Nominate someone

Who it's for

Founders and co-founders of established businesses who can demonstrate strong business performance and meaningful impact. This category is designed for entrepreneurs beyond the early start-up stage who have built a strong and sustainable business.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• Strong business performance and sustained progress
• The founder's personal contribution to the strategy, direction and culture of the business
• Entrepreneurial judgement and the ability to identify and act on opportunities
• Evidence of meaningful impact through the business
• Clear ambition for its next stage

Who it's for

Founders and co-founders of businesses that have been trading for up to three years at the date entries open.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A compelling business idea addressing a clear problem or opportunity
• Strong early progress and evidence of traction
• Resourcefulness in overcoming the challenges of building a new business
• The founder's personal drive and contribution
• Strong potential and ambition for the future

Who it's for

Founders and co-founders who have moved their business beyond the start-up phase and can demonstrate significant, sustained growth.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• Clear and sustained commercial growth
• How the founder has evolved as a leader as the business has scaled
• Investment in the people, systems, structures or processes needed to support growth
• The ability to lead effectively through the challenges of scaling
• Ambition and a credible plan for the next stage

Who it's for

Founders and co-founders aged 30 or under at the date entries open.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• Strong business progress and achievement
• An entrepreneurial approach to spotting opportunities and solving problems
• A significant personal contribution to the development of the business
• Initiative, determination and ambition
• Clear plans for the future development of both the founder and the business

Who it's for

Founders and co-founders who have created or introduced an innovative idea, product, service, technology, process or approach. Innovation does not have to be technology-led.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A clear problem or opportunity being addressed
• An original or meaningfully different approach
• The ability to turn an idea into action
• Evidence that the innovation is creating meaningful impact
• Potential for further development, adoption or scale

Who it's for

Founders and co-founders using an entrepreneurial or commercial model to address a social or environmental challenge.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A clear social or environmental purpose at the heart of the organisation
• Meaningful and evidenced impact
• Strong personal leadership from the founder
• A sustainable approach balancing purpose with financial and operational resilience
• Ambition to deepen, broaden or scale the organisation's impact

Who it's for

Women in the earlier stages of their leadership journey who are already demonstrating leadership beyond what might normally be expected at their level. A senior job title or responsibility for a large team is not required.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A willingness to step forward and take the lead
• Influence beyond the boundaries of their formal role
• Evidence of meaningful achievement and impact
• Active commitment to developing their leadership capability
• Clear potential and ambition for greater leadership responsibility

Who it's for

Women with responsibility for managing and developing people, teams or functions in organisations of any size or sector.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• An effective and people-focused approach to management
• A track record of developing individuals or teams
• The ability to help others perform, progress and succeed
• Strong management through challenge or change
• An adaptable approach that gets the best from different people

Who it's for

Women operating at director or equivalent senior leadership level in organisations of any size across the private, public or third sectors.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• Significant strategic leadership and influence
• Strong judgement when making complex or high-stakes decisions
• Evidence of meaningful organisational, commercial or societal impact
• Influence on people, culture and performance beyond their immediate area of responsibility
• A clear contribution to the future direction of their organisation or sector

Who it's for

Women in leadership roles across public services, including local and central government, health, education, emergency services and other publicly funded organisations.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to outstanding public service
• Meaningful improvements to services, outcomes or communities
• Effective leadership through complexity and competing priorities
• Collaboration across teams, organisations or sectors
• A contribution to stronger, more resilient or more effective public services for the future

Who it's for

Women creating meaningful community impact in any capacity. This might be through a charity or community organisation, their professional role, volunteering, campaigning or an independent initiative.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A strong understanding of the community need or issue being addressed
• Tangible positive impact for people or communities
• Significant personal commitment and contribution
• The ability to bring together people, organisations, resources or partnerships
• A focus on sustainability and creating lasting benefit

Who it's for

Women who actively mentor and support the development of others, formally or informally, inside or outside their organisation.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A thoughtful approach tailored to the needs and ambitions of others
• Sustained commitment to mentoring
• Evidence of helping others build confidence, capability and independence
• Generosity in sharing knowledge, experience and insight
• A track record of opening doors and broadening opportunities for others

Who it's for

Women taking practical action to improve equality, diversity and inclusion within an organisation, sector or community. Entrants do not need to work in a dedicated EDI role.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A clear understanding of the barrier or inequality being addressed
• Meaningful action to challenge or change it
• Evidence of positive impact and progress
• The ability to influence others and encourage accountability
• A commitment to creating sustainable change rather than one-off activity

Who it's for

Organisations of any size or sector with a significant presence in the North East. This is an organisational award rather than an individual award.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• A workplace culture where women are supported to thrive
• Meaningful access to development, progression and leadership opportunities
• Practical action to create an inclusive workplace
• Leadership accountability for culture and inclusion
• Evidence of listening to employees and turning insight into meaningful improvement

Who it's for

Women at any career stage and from any sector whose actions, values and example have a positive influence on others. This award isn't about seniority or public profile. It's about how someone uses their position, experience or influence to help others.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• Values and behaviours that positively influence others
• A track record of creating opportunities and opening doors
• Generosity in sharing experience, knowledge, networks or influence
• Evidence of using their voice, position or platform for the benefit of others
• Sustained commitment rather than a single initiative or moment

Who it's for

An exceptional woman whose achievements and contribution extend beyond the immediate expectations of her role, business or organisation. Entrants may come from any sector or career path.\n\nThis is an open-entry category and women can enter themselves or be nominated directly for the award.

A strong entry might demonstrate:

• An exceptional track record of achievement and positive impact
• Leadership, expertise or influence that has created meaningful change
• A contribution extending beyond the immediate expectations of her role or organisation
• The willingness to use her voice, position or experience to lead, challenge, champion or create change
• An outstanding contribution to the North East and the people around her