Celebrating Exceptional Women in Business
London, UK, 14th June 2024 – The Veuve Clicquot Bold Awards, one of the most prestigious international accolades for women in business, celebrated the remarkable achievements of two outstanding female entrepreneurs at a spectacular champagne ceremony held at the Royal Opera House.
Honouring Trailblazers in Business
Since their inception in 1972, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Awards have honoured over 400 women worldwide. This year’s awards recognised Tracy Blackwell and Francesca Brady for their significant contributions.
Tracy Blackwell, co-founder and CEO of Pension Insurance Corporation plc (PIC), received the coveted Bold Woman Award. Under Blackwell’s leadership, PIC grew into a leading FTSE 100 company with £50 billion in assets. The company manages the pensions of 350,000 individuals and has invested more than £13 billion in UK infrastructure projects. These projects include the largest urban regeneration initiative in the Wirral. Blackwell’s achievement reflects her exceptional ability to drive growth and innovation in the financial sector. The Bold Woman Award celebrates women who have demonstrated remarkable success and leadership. Blackwell joins a distinguished list of past winners, including Professor Sarah Gilbert and Anne Pitcher.
Recognising Future Leaders
Francesca Brady, co-founder and CEO of AirRated, received the Bold Future Award. Brady’s work with AirRated focuses on improving indoor air quality, a critical yet often overlooked issue. Her company’s AirScore certification provides a valuable metric for assessing and enhancing indoor environments’ quality. This award acknowledges her innovative approach and commitment to translating academic research into practical solutions. The Bold Future Award honours emerging female entrepreneurs who are set to make a significant impact. Brady’s work exemplifies forward-thinking and innovation.
Continuing Madame Clicquot’s Legacy
The Bold Woman Award evolved from Veuve Clicquot’s Business Woman Award, celebrating extraordinary women since 1972. Madame Clicquot, a pioneering 19th-century entrepreneur, transformed the champagne industry. The awards honour women who reflect her spirit of bravery, resolve, and innovative entrepreneurship.
The judging panel for the Bold Awards includes influential figures such as Sharmadean Reid, Kristina Blahnik, Pip Jamieson, Sian Westerman, and Pippa Lamb. These industry leaders evaluated candidates based on their entrepreneurial daring, innovation, and ethical practices.
Words of Inspiration
Tracy Blackwell expressed her gratitude, saying: “Receiving this esteemed award underscores the significance of the pensions sector and our commitment to advancing UK infrastructure. I hope this award inspires future female entrepreneurs to make bold and impactful changes.”
Francesca Brady added: “Winning the Bold Future Award is a significant recognition of our efforts to improve indoor air quality. I hope it encourages more women to pursue careers in science and leadership and to follow their passions.”
Jean-Marc Gallot, President of Veuve Clicquot, concluded: “Madame Clicquot was the original Bold Woman. This year’s winners exemplify her legacy through their exceptional achievements and leadership in their fields.”
Joining the Bold Open Database
The winners will also be featured in the newly launched Bold Open Database, an initiative aimed at highlighting female entrepreneurs worldwide and providing valuable insights to investors and the media.
