The Highland Business Women Awards are set to return in 2026, offering a platform to celebrate the achievements of female entrepreneurs and leaders across the Highlands. This year, the awards feature nine categories, including three new ones, aimed at recognizing the diverse contributions of women in business, according to the Inverness Courier.
New Categories Highlight Diverse Achievements
The 2026 awards introduce three new categories: the Individual Employee of the Year, the Highland Social Impact Award, and the Resilience and Empowerment Award. These additions aim to broaden the scope of recognition, celebrating not only business success but also social impact and personal resilience, as reported by the Inverness Courier.
The Individual Employee of the Year award, open to corporate members, allows leaders to acknowledge outstanding team members. The Highland Social Impact Award, open to both members and non-members, encourages charitable organizations to nominate businesses that excel in corporate social responsibility. The Resilience and Empowerment Award celebrates women who have overcome significant challenges and uplift others in the business community.
Celebrating Female Leadership
Returning categories include the coveted Business Woman of the Year, sponsored by Specsavers Inverness, which honors women demonstrating significant impact on business performance and growth. Other categories such as Young Business Woman of the Year and New Business of the Year continue to highlight emerging talent and innovation in the region, according to the Inverness Courier.
Highland Business Women president Iris Thompson-Burton emphasized the importance of these awards in recognizing the often-overlooked contributions of women in business, noting that women across the Highlands lead with purpose, resilience, and kindness, often without recognizing their own impact, as reported by the Inverness Courier.
Strategic Implications for Women in Tech
For women in tech leadership, these awards provide a valuable opportunity to gain recognition and credibility, which can lead to new business opportunities and partnerships. The emphasis on resilience and empowerment aligns with the challenges faced by women in tech, offering a platform to share their stories and inspire others.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Macdonald Drumossie Hotel in Inverness, providing a networking opportunity for women leaders to connect and collaborate, further strengthening the business community in the Highlands.
Applications and nominations are open with a deadline in June, with finalists announced in the following month. The awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also contribute to building a more inclusive and diverse business environment in the region.