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Now in its 54th year in the UK, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards are the longest-running international accolade of their kind, honouring exceptional and audacious women in business and celebrating outstanding female entrepreneurship in the UK.
The 2026 finalists follow in the footsteps of some of the UK’s most remarkable business leaders, including Dame Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange plc in 2025, Tracy Blackwell, former CEO of Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) in 2024, and Professor Sarah Gilbert in 2021 for her leadership in developing the University of Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine.
This year’s finalists embody that same pioneering spirit — redefining what business can be, from tackling plastic pollution and fashion waste to cementing Black music at the heart of British culture.
Discover the shortlist below!
The Bold Woman Award honours exceptional and audacious women who have demonstrated both institutional and personal success.
With a track record of driving performance and success across various hospitality brands, during her tenure at PizzaExpress, Paula has achieved record customer satisfaction, overseen a nationwide refurbishment programme and implemented new concepts, such as the PizzaExpress Pod. She’s also opened dozens of new restaurants both in the UK and internationally, and launched the brand’s very own record label, PX Records - all while the brand raised over £1 million for charity.
SMRUTI SRIRAM OBE - CEO OF BAGS OF ETHICS (Supreme Creations )
Smruti has helped transform Bags of Ethics into a global leader in reusable packaging, and merchandise, helping eliminate over 30 billion single-use items worldwide. Working with brands like Dior, Harrods and Nike, Smruti has championed the vertically integrated supply chain that empowers an 80% female workforce, achieving a consistent 15-30% year-on-year business growth.
KANYA KING CBE - FOUNDER AND CEO OF MOBO GROUP
Kanya has turned the MOBO awards from a fringe celebration to one of the UK’s biggest cultural exports. She recently launched House of MOBO, a new cultural hub in South London, built on a legacy of creativity and community. The MOBOLISE career development platform launched a UK-first initiative in late 2024 aimed at equipping 100,000 Black talents with AI literacy and career opportunities. The MOBO Awards celebrate their 30th year in 2026.
The Bold Future Award celebrates inspirational and ambitious up – and – coming female entrepreneurs.
Through Seabound, Alisha is solving an incredibly complex challenge: how to cut emissions in the shipping sector. Her entrepreneurial daring led to the development of a world-first, modular carbon capture system that retrofits onto existing ships to reduce CO2 by up to 95%. She has scaled the business from concept to commercialization with tier one shipping companies in under four years, building an expert team of 18 and raising £8.5m in funding and grants along the way.
MARISA POSTER - CO-FOUNDER OF PERFECTTED
At just 28, Marisa has transformed PerfectTed into a £50m ARR powerhouse, driven by a mission to make matcha more accessible. What started as a kitchen-table idea is now a permanent fixture in over 30,000 retail and café locations across 50+ countries. Today, PerfectTed is the fastest-growing founder-led brand and retail business in the UK.
JOSEPHINE PHILIPS - FOUNDER OF SOJO
A pioneering entrepreneur, Josephine has revolutionised a fragmented industry. Integrating proprietary technology, logistics, and an in-house repair centre, SOJO has become the repair service for some of the biggest fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Selfridges, and Marks & Spencer.
The UK Bold Woman Awards judging panel brings together 15 independent judges from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, uniting pioneering leaders from across business, entrepreneurship and culture. Among them are Bridget Lea, MD of Allwyn UK; Matt Penneycard, Co-founding Partner at Ada Ventures; Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik; Pip Jamieson, Founder of The Dots; and Katherine Garrett-Cox, CEO of GIB Asset Management. Together, they embody the bold leadership, diversity of perspective and commitment to championing female entrepreneurship that define the Bold Woman Awards, continuing the legacy of Madame Clicquot by celebrating those who innovate, lead and shape the future with audacity.
Sian Westerman, Board Member of the British Fashion Council and judge for the awards commented on this year’s shortlist:
“The path for women in leadership roles remains disproportionately steep. Many face hurdles, from ingrained biases to a lack of funding for female founders. However, the women on this year’s shortlist refuse to simply endure this difficult ascent. Through their work, they are tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges. They don’t settle for the way things have always been done — they challenge, disrupt, and ensure the door remains firmly open for those who follow.”
Bold by Veuve Clicquot is an international program born in 1972 and designed for greater inclusion, greater impact, and greater visibility for women business leaders.
Built around numerous moments of exchange and inspiration, Bold by Veuve Clicquot encourages generations of women to be ever bolder.
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