The event – attended by high-level decision makers, business leaders and key partners of EBS and Euronews - was broadcast live by Euronews and translated into 10 languages, streamed on Facebook and the European Leadership Awards website.
This brand new award recognises outstanding achievers in business, politics, entrepreneurship and innovation. Based on 22,504 votes received from the general between 15-31 March 2018 three candidates were shortlisted in each of the five categories: European Personality, Leader, CEO, Entrepreneur and Innovator of the Year.
The winner was selected by a jury of experts from business, academia and media, including Emma Marcegaglia (BusinessEurope), Dr Jacques Bughin (McKinsey), Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl (DIGITALEUROPE), Dr Arno Behrens (CEPS), Dr Beate Degen (Ernst&Young), Jennifer Baker (Freelance Reporter) and Gabriel Gresillon (Les Echos).
THE WINNERS OF THE FIRST EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2018 ARE:
- European Leader of the Year: Emmanuel Macron – President of France
- European Personality of the Year: Florin Badita – Founder of Coruptida Ucide - for his fight to put an end to the decriminalization of Romanian corruption cases
- European Entrepeneur of the Year: Boyan Slat – a 23 year old Dutchman, the founder of Ocean Cleanup, a tool to clean up the oceans of plastic waste
- European Innovator of the Year: Imre Krisztian – Hungarian; his Extended Visual Assistant can significantly improve everyday activities of partially sighted people
- European CEO of the Year: Edyta Kocyk – Polish entrepreneur; designed a telemedical wristband which is now used in some of Europe’s clinics and hospitals
At this gala ceremony Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament presented a special award to Andrew and Mathhew Caruana Galizia in memory of their mother, Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese journalist murdered in Malta on October 16th, 2017. This award pays tribute to Mrs Caruana Galizia’s work in the area of investigative journalism and her dedication to one of the EU’s fundamental values: the freedom of the media.
Jean de Gheldere, CEO of the European Business Summit said: “We are proud to present these awards to outstanding individuals who strengthen the core values of European Union and shape the future of Europe and its citizens”
Michael Peters, CEO, Euronews said: “From political leaders to civil society and economic actors Europe is teeming with talents! I am especially proud to work alongside EBS to create the first European awards that celebrate Europe’s fundamental values”
By: N. Peter Kramer
