Women Leaders UK
Widening the reach of awards that celebrate women
When the Women Leaders Awards 2026 offi cially launches next month, entries will mark a signifi cant new chapter as, for the fi rst time, women from Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire will be invited to take part alongside those from Milton Keynes. T e expansion refl ects how Women Leaders has evolved over the
past decade, from a locally rooted initiative into a platform whose infl uence, audience and ambition now extend across a wider region. Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire are
increasingly interconnected. Companies recruit across county borders, supply chains span multiple towns, and collaborations between organisations, universities, charities and start-ups are now the norm rather than the exception. Many women already build their careers across this wider geography, whether that means running a business that serves several counties, working in regional leadership roles, or contributing to networks that stretch far beyond one place. Women Leaders has always celebrated contribution in its
broadest sense - from entrepreneurship and corporate leadership to innovation, education, community impact and public service. By extending eligibility to Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, that same inclusive lens can now be applied to a richer, more diverse pool of stories and achievements. T e result will be a stronger, more representative picture of what women’s leadership looks like across this region. T ere is also a deeper purpose behind the expansion. Visibility
remains one of the most powerful drivers of change. When women see people like themselves being recognised, in diff erent sectors, at diff erent career stages, from diff erent backgrounds, it reshapes expectations. A wider regional stage means more role models, more narratives, and more opportunities for women to see themselves refl ected in positions of infl uence. While there has been genuine progress in women’s representation,
it remains uneven and, in many sectors, fragile. Senior leadership positions within many industries continue to be disproportionately male. Creating a platform that consistently highlights female achievement plays a vital role in addressing this imbalance.
This challenge is especially apparent in technology and
engineering-led industries, which drive much of the region’s economic growth, and attracting, supporting and retaining women from the wider region is becoming essential. Chantal-Lawren Welch, Marketing Manager at Silverstone
Park, said: “Silverstone Park is proudly based in Northamptonshire and sits at the heart of a globally recognised ecosystem for high- performance technology and advanced engineering. As the Park prepares to double in size, ensuring a strong and diverse talent pipeline is essential. “Motorsport and engineering have traditionally been male-
dominated, currently around 80% of our on-site workforce are men, but the future of these industries depends on attracting the very best minds, including female talent. “In reality, geographic borders across Northamptonshire, Milton
Keynes and Buckinghamshire are increasingly blurred, with people living, working and collaborating across the region. T at’s why initiatives like our Women’s Innovation Network (WIN), alongside the expanding reach of Women Leaders, are so important in raising voices, building visibility and creating a more even playing fi eld as the region grows.” For businesses and organisations, recognising women
from across three counties strengthens networks, encourages collaboration and helps organisations connect with talent they might not otherwise encounter. It creates a shared regional space where ideas, experiences and opportunities can cross-pollinate – benefi ting individuals, organisations and the economy as a whole. When nominations open in March, Women Leaders will once
again invite women to step forward, tell their stories and be seen. T is year, those stories will come from a broader, more interconnected region – refl ecting the way women live, work and lead today. Categories span entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, innovation, education, community impact and public service.
Full details on eligibility, categories and how to submit an entry can be found at
www.womenleadersuk.org
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