The public vote closes at 5pm CET on Wednesday 17th October at which point the company with the most votes per country will automatically be awarded National Champion status.

The Cambridge Satchel Company is asking supporters to visit the European Business Awards website, view their video submission and vote for them to win the accolade.  This is the first year that the organisers of the European Business Awards have introduced a new online public voting system and video element to the awards.

The Cambridge Satchel Company was chosen by the esteemed panel of judges at The European Business Awards as a national finalist based on its commitment to innovation, business excellence and sustainability.

Julie Deane, founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company said, “I set up the business to create good quality, handmade, British satchels to fund my children’s education and since then have been overwhelmed by the support for our brand and the loyal following we have amassed.  We’re thrilled to have been chosen to represent Britain as part of these Awards and hope that our story will encourage people to vote for us online.” 

At the end of 2007, Julie Deane wanted to raise the money to move her eight-year-old daughter from a school where she was being bullied into a school where she would thrive and be happy, and came up with an idea to make traditional leather satchels for the schoolchildren of Cambridge.  Deane invested just £600 to get the idea off the ground and The Cambridge Satchel Company is now a pioneering enterprise, employing more than 60 people and experiencing phenomenally fast growth around the world. In 2012 The Cambridge Satchel Company is forecasting a turnover of over £10m and now sells in over 100 countries.

Deane is committed to preserving British manufacturing - a luxury rarely afforded by start-up businesses. Despite enormous pressure to satisfy demand with an overseas production model, Deane has ensured that each stage in producing every bag sold has taken place on British soil.  Furthermore, she has used the company's success to drive a re-skilling of the British population; taking on apprentices, engaging disillusioned youth and encouraging people to embrace craftsmanship. All bags are made of 100% Bovine Leather.

In addition to the public vote, a panel of expert judges will be viewing the videos and will award National Champion status to between five and 20 other organisations from Britain. Judging of the National Finalists will take place from 6th September with National Champions being announced in November 2012.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards says, “This new voting process provides a greater opportunity for companies to engage with supporters in their own country as well as presenting their achievements to a wider audience across Europe. These videos show some of the most successful and sustainable companies in Europe and we hope that anyone interested in business will take some time to watch the videos, either from their own country or from other countries and then vote for their favourites.”

Between November 2012 and January 2013, the National Champions will be reassessed by a third panel of judges made up of Europe-wide business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs who will award the top 110 organisations the coveted Ruban d’Honneur status. Finally, after face-to-face presentations, the Ruban d’Honneur recipients will be honoured and the names of the overall winners will be revealed at a Gala awards ceremony in April 2013. 

The Cambridge Satchel Company