Celebrating Remarkable Achievement: Women in Business Awards 2026 Winners
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Women in Business Awards at the Crowne Plaza Belfast is always one of the most inspiring evenings in the Northern Ireland business calendar. It’s a celebration of the remarkable women who are shaping our workplaces, our organisations and our industries every single day: from emerging leaders and rising stars to senior executives, innovators and entrepreneurs.
You could feel the energy immediately from the women who have chosen to lead, to contribute and to keep moving forward, even when the path has not always been easy.
For the second year in a row, we were proud to be the media partner for the event, capturing stories, insights and moments that make events like this so powerful. Because behind every award, every nomination and every business success, there are real journeys worth sharing.
From the red carpet, you can see what some of the women had to say about Women in Business here.
Before I share our special Digg Podcast Women in Business Awards episode, where we bring some of the winners' voices directly to you, here’s a look at all this year’s Women in Business Awards 2026 winners:
Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award
Sponsored by QUB Business School
Corporate Winner - HSC Business Serices Organisataion (BSO)
Individual Winner - Diane Davies, Minority Recognition Awards NI
Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by VANRATH
Winner - Seána Maginn, Water Solutions Ireland Ltd
Best New Start Up
Sponsored by AIB
Winner - Lee-Anne Schmitz, MyPromoPal Ltd
Customer Excellence Award
Sponsored by Fibrus
Corporate Winner - Natasha Crooks, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited
Small Business Winner - Shannon McCloskey, One Step at a Time - Mental Health and Wellbeing
Growth and Scaling Business of the Year
Sponsored by Danske Bank
Winner - Helen Jameson, Express Merchants
Innovation in Business Award
Sponsored by Belfast Harbour
Corporate Winner - Anne-Marie Norton, Direct Medics
Small Business Winner - Adrienne Hanna, Right Revenue
Mentor of the Year
Sponsored by Version 1
Maria Moreno Diez, Fibrus
Professional Services Excellence Award
Sponsored by McKeever Hotels
Corporate Winner - Sinead Stewart, Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Small Business Winner - Mabel Higgins, MH Fire Safety Ltd
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Wilson Nesbitt
Winner - Olga McAteer, McAteer Solutions Ltd
Transformational Leader of the Year
Sponsored by IQ&Co
Corporate Winner - Melissa Cochrane, Business Services Organisation (BSO)
Small Business Winner - Aislín Cathcart, Adoreboard Ltd
Young Businesswoman of the Year
Sponsored by Direct Medics Healthcare
Corporate Winner - Abigail Duffy, Visiting Angels Northern Ireland
Entrepreneur Winner - Jennifer Smyth, Jenn's Gym
Business Woman of the Year
Sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business
Winner - Mairead Mackle, Tarasis Enterprises
As media partners for the Women in Business Awards, we were privileged to speak with several award winners to hear their reactions on the night and the advice they would share with other women building their careers and making their mark across business and the workplace in Northern Ireland. You can watch the very special episode below.
To become a Women in Business Member, join this amazing network here.
Huge congratulations to all the winners. It was an honour to celebrate the remarkable women whose leadership, talent and determination are helping to shape a stronger and more inclusive business community.
