// Selfridges managing director Anne Pitcher wins prestigious Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Award
// Judges praised her for achieving “significant” financial success & championing female representation
A woman who started her career in a Saturday job in a shop as a 16-year-old and is now managing director of Selfridges has won a prestigious business award.
Anne Pitcher has won Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Award, following a lifelong career in the retail industry.
Judges praised her for achieving “significant” financial success for the luxury department store retailer, as well as championing female representation and increasing the number of women in leadership positions.
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She has also overseen the development of the Selfridges apprenticeship scheme, with 80 per cent of those taking part being women.
Her career includes that Saturday job in Welwyn Garden City to working in luxury department stores Harvey Nichols and Harrods before moving to Selfridges in 2004.
Pitcher was then promoted to managing director of the Selfridges Group in 2019, overseeing 26 stores in four countries, including Arnotts and Brown Thomas in Ireland, De Bijenkorf in The Netherlands, Holt Renfrew in Canada and Selfridges in the UK.
The judges also praised her for overseeing a period of “unprecedented commercial performance” and growth at Selfridges, delivering on commitments to sustainability, curating leading fashion brands and driving innovation.
“I am honoured and humbled to have won the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award from among such an exceptional and talented group of women shortlisted,” Pitcher said.
“I believe women are showing the world there is a new and different way to lead, built on creativity, courage and respect for people and the planet.
“Leadership is also collaborative and I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of my colleagues throughout Selfridges Group who make it such an inspirational place to work.
“The last few months have been among the most challenging of my career. Receiving this award is wonderful encouragement to continue our task ahead to reinvent retail for a sustainable future.”
The Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot is a modern evolution of the Business Woman Award which has been running since 1972.
It is regarded as the first and longest-running international accolade for female business figureheads.
with PA Wires
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