When the Women Leaders Awards 2026 officially launches next month, for the first time women from Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire will be invited to take part alongside those from Milton Keynes.
The expansion reflects how Women Leaders has evolved over the past decade, from a locally rooted initiative into a platform whose influence, audience and ambition now extend across a wider region, including the broader MK postcode area.
This shift mirrors what is already happening in business and professional life. Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire are increasingly interconnected.
Companies recruit across county lines, supply chains span multiple towns, and collaborations between organisations, universities, charities and start-ups are now the norm rather than the exception.
Women Leaders has always celebrated contribution in its broadest sense - from entrepreneurship and corporate leadership to innovation, education, community impact and public service.
Organisers say that extending eligibility to Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, that same inclusive lens can now be applied to a richer, more diverse pool of stories and achievements.
Senior leadership positions within many industries continue to be disproportionately male. Creating a regional platform that consistently highlights female achievement plays a vital role in addressing this imbalance, helping to make excellence visible, credible and normalised.
For businesses and organisations, this expansion also brings tangible value. Recognising women from across three counties strengthens networks, encourages collaboration and helps organisations connect with talent they might not otherwise encounter. It creates a shared regional space where ideas, experiences and opportunities can cross-pollinate — benefiting individuals, organisations and the economy as a whole.
When nominations open in March, Women Leaders will once again invite women to step forward, tell their stories and be seen.
Categories span entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, innovation, education, community impact and public service.
Full details on eligibility, categories and how to submit an entry can be found at www.womenleadersuk.org
