Without guidance and encouragement, even the finest talent can go to waste. In companies large and small, the tone and nature of this support is set from the top – beyond profit margins and balance sheets, CEOs are responsible for company culture. This covers not just employee relations, but how a company interacts with society as a whole. With this in mind, European CEO has identified the outstanding CEOs, entrepreneurs and companies of the year. These leaders have the serious task of shaping the world to come, and their efforts make them worthy of the highest praise. Congratulations to all our winners.