Woman Who AWARDS
Woman Who’s mission is to create inspirational women in business role models to inspire others.
Woman Who Achieves Awards 2026: Celebrating Excellence in Business
Key Dates
Please note the Key Dates prior to entering the Awards as you must be available for the online judging day if selected as a Finalist. Whilst attendance at the Awards Lunch is not mandatory, you are highliy encouraged to take part in the whole experience.
1st January 2026: Entries Open and Early Bird Tickets on Sale
15th February 2026: Entries and Early Bird period closes
8th March 2026: Finalists announced
23rd March 2026: Finalist Interview Day (Online)
8th May 2026: Woman Who Live & Awards Lunch 2026 at the NCC (National Conference Centre, Solihull)
Emma Hewitt Business Awards Adviser in Partnership with Woman Who for 2026
Woman Who is delighted to be in partnership with Emma Hewitt, Business Awards Adviser, again in 2026. Emma is completely independent of the Judging process and is here to help entrants feel supported throughout. She is also a great advocate for Woman Who and the awards.
Here are a few of Emma’s clients who have won Woman Who Awards. You can find out more about Emma’s Awards services here.
Emma works with small business owners to build awards strategies – to boost confidence and visibility, and generate business opportunities. Emma helps them to choose the best awards for their business, learn how to write award-winning entries, and maximise the awards process. Emma won Theo Paphitis’ #SBS and a Woman Who Special Award in 2024.
Emma is one of the most directly and indirectly influential people I’ve met since founding Howe To Consultancy. Knowledgeable, kind, thoughtful, and endlessly supportive—always there, and always brilliant.
I felt highly emotional and humbled when I was announced as the winner of the Woman Who Solopreneur Award in 2025.
This recognition left me feeling supported, empowered, and validated, reminding me that quiet resilience matters, community lifts us higher, and believing in yourself can transform purpose into progress. I am living proof of possibility for future and current female founders everywhere.
Emma has been a life changer and supported me with my awards journey in 2025.
Before I met Emma, I had a notion in my head that awards are mostly rigged or that people have to nominate you or vote for you to even enter or win. This meant that I was hesitant to put myself forward.
She not only educated me about the awards process, but helped me choose the right ones to apply for including the categories…
For me winning the Woman Who awards was greatly important as for my entire life so far I have tried to prove that girls can achieve great heights and not just boys. That they not just meant to be good with kids, housework etc. therefore with Emma’s guidance in the application, when I did win the award, it was a truly pinch me moment.
It’s not just that, the amount of confidence and encouragement she has provided is second to none. She truly changed my life and I can now proudly say, I am Woman who can achieve whatever I want.
Thanks Emma for everything
Emma‘s help and guidance has been invaluable – I’ve won two awards, including a Woman Who Soloprenuer Award – as a result of her input!
Having a working document for future award entries has saved me hours of time and is a really valuable business asset.
Emma takes time and care in reading through and commenting on my content, as well as pointing me in the right direction as to what should go where. She is also very willing to give follow up advice and was almost as excited as me when I won! I feel very lucky to have her in my extended business team.
Woman Who Live & Achieves Awards 2026: Celebrating Excellence in Business takes place on Friday 8th May 2026
(Entries open on 1st Janaury 2026)
Woman Who Live & Solopreneur Awards 2026 takes place on Friday 9th October 2026
(Entries open on 1st June 2026)
Recognising and Celebrating Women in Business and Solopreneurs
The Woman Who Achieves Awards and Woman Who Solopreneur Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of women in business, founders, and solopreneurs across the UK. It also celebrates those who support women in business.
Founded by Sandra Garlick MBE, Woman Who encourages you to recognise your achievements, celebrate your successes, and inspire others by becoming visible role models. These prestigious business awards are designed to shine a spotlight on inspiring women who are building, leading, and growing successful businesses. Anyone is welcome to enter.
What Makes the Woman Who Awards Different?
If you’ve never entered business awards before, had a disappointing experience, or have a strategy to gain visibility and credibility, the Woman Who Awards are the perfect place to start your awards journey.
Here’s why they’re unique:
- No Categories: Every entrant is celebrated for who they are and what they’ve achieved – no pigeonholes or tick boxes.
- No Votes: These awards are not popularity contests. Every entry is judged on merit through a robust and Judging process.
- Independent Judging: A fair, two-stage judging process, including an online interview, ensures every story is heard.
- Focus on Storytelling: The judges are looking for authentic, inspiring stories, not just financial figures. Your journey matters.
You can enter yourself, be nominated by someone else, or get support to craft your entry – whichever feels right for you.
Anyone is welcome to enter these awards. If you believe that you meet the criteria for these business awards, then please submit an entry.
How to Enter the Woman Who Awards
Entering is simple. Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or solopreneur, this is your chance to tell your story, gain recognition, and elevate your personal brand.
Top Tip: Use the full word limit to bring your story to life. The more you share, the more the judges can connect with your journey.
Templates and tips are available to help you prepare the strongest possible entry.
Two Incredible Events Every Year
- The Woman Who Achieves Awards – celebrating excellent in business each Spring. Entries open on 1st January.
- The Woman Who Solopreneur Awards – recognising solopreneurs and small business owners each Autumn. Entries open on 1st June.
Each event is an uplifting celebration of entrepreneurship, featuring inspirational speakers, networking opportunities, and stories that empower other women to achieve more. These are business events and take place during the working day.
Start Your Woman Who Journey
Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, entering the Woman Who Awards is more than a nomination—it’s the start of a powerful journey toward visibility, recognition, and inspiration.
Check the key dates for each Awards event and start your entry today.
The Entry Form for the Woman Who Solopreneur Awards 2025 is closed. Entries open on 1st June 2026.
The Entry Form for the Woman Who Achieves Awards 2026 will be available here from 1st January 2026
Please note that entries must be submitted via the Online Entry Form. Any entries submitted by email, direct message, or other link will not be considered. If you have any questions, please get in touch. Incomplete entries or those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Upon submission, your entry will be verified. Once verified you will receive an email confirming your nomination and along with your ‘Proud to be Nominated‘ logo which you may use anywhere you wish.
WOMAN WHO ACHEIVES
CELEBRATION & RECOGNITION
“I created these Awards to address all the bad experiences I’d had when I’d entered Awards previously. Think penguin suits, being ignored if you’re not a winner and then absolutely nothing after, not even a photo with my certificate to savour.
So I developed something new, an opportunity for women in business (and men too) to come together to network, build relationships, and collaborate, and a place where everyone who enters who is in the room is recognised and celebrated.
Everyone gets their moment on stage and that all-important photo.”
Sandra Garlick, MBE
Founder of Woman Who