The European Business Awards sponsored by RSM International, has today named 709companies from 33 countries across Europe as ‘National Champions’ in the first stage of the 2014-15 Europe-wide programme.

A panel of independent judges, including senior academic and business leaders, selected the National Champions after the European Business Awards engaged with over 24,000 companies this year, a 40% increase from last year and a record-breaking number for the competition now in its eighth year. 

Many of the categories saw a rise in entrants, with key increases in the Business of the Year Award category in the two turnover brackets of €0-25m and €150m or higher, and the RSM Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  The top three sectors represented this year are IT technology, manufacturing, and food and drink.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards said: “The European Business Awards is going from strength to strength, inspiring businesses to greater success and helping to improve the competitive edge of companies across Europe. Congratulations to all our National Champions, it is a great achievement and I wish them all luck in the next stage.”

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM International, the leading global audit, tax and advisory network, said: “Each year the programme gets more competitive as the number of companies and countries involved increases, and the range of applicants diversifies across industries and sectors. The National Champions announced today have shown commercial excellence in their field and we wish them all the best in the next round of the competition.”

Details of the winners can be found at www.businessawardseurope.com

The next round requires the National Champions to make a presentation video, telling their unique story and explaining their business success. The judges will view all of the National Champions’ videos, and award the best of this group the coveted ‘Ruban d’Honneur’ status.  Ruban d’Honneur recipients will then go on to be part of the grand final in 2015.

Separately, the National Champion videos will be made public on the European Business Awards website www.businessawardseurope.com as part of a two stage public vote, which will decide the ‘National Public Champions’ for each country.  Last year over 93,000 votes were cast as companies from across Europe were publicly supported by their clients, staff and peers, as well as the general public.

Set up to recognise and reward excellence, best practice and innovation in companies of all sizes and sectors across the European business community, The European Business Awards is supported by key influencers including EU Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht.

For further information about the European Business Awards and RSM please go towww.businessawardseurope.com or www.rsmi.com

ENDS