The underlying motivation behind the European Business Leaders Awards is to discover which CEOs are building and sustaining entrepreneurship, developing best practices and carving out powerful businesses in the global economy. What defines 'smart' leadership today? How do CEOs continue to innovate in business, products and services whilst delivering growth for customers, suppliers and shareholders?

Through the independent platform of the European Business Leaders Awards programme, CNBC Europe, in parternship with the Financial Times, pays tribute to the most outstanding executive leaders in Europe today.

In its fifth year, the EBLA has gained the respect and participation of the best in business leadership with the contributions of the chief executives in Europe’s top-ranked companies.

The winners of the 2008 European Business Leaders Awards will be announced in March 2008 to an audience consisting of the region’s most outstanding chief executives at a VIP gala dinner and ceremony in London.

The Awards event will also be broadcast on CNBC Europe to over 100 million homes, 1,400 banks and financial institutions and thousands of four- and five-star hotels throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

EBLA 2008 Nominations closing date: 21 September 2007