12th Monaco Eco Club Awards recognise the talent driving Monaco’s economy
Winners of the 12th Monaco Eco Club Awards were announced on Monday 18 at the Grimaldi Forum. Six trophies were awarded at a ceremony that again demonstrated the Principality’s ability to produce and attract successful entrepreneurs.
“You do great honour to the Principality and I hope you will continue to do so as Monaco needs companies like yours,” was how Minister of State H.E. Pierre Dartout concluded his speech to the 250 stakeholders and officials attending the Monaco Eco Club Awards that recognise remarkable companies operating in the Principality.
Organised by Monaco Economic Board and the Nice-Matin Group, the six winners were selected by a jury comprised of Monaco Eco Club members*. For Jean-Louis Pelé, CEO of the Nice-Matin Group, it is “through the impressive track records and excellence of the companies represented that the Eco Trophies highlight the dynamism driving the Principality’s economy”.
MEB Chairman Michel Dotta underlined Monaco’s resilience and resistance even as economists predict a gloomy forecast for 2024, “We have to pull together, show solidarity, creativity and a combative nature, all character traits in which Monaco’s entrepreneurs excel,” he said.
Compered by MEB’s CEO Guillaume Rose and Christian Huault, Editor-in-Chief of the Nice-Matin Group, the ceremony raised the curtain on the depth and diversity of the Monegasque economy.
Victoria Stevenson - Hotel Colombus Monte-Carlo
Victoria Stevenson was recognised for having established a managerial policy that favours people over skills. “We are starting to have an employer brand” said the delighted winner. The strategy is enabling the hotel to provide guests excellent services which are contributing to its success.
Presented by Marco Piccinini, Minister of Finance and the Economy and Sylvie Biancheri, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Forum.
AzurTech - Daniel and Cédric Cavassino
Since AzurTech was bought in 2004 by Daniel Cavassino, then taken over by his son Cédric, this major player in the cleaning sector in the Principality with 215 permanent employees has been steadily reducing its environmental impact. Initiatives include a fleet of electric vehicles, water-based and plant-based household products and recently the elimination of single-use packaging. Their approach is backed up by its commitment to the National Pact for the Energy Transition.
Presented by Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux, Energy Transition Mission Director and Pierfranck Pelacchi, Deputy Managing Director SMEG.
Youstock - Pierre Charvet
This 2.0 furniture storage startup was set up in 2015 in the Principality and went through the Monaco Tech incubator-accelerator. It has come a long way since then. By offering “object-specific” storage space enabling the customer to easily manage their business online without ever having to travel, Youstock has conquered Nice, Bordeaux, Paris, Lyon and Brussels and recently acquired an existing company to establish the concept in London. A promising trajectory for an innovative concept.
Presented by Frédéric Genta, Country Chief Officer of Attractiveness and the Digital Transition and Laurent Lauer, Business and TPE Manager at Caisse d’Epargne Côte d’Azur.
WES - Thierry Cognard and Alexandre Trueba
For nearly 30 years, the company has specialised in transport and customs clearance in ultra-demanding niche markets such as luxury objects and cars, exceptional artworks and yachts. With 140 nationalities living in Monaco, WES works all over the world offering clients security, immediacy, confidentiality and anonymity. Their flexibility and expertise have led them to work with the most prestigious brands and institutions.
Presented by Caroline Rougaignon-Vernin, President of the Economic and Social Council and Stéphane Valeri, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM).
Made in Monaco Trophy
Shibuya Productions - Cédric Biscay
Founded 2014, Shibuya Productions is a production company with an international reputation for its Magic shows dedicated to manga, comics, animation, video games and pop culture. Shibuya is also the title of a video game which raised over €6 million on a crowdfunding platform and a manga published and printed in Monaco. Called Blitz, the plot is based on a game of chess that takes place in the Principality. Its author is none other than Cédric Biscay who contributes to Monaco’s “soft power”.
Awarded by Franck Julien, President of the Finance and Economy Commission at the National Council and Jean-Louis Pelé, CEO of the Nice-Matin Group.
Yacht Club de Monaco - Bernard d'Alessandri
Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier III, Yacht Club de Monaco upholds a tradition of passion and elegance linked to the sea. With 2,500 members, the Club is dynamic and successful with five world titles won by its members in 2023. With HSH Prince Albert II as President, YCM is committed to proactive environmental actions with its collective ‘Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach. The aim is to foster responsible yachting that is innovative yet loyal to its traditions, ensuring the Principality remains an essential international yachting destination.
Presented by Minister of State H.E. Pierre Dartout and Michel Dotta, Chairman of the Monaco Economic Board.
* Coordinated by the Nice-Matin Group in partnership with the Monaco Economic Board, Monaco Eco Club members include Caisse d’Epargne Côte d’Azur, the Monaco Government’s Communications Department, Grimaldi Forum, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and SMEG.
➢ Press contact: Benoît Ulrich / Delphine Quilichini – presse@meb.mc
➢ Photo credits: MEB / Landry Basile