Now in their 22nd year, the awards have championed women transforming industries and communities since 2003. This year’s finalists — selected from nearly 1,000 entries nationwide — span every sector from healthcare and technology to hospitality, manufacturing and creative industries, representing the full breadth of the UK’s entrepreneurial talent.
The 2025 finalists include pioneering start-ups, established leaders running multimillion-pound companies, and purpose-driven entrepreneurs using business as a force for good.
The awards do more than celebrate achievement — they aim to create tangible growth opportunities for women-led businesses. Winners gain access to a network of mentors, investors and commercial partners designed to help scale operations and secure funding.
This year, headline sponsor Tide will also award a £20,000 grant to one outstanding female-founded SME, selected from the finalists by an expert judging panel.
Nicole Goodwin and Sophie Catto, joint managing directors of AllBright everywoman, said: “Access to funding continues to be one of the greatest challenges faced by women starting and scaling their businesses.
These awards exist to change that — building a powerful ecosystem of role models, mentors and investors who champion female founders. They don’t just celebrate success stories, they help create them.”
Despite growing awareness of gender inequality in entrepreneurship, female-founded businesses receive only 2p of every £1 of UK equity investment. Closing that gap could add an estimated £250 billion to the UK economy, according to industry research.
Heather Cobb, UK managing director at Tide, said: “We’re proud to celebrate the resilience, optimism and innovation of women transforming industries across the UK.
Recognition is important, but tangible support is vital — that’s why we’re awarding a £20,000 grant to help one exceptional founder accelerate her business growth.”
Andy Gregory, CEO of BGF, added: “The everywoman Awards play a vital role in championing female founders. We’re committing £300 million to female-powered businesses over the next five years to ensure talented women have access to the capital and strategic support they need to thrive.”
2025 finalists announced
Finalists span nine award categories, including the Balance Award, Entrepreneur for Good, International Expansion, Scale Up, and Tech Innovator awards.
THE BALANCE AWARD:
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Rana Righton, managing director of The Gluten Free Bakery, from London
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Abi Selby, founder of Spabreaks.com, from Brighton
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Zoe Williams, founder of Aegle’s, from London
ENTREPRENEUR FOR GOOD AWARD – sponsored by Specsavers:
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Maya Amangeldiyeva, founder of Mayas Community C.I.C, from Herne Bay
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Gillian Ashcroft, founder of Exceptional Care, from Ormskirk
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Alex Head, founder & CEO of Social Pantry, from London
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Ruby Raut, CEO of WUKA Ltd, from Welwyn Garden City
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION AWARD – sponsored by Rathbone Financial Planning:
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Hinna Azeem, founder & creative director of H.AZEEM London, from London
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Karen Hewitt, chief of retail at Character.com, from Swansea
THE NEXT LEVEL AWARD:
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Toria Chan & Jules Shiel-Boulger, co-founders of STEPS, from Sheffield
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Amy Knight, co-founder & director of Must Have Ideas, from Maidstone
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Jessica Lancaster & Charlotte Stagg, co-founders & CEOs of Coconut Lane UK/Cocopup London, from Witney
SCALE UP AWARD – sponsored by BGF:
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Olivia Bishop, co-founder of Toco Swim Limited, from London
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Julie Collison, director of Clear Strategy Limited, from Dublin
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Niamh Murdock, chief executive officer of The Avoca Clinic, from Dublin
SOCIAL STAR AWARD:
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Claudia Bish, director of The Blogger Agent, from Brighton
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Daisy Kelly, founder & CEO of Glow For It, from Hammersmith
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Melissa Neill, founder & CEO of Body By Bikini, from Bristol
SOLOPRENEUR AWARD:
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Katy Fridman, founder of Flexible Working People, from London
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Emma Harper, CEO of Core Plus Tuition Limited, from Banbury
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Leah Rendall, owner & CEO of Callander K9, from Callander
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Erika Tranfield, CEO of Pride Angel, from West Kirby
SMALL ENTERPRISE AWARD – sponsored by Tide
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Dina Jahina, director of ETO, from London
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Lucie Macleod, founder of Hair Syrup, from Goodwick
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Sylvia Oates, CEO of Six Till Six, from Nottingham
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Rosie Skuse, founder & CEO of Molto Music Group, from London
TECH INNOVATOR AWARD
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Amber Michelle Hill, founder & CEO of Research Grid, from Norwich
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Katya Linossi, co-founder & CEO of ClearPeople Limited, from London
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Emma O’Brien, founder & CEO of Embridge Consulting, from Kent
This year’s judging panel includes some of Britain’s most successful business leaders and investors, such as Chrissie Rucker (The White Company), Susan Allen (Here We Flo), Sarah Anderson CBE (The Listening Place), and Nell Daly (Revenge Capital).
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at The Londoner, Leicester Square, on 2 December 2025.
For ticket information, visit www.everywoman.com/entrepreneur-awards.
Amy Ingham
Amy Ingham is a reporter at Business Matters, covering UK business news with a focus on breaking news, business policy, late payments and insolvency. She joined the magazine in 2026 after completing the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at Harlow College's journalism school. Her recent reporting includes British Steel's nationalisation and its impact on SME suppliers, the decline in late payments by large firms, and Insolvency Service director disqualifications. Reach her at aingham@cbmeg.co.uk.
