Announcement of the Winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2009

LONDON - Veuve Clicquot Champagne announces the winner of the 36th Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award at a champagne reception held at The Saatchi Gallery, Kings Road, London.

The silver bottle trophy was presented by Sir Trevor McDonald OBE

The Winner

Gail Rebuck CBE - Chair and Chief Executive Officer, ‘The Random House Group’

Gail Rebuck CBE is undoubtedly one of the most influential people in publishing and heads up one of the UK’s biggest publishing companies and its subsidiaries in Australia, New Zealand and India and a joint venture in South Africa. The Group publishes many of the world’s best known authors such as Ian McEwan, Salman Rushdie, Ruth Rendell and Dan Brown, one of the world’s most commercially successful adult novelists. Alongside her longstanding business success Gail is a passionate advocate promoting literacy in both children and adults - she is a Trustee for the National Literacy Trust and chairs the Quick Reads adult literacy initiative, part of World Book Day Charity which she co-launched. Furthermore she is a Non-Executive Director of BSkyB and Director of Skillset (Sector Skills Council for Creative Media) and sits on the Council of the Royal College of Art.

Gail Rebuck on receiving her award said: “When I consider the remarkable achievements of the former winners and my fellow nominees, it is a real privilege and an honour to win this award. I am delighted to follow in the footsteps of such an esteemed list of highly talented business people who are an inspiration to women everywhere.”

Sally Warmington, Marketing Director for Veuve Clicquot said: “We are delighted that the judges have selected a winner who reflects the unique business character of Madame Clicquot, one of the first great business women. Similar to Madame Clicquot, Gail Rebuck Chair and Chief Executive of ‘The Random House Group’, has successfully lead the company through a vast range of development and growth and puts her success down to a forward thinking attitude, positively embracing innovation in order to anticipate the future.”

The Finalists Cath Kidston Creative Director & Founder, Cath Kidston Ltd Harriet Green Chief Executive Officer, Premier Farnell plc Kate Bleasdale Vice Chairman, Healthcare Locums plc Ruby McGregor-Smith Chief Executive, MITIE Group plc

Key Faces Attended

- Stephen & Kimberly Quinn - Jenni Falconer - Daisy De Villenvue - Nancy Dell’Olio - Kay Burley - Linda Barker - Kanya King - Anton Mosimann - Faisal Islam - Amber Nuttall - Constance Briscoe - - Melissa Del Bono - Mary Ann Sieghart - Marissa Montgomery - Alice Beer - Baroness Virginia Bottomley - Lord and Lady Powell of Bayswater - John and Anoushka Ayton

Previous BWA Winner Attendees

- Carolyn McCall - Rosaleen Blair - Vivienne Cox - Dianne Thompson CBE - Dawn Gibbins MBE - Phyllis Cunningham CBE - Patricia Vaz OBE - Sophie Mirman OBE - Debbie Moore

Award History

In the world of business, The Veuve Clicquot Award is regarded as the ‘Oscar’ for women entrepreneurs and those working in the corporate world in the UK and throughout the world. Highly prized and sought after, it is the first and original international Award created specially to recognise the contribution that women have made to business life. Staged this year at the Saatchi Gallery Veuve Clicquot have been a key corporate patron since the opening of the gallery in October 2008 reaffirming the brands affiliation with design.

Now in its 36th year and held in 17 other countries, The Award celebrates the memory of Madame Clicquot herself, a formidable and successful 19th century businesswoman, who made the great champagne house what it is today.

Her audacity, bravery and creativity are celebrated each year and reflected in the light of the achievements of the winner and finalists. In turn, they present excellent role models for young women aspiring to their place in the business world.

For pictures and bio’s: www.veuveclicquotaward.com

Source: Veuve Clicquot

For further information please contact: Martyn Bowden, Veuve Clicquot, Phone: +44-207-2454-345, E-mail: martyn.bowden at mhuk.co.uk