BWS Women in Finance Awards
Application Deadline: 2nd April 2026
Awards Lunch: 7th May 2026
Welcome to the BWS Women in Finance Awards 2026
We are thrilled to announce the return of the BWS Women in Finance Awards, back for a second year to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women across the finance sector. These awards shine a spotlight on the talent, leadership, and innovation that women bring to the industry, inspiring the next generation of finance professionals.
With 10 award categories to choose from,
Getting involved is easy:
Self-nomination: Put yourself forward and showcase your achievements.
Nominate a colleague: Recognise an inspiring woman whose work deserves the spotlight.
Our easy-to-follow diagram shows you how to download the nomination form for either self-nominations or colleague nominations.
Awards are not only a fantastic way to celebrate individual success—they’re also an opportunity to gain recognition for your business and your team, highlighting the talent and dedication that drives your organisation forward.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you on the 7th of May at the Awards Lunch, where we will come together to honour the incredible women shaping the future of finance.
Get Involved
If you’d like to be part of this inspiring event, or are interested in sponsorship opportunities and aligning your brand with the awards, we’d love to hear from you.
You can enquire online to find out more about nominations, attendance, and how your business can support and champion women in finance.
Main Sponsor
Title Sponsors
Woman Entrepreneur In Finance (Start - Up) Business
Dates to Remember
Application deadline: 2nd April 2026
10th April - Judging completed
13th April - Finalists Announced
Awards lunch: 7th May 2026
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This award recognises an outstanding female financial advisor who has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise, dedication, and personalised service in helping clients achieve their financial goals.
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This award recognises an exceptional female CFO who has demonstrated outstanding financial leadership and strategic vision within her organisation.
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This award recognises an outstanding female lawyer working within the finance sector who has demonstrated excellence, expertise, and leadership.
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This award recognises a team that has been led by a female leader, showcasing exceptional collaboration, innovation, and success in achieving their goals.
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This award recognises a female professional who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, resilience, and influence within the finance sector.
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This award honours a female professional who has consistently provided exceptional support and made invaluable contributions to her team’s success.
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This award honours a female leader who has been at the forefront of innovation within the FinTech sector.
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This award recognises an exceptional female professional who has shown outstanding potential and rapid growth within her field with less than 5 years’ experience.
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This award honours a female finance entrepreneur who has successfully founded and grown a start-up business. 0-5 years. Sponsored by RBS.
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This award honours a female professional who has consistently provided exceptional support and made invaluable contributions to her team’s success.
Award Categories
Main Sponsor
Title Sponsors
Woman Entrepreneur In Finance (Start - Up) Business
✨ 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.
2025 Winners
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Best Female Financial Advisor
This award recognises an outstanding female financial advisor who has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise, dedication, and personalised service in helping clients achieve their financial goals.
Finalists:
Emma Ross, Ross Commercial Finance
Sally Bryant, St James's Place
Winner:
Rhian Morgan, Acumen Financial Planning
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Diversity & Inclusion Advocate in Finance
This award recognises a female professional who has been a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the finance sector.
Finalists:
Anji Sandhu, PCOS Buddy
Emma Ross, Ross Commercial Finance
Winner:
Susan Hope, Scottish Widows
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Female CFO of the Year
This award recognises an exceptional female CFO who has demonstrated outstanding financial leadership and strategic vision within her organisation.
Finalists:
Katherine Park, Miller Developments
Zoe Lee, Stellar Omada Ltd
Winner:
Alyson Donaldson, Donaldson Group
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Female Leadership in Financial Transformation of the Year
This award recognises a female leader who has driven significant transformation within the finance sector, leading her organisation through groundbreaking changes.
Finalists:
Claire Clark, Hutcheon Mearns
Heidi Simpson, Royal Bank of Scotland / NatWest Group
Winner:
Kirstin Strachan, Steedman & Company Ltd
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Female-led Team of the Year
This award recognises a team that has been led by a female leader, showcasing exceptional collaboration, innovation, and success in achieving their goals.
Finalists:
Claire Clark, Hutcheon Mearns
Victoria McCusker, Your Shortlist Original Limited
Winner:
Jill Henderson, Scottish Widows
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Female Rising Star of the Year
This award recognises an exceptional female professional who has shown outstanding potential and rapid growth within her field with less than 5 years’ experience.
Finalists:
Catherine Samson, Roxburgh Financial Services
Cerys Jones, Steedman & Company Ltd
Rachel Valentine, Scottish Widows
Winner:
Emma Ross, Ross Commercial Finance
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Inspirational Woman of the Year in Finance
This award recognises a female professional who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, resilience, and influence within the finance sector.
Finalists:
Beth MacLeod, PG Paper Company Ltd
Kirstin Strachan, Steedman & Company Ltd
Winner:
Jackie Leiper, Lloyds Banking Group
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Outstanding Female Team Contributor
This award honours a female professional who has consistently provided exceptional support and made invaluable contributions to her team’s success.
Finalists:
Janine Tumilowicz, Scottish Widows
Victoria McCusker, Your Shortlist Original Limited
Winner:
Beth MacLeod, PG Paper Company Ltd
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Outstanding Woman in Finance
This award honours a female professional who has made an exceptional and lasting impact on the finance industry through her leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence. The recipient has demonstrated outstanding achievements in her career, driving positive change, shaping the future of finance, and setting a high standard of professionalism.
This Award cannot be entered into and the winner will be chosen from all other category winners.
Winner:
Jackie Leiper, Lloyds Banking Group
BWS Finance Awards 2025
FAQ’s
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It is free to enter the awards.
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Nominations can be made on someone’s behalf or by the nominee themself.
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If the nominee meets the criteria, they can be entered into more than one awards category.
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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.
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No
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All nominations must be submitted by 6pm, 28th March 2025. Late entries may not be accepted.
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We will make contact with those shortlisted w/c 14th April 2025.
BWS Women in Finance 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 Women in Finance 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 Women in Finance 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 Women in Finance 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