Categories & Eligibility

Eligibility: Currently enrolled in or completed an apprenticeship within the last 12 months.

Description: This award celebrates a rising star who has shown exceptional commitment to their vocational training. We are looking for an apprentice who has not only mastered new skills but has brought a fresh “spirit” to their workplace, contributing significantly to their team’s “success.”

Eligibility: Open to any individual, team, or organisation.

Description: Excellence isn’t achieved in a vacuum. This category recognises the “unsung heroes” who provide the backbone of support for women in the region. Whether it’s a mentor, a dedicated colleague, or a supportive partner, this award honors those who help others “rise together.”

Eligibility: Individuals, charity workers, or professionals in the West Country.

Description: A critical category for those showing incredible “spirit” in the face of adversity. This award recognises tireless advocates, frontline workers, or campaigners dedicated to making the West Country a safer place for women and girls through education, support, and systemic change.

Eligibility: Charities, CICs, grassroots volunteers or community leaders.

Description: Celebrating the heartbeat of our region. This award is for the woman who goes above and beyond to foster local “spirit,” bringing people together to solve local issues, support the vulnerable, or enhance the quality of life in her neighborhood.

Eligibility: Professionals in SEO, social media, PR, web design, or digital strategy.

Description: In an increasingly connected world, this award honors the “skills” of a woman who has mastered the digital landscape. She uses her expertise to tell compelling stories, drive business “success,” and lead the way in innovative communication.

Eligibility: Senior executives, directors, or board members.

Description: This award recognises high-level leadership. We are looking for a director who leads with vision and integrity, proving that when we “lead together,” we achieve sustainable growth and excellence at the highest corporate levels.

Eligibility: Individuals or business owners championing inclusivity.

Description: Celebrating those who break down barriers. This category honours a woman who has proactively worked to ensure equality in her industry or community, making the “spirit” of inclusivity a reality rather than just a policy.

Eligibility: Non-management or mid-level employees.

Description: This award shines a light on the “powerhouse” of the workforce. It recognises a woman who consistently delivers excellence, supports her colleagues, and contributes to the overall “success” of her organisation through dedication and a positive attitude.

Eligibility: Female-led businesses or businesses with female-centric leadership policies.

Description: This category honours a workplace that empowers women to “rise together.” The winner will demonstrate a commitment to flexible working, career development, and a culture that celebrates the “skills and spirit” of its female workforce.

Eligibility: Businesses with a primary focus on sustainability or significant eco-initiatives.

Description: Celebrating environmental excellence. This award is for a woman leading a business that prioritizes the planet alongside profit, proving that “success” is most meaningful when it is sustainable and future-proof.

Eligibility: Any woman in a leadership role (formal or informal).

Description: A leader isn’t just someone with a title; it’s someone people choose to follow. This award recognises a woman who inspires others through her “spirit,” guiding her team or community toward collective “success” with empathy and courage.

Eligibility: Publicly nominated; individuals who have had a broad social impact.

Description: This is the award of the people. It celebrates a woman whose work has captured the hearts of the West Country, someone whose “spirit” of service and excellence is recognised by her peers and the public alike.

Eligibility: Women who have overcome significant personal or professional hardship.

Description: Named for the bird that rises from the ashes, this award honors resilience. It celebrates a woman who has faced adversity—be it health, financial, or personal—and has used that experience to “rise” and achieve something extraordinary.

Eligibility: Businesses with 1–10 employees based in the West Country.

Description: Small businesses are the lifeblood of the South West. This category recognises an entrepreneur who has turned a spark of an idea into a “successful” reality, managing every aspect of her business with skill and grit.

Eligibility: Businesses trading for 24 months or less.

Description: Celebrating the “spirit” of new beginnings. This award is for the woman who has taken the leap into entrepreneurship within the last two years, showing exceptional promise and early “success” in her venture.

Eligibility: Artists, writers, performers, journalists, or cultural curators.

Description: Honoring the creative “spirit” of the West Country. This award celebrates women who enrich our lives through storytelling, visual arts, or media, using their “skills” to reflect and shape our regional identity.

Eligibility: Teachers, lecturers, trainers, or educational leaders.

Description: Education is the foundation of “skills.” This award recognises a woman who is dedicated to the development of others, inspiring learners of all ages to achieve excellence and “lead together” in the future.

Eligibility: Healthcare professionals, carers, or wellness practitioners.

Description: This category honours the compassionate “spirit” of those who care for our physical and mental health. It recognises women who provide excellence in care, often under immense pressure, to ensure the wellbeing of our community.

Eligibility: Hotel, restaurant, tourism, or event professionals.

Description: The West Country is world-renowned for its hospitality. This award celebrates a woman who delivers excellence in service, contributing to the “success” and reputation of the region’s vibrant tourism and food sectors.

Eligibility: Architects, builders, surveyors, or property developers.

Description: Breaking ground in a traditionally male-dominated field. This award honors a woman who uses her technical “skills” to build the infrastructure of our region, leading the way for future generations in property and construction.

Eligibility: Athletes, coaches, or sports administrators.

Description: Celebrating the competitive “spirit” and physical excellence. This award recognises a woman who has achieved “success” on the field, or who works behind the scenes to encourage more women and girls to participate in sport.

Eligibility: Professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics.

Description: This award highlights the vital “skills” of women in STEM. We are looking for an innovator or researcher who is pushing the boundaries of what is possible, contributing to the technological “success” of the West Country.

Eligibility: Trailblazers, campaigners, or those in marine-related industries.

Description: A unique category for those creating a significant impact—or “waves”—in their field. Whether it’s maritime excellence or a campaign that has shifted public opinion, this woman leads with a “spirit” that cannot be ignored.

Eligibility: Women aged 16–25.

Description: Our future leaders. This award celebrates a young woman who has shown maturity, “skill,” and “spirit” beyond her years. She is a role model for her peers, proving that you are never too young to “lead together” and achieve “success.”