Reading alumna wins the Veuve Clicquot Award Business Woman of the Year 2003 – University of Reading
30 April 2004
Former Reading student Linda Bennett, the founder and Managing Director of womenswear chain LK Bennett, has been named as the winner of the Veuve Clicquot Award Business Woman of the Year 2003. Ms Bennett, who graduated from the University of Reading in 1984 with a BSc in Land Management, was presented with the award at a champagne reception held at Claridge's Hotel in London on Thursday 29 April. The official presentation was made by Lady Susan Greenfield, member of the House of Lords, academic and leading neurologist. With Ms Bennett's guidance the LK Bennett chain, which sells shoes, clothes and accessories, has grown to 45 stores in the UK, France and Ireland, plus concessions in several major stores. "When I started 14 years ago with a small shop in Wimbledon I never imagined I would find myself running a company with 45 stores and 400 employees," she said. "Winning this Award means recognition for all the hard work that my team and I have put into growing the company. It is a fantastic feeling." Her fellow finalists for the award were: Janet Entwhistle, General Manager, BT Fleet; Mandy Haberman, inventor of the Anyway Up Cup; Penny Streeter, Managing Director, Ambition 24Hours Group; and Cynthia Wilkinson, Managing Director, Mark Wilkinson Furniture. John West, Managing Director of Veuve Clicquot (UK), said: "The Veuve Clicquot Award is inspired by the life and achievements of Madame Clicquot, who, nearly 200 years ago, set the standard for women in business. Linda Bennett started her business in 1990 and immediately had to weather the recession of the early 90s. Since then she has expanded her business rapidly and solidly and brilliantly reflects Madame Clicquot's attributes of innovation, creativity and determination." End For media enquiries, please contact: -The Veuve Clicquot Award Moira Collins or Lucy Myners Tel: 0207 408 7433/7430 E-mail: madcollins@compuserve.com -The University of Reading Craig Hillsley Tel: 0118 378 7388 E-mail: c.hillsley@reading.ac.uk