Nominations for the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2010 will close on 18 January.

The deadline for nominations for the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award is next Monday (18 January) – widely considered the “Oscar” for female entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Established in 1972 as a tribute to Madame Clicquot, the founder of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, the award is presented in 16 countries and is the first international award created specifically to recognise the contribution that women have made to business life.

This year, there is an increased focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as it resonates strongly with the brand and its corporate values. As a result, the judging panel, comprising business leaders, past winners and experts, will be placing equal weight on the financial results and the business practices adopted to deliver them.

They will be looking to award women who have embedded social and environmental responsibility within their businesses in addition to delivering a healthy balance sheet.

Sally Warmington, Brand Director of Veuve Clicquot, said: “With this renewed focus and approach the 2010 Veuve Clicquot Award hopes to open up an inspiring field of extremely talented, interesting and inspiring candidates.”

As further evidence of Veuve Clicquot’s commitment to supporting social and environmental responsibility in business practice a new award was founded in 2006, “The Veuve Clicquot Initiative for Economic Development”. This award recognises exceptional women who live and work in emerging countries who embrace the principles of CSR to influence in a major way the economic development of their country.

It was won in 2009 by Natalie Killassy, Founder and Managing Director of South African Company ‘Stitch Wise’, for the innovative creation of mining safety tools.

Not only was her intention to greater protect miners in South Africa, she also established an empowerment trust where amongst other subjects, literacy, computer skills and basic business skills are taught.

The winner of the main award will be announced at a high profile champagne reception at partner charity gallery the Institute of Contemporary Art, London on the 23rd of March 2010.

She will then take part in the International Businesswoman forum at Veuve Clicquot in Reims, visiting the Manoir de Verzy and vineyards, where she will have a vine dedicated to her.

For more information, and to nominate, click here.