Q4 2024
AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Welcome to the Q4 edition of EU Business News, providing you with all the latest news, features, and informative pieces from across the European Union. From political consultancy and advocacy to road security and eco-friendly cleaning product manufacturing to digital law, this small yet mighty issue sees companies awarded for their ingenious solutions, dedication to their customers, and a commitment to staying ahead of the curve. The corporate landscape across Europe is no doubt influencing the rest of the world as others take note of the way businesses and individuals approach business with problemsolving abilities, team structuring, and more. This past year has been inspiring and we’re sure our winners will go on to achieve even more great missions. Of course, we wish you a prosperous end to 2024 and we look forward to welcoming you back again in Q1 of 2025 for more insightful updates from the world of EU business. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.eubusinessnews.com Q4 2024
4. News 6. Coyote Systems Benelux: Most Innovative Road Security Solutions Company 2024 8. Tellus Works Television AS: Best Documentary & Lifestyle Program Production Company 2024 10. Novalnet AG: Digital Payment Solutions CEO of the Year 2024: Gabriel Dixon 12. EU Focus Group: Best Political Consultancy & Advocacy 2024 14. Law.no Law Firm: Most Innovative Digital Law Firm 2024 – Norway 15. Collegium Mondial Travel: Festival Travel Agency of the Year 2024 - Slovenia 16. Arvanitakis Group of Companies & The Azur Selection SA: Hospitality Investment CEO of the Year 2024 (Greece): George Arvanitakis 17. INC Global Trade: Best Chocolate & Ice Cream Productions Company Leader 2024: (Mediterranean) Gokhan Inceoglu 18. Mobel CPH: Best Furniture Design Studio 2024 – Denmark 19. Just Travel GmbH: Best International Luxury Tour Operator 2024 - Germany 20. Macserien Produktion: Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Manufacturer 2024 - Sweden Contents
NEWS DeepL launches new Italian and Portuguese AI writing assistant eepL, a leading global Language AI company, today announced the expansion of its AI writing assistant, DeepL Write, to include Italian and Portuguese (both BR and PT variants). Millions of business and professional users across Europe, South America, Africa and beyond can now leverage DeepL Write to improve and enhance their writing style and grammar in these languages, helping them communicate more confidently, clearly and in line with their unique brand voice. Users around the world can say 'addio' (and 'adeus'!) to poor writing and improve their business and professional communications with DeepL Write D Bad writing costs businesses billions of dollars each year, with recent Forbes research indicating that nearly one in two office workers report negative effects on their productivity, job satisfaction, and stress levels1. DeepL Write is purpose-built to solve these challenges, offering a robust solution for businesses and professionals worldwide. "Time and again, we hear how people struggle to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers – even in their own languages. Yet research shows how strong writing skills are essential for anyone in business, and can help you sell your products, services and ideas more effectively2," said Jarek Kutylowski, DeepL's Founder and CEO. "Businesses globally, including those in Italian- and Portuguese-speaking countries, are realizing the importance of not only translating copy, but also having well-articulated text. And that's where DeepL Write comes into play." Powered by the same cutting-edge technology as DeepL Translate, DeepL Write leverages its own large language models (LLMs) to enable users to communicate with greater clarity, precision and effectiveness in the written form in any context, regardless of their language proficiency. Write is capable of detecting linguistic nuances and context in real time, providing suggestions on word choice, phrasing, and grammar in real time. The integration of these features ensures that DeepL Write not only enhances written content but also facilitates more effective interactions and stronger business relationships, both internally with colleagues and externally. "With DeepL Write, our goal is to help professionals and businesses achieve the best writing with AI. Think of it as a 24/7 writing companion, ready to enhance the quality of your work across a wide range of tasks, from internal communication between colleagues to external marketing emails and customer support responses," continued Kutylowski. DeepL Write is now available in six languages: English (US/GB), German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese (BR/PT). In addition, DeepL offers a range of advanced, enterprisegrade security features including TLS encryption and text deletion for paid users, providing the highest level of data security. DeepL Write is available free of charge with a basic feature set. Users can also access expanded functionality with DeepL Write Pro, a paid subscription that includes additional features such as the ability to make unlimited improvements to text, utilize an unlimited number of writing styles, and more. To discover how DeepL Write Pro can help your business enhance its communication, try DeepL Write Pro today.
NEWS Neinor Homes signs a Joint-Venture with Bain Capital to strengthen its leading position in the Spanish market The largest deal closed by Neinor since 2021 to strengthen its leading position in the Spanish Market Habitat is one of the largest homebuilders with c.8,000# land bank. Thanks to this agreement, Neinor will strengthen its leading position in the Spanish Residential Housing. Together with its strategic partners, Neinor will manage a land bank comprising c.25,000 units with an appraisal value of +€2.5bn GAV. Achieves €1.2bn AUMs in 18-months, more than doubling its 5Y target Within its Strategic Plan (2023-27) Neinor has placed a greater emphasis on optimising its balance sheet while pursuing equityefficient growth. Since March-23, the company has signed other 5 partnership agreements with AXAIM, Orion Capital, Urbanitae, Octopus Real Estate and Avenue Capital for +€500mn. Borja García-Egotxeaga, Neinor Homes' CEO comments: "This deal is bound to transform the growth paradigm in the Spanish residential sector, where in recent years existing platforms haven't been able to scale meaningfully. Today, thanks to our dealmaking and execution capacity we are strategically positioned to seize growth opportunities in ways that are highly accretive to both shareholders and co-investors. Additionally, the expected strength of the Spanish macro in the next three years is set to act as a tailwind clearly playing into our advantage. Over this period, Neinor's equity story will transition quickly from being the highest dividend yield in the EuroStoxx600 with c.30% expected return in the coming 18-months towards a double-digit earnings growth." Jordi Argemi, Neinor Homes' Deputy CEO and CFO says: "This transaction marks a breakthrough in the execution of Neinor's Strategic Plan as it accelerates both the timing and scale of our JV business, whose value is yet to be priced by the market. So far with the €1.2bn AUMs, Neinor has far exceeded its initial expectations and deployed c.€50mn targeting +25% IRR. Moreover, we are extremely pleased that with an innovative structure, we've been able to earn Bain Capital's trust as its main partner in Spain, reinforcing our ability to manage their platform and maximise returns."
EU Business News- Q1 2024 Launched on April 28th, 2009, Coyote provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance driving safety and convenience. In just 15 years, the company has become the leader in real-time driving assistance systems and now has 1.6 million users across the Benelux region. Based in Wavre, Belgium, Coyote operates on the community principle, meaning that it leans on its users to inform each other of encountered hazards and changing conditions. In doing so, the company allows its users to drive with peace of mind, because they are alerted in real time to all road hazards, such as speed cameras, disruptions, speed limits, and dangers. These notifications include that of local authorities, including the Federal Highway Police, regions, and governors. Through Coyote, these authorities can send localised messages at any time in the event of specific dangers to that area. These features provide Coyote’s clients with confidence, boosting their convenience and safety to make their drive a lot smoother and much less stressful. Coyote stands out in the market for its unique service offering – a paid-for, ad-free system with a large participatory community that provides valuable, real-time information. The vast size of this community means that Coyote can collect millions of data each day, always anonymised and never resold. The systems broad range of features enable its users to drive in the best possible conditions, with an average of 13 alerts emitted per second. Among the most unique alerts Coyote provides are drowsiness Most Innovative Road Security Solutions Company 2024 When driving, have you ever wished for an extra pair of eyes? Balancing your focus between upcoming road signs, maintaining the speed limit, and spotting various unexpected hazards is no easy feat, and can often lead to overwhelmed and distracted drivers, a leading cause of accidents on the road. Thanks to the introduction of advanced driver assistance systems, drivers will now receive notifications about changing speed limits, road closures, and any other potential hazards that may arise. This enables drivers to better balance their attention and makes the roads a significantly safer mode of travel. Below, we speak with Pascal Courrier, CEO of Coyote Systems Benelux, a leading company in advanced driver assistance systems. Sep24103 prevention, precise alerts upstream of all types of disruptions, ghost vehicle alerts, degraded pavements, and predictive security when approaching a bend considered dangerous by the community, with recommended approaching speeds provided. Whilst there are various advanced driver assistance systems on the market, Coyote is unparalleled in the assistance it provides, and its dedication to ensuring that all drivers are safe on the road. “Traffic is more and more important on the roads and our target number one is to improve the security,” says Pascal. “The government want to reach zero deaths on the roads by 2050, so everyone must do their best to achieve this. We are aware that we are a key player in this objective.” To achieve this mission, Coyote offers its users numerous drivers assistance solutions that range in price, making the platform accessible to a wide audience. Its offerings begin with the Coyote App, providing users with access to the system for 9,99€ per month, with no obligations. The app can be used via mobile phone on a hands-free stand or cast onto the vehicle screen of an Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatible vehicle. For 179,00€ annually, or 14,99€ each month, users can purchase Coyote’s driver assistance system in its Mini format. At 3.2”, it is Coyote’s smallest driving warning box and will easily find its place within your car or motorcycle thanks to its compactness and Bluetooth compatibility. With a two-hour battery life, The NEW COYOTE MAX
7. Most Innovative Road Security Solutions Company 2024 the Coyote Mini is the ideal companion for safety-oriented drivers with limited space. Coyote’s largest service offering is the New Coyote MAX at 299€ or the Coyote Up, priced at 249,00€ per annum or 14,99€ a month. With voice commands, a 3.5” touchscreen, and Bluetooth capabilities, Coyote Up allows users to provide and receive real-time alerts without taking their eyes off the road. These features provide a seamless driving experience for users across the region and significantly contributes to the goal of zero road-related deaths by 2050. In addition to its advanced driver assistance system, Coyote also offers its clients Coyote Secure. Over the years, thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated and use techniques that make it almost impossible to deter them, such as mouse jacking, underground burial, carjacking, ECU theft, and the removal of the mechanic lock. Coyote Secure is more than an anti-theft solution; the system offers users protection against the theft of their vehicle and the subsequent consequences. The company uses an autonomous geolocation tracker that is undetectable, with patented technology effective even in basements, boxes, and containers, and dedicated, reactive teams in 24/7 partnership with law enforcement agencies throughout Europe. “This product is unique because it is unblurable, which is Coyote patented technology, and, due to having an integrated battery, can therefore be installed and camouflaged in many places within cars,” Pascal explains. “The Coyote Secure product allows you to find your car, including in basements or containers, where regular car thieves can make themselves invisible with classic geolocation products.” These features have proven incredibly effective; 91% of stolen cars are recovered within 48 hours with Coyote Secure, and the company promises to refund product investment if the client’s vehicle is not recovered within a month. As an added bonus, the standalone tracker lasts for four years and is concealed within the vehicle by an approved professional to guarantee its efficacy. Such a remarkable array of products has allowed Coyote to achieve great success over the years. “The great pride of the Coyote adventure is to have been able to retain our community with a subscription renewal rate close to 90%,” Pascal reflects. “Then, our success is having transformed Coyote from a simple radar detector at its beginnings in 2009, to become today a realtime security tool.” The company has also achieved success in the form of five-star reviews that detail the efficacy of Coyote’s products, as well as the company’s commitment to delivering top-tier customer service. “We have a Coyote, and we are delighted with its services,” writes C.B. “The routes are perfect, and everything is well signposted on the road – works, accidents, stopped vehicles, no problems. We recommend.” “Great after-sales service,” declares Plomteux. “I had a problem with my Coyote Mini, so I contacted the after-sales service there to replace my case in two days for free. Coyote provided an after-sales service that you can’t find anymore. Thank you very much to Nicholas from the Coyote aftersales service for his help and availability.” “I have been a taxi driver for 14 years,” says L.S. “After two speeding tickets at the same place in the same day for an amount of 90€, I immediately subscribed to the Coyote system with my first box. Delighted with the way it worked, I continued. My first camera became obsolete, so I bought a new one. The operation of the box is top-notch, and so is Coyote’s customer service.” Of course, such fantastic products and attentive customer service would not be made possible without the incredible team of employees driving Coyote to success each day. The company strives to strike a balance between promoting exceptional customer service and prioritising the wellbeing of its employees, an approach that results in a positive, collaborative work environment in which each member of the team feels confident and supported to achieve excellence. “Our company culture is both about fostering wellbeing at work for Coyote employees,” says Pascal, “and, at the same time, an intangible approach of providing the best possible service to members of the Coyote community users.” These two goals go hand in hand, as supporting employee wellbeing directly leads to a team motivated to produce their best work and deliver the best possible customer service. Looking ahead, Pascal tells us that Coyote is anticipating the launch of a new product that will future enhance its offerings. The Coyote MAX was dreamt up by its users and designed by top-tier Coyote engineers and is therefore a completely renewed MAX device that offers unmatched connectivity with new and advanced components, with its processer now four times more powerful and six times more responsive. This introduction, in addition to the recent launch of Coyote Secure, is a perfect demonstration of the significant contributions Coyote has made to improving driver safety on the roads. It is for such contributions that Coyote has been recognised as the Most Innovative Road Security Solutions Company 2024. As we conclude on the future for Coyote, we hear from Vincent Hébert, its Managing Director, who adds, “The safety of our users is our responsibility, and our vocation is to guide drivers for a safe road by guaranteeing them a journey in complete serenity. We will continue to help car drivers to drive carefully.” Contact: Pascal Courrier Company: Coyote Systems Benelux Web Address: https://www.coyotesystems.be/
Jul22546 or almost 25 years now, Tellus Works has been creating excellent television content ranging from documentaries and lifestyle programming through to commercials, as well as other such visual media for businesses, across the likes of social and online networks, and, of course, the domestic, international, and streaming markets. Be it a full-scale traditional television production or business-specific content to be used either internally or externally, the strengths of this company lie in its knowledge of the timeless art of visual storytelling. When it comes to crafting powerful narratives, Tellus Works’ dedication shines through across every project, and its ability to create engaging content sees it traverse genres in addition to languages and borders. Cracking the American television market in particular was high up on the company’s priority list, and this is something it has achieved with the aforementioned New Scandinavian Cooking, as well as its shows People of the North and Wine First, all of which are today broadcast on PBS in the US and across other stations worldwide. In essence, what makes all of the above lifestyle documentaries so impactful is the combination of great hosts and the remarkable scenic landscapes of Norway and the rest of Scandinavia captured through exquisite cinematography. For example, when it comes to People of the North, viewers love watching the trio of Arne Hjeltnes, Frida Ronge, and Stig Bareksten journey through this remarkable part of the world, meeting local people and exploring stunning locations that range from coastal towns to quaint fishing villages. New Scandinavian Cooking offers up many of the same pleasures, and, having already run for more than 16 seasons with hosts including Andreas Viestad, Tina Nordström, and Claus Meyer, offers audiences a unique and authentic glimpse into the beautiful culture and food of Northern Europe. Further distinguishing this programme from other cooking shows is that every dish is prepared, cooked, and tasted out in public, with some truly gorgeous backdrops underpinning the unique cultural experience that audiences are being afforded. Of this trio of shows that have conquered the US market, it is the two seasons of Wine First that have perhaps been Tellus Works’ biggest in terms of production scale, with this particular series transcending the company’s Scandinavian roots to take viewers on in-depth tours of some of the most beautiful wine regions on the planet. Also boasting a trio of bubbly hosts – Liora Levi, Maya Samuelsson, and Yolanda Año – this series sees these women track down three wines that best represent each of the regions they visit. These three productions are simply the ones that have had the biggest impact across the world, and there are numerous other shows the Best Documentary & Lifestyle Program Production Company 2024 Since 2001, Tellus Works Television AS has been setting the standard when it comes to independent television productions in Norway. Based in Oslo, this is a company that predominantly focuses on programming which encompasses the worlds of infotainment and lifestyle. Its innate quality is best seen in its flagship series, New Scandinavian Cooking, which enjoys prestigious hosts and has been distributed to more than 120 countries worldwide to date. This is simply the tip of the iceberg however, and we explore this award-winning production company in more detail below. F Contact: Morten Ottesen Company: Tellus Works Television AS Web Address: https://www.tellusworks.com/ Jun22703
9. company has produced, including Boligrådet, Nabolaget, Julekveld hos Prøysen, and Flipp med Emilie, which have received acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Many of these productions are a result of Tellus Works’ decision to branch out from just documentary and lifestyle in 2023, a push which saw it embark on new projects across genres such as true crime, drama, and comedy. It seems like whatever the company tries its hand at it succeeds in, and a number of the shows that Tellus Works has produced over the past two decades have won awards at prestigious international ceremonies. New Scandinavian Cooking and People of the North even share four Taste Awards between them – which are essentially the lifestyle programming equivalent of the Academy Awards – something that has only bolstered their standing on the world’s stage. Although it has successfully conquered the international scene, Tellus Works has certainly not lost sight of the local industry, and many of the TV series that it is producing at the minute, or has recently completed, have been made purposefully for Norwegian channels. These include En Bit av Norge and Det Norske Måltid for the channel TV 2 Direkte, Karanba and Den Nordiske Smaken for the NRK station, and Det Store Spillet and Garasjen for TV3, as well as shows like Martin Pedersen, which is streaming on Discovery+ in Norway. Over the past few years, more eyes have been on Scandinavian television than ever before, especially with the increase in popularity of the region’s crime dramas, which have captured the interest of audiences from all over the world, particularly those in the UK. Tellus Works is certainly taking advantage of this increased interest through the likes of its true crime and drama series, all whilst putting a unique spin on them to help it separate itself from other production companies in the region, something aided by its independent status. Alongside creating exciting and engaging original television programmes for national and international audiences alike, other areas of speciality for Tellus Works include seamless product placement and advertiser-funded projects, both of which it has a successful track record with. This is the cherry on top of a company that stands as a beacon of TV production in its local region and beyond, something corroborated by this much-deserved award. Having explored its contributions to the television industry, it would be remiss not to mention the equally brilliant work that Tellus Works does when it comes to visual content creation for businesses, something that was briefly touched upon at the beginning of this article. Demonstrating their wide-ranging abilities, the team here help clients to leverage the power of the digital sphere across a number of formats through the delivery of high-quality and professional content that is as unique as they are. Across all of these services and shows, the more than two decades of industry experience had by Tellus Works Television AS really shines through on every occasion. Its excellent television series appeal not only to those in its home region, but even viewers on the other side of the planet, and their ability to overcome language barriers and cultural differences is a testament to their inherent quality. With an array of diverse projects in the pipeline, it will not be long before even more global audiences are enjoying a Tellus Works production. Named as the Best Documentary & Lifestyle Program Production Company 2024, many of Tellus Works’ signature series, such as New Scandinavian Cooking and People of the North, are some of the best examples of the genre around, making this company a worthy winner of this award and a bright spot in both its region’s ever-expanding television industry and this awards programme.
EU Business News- Q1 2024 Jul24068 Digital Payment Solutions CEO of the Year 2024: Gabriel Dixon Novalnet was founded in 2007 by Gabriel Dixon, with the aim of establishing a one-stop-shop for secure, scalable, and innovative payment solutions targeted towards medium to large enterprises. Based in Garching, Bavaria, Novalnet enables business owners to step back from the arduous task of managing payments and instead shift their focus to growing their business. The company empowers its clients to thrive within the global marketplace through an array of high quality solutions wrapped up into one platform. Its value-added services cover the entire payment process, from checkout to collection. With over 15,000 customers worldwide, Novalnet’s payment platform processes millions of transactions each day, underscoring the company’s significant contributions to the sector. By combining more than 15 fully automated services under one roof, Novalnet eliminates the need for establishing multiple contracts with different terms, fees, and companies. Without Novalnet, businesses must collaborate with a whole host of contacts, including banks, credit card services, PSPs, fraud prevention providers, debt collection agencies, affiliate platforms, and providers of PCI-compliant platforms. When choosing to work with Novalnet, clients benefit from only one contract, no long processing times, cost savings, transparency, and the best overview. Such advantages make Novalnet an indispensable payment partner for sustainable, successful business growth. The Novalnet platform delivers seamless integration into existing e-commerce platforms; a global reach of more than 125 currencies and 150 automated countryspecific payment methods; unmatched security with PCI DSS Level 1 certified infrastructure and BaFin license; simplified recurring billing and optimised revenue streams via its robust subscription management tools; an advanced AIpowered fraud detection system; and the trust of many prestigious industry leaders, allowing customers to join the ranks of Airbus, Axa, Shell, and more than 15,000 other satisfied clients. Ultimately, Novalnet’s mission is to create sustainable value for businesses Pioneering the field of all-in-one payment services, Novalnet is a leading company characterised by its relentless pursuit of perfection, innovation, and progress. Novalnet is a payment institution providing an innovative cross-channel fullservice payment solution that offers more than 15 fully automated services under one roof. The company is helmed by Founder and CEO Gabriel Dixon, who has recently been recognised in the European CEO of the Year Awards 2024. Below, we take a closer look at both Novalnet and Gabriel’s rise to success. by providing them with opportunities far beyond the mere payment process, allowing its clients to focus on their core business and operate for profit. Novalnet challenges the traditional model of the financial services industry and offers simple solutions through its innovative interface. Upholding its commitment to usability, security, and flexibility, Novalnet strives to grow with its clients and be rewarded with mutual success. The company is supported by the best talent in the industry, who all share the same drive for innovation and growth that makes Novalnet a key player and gives its clientele a competitive edge. Since its very inception, Gabriel Dixon has masterfully steered Novalnet as its Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. For more than 17 years, the innovator has led the company to success, leaning on his vast industry experience to make strategic and informed decisions. Boasting substantial knowledge in the realms of e-commerce, e-payments, and financial service platforms, Gabriel is well-positioned to pioneer the market and introduce innovative new solutions that effectively treat the industry’s most prominent pain points. A natural leader, he leverages tactical partnerships and corporate strategy to position Novalnet at the very forefront of industry advancement. Having held his position at Novalnet for almost two decades, Gabriel has developed intrapersonal skills that allow him to inspire and motivate his team to achieve greatness. Whilst a good CEO is incredibly adept in the world of business, a successful CEO is one that can make meaningful connections within the team, and make each member feel valued, respected, and confident within their role, pushing them to produce their best possible work for the benefit of the company. This describes Gabriel exactly, who has received numerous endorsements on his ability to lead a team from previous colleagues and employees, who have experienced his prowess first-hand. This is also evident in the roaring success of Novalnet, which would not be nearly so achievable without the drive of a content, inspired team. Contact: Gabriel Dixon Company: Novalnet AG Web Address: https://www.novalnet.de/
- An example of this success is the advantageous partnership that Novalnet formed with Banking Circle in 2020. This collaboration brought faster and lower cost foreign exchange and settlement solutions for 12,000 clients around the world. Through this partnership, helmed by Gabriel, Banking Circle helped Novalnet to efficiently support its global client base with local and cross-border settlement at competitive rates, with faster reconciliation that assists online merchants in managing and maintaining cashflow. Through such endeavours, Gabriel has steered Novalnet to take a frontrunning position within the market. The company has set new standards through its significant contributions to the financial services sector. The Novalnet platform redefines e-commerce payment methods, and has streamlined the entire process to deliver easier, faster, and more satisfying results for clients around the world. The European CEO of the Year Awards are held to highlight and celebrate the trailblazers and pioneers currently shaking the industry with their innovative contributions and expert leadership. Gabriel Dixon has been recognised for his innovation, his drive, and his desire to positively impact the financial services industry through strategic, top-tier solutions. For his work in the field, Gabriel has been awarded the title of the Digital Payment Solutions CEO of the Year 2024. We at EU Business News would like to congratulate Gabriel on this achievement and cannot wait to see what is next for the financial afficionado. To find out more about Novalnet and what the platform can do for your business, visit Novalnet’s website today.
EU Business News- Q1 2024 EU Focus Group helps client businesses to thrive by nurturing opportunities within the EU and EMEA political agendas, facilitating access to products and services via regulatory and policy advocacy and strategies in order to both raise the standing of clients and succeed in political debates. At the heart of this modern and dynamic consultancy’s approach is a commitment to engage with key decision makers, which lends itself to the firm’s highly customised advocacy strategies and solutions. A market leader in chemical substance defence, EU Focus Group (EUFG) can assist with everything from providing advocacy support to helping a client secure active substance or food and feed additive approvals. This encompassing knowledge has resulted in the firm amassing a client base of more than 40 companies of all shapes and sizes from across the EU and the wider EMEA region, all of which benefit from its holistic approach to building compromises and fostering breakthroughs. With more than 30 years of experience to its name, EUFG operates at both the minister and ministries levels across a plethora of EU nations, spurred on by its unique ‘Quintuple Helix’ approach, its specific working model for this region. On the back of this model, the firm has played an integral role in some historic decisions that have recently been reached in this space, including securing the first proposal for a classified substance under negligible exposure and even achieving the first declassification of an active substance. Moreover, since EUFG operates at the very forefront of the high-end consultancy market, it has been able to leverage its leading position to contribute to a number of regulatory concepts concerning sustainable use, be it a stewardship programme or negligible risk and exposure. Finally, to underpin the impact that the firm has on key EU decision makers, it recently helped them Best Political Consultancy & Advocacy 2024 Located in the heart of Brussels, EU Focus Group is a niche advocacy consultancy firm. Having made the strategic decision to focus on chemicals, this team’s expertise spans everything from agrochemicals and biocides to industrial chemicals and additives. The result is senior advice and support provided to its customers on any related policies with a clear emphasis on member states. Through its integrated service offer with the leading EU law firm Fieldfisher, EU Focus Group enters a new era of modern consultancy with a unique pluri-disciplinary dimension. to understand the necessity of many PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), such as fluoropolymers, avoiding a massive ban on them. Boasting partners in such EU countries as Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Slovakia, Romania, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Spain, and Poland, as well in non-EU countries such as the UK and Turkey, and even partners covering the wider Middle East and North and West Africa regions, EUFG is able to serve as a local one-stop-shop solution for all of its clients. Working with this firm is thus an indication of excellence, and its niche consultancy strategies reflect this perfectly. Having significantly improved the dialogue channels between the entire agrochemical industry and wider society, EUFG is a distinguished player in this space, and there are numerous reasons why it trumps the competition in almost every category. Given its specialised nature in a sector that requires a deep understanding of the industry’s dynamics and value chains, as well as a capacity to handle legislations and regulatory processes, EUFG can provide proper support where those without its high levels of experience cannot. In the ever-evolving chemicals sector, there is absolutely no place for improvisation or trial and error. Receiving improper advice has been known to impact businesses exponentially, such as resulting in the collapse of entire departments. Additionally, since the world of chemicals is such a specialised field, the officials managing this sector for the EU have rarely changed since EUFG experts first entered the field in the late 1990s, resulting in the team here having formed constructive relations with them that are built on transparency and trust. The same cornerstones are present when it comes to EUFG’s internal culture, which is also defined by its agility, innovation, and friendliness. This culture also lends itself to a vision that is shared right across the firm and by all of its employees, which is simply to become the number one service provider for those businesses in search of integrated advocacy support on chemicals and substance defence, all whilst being a thought leader and a builder of bridges between the business, governmental, and societal spheres. Speaking of EUFG’s team, they are led by Pascal Michaux, the company’s Board Director and Managing Partner and Pavel Glukhov, Partner & Co-Founder. A talented group of multidisciplinary experts comprise this team, and since the legislation, procedures, and regulation that they deal with are all complex, there is no room for ‘light’ consultants here, and the drive for quality and seniority is reinforced across every level of the business. This commitment has resulted in consistently beneficial advocacy strategies being created specifically for clients, benefiting them to no end. As Pascal himself explains, “an advocacy strategy also requires a strong legal basis, facts based on proper science and a serious socio-economic assessment in case a wrong decision is made.” EUFG certainly has this with Fieldfisher, a leading EU law firm that partnered with the team here to deliver complementary legal services to help them achieve their aims. The spheres of legal and advocacy undeniably benefit each other, and EUFG recognises that a combined and integrated advocacy/legal strategy is the way forwards. Preparing for the future is another avenue EUFG excels in, and with a keen awareness of the events transpiring in this sector to boot, the company has recognised that concentration will be the biggest trend over the next few years, with globalisation acting as a catalyst for the merging of companies,
13. Best Political Consultancy & Advocacy 2024 something that must be achieved so that profits can be maximised and R&D boosted. When the dust settles on these changes, Pascal believes there will only be around six or seven major agrochemical firms left. Then, regarding the sector more broadly, first the ‘European Green Deal’ and now the ‘Clean Industrial Deal’ are just the beginning of increased political pressure concerning the use of chemicals, and the industry will see more restrictions of this nature placed on substances, be it those used for food, agricultural, or industrial processes. The result will be more work for professional firms such as EUFG when it comes to the likes of chemical lobbying, REACH substance defence, and biocide advocacy. In essence, defending chemical substance portfolios is something that this advocacy company, previously recognised as being the ‘Best in Brussels’ in its specialist category, is passionate about and dedicated to. Failure is simply not an option, and that is why businesses operating across the multifaceted chemical industry should choose the best for their advocacy and consulting needs. Named as the Best Political Consultancy & Advocacy 2024, that choice should always lead to selecting Belgium’s EU Focus Group. Contact: Pascal Michaux, Managing Partner & Pavel Glukhov, Partner Company: EU Focus Group Web Address: www.eufocusgroup.com
EU Business News- Q1 2024 Most Innovative Digital Law Firm 2024 – Norway Law.no is an entirely digital Norwegian law firm created and maintained by a team of partners. Untethered to one specific location, the lawyers and partners can work with anyone via digital means. With 12 partners in 4 cities, Oslo, Bergen, Drammen, and Stavanger, Law.no nurtures connections built on integrity, and maintained digitally, when providing its stellar financial services to clients. We speak to Dag Saltnes, Lawyer and Partner at Law.no, as we celebrate the firm’s title in our Scandinavian Business Awards 2024. “The Legal Game-Changer” Law.no mainly focuses on financial services, the seafood industries, and real estate, but also covers tax law, dispute resolution, employment law, compliance, IT, AI, and FinTech, and so much more. Its 12 partners bring seasoned expertise to every area Law.no works in, and, because of this, the firm has garnered an award-winning status. Dag shares, “As our services are provided by partners that are experienced lawyers, our clients are guaranteed to receive high quality and personally supplied legal services.” This dedicated approach to providing unparalleled legal services has pushed Law.no to the forefront in its industry, especially as the digital realm continues to rapidly evolve. Dag continues, “Digitalisation is the main trend. All law firms are focusing on how to use digital tools, but many firms are still locked in with many employees and expensive premises in combination with traditional working methods. We think it is better to build a digital law firm from scratch, hence we avoid unnecessary costs and structures.” Truly creating value for its clients, Law.no’s team of expert lawyers and partners ensure there is nothing on paper, no limitations to working methods, and that the status quo is always challenged when appropriate. Law.no is a game-changing law firm that prioritises excellence for its clients, every time. Of course, in an industry that is deeply entangled in traditional working methods, Law.no chooses its own destiny and, therefore, helps its clients to build their own legacy. “In an industry steeped in tradition, we choose our own path.” Established with the core values of high quality, prestigious service levels, and absolute integrity, Law.no continues to uphold the pillars that truly matter when it comes to client satisfaction and problem-solving in a competitive industry. Dag tells us, “The most important phase is firstly to recruit the right partners and secondly to use excellent digital systems and tools in providing the services to the clients. The business model is based on independent activities by each partner, but we exchange work and task based on available competence and capacity.” By ensuring that its team of experienced professionals work together to reach the desired outcome, Law.no can skill share to guarantee the best service for its clients. As our Most Innovative Digital Law Firm 2024 – Norway, Law.no’s growth strategy is set to continue gaining momentum. From just 2 partners in 2023 to 12 in mid-2024, with plans for further expansion in the years to come, Law.no’s future looks incredibly bright. Contact: Dag Saltnes Company: Law.no Law Firm Web Address: https://law.no/ Jul24468
Jul22493 15. The preferred travel agency for young people from across Slovenia, Collegium Mondial Travel is headquartered in Ljubljana, the beautiful capital city of this underrated European gem. From this destination, this market leader both organises and partners with providers of festivals and events across the likes of Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Spain, and many other European countries. With more than 25 years of experience to its name, this company knows how to handle everything so that its customers can enjoy their unique holiday experiences without having to worry. Since the late 1990s, Collegium Mondial Travel (Collegium) has been organising and serving as an official partner for some of the biggest festivals and events in Europe, from Ultra Europe and Hideout to Spring Break Festival, Sonus, and Barrakud, to name just a few. No matter the event, this agency makes sure that the priority is always on their customer, the traveller, something that its team of approximately 30, who are all based in the office year-round, work incredibly hard to ensure is the case. From the customer support experts to the individuals who plan the trips that Collegium runs down to the smallest detail, those working behind the scenes of these dream festival vacations are an ever-present force that coordinate the entire adventure so that their customers barely have to lift a finger. Going from one extreme to the other, Collegium’s teams of tour guides are the life and soul of the agency, and their positivity and smiling faces see every trip made totally unforgettable. Aside from coming to be great friends of the guests, all of these individuals are certified by both the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, underpinning their responsibility, reliability, and knowledge, all of which are vital when it comes to making sure that everyone has the best time possible at whichever event they attend. Any Collegium event has its unique atmosphere provided by a group of moderators, individuals who take to the stage with a microphone in their hands to create the sort of environment that simply cannot be found in discos or clubs. However, bringing the spirit of the clubs to every party are the Slovenian DJs, many of whom are handpicked from the most famous and successful local venues, such as Cirkus, Top Six, and NOA club Zrče. Be it on a boat, beach, ski slope, or anywhere else, these DJs always bring the right beats. Even as its guests enjoy themselves at the events and festivals Collegium has organised and taken them to, it still has team members working in the back to guarantee that these events go off without a hitch. Be it the coordinators who blend into the crowd, the photographers taking quality snaps in lowlight environments, or the first aiders who are always close by in an emergency, the support provided by Collegium’s staff gives peace of mind to young people and their families back home that they are safe and having a fantastic time. With all of this in mind, it is no surprise that Collegium has a number of events in the pipeline for the rest of 2024 and beyond, ranging from snowy festivals in France to New Year’s Eve events in three premier European cities – Belgrade in Serbia, Prague in the Czech Republic, and Mariborsko Pohojre, which is the largest ski resort in Slovenia and located in Maribor, the country’s second-largest city. Other notable events include one of Europe’s most acclaimed electronic festivals, Ultra Europe which next year is celebrating its 11th time being hosted in Split, Croatia. With tickets starting at just €99, this event includes overnight accommodation for between four and seven nights, coach transportation from Slovenia, a festival bus, and even a boat party. This is a great example of how Collegium covers all the basis, with tickets and wristbands through to transport, accommodation, and even additional activities all included. Named as the Festival Travel Agency of the Year 2024 - Slovenia, those in the country can enjoy a number of events in their home nation thanks to Collegium Mondial Travel, as well as similarly high-quality ones in other nearby European nations. More information about any of the events mentioned above can be found using the company website link listed below, where readers can see for themselves the effort that goes into coordinating experiences of unmatched quality for young people seeking to let down their hair. Contact: Andrej Kacic Company: Collegium Mondial Travel Web Address: https://www.collegium.si/ Festival Travel Agency of the Year 2024 - Slovenia
16. EU Business News- Q1 2024 Jun24459 Taking a holistic approach to value creation that sees commercial investment properties assessed in their entirety, George Arvanitakis, who serves as the President & CEO of the Arvanitakis Group of Companies and the Azur Selection SA, is one of the hospitality investment industry’s best and brightest. With more than 25 years of experience under his belt, George has amassed a portfolio unrivalled in this space, and his company today manages a number of hotels and commercial properties throughout Greece and other handpicked locations. Specialising in hotel and real estate investments, Arvanitakis Group of Companies seeks out those properties that it knows can exceed expectations across the board, offering maximum value for the guests and employees at these locations, as well as for the staff and partners of Arvanitakis Group. By accurately anticipating market trends and striking at the right time, George and the team here have a track record of achieving the highest possible returns on their investments, even when the economic environment is unstable. There are three main areas that Arvanitakis Group invests in, chief among them being hotels and hospitality, in which it currently has six properties. Its activity in this setting began in Mykonos and has expanded from there to focus on other locations in Greece as well as the South of France. Despite this extension, the goal of providing impeccable hospitality services to the hotels under its full management, or the best return on investment capitals to those it leases to third parties, has remained steadfast from the beginning. Aside from hotels, the other focus areas for Arvanitakis Group are commercial investment properties and miscellaneous investments. Beginning with the former, three properties of this nature currently comprise George and co.’s portfolio in this setting – a modern shopping centre in Mykonos, a mixed-use and multipurpose commercial property in the same area that is currently home to a jewellery store and a restaurant, and an office building that has recently been renovated in the heart of Glyfada, Athens. Each of the properties mentioned above, the hotels and the other commercial investment properties, combine to create the Azur Selection SA. Diving deeper into this, the highlights of the portfolio are undeniably the hotels – Azur Retreat, Azur Boutique Hotel, Azur Suites Glyfada, Azur Hotel Volos, My Mykonos Boutique Hotel, and the one that started it all, the Livin Mykonos Boutique Hotel. All of these locations embody service of the highest quality and elegant luxury in some of Europe’s most desirable destinations. Keen to explore as many different and unique investments as possible, particularly those related to real estate, George and his staff search for untapped potential by carrying out a range of miscellaneous investments across Greece and beyond. One example of this saw Arvanitakis Group invest in Arvan Hotels Constructions, a company boasting more than two decades of experience and 140 builds. All of this underpins George Arvanitakis’ unwavering commitment to hospitality, reflected in this award he has deservedly won. Looking ahead to the future, Arvanitakis Group has a number of exciting investments in the pipeline that it is incredibly excited to share with us, beginning with three hotels in Cannes, in the heart of the French Riveria, namely the Verlaine, Renoir, and Cezanne. Alongside this, the development of a luxury 20,000 sq. m. hotel in Achaia, Western Greece is also underway, as well as an investment in the Athenian Riveria, specifically the First Beach of Voula, and the construction of a 400 sq. m. luxury villa in Mykonos. As all of these projects, developments, and investments show, George Arvanitakis remains at the top of his game, even after more than 25 years in this sphere. A beacon of excellence in the field of hospitality investment, George is not only a bright spot in this industry, but also in the broader European CEO landscape. We recommend our readers use the link below to find out more about these individual investments, especially those in the Azur Selection, to see for themselves the quality inherent across this operation. Contact: George Arvanitakis Company: Arvanitakis Group of Companies & The Azur Selection SA Web Address: https://arvanitakisgroup.com/ & https://www.azurselection.com/ Hospitality Investment CEO of the Year 2024 (Greece): George Arvanitakis
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