The 2026 Women in Business Awards shortlist has been revealed after another record year for entries from across a broad range of industries.
Celebrating excellence across 11 prestige categories, including the all-new Growth and Scaling Business of the Year, the gala awards evening returns Thursday 12th March at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Sponsored again by Virgin Media O2 Business, 2026 marks the 14th year of the prestigious Women in Business Awards which recognise and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of women business leaders across Northern Ireland.
Announcing this year’s finalists, The WiB Group Chief Executive Roseann Kelly said: “For well over a decade now, our showcase awards have helped uncover and amplify those women leading from the front within NI’s business community. The calibre of this year’s entries speaks volumes to how women leaders, through innovation and strategic thinking, are working year-round to enrich our economy and, ultimately, wider society for the better.
“Our judging panel faced the challenging task of shortlisting excellence, arriving at today’s list of finalists all of whom are deserving of special recognition. On behalf of the Women in Business team, a warm congratulations to all those shortlisted and we very much look forward to celebrating your achievements on 12th March.”
The eight-strong judging panel was chaired by Roseann Kelly and comprised Simone Lumsden (Virgin Media O2 Business), Sinead Carville (FinTrU), Anne Clydesdale (Vice Chair of The WiB Group), Stephen McCully (The WiB Group Board member), Philippa McShane ( McShane Packaging and Women in Business Ambassador), Claire Aiken (AIKEN), and Jim Fitzpatrick, (Founder of The Sober Irish and presenter of the Irish News Trading Up podcast).
After careful deliberation, the following shortlist was confirmed:
Award for Growth & Scaling Business of the Year sponsored by Danske Bank
Anne-Marie Norton, Direct Medics
Ashleigh Averell, Ibrand Everything
Helen Jameson, Express Merchants
Louise Doyle, needi
Mabel Higgins, MH Fire Safety Ltd
Maire Claire Reid, TST Group
Marie Therese Connolly, Screen Clinical Ltd
Award for Young Business Woman of the Year (Employee and Entrepreneur) sponsored by Direct Medics Healthcare Recruitment
Corporate Finalist Melissa Cochrane, Business Services Organisation (BSO)
Small Business Finalist Aislín Cathcart, Adoreboard Ltd
Small Business Finalist Diane Koplewsky, SHG NI Limited
Small Business Finalist Joanne Harris, Knitted Knockers of NI Ltd
Small Business Finalist Kathryn Donnelly, Clickclick Video Marketing Ltd
Award for Innovation in Business sponsored by Belfast Harbour
Corporate Finalist Anne - Marie Norton, Direct Medics
Corporate Finalist Nicola Magennis, First Derivative
Small Business Finalist Adrienne Hanna, Right Revenue
Small Business Finalist Bernadette Hagans, Wrapsthetic
Small Business Finalist Juliet Bakovljev, The Arzen Collective
Small Business Finalist Lisa Smiton, Equine Safety Release
Small Business Finalist Sarah Scullion, CAST Planning Ltd
Award for Best New Start Up
Aisling Brady, AB Mortgage & Protection Services
Donna & Patrice Mackle, Twin Secret
Gliosa Moore, Glow Up NI LTD
Lee-Anne Schmitz, MyPromoPal Ltd
Louise Keenan Clarke, Succeed with Confidence Limited
Award for Apprentice of the Year
Alannah Cunningham, MJM Marine
Eimear Morrison, Fujitsu Services Ltd
Gizelle D'lima, Survitec Group Ltd
Katie McCosh, NIE Networks
Leah Rea, KPMG
Sarah Lyle, Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Seanna Maginn, Water Solutions Ireland Ltd
Award for Mentor of the Year
Darragh Doherty, Encirc
John Ferris, NatWest
Kim Coulter, KPMG
Maria McAllister, Bank of Ireland UK
Maria Moreno Diez, Fibrus Group Ltd
Orla Lynch, Founders Lab
In advance of March’s Awards evening, all women shortlisted will attend their own finalists’ lunch at the Dunadry Hotel, hosted by Caroline O’Neill.
They also join the Women in Business Awards Finalist Alumnae of over 300 women which offers each woman the opportunity to network and engage with like-minded businesswomen, accelerating both personal and professional development.
Sponsors and partners of the 2026 Women in Business Awards include title sponsor Virgin Media O2 Business and returning digital partner The Digg Podcast, along with category sponsors Danske Bank, Direct Medic Healthcare, Fibrus, IQ&Co., McKeever Hotels, Queen’s Business School and Wilson Nesbitt.
Hosted again by Pamela Ballantine, 2026’s ceremony will take place on Thursday 12th March at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Guests are encouraged to book their tickets now to avoid disappointment.
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