Commonwealth Bank on board to support entrepreneurs

Monday, 22 August 2011 — The Commonwealth Bank has signed a three year agreement to become the new primary sponsor of the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program in Australia and New Zealand.

The sponsorship will see the Commonwealth Bank, and its ASB brand in New Zealand, support the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program which encourages entrepreneurial activity and recognises the achievements of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and contribution to the economy and community.

Ernst & Young Oceania CEO and Managing Partner, Rob McLeod said Ernst & Young was pleased to welcome the Commonwealth Bank as the new primary sponsor of the program, from 1 July 2011.

“The Commonwealth Bank and ASB have a proud history of helping people and businesses achieve their goals, and we are delighted that they are lending their support to Entrepreneur Of The Year and helping us celebrate the achievements of outstanding entrepreneurs across Australia and New Zealand,” Mr McLeod said.

“Entrepreneurs are sculptors of change, forging new and innovative paths through creative thinking, identifying opportunities for innovation, and taking calculated risks in order to break new ground.

“The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are designed to encourage and promote entrepreneurial spirit and recognise the significant contribution these trailblazing individuals make to our local and global economies, as well as to the wider community,” Mr McLeod said.

Symon Brewis-Weston, Executive General Manager of Corporate Financial Services, Commonwealth Bank, said the Bank was proud to begin an association with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, helping to support and encourage business leaders.

“For many years, the Commonwealth Bank has been supporting programs that recognise excellence across all fields of business and the communities in which we work and live,” Mr Brewis-Weston said.

“The inspirational entrepreneurs recognised through the Entrepreneur Of The Year program challenge the business community to innovate and consistently raise the bar for success.

“Commonwealth Bank has a strong history of supporting the community and, aligning with our existing activities in this area, we are also proud to be the naming rights sponsor of the Social Entrepreneur award.”

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is considered the world’s most prestigious business award and the only truly global program of its kind, with 140 cities participating from over 50 countries.

Since launching in New Zealand in 1998 and in Australia in 2001, almost 1,100 outstanding Australian and New Zealand entrepreneurs have been recognised through the Entrepreneur Of The Year program.

Each year nominees first vie for regional award honours, with the regional winners then going on to compete for the national title of Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year in November.

The Australian winner will then travel to Monte Carlo to join an elite list of the very best entrepreneurs from around the globe and contend for the title of Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year.

For more information on the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program go to www.eoy.ey.com.au.

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