Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2010

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award is regarded as the ‘Oscar’ of female entrepreneurs and business leaders. Established in 1972 as a tribute to Madame Clicquot, the legendary founder of Veuve Clicquot, is now live in 16 countries and is the first international award created specifically to recognise the contribution that women have made to business life.

“With this renewed focus and approach the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Award hopes to open up an inspiring field of extremely talented, interesting and inspiring candidates.”

Over recent years the award has evolved to reflect the ever-changing nature of business practice and in 2010 Veuve Clicquot will place Corporate Social Responsibility at the heart of the award as it resonates strongly with the brand and its corporate values. Going forward, the judging panel comprising business leaders, past winners and experts, will be placing equal weight on the financial results and the business practices adopted to deliver them. They will be looking to award women who have embedded social and environmental responsibility within their businesses in addition to delivering a healthy balance sheet.

Sally Warmington, Brand Director of Veuve Clicquot, said:
“With this renewed focus and approach the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Award hopes to open up an inspiring field of extremely talented, interesting and inspiring candidates.”

As further evidence of Veuve Clicquot’s commitment to supporting social and environmental responsibility in business practice, a new award was founded in 2006: ‘The Veuve Clicquot Initiative for Economic Development’. The award recognises exceptional women who live and work in emerging countries who embrace the principles of CSR to influence in a major way the economic development of their country.

In 2009, Natalie Killassy, Founder and Managing Director of South African Company ‘Stitch Wise’, was awarded for her innovative creation of mining safety tools to greater protect miners in South Africa, along with the establishment of an empowerment trust where amongst other subjects, literacy, computer skills and basic business skills are taught .

To nominate a candidate please visit www.veuveclicquotaward.com by January 18^th 2010.

The winner will be announced at a high profile champagne reception at partner charity gallery the ICA on the 23^rd of March 2010.

Winner and Finalists of 2009 Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Awards:

Winner: Dame Gail Rebuck, Chief Executive of Random House Group

Finalists: Harriet Green, Chief Executive of electronics supplier Premier Farnell

Cath Kidston, Founder & Chief Executive of homeware store Cath Kidston

Kate Bleasdale, Vice Chairman or recruiter Healthcare Locums

Ruby Mc Gregor Smith, Chief Executive of outsourcing company MITIE Group

EDITORS NOTES:

Past UK Winners have included:

1985 – Dame Anita Roddick DBE, founder and MD of Body Shop International

1988 - Sophie Mirman OBE, founder and MD of Sock Shop International

1992 – Phyllis Cunningham CBE, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden Hospital

1998 – Dame Marjorie Scardino DBE, Chief Executive Pearson Plc

2004 – Linda Bennett, Founder and MD of LK Bennett

2007 – Rosaleen Blair, CEO Alexander Mann Solutions

2008 – Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive Guardian Media Group

View all past winners at www.veuveclicquotaward.com

The prize is a silver trophy shaped as a La Grande Dame bottle, a special vintage produced from the vineyards exclusively owned by Madame Clicquot during her lifetime. The winner will also take a unique trip to Reims, the home of Veuve Clicquot, together with the laureates from other countries to christen a vine in her own name at the International Business Woman Forum. As a friend of the widow Madame Clicquot, she will then receive a gift of champagne from her own vine every birthday for life. All nominees must be based in the UK. Veuve Clicquot’s gratitude to the winning nominator will be marked by a gift of a case of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1998.

The Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award is now operating in 16 countries, in line with the international scope of Veuve Clicquot which exports more than 90% of its turnover outside of France in more than 150 countries. It was founded in 1972 for the house's bi-centenary as a tribute to Madame Clicquot, the founder of Veuve Clicquot. Madame Clicquot was a pioneering business woman, possibly the first of her time. Through her talent as an oenologist and businesswoman she became known as ‘The Grande Dame of Champagne’. The award reflects the values and qualities of Madame Clicquot. Widowed in 1805 at the age of 28, Madame Clicquot took over the family business. She was a woman of tremendous vision in establishing Veuve Clicquot as one of the finest champagne houses.

Highlights of her innovation and entrepreneurship:
1814: Madame Clicquot shipped 10,000 bottles to Russia the first trading of its kind.
1816: Invented ‘remuage’ a system now adopted by all champagne houses for removing sediment.

Veuve Clicquot’s Commitment to supporting Sustainable Economic Development inspired a new project and award in 2006 by then President Cecile Bonnefond: ‘The Veuve Clicquot Initiative for Economic Development’.

2009 Winner Natalie Killassy was recognised for her pioneering business ‘Stitch Wise’, which provides supplies safety material for ultra deep mining. Stitch Wise has managed to change the mindset within the mining industry and helped empower hundreds of disadvantaged people in the community. Natalie spent 18 months in an underground test site, 3600m below surface to develop her patent solutions which have revolutionised the mining industry, raising working and safety standards. In line with Natalie’s personal philosophy which embraces empowerment through ongoing skills training, Stitch Wise has established an empowerment trust where, amongst other subjects, literacy, computer skills and basic business skills are taught. Natalie’s philosophy and approach are a true inspiration. Bio available

Environmental and Social Commitment – Veuve Clicquot have specifically implemented several processes, highlights include:

Sustainable Viticulture – reduced water usage by 42%
Awarded ISO 14001 for performance in protecting the environment recognising it has put in place an advanced Environmental Management System
All employees of Veuve Clicquot are committed to preserving traditional skills and partner with key educational institutions establishing training and apprenticeship programmes.