The results are now in for the first round of the European Business Awards sponsored by HSBC. 185 exceptional companies have been selected to represent their nation across Europe and compete in the next stage to ultimately win a European Business Award.

A full list of country representatives from the UK, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Malta, Poland, Spain, and Turkey is available at www.businessawardseurope.com/countryreps.

Adrian Tripp, Chief Executive of the European Business Awards, said: “Each year we witness impressive entries from some outstanding companies with some great stories to tell. This year is no different; the quality of applicants is rising as are the number of entrants, so these organisations who have achieved country representative status truly are the best of the best. They will go on to fly the flag for their countries as they battle it out across Europe in the next round to scoop a Ruban d’Honneur.”

Michel Cordina, HSBC Malta Head of Commercial Banking, said: “The European Business Awards provide a perfect opportunity to recognise the best of European business and their successes over the past 12 months. These companies have thrived despite challenging economic conditions, pursuing growth and creating prosperity. Their recognition is highly deserved, and through the European Business Awards their success can be shared across the wider business community. We look forward to celebrating alongside these inspirational businesses and wish them every success at the next stage of judging.”

The country representatives will now be judged by an eminent panel of economists, academics, business leaders, politicians and media owners. They will evaluate the entries and select the top 100 scoring companies to become Ruban d’Honneur recipients, to be announced on 28 July.

Ruban d’Honneur recipients will be invited to attend the final stage in September when they will give face-to-face presentations and interviews to a panel of judges who will determine the overall European Business Award winner in 10 categories.

The Ruban d’Honneur winners will be honoured at the gala awards presentation ceremony in Barcelona on 22 November, where the overall European Business Award category winners will be revealed.