European Business Awards announce 2011 Country Representatives for Phase 2 countries

EUROPE’S BEST BUSINESSES SELECTED TO REPRESENT THEIR NATION

The results are now in for the second round of the European Business Awards sponsored by HSBC.  Over 220 exceptional companies have been selected to represent their nation across Europe and compete in the next stage to ultimately win a European Business Award.

For a full list of Country Representatives from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden visit: /country-reps/2011. This builds on the announcement of 185 representatives from other European markets including the UK, Spain, France and Turkey in May.

Adrian Tripp, Chief Executive of the European Business Awards, said: “Each year we witness impressive entries from some outstanding companies with some great stories to tell. This year is no different; the quality of applicants is rising as are the number of entrants, so these organisations who have achieved Country Representative status truly are the best of the best. They will go on to fly the flag for their countries as they battle it out across Europe in the next round to scoop a Ruban d’Honneur.”

John Casey, HSBC Head of Commercial Banking, Continental Europe, commented: “The European Business Awards provide a perfect opportunity to recognise the best of European business and their successes over the past twelve months. These companies have displayed an impressive ability to thrive despite challenging economic conditions, pursuing growth and creating prosperity. Their recognition is highly deserved, and through the European Business Awards their success – and the stories behind that - can be shared across the wider business community.”

The Country Representatives will now be judgedby an eminent panel of economists, academics, business leaders, politicians and media owners. They will evaluate the entries and select the top 100 scoring companies to become Ruban d’Honneur recipients, to be announced on 28^th July.

Ruban d’Honneur recipients will be invited to attend the final stage of the competition in September when they will give face-to-face presentations and interviews to a panel of judges who will determine the overall European Business Award winner in ten categories.

The Ruban d’Honneur winners will be honoured at the gala Awards presentation ceremony at Rey Juan Carlos I in Barcelona on 22^nd November, where the overall European Business Award category winners will be revealed.

ENDS

About the European Business Awards 2011:

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.

The European Business Awards categories are:

The UKTI Award for Innovation

The HSBC International Growth Strategy of the Year Award

The Award for Environmental and Corporate Sustainability

The Award for Customer Focus

The Employer of the Year Award

The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The HSBC Import/Export Award 

The Infosys Business of the Year Award (T/O €0-25m)

The Infosys Business of the Year Award (T/O €26-150m)

The Infosys Business of the Year Award (T/O €150m +)