Fortune Breaks Ground With Europe’s First Fortune 500 List
Picture a grand cocktail party where the biggest 500 European companies ordered by revenue mingle under one glittering banner. For the first time, Fortune is hosting that soirée with its brand‑new Fortune 500 Europe list.
Who’s the Party Starter?
At the very tip of the 2023 list sits Shell, the UK energy titan that’s winning over the globe’s batteries (and gas). Five other energy juggernauts—names from Germany, France, and Russia—keep the top‑10 glow lit. Meanwhile, chilly headlines in banking and finance have pushed giants like Santander, BNP Paribas, and HSBC toward the back of the line.
Over the Wall: The World’s Struggles
- Ukraine war + energy shocks = price chaos.
- High inflation + sky‑high interest rates = foot traffic slowdown.
- Consumer demand’s burst from post‑COVID growth fuels some winners.
“Europe’s go‑go companies faced a tough year, but some rode the post‑pandemic wave and leaned into sustainability,” notes Scott DeCarlo, Finlist Editor. “They’re growing, adapting, and mastering the wild geopolitical dance.”
Age of Giants
These corporations aren’t new kids on the block: the average age is 108 years, with a median of 100. The eldest is Anheuser‑Busch InBev, starting its German roots back in 1366. The combined revenue of the 500 cornerstones? A staggering $13.9 trillion—a strongwife to the U.S. Fortune 500, which boasts $18.1 trillion, and the Global 500, around $41 trillion.
Brands You’ll Spot At The Party
Between Universal Music Group (#328), Spotify (#285), Kering (#183), Heineken (#122), Danone (#130), and Carnival (#290), the list is a firecracker of both old‑school and trendy powerhouses.
Fortune’s European Expansion
Fortune’s London‑based newsroom is getting a makeover—new data teams, commercial folks, and a fresh editorial presence covering European business gymnastics. Jim Jacovides, the London Managing Director, enthuses about the “fast‑growing European executive audience.” CEO Weekly Europe will hit inboxes next month, giving European CEOs a concentrated dose of leadership insights—courtesy of Peter Vanham from Switzerland.
Why It Matters
Since its independence in 2018, 94‑year‑old Fortune has sprouted worldwide initiatives. Under Alyson Shontell, the #1 editor‑in‑chief, digital reach has triple‑dared as the publication tunes into senior decision makers. Topics range from stakeholder capitalism and sustainability to diversity and the AI treadmill.
Revenue & Partnerships
- Fortune’s European revenue has doubled in the past year.
- It’s backed by a blue‑chip roster: Santander, North‑Rhine Westphalia, Iberdrola, and more.
- Media activations span digital & print display, sponsored editorials, newsletters, programmatic, and bespoke events.
New Sales Talent to Boost Growth
Simon Low and Rupert Turnbull bring half a century of experience at titans like Insider, Financial Times, Meta Platforms, BuzzFeed, Conde Nast, Time Inc., and Rodale Press. With them in play, Fortune’s European engine is revving up.
What Makes the List?
The “Fortune 500 Europe” ranks companies by total revenues from their latest fiscal years. All entries publish financial data, reported to a government agency. The figures are as the companies present them—to avoid the wiggle‑and‑wobble of re‑statements.
— And that’s across the board: Fortune brings the same rigorous criteria that defined its U.S. original, but now with a European flair. Enjoy the party, because it’s high‑energy, bold, and ready for the next big wave!
