Key highlights:
- Largest celebration of gender equality in Europe returns to Manchester for its tenth year
- We Are PoWEr’s social value impact revealed at £12.3 million
- 16 winners and 4 commended recognised for their impact across the North
- Game Changer lists announced; PoWEr List, Future List and Advocacy List recognising trailblazers, future leaders and advocates driving change
- Special recognition award presented to Figen Murray OBE, the driving force behind Martyn’s Law following the Manchester Arena attack
- Plus, a special 10 year anniversary performance by Natasha Hamilton
On Thursday, the 2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards marked a milestone tenth anniversary, bringing together leaders, changemakers and organisations from across the North to celebrate those driving meaningful progress in gender equality, inclusion and social mobility.
Proudly co-headlined by Bank of America and Barclays, the awards are the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe.
Over the past decade, We Are PoWEr has grown into a community of more than 120,000, delivered over 500 events and built an award-winning digital platform connecting thousands of professionals, emerging talent and students across the regions.
On the night, founder Simone Roche MBE revealed that the We Are PoWEr community has generated £12.3 million in measurable social value over the past decade.
Calculated and ratified using a Social Value framework, the figure reflects the real economic impact created through mentoring, leadership development, advocacy programmes and thousands of hours of volunteer contribution.
It also captures the long-term value of career progression, inclusive leadership development and the retention of talent across the North, through the community’s programmes and partnerships.
This momentum is reflected in a record-breaking 1,800 nominations this year, recognising individuals and organisations driving change.
A further 99 changemakers were recognised through the annual Game Changer Lists – the PoWEr List, Future List and Advocacy List – celebrating those shaping the future of leadership, advocacy and inclusion.
Simone Roche MBE reflected on the significance of this milestone year:
“This year’s winners represent the very best of what happens when talent, resilience and opportunity come together. In our tenth year, this feels especially PoWErful.
What started as a belief that the North was full of exceptional people whose impact deserved visibility has grown into a community of people committed to driving change.
These winners are not only excelling in their fields, they are actively creating opportunities for others. That ripple effect matters. It is what We Are PoWEr stands for and why this work continues to resonate a decade on.”
As the Northern PoWEr Women Awards celebrates its tenth year, the £12.3 million social value highlights the scale of impact created when organisations, leaders and communities work together with shared purpose.
With a growing network, expanding programmes and a continued focus on equality, advocacy and opportunity, We Are PoWEr now looks ahead to its next decade – building on the momentum of the past ten years to create even greater impact across the North.
This year’s winners and commended:
WINNER: Empowerment Champion – Clare Caddick (North West)
Claire Caddick, LNER Driver and Co-Chair of the Empower Women’s Network, who has been on a mission to champion equality, diversity and inclusion across the business. As co-founder and leader of Empower, she has created a safe, inspiring space supporting women’s voices, health, wellbeing and professional development.
COMMENDED: Empowerment Champion – Carol Ann Whitehead (North West)
Carol Ann Whitehead, Managing Director of the Zebra Partnership is a continuous champion for women’s inclusivity. Her work is diverse and focuses on a range of initiatives such as equality, mentorship and economic inclusion but her focus remains the same elevating underrepresented voices.
WINNER: One to Watch – Saumya Gupta (North Wales)
Saumya Gupta, Assistant Vice President at Bank of America is a grassroot change maker who is actively building bridges across cultures and transforming lived experiences into action. Some of Saumya’s successes have included efforts to secure over £10,000 worth of funding for the North Wales Ethnic Multicultural Association whilst also leading a series of cultural and social initiatives through Wrexham Indian Association.
COMMENDED: One to Watch – Jillian Alexander (North West)
Jillian Alexander, Solicitor, Modern Slavery Advocate and founder of the Unbound Programme CIC has been commended for her incredible work empowering survivors to regain agency, rebuild identity and achieve independence through holistic, coaching-led support. Jillian works to provide job training and upskilling courses in a safe, trauma-informed environment rooted in dignity and empowerment.
WINNER: Agent of Change – Rebecca Oliver-Mooney (North West)
Raising the Glass Founder, Rebecca Oliver-Mooney is a connector, collaborator and change maker who is focused on building inclusive spaces where allyship, equity and opportunity thrive. Rebecca has grown Raising the Glass as a platform that goes beyond conversation to real, measurable change.
WINNER: Outstanding Entrepreneur – Fiona Hull (North West)
Fiona Hull is Director of Construction Q who leads with resilience and purpose. Leading her Chartered Quantity Surveying Practice in a climate of economic uncertainty has reinforced the importance of adaptability and forward planning. Fiona focuses on driving growth through people, innovation and inclusivity while championing women and equality in construction.
WINNERS: Disruptor for Good – Dr Lucy Reynolds & Jo Milne (North East)
Dr Lucy Reynolds, Founder and Director of We Are All Disabled is a social entrepreneur, public speaker and academic researcher, proud to be disabled and passionate about disrupting the narrative around disability to create positive cultural change.
Jo Milne, Founder of the Jo Milne Foundation and See & Hear Change Campaigner is a passionate advocate for those with sensory loss. Jo’s work focuses on disrupting the social norms and making change for good.
WINNER: Public Spotlight – Sara Cox (North West)
Broadcaster and author, Sara Cox is recognised for her influential advocacy for Northern identity, women’s empowerment and community causes. Through her Radio 2 show, her support for books and diverse authors and her impactful charity work, she uses her platform to amplify voices, celebrate regional talent and inspire positive change.
WINNER: Mentor of the Year – Renee Preston (North West)
Renee Preston CEO of Construction for Women is leading the UK’s largest female mentoring programme, with ambitions to support 1,000 women by year end. Remaining committed to mentoring personally as the programme grows.
WINNER: Person With Purpose (Private Sector) – Dr Charlotte Armitage (Yorkshire)
Dr Charlotte Armitage is a Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Child Development Consultant who combines professional excellence, advocacy, and visionary leadership with a genuine purpose: improving lives, challenging norms and enabling others to thrive. Her work demonstrates the power of private sector influence when aligned with social responsibility.
COMMENDED: Person With Purpose (Private Sector) – Sophie Milliken MBE (North East)
Sophie Milliken MBE is the CEO and Founder of Moja, a brand that helps leaders raise their profile. Sophie’s work helps leaders build credible personal brands for influence and impact. She is also Chair of Smart Works North East who helps in supporting women into employment.
WINNER: Person With Purpose (Public Sector) – Professor Alexandra Cristea (North East)
Alexandra Cristea, Professor at Durham University and International research leader is focused on advancing AI for social good and inclusive education, proudly championing Northern excellence with global impact and pathways for women in STEM. In her role as Deputy Executive Dean for Postgraduate Research, she led the development and implementation of Durham’s first Faculty PGR Strategy, encompassing eight departments, 800 postgraduate researchers and 300 staff.
WINNER: Person With Purpose (Charity/CIC) – Steph Capewell (North East)
Steph Capewell, Chief Executive of Love, Amelia has turned personal loss into practical support for children and families facing poverty. She is a proud northerner championing equal opportunities so every child has the best start and chance to thrive.
WINNER: Micro Organisation – The Maggie Oliver Foundation (North West)
The Maggie Oliver Foundation (TMOF) exists to create a society where survivors and those at risk of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) are empowered to live fulfilled and successful lives and where every survivor is treated with dignity, respect and as an equal and valued member of society.
COMMENDED: Micro Organisation – Intotum (North West)
Intotum is a multi-award-winning adaptive fashion brand designed with and for the disabled community, redefining inclusive fashion with sensory-friendly, functional, elevated styles. The garments combine innovation with high-street appeal from magnetic fastenings and hidden access points to seated cuts and sensory-friendly fabrics.
WINNER: Small/ Medium Organisation – Women Centre (Yorkshire)
Women Centre works to support and empower women to achieve a better quality of life through prevention, intervention and recovery services. Their wide range of services include emotional and practical support on issues such as debt, benefits, mental or physical health, domestic violence, counselling, training and development and much more.
WINNER: Large Organisation – PZ Cussons (North West)
PZ Cussons is a consumer good business that are proud have sustainability, equality, employee wellbeing and communities at the heart of their business model & strategy. PZ Cussons lives and breathes inclusivity which is captured by their purpose: For Everyone, For Life, For Good.
WINNER: Inclusive Innovation (Tech for Good) – Mortal Fools (North East)
Mortal Fools have been recognised for their Melva Programme which is supporting mental health and wellbeing for children. MELVA provides a user-friendly, early intervention and prevention approach, designed to be used by schools with primary school aged children and older students in specialist settings.
WINNER: Inclusive Innovation (People Focused) – IStandUK (North East)
IStandUK’s mission is to bring forward the Scalable Approach to Vulnerability Via Interoperability (SAVVI) Approach to empower shared local insight to address vulnerability together. The SAVVI project has delivered benefits to individuals, communities and organisations. Frameworks support staff in local authorities to effectively identify people in need.
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, London North Eastern Railway, Manchester Airports Group, Weightmans and wider partners MSP Global, AWS, The Spa at Carden Park and Mace.
