Josephine Philips Shortlisted for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award 2026
The SOJO founder joined a distinguished group of female entrepreneurs recognised for reshaping industries through bold leadership, innovation and impact.
May 2026
SOJO founder and CEO Josephine Philips has been shortlisted for the 2026 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, one of the longest-running and most prestigious international awards celebrating women in business.
Established in 1972, the award honours the legacy of Madame Clicquot, the pioneering entrepreneur who took over her late husband's champagne business at just 27 years old and transformed it into one of the world's most successful champagne houses. At a time when women had limited legal and financial rights, her determination, ambition and innovation challenged expectations and changed the course of business history.
More than 250 years later, her story continues to inspire a new generation of female founders.
This year's shortlist places Josephine among a remarkable group of women recognised for building businesses, creating impact and forging new paths within their industries.
Celebrating Bold Women in Business
For 54 years, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award has championed women who combine entrepreneurial success with transformative leadership.
Previous winners and finalists have included founders, innovators and executives who have gone on to shape sectors ranging from technology and finance to manufacturing, media and consumer brands.
The award is designed not only to celebrate achievement, but also to increase the visibility of female entrepreneurship and create role models for future generations of women in business.
In 2026, Josephine was shortlisted alongside leaders from a diverse range of industries, reflecting the breadth of innovation taking place across the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Building a New Future for Fashion
Josephine founded SOJO in 2021 with a simple but ambitious vision: to make clothing repair as accessible and convenient as buying something new.
Since then, the business has grown into the UK's leading clothing repairs and alterations platform, working with some of the country's most recognised retailers and fashion brands while helping thousands of consumers extend the life of their garments.
At a time when fashion faces increasing pressure to reduce waste and embrace circular business models, SOJO has helped bring repair into the mainstream conversation.
What began as a mission to modernise tailoring has evolved into a business helping redefine how consumers interact with clothing after purchase.
The Veuve Clicquot nomination recognises not only that growth, but the leadership required to challenge established industry norms and build a new category within fashion.
Why Representation Matters
Female founders continue to face significant barriers when building businesses, particularly when it comes to accessing investment, visibility and leadership opportunities.
Awards such as the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award play an important role in addressing that imbalance by celebrating women who are creating change and building businesses with lasting impact. Showcasing successful female entrepreneurs helps create a more diverse and representative future for business.
As the Veuve Clicquot programme continues to highlight women leading change across industries, it also encourages future generations to imagine themselves in those positions.
A Recognition Beyond Fashion
What makes the nomination particularly meaningful is that it sits beyond the fashion industry.
While SOJO's work has already been recognised through sustainability, innovation and retail awards, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award celebrates leadership itself.
The shortlist recognises founders who are building businesses with purpose, resilience and long-term impact — qualities that have defined SOJO's growth from startup to one of the UK's leading circular fashion businesses.
Looking Ahead
The future of fashion will be shaped by bold ideas and the people willing to challenge convention.
Madame Clicquot's story remains relevant because it reminds us that meaningful change often begins with individuals prepared to think differently and take risks.
Josephine's nomination reflects that same spirit.
As SOJO continues its mission to make clothing repair accessible at scale, the recognition serves as a reminder that building a better fashion industry is not only about changing how clothes are made and worn. It is also about supporting the next generation of leaders who are reimagining what business can achieve.