THE chief executive of a Scottish financial services firm has been shortlisted for a prestigious businesswoman award.

Katherine Garrett-Cox, chief executive of Dundee-based Alliance Trust, joins Julia Peyton-Jones, director of the Serpentine Galleries in London and Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet in being nominated for the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award.

The event, now in its 41st year, celebrates entrepreneurial women who have made a significant contribution to business.

Ms Garrett-Cox, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in history from Durham University, was nominated as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in October 2005, is Vice Chair of the Baring Foundation and a member of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bank AG.

In her role she is responsible for both the investment policy and asset allocation of the company as well as executive oversight for the business.

Jude Ower, the Scottish founder and CEO of Playmob, has been shortlisted for an award for up-and-coming female business talent alongside Emily Brooke, founder of bike light firm Blaze and Smruti Sriram, director of fabric bag manufacturer Supreme Creations.

Playmob enables companies to raise money for charities by helping them create "in-game giving" in their video games.

Ms Ower's fascination with "gaming for good" began in 2010 when Farmville raised more than £1m for the Haiti earthquake victims.

Lorraine Larmer of Veuve Clicquot said: "The wealth of female business talent in the UK is huge and something that should be encouraged."

The winners will be announced on May 11.