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Veuve ClicquotBusinesswoman's Award 2009 Madame Clicquot was arguably the world’s first female entrepreneur. Widowed at the age of 27, she took control of her husband’s champagne business, building it to the international champagne house we know today, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. She became known as ‘la grande dame de la Champagne’, defying anyone who said ‘you can’t.’ Her motto ‘only one quality, the finest’ remains the standard of the world-famous champagne house. Madame Clicquot was clever, bold, dynamic, imaginative and adventurous. She “never left Reims, but she conquered the world.” La Veuve (the widow) died in 1866 aged 89, but remains an inspiration and role model to women around the world.The Veuve Clicquot Award identifies and celebrates the achievements of women who, like the widow Madame Clicquot, demonstrate the qualities of entrepreneurship, audacity and vision. Whether operating in the corporate world or as an innovating entrepreneur, women in business deserve recognition. Finalists: Jenny Morel(nominated by Mayor Kerry Prendergast)Jenny Morel founded No 8 Ventures in 1999. For No 8 Ventures, Jenny has been a director of 13 early stage companies. She is currently Chairman of Martin Aircraft Company, Vertical Composting and Smart Orthotics, a director of Open Cloud and Surveylab, and has observer status on the board of Proacta. Jenny previously founded an investment bank specialising in technology companies, which led to her starting No 8 Ventures. She is also the founder and organiser of an annual conference for New Zealand high growth companies, Morgo. In 2007 she was named by Listener magazine as one of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand. In 2006, Jenny was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business. Mary Devine(nominated by Kirsty Cameron)Mary Devine (B.Com, MBA) has held a number of senior management roles in a variety of apparel companies. In her current role as Chief Executive Officer at EziBuy Ltd, she has led the strategic direction of the company; which employs 1000 staff and has a turnover in excess of $260m. She also played an integral part in the company’s purchase of Max Fashions and is developing a strategy to drive the brand as a multi-channel retailer with a presence in the Australian market. Under Mary’s leadership, EziBuy has achieved double digit sales & profit growth. Mary continues to rack up her frequent flyer points, as she commutes between EziBuy’s Head Office in Auckland and her home in Christchurch, which she shares with her three young boys – Zachary, Max & Louis. Annah Stretton(nominated by Jan McLean)Recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading entrepreneurs, Annah Stretton works under the ‘Stretton Group’ banner, and continues to grow her business interests – Stretton Clothing and Stretton Publishing – from her Waikato base. Her boundless energy allows her to become actively involved in a number of philanthropic endeavours, supporting many national groups (NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, Look Good Feel Better, Starship, SPCA) but she also enjoys getting involved at the ‘grass roots’ level, often speaking, judging or supporting small organisations with fundraising or educational events. In 2008, Annah was awarded a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Fashion, Business and the Community. Sarah Trotman(nominated by Fiona Rotherham)An experienced and successful business leader, Sarah Trotman owns and runs Bizzone, a multi-faceted business-support organisation that is being franchised globally. Bizzone organises the Business Expo, the largest event held for NZ business owners, the Excellence in Business Support Awards and a business magazine distributed to 40,000 businesses. At 29th,Bizzone was the fastest growing business on the 2008 Unlimited/Deloitte Fast 50 100% owned by a woman. Sarah, an effective force for good for New Zealand business owners and ex-territorial soldier is also a mother of two. Sarah Kennedy(nominated by Deborah Pead)Sarah Kennedy is Chief Executive Officer of Vitaco Health Limited. Sarah qualified and worked as a Veterinarian before returning to University to study marketing, management and business finance. She began her business career at NRM Ltd before moving to Tegel Foods Ltd. She joined Healtheries as Managing Director in 1998. In 2003 Sarah completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. In 2007 Healtheries and Nutralife were purchased by Next Capital Health and Sarah was made Group CEO. Sarah is a board member of the Food and Grocery Council, Export NZ, Osteoporosis of New Zealand and International Accreditation NZ and sits on the Advisory Board of the Auckland University Business School.
Business entrepreneur Annah Stretton has been named as the 2009 New Zealand recipient of the Veuve Clicquot Award. |
And the Winner Is... Annah Stretton