Launching a new business award in the midst of a global recession – one so severe it has prompted questions about free market capitalism itself – might be judged a bold move in itself. But the Financial Times and ArcelorMittal, partners in the Boldness in Business awards, believe this is precisely the time to be bold – and to reward boldness.

As Lionel Barber, editor of the FT, puts it: “We believe boldness is critical in difficult times, in times of recession – that people look at a crisis as an opportunity, an opportunity for change, an opportunity for challenging traditional business models and the way of doing things.”