Ernst & Young announces 11 Outstanding Entrepreneurs as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 Award Winners
26 October 2007, Beijing, Shanghai & Hong Kong - Ernst & Young today announces 11 winners of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 Awards. The prestigious awards programme celebrates China’s leading entrepreneurs and their remarkable achievements in helping to transform the Chinese economy and their dedication to the entrepreneurial spirit.
This year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 Awards programme recognises the achievements of 11 outstanding entrepreneurs drawn from a diverse group of industries, comprising Industry & Commerce; Services; Consumer Products; Pharmaceuticals; and IT & Technology. The accolades include a new Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year award category to reward promising business innovators.
The 11 winners were chosen following a rigorous selection process by an Independent Judging Panel, comprising individuals at the forefront of the business and academic communities. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 programme received an unprecedented level of interest this year following the successful launch of the inaugural programme in 2006.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China Awards is part of a global programme dedicated to recognising the world’s most innovative and inspiring business leaders. Today, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year programme accolades entrepreneurs from over 125 cities in 40 countries. No other awards programme goes as deep or wide into as many countries and territories in its search for the most innovative and inspiring entrepreneurs.
Mr. David Sun, Chairman and Managing Partner, Ernst & Young China, says: “The 11 winners selected by the judges illustrate the importance of the contribution made by entrepreneurs to China’s economy and society. Through their insatiable curiosity and determination to succeed, these extraordinary business leaders have created social and economic value for their enterprises. Through the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China programme, we recognise the achievements of these outstanding people, who, through a mixture of innovation, passion and determination, have helped to transform China into the economic giant it is today.”
Mr. Raymond Woo, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 Programme Co- Chairman, says: “Now into its second year, the programme received an unprecedented level of interest from business people from all walks of life, and from a variety of industries. The quality of the nominations was outstanding, and competition was extremely tough, with nominations coming from 16 provinces and territories in China. Ernst & Young has long recognised the value that entrepreneurs bring to our society, and so it gives me a tremendous sense of honour to pay tribute to our winners through the Awards programme.”
Mr. Joe Tsang, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 Programme Co- Chairman, adds: “In the space of a couple of decades, China has catapulted into the ranks of the world’s major economies, buoyed by thriving entrepreneurialism. That entrepreneurialism has been accompanied by a growing sense of Corporate Social Responsibility, which has manifested itself through philanthropy and community projects.”
Mr. Nigel Luk, Managing Director of Cartier Greater China, the Lead Partner for the programme, says: “We hope that the outstanding accomplishments of the Award winners will not only contribute to China's growth and prosperity, but will also provide inspiration to the new generation of business leaders in China.”
Ms. Monica Wong, Chief Executive of Private Banking Asia, HSBC Private Bank, the Platinum Sponsor of the awards programme, says: “The winners of Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 are some of the brightest future business leaders in China. The vision, leadership and determination demonstrated by these outstanding individuals are instrumental in building dynamic enterprises. But their true success is a result of passion – their drive to make a real difference – not only for themselves, but also for the society at large.”
Dr. David K. P. Li, GBM, GBS, JP, of the Bank of East Asia Ltd., acted as Chairman of the Independent Judging Panel. Other judges include Mr. Fred Hu of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Mr. Horst Julius Pudwill of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd., Ms. Mary Ma of TPG Capital, Professor Liu Wei of Peking University, Mr. Luo Yi of Carlyle Asia Investment Advisors Ltd. and Dr. Zhou Quan of IDGVC Partners.
Dr. David K. P. Li, GBM, GBS, JP says: “While the judges were in unanimous agreement regarding the leading contenders for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award this year, we were not prepared for the strength and diversity of the entire field. This is a very exciting time. Successful entrepreneurs from China are making their mark, not just at home, but internationally. It has been a great honour to serve as Chairman of the Panel of Judges for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year China 2007 Awards, and I take great pleasure in offering my heartfelt congratulations to all the entrants on their achievements. I am sure we will hear a lot more from all of them in future.”
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 Award Winners are:
Industry & Commerce Category
- Ms. Cheung Yan
Chairman, Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd.
- Mr. Liu Yonghao
President, New Hope Group
- Mr. Shen Guojun
President, China Yintai Holdings Ltd.
- Mr. Xu Hang
Co-CEO and Chairman, Mindray Medical International Ltd.
Services
- Mr. Chan Yue Kwong, Michael
Chairman, Café de Coral Group
- Ms. Poon Wai, Daisy
CEO, Ajisen (China) Holdings Ltd.
Consumer Products
- Mr. Gao Dekang
Chairman & CEO, Bosideng International Holdings Ltd.
Pharmaceuticals
- Dr. Li Ge
Chairman & CEO, WuXi PharmaTech Co. Ltd.
IT & Technology
- Dr. Shi Zhengrong
Chairman & CEO, Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.
- Mr. Charles Zhang
Chairman & CEO, Sohu.com Inc.
Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year Category
- Dr. Dai Wei Ming, Wayne
Chairman & CEO, VeriSilicon Holdings Co. Ltd.
The winners will be honoured at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year China 2007 Awards Gala on 26 October at the China World Hotel, Beijing. During the Awards Gala, Ernst & Young will also announce the Country Winners for the Mainland China region and the Hong Kong and Macau region. The two Country Winners will represent China to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monte Carlo in May 2008.
All winners from the China programme and country winners from around the world will be inducted into the China EOY Academy and the World EOY Academy, respectively (together the “EOY Academy”). The mission of the EOY Academy is to promote entrepreneurship and create greater public awareness of the benefits entrepreneurs bring to the world economy. The EOY Academy also acts as a forum for lifetime networking, idea sharing and relationship building.
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About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. Recognised globally, the award provides a unique way of encouraging entrepreneurial activity and recognising the contribution of outstanding men and women who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing, and dynamic business, recognising them through regional, national, and global awards programmes in over 125 cities and more than 40 countries. The international recognition of the award positions recipients as world-class entrepreneurs, and provides a benchmark for entrepreneurial excellence. Winners are muchadmired leaders in their industries and important role models.
About Ernst & Young
The members of the global Ernst & Young organization help companies in businesses across all industries — from emerging growth companies to global powerhouses — deal with a broad range of business issues. Our 130,000 people in 140 countries around the globe pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality and professionalism to provide clients with a broad array of services relating to audit, accounting, risk management, tax and transaction advisory services. Ernst & Young China has 8,000 people in its 10 offices across China.
