Celebrating 34 years of recognising Inspiring Women
Heartfelt thanks to our independent judges who produced another inspiring shortlist of finalists. From now until the Awards lunch in May, we will be sharing their profiles on our news page, newsletter and social media. To keep updated, follow us on social media or join our mailing list
Booking for the 34th annual Awards is now open. On the 15th May 2026, finalists will be sharing their own stories in their own words before winners are announced at another memorable lunch, hosted at the 5* Lowry Hotel, Salford. Tickets include a Drinks Reception, Guest Award Announcers, Finalist Interviews, and a three course Lunch (corporate bookings enjoy additional benefits). For details of how to book, visit our bookings page and if you want to see what we got up to in 2025, visit here.
“When an event can make you laugh, cry and sing in the same lunch – you know its a success“ Laura Hickman-Sparkes, Head of Business Engagement & Partnerships, MMU
The Inspiring Women Awards support the Inspiring Young Woman Foundation. For more information, please visit our Foundation page
Our 2026 Finalists
Bushra Ahmed
Consultant
Kate Blakemore
Her Place
Jacqui Cannon
Lewy Body Society
Elicia Curtis
Reign Collective
Iz Durose
Pot Bound
Lisa Harper
True North Circle
Lucy Hope
Daughters of Mars
Katherine Keddie
Adopter Ltd
Foluke Michael
Creative Youth Community
Sanesha Naicker
Clinical Researcher
Dr Ruth Oshikanlu MBE
Abule CIC
Milly Peel
Stable Minds
Kerrie Rimmer
Max Trax CIC
She Leads for Legacy
Consultancy
Bekka Simpson
Suki’s Wardrobe
Kayla Tychsen
Your conscious parent
Nicky Wake
Chapter 2 Dating
34 years and still going strong
Over the past 34 years, the Inspiring Women Awards lunch has become known for giving a platform to the finalists to share their stories in their own words. Guests always comment that they don’t know how we find these remarkable women year on year, but are glad we do and so are we. The Awards exist to share these stories and shine a light on these inspiring women and 2025 was another good year for doing just that.
“Winning this award is a powerful reminder and motivation for me to keep showing up on the path I’ve chosen, despite the daily challenges I face with both my health and business. Hearing the powerful stories of other resilient women who are driving change and making a meaningful impact in our society was incredibly inspiring and deeply touching. Thank you for creating such a special celebration of our journeys.” Roya Rasouli, Inspiring Young Woman Award winner 2025
“I had the most incredible day at the Inspiring Women Awards. To hear so many powerful women telling their stories was a total honour, and to have won the Sustainable Award for Women Making An Impact was the cherry on the cake! The awards are proof that women have a lot more power than society brings them up to believe, so long may they continue!” Nicole Broad, Sustainability award winner 2024
“I’m so proud to have won the Here Come The Girls award and stand alongside the talented and passionate women nominated in the other categories. It meant a great deal to have my work and causes recognised, surrounded by so many phenomenal and diverse women working to make the world a better and more equitable place. I haven’t stopped smiling since the awards lunch, it’s an experience I know will keep me boosted, and stoke the fire in my belly as I continue to move forward. I hope my story connects with and inspires other women to stand up for themselves and each other.” Kerry Daynes, Here come the Girls award winner 2023
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Nominations for the 35th annual Inspiring Women Awards (2027) are now open and close on 31/12/2026. The shortlist will be published in February 2027 and the winners announced at the Awards lunch on 21st May 2027.
Be inspired
Founded in 1992, the Inspiring Women Awards have, over the past 30 years, publicly recognised and promoted the achievements of 100’s women who live or work in the North West of England, North Wales and in 2022, nationally and internationally. Many of our award winners have gone on to receive further recognition through our Honours system and in 2023, three more were honoured: Dr Gee Walker MBE; Marie McCourt MBE and Dee Drake BEM.
These evolving Awards have stood the test of time because at their heart is the desire to continue finding and recognising those women who inspire us.
“The Inspiring Women Awards shine a light on hundreds of inspirational women from all walks of life in the North West of England and North Wales. Publicly celebrating and promoting the achievements of women in business and the community is critical to ensuring the impact they are having is recognised, and it also provides a cadre of visible role models to inspire the next generation of leaders. I am honoured and humbled to have received the 2019 Constance Award, and am determined to continue quietly making a difference in all that I do.“
Sharon Thorne, Deloitte
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