Join us on Thursday 12th March 2026 at Belfast's Crowne Plaza Hotel for the annual Women in Business Awards, where we will celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of women business leaders across Northern Ireland.

The Awards have been a beacon of celebration for over a decade and are all about recognising the contributions that women across Northern Ireland make to our economy every day.

Our host, Pamela Ballantine will guide us through the gala awards ceremony, sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business, as we get set to honour the trailblazing women who have achieved excellence across various local sectors and industries.

Awards Programme

Award Winners 2026

 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award
  • Corporate Winner | HSC Business Services Organisation (BSO)
 
  • Individual Winner | Diane Davis, Minority Recognition Awards NI
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Apprentice of the Year
  • Seána Maginn, Water Solutions Ireland Lt
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Best New Start Up
  • Lee-Anne Schmitz, MyPromoPal Ltd
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Customer Excellence Award
  • Corporate Winner | Natasha Crooks, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
 
  • Small Business Winner | Shannon McCloskey, One Step at a Time - Mental Health & Wellbeing
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Innovation in Business Award
  • Corporate Winner | Anne - Marie Norton, Direct Medics
 
  • Small Business Winner | Adrienne Hanna, Right Revenue
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Mentor of the Year
  • Maria Moreno Diez, Fibrus
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Professional Services Excellence Award
  • Corporate Winner | Sinead Stewart, Cleaver Fulton Rankin
 
  • Small Business Winner | Mabel Higgins, MH Fire Safety Ltd
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Small Business of the Year
  • Olga McAteer, McAteer Solutions Ltd
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Transformational Leader of the Year
  • Corporate Winner | Melissa Cochrane, Business Services Organisation (BSO)
 
  • Small Business Winner | Aislín Cathcart, Adoreboard Ltd
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Growth & Scaling Business
  • Helen Jameson, Express Merchant
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Young Businesswoman of the Year
  • Corporate Winner | Abigail Duffy, Visiting Angels Northern Ireland
 
  • Entrepreneur Winner | Jennifer Smyth, Jenn's Gym
 https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/queens-business-school/
Businesswoman of the Year
  • Mairead Mackle | Tarasis Enterprises
Our 2026 Finalists

Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award | Corporate Finalists

  • Adepta Partners

  • Aflac NI

  • Cleaver Fulton Rankin

  • Fujitsu

  • HSC Business Services Organisation (BSO)

Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award | Individual Finalists

  • Diane Davis | Minority Recognition Awards NI

  • Emma Gilmour | Pathfinder Accessibility

  • Jennifer Smyth | Jenn's Gym

  • Ruth Maguire | The Nourish Consultancy


Apprentice of the Year

  • Alannah Cunningham | MJM Marine

  • Eimear Morrison Fujitsu Services Ltd

  • Gizelle D'lima | Survitec Group Ltd

  • Katie McCosh | NIE Networks

  • Leah Rea | KPMG

  • Sarah Lyle | Cleaver Fulton Rankin

  • Seá na Maginn | Water Solutions Ireland Ltd


Best New Start Up

  • Aisling Brady | AB Mortgage & Protection Services

  • Donna & Patrice Mackle | Twin Secret

  • Gliosa Moore | Glow Up NI LTD

  • Lee-Anne Schmitz | MyPromoPal Ltd

  • Louise Keenan Clarke | Succeed with Confidence Limited


Customer Excellence Award | Corporate Finalists

  • Brigid Derry | Derry Bros Shipping & Customs Clearance

  • Ciara Connolly | Direct Medics

  • Marie Wilson | Wilson Nesbitt

  • Natasha Crooks | Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

  • Maire Claire Reid | TST Group


Customer Excellence Award | Small Business Finalists

  • Clare McGoran | Used Cars NI

  • Eimear Gourley |  NI Property Girl

  • Ormeau Labs Team

  • Shannon McCloskey | One Step at a Time - Mental Health & Wellbeing


Innovation in Business Award | Corporate Finalists

  • Anne - Marie Norton | Direct Medics

  • Nicola Magennis | First Derivative


Innovation in Business Award | Small Business Finalists

  • Adrienne Hanna | Right Revenue

  • Bernadette Hagans | Wrapsthetic

  • Juliet Bakovljev | The Arzen Collective

  • Lisa Smiton | Equine Safety Release

  • Sarah Scullion | CAST Planning Ltd


Mentor of the Year

  • Darragh Doherty | Encirc

  • John Ferris | NatWest

  • Kim Coulter | KPMG

  • Maria McAllister | Bank of Ireland UK

  • Maria Moreno Diez | Fibrus Group Ltd

  • Orla Lynch | Founders Lab


Professional Services Excellence Award | Corporate Finalists

  • Brigid Derry | Derry Bros Shipping & Customs Clearance

  • Donna Vance | NUGENT Ltd

  • Leah McFadden | First Derivative

  • Natasha Adamson | Adamson Rice Law (NI) Ltd

  • Sinead Stewart | Cleaver Fulton Rankin


Professional Services Excellence Award | Small Business Finalists

  • April Rose | April Rose Marketing

  • Kathleen Faloon | Curve Training & Consultancy

  • Katrina McCarthy | New Beginnings Scan Ltd

  • Mabel Higgins | MH Fire Safety Ltd

  • Maire Nawaz | Beecome More

  • Olga McAteer | McAteer Solutions Ltd


Small Business of the Year

  • Caoimhe McGlade | C no dirt cleaning services

  • Colette McNicholl | McNicholl Caravans

  • Eimear Gourley | NI Property Girl

  • Grace Smith | Forge Female Fitness

  • Lee-Anne Schmitz | MyPromoPal Ltd

  • Olga McAteer | McAteer Solutions Ltd

  • Sarah Thompson | Tedberry Limited


Transformational Leader of the Year | Corporate Finalists

  • Anne-Marie Norton | Direct Medics

  • Bridgene Keeley | McKeever Hotels

  • Claire McBride | Fujitsu Services Ltd

  • Elaine Toner | Eakin Healthcare

  • Grainne McCartan | Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS)

  • Loreen Nicholl | Nicholl Fuel Oils Ltd

  • Melissa Cochrane | Business Services Organisation (BSO)


Transformational Leader of the Year | Small Business Finalists

  • Aislín Cathcart | Adoreboard Ltd

  • Diane Koplewsky | SHG NI Limited

  • Joanne Harris | Knitted Knockers of NI Ltd

  • Kathryn Donnelly | Clickclick Video Marketing Ltd


Growth & Scaling Business

  • Anne-Marie Norton | Direct Medics

  • Ashleigh Averell | Ibrand Everything

  • Helen Jameson | Express Merchants

  • Louise Doyle | needi

  • Mabel Higgins | MH Fire Safety Ltd

  • Maire Claire Reid | TST Group

  • Marie Therese Connolly | Screen Clinical Ltd


Young Businesswoman of the Year | Corporate

  • Abigail Duffy | Visiting Angels Northern Ireland

  • Eimear Morrison | Fujitsu Services Ltd

  • Jessica Gibson | Reward Insight

  • Jude Cameron | Blow Moulding Technologies Ltd


Young Businesswoman of the Year | Entrepreneur

  • Aileen McGuire | Apiphany Jewellery

  • April Rose | April Rose Marketing

  • Claire Ford | Viral Muse

  • Jennifer Smyth | Jenn's Gym

Dates you need to know
  • Judging of Applications | Thursday 29th January 2026
  • Finalists Announced | Tuesday 3rd January 2026
  • Finalists Lunch | The Dunadry Hotel & Gardens, Friday 20th February 2026
  • Awards Gala | Thursday 12th March 2026
T&C's

1. Entrants must be based and have an office located in Northern Ireland.

2. Please ensure nominees are available on Thursday 12th March 2026 for the Awards Gala.

3. An application form will need to be completed for each entrant. The information provided will be disclosed only to the judges. Do not send any other documents / supporting materials as these will not be accepted.

4. There will be one winner per category (unless otherwise stated).

5. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into before or after the judging. All decisions regarding the judging process are made by our judging panel.

6. Details provided in the application form will potentially be used, with approval, for press releases and web content if the nominee is placed as a finalist or winner, so please ensure it is factually correct - we will not be liable for inaccuracies published based on nomination content and changes may not be possible after publication.

7. Applications that do not meet the entry criteria will not be accepted.

8. Entrants can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else.

9. Entrants can apply for more than one category but must submit a full application each time i.e. one category per application.

FAQ's

Q: Do finalists get a free ticket?

A: No, as a not-for-profit organisation, your support through ticket purchases helps us continue to provide high-quality services across the network.

Q: Can I attend the Awards event if I don't enter?

A: Yes, the Women in Business Awards is a popular event in the Northern Ireland business community. Tickets are available to purchase for anyone who wishes to attend.

Q: Do I need to be a Women in Business member to enter the awards?

A: No, the awards are open to everyone, regardless of membership status.

Q: Can I nominate myself?

A: Yes, you can nominate yourself for any of the award categories. Put yourself out there!

Q: Is it possible to submit entries for multiple categories?

A: Yes, you can submit entries for multiple categories. Please ensure each entry meets the specific criteria for the category.

Q: How do I enter the Business Woman of the Year category?

A: This category is not open to applications and is decided by our independent panel of judges.

🎥 Relive last year's Awards highlights

📷 Moments captured from 2026