The inaugural Bristol Women in Business Awards celebrates the organisations and individuals driving real progress on inclusion and equity in our region.
Since the Charter launched in 2019, Bristol has been leading the way in creating workplaces where women thrive.
From shrinking pay gaps to gender-balanced leadership, our Signatories now employ more than 45,000 people across the city.
Now it’s time to recognise and showcase that success.
ANNOUNCING OUR AWARDS FINALISTS
Outstanding Internal Women’s Network of the Year
Celebrating ERGs and networks creating real cultural change.
Our shortlisted finalists:
University of the West of England, Bristol Women's Staff Forum
Pelican Business Services / Water2Business
Rise Technical Recruitment, Women at Rise
UHBW NHS Trust, Women's Network
TLT, Women's Equality Network
Outstanding Women’s Organisation of the Year
Recognising external groups making an impact in our communities.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Women's Work Lab
Women in Property South West
Women Mean Biz
Fifty Firsts Wellness
Outstanding Organisation of the Year
Our flagship award for organisations embedding equity at every level.
Our shortlisted finalists:
University of the West of England
Barcan+Kirby Solicitors
TLT
Burges Salmon
Avon and Somerset Police
Charity or Not for Profit of the Year
Showcasing the charities leading the way in inclusion.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Women's Work Lab
Smart Works Bristol
Bristol Women's Voice
Girls Allowed - Supporting Women In Bristol
Outstanding Programme of the Year
For initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Women Like Me, University of the West of England
Culture, Inclusion and Diversity Programme, Pelican Business Services / Water2Business
Clearing the Pathway to Leadership, Birketts LLP
Nature Rising
Barton Hill Micro-campus, University of Bristol
We are delighted to announce the finalists for the 2026 Bristol Women in Business Charter Awards.
This year’s finalists showcase outstanding leadership, innovation and impact across our region. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Awards Ceremony.
Organisational Awards
Individual Awards
Diversity Champion of the Year
For an individual whose leadership has delivered real change.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Esther Wride, Avon and Somerset Police
Helen Bassett, S&W
Sam Paice, Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS)
Beth Warren, Hartnell Taylor Cook
Clare Wilkinson, University of the West of England
Ally of the Year
Recognising those who use their influence to challenge bias and open doors.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Ben Shorrock, Techspark
Chloe Vernon-Shore, Michelmores
Jess Saumarez, The Marketing Plot
Dr Natasha Bennett, Simitive
Woman of the Year Gamechanger
For a woman who has transformed her field and inspired others.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Bianca Jones, EDP Training
Duniya Moore, Illumo Digital
LaToyah McAllister-Jones, Citizens for Culture
Anna Wilson, Barcan+Kirby Solicitors
Nina Searle, TLT LLP
Coralie McKeivor, Freeths / Women in Property / Bristol Law Society
Inspiring Young Woman
For an under-30 leader already making a big impact.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Elizabeth Gregory, South Gloucestershire Council
Kelly Shungu, Women In STEM Podcast
Emily Coombes, JBP Communications / Women in Property South West
Aaliyah Miller, Bristol City Council
Daisy Game, YTL Construction UK Ltd
Meg Ginsberg, Atkins Realis
Lifetime Achievement Trailblazer
Honouring a career spent breaking barriers.
Our shortlisted finalists:
Ruth Pickersgill
Sue Durbin, University of the West of England
Liz Dunn, Burges Salmon
Asher Craig
Chief Constable Sarah Crew, Avon and Somerset Police
Marina Traversari
Signatory Recognition
These four awards are to recognise the impact of our Signatories – people who are championing these issues, going above and beyond every day.
These will be chosen by the Bristol Women in Business Advisory Board, based on the detail provided in the last submitted signatory progress report.
Inspire: Signatory organisations under 100 employees
Our shortlisted finalists:
Simitive
Water2Business
Ghyston
Baltimore Consulting
Empower: Signatory Organisations 101–500 employees
Our shortlisted finalists:
Barcan & Kirby
Clarke Willmott
Bishop Fleming
Pelican Business Services
Stride Treglown
Manor Community
Amplify: Signatory Organisations 501–1000 employees
Our shortlisted finalists:
City of Bristol College
Burges Salmon
Influence: Signatory Organisations 1001+ employees
Our shortlisted finalists:
TLT LLP
University of Bristol
Avon and Somerset Police (and PCC)
UHBW NHS Trust
University of the West of England
Key Dates
ENTRIES CLOSED: December 19th, 2025
Finalists announced: January 19th, 2026
Early bird tickets until: January 31st, 2026
Judging period: February, 2026
Awards ceremony: The evening of 12 March 2026
What to expect:
Dress code: Glamour and evening wear
Featuring live entertainment
Fine dining and powerful storytelling
Awards ceremony
All in the spectacular setting of Bristol Museum.
OUR 2026 SPONSORS
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OUR 2026 SPONSORS ✨
We are delighted to have a range of businesses as sponsor strengthening the region’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive growth.
OUR GOLD SPONSORS
YTL Construction and Wessex Water are Gold Sponsor of the inaugural Bristol Women in Business Awards 2026.
Colin Skellett, Group Chief Executive of YTL UK Group, said: “YTL Construction and Wessex Water, are committed to breaking barriers and ensuring women have the opportunity to succeed at every level of our business. That’s why we’re proud to support the Bristol Women in Business Awards 2026 –championing trailblazers, celebrating leadership, and creating new pathways for futuregenerations.”
OUR SILVER SPONSORS
Silver Sponsors include Bristol International Airport, architect Stride Treglown, law firm Birketts, law firm Burges Salmon, and accountancy firm S+W. Together they represent a wide cross-section of the region’s employers, each committed to advancing equity and improving workplace cultures for women across Bristol.
Sandra Gordon, founding director of the Bristol Women in Business Charter, said:
“To have such an impressive group of sponsors behind the awards speaks volumes about Bristol’s ambition. These organisations are part of the backbone of every corner of our economy, and their support highlights the ongoing need to build workplaces where women can thrive at every stage of their careers. It’s fantastic to see so many influential businesses standing behind our mission.”
We are proud to have Sprague Gibbons as our Bronze Sponsor and official Print Partner.
Their support will help bring our awards night to life, ensuring our message is shared clearly, creatively, and with impact across the region.
As a long-established creative agency, Sprague Gibbons brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to championing women in the workplace.
OUR BRONZE SPONSOR
OUR MEDIA PARTNER
We are delighted to have a prestigious and influential media partner in TheBusinessDesk.com, the UK’s leading regional online business publication.
At the forefront of supporting growth, leadership, and innovation across the country, TheBusinessDesk.com connects decision-makers and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of regional economies.
Their editorial insight, trusted reputation, and extensive digital reach make them the perfect partner to amplify our celebration of business excellence and inclusivity.
OUR EVENTS PARTNER
We are delighted to have Zia Bia as our Events Partner.
As a global events company known for delivering seamless, high-impact experiences, Zia Bia’s advice has helped us to bring to life our awards programme and ensure we create meaningful moments on our awards night.
Our Host for the Evening: Sherrie Eugene-Hart
Sherrie Eugene-Hart is an award winning Broadcaster and has spent all her working life either in front of the camera or microphone or on stage. Her career in TV started in the early 80’s with HTV News.
Sherrie began as the Sign Language Interpreter and went on to become the main News Anchor reading the nightly news for ITV West.
Sherrie spends much of her time on stage interpreting theatre productions into British Sign Language. St Werburghs-born Sherrie, was the first Black Woman in the country to qualify as Sign Language Interpreter. She is married to BBC Executive Patrick Hart and between them have five children.
Phil Smith
Phil is Managing Director of Business West, one of the UK’s largest Chambers of Commerce and a public-purpose B Corp, a role he has held since 2005. He has a background in engineering, an MBA from London Business School and UC Berkeley, and experience in mergers and acquisitions.
Phil is Chair of City of Bristol FE College and sits on the Court of the University of Bristol.
Rob Buckland
Rob is South West Editor at TheBusinessDesk.com, leading business news and insight for the region.
He founded Bristol Business News and Bath Business News and has more than a decade of experience championing the South West business community through journalism, special reports, commentary and events that connect leaders, investors and companies across sectors.
Why Attend?
Celebrate and showcase the best in equity and inclusion
Gain recognition for your organisation or your people
Network with the region’s most influential leaders
Take home insights and inspiration to share with your teams
Marti Burgess
Marti Burgess is a Partner at Knights PLC, advising businesses and charities on mergers, acquisitions, and growth strategies.
She is co-owner of Bristol’s iconic Lakota nightclub and a civic leader, serving on boards including St Pauls Carnival CIC and the Black South West Network, supporting the city’s cultural, business, and night-time economy.
Rebecca Mear
Rebecca is Chief Executive Officer of Voscur, the support and development agency for Bristol’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, where she leads advocacy, capacity building and partnership work to strengthen local organisations.
She has extensive experience in the VCSE and education sectors and champions community‑led impact across Bristol and beyond.
Our judges
Entries will be reviewed by our independent judging panel of respected business leaders, civic figures, and inclusion champions. Our judges will review five or six categories to ensure fairness and rigour, they will not judge any categories where there is a conflict of interest.
Kalpna Woolf
Kalpna is a multi-award-winning TV executive and equality, diversity and inclusion advocate. After a 25-year career at the BBC, including as Head of Production for Natural History and Factual, she founded 91 Ways to Build a Global City, using food to connect communities and tackle food insecurity.
She is also the founder of BeOnBoard, supporting more diverse boards and leadership teams, and currently serves as High Sheriff of Bristol.
Who Will Be in the Room?
200 senior leaders from across Bristol and the South West
HR, DEI, and People leaders setting strategy and budgets
Board members, founders, and investors
Civic partners, universities, and media