Business Woman AwardVeuve Clicquot

Veuve Clicquot announced the shortlist for its Business Woman of the Year Award 2011, bringing together shining examples of female entrepreneurship and business success across sectors ranging from hospitality to construction as well as social media to feminine hygiene. The finalists include:
 
·     Susie Hewson, Director of feminine hygiene brand, Natracare
·     Jillian MacLean, Founder and MD of restaurant group, Drake & Morgan
·     Michelle McDowell MBE, Chair, Civil and Structural Engineering, BDP
·     Joanna Shields, EMEA vice-president of social networking site, Facebook
 
As with previous years, Corporate Social Responsibility was a key criterion for our judging panel. From Joanna Shield’s groundbreaking collaboration with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) Centre, ultimately helping to make Facebook a safer place for children, to Susie Hewson’s ongoing commitment to menstrual health and education, which saw the launch of the Natracare School Programme, this year’s nominees all represent a deep commitment to educating future generations.
 
Mentoring and supporting the next wave of female entrepreneurs and business leaders was another important factor for the judges. Michelle McDowell MBE and her work creating a BDP scheme at Cambridge University to provide bursaries to female students of engineering, as well as acting as a judge for two years running for the Inspire Award for Women in the Built Environment, has inspired women in what has been historically a male dominated industry.
 
Environmental consciousness has also played a significant role in the judge’s decision and Jillian MacLean’s dedication to sustainability is a fine example of the finalist’s commitment to ecological concerns. The launch of Drake & Morgan’s newest venue, The Folly, was marked by the purchase of a section of the Colombian rainforest close to the size of London ensuring that Drake & Morgan’s carbon footprint is offset for many years to come.
 
The winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award will be announced at a high profile champagne reception at Claridges in London on the 28th of March 2011 at 6.30pm.
 
The judging panel comprised of business leaders, including Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, EasyJet, as well as last years’ winner Laura Tenison, founder and CEO of JoJo Maman Bebe and other key industry experts. Nominees were judged on both the strength of their financial results as well as the ethical business practices each had adopted.