European CTO of the Year award announced

The European Industrial Research Management Association (EIRMA) and consulting company Spinverse have announced they will launch the quest for Europe’s CTO of the Year 2014.

The CTO of the Year award is to highlight the role of the most prominent leaders of technology-based growth, promoting innovations to renew European industry and to upturn competitive advantage. The award will be given to the most innovative person bringing significant value to the company growth through technology.

“The CTO of the Year award Europe is a new platform to recognise and promote the importance of technology and innovation in Europe,” said Pekka Koponen, CEO of Spinverse. “We are already excited to receive high quality nominations.” Spinverse has driven the CTO of the Year award platform in Finland since 2011. Michel Judkiewicz, secretary general of EIRMA, said: “Innovation and the need to rethink technology and societal challenges have been understood in Europe at all levels – however, the role of chief technology officers as key drivers for these within corporations is not sufficiently recognised.” said.

Adding his thoughts, Robert-Jan Smits, Director General for Research and Innovation in the European Commission, explained: “Europe needs to celebrate those who advance technology and innovate. Initiatives like the ‘CTO of the Year award’ are very welcome as they lead to role models and further strengthen innovation in Europe.”

The annual award will be launched on 25 June 2014 when nominees will be accepted. Nominees can be any European CTO driving technology-based sustainable growth, not only in his or her company, but also in Europe and worldwide.