Last call for entries as Phase 2 entry deadline approaches

Only three weeks remain for Europe’s most innovative and entrepreneurial businesses to enter the 2011 European Business Awards and see their achievements recognised in front of peers, politicians and media across the region.  Entries for Europe’s toughest business competition, sponsored by HSBC, will close at noon (GMT) on 23rd June 2011  for Phase 2* countries.

In 2010 the Awards engaged with over 15,000 companies and saw entries from a diverse group of businesses, ranging from fish farming to renewable energy and light aircraft to skincare, with a combined turnover greater than €766 billion Euros (6% of EU GDP) and employing over 3.5 million people.

Due to the quality of the entrants and the rigor of the judging process, only the best are selected to become Country Representatives. Finalists receive a Ruban d’Honneur in each of the Awards’ ten categories and overall winners earn themselves a prestigious European Business Award, the ultimate honour in European business. The winners of the European Business Awards will be revealed in Barcelona in November before hundreds of Europe’s senior figures in politics, business and the media. 

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards says, “At the European Business Awards, we aim to honour the leaders in sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation at the absolute cutting edge. We urge every business to enter the competition to gain the recognition that they deserve and to benchmark themselves against the best businesses in Europe. If your business is doing something great, you should shout about it!”

John Casey, HSBC Head of Commercial Banking, Continental Europe, said of the Awards: “We are calling for companies which have flourished through challenging times, innovated effectively out of the downturn or are delivering sustainable business with positive results to enter.  The awards celebrate and reward the strategic excellence that has enabled many companies to survive – and thrive – over the last year. But crucially, in a time when the emerging markets are growing at rapid pace, the awards help us to demonstrate Europe’s credentials as a centre for business excellence to the rest of the business world.”

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM International, commented: "I encourage innovative and entrepreneurial businesses from across Europe to enter these awards. Businesses that have thrived over  the last year, despite challenging times, have done so because of the passion and drive of its people. These individuals deserve to be recognised and the EBA provides that platform."

BG Srinivas, SVP, and Member of Executive Council, Infosys, added: “As one of the only pan-European business awards of its kind, EBA have recognised all facets of European business excellence since 2006 and Infosys is glad to be associated with the awards since many years. Each of the winner depicts market leadership in growth, innovation, ethical business practices and financial returns. As we get closer to last date for nominations in 2011, I wish all nominees the best and invite deserving European enterprises to come forward and share their approach to excellence with everyone.”

If you want to join the best of European business and would like to register your interest in the awards, please go here or contact our entries team on + 44 (0)20 7234 3535, email info@businessawardseurope.com  
ENDS

European Business Awards enquiries:
Emilie Fournet, PR Manager
T: +44 (0) 207 234 3546
E: emilie.fournet@businessawardseurope.com
 

HSBC enquiries:
Nick Pickles, Consolidated PR
T: +44(0)20 7781 2300
E: hsbceurope@consolidatedpr.com
 
EDITORS NOTES
*Phase 2 Countries
Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal. Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.