Awards 2026 Finalists Announced

The much-anticipated shortlist for the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2026 has been unveiled (full shortlist below).

Women-led businesses from across Scotland have been chosen as finalists for the awards, with the judging panel facing the difficult task of determining just 53 finalists across 10 categories.

Carolyn Currie, Chief Executive at Women’s Enterprise Scotland, said;

“Our Awards recognise the considerable contribution women-led businesses make to Scotland’s economy. They also provide a valuable opportunity to showcase visible role models for women and girls who follow.  Both the volume and the calibre of entries for the Awards were very high and the judging panel had a very challenging task to compile the list of finalists. We are now looking forward to a fantastic Awards evening in October, when we will shine a spotlight on the diverse range of women led businesses which are making such a vital contribution to Scotland’s economy.”

Finalists at this year’s awards include Orkney based Sheila Fleet Jewellery, shortlisted for both the Service Excellence and Rural Business of the Year Awards, Dear Green Coffee Roasters, shortlisted for the Purpose-Led Business of the Year Award and 24HR Pharmacy, based in Paisley, which is one of five businesses contesting the Innovation Business of the Year category. Stirling based Lily Blanche is shortlisted in the Digital Business and Outstanding Business of the Year categories.

Winners of the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards, which is being supported by Business Gateway, Titan Wealth, YourScene, The Scottish National Investment Bank and Community Enterprise, will be announced at a glittering ceremony which takes place at the voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday 29 October. The keynote speaker at this year’s event is Marie Owen OBE, founder of LS Productions.

Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) was established in 2011 as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) working to close the gender gap in enterprise participation. WES advocates for better evidence-based policy making and believes that delivering expert, needs-based business support will enable women to fulfil their aspirations and unlock an £17bn economic potential to boost the economy.

The WES Survey of Women in Enterprise 2025 revealed the urgent need for a strategic, long-term solution to boost women-centric business support.

While women-led business start-ups have increased to 54% of all start-ups in Scotland (2025) ^[1], the post-start-up pipeline has a high attrition rate of 61% (2023-24), and women-led employer businesses have dropped to just 20% of all employer businesses. This declining trend in Scotland is at odds with the global increase in established women-led businesses^[2] and exposes a key disconnect between Scotland’s thriving start-up culture and the failure of many of these businesses to move through to the established and growing phase.

Further information about the Awards

Tickets can be purchased here

WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE SCOTLAND AWARDS 2026 FINALISTS

Start-up Business of the Year, sponsored by Business Gateway

Bell of the Ball Beauty Ltd

Flourish with Deborah Ltd

Hillpark Medical T/A The Women’s Clinic

Peach Wellness Academy

We Are Thryve

Strategic Growth Business of the Year, sponsored by The Scottish National Investment Bank

Highland Campervans

Mairead Hume Harris Tween Golf Collection

Moonshine Candle Co.

Oir Soap

The Lines Between

Inspiring Leader of the Year, sponsored by YourScene

Temitope Ajayi-Salami, AYT Foods Ltd

Charlene Jeffs, Charlene Jeffs-Farmasi

Charlotte Martin, Tap 2 Pointe Dance Company

Delia Smith Bucur, DEL FIN Group

Heather Warner, Enigmatic Business Solutions

Innovation Business of the Year

24 HR Pharmacy

APEC INTERNATIONAL Ltd

ivvi Assistant Ltd

Love Scottish

WildStrong

Service Excellence Business of the Year

FAB Skincare

Laura Ogilvie-Jones Career and Leadership Coaching

Riverside Chiropractic Group

Sheila Fleet Jewellery

The Astute VA

Vera Artisan Bakery

Rural Business of the Year

Purple Sage Soap Company Ltd

Quiet Landscapes

Sheila Fleet Jewellery

Shetland Resolve

Wild Dook Sauna

Digital Business of the Year

Candid AI Limited

inpurpose associates

Scotland Travel Planning with Kay & Yvette

The AI Confidence Club

Lily Blanche

Business to Watch of the Year, sponsored by Titan Wealth

DEL FIN GROUP

MTM Concepts Ltd/My Trolley Mate

Multiply Technology Ltd

Peach Wellness Academy

ThinkTank Maths Ltd

Working With Me Ltd

Purpose-Led Business of the Year, sponsored by Community Enterprise

Dear Green Coffee Roasters

FAB Skincare

Lamhan

Seabirds-and-Seals: The Original Noss Boat

Sarah Stewart Ltd

The Consent Collective

Outstanding Business of the Year, sponsored by Titan Wealth

24 HR Pharmacy

Highland Campervans

Sheila Fleet Jewellery

The Consent Collective

Lily Blanche

¹ Business Gateway Impact Report 2024 – 2025 (June 2025)

² Global Economic Monitor Women’s Report (2024)