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.
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
Awards Categories & Finalists
Congratulations to our finalists!
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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.
Finalists:
Emma Ross, Ross Commercial Finance
Rhian Morgan, Acumen Financial Planning
Sally Bryant, St James's Place
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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.
Finalists:
Anji Sandhu, PCOS Buddy
Emma Ross, Ross Commercial Finance
Susan Hope, Scottish Widows
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Female CFO of the Year
This award recognises an exceptional female CFO who has demonstrated outstanding financial leadership and strategic vision within her organisation.
Finalists:
Alyson Donaldson, Donaldson Group
Katherine Park, Miller Developments
Zoe Lee, Stellar Omada Ltd
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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.
Finalists:
Claire Clark, Hutcheon Mearns
Heidi Simpson, Royal Bank of Scotland / NatWest Group
Kirstin Strachan, Steedman & Company Ltd
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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.
Finalists:
Claire Clark, Hutcheon Mearns
Jill Henderson, Scottish Widows
Victoria McCusker, Your Shortlist Original Limited
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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.
Finalists:
Catherine Samson, Roxburgh Financial Services
Cerys Jones, Steedman & Company Ltd
Emma Ross, Ross Commercial Finance
Rachel Valentine, Scottish Widows
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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.
Finalists:
Beth MacLeod, PG Paper Company Ltd
Jackie Leiper, Lloyds Banking Group
Kirstin Strachan, Steedman & Company Ltd
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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.
Finalists:
Beth MacLeod, PG Paper Company Ltd
Janine Tumilowicz, Scottish Widows
Victoria McCusker, Your Shortlist Original Limited
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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.
This Award cannot be entered into and the winner will be chosen from all other category winners.
Our Judges
We would like to extend our thanks to our panel of judges for their time, expertise, and insight in supporting this year’s BWS Women in Finance Awards. Your thoughtful consideration and dedication in reviewing each nomination ensures the integrity and prestige of our awards. We are truly grateful for your commitment to celebrating and elevating the incredible women making a difference in the world of finance.
Margaret Gibson OBE
Experienced third sector Director, committed charity Trustee
June Walker
Founder & Commercial Director,
Excelarate Ltd
Non Executive Director, Dron & Dickson and Lift, Shift & Store Ltd
Chair, IHCT Ltd
Yvonne Greeves
Director of Women Entrepreneurship, NatWest Group
Tracy Collins
Co-Founder/Director,
MAC Recruit Group Ltd
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
Rachel McTavish
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
FAQ’s
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It is free to enter the awards.
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Nominations can be made on someone’s behalf or by the nominee themself.
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If the nominee meets the criteria, they can be entered into more than one awards category.
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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.
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No
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All nominations must be submitted by 6pm, 28th March 2025. Late entries may not be accepted.
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We will make contact with those shortlisted w/c 14th April 2025.
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