Women in Business Announce 2026 Awards Shortlist Following Record Year

The panel of local, independent judges have shortlisted the 2026 finalists

Tuesday 3 February 2026

Women in Business Announce 2026 Awards Shortlist Following Record Year

The 2026 Women in Business Awards shortlist has been revealed after another record year for entries from across a broad range of industries.

Celebrating excellence across 11 prestige categories, including the all-new Growth and Scaling Business of the Year, the gala awards evening returns Thursday 12th March at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Sponsored again by Virgin Media O2 Business, 2026 marks the 14th year of the prestigious Women in Business Awards which recognise and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of women business leaders across Northern Ireland.

Announcing this year’s finalists, The WiB Group Chief Executive Roseann Kelly said: “For well over a decade now, our showcase awards have helped uncover and amplify those women leading from the front within NI’s business community. The calibre of this year’s entries speaks volumes to how women leaders, through innovation and strategic thinking, are working year-round to enrich our economy and, ultimately, wider society for the better.

“Our judging panel faced the challenging task of shortlisting excellence, arriving at today’s list of XX finalists all of whom are deserving of special recognition. On behalf of the Women in Business team, a warm congratulations to all those shortlisted and we very much look forward to celebrating your achievements on 12th March.”

The eight-strong judging panel was chaired by Roseann Kelly and comprised Simone Lumsden (Virgin Media O2 Business), Sinead Carville (FinTrU), Anne Clydesdale (Vice Chair of The WiB Group), Stephen McCully (The WiB Group Board member), Philippa McShane ( McShane Packaging and Women in Business Ambassador), Claire Aiken (AIKEN), and Jim Fitzpatrick, (Founder of The Sober Irish and presenter of the Irish News Trading Up podcast).

After careful deliberation, the following shortlist was confirmed:

Award for Growth & Scaling Business of the Year sponsored by Danske Bank

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

Award for Young Business Woman of the Year (Employee and Entrepreneur) sponsored by Direct Medics Healthcare Recruitment

Finalist (Corporate) Abigail Duffy, Visiting Angels Northern Ireland
Finalist (Corporate) Eimear Morrison, Fujitsu Services Ltd
Finalist (Corporate) Jessica Gibson, Reward Insight
Finalist (Corporate) Jude Cameron, Blow Moulding Technologies Ltd
Finalist (Entrepreneur) Aileen McGuire, Apiphany Jewellery
Finalist (Entrepreneur) April Rose, April Rose Marketing
Finalist (Entrepreneur) Claire Ford, Viral Muse
Finalist (Entrepreneur) Jennifer Smyth, Jenn's Gym

Award for Advancing Diversity in the Workplace sponsored by Queen’s Business School

Corporate Finalist Adepta Partners
Corporate Finalist Aflac NI
Corporate Finalist Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Corporate Finalist Fujitsu
Corporate Finalist HSC Business Services Organisation (BSO)
Individual Finalist Diane Davis, Minority Recognition Awards NI
Individual Finalist Emma Gilmour, Pathfinder Accessibility
Individual Finalist Jennifer Smyth, Jenn's Gym
Individual Finalist Ruth Maguire, The Nourish Consultancy

Award for Customer Excellence sponsored by Fibrus

Corporate Finalist Brigid Derry, Derry Bros Shipping & Customs Clearance
Corporate Finalist Ciara Connolly, Direct Medics
Corporate Finalist Marie Wilson, Wilson Nesbitt
Corporate Finalist Natasha Crooks, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
Small Business Finalist Clare McGoran, Used Cars NI
Small Business Finalist Eimear Gourley, NI Property Girl
Small Business Finalist Maire Claire Reid, TST Group
Small Business Finalist Ormeau Labs
Small Business Finalist Shannon McCloskey, One Step at a Time - Mental Health & Wellbeing

Award for Professional Services Excellence sponsored by McKeever Hotels

Corporate Finalist Brigid Derry, Derry Bros Shipping & Customs Clearance
Corporate Finalist Donna Vance, NUGENT Ltd
Corporate Finalist Leah McFadden, First Derivative
Corporate Finalist Natasha Adamson, Adamson Rice Law (NI) Ltd
Corporate Finalist Sinead Stewart, Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Small Business Finalist April Rose, April Rose Marketing
Small Business Finalist Kathleen Faloon, Curve Training & Consultancy
Small Business Finalist Katrina McCarthy, New Beginnings Scan Ltd
Small Business Finalist Mabel Higgins, MH Fire Safety Ltd
Small Business Finalist Maire Nawaz, Beecome More
Small Business Finalist Olga McAteer, McAteer Solutions Ltd

Award for Best Small Business sponsored by Wilson Nesbitt

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

Award for Transformational Leader of the Year sponsored by IQ&Co.

Corporate Finalist Anne-Marie Norton, Direct Medics
Corporate Finalist Bridgene Keeley, McKeever Hotels
Corporate Finalist Claire McBride, Fujitsu Services Ltd
Corporate Finalist Elaine Toner, Eakin Healthcare
Corporate Finalist Grainne McCartan, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS)
Corporate Finalist Loreen Nicholl, Nicholl Fuel Oils Ltd
Corporate Finalist Melissa Cochrane, Business Services Organisation (BSO)
Small Business Finalist Aislín Cathcart, Adoreboard Ltd
Small Business Finalist Diane Koplewsky, SHG NI Limited
Small Business Finalist Joanne Harris, Knitted Knockers of NI Ltd
Small Business Finalist Kathryn Donnelly, Clickclick Video Marketing Ltd

Award for Innovation in Business sponsored by Belfast Harbour

Corporate Finalist Anne - Marie Norton, Direct Medics
Corporate Finalist Nicola Magennis, First Derivative
Small Business Finalist Adrienne Hanna, Right Revenue
Small Business Finalist Bernadette Hagans, Wrapsthetic
Small Business Finalist Juliet Bakovljev, The Arzen Collective
Small Business Finalist Lisa Smiton, Equine Safety Release
Small Business Finalist Sarah Scullion, CAST Planning Ltd

Award for 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

Award for 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
Seanna Maginn, Water Solutions Ireland Ltd

Award for 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

In advance of March’s Awards evening, all women shortlisted will attend their own finalists’ lunch at the Dunadry Hotel, hosted by Caroline O’Neill.

They also join the Women in Business Awards Finalist Alumnae of over 300 women which offers each woman the opportunity to network and engage with like-minded businesswomen, accelerating both personal and professional development.

Sponsors and partners of the 2026 Women in Business Awards include title sponsor Virgin Media O2 Business and returning digital partner The Digg Podcast, along with category sponsors Danske Bank, Direct Medic Healthcare, Fibrus, IQ&Co., McKeever Hotels, Queen’s Business School and Wilson Nesbitt.

Hosted again by Pamela Ballantine, 2026’s ceremony will take place on Thursday 12th March at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Guests are encouraged to book their tickets now to avoid disappointment.

For a full list of award categories, entry forms, and to book a ticket visit: www.womeninbusinessni.com/events/women-in-business-awards-2026

Tuesday 3 February 2026