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Smith was recognised for her outstanding leadership over the last three years. She impressed the Bold Award judges with her inspired stewardship of Ocado Retail, which under her leadership became the UK’s fastest-growing grocery retailer. She recently stepped down as CEO after spending three years at the company’s helm, having overseen the initial setup of the joint venture between Ocado and Marks & Spencer.
Moving from a partnership with Waitrose to a joint venture with M&S, Mel led the largest change in range of any UK retailer, with Ocado switching out over 10 per cent of its product range overnight. Under her leadership, Ocado increased its market share by over 40 per cent, and she personally navigated the business during the COVID-19 crisis, directing the firm’s strategy to keep the UK fed during the early phases of the pandemic.
Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Awards showcase the achievements of audacious and innovative female entrepreneurs, giving them visibility in a world historically dominated by men. Previous winners of the award include COVID-19 vaccine developer Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, renowned architect Dame Zaha Hadid and Selfridges Group Managing Director, Anne Pitcher.
Chatterbox is a corporate language training provider, helping companies like the British Red Cross, BNP Paribas and Unilever provide language learning services to staff. The employees are taught by coaches from marginalised communities such as refugees. Judge’s praised Mursal’s demonstration of entrepreneurial daring – in just six years, Chatterbox has raised more than £2m in investment and works with the world’s leading organisations. Judges were also impressed by Mursal’s commitment to championing better representation – a former refugee herself, Mursal came to the UK as a child from Afghanistan and has become a leading proponent of encouraging refugees into skilled work.
Veve Clicquot has a long-standing commitment to female leadership, which began in 1805 with Madame Clicquot, a trailblazer who took over the reigns of the House after her husband’s passing, securing its success against all odds. This year marks the 50th year in which Veuve Clicquot has formally celebrated the Bold Woman Awards, honouring the legacy of Madame Clicquot, with alumni past and present reflecting her tenacity across the centuries. The awards have celebrated historic landmarks throughout the past half century, with former winners including Debbie Moore OBE, who was the first woman to float a company on the stock exchange in 1982 and Dame Marjorie Scardino DBE who was the first female boss of a FTSE 100 company when she was appointed at Pearson in 1997.
Speaking about her award, Mel Smith CBE, winner of the BOLD award 2022 said, “I am thrilled to have been awarded the prestigious Bold Woman Award, an achievement I dedicate to the women and men who have provided support, guidance and allyship throughout my career.”
“I believe in the power of curiosity, bringing my best self, and daring greatly.”
“I hope that resonates and inspires the next generation of female and indigenous leaders in retail and beyond.”
Mursal Hedayat MBE, co-founder of Chatterbox and winner of the BOLD Future award 2022 said, “I am honoured to have won the BOLD Future award and thrilled to have my name mentioned alongside that of some utterly trailblazing previous winners.”
“The world of entrepreneurship remains unduly hostile to female founders and I am immensely grateful for this honour, and the visibility it brings.”
“Platforming mine and Chatterbox’s work to integrate refugees and career re-starters into the workforce as language coaches supports our efforts to smash glass ceilings for professionals marginalised for reasons beyond their gender – which means the world to me.”
“Thank you to the BOLD judges for bringing us into the spotlight.”
