Claire Morris is a natural entrepreneur and design maven whose remarkable career spans creative industries and innovative tech startups. Best known as the co-founder of Prezzee, Australia’s leading digital gift card platform, Morris has transformed the art of gifting while steering the company to extraordinary success. Launched in 2015 alongside co-founder Matt Hoggett, Prezzee addressed the universal frustration of lost or forgotten physical gift cards by offering a seamless digital solution. Under her leadership, the company rapidly grew into a global powerhouse, operating in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and the UK, with partnerships boasting around 500 brands. Prezzee’s meteoric rise is evidenced by its 400% revenue increase since entering the US market in 2020 and a staggering 509% growth that earned it 8th place in the Deloitte Tech Fast 50 Female Leadership awards in 2020, Morris positioned Prezzee as a trailblazer in the fintech and retail space, capitalizing on shifting consumer behaviors accelerated by the digital age and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before revolutionizing the gift card industry, Morris honed her entrepreneurial instincts and creative flair through her first venture, Apple&Bee, an international fashion accessories brand. Founded with offices in Sydney and New York, Apple&Bee achieved remarkable success under her direction, designing exclusive lines for prestigious retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and John Lewis. This experience showcased her ability to blend creativity with commerce, taking an Australian business to global markets and establishing her reputation as a formidable player in the fashion world.
Her earlier role as Art Director at Marie Claire Australia further sharpened her skills, where she spent five years shaping the magazine’s aesthetic identity and earning multiple design awards. This period not only solidified her expertise in art direction and branding but also ignited her passion for sustainability—a value she later embedded into Prezzee’s mission to reduce plastic waste.
Morris’s business acumen shines through in her approach to team culture and relationships, which she considers the bedrock of Prezzee’s success. She fosters a collaborative environment where every staff member’s contribution is integral, exemplified by initiatives like the wall of inspirational quotes in Prezzee’s offices that reflect her belief in mutual learning and inspiration.
Her knack for building strong, supportive relationships extends beyond her team to retailers and investors, a strategy that secured early buy-in from major players like Myer and JB Hi-Fi and sustained Prezzee’s growth. Her ability to navigate the corporate world with agility and insight—launching Prezzee Business within the company’s first year—underscores her foresight and adaptability.
A woman of unshakable character, Morris is driven by a fierce determination to ensure morally sound outcomes for her business and, above all, her staff. This resolve has guided Prezzee through high-pressure growth phases while maintaining its core values, earning her admiration as a leader who balances ambition with integrity. Her tireless generosity further sets her apart—she is a dedicated mentor to aspiring female founders, sharing her expertise through programs like the 2018 Springboard Founder Cohort and the 2019 Heads over Heels Program. Her commitment to empowering others was recognized when she won the 2019 Women in Finance Award for Entrepreneur of the Year.
Looking ahead, Morris continues to channel her vision into newer investments that align with what she sees as a coming golden age of business—one defined by innovation, sustainability, and social impact. While specifics of these ventures remain emerging, her track record suggests they will reflect her signature blend of creativity, ethical leadership, and forward-thinking strategy. Claire Morris’s journey—from fashion trailblazer to tech disruptor—stands as a testament to her ability to anticipate trends, build thriving enterprises, and uplift those around her, cementing her legacy as an inspiring force in modern business.
