Calling all BOLD women

LUXURY bubbly brand Veuve Clicquot is on the hunt for the boldest of the bold businesswomen in SA and there’s a trip to France up for grabs.

This year marks the first time that Veuve Clicquot is launching its globally renowned Bold Woman Award in South Africa.

Launched in 1972, the Bold Woman Award is the first and longest-running international award of its kind, with this year marking its 50th year of honouring the impact of woman leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.

South African business women will now join the ranks of an illustrious list of 410 winners celebrated by this award worldwide.

Veuve Clicquot brand manager

Katie Mossop said the award continued to take inspiration from a woman whose tenacity and creativity led to entrepreneurial success, Madame Clicquot.

“Her story is one of boldness, audacity and entrepreneurial spirit – in 1805, widowed at the age of 27 years, she went on to revolutionise an entire industry.

“An exceptional achievement in a time when women couldn’t open their own bank account, let alone independently own or run businesses.

“Madame Clicquot’s creations and innovations were manifold.

“Not only did she create an identity for champagne outside of France, she also bottled the first recorded vintage champagne in 1810,” she said.

Mossop said the established Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award was testament to the incredible talent and contribution of women entrepreneurs globally and now, it was time to put South Africa on the map.

“SA’S women entrepreneurs are a national asset – this is an opportunity to recognise their contribution and increase their visibility on a global scale,” said Mossop.

“To enter the Bold Woman Award, candidates must be founders or CEOS of a company for more than three years, have demonstrated transformational and evolution in her field, supported growth for at least two years, while maintaining an ethical approach to business,” said Mossop.

The award also aimed to engage men to challenge society’s limits, so that daring women were more visible and able to fully realise their projects.

Three finalists in each category will be selected by an esteemed jury and will be invited to attend The Bold Woman Award ceremony on July 21 where one laureate in each of the categories will be lauded by a grand jury.

The Bold Woman Award winner will travel to Reims, France, for an immersion in the history, tradition, and luxury of Maison Veuve Clicquot.

“Founded in Reims in 1772, the House of Veuve Clicquot remains true to its motto: ‘one quality, the very first’.

“In 1805, Madame Clicquot took the reins of the House and became one of the first businesswomen of modern times.”

Entries will close on May 31. Applicants must be an official resident of South Africa and the business must be based in or operating in South Africa. The finalists will be selected by an independent panel of judges.

Entries are now open to successful South African women in business via a simple form on https://www. veuveclicquot.com/en-int/bwa-southafrica-edition