Open Europe : Leading business people from the UK, Germany and Sweden join efforts t

Politics.be · 12 november 2013, 15:00

Leading business people and entrepreneurs across Northern Europe, including Karl-Johan Persson, the CEO of Swedish retail giant H&M, Dr. h.c. August Oetker, Chairman of renowned German food producer, Dr. Oetker, and head of one of Europe’s largest family-owned businesses, Douglas Flint CBE, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings, Joanna Shields, Chief Executive of Tech City, and Sir John Peace, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, have for the first time joined forces to call on EU leaders to “embrace a bold reform agenda.”

In an unprecedented and united call published in eminent UK, Swedish and German newspapers, the entrepreneurs and business leaders – many of whom have never spoken out in the Europe debate before – urge policymakers to construct a more business-friendly, internationally competitive and democratically accountable Europe. Cutting across different sectors and countries, the initiative’s supporters have helped lead companies employing close to a million people across Europe and the world.

The initiative, organised by the think tank Open Europe, marks the launch of a new pan-European drive urging entrepreneurs and business leaders to throw their weight behind a robust reform agenda ahead of next year’s crucial European elections.

All signatories have signed up to this initiative in a personal capacity. To see a full list of the signatories, click here.

To find out more about Open Europe’s initiative visit: http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Page/Campaign

Open Europe Advisory Council Member Maria Borelius said:

“This is an unprecedented call for change from like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders across Europe – and it is a definite sign of the growing momentum for sweeping EU reform across the continent.”

GERMAN OP-ED

In an op-ed published today in Germany’s leading daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), high-profile German business leaders backing the initiative include Dr h.c. August Oetker, Chairman of the Oetker Group – one of Europe’s largest family-owned businesses, Marie-Christine Ostermann, former head of the German Association of Young Entrepreneurs (BJU) and a well-known figure among the German ‘Mittelstand’, the small and medium size business community that forms the backbone of the German economy, and Michael Moritz, a partner at corporate finance firm CatCap, who is also a member of the advisory board of the Federal Ministry of Economics on SMEs.
In a clear sign of the changing mood in Germany, the article says that the doctrine of “ever closer union” has failed, noting that:

“Ever closer union…the dogma that all European countries should march in lock-step in order to meet the increasing requirements from Brussels has failed…The ever-increasing cost of bureaucracy and regulation in Brussels weighs especially heavily on small and medium-sized companies, hindering their global competitiveness.”

SWEDISH OP-ED

Front page headlines were created in Sweden by an op-ed published in the country’s main financial daily, Dagens Industri, signed, amongst others, by Karl-Johan Persson, the CEO and owner of retail giant H&M, Tomas Billing, the Chairman of one of Northern Europe’s largest construction firms, NCC, and Henry Stenson, the CEO of Brunswick Sweden and the former Global Head of Communications at Ericsson.

The article argues:

“The EU needs fundamental reform. Heading into the European elections next year, we are now calling on fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders, opinion formers and others to join us in asking for thorough change.”

UK LETTER

In a letter to the Sunday Times, published yesterday, leading British business men and women including Karren Brady, the Vice Chairman of West Ham United Football Club, Dale Murray CBE, the high-profile investor, Douglas Flint CBE, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings, and Sir John Peace, the Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, support the call for radical change, saying:

“With over five million young Europeans out of work, the Eurozone crisis, economic stagnation and a growing gap between voters and the governing elites we are confronted with a stark choice: reform or decline.”

The letter calls for an EU that “doesn’t interfere in areas better – or equally well – handled locally or nationally” and that recognises “the single market as the true core” of European cooperation.

SIGNERS INCLUDE:

UK

Mr John BARTON: Chairman, Easyjet. Mr Barton is also Chairman of Next plc and Catlin Group Limited. A constituent of the FTSE 100 Index, Easyjet is the largest airline carrier in the UK with over £3.85m in revenue last year.

Ms Karren BRADY: Vice Chairman, West Ham United FC. Ms Brady became known as the ‘first woman in football’ following her tenure at Birmingham City FC, where she turned around the fortunes of the club. Consistently recognised as one of the most influential women in British business, Ms Brady has a huge presence in the UK media, appearing, for example, in the hit BBC show, “The Apprentice.” Ms Brady sold her business for £82m in October 2009.

Mr Douglas FLINT CBE: Mr Flint is the Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations serving some 55 million customers internationally. HSBC Holdings plc employs 260,000 worldwide. Mr Flint was appointed Chairman of the Institute of International Finance in June 2012.

Mr Luke JOHNSON: Chairman, Risk Capital Partners LLP. A serial entrepreneur, Mr Johnson is known for his take-over of the Pizza Express Chain, increasing its share price from 40p to 900p. Mr Johnson has also served as the Chair of the Channel 4 Television Corporation, and is currently the Chairman of private equity house Risk Capital Partners LLP. He is also Chairman and part-owner of Patisserie Valerie, the Red Hot World Buffet Restaurant Chain and holds major owner stakes in many other businesses including APT Control; Cruise.co.uk and Metro Bank Plc. Mr Johnson’s business interests range from events and restaurants to research and theatre-production.

Mr Tim MARTIN: Founder and Chairman, J D Wetherspoon. Mr Martin founded the UK pub-giant chain J D Wetherspoon in 1979. With 880 outlets the company has also expanded to hotels. Mr Martin’s company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. It had revenue of £1,197.1m in 2012.

Ms Dale MURRAY CBE: Entrepreneur and Investor: A successful entrepreneur, award-winning business angel investor and experienced non-executive board director. She co-founded Omega Logic, which co-launched mobile phone top-ups in Britain and built her business to £450m of gross revenue within 5 years.

Sir John ROSE: One the most respected figures in British Business, Sir John has worked around the world and has decades of experience.

Ms Joanna SHIELDS: Chief Executive, Tech City Investment Organisation: In addition to her role at Tech City UK, Ms Shields is also the UK's Business Ambassador for Digital Industries. She has spent the past 27 years building some of the world's best-known technology companies, including Google, Bebo, Aol and Facebook.

Sir John PEACE: Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank: Standard Chartered Bank has over 89,000 staff representing 130 nationalities. Sir John is also Chairman of Burberry Group plc and Experian plc. Sir John was knighted in 2011 for services to business and the voluntary sector.

(Lord) Simon WOLFSON: CEO, Next. Next Plc is a member of the FTSE 100 Index and includes a retail chain with more than 500 stores in the UK and Ireland and almost 200 mainly franchised stores around the world.

GERMANY

Dr Wolfgang BÖLLHOFF: Former CEO of the Böllhoff Group, currently Head of Böllhoff Group’s Honorary Advisory Board. Böllhoff, a family run enterprise, is a group with a network of 38 companies at 34 sites in 22 countries across the globe, specialising in fastening and assembly technology.

MR Michael MORTIZ: Mr Moritz is a Partner at CatCap, a financial consultancy focused on shareholders and investors. Mr Mortiz is a member of the influential advisory board to the Federal Ministry of Economics on SMEs.

Dr h.c. August OETKER: Chairman of the Oetker Group, which includes the internationally recognised Dr Oetker food brand. As the head of one of Europe’s largest family-owned enterprises with annual sales of about €11bn – the Oetker group employs some 26,000 people globally.

Ms Marie-Christine OSTERMANN: Ms Ostermann is the Managing Director of Rullko Grosseinkauf, a family run SME specialising in foodstuffs. She is also former head of the German Association of Young Entrepreneurs (BJU), and a well-recognised media spokesperson for the German Mittlestand, often appearing in the broadcast and print media.

SWEDEN

Mr Rune ANDERSSON: One of Sweden’s most respected industrialists, Mr Andersson is the former CEO and chairman of the industrial conglomerate Trelleborg. Over a period of 25 years, Mr Andersson transformed Trelleborg from a local company producing rubber tyres into a global giant in the aeronautics and specialist-chemicals industries, employing over 20,000 people.

Mr Tomas BILLING: Mr Billing is the CEO of one of Sweden’s largest holding companies Nordstjernan, which belongs to the Axelsson and Johnson family: one of the top five industrial families in the Nordics. He is also Chairman of NCC, the largest holding company of the group. NCC is the second largest construction firm in Northern Europe, operating in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Latvia. The Nordstjernan group has over 50,000 employees.

Ms Maria BORELIUS: Ms Borelius is an entrepreneur and journalist. Currently an Open Europe Advisory Council Member, Ms Borelius was formerly the Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade.

Mr Karl-Johan PERSSON: CEO and Owner, H&M (Hennes & Mauritz). Mr Persson is the third generation owner of Swedish retail giant H&M. With outlets in 43 countries, he is head of a firm that employs 94,000 people across the world.

Mr Henry STENSON: The current CEO of Brunswick in Sweden; Mr Stenson was formerly the Global Head of Communications at Ericsson, which employs 128,000 people worldwide.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1) For more information, please contact the office on 0044 (0)207 197 2333, or Open Europe Director Mats Persson on 0044 (0)779 946 0691.

2) Open Europe is an independent think-tank calling for reform of the European Union. http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Page/Home/en/LIVE

3) The letter to the Sunday Times was published 10 November 2013. The op-eds in Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Sweden’s Dagens Industri were published 11 November 2013. All business leaders and entrepreneurs have signed in a personal capacity.

Bron: politics.be

R.Verhiest · 12 november 2013, 15:15

Sommige ondernemers in 3 van de 28 lidstaten, "hardly representative " ?

12 november 2013, 15:00	#1
Politics.be Redactie Geregistreerd: 27 november 2004 Berichten: 28.704	Open Europe : Leading business people from the UK, Germany and Sweden join efforts t Leading business people and entrepreneurs across Northern Europe, including Karl-Johan Persson, the CEO of Swedish retail giant H&M, Dr. h.c. August Oetker, Chairman of renowned German food producer, Dr. Oetker, and head of one of Europe’s largest family-owned businesses, Douglas Flint CBE, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings, Joanna Shields, Chief Executive of Tech City, and Sir John Peace, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, have for the first time joined forces to call on EU leaders to “embrace a bold reform agenda.” In an unprecedented and united call published in eminent UK, Swedish and German newspapers, the entrepreneurs and business leaders – many of whom have never spoken out in the Europe debate before – urge policymakers to construct a more business-friendly, internationally competitive and democratically accountable Europe. Cutting across different sectors and countries, the initiative’s supporters have helped lead companies employing close to a million people across Europe and the world. The initiative, organised by the think tank Open Europe, marks the launch of a new pan-European drive urging entrepreneurs and business leaders to throw their weight behind a robust reform agenda ahead of next year’s crucial European elections. All signatories have signed up to this initiative in a personal capacity. To see a full list of the signatories, click here. To find out more about Open Europe’s initiative visit: http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Page/Campaign Open Europe Advisory Council Member Maria Borelius said: “This is an unprecedented call for change from like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders across Europe – and it is a definite sign of the growing momentum for sweeping EU reform across the continent.” GERMAN OP-ED In an op-ed published today in Germany’s leading daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), high-profile German business leaders backing the initiative include Dr h.c. August Oetker, Chairman of the Oetker Group – one of Europe’s largest family-owned businesses, Marie-Christine Ostermann, former head of the German Association of Young Entrepreneurs (BJU) and a well-known figure among the German ‘Mittelstand’, the small and medium size business community that forms the backbone of the German economy, and Michael Moritz, a partner at corporate finance firm CatCap, who is also a member of the advisory board of the Federal Ministry of Economics on SMEs. In a clear sign of the changing mood in Germany, the article says that the doctrine of “ever closer union” has failed, noting that: “Ever closer union…the dogma that all European countries should march in lock-step in order to meet the increasing requirements from Brussels has failed…The ever-increasing cost of bureaucracy and regulation in Brussels weighs especially heavily on small and medium-sized companies, hindering their global competitiveness.” SWEDISH OP-ED Front page headlines were created in Sweden by an op-ed published in the country’s main financial daily, Dagens Industri, signed, amongst others, by Karl-Johan Persson, the CEO and owner of retail giant H&M, Tomas Billing, the Chairman of one of Northern Europe’s largest construction firms, NCC, and Henry Stenson, the CEO of Brunswick Sweden and the former Global Head of Communications at Ericsson. The article argues: “The EU needs fundamental reform. Heading into the European elections next year, we are now calling on fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders, opinion formers and others to join us in asking for thorough change.” UK LETTER In a letter to the Sunday Times, published yesterday, leading British business men and women including Karren Brady, the Vice Chairman of West Ham United Football Club, Dale Murray CBE, the high-profile investor, Douglas Flint CBE, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings, and Sir John Peace, the Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, support the call for radical change, saying: “With over five million young Europeans out of work, the Eurozone crisis, economic stagnation and a growing gap between voters and the governing elites we are confronted with a stark choice: reform or decline.” The letter calls for an EU that “doesn’t interfere in areas better – or equally well – handled locally or nationally” and that recognises “the single market as the true core” of European cooperation. SIGNERS INCLUDE: UK Mr John BARTON: Chairman, Easyjet. Mr Barton is also Chairman of Next plc and Catlin Group Limited. A constituent of the FTSE 100 Index, Easyjet is the largest airline carrier in the UK with over £3.85m in revenue last year. Ms Karren BRADY: Vice Chairman, West Ham United FC. Ms Brady became known as the ‘first woman in football’ following her tenure at Birmingham City FC, where she turned around the fortunes of the club. Consistently recognised as one of the most influential women in British business, Ms Brady has a huge presence in the UK media, appearing, for example, in the hit BBC show, “The Apprentice.” Ms Brady sold her business for £82m in October 2009. Mr Douglas FLINT CBE: Mr Flint is the Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations serving some 55 million customers internationally. HSBC Holdings plc employs 260,000 worldwide. Mr Flint was appointed Chairman of the Institute of International Finance in June 2012. Mr Luke JOHNSON: Chairman, Risk Capital Partners LLP. A serial entrepreneur, Mr Johnson is known for his take-over of the Pizza Express Chain, increasing its share price from 40p to 900p. Mr Johnson has also served as the Chair of the Channel 4 Television Corporation, and is currently the Chairman of private equity house Risk Capital Partners LLP. He is also Chairman and part-owner of Patisserie Valerie, the Red Hot World Buffet Restaurant Chain and holds major owner stakes in many other businesses including APT Control; Cruise.co.uk and Metro Bank Plc. Mr Johnson’s business interests range from events and restaurants to research and theatre-production. Mr Tim MARTIN: Founder and Chairman, J D Wetherspoon. Mr Martin founded the UK pub-giant chain J D Wetherspoon in 1979. With 880 outlets the company has also expanded to hotels. Mr Martin’s company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. It had revenue of £1,197.1m in 2012. Ms Dale MURRAY CBE: Entrepreneur and Investor: A successful entrepreneur, award-winning business angel investor and experienced non-executive board director. She co-founded Omega Logic, which co-launched mobile phone top-ups in Britain and built her business to £450m of gross revenue within 5 years. Sir John ROSE: One the most respected figures in British Business, Sir John has worked around the world and has decades of experience. Ms Joanna SHIELDS: Chief Executive, Tech City Investment Organisation: In addition to her role at Tech City UK, Ms Shields is also the UK's Business Ambassador for Digital Industries. She has spent the past 27 years building some of the world's best-known technology companies, including Google, Bebo, Aol and Facebook. Sir John PEACE: Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank: Standard Chartered Bank has over 89,000 staff representing 130 nationalities. Sir John is also Chairman of Burberry Group plc and Experian plc. Sir John was knighted in 2011 for services to business and the voluntary sector. (Lord) Simon WOLFSON: CEO, Next. Next Plc is a member of the FTSE 100 Index and includes a retail chain with more than 500 stores in the UK and Ireland and almost 200 mainly franchised stores around the world. GERMANY Dr Wolfgang BÖLLHOFF: Former CEO of the Böllhoff Group, currently Head of Böllhoff Group’s Honorary Advisory Board. Böllhoff, a family run enterprise, is a group with a network of 38 companies at 34 sites in 22 countries across the globe, specialising in fastening and assembly technology. MR Michael MORTIZ: Mr Moritz is a Partner at CatCap, a financial consultancy focused on shareholders and investors. Mr Mortiz is a member of the influential advisory board to the Federal Ministry of Economics on SMEs. Dr h.c. August OETKER: Chairman of the Oetker Group, which includes the internationally recognised Dr Oetker food brand. As the head of one of Europe’s largest family-owned enterprises with annual sales of about €11bn – the Oetker group employs some 26,000 people globally. Ms Marie-Christine OSTERMANN: Ms Ostermann is the Managing Director of Rullko Grosseinkauf, a family run SME specialising in foodstuffs. She is also former head of the German Association of Young Entrepreneurs (BJU), and a well-recognised media spokesperson for the German Mittlestand, often appearing in the broadcast and print media. SWEDEN Mr Rune ANDERSSON: One of Sweden’s most respected industrialists, Mr Andersson is the former CEO and chairman of the industrial conglomerate Trelleborg. Over a period of 25 years, Mr Andersson transformed Trelleborg from a local company producing rubber tyres into a global giant in the aeronautics and specialist-chemicals industries, employing over 20,000 people. Mr Tomas BILLING: Mr Billing is the CEO of one of Sweden’s largest holding companies Nordstjernan, which belongs to the Axelsson and Johnson family: one of the top five industrial families in the Nordics. He is also Chairman of NCC, the largest holding company of the group. NCC is the second largest construction firm in Northern Europe, operating in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Latvia. The Nordstjernan group has over 50,000 employees. Ms Maria BORELIUS: Ms Borelius is an entrepreneur and journalist. Currently an Open Europe Advisory Council Member, Ms Borelius was formerly the Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade. Mr Karl-Johan PERSSON: CEO and Owner, H&M (Hennes & Mauritz). Mr Persson is the third generation owner of Swedish retail giant H&M. With outlets in 43 countries, he is head of a firm that employs 94,000 people across the world. Mr Henry STENSON: The current CEO of Brunswick in Sweden; Mr Stenson was formerly the Global Head of Communications at Ericsson, which employs 128,000 people worldwide. NOTES FOR EDITORS: 1) For more information, please contact the office on 0044 (0)207 197 2333, or Open Europe Director Mats Persson on 0044 (0)779 946 0691. 2) Open Europe is an independent think-tank calling for reform of the European Union. http://www.openeurope.org.uk/Page/Home/en/LIVE 3) The letter to the Sunday Times was published 10 November 2013. The op-eds in Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Sweden’s Dagens Industri were published 11 November 2013. All business leaders and entrepreneurs have signed in a personal capacity. Bron: politics.be __________________ Politics.be - Jouw politieke portaalsite

12 november 2013, 15:15	#2
R.Verhiest Gouverneur Geregistreerd: 22 februari 2013 Berichten: 1.318	Sommige ondernemers in 3 van de 28 lidstaten, "hardly representative " ?