A trio of London-based businesswomen have been nominated for a prestigious business award.
Fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, chef Ruth Rogers and investment company boss Helena Morrissey were announced as the finalists of this year’s Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year award.
One of them will take home the coveted award on April 18 at a ceremony at Claridge’s Hotel in London and join the likes of The Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick and Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag in being recognised for their entrepreneurial excellence.
Hindmarch, an accessories designer who started her business at the age of 19 with one shop in London, now has 54 outlets worldwide; Rogers, who owns The River Cafe, was born and lived in New York before moving to the London College of Printing to complete her studies in graphic design and typography.
Describing how reaction to being nominated, Rogers said: “I thought it was great not only for me but for women who work in restaurants because it’s always been a male-dominated profession so I thought it was a great step for achievement for women. After 25 years, it’s a great year to have that happen. “
Mother-of-nine Morrissey is chief executive of Newton Investment Management, a global bond investment company. She is the mastermind behind its 30% Club, a group aimed at increasing the number of boardroom positions occupied by women in Britain’s biggest companies from its present “dismal” level of 12.5% to 30% over the next five years.
The trio now face an agonising wait until the discover whether they have won this year’s award, but, in the meantime, Christina Jesaitis, senior brand manager at Veuve Clicquot, has provided an insight into what the panel is looking for.
She said: “As we reach our 40th year of the award, social and environmental responsibility are still a key focus for our judges and this year’s finalists all represent businesswomen that have embedded these important attributes into their organisations.
“The award also looks for those women that are able to act as more than just an example of a successful businesswoman, but rather an inspiration and mentor for future female entrepreneurs; we believe that all of our three finalists have demonstrated this quality.”
Previous winner and panel member Carolyn McCall paid tribute to Hindmarch, Rogers and Morrissey, saying: “The nominees for this year’s award are all great role models and have all the attributes that Veuve Clicquot looks for in its Business Woman Award. This award has played a vital role in recognising and celebrating women in business.”
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