Ocado’s Mel Smith shortlisted for Bold Woman Awards
Ocado Retail chief executive Mel Smith has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2022 Bold Woman Awards by Veuve Clicquot.
Other finalists for the awards’ main prize include Dr Hayaatun Sillem, chief executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Roni Savage, founder and managing director of Jomas Associates.
First launched in 1972, previous winners have included Oxford vaccine developer Professor Sarah Gilbert and architect Dame Zaha Hadid.
In a statement, Veuve Cliquot said Smith (pictured second left) has been shortlisted due to the phenomenal growth Ocado Retail has seen under her leadership, which includes a 40% increase in revenue since 2019. She has also been credited for leading the online grocer’s efforts to keep the UK fed during the early phases of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The awards’ judges include a mixture of industry titans and networkers including Kristina Blahnik, chief executive of Manolo Blahnik, Pip Jamieson, founder of The Dots, Sian Westerman, co-chair at British Fashion Council Trust, Naomi Kerbel, global head of TV and radio at Bloomberg, and Moira Benigson, founder of MBS Group.
Jean-Marc Gallot, president of Veuve Clicquot, said: “This is the fiftieth year that Veuve Clicquot has celebrated trailblazing female leadership and while each candidate demonstrates the same entrepreneurial spirit of Madame Clicquot, all are leading organisations that are committed to driving a better future.
“This list encapsulates everything these awards were originally launched to recognise, from phenomenal business acumen and true entrepreneurial daring, to a commitment to improving female representation.”
