BWS Top 100 Awards 2026
Open for applications!
Awards Lunch
📆 1st October 2026
📍 Grand Central Glasgow
🥂 Drinks Reception at 12pm
The BWS Top 100 is a prestigious annual awards celebration of the most outstanding women in business across Scotland, recognising excellence, innovation, leadership, and impact across every stage of enterprise.
This year, we are pleased to introduce a refreshed format featuring 10 dedicated business categories, designed to better reflect the diversity of Scotland’s modern business landscape. These categories span a wide range of industries, ensuring that women from all sectors have the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements.
Women are invited to submit a self nomination or you can nominate a business woman within the category that best represents you or your nominee. All submissions will be carefully reviewed, and the BWS Top 100 will be announced, showcasing 10 exceptional women from each of the 10 categories.
From this Top 100 shortlist, finalists will progress to our annual awards celebration.
Open for Applications
Open for Applications
Key Dates for your Diary 📆
Nominations Close: 17th August 2026
Finalists Announced: 31st August 2026
Awards Lunch & Ceremony: 1st October 2026
Award Categories
Click each category dropdown to access description and nomination forms.
-
Includes: HR, legal, finance, business coaching, marketing agencies, strategy consultants
-
Includes: therapy, counselling, physiotherapy, care services, holistic wellness, fitness studios
-
Includes: SaaS, AI, software development, IT services, app development, cybersecurity
-
Includes: design, photography, film, PR, branding, fashion, publishing, content creation
-
Includes: product-based businesses, online shops, boutiques, DTC brands
-
Includes: cafés, restaurants, catering, bakeries, distilleries, food producers
-
Includes: tutoring, training providers, online learning, coaching, childcare education services
-
Includes: estate agencies, interior design, architecture, building, trades services
-
Includes: small-scale manufacturing, engineering firms, product design, sustainable production.
-
Includes: charities, CICs, impact-led startups, sustainability-focused businesses
✨ Option 1: Self-Nomination
(Applying for Yourself)
If you are nominating yourself, you will need to complete the Self-Nomination Form and include supporting evidence.
Self-Nomination forms are available on each award category page. Visit the category you wish to enter and click Download Form.
Carefully read the criteria for your chosen category.
Provide clear and specific examples of your achievements and impact.
Include supporting evidence or documentation.
Ensure all contact details are complete and accurate.
✨ A well-prepared and detailed entry will strengthen your application.
✨ Option 2: Nominating Someone Else
If you are nominating another person, do not include supporting evidence.
Complete the Nomination Form.
Provide the nominee’s basic contact details.
Select the award category you are nominating them for.
We will contact the nominee directly and ask if they are happy to accept the nomination.
If they accept, they will complete their own supporting evidence.
👉 Supporting evidence is only required for self-nominations or once a nominee accepts their nomination.
Need Help?
If you are unsure which option applies to you, please contact us before submitting your form.
BWS Top 100 2025
31st October 2025 | Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow
What an incredible day! Our BWS Top 100 Awards truly showcased the remarkable talent, innovation, and leadership of women across Scotland. From inspiring entrepreneurs to trailblazing professionals, this year’s finalists represent the very best of Scottish business.
A huge congratulations to everyone who made it into the Top 100, and an extra round of applause to our Top 10 winners — your achievements are nothing short of outstanding.
FAQ’s
-
It is free to enter the awards.
-
Nominations can be made on someone’s behalf or by the nominee themself
-
It is not necessary to be a member of BWC to enter the awards
-
It is necessary for the business to be registered in Scotland, however we will also accept entries if the business or person has a head office outside of Scotland but is based in Scotland
-
All nominations must be submitted by 29th August 2025. We will not accept any late entries
-
We will make contact with those shortlisted w/c 15th September 2025
BWS Top 100 Awards Disclaimer
The BWS Women in Finance Awards are organised by Business Women Scotland, SC373516 .
Confidentiality and Data Protection
All information submitted as part of the BWS Top 100 Awards nomination process will be treated with the strictest confidence. Information provided will only be shared with the designated judging panel, appointed by Business Women Scotland (BWS), for the purposes of assessing nominations.
BWS is not involved in the judging process and does not influence the panel's decisions at any point.
Verification and Validation
All business information submitted as part of the BWS Top 100 Awards nomination process will be verified for accuracy. This includes validating nominee details and business information with Companies House records to ensure eligibility and compliance. BWS reserves the right to perform these checks and may request additional information if necessary.
Judging Panel Confidentiality Agreement
Each judge on the panel will review and sign a confidentiality agreement, acknowledging that all information accessed for the awards process is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to any third parties. Judges are required to adhere to this agreement throughout and after the judging process.
Data Handling and Disposal
Once the awards process has concluded, all business and personal information collected for the purposes of the awards will be securely destroyed, in accordance with data protection regulations.
By participating in the BWS Top 100 Awards, nominees and nominators agree to the terms outlined above.
For any questions regarding these terms, please contact: lynne@bwsltd.co.uk
www.bwsltd.co.uk