The Managing Director Awards (2026)
EU Business News is thrilled to unveil the Managing Director of the Year Awards. A programme designed to spotlight the remarkable individuals steering European businesses toward growth, resilience, and future-focused success.
Entries opened: Monday 12th January 2026
Entries closing: Thursday 26th February 2026
Winners to be announced: May 2026
EU Business News is thrilled to unveil the very first edition of the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026. A brand-new programme designed to spotlight the remarkable individuals steering European businesses toward growth, resilience, and future-focused success.
As the newest addition to EU Business News’ prestigious repertoire of award programmes, this launch marks an exciting milestone. For years, our awards have championed innovation, excellence, and achievement across the continent. Now, for the first time, we turn the spotlight solely onto the Managing Directors whose vision, decision-making, and leadership shape the heart of every successful organisation.
In an era of rapid change and increasing responsibility, the role of the MD has never been more critical. Whether guiding a company through expansion, transformation, or complex market challenges, Managing Directors sit at the forefront of strategic excellence. The Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026 celebrates those individuals whose leadership not only drives results, but also inspires teams, strengthens communities, and elevates industry standards across Europe.
Nominations are now open, welcoming entries from Managing Directors themselves, their teams, or third-party nominators. Winners will be selected purely on merit, with a focus on impact, leadership quality, and long-term value creation.
Why Take Part?
- Celebrate Leadership Excellence – Gain recognition as one of Europe’s standout Managing Directors.
- Strengthen Your Professional Reputation – Benefit from respected, third-party validation from EU Business News.
- Amplify Your Organisation’s Visibility – Position both yourself and your company in front of an engaged European readership.
- Showcase Your Strategic Impact – Highlight transformative decisions, achievements, and leadership milestones.
- Access Valuable Marketing Assets – Receive a suite of promotional materials to support your communications and PR efforts.
Who Can Enter?
Any Managing Director operating within Europe – across all sectors, company sizes, and business models. Whether you lead a multinational enterprise, a rapidly scaling SME, or a niche specialist firm, this is your opportunity to be recognised on a continental stage.
What We Recognise
- Visionary Leadership – Clear strategic direction, bold decision-making, and long-term business planning.
- Organisational Transformation – Successful change management, digitalisation efforts, or structural improvements.
- People-Centred Leadership – Commitment to workforce development, culture building, and employee wellbeing.
- Operational Excellence – Demonstrated improvements in efficiency, processes, or performance.
- Industry Impact – Positive influence on your sector, community, or the broader European business landscape.
If you’re leading with purpose, shaping meaningful change, and driving your organisation forward, now is the time to be recognised.
Enter the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2026 and be part of this exciting new chapter with EU Business News.
All nominees are researched
The EU Business News team work hard in identifying great businesses, driving many of the nominations themselves. We also encourage external nominations from the subscribers of the magazine, online visitors, social media followers, clients and wider circulation. Nominating parties are invited to put forward either their own business or third-party companies whom they hold in high regard.
Creating the shortlist
All nominees are formally requested to accept their nomination. Should any firm or individual decline at this point, they are simply taken out of the running. Those who formally accept are given the opportunity to submit additional supporting information to cement their nomination. Although there is no obligation to complete and supply material, we have found that many nominees value this stage, in the process, as much as our research team do.
Evaluating the shortlisted nominees
Our dedicated research team will assess all information presented to them. The team gather information independently from a variety of publicly accessible sources, which are assessed alongside any material supplied by a nominating party or the nominee themselves. The research team casts their final judgment, based on various criteria such as: business performance, longevity, business growth (either sustained or rapid), any significant innovations or feedback from stakeholders.
How winners are determined
Once winners are selected, they are personally notified before any public announcement is made, allowing time for any communications throughout the wider business and the coordination of marketing strategies. Unfortunately, not everyone can be a winner; however, all who take part are encouraged to come back next year. Once the press embargo is lifted, details of our award winners will be made public via the website, award winners’ magazine and subscriber newsletter.
Sharing the exciting news
We are prepared to offer a range of promotional packages and items to winners of a EU Business News award, which vary from inclusion in the free-of-charge winners’ directory, to trophies, content in our magazine and on our website.
We encourage all winners to publicly announce their win independently in order to gain maximum exposure for their win. Announcements via company websites, social media, via publicly released press releases, and through local and national press are all great ways of maximising the exposure which can be gained from such a great achievement. If you have need of further advice, on how to publicise your win, please feel free to get in touch. We are happy to assist our clients with their needs.
This award program is in its inaugural year, and currently has no previous winners! Please check back soon to see the winners for this current year.
The Nomination Team can assist with answering any queries that you have regarding a nomination, or the process involved in taking part in one of our award programmes.
Please get in touch with us via email or over the phone if you have any questions - we are happy to help!
It won’t take long. We’ll keep you updated after you’ve submitted your vote!
