RSM, the seventh largest global accounting network, has become the lead sponsor for the European Business Awards to April 2014. This is the sixth year in which RSM has supported the Awards programme, but the first time the network has chosen to become lead sponsor and spearhead the prestigious European awards.

The European Business Awards has been spotlighting the most innovative and successful European businesses since 2007. Entrants are judged on three main criteria: success, innovation and ethics. Awards are presented in ten categories, including the RSM Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Entries for the 2013/14 Awards programme are open until 21 June 2013, from which up to 800 National Champions will then be shortlisted. Judges will then meet in January 2014, to select the top scoring companies from the pool of National Champions across Europe to become Ruban d’Honneur recipients in each of the award categories.

Those companies successfully selected as Ruban d’Honneur recipients will attend the final judging phase in February/March 2014, where they will give face-to-face presentations and interviews with a panel of expert judges, who will then determine the overall category winners in the Europe-wide competition.

The Ruban d’Honneur recipients will be honoured and winners announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony in April 2014.

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, comments: “As one of the world's largest audit, tax and advisory networks, we are committed to promoting quality and excellence in business and championing the role of the entrepreneur in today’s world economy. We are proud to be the lead sponsor and corporate champion of the European Business Awards. Despite the difficult economic environment, Europe is home to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative businesses and it is important that we recognise and learn from that success to inspire others.”

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards commented, “It is with great pleasure that we welcome RSM as our Lead Sponsor for the European Business Awards. Through its global network, RSM is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurial firms to develop dynamic and successful business strategies. This aligns perfectly with the ambitions of the European Business Awards programme, which aims to create an innovative and ethical business platform where the best companies in Europe can learn from each other, share best practice and stimulate the debate about the future shape of the European business community. Together with RSM, we are confident we can help all our entrants to develop a clear, confident vision of the future.”

For the 2012/13 programme, over 15,000 businesses have been involved from 28 countries across Europe. 100 National Champions have just been announced as Ruban d’Honneur finalists from which only ten businesses Europe-wide will be announced as overall winners in April this year.

ENDS