THE EUROPEAN BUSINESS AWARDS FOR 2014-2015 ARE OPEN

COMPANIES ACROSS EUROPE INVITED TO ENTER PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

The European Business Awards and lead sponsor RSM International, the leading global audit, tax and advisory network, have today announced the opening of the 8^th European Business Awards; a widely recognised prestigious competition showcasing the best businesses operating across Europe.

Set up to recognise and reward excellence, best practice and innovation across the European business community, last year alone the European Business Awards attracted interest from over 17,000 organisations from over 30 countries, and the final entrants had a combined revenue of over €1 trillion; profits of over €50 billion, and over 2 million employees.

The European Business Awards are known for its high calibre judges with a panel consisting of leading business and political figures, academics, entrepreneurs and thought leaders, with support from key influencers including the former EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of The European Business Awards, said: “We are delighted to open the European Business Awards for 2014-2015 to recognise and celebrate business success. We know from both research and our previous winners that entering can result in huge benefits for a company. It can bring them credibility; a competitive sales advantage and PR and marketing opportunities, plus it helps retain and attract talent and gives them the chance to network with, and benchmark against, the best of the best. We encourage businesses of all sizes and sectors to enter.”

He continued: “Of course we wouldn’t be able to do this without the extraordinary support of our sponsors and we are very pleased to announce RSM International as our lead sponsor again this year.”

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM International said: "As the 7th largest global network of audit, tax and advisory specialists, RSM member firms work with complex and successful businesses across Europe and beyond. We are delighted to continue our lead sponsorship of these awards and support the businesses that take part, helping them to get the recognition they deserve and to further grow their businesses."

To enter this year’s European Business Awards or for more information about the competition please go to www.businessawardseurope.com or call 0207 234 3535 or email emma.cozens@businesssawardseurope.com

Ends

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

RSM: Gill Hawkes, PR & Communication Manager, on +44 (0) 207 601 1092 or email gillian.hawkes@rsmi.com

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 to aspire to

•              It celebrates and endorses individual’s and organisation’s 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.

About RSM International

RSM International is the lead sponsor of the European Business Awards and has sponsored the Awards programme since its inception.

RSM International is a worldwide network of independent accounting and consulting firms. RSM and its member firms are separate and independent legal entities. RSM does not provide accounting or consultancy services, all such services are provided by member firms practicing on their own account. The network’s total fee income of US$3.8 billion places it amongst the top six international accounting organisations worldwide.

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. RSM 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.

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

www.rsmi.com

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 (EU Trade Commissioner)

§  Christine Lagarde (IMF)

§  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)

Additional Europe-wide supporters:

UKTI

UK Trade & Investment is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high-quality investment to the UK’s dynamic economy acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. www.ukti.gov.uk

Infosys

Infosys partners with global enterprises to drive their innovation-led growth. As a leading provider of next-generation consulting technology and outsourcing solutions, Infosys helps clients in more than 30 countries realize their goals. Visit www.infosys.com and see how Infosys (NASDAQ: INFY), with its 160,000+ staff,is Building Tomorrow's Enterprise® today.

BP Target Neutral

BP Target Neutral is BP’s not-for-profit carbon management programme. Set up in 2006 as part of BP’s wider commitment to make a positive difference to the world’s energy requirements today and in the changing world of tomorrow, Target Neutral uses a best-in-class “Reduce, Replace and Neutralise” approach to carbon management, working with companies and consumers who want to reduce their carbon impact. www.bptargetneutral.com