London Stock Exchange CEO wins Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award

Hoggett collected the prize at a ceremony held at the Royal Opera House. The Bold Woman Award is the longest-running international accolade recognising outstanding women in business.

She was recognised for her leadership in financial services, in particular as CEO of the London Stock Exchange, the largest European exchange, and as head of the UK’s Capital Markets Industry Taskforce. The judging panel also cited her long-standing advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the industry.

Hoggett joins a list of former winners that includes Professor Sarah Gilbert, Anne Pitcher and Tracy Blackwell. She is the 53rd recipient of the award, which honours women who embody the spirit of Madame Clicquot, a pioneering businesswoman of the 19th century.

“It is a huge honour to win such a prestigious award and be recognised amongst the ranks of these other truly inspiring, bold women,” said Hoggett. “I often use the phrase, ‘the braver I am, the braver I get’. Being bold, brave, ambitious and inclusive in our vision for the London Stock Exchange and its role in building an ecosystem in which entrepreneurs and investors can thrive is hugely important to me.

“That is why I am so honoured to have won this award - one that passes the metaphorical baton for female business leaders on from Madame Clicquot herself. However, any organisation is not about one person, but about the remarkable teams of people that make them up. I am incredibly proud of, and grateful to, the teams that support me in running the London Stock Exchange and our wider businesses each and every day.”

Future award goes to Shellworks founder

Insiya Jafferjee, co-founder and CEO of Shellworks, received the Bold Future Award, which recognises promising female entrepreneurs of the future.

Jafferjee was awarded for developing the world’s first sustainable packaging material aimed at reducing plastic waste. Shellworks has already replaced 40 tonnes of plastic and produced 1.2 million packaging solutions, with the goal of fully replacing petroleum-based plastic packaging.

The judging panel praised her ability to scale the business rapidly and with impact. The panel included Sharmadean Reid, Bridget Lea, Izzy Obeng and Pip Jamieson.

“I'm incredibly proud of how far Shellworks has come, growing from a small startup into a leader in sustainable packaging,” said Jafferjee. “Last year, we reached £1 million in revenue, and this year, we're setting our sights on £4.5 million. The journey has been tricky at times but deeply rewarding, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

“The biggest challenge I’ve faced with Shellworks is skepticism. People often doubt that what we do is even possible. At first, they didn’t believe we could create the product. Then, they said it couldn’t be scaled. Later, they insisted it couldn’t be sold. Proving them wrong at every stage has been my boldest and bravest achievement, and I’m honoured that this award recognises that journey. I hope to inspire other women to be fearless and pursue their passions.”

Honouring boldness in business

Jean-Marc Gallot, president of Veuve Clicquot, said: "Building on the legacy of Madame Clicquot, these two women are reshaping the future of business. Their achievements go far beyond profit, serving as inspiration for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Whether it’s driving the UK economy or tackling plastic waste, they show that bold decisions, standing out, and proving others wrong lead to both financial success and positive societal impact.”

The shortlist for the Bold Woman Award included Anne Aslett, CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons. Ayesha Ofori, founder and CEO of Propelle, and Nina Mohanty, founder and CEO of Bloom Money, were shortlisted for the Bold Future Award.

Coinciding with the awards, Veuve Clicquot has also recently unveiled its latest prestige cuvée, La Grande Dame 2018 - a fitting toast to bold leadership and female entrepreneurship.