Enduring entrepreneurial spirit recognised at coveted Awards
Being the prestigious and widely recognised awards to champion entrepreneurial spirit, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) Awards 2021, were recently announced at a gala event held in Shenzhen.
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A total of eleven entrepreneurs, representing ten enterprises from Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China, were recognised. A true testament to the diversity and vibrancy of Chinese enterprises. They include prolific inventor Dr Gerald Yin, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. China and visionary entrepreneur Eddy Tang of Hong Kong’s largest non-hospital medical service provider EC Healthcare Founder, who were named EY EOY 2021 Mainland China and Hong Kong/Macau, China, respectively.
Both are praised not only for having led their employees and enterprises to achieve exceptional development through innovation. But also for their excellent social responsibilities in fostering the country’s social and economic development.
Organised by international professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY), the EOY Awards have been in China for 16 years. Like past years, this year’s EOY Awards were presented following a rigorous selection process lasting for nearly six months.
An independent panel of judges, themselves recognised leaders across industries and professional bodies, used six key judging criteria to select worthy winners. These benchmarks include entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, national or global impact, innovation. And finally—purpose-driven leadership. The theme of this year’s Awards was “Make concerted efforts to establish new development paradigm.”
The EOY Awards 2021 aims to recognise outstanding business leaders who, in these testing times, have affirmed their ambition to be a leader for their enterprises. And to steer their businesses to rise above the post-pandemic challenges faced by every entrepreneur in this less than certain economy.
Speaking as this year’s winners were honoured, Jack Chan, EY China Chairman and Greater China Regional Managing Partner noted that China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, its dual circulation strategy and the rapid rise of cutting-edge technologies are among the many factors shaping the future of business. Chan also showed his deep respect for visionary entrepreneurs who thrived through disruption and drove positive change, an entrepreneurial spirit common in all the winners.
“The EOY winners represented the vision of many Chinese entrepreneurs who strive to make a difference,” said Chan. “They established themselves locally but have the readiness to explore the wider domestic market and beyond. They are entrepreneurs who can identify opportunities amidst disruptions and lead enterprises to achieve exceptional development under the dual circulation strategy. By doing so they contribute to the economic development of China and the world.”
Keeping his fingers firmly on the pulse of China’s economy, Michael Bi, EOY 2021 Awards Programme Co-chairman and EY Greater China Markets Managing Partner, emphasises the role of innovation as a crucial driver for development. He added: “The EOY Awards Programme allows us to witness the rise of Chinese entrepreneurs as they make bold moves to capture the opportunities to innovate and invest in R&D and human capital. And so eventually triumph in their respective industries.”
The EOY Awards has long been a gauge of the new trends in the current economic and industrial development. It is not surprising that these award-winning entrepreneurs spring from such leading-edge industries as high-end equipment, biopharmaceuticals, clean energy, new materials, logistics, and next-generation information technology. There were four category winners in technology, two in health sciences & wellness, and another two in industrial products.
Reflecting the breadth and depth of China’s economy, the high-end manufacturing businesses continue to receive prestigious accolades.
Meanwhile, for the sixth consecutive year, Credit Suisse proudly continues to be the Awards’ platinum sponsor. Janice Hu, China CEO at Credit Suisse, appreciates the contribution of female entrepreneurs in the transformation of the economy. “I am particularly impressed by the increasing number of talented female entrepreneurs who are competing for the EOY Awards. Their participation here highlights the important leadership role women are playing in various fields, the breakthroughs they are making in their careers, and their commitment to their companies, clients and communities.”
Outstanding female entrepreneur in the logistics industry Shan Dandan, is a proud category winner this year. And EOY 2021 Awards Programme Co-chairman and EY China South Managing Partner William Huang rightly pointed out this year’s EOY winners, including Shan, founder of the technology-driven road freight transportation platform FOR-U Smart Freight, have included China’s carbon goals in their long-term business strategy and core values. Thus contributing to China’s sustainable development.
After the gala event at Shenzhen, the two EOY 2021 Winners will look forward to representing mainland China and Hong Kong/Macau to compete for the EY World Entrepreneurs of the Year Award, to be held in 2022.