Celebrating Our 2026 Winners – A Decade of Impact

31 October 2026

On Friday 30th October 2026, we came together at Winstanley House, Leicester, to mark ten years of The Women’s Awards. It was a day of inspiration, reflection and celebration, and it ended with the presentation of this year’s awards.

This year we received 245 nominations, bringing the total to more than 1,000 over the past decade. Every one of them tells a story of courage, leadership and commitment to others. Choosing our winners was no easy task, and we are proud of every woman shortlisted.

We give a huge thanks and appreciation to our 16 member strong Judges Panel, whose task it was the work through the shortlist of 70 to arrive at our Winners.

We are delighted to introduce the winners of The Women’s Awards 2026. They are women whose achievements show what is possible, and who will help shape the next decade of impact in their communities, workplaces and beyond.

Congratulations to you all.

Sandra Pollock OBE, Founder, The Women’s Awards & Shine Together CIC

Region	Category	Winner	Sponsor	Presenter
National	Outstanding Woman in Art, Media & Music	Qaisra Shahraz MBE FRSA	Creative Direction	Dr. Carol Leeming MBE D Univ FRSA
Midlands	Outstanding Woman with Community Impact	Lianne Kirkman	Shine Together CIC	Ru Barnett
Midlands	Outstanding Female Disability Awareness Champion	Charis Hawkley	Open Mind Training & Development Ltd	Mike Pollock
National	Outstanding Female Disability Awareness Champion	Helen Brewster	Open Mind Training & Development Ltd	Mike Pollock
Midlands	Outstanding Woman in Education	Adele Tilley-Jones	Transformations Ltd	Sonia Thompson
National	Outstanding Woman in Education	Wunmi Adebowale	Transformations Ltd	Sonia Thompson
Midlands	Outstanding Female Entrepreneur	Olivia Mendoza	Open Mind Training & Development Ltd	Sandra Pollock OBE
National	Outstanding Female Entrepreneur	Lucie Macleod	Open Mind Training & Development Ltd	Sandra Pollock OBE
Midlands	Outstanding Female Leader of the Global Majority	Mezmin Malida	Shine Together CIC	Gina Samuel-Richards
National	Outstanding Female Leader of the Global Majority	Elham Fardad	Shine Together CIC	Gina Samuel-Richards
National	Outstanding Woman in Hospitality	Rachel Thomson	LBC Mentoring	Rebecca Jenkins
Midlands	Outstanding Woman in Professional Services	Parvien Akhtar	Afsar Williams	Naz Williams
National	Outstanding Woman in Professional Services	Dr. Charlotte Proudman	Afsar Williams	Naz Williams
National	Outstanding Woman in Public Services	Dilys Sillah	Sandra Pollock OBE	Sandra Pollock OBE
National	Outstanding Senior Female Executive	Debbie Airey	Creative Direction	David Major
Midlands	Outstanding Woman in S.T.E.M.	Leya Luhar	LBC Mentoring	Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE
National	Outstanding Woman in S.T.E.M.	Anupama Hatti	LBC Mentoring	Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE
Midlands	Midlands Inspirational Female Leader	Lianne Kirkman	Debbie Moore Coaching & David Hayes Exports Controls	Debbie Hayes & David Hayes
National	National Inspirational Female Leader	Dilys Sillah	Debbie Moore Coaching & David Hayes Exports Controls	Debbie Hayes & David Hayes