Few firms can claim to have made it to their current position without the guidance of their respective leaders. No matter the size, companies require a guiding hand to drive innovation, encourage positive growth and maintain a progressive working culture. In the European CEO Awards 2017, we have identified just some of the key figures who have achieved this feat over the past 12 months, and in doing so have helped their firms reach their maximum potential. Here, we celebrate their recent work and look towards 2018, when they will face the challenge of fighting off agile new competitors in order to maintain their leading positions.