Our 2026 Winners
Iz Durose – Inspiring Young Woman Award
Pot Bound
Lisa Harper – Third Quarter Woman Award
True North Circle
Katherine Keddie – Sustainability Award
Adopter Ltd
Lucy Hope – Entrepreneur Award
Daughters of Mars
Kayla Tychsen – Women Making Waves Award
Your conscious parent
She Leads for Legacy – Here Come the Girls Award
Consultancy
Kerrie Rimmer – Community Award
Max Trax CIC
35 years and still going strong
Over the past 35 years, the Inspiring Women Awards lunch has become known for giving a platform to the finalists to share their own 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 2026 was another good year for doing just that.
‘I was overwhelmed to win the Inspirational Young Woman of the Year award at this 2026 Inspiring Women Awards. Starting my business at 19 was daunting, but through the support and community of women around me I found my voice, my passion and my power. Without a doubt these were the loveliest awards I’ve been to and I’m humbled to be part of such a powerful alumni of winners!’ Iz Durose, Inspiring Young Woman Award winner 2026
“To receive this award in the Third Chapter category meant so much to me. It sends an important message that life beyond 50, 60 and 70 is not about fading into the background, but about growth, contribution and continuing to make an impact with purpose. I wish to thank Inspiring Woman Awards for this honour.” Lisa Harper, Third Quarter Women Award winner 2026
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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 35 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 including: Dr Gee Walker MBE; Marie McCourt MBE; Dee Drake BEM; Diane Edwards MBE; Marnie Millard OBE; Jennie Johnson MBE; Tracy Mort MBE and GB’s most decorated winter Olympian, Menna Fitzpatrick MBE
These evolving Awards have stood the test of time because at their heart is the desire to continue finding and giving a platform to those women who inspire us.
Nominate here
Click here to nominate who you think deserves recognition for her hard work.
Attend the awards
Click here to book your table or reservation at next years award ceremony.
Our awards videos
You can view all of our previous event videos here, and see the winners for each year.
The Inspiring Young Woman Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2010 to fund a bursary for the Inspiring Young Woman Award winners and fund local projects that concentrate on the wellbeing of our young women.
Our 2026 sponsors
Sponsors
Our 2026 programme
View this year’s programme here for an overview of the day.
“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
Latest News
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