running alongside the competition's internal judging process is a public vote which will decide the 'Public Champions' of the competition. To vote for your favourite company go to http://www.businessawardeurope.com. The National winners of the public vote will be announced on 3rd March, 2015.

Supported since their inception by lead sponsor and promoter RSM, the European Business Awards was set up to recognise and reward excellence, best practice and innovation across the European business community.

For more information on the Awards, the Ruban d'Honneur winners by country and the public vote please visit http://www.businessawardseurope.com and follow us on twitter at @rsmEBA

About the European Business Awards 2014/15:  

The European Business Awards recognises and rewards excellence, best practice and innovation in companies across the European Union. The competition is free to enter and open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector.

The European Business Awards programme serves three purposes for the European business community:

•    It provides examples for the business community in which to aspire

•    It celebrates and endorses individuals' and organisations' success

•    It provides case studies and content for learning from these exceptional organizations

An innovative, strong and thriving business community makes a successful and prosperous Europe. http://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.

http://www.rsmi.com  

About UK Trade & Investment: 

UKTI works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports and encourages and supports overseas companies to look at the UK as the best place to set up or expand their business.

http://www.gov.uk/ukti

The European Business Awards Judges: 

A panel of over 150 judges consisting of leading business figures, academics, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and political leaders preside over the judging process, including support from the following:

• Karel De Gucht (former EU Trade Commissioner)
• Yves Leterme (Belgian Prime Minister)
• Jose Aznar (former Prime Minister of Spain)
• Arnold Rüütel (former Prime Minister of Estonia)
• Emil Constantinescu (former President of Romania)
• Petar Stoyanov (former President of Bulgaria)
• Isidoro Unda (CEO of Atradius)
• Peter Brabeck-Lethmathe (former CEO of Nestle)
• Gilbert Ghostine (Managing Director of Diageo Continental Europe)

SOURCE European Business Awards