BWS Women in Finance Awards 2025

The BWS Women in Finance Awards celebrate the achievements of women driving Scotland’s finance industry. By recognising leaders across sectors like corporate finance, fintech, and accounting, the awards highlight Scotland’s role in global finance and promote gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields. This inclusive event honours women at all levels, from executives to essential operational roles, and showcases those leading sustainability and ethical finance initiatives.

Who will you be nominating? Take a look at the 10 categories below and fill in a form for yourself, a colleague or maybe a friend who deserves some recognition.

Mark your calendars for a celebratory lunch on Thursday 22nd May at voco Grand Central, Glasgow as we crown our category winners.

Are you interested in sponsoring the Awards?

Do you need assistance with your nomination?

Dates to Remember

15th January: Nominations open

28th March: Nominations close

31st March - 11th April: Judging

w/c 14th April: Finalists contacted

w/c 21st April: Finalists announced

22nd May: BWS Women in Finance Awards 2025

Award Categories

  • Best Female Financial Advisor

    This award recognises an outstanding female financial advisor who has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise, dedication, and personalised service in helping clients achieve their financial goals. The recipient has shown exceptional skill in providing sound financial advice, building strong client relationships, and navigating complex financial strategies. Her ability to guide clients through investment opportunities, retirement planning, and wealth management has made a significant impact on their financial well-being. This award celebrates her professionalism, commitment to excellence, and the positive influence she has had on her clients’ financial futures.

    Nominate Someone

  • Diversity & Inclusion Advocate in Finance

    This award recognises a female professional who has been a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the finance sector. The recipient has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting inclusive practices, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, and championing a more diverse workforce. Whether through mentorship, policy development, or spearheading initiatives that foster a more inclusive work culture, this individual has played a key role in breaking down barriers and advancing equality in finance. This award celebrates her dedication to driving meaningful change and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued within the industry.

    Nominate Someone

  • Female CFO of the Year

    This award recognises an exceptional female CFO who has demonstrated outstanding financial leadership and strategic vision within her organisation. The recipient has effectively managed complex financial operations, contributed to significant business growth, and navigated financial challenges with excellence. In addition to her professional accomplishments, the award also acknowledges her commitment to corporate social responsibility and community impact. Whether through charitable initiatives, supporting financial literacy programs, or fostering inclusive practices, this CFO has used her platform to drive positive change both within her organisation and in the wider community. This award celebrates her ability to balance financial success with meaningful contributions to society.

    Nominate Someone

  • Female Leadership in Financial Transformation of the Year

    This award recognises a female leader who has driven significant transformation within the finance sector, leading her organisation through groundbreaking changes. The recipient has demonstrated exceptional strategic vision, innovation, and leadership in reshaping financial processes, technologies, or business models, resulting in measurable improvements. Whether through digital transformation, operational efficiency, or cultural shifts, this leader has been instrumental in modernising and driving progress within the organisation or the wider industry. This award celebrates her ability to lead change, inspire her team, and navigate complex challenges to achieve lasting impact in the finance sector.

    Nominate Someone

  • Female-led Team of the Year

    This award recognises a team that has been led by a female leader, showcasing exceptional collaboration, innovation, and success in achieving their goals. The recipient team has demonstrated strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to excellence under the guidance of their female leader. This team has overcome challenges, delivered outstanding results, and contributed significantly to the success of their organisation. The award celebrates the ability of the female leader to inspire, motivate, and empower her team, fostering a high-performing and supportive work environment.

    Nominate Someone

  • Female Rising Star of the Year

    This award recognises an exceptional female professional who has shown outstanding potential and rapid growth within her field with less than 5 years’ experience. The recipient is someone who has made significant contributions early in her career, demonstrating innovation and a commitment to excellence. She has consistently exceeded expectations, taken on new challenges, and demonstrated the skills and drive to become a future leader in her industry. This award celebrates her achievements, dedication, and the promise of a successful career trajectory in the years to come. This can be spread across Qualified, Qualified By Experience (QBE), Part-Qualified (PQ) & Practice.

    Nominate Someone

  • Inspirational Woman of the Year in Finance

    This award recognises a female professional who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, resilience, and influence within the finance sector. The recipient has inspired others through her achievements, overcoming challenges, and consistently driving positive change in her organisation or the industry as a whole. Whether through her innovative contributions, commitment to excellence, or role as a mentor, she has become a role model for others in the finance community. This award celebrates her ability to motivate, empower, and inspire those around her, setting a powerful example of success and dedication in the finance field.

    Nominate Someone

  • Outstanding Female Team Contributor

    This award honours a female professional who has consistently provided exceptional support and made invaluable contributions to her team’s success. Whether through mentorship, collaboration, or going above and beyond in her role, the recipient has demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive and productive team environment. Her efforts have played a critical role in motivating colleagues, strengthening team dynamics, and driving collective success. This award celebrates her dedication to supporting and uplifting others, ensuring the achievement of team goals and fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect (example, Credit Controller, Bookkeeper, Accounts Payable)

    Nominate Someone

  • Pioneering Woman in FinTech

    This award honours a female leader who has been at the forefront of innovation within the FinTech sector. The recipient has demonstrated groundbreaking vision and leadership in developing or advancing financial technologies that have transformed the way financial services are delivered, accessed, or experienced. Through her work, she has disrupted traditional financial systems, introduced cutting-edge solutions, and paved the way for future advancements in the industry. This award celebrates her ability to lead technological innovation, shape the future of finance, and create lasting impact in the dynamic FinTech landscape.

    Nominate Someone

  • Woman Entrepreneur in Finance (Start-Up)

    This award honours a female finance entrepreneur who has successfully founded and grown a start-up. The recipient has demonstrated exceptional vision, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit in launching a business that addresses a unique market need or problem within finance. Her innovation, leadership, and resilience have enabled her to navigate the challenges of building a start-up, achieving growth and making a meaningful impact in the industry. This award celebrates her ability to disrupt traditional financial models and her contribution to driving the future of finance through entrepreneurship.

    Nominate Someone

  • Outstanding Woman in Finance

    This award honours a female professional who has made an exceptional and lasting impact on the finance industry through her leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence. The recipient has demonstrated outstanding achievements in her career, driving positive change, shaping the future of finance, and setting a high standard of professionalism. Whether through strategic vision, business growth, or fostering diversity and inclusion, this woman has been a trailblazer in the field. This award celebrates her dedication, resilience, and the significant contributions she has made to advancing the finance industry.

    Nominate Someone

FAQ’s

  • It is free to enter the awards.

  • Nominations can be made on someone’s behalf or by the nominee themself.

  • If the nominee meets the criteria, they can be entered into more than one awards category.

  • It is necessary for the business to be registered in Scotland, however we will also accept entries if the business or person has a head office outside of Scotland but is based in Scotland.

  • No

  • All nominations must be submitted by 6pm, 28th March 2025. Late entries may not be accepted.

  • We will make contact with those shortlisted w/c 14th April 2025.

Our Judges

  • *To be announced*

BWS Women in Finance Awards 2025 Tickets

Thursday 22nd May 2025

voco Grand Central Glasgow

12pm - 4.30pm

Individual: £100 | Table of 10: £1,000

Included in the ticket price:

  • Arrival drink

  • Delicious 2 course lunch

  • Entertainment

  • Awards programme

Our Host

In the last 25 years Rachel has worked for ITV, BBC, FIVE, GMB, STV and a host of corporate and foreign broadcasters making her widely accepted as one of the country's most experienced broadcast journalists with over 10,000 hours of live television under her belt. 

Her diverse credits include being live on ITV nationally during the Twin Tower attacks on 11th September 2001.  

Despite having the maiden name McTavish and a strong Scottish heritage, Rachel was born and raised in the North West of England before moving to Scotland with her husband and twin boys in 2007. 

In the past few years Rachel presented a series of car shows for Arnold Clark, podcasts about mental health and fitness and a series of panel discussion programmes around Climate Change as well as hosting the Festival of Ageing conference on her 50th birthday.

With a strong family background in fashion and retail 16 years ago Rachel decided to launch her own collection of jewellery.  Over the years the business has grown and McTavish Collection now has a strong online presence as well as supplying gifts for corporate events.

Award Sponsors

BWS Women in Finance Awards Disclaimer

The BWS Women in Finance Awards are organised by Business Women Scotland, SC373516 .

Confidentiality and Data Protection

All information submitted as part of the BWS Women in Finance Awards nomination process will be treated with the strictest confidence. Information provided will only be shared with the designated judging panel, appointed by Business Women Scotland (BWS), for the purposes of assessing nominations.


BWS is not involved in the judging process and does not influence the panel's decisions at any point.

Verification and Validation

All business information submitted as part of the BWS Women in Finance Awards nomination process will be verified for accuracy. This includes validating nominee details and business information with Companies House records to ensure eligibility and compliance. BWS reserves the right to perform these checks and may request additional information if necessary.

Judging Panel Confidentiality Agreement

Each judge on the panel will review and sign a confidentiality agreement, acknowledging that all information accessed for the awards process is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to any third parties. Judges are required to adhere to this agreement throughout and after the judging process.

Data Handling and Disposal

Once the awards process has concluded, all business and personal information collected for the purposes of the awards will be securely destroyed, in accordance with data protection regulations.

By participating in the BWS Women in Finance Awards, nominees and nominators agree to the terms outlined above.

For any questions regarding these terms, please contact: lynne@bwsltd.co.uk

www.bwsltd.co.uk