As I write this from Dubai in March 2026, we are at the height of geopolitical tensions that are changing lives, damaging countries and organisations, and reshaping global trade and supply chains in ways not seen since the post-war era. In parallel, artificial intelligence is transforming entire industries at a pace that few organisations were — or are — prepared for. The climate emergency is no longer a future risk; it is a present reality that demands structural change in how every organisation operates. And yet, amidst all this uncertainty, I find myself more optimistic than ever that outstanding organisations will adapt and lead the way.

What I see, year after year through the EFQM Global Award, is that the world's best organisations do not merely survive disruption — they use it. They are agile without being reactive. They are purposeful without being rigid. Sustainable performance is not about chasing short-term results; it's about building the kind of organisation that can deliver for its people, its customers, and its communities — not just today but for the decades ahead.

The EFQM Global Award 2025 was a remarkable testament to this. We gathered in the beautiful city of Tarragona for the Gala Dinner — and the energy in the room was extraordinary. Fourteen organisations were recognised, representing the US, South America, China, India, Singapore, the Middle East, and nations across Europe. Each of them had taken the courageous decision to open their doors, invite scrutiny, and ask the hardest question any leader can ask: are we as good as we believe we are?

It takes courage and leadership to pause and reflect on how well your organisation is living its purpose, creating value, and delivering results. Only the best leaders will hold a mirror up to themselves to improve and build a sustainable future. That willingness to be challenged — that is what sets EFQM Global Award applicants apart from the rest.

For 2027, I am particularly excited about what EFQM Sapience AI brings to the assessment process. For the first time in our history, we can offer applicants a depth of analytical insight that was simply not possible before — drawing on over 200,000 data points, 35 years of EFQM knowledge, instant insights, teams of AI agents joining teams of assessors, and 1,000+ best practice benchmarks immediately at hand. This is not AI for its own sake. This is intelligence in service of sustainable performance improvement. And it changes everything about how we understand organisational performance.

The experience of entering the EFQM Global Award will bring countless benefits to your people and your stakeholders. The impact will be long-lasting and recounted for many years. The EFQM Global Award is the most powerful mirror you will ever hold up to your organisation. Some of the world's most iconic companies have stepped up to the EFQM Global Award, standing alongside organisations from global and local, public and private, educational and charitable sectors. The EFQM Global Award is the ultimate challenge for any organisation that wants to show the world that striving for improvement and continuous transformation is part of their DNA.

We invite organisations to enter the EFQM Global Award 2027. We welcome leaders who wish to inspire their teams, open their doors, and demonstrate to their communities, stakeholders, and the wider world how their organisation operates every day as an outstanding organisation. If you are not quite ready for the EFQM Global Award, consider a Rapid Assessment, which can take just five days from start to feedback report, or an AI-enhanced Advanced Assessment. Take this opportunity to reflect, gain insight, and show how your organisation is shaping its own future.