Jo Whitfield, Chief Executive, Co-op Food has been announced as the winner of the 2019 Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award. By receiving the longest-standing award for women in business globally, Jo follows in the footsteps of some of the most exceptional female business leaders, from Anita Roddick, Founder of the Body Shop to architect Dame Zaha Hadid CBE, and youngest female FTSE 100 CEO, Liv Garfield of Severn Trent.
Since 1972, the awards have recognised women pioneering different aspects of business today and celebrate those who share the same qualities as Madame Clicquot, an original trailblazer: her enterprising spirit, as well as her courage and the determination necessary to accomplish her business goals.
As the first female CEO of a British food retailer, Jo oversees the day-to-day operations of Co-op’s food business, part of the Co-operative Group.
The judging panel outlined Jo’s role in boosting profits and sales for the Co-op’s retail arm and achieving over 4 years of like-for-like growth. Additionally, she has led on innovative trials to take Co-op food online – trialling delivery methods with Deliveroo and AI robots, boosting sales in test stores – as well as her work in making stores more sustainable.
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