Women in tech awards in the UK: who to watch
Awards do more than hand out trophies. In an industry where women are still a minority, the UK women in tech awards put role models on stage, give rising talent visibility, and hold employers to account on how they treat the women they hire. If you work in technology, or you are thinking about moving into it, these are the programmes worth watching, entering, or simply following for a shot of inspiration.
Here are the women in tech awards to have on your radar in 2026, what each one celebrates, and who they are best suited to.
1. TechWomen100 Awards
Run by WeAreTechWomen, the TechWomen100 Awards are unusual because they deliberately spotlight emerging talent rather than established leaders. The programme celebrates women below senior management level, the ones doing brilliant work who have not yet been widely recognised, with a stated aim of highlighting 1,000 future female leaders by 2028.
For 2026, nominations opened on 27 May and closed on 8 July, with winners announced in September and a ceremony in October. If you are early or mid-career in tech, this is one of the most accessible and meaningful lists to be part of. Being named is a genuine career marker, and the alumni network that comes with it is a real asset.
Best for: early and mid-career women in technology roles.
2. everywoman in Technology Awards
The everywoman in Technology Awards are among the longest-running and most prestigious in the UK, recognising women across every stage and specialism, from apprentices to senior leaders. The 2026 edition, sponsored by Salesforce, named Aji Bawo, head of commercial product at Tesco, as its Woman of the Year, honouring her work using technology to drive innovation and to widen access to education for girls in underserved communities.
The everywoman categories cover the full arc of a tech career, so there is usually a fit whether you are just starting out or running a function. The winners’ stories are a reliable source of inspiration and a good reminder of how varied a career in technology can be.
Best for: women at any career stage, from apprentice to executive.
3. Women in Tech Excellence Awards
The Women in Tech Excellence Awards recognise individuals, teams and initiatives making a measurable difference to women’s representation and progression in technology. The categories reach beyond individual achievement to include employers, allies and programmes, so they capture the wider ecosystem that helps women thrive, not just standout personal performance.
If your organisation runs a strong returner scheme, mentoring programme or inclusion initiative, this is a natural place to put it forward. Recognition here signals to candidates that a company is serious about more than headcount.
Best for: individuals and organisations driving change in tech culture.
4. Women in Tech Employer Awards
Where most awards celebrate people, the Women in Tech Employer Awards turn the lens on organisations. The 2026 ceremony takes place on 29 September at the Park Plaza Riverbank in London, recognising employers and individuals leading the way on closing the gender gap in technology, with a focus on inclusion and equitable workplace culture.
For jobseekers, this list is quietly useful. An employer that wins or shortlists here is publicly staking its reputation on how it treats women, which is exactly the kind of signal worth checking before you apply. It pairs well with the harder data in our guide to the best UK technology companies for women in 2026.
Best for: employers, and for candidates researching where to work.
5. Women in Tech Awards (B Events)
Now in its seventh year, the B Events Women in Tech Awards have grown into one of the UK’s established platforms for celebrating women across the sector. The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for 3 October. The categories span technical roles, leadership, entrepreneurship and community contribution, making it a broad church that recognises many different ways of making an impact in technology.
Best for: women across technical, leadership and entrepreneurial paths.
How to get nominated
Most of these programmes accept both self-nominations and third-party nominations, so you do not have to wait to be noticed. A few things help:
Keep a record of your wins through the year, with numbers where you can. Judges respond to measurable impact, not job titles.
Ask a manager, mentor or colleague to nominate you, or offer to nominate someone whose work deserves a wider audience. Championing other women is part of the point.
Watch the deadlines. Several UK awards open nominations in spring and close in early summer, with ceremonies in the autumn, so it pays to plan ahead rather than scramble.
Awards are not the only measure of a career, and plenty of brilliant women never enter one. But visibility compounds, and in a field where women remain underrepresented, being seen matters. If you want to understand why that representation still lags at the top, our piece on women in leadership digs into the causes, and our guide to diversity and inclusion jobs in the UK covers the roles working to change it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main women in tech awards in the UK?
The most prominent include the TechWomen100 Awards, the everywoman in Technology Awards, the Women in Tech Excellence Awards, the Women in Tech Employer Awards, and the B Events Women in Tech Awards. Each recognises a slightly different mix of individuals, employers and initiatives.
Which women in tech award is best for early-career talent?
The TechWomen100 Awards are designed specifically for women below senior management level, making them one of the best options for early and mid-career technologists seeking recognition.
Can I nominate myself for a women in tech award?
Yes. Most UK women in tech awards accept self-nominations as well as nominations from managers, colleagues and mentors. Focus on measurable impact rather than seniority.
When do UK women in tech awards take place?
Timing varies, but many open nominations in spring, close in early summer, and hold ceremonies in the autumn. Several 2026 ceremonies fall in September and October.
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This is editorial information, not an endorsement. Award names, dates and organisers can change year to year, so check each programme’s official website for current details before entering.
Last reviewed: July 2026