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.
Our awards event on 12th March 26 celebrated success across the city.
Our 2026 Bristol Women in Business Awards Winners
ANNOUNCING OUR AWARDS WINNERS
We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 Bristol Women in Business Charter Awards.
This year’s winners showcased outstanding leadership, innovation and impact across our region.
Outstanding Internal Women’s Network of the Year
Celebrating ERGs and networks creating real cultural change.
Our winner:
TLT, Women's Equality Network
Outstanding Women’s Organisation of the Year
Recognising external groups making an impact in our communities.
Our winner:
Women's Work Lab
Outstanding Organisation of the Year
Our flagship award for organisations embedding equity at every level.
Our winner:
Burges Salmon
Organisational Awards
Charity or Not for Profit of the Year
Showcasing the charities leading the way in inclusion.
Our winner:
Women's Work Lab
Outstanding Programme of the Year
For initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
Our winner:
Women Like Me, University of the West of England
Individual Awards
Diversity Champion of the Year
For an individual whose leadership has delivered real change.
Our winner:
Esther Wride, Avon and Somerset Police
Ally of the Year
Recognising those who use their influence to challenge bias and open doors.
Our winner:
Chloe Vernon-Shore, Michelmores
Woman of the Year Gamechanger
For a woman who has transformed her field and inspired others.
Our winner:
Coralie McKeivor, Freeths / Women in Property / Bristol Law Society
Inspiring Young Woman
For an under-30 leader already making a big impact.
Our winner:
Meg Ginsberg, Atkins RealisDaisy Game, YTL Construction UK Ltd
Highly commended: Kelly Shungu, Women In STEM Podcast
Lifetime Achievement Trailblazer
Honouring a career spent breaking barriers.
Our winner:
Asher Craig
Highly commended: Chief Constable Sarah Crew, Avon and Somerset Police
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 were 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 winner:
Water2Business
Highly commended: Baltimore Consulting
Empower: Signatory Organisations 101–500 employees
Our winner:
Pelican Business Services
Amplify: Signatory Organisations 501–1000 employees
Our winner:
Burges Salmon
Influence: Signatory Organisations 1001+ employees
Our winner:
TLT LLP
OUR 2026 SPONSORS
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OUR 2026 SPONSORS ✨
We had a range of businesses as sponsors, 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 judges
Entries were be reviewed by our independent judging panel of respected business leaders, civic figures, and inclusion champions. Our judges reviewed five or six categories to ensure fairness and rigour, they did not judge any categories where there was a conflict of interest.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nick Sturge MBE
Nick is an experienced non-executive director and strategic adviser with over 40 years in the tech and innovation sector. He co-founded Motion Media Technology, grew Bristol SETsquared into the world’s leading university business incubator, and founded Engine Shed to support inclusive regional growth.
Awarded an MBE for services to the digital economy, Nick brings deep expertise in leadership, governance and economic development.