Europe’s best businesses celebrate success across the continent

RSM and UKTI host events with the European Business Awards to honour the 2014/5 National Champions

Over the next three months, exclusive business events are being held across Europe, sponsored by RSM International, the seventh largest global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms, and UK Trade & Investment, in celebration of the businesses named as ‘National Champions’ in the European Business Awards 2014/15.

These events will see business leaders from across Europe come together to celebrate their success in the competition so far and provide an opportunity to network with each other. They will also hear from special guest speakers; giving their insight into the business climate across Europe and providing advice on maximising growth and opportunities.

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM International, commented: “It is important to celebrate business success and RSM is proud to host a number of these special events. The vast range of businesses across different sectors and industries that have been named as National Champions – from entrepreneurial start-ups to large multi-country corporations – is a true indication that businesses of all shapes and sizes can exhibit growth and success in today’s Europe.”

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards, said: “When businesses still face economic challenges it is more important than ever before to promote and celebrate those who are achieving impressive results. Thanks to RSM and UKTI we are able to do that, as well as host more events this year than last year.”

A panel of independent judges, including senior business and academic leaders, selected 709 National Champions from 33 countries across Europe. The European Business Awards engaged with over 24,000 companies during the 2014-15 programme, a 40% increase from last year and a record-breaking number for the competition, now in its eighth year.

As part of the celebrations events will be taking place in the following countries:

Ireland 13.11.14

Romania 24.11.14

Macedonia 26.11.14

Germany 01.12.14

Cyprus 04.12.14

The Netherlands (to celebrate companies from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg) 08.12.14

Denmark (to celebrate for business from Denmark, Sweden and Norway) 10.12.14

France 13.01.15

Greece 15.01.15

Italy 16.01.15

UK 20.01.15

Details of the National Champions for each country can be found at www.businessawardseurope.com

The next round of the competition requires the National Champions to make a presentation video, telling their unique story and explaining their business success. The judges will award the best of this group the coveted ‘Ruban d’Honneur’ status. Ruban d’Honneur recipients will then go on be part of the grand finale in June 2015.

Separately, the National Champion videos will be made public on the European Business Awards website www.businessawardseurope.com as part of a two stage public vote, which will decide the ‘National Public Champions’ for each country. Videos go live and open for public voting on 6th January 2015.

The European Business Awards was set up to recognise and reward excellence, best practice and innovation in companies of all sizes and sectors across theEuropean business community. For further information about the European Business Awards and RSM please go to www.businessawardseurope.com or www.rsmi.com

Ends

EBA: Vanessa Wood at the European Business Awards on +44 (0) 796 6666 657 or email vanessa.wood@businessawardseurope.com

RSM: Gillian Hawkes at the RSM newsroom (gillian.hawkes@rsmi.com) or Cubitt Consulting: Rose Schreiber (Rose.Schreiber@Cubitt.com)

About RSM International

RSM International is the seventh 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$4.5 billion. 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.

2014 marks an exceptional year for RSM International as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

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. www.gov.uk/ukti

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.

www.businessawardseurope.com.