Celebrating the women driving business forwards.
The finalists for the Best Businesswomen Awards 2026 have been announced, recognising an exceptional group of female entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals who are making a significant impact across the UK.
Rugby-based entrepreneur Julie Hughes, founder of Fiesta Farewell, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best New Business category. Fiesta Farewell is an online directory connecting families with trusted local funeral and celebration-of-life service providers across Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and the West Midlands, removing stigma around end-of-life planning while offering independent funeral professionals’ genuine visibility and collaborative support.
Julie said “This nomination means so much because it recognises something we’ve deliberately built from the start: a community where talking about death isn’t taboo, and where families and funeral professionals support each other. We’ve never wanted to be just another directory. We wanted to create a space where people feel genuinely safe, and where independent businesses can thrive without pressure or pretence.”
Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, rapid technological change and evolving ways of working, this year’s finalists have demonstrated outstanding resilience, innovation and determination. They have embraced new opportunities, overcome challenges and continued to grow successful businesses while leading with purpose, creativity and vision.
The judging panel praised the exceptional quality of entries received across all categories, highlighting the remarkable achievements of women who are not only delivering commercial success but also creating positive change within their industries, communities and the wider economy.
Now in their 12th year, The Best Businesswomen Awards were established to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women across all industries. These awards celebrate the achievements of women who are not only building successful businesses but also breaking down barriers, creating impact, and inspiring others to follow.
Debbie Gilbert, founder of the Best Businesswomen Awards, said: “Every year I’m inspired by the incredible women who enter these awards, and this year has been no exception. The standard of entries has been outstanding, making the judging process more challenging than ever. These finalists represent the very best of female entrepreneurship. They are resilient, ambitious, innovative and determined to succeed, despite the many challenges businesses continue to face. They prove that female entrepreneurs are a powerful force in the UK economy. We are delighted to celebrate their achievements and look forward to recognising them at our awards ceremony”
The finalists will come together at the Best Businesswomen Awards Gala Final in October in Daventry, chosen for its central UK location, where gold and silver winners will be announced across a wide range of business categories. This event will be celebrating excellence, innovation and leadership in women-led businesses throughout the UK.
