2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards Finalists and Game Changers announced – landmark tenth year awards celebrating those driving equity, inclusion and social impact across the North
Marking its tenth anniversary, the Northern PoWEr Women Awards celebrates a decade of recognising those driving gender equality and inclusion across the North of England.
Key highlights:
- A record-breaking 1,800 nominations, with finalists selected by 90 independent judges across 12 award categories and three Game Changer lists
- Europe’s largest celebration of gender equality
- Winners to be announced on Thursday 12th March 2026 at Manchester Central Convention Complex
- Co-headline partners Barclays and Bank of America, supported by AstraZeneca, Arcadis, Asda, BT Group, Connected Places Catapult, Gleeds, KTSL, LNER, Weightmans and Manchester Airports Group
- Game Changer lists announced. PoWEr List, Future List and Advocacy List recognising trailblazers, future leaders and advocates driving change
On Thursday 12th March 2026, the Northern PoWEr Women Awards will unite over 1,000 leaders, changemakers and advocates from across the North to celebrate its tenth anniversary. Taking place during International Women’s Day week, Europe’s largest gender equality celebration will spotlight the role models driving progress towards a fairer, more inclusive future.
This year’s finalists showcase the diverse range of talent across the North, representing industries from business and technology to health, education, construction, manufacturing and the third sector.
Finalists leading the way include the likes of:
- Sophie Milliken MBE, an accomplished entrepreneur and leader, known for building impactful businesses focused on employability and education. As CEO of Moja and former founder of SRS, she has successfully scaled companies while championing leadership development and creating opportunities for others.
- Laura Ryan, Agent of Change finalist and Founder of Meat Business Women. Laura recognised that the meat industry needed more female representation and inclusion and championed that change, providing more female opportunities across the sector.
The Game Changer Lists will also make a reappearance at the 10th Anniversary of the Northern PoWEr Women Awards. The Game Changer Lists consists of:
The PoWEr List – Celebrating 24 trailblazers using their position and purpose to promote the importance of gender equality, equity and inclusivity. Including:
- Professor Liz Todd OBE, a respected leader in educational inclusion and social justice. As Professor of Educational Inclusion at Newcastle University, she combines rigorous research with practical initiatives to improve equality in education, creating lasting impact for children and young people.
- Sharon Benson, an inspiring leader championing gender equality, equity and inclusion. As Board-level People and Organisation Transformation Leader at Colleague Central Ltd, she shapes people strategies that drive business performance while creating inclusive, supportive workplaces where individuals are empowered to thrive and succeed.
The Future List – Recognising 50 influencers and change makers of the future, including:
- Joanna Unthank, Head of Economic Inclusion and Child Poverty at the North East Combined Authority, who has focused on leading policy development and programme growth and delivered transformational impact for families, children and young people.
- Kelly Smith, Founder of SPELK, a North East design practice. Guided by a philosophy of contextual design, Kelly creates meaningful furniture and interiors rooted in people, history and place, reviving regional narratives and empowering clients to connect with design in authentic, inclusive ways.
The Advocacy List – Honouring 25 male allies for their commitment in advancing gender equality, equity and inclusion, Including:
- Lt Colonel Andy Black, Head of Communications in the British Army has been recognised for proactively connecting with diverse communities to build trust and understanding. His work reshapes perceptions, bridging gaps between the Army and society, and ensures the military is seen as an accessible, integral part of regional communities.
- Dr Ken Pierce, who has advanced gender equality through innovative, student-led engagement. As co-organiser of Newcastle University’s second Inclusivity Game Jam (an event offering students the opportunity to explore Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), he helped create an inspired space where students had an open discussion about gender issues and structural inequalities.
Simone Roche MBE, Founder and CEO of We Are PoWEr, said:
“Reaching our tenth year is a poWErful moment for the Northern PoWEr Women Awards. What began as a bold idea has become a movement that shines a light on those who are not only achieving success but actively using their influence to open doors for others. The 2026 finalists reflect the very best of the North – courageous leaders, committed allies and organisations driving real, measurable change.”
A full list of finalists across all categories can be viewed at https://wearepower.net/awards/2026-awards
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards ceremony, bringing together finalists, partners, supporters and advocates to celebrate ten years of progress and look ahead to the next chapter of collective impact.
2026 partners include co-headline partners Bank of America and Barclays, Future List Game Changer partner AstraZeneca alongside category partners Arcadis, Asda Property and Construction, BT Group, Connected Places Catapult, Gleeds, KTSL, LNER, Manchester Airports Group, Weightmans, MSP Global and Mace.
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