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Smruti Sriram OBE, CEO of Bags of Ethics (Supreme Creations), Wins Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award 2026
Smruti Sriram OBE, CEO of Bags of Ethics (part of Supreme Creations), has been named the winner of the 2026 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, recognising her leadership in sustainable manufacturing and her impact in transforming reusable packaging on a global scale.
Learn more about the event and winners HERE.
The award, now in its 54th year, celebrates women who embody bold, transformative leadership in business—continuing the legacy of Madame Clicquot, who defied convention to build one of the world’s most iconic champagne houses.
Photo credits @gettyimages
Photo credits @gettyimages
That evening, Smruti Sriram delivered her acceptance speech:
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Je vous suis profondément reconnaissante pour ce prix exemplaire, un hommage à l’immense et regrettée Madame Clicquot Ponsardin.
Confrontée à une tragédie personnelle, La Veuve Clicquot a démontré des qualités de grande dame : un esprit positif et combatif, immortalisé aujourd’hui par ce prix comme un héritage lumineux et solaire.
Attitude and gratitude.
These are the foundational principles that I have been taught by my family. And I accept this award as a testament to my family – at home, at work with Bags of Ethics/ Supreme Creations and Wings of Hope and in my wider community.
One’s attitude — especially a positive attitude — can take you very far. My darling paternal grandmother – Sarada Ramnath – whom I lost last October – was the true embodiment of positivity.
In fact, if she were a colour, she’d be the joyous and sunshine yellow of the Veuve Clicquot brand with her vividly coloured saris, big, bright smile and an ever-ready mindset.
Her positive attitude has permeated through our entire household – my mother, husband, son and most importantly her son Dr Sri Ram – my father and founder of the business – that I’m very privileged to help lead.
My father lost his father when he was 14.
This personal tragedy turbo-charged him to strive and build organisations brick-by-brick – through sheer might, vision, and resilience.
Having a positive attitude defines our entire strategy in business and in charity. We are a can-do business. My beautiful colleagues in London, Pondicherry, in India and across Europe are people who innovate, create, and make it happen.
We design and make reusable merchandise and packaging for brands and consumers – not as an afterthought – but with care, creativity and sustainability at the heart of everything we do.
We work with brands across the world – big and small – and we insist on our clients treating us not as suppliers but as equal partners. For over 25 years, instilled by my father’s vision till today, we champion everyone along our supply chain, including our 80% women workforce of tailors, printers, designers and technicians.
So here’s my sales pitch to you – seeing as I’m standing in front of some of the most discerning brand leaders today – and may I say – impeccably dressed – I hope we can serve you and create wonderful products for your brands and communities. We don’t print business cards – we are sustainable, you see – but I’ll be here to connect, so please don’t be shy to say hi.
Attitude and gratitude.
Gratitude – giving thanks and giving generously, without expecting anything in return, is what my mother has instilled … and she probably got it from her mother.
My maternal grandmother, before every meal, would set aside a small amount of food from her plate to give to the little birds on her veranda in Delhi.
“We are all living creatures”, she would say, and “Mother Nature’s bounty is meant for all of us.”
This philosophy of giving, with enterprise being an enabler for community good, has been part and parcel of so much of our work over the past couple of decades.
During the pandemic, Bags of Ethics raised over £1 million for charity, and during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee we helped the Queen’s Green Canopy campaign plant over 3.5 million trees across the UK. When I became a mother, I knew that getting children to interact with trees and green spaces through fun activities was important for my parenting philosophy, and I was utterly grateful for Bags of Ethics to partner with the Royal Forestry Society to get over 50,000 young children to take part in the Green Tree Badge.
Young people are true agents of change if they’re given the right platforms. Wings of Hope Children’s Charity, which my mother runs, was where I gained my first business skills. I hammered the phones and spoke at endless morning assemblies carolling secondary schools to join this most brilliant programme for 13-18 year olds, and 22 years on, I’m delighted that over 40,000 students from all across the UK have gone through the programme – and their alumni stories are remarkable – from first time university goers in their family, to council estate children now becoming leading barristers, doctors and engineers.
So to awards and platforms. Veuve Clicquot has been an immense part of my personal confidence journey. Josephine, Alisha and Marisa, in 2015, I was in your shoes as a finalist for the Future Award. I felt that was more than enough to feel part of this extraordinary community of astonishingly successful women. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe, nor do I still, think I should be winning the Bold award. Firstly, because I still feel like a fresher out of university! Eyes wide open and learning. But secondly, to be in a category with the mighty Kanya King CBE, who has changed the face of music and black culture in the UK – and with Paula, who has a track record of running large businesses.
Judges! I have no words!
I nominated other women this year … and look at what you have done. I’m so very grateful and think my granny and her celestial forces probably had a hand in all of this.
To the communications team at Antidote, ANM and to the press here tonight – my sincerest thank you for your boundless and gracious support in hearing about and promoting our story.
And this award goes to my teams across the world, but particularly my A team.
My brilliant and mind-bogglingly intelligent husband, Dr Joey Blunt and my cheeky 5-year-old, who give me daily joy, belly laughs and lots of domestic chores, which are a far cry from the gloss and glamour of tonight.
Thank you all so much. It means so much to share this award with all of you
To everyone listening
Lots of love and peace to you all.
Photo credits @gettyimages
Photo credits @gettyimages
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