KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 11): EY announced tonight the top nominees for this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) Malaysia Awards at a function co-hosted by one of the world’s leading financial services providers, Credit Suisse AG.

The 24 top nominees in the emerging, technology, woman and master categories were determined by an independent panel of judges, guided by a set of judging criteria that is consistently applied globally by the EOY programme.
 
“The panel of judges was impressed by the diversity, reach and quality of nominations this year. We spent many hours reviewing and deliberating on the entrepreneurs’ submissions and were inspired by the stories and calibre of our Malaysian entrepreneurs,” said Datuk Tan Say Jim, a member of the judging panel and the EY EOY 2015 Malaysia, at the event. Tan is also group managing director and group CEO of IRIS Corp Bhd.
 
EY country managing partner for Malaysia Datuk Abdul Rauf Rashid said this year marks the 15th year that EY is presenting the top nominees for the EOY Malaysia programme.

"We are proud to be the oldest business award programme in the country that continues to shine the spotlight on Malaysia’s exceptional entrepreneurs — the innovators and game-changers of tomorrow — on a national and global platform. By identifying and recognising the achievements of outstanding entrepreneurs behind successful, growing and dynamic businesses, we aim to celebrate their important contribution and encourage even greater entrepreneurial activity, locally and around the world," he added.
 
In the past 14 years of the EOY Malaysia programme, EY has recognised 171 top nominees, 35 of whom were women entrepreneurs.

"These entrepreneurs had combined revenues of approximately RM45.5 billion; a combined net profit of RM4.6 billion and employed over 54,000 people. These exceptional individuals continue to disrupt and transform their industries while inspiring those around them and future generations of young entrepreneurs,” said Abdul Rauf.
 
Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd advisory partner and programme director of the EY EOY Malaysia Philip Rao said this year there are 24 top nominees, whose combined revenue totals RM 7.6 billion and a net profit of RM726 million, and who employ nearly 16,000 people.

"Each of these top nominees has inspiring personal stories, and we believe their contributions should be recognised and their person, celebrated,” Rao added.

Winners of the four category awards, as well as the coveted EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 Malaysia award will be announced and celebrated at a gala event in December.

The Malaysian EY EOY 2016 will then join country award recipients from around the globe in Monte Carlo in June next year to compete for the EY World EOY 2017 award.