The 2026 Women in Business Awards recognise leaders who are shaping sectors with ambition, clarity, and commercial strength. The year we highlight women who are not only building successful enterprises but doing so with resilience, responsibility, and long-term vision. From fintech and technology to care, sustainability, recruitment, ecommerce, and hospitality, this year’s Winners reflect the depth and diversity of female leadership across the UK.

Our 2026 Women in Business Awards Winners

Laura-Jane Breen, Founder and Director of Share the Care with Laura, earns Businesswoman of the Year for transforming a sole trader operation into a regulated care provider employing nearly 20 staff. Achieving Care Inspectorate Wales status while expanding services and maintaining a hands-on leadership approach demonstrates not only growth, but responsible expansion within a highly regulated and community-critical sector.

Jessica Pressland, CEO of JP Training, is recognised with the Leadership Award for her commitment to developing capable, accountable leaders. Having personally developed more than 100 managers in the past year and delivered structured leadership programmes for national organisations, her win reflects influence built on practical delivery rather than theory alone.

Jessica Crane, Founder of SheEO Collective, is awarded Consultancy Businesswoman of the Year for creating a layered ecosystem of coaching, education, and strategic mentorship. Her leadership supports women to scale sustainably while building long-term financial resilience, blending commercial performance with empowerment.

Cherie Davies, Managing Director of MC Technical Recruitment, secures Recruitment Businesswoman of the Year for combining commercial growth with strong people leadership. Expanding into international markets while maintaining a culture of mentorship and support reflects a balanced and forward-thinking approach in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Amanda Stewart, Founder and CTO of Illuminate IT, receives the Women in Tech Award for proving that ethical leadership and technical excellence can coexist. Under her direction, the business has achieved sustained growth, secured B Corp accreditation, and embedded inclusive, wellbeing-focused workplace practices alongside high-level cybersecurity capability.

Marlene Mans, of OutsourceCloud Limited, is named Fintech Businesswoman of the Year for strengthening financial governance for SMEs navigating regulatory pressure. Her work translates complex compliance requirements into structured, accessible systems that build confidence and operational stability.

Kelly Bell, Founder of Bell & Co Estates, is awarded Property Businesswoman of the Year. Starting without financial backing and growing through referrals and reputation to achieve more than 200 homes sold in 2025 reflects strategic positioning and consistent client trust in a competitive property market.

Amanda Hart, Founder of Amanda Hart The Life Change Mentor, earns Health & Wellbeing Businesswoman of the Year for building a consultancy rooted in lived experience, authorship, and public contribution. Her work supports individuals navigating complex personal and professional challenges with sustainable, structured change.

Claire Cathcart, Founder of ELEVATE Hub, is awarded HR Businesswoman of the Year for building a supportive professional ecosystem for HR practitioners. Through ELEVATE Hub’s membership platform, expert-led learning, and peer community, she provides accessible development, practical guidance, and career support for HR professionals navigating complex roles. Her leadership has created a space where members can strengthen their skills, confidence, and progression within the profession.

Lucy Kaulbarsch, Founder of Lucy Digital LTD, receives Marketing Businesswoman of the Year. Launching her agency during the pandemic and scaling into a full-service digital operation serving both local and national brands demonstrates strategic understanding of organic growth, content, and emerging technology.

Nicola Gray, Founder of Glüf, secures Hospitality Businesswoman of the Year for launching a technology-enabled platform addressing the needs of coeliacs and gluten-free diners. By combining AI-driven ratings with community insight, she is improving accessibility and transparency within the dining experience.

Rodica Murphy, Founder of RM Sustainability Consulting Ltd, is recognised as Non-Profit Businesswoman of the Year for helping fashion and textile SMEs embed sustainability frameworks while leading social impact initiatives tackling textile waste and inequality.

Liz O’Donovan, Founder of Destination Seekers, wins Travel Businesswoman of the Year for building a home-based agency to £300,000 annual revenue within three years. Her steady growth, personalised service, and strong repeat booking rates reflect disciplined entrepreneurship.

Martyna Ryder, Founder of Lagom Hem Limited, secures Ecommerce Businesswoman of the Year for creating a subscription-based marketplace addressing waste within home furniture and interiors through circular commerce principles.

Kat Wellum-Kent, Founder and CEO of Fracteura, receives the Business Growth Award. Scaling from a single embedded finance offering into a multi-vertical group achieving over £1 million in annual recurring revenue within three years demonstrates deliberate and sustainable expansion.

Adele Furness, Founder of CG Cambridge ltd, is named Startup Businesswoman of the Year. Launching in 2024 and reaching close to £250,000 turnover in year one, while reinvesting into compliance and workforce development, reflects structured early-stage leadership.

Emily Mustafa, of Corpay, is awarded Triumph over Adversity for leading a high-profile UK market launch while navigating significant health challenges, demonstrating resilience matched with strategic focus.

Georgia Pennington, Co-Owner, CEO and Registered Care Manager of Home Instead Leigh, receives Young Businesswoman of the Year. Launching a regulated care business immediately before the pandemic and achieving a positive CQC rating highlights maturity and operational strength.

Rachael Campion-Williams, Founder of North Yorkshire Holiday Homes, earns Remote Working Businesswoman of the Year for rebuilding a hospitality portfolio in a rural setting, achieving consistent Superhost status and hundreds of five-star reviews through hands-on leadership.

2026 Women in Business Awards Finalists

• Rhiannon Brenton, Vodafone Business – Businesswoman of the Year
• Priya Carmichael-Jack, Voltaire Philanthropy Consultancy Ltd – Leadership Award
• Kat Wellum-Kent, Fracteura – Consultancy Businesswoman of the Year
• Roo Begom, Committed Support – Recruitment Businesswoman of the Year, HR Businesswoman of the Year
• Victoria Felicia Barnes, Ostara Wellbeing Limited – Health & Wellbeing Businesswoman of the Year
• India Hoad, Korker Sausages limited – Marketing Businesswoman of the Year
• Neshma Emile, Zumo – Women in Tech Award
• Sona Kaur, Pulse & Pattern Ltd – Fintech Businesswoman of the Year
• Helen Pugh, Helen Pugh – Business Solutions – Property Businesswoman of the Year
• Simone Oloman, Need It For Tonight “NIFT” – Ecommerce Businesswoman of the Year, Business Growth Award
• Carolyn Cresswell, Youthology – Non-Profit Businesswoman of the Year
• Claire Shail, Out of the Box Catering – Hospitality Businesswoman of the Year
• Rachael Campion-Williams, North Yorkshire Holiday Homes – Travel Businesswoman of the Year
• Helen Pugh, Ablepreneurs – Startup Businesswoman of the Year
• Stephanie Ward, Spicy Brain Energy – Triumph over Adversity
• Lucy Kaulbarsch, Lucy Digital LTD – Young Businesswoman of the Year
• Kate Wood, Gretta – Remote Working Businesswoman of the Year

Celebrating Ambition, Resilience and Leadership

The Women in Business Awards are a reflection of female entrepreneurship and executive leadership across the UK. This year’s honourees include women scaling advisory groups, strengthening regulated care services, building responsible fintech and technology platforms, launching circular ecommerce models, and expanding recruitment and consultancy operations into international markets.

What unites our Winners and Finalists is intention. Growth has been built with structure, accreditation, systems, and long-term planning. Many have reinvested in people, compliance, sustainability, and community impact, showing that ambition and responsibility can move forward together. These awards celebrate women who are not simply building businesses, but shaping industries with confident leadership.