Linda Bennett Business Woman Of The Year

Linda Bennett, founder of the fashion chain LK Bennett, has been named Veuve Cliquot Business Woman of the Year. She set up her first shop in suburban Wimbledon in 1990, before moving into central London in 1994.

Now she has 400 employees and a chain of 44 outlets across Britain selling shoes, for which she is renowned, clothes and accessories, many designed by her, all pitched in that lucrative niche between mainstream high street and expensive designerwear. This year, she says, the LK Bennett group will turn over close to £40m.