2025 Categories
With 18 categories, we celebrate exceptional achievements, innovation, and leadership across the credit and financial services sector. This provides a platform to recognise the brightest talents and top-performing teams committed to advancing diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Getting started
Login or register for free to view the category criteria. From there you can enter as many categories you wish and can edit and return to your entries as many times as you like before the final deadline.
Entry deadline
An admin fee is applied for each entry submission. An early entry fee of £188 + VAT will be applied until 27 June 2025. A standard entry fee of £298 + VAT will be applied until the final deadline of 22 September 2025.
Did you know, Premium members receive 50% off award entries and Affiliate members receive 25% off? Find out more here.
Need help?
Whether that be support with writing your entries or suggestions on which categories are best fit for you, we’re here to help. Contact our Awards team.
Categories
Allyship Champion of the Year
Who should enter?
This award celebrates an individual who has actively worked as an ally to underrepresented groups, fostering inclusion, advocating for diversity, and driving systemic change within their organisation or the wider industry.
Business Leader of the Year
Who should enter?
An award for an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has demonstrated outstanding board-level leadership. This includes exceptional strategic, operational, and communication skills, evidenced by measurable success within their organisation. The winner will also have shown a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) while driving impactful results.
Diversity Network of the Year
Who should enter?
An award for an employee resource group, community, or network within an organisation that has driven meaningful progress in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
Employer of the Year
Who should enter?
An award for the organisation that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace for all employees.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Who should enter?
This award celebrates an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has demonstrated exceptional innovation and entrepreneurial spirit within the credit sector or a related field. The winner will have successfully brought a new product, service, or initiative to market.
Equity & Inclusion Advocate of the Year
Who should enter?
This award recognises an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation) who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. The winner will have championed initiatives that support underrepresented or marginalised groups, including but not limited to LGBTQ+ individuals, neurodiverse people, and those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, fostering a culture of belonging and breaking down systemic barriers.
ESG Champion
Who should enter?
This award recognises an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles within their organisation. The winner will have shown how their efforts have not only driven positive social and environmental impact but also contributed to financial performance, proving that responsibility enhances growth and profitability.
Inclusive Workplace Initiative
Who should enter?
This award recognises an organisation or team that has implemented an initiative or policy aimed at creating a more inclusive workplace, with demonstrable results in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Innovation & Transformation of the Year
Who should enter?
This award celebrates an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has driven groundbreaking innovation or transformative change within their organisation or industry. The winner will have demonstrated exceptional creativity, leadership, and impact in implementing new ideas, technologies, or processes that have significantly advanced their field.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Who should enter?
This award honours an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has made an extraordinary and lasting impact throughout their career. The winner will have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and influence, leaving a legacy that has transformed their organisation, industry, or community. Their work will have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Mentor of the Year
Who should enter?
An award for an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to developing the potential of their mentees, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, and creating a significant impact on the career development and personal growth of those they mentor. Mentoring can be formal or informal, within their own organisation or across different organisations.
Outstanding Returner
Who should enter?
An award for an individual who has returned to work in the UK financial services sector, whether it be from a sabbatical, for health reasons, maternity/paternity leave or indeed anything else, and have acted as a role model to others.
Rising Star of the Year
Who should enter?
An award for an individual who, within their first five years in the industry, has made a significant and measurable impact in their organisation or field, with a focus on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This award recognises exceptional talent, innovation, and dedication to creating a more inclusive workplace or industry, as well as the potential to become a future leader.
Service Provider of the Year
Who should enter?
This award celebrates a service provider that has delivered exceptional, innovative, and inclusive services or products to the credit and financial services sector. The winner will have demonstrated a clear focus on creating solutions that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), while delivering measurable value to clients and end-users.
Team Leader of the Year
Who should enter?
This award recognises an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing a functional team, delivering outstanding results for their organisation. The winner will have shown the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide their team to achieve measurable success - whether financial, operational, or cultural - while fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment.
Team Player of the Year
Who should enter?
This award celebrates an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has made an exceptional contribution to their team, demonstrating collaboration, dedication, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. Their efforts will have had a significant impact on their team and/or the wider organisation and driving success.
This category is for:
Individuals
Any sector
Any level
Vulnerability Leader of the Year
Who should enter?
This award recognises an individual from one of the 9 protected characteristics who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in supporting vulnerable customers. The winner will have led initiatives, programmes, policy or process changes, or teams with a specific focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
Woman of the Year
Who should enter?
This award is for a woman who doesn’t necessarily fit any of the other categories but who has served as a role model for other woman in both her own firm and / or the wider industry or her community.
For instance, she may be well known for her charitable work, volunteering, supporting financial difficulty in the area she lives in.
Or, she may have faced hardship but overcome it to support the credit industry.
More information
Confidentiality
All materials will remain confidential to the judges. Winning case studies may be used in post-event materials to promote best practice but permission will be sought from entrants before publishing.
Terms & Conditions
By entering the awards, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.
"A worthwhile and well run opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the success and talent amongst women in the industry."
Spencer Halil, Managing Director of Northridge Finance
Bank of Ireland
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