Phillip Mills Counts Down to Int. Business Comp

Phillip Mills Counts Down to International Business Competition

New Zealand’s representative at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, Phillip Mills, is preparing to compete against the world’s best entrepreneurs in Monte Carlo this month.

Fitness pioneer Phillip Mills of Les Mills International is representing New Zealand this month at the prestigious Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year. The competition is being held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, from 26-29 May.

Winner of New Zealand’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in October 2004, Phillip is competing against 34 other country representatives for the title of ‘Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year’. Contestants will be judged by an international 12-member judging panel, with the winner being announced at a banquet dinner on Saturday evening (Sunday morning New Zealand time).

Phillip is looking forward to participating in the competition and meeting his fellow entrepreneurs in Monte Carlo.

“Taking part in the New Zealand competition was a great experience. It taught me a lot about my business and networking with the other finalists was hugely beneficial. My competitors in the world event are all very successful and it will be amazing to have the opportunity to mix with business people of such a high calibre from all around the world,” says Mr Mills.

Phillip is being accompanied to the event by Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Director, Carol Campbell. Ms Campbell believes that Phillip stands an excellent possibility of taking the world title.

“New Zealand can be very proud to have Phillip there as our country’s representative. He is a stand-out entrepreneur whose business is a good example of how a unique business idea can be exported and make an impact around the world,” Ms Campbell says.

“Being at the bottom of the world is seen by some as a disadvantage, but the creativity and flair shown by New Zealand entrepreneurs shows that this is just not the case. We have world-class talent here and it is important that these people stand up and be counted.”

There is also another New Zealander at the event. David Johnson, CEO of Trends Publishing and inaugural winner of the New Zealand Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year title in 1998, is one of the members of the judging panel. This is only the second time that a New Zealander has been on the judging panel.

Entries for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year are now open and close on 8 July. New Zealand’s 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year will be announced at an award banquet on Wednesday, 12 October.

Now in its eighth year in New Zealand and nineteenth year worldwide, the award programme was launched by Ernst & Young to celebrate the world’s leading entrepreneurs and share their stories to inspire others. Operating in 41 countries, it is recognised as the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs and is the only global business award in New Zealand.

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