18 October, 2018 (Hong Kong) Bonnie Chan Woo, Chairperson & CEO of Icicle Group Holdings Limited (“Icicle Group”), has been announced Hong Kong’s 2018 Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award winner at a chic ceremony at WooBar in W Hong Kong on 18 October, 2018. She follows in the footsteps of some of the world’s most prolific female business leaders, like Zaha Mohammad Hadid DBE RA, Anita Roddick DBE (Founder & MD, The Body Shop International Plc), and Australian Fashion design duo, Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton (Sass & Bide), who’ve all been bestowed the title previously.
The Award was first initiated in 1972 to honour and sustain the legacy of Madame Clicquot – regarded as the world’s first female entrepreneur. It is awarded to those who share the same qualities: an enterprising spirit, with the courage and the determination necessary to accomplish her business goals. The Hong Kong Award was launched at Hong Kong’s Women of Wine Festival (WoW) in March this year.
Hong Kong’s renowned female leaders, entrepreneurs, socialites, and influencers glammed up for the glamourous Awards Ceremony. Guests included the two other Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award finalists Julia Charlton (Founder, Senior & Managing Partner and Principal of Charltons) and Elaine Tsung (Founder & CEO of Garage Society), both elite entrepreneurs in Hong Kong. Others guests include Hong Kong’s most successful businesswomen and representatives from organisations.
Bonnie Chan-Woo
Chairperson & CEO of Icicle Group Holdings Limited (“Icicle Group”)
Leader of both Icicle and Studio SV, Bonnie embraces the motto “leading positive change in a dynamic world”.
The Jury members acknowledged Bonnie’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in transforming a traditional printing business into a leading cross-media marketing and creative production company, with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Manila and publicly traded on GEM of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Under Bonnie’s leadership, Icicle Group services over 250 brands, utilising the latest technology and the continuous development of creative talents, combined with best-in-class production and strategic thinking to see brands achieve transformative results.
With a passion for storytelling, especially in a cross-cultural context, Bonnie co-founded Studio SV Limited in 2017 with Grammy-winning hip hop artist, Lupe Fiasco. The studio produces original content bridging cultures, with a debut episodic series “BEAT N PATH” globally distributed in 15 countries.
Bonnie actively contributes to the creative industry, the arts and culture community and the education sector through her advisory roles and directorships in various Hong Kong government bureaus. She actively advocates women in business, supports working mothers by offering on/off-site working arrangements and deliberately promotes gender and cultural diversity in her spheres of influence.
Julia Charlton
Founder, Managing Partner and Principal of Charltons
With extensive experience in corporate finance, including capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, private equity investment, securities law, derivatives, funds and restructuring and regulatory issues Julia founded Chaltons in 1998. It is now one of the most highly acclaimed boutique firms in Hong Kong.
Elaine Tsung
Founder & CEO of Garage Society
As a serial entrepreneur, Elaine is the founding director of Hong Kong’s first co-working space The Hive, and the Founder & CEO of Garage Society, a premium co-work operator for the new generation and workforce, and has become a leader in this sector in Asia.
“We are excited to crown Bonnie Chan Woo winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award. This award celebrates innovation and audacity in today’s business women. It also pays homage to one special woman, Madame Clicquot. It is her legacy that we celebrate today. The Award proudly honors exceptional women whose vision and innovation are changing the face of business, just as Madame Clicquot did 200 years ago”, said Veuve Clicquot Maison representative.
The esteemed judging panel for the Awards comprises business leaders from various industries, including: Angelina Kwan, newly appointed COO of BitMEX, and former Head of Regulatory Compliance, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEx); Cindy Chow, Executive Director, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund; James Paton, Managing Director at MHD Moet Hennessy Diageo, LVMH; Lori Granito, award-winning entrepreneur, professional speaker, women’s success and leadership coach, TEDx Coach; Tisa Ho, Executive Director, Hong Kong Arts Festival; and Debra Meiburg, Master of Wine, Director, Meiburg Wine Media (Advisor to the Jury).