Best of European Business
<h>Never has Europe</h> had greater need for world-beating companies. In a continent that worries continually about its economic performance, those that simply get down to the business of competing at the highest level richly deserve to be celebrated. That is why the Financial Times and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, the international consultancy group, are joining together to launch the Best of European Business Awards. Our aim is to highlight Europe's best performers, encourage others to emulate their success, and thereby contribute to a climate of ambition and economic progress. The National Contest The first stage will involve national competitions in seven countries - the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland and Portugal - to judge companies with the best record for growth, value generation and innovation. In each category there will be separate prizes for mid-sized and large companies. There will be a special category rewarding successful corporate strategies in the "New Europe" - encompassing the eight new European Union member states of central and eastern Europe, accession candidates Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Croatia, as well as Russia and Ukraine. These national competitions will be run in association with media partners in each country, including our sister publications Enjeux Les Echos in France and Financial Times Deutschland in Germany. Results will be announced at gala dinners in September and October, and reported in the FT. The Best in Europe | ||
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Companies operating in other European countries will not be left out. The national prizes will be followed by a "European Summit" in Brussels in November, at which winners will be announced who have achieved the best performance in growth, value generation and corporate governance across the continent. The judges will award an overall "Best European Company" prize. The shortlist for the Europe-level awards will be drawn from companies operating anywhere in Europe, regardless of their country of origin. It will include companies with headquarters outside Europe, but which play an important role. Shortlists for all the awards will be drawn up by Roland Berger analysts. There is no need to apply, since the intention is to select winners from the entire spectrum. Judging the Entries Independent juries for the national competitions and the European awards will comprise respected business names, along with academics and representatives of the partners. Judges already nominated in France include Jean-Cyril Spinetta, chief executive of Air France; Lindsay Owen-Jones, chief executive of L'Oreal; Henri Proglio, chief executive of Veolia; Louis Schweitzer, chairman and chief executive of Renault; and Roland Berger's Vincent Mercier. In the UK, the panel includes Sir Digby Jones, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry; Jeff Randall, business editor of the BBC; Sir Peter Middleton, former chairman of Barclays Bank; Donald Brydon, chairman of Axa Investment Managers; John Peace, chief executive of GUS; Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of Boots; Charles Dunstone, chief executive of Carphone Warehouse; Roland Berger's David Stern; FT columnist John Kay; and Andrew Gowers, editor of the FT. Jurors in other countries will be announced soon. Brian Groom, Financial Times If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us:  |
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