The pharmaceuticals sector celebrated a double-win last night at the seventh European Business Awards gala ceremony in Athens, sponsored by RSM International. Competing with over 100 businesses from across Europe, the two companies from Portugal and Spain beat stiff competition to be crowned European Business Awards winners.

Jaba Recordati S.A. from Portugal won the Employer of the Year Award, while Spain’s Galenicum Health S.L won the Business of the Year Award [€26-150m].

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, comments: “Out of the 100 plus companies taking part in this year’s European Business Awards, only five came from the pharmaceuticals sector and yet, what an achievement it is for the sector to have two of those honoured with these coveted awards.”

Jaba Recordati S.A., which is part of an international pharmaceutical group dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals for primary care, won the Employer of the Year Award. With performance levels well ahead of its major competitors, achieving 9% sales growth in 2012, the company has shown great commitment in rewarding its workforce through the development of a social responsibility project, a special staff bonus scheme, and an Academy project to develop new employee competences.

Galenicum, a pharmaceutical company started by three entrepreneurs with the dream of making affordable medicine available to everyone, won having impressed the judges with its dedication to research and development, and its ambitious business model. In ten years it has established itself through its innovative approach and strong financial results.

Olea Medical, a French software developer which develops and sell innovative software for the accurate and rapid diagnosis of life-threatening diseases, also won the Award for Innovation, due to its disciplined approach to development and enhancement of existing technologies. The vision, expertise and technological innovation of Olea Medical has established itself with huge credibility which it aims to expand rapidly to healthcare practitioners worldwide.

Supported by RSM, the leading global audit, tax and advisory network, the European Business Awards has engaged with over 17,000 businesses in 31 countries this year, to find ten finalists (‘Ruban d’Honneur’ recipients) in each of its ten Award categories. In addition, 30 businesses that received the most votes in each country from a two-stage public vote have been named National Public Champions. This year’s public vote generated over 93,000 votes from across Europe.

All of the Ruban d’Honneur recipients and National Public Champions celebrated at a Gala Event held at the Westin Astir Palace Resort, Athens in Greece on 27 May, and ten category winners and one European Public Champion were announced in front of an audience of over 400 business leaders, academics, media and political representatives from across Europe.

The European Business Awards is an independent awards programme designed to recognise and promote excellence, best practice and innovation in the European business community. It connects the best in European business, across borders, business size and sector and provides an active platform to inspire debate and shape future trends in the European business community.

In the 2013/14 competition, the seventh in its history, all EU member markets were represented plus Turkey, Norway and Macedonia and their combined revenue exceeded €1 trillion, generated profits of over €50 billion.

For more information on the European Business Awards, and to download pictures of the winners please visit:www.businessawardseurope.com

ENDS