Best Awards for Women In Business
There’s something powerful about being recognised for your work - not just by clients or customers, but by your industry.
For female founders, entering a business award isn’t just about collecting a trophy. It’s about building credibility, increasing visibility and owning your success publicly. Awards can help you attract press coverage in local / trade publications, reach new clients and strengthen your brand reputation which together usually equals momentum.
Whether you’re a solo service provider, a product-based business or are running a fast-growing personal brand, there’s an award designed for you. And many are more accessible than you think.
Here’s a round-up of the best UK awards for women in business to consider entering this year - plus tips for choosing the right one and preparing a standout entry.
The Top UK Business Awards for Women
Muddy Stilettos SME Awards
Best for: Lifestyle brands, creatives, consultants, wellness providers and indie retailers
Why we love it: These awards are local, free to enter, and deeply rooted in community. With 21 categories across 35 UK counties, they spotlight real small businesses making a difference.
Bonus: Categories like Best Women’s Style Business, Best Wellbeing Specialist, and Best Creative Business make this especially aligned with female-led brands.
Best Business Women Awards
Best for: Established founders and SMEs ready for national exposure
Why we love it: This is one of the UK’s most respected awards for female entrepreneurs. It offers serious credibility, press coverage, and ongoing networking through the BBWA alumni community.
Expect: An application process with structure, clear judging criteria and a high standard - but very achievable if you’re already delivering results.
National Business Women’s Awards
Best for: Women at all stages - from side hustlers to scale-ups
Why we love it: With 20+ categories and a celebratory black-tie final, these awards make space for ambition in all its forms. From customer service to innovation to employer of the year, there’s a fit for every founder.
Everywoman Entrepreneur Awards
Best for: Legacy-building founders and high-growth businesses
Why we love it: Backed by NatWest and designed to showcase women across sectors, this award focuses on vision, resilience, and long-term impact. Perfect if your journey includes pivots, perseverance or purpose-driven leadership.
Great British Businesswoman Awards
Best for: Thought leaders, strategic founders and mission-led brands
Why we love it: These awards aim to redefine what success looks like in business. Past winners include trailblazers in finance, fashion, STEM and sustainability.
Why Entering an Award Is Worth It
Even if you don’t win, entering is a powerful act of reflection and positioning. Here’s why it’s worth your time:
Visibility: Awards get your business in front of judges, journalists, and potential customers
Credibility: Finalist or winner status builds trust with new audiences and adds weight to your marketing
SEO + PR: Winning creates a backlink opportunity from high-authority sites — boosting search rankings and future discoverability
Confidence: Sometimes, you don’t realise how far you’ve come until you write it all down.
How to Choose the Right Award for Your Business
Align with your values and audience
Check if the timeline works for you (can you realistically apply this season?)
Understand the judging criteria - are you a good fit right now or would next year be better?
Review past winners to see how your story compares
Be honest: are you applying for ego or to genuinely build visibility, community and connection?
How to Write a Strong Award Entry
Lead with outcomes: Share tangible results, not just intentions
Include the human story: Judges want to know what makes your business unique
Use testimonials or case studies: Social proof strengthens your credibility
Keep it focused: Don’t try to tell your entire journey - tell the right story for the category
Proofread & polish: A well-presented entry stands out before a word is even read
Final thoughts: This isn’t just about winning
This is about backing yourself. Being proud of what you’ve built. And letting the world see it, too.
If you’ve ever downplayed your success or waited for someone else to validate your growth - maybe this is the year you stop waiting.
Awards don’t make you legitimate. But sometimes, they help remind you that you already are.
