This year’s Scottish Women in Business (SWIB) awards finalists have been announced, alongside news of an exciting new partnership launched with Dress for Success Scotland.

Set to take place on Thursday, 4th September at The Exchange in Glasgow, this year’s ceremony promises to be another highlight of the Scottish business calendar, with awards honouring women and organisations making their mark through leadership and innovation.

Guests can look forward to an afternoon that will recognise the women who have had the biggest impact over the last year, with the ceremony hosted once again by broadcaster Jennifer Reoch, who compered last year’s sold-out event.

The finalists for 2025’s SWIB Awards include:

• Woman of Influence – Donna Jewell, Laura Maginess, Samar Mandalawi, Lisa Tennant
• Catalyst of Change – Flexibility Works, Street Soccer Scotland, Dr Nina Burrowes
• Woman to Watch (sponsored by Rathbones) – Carol Jackson, Wiktoria Sobczyk, Louise Davies, Jacqui Armstrong
• Champion of Women (sponsored by The Russell Group) – Rachel Chan, Rupa Mooker, Erin Williams

Helping to narrow down this year’s finalists is a panel of industry judges, including Wilma McDaniel, Mike Scott, Janet Andrews, Neil Ferguson and Angela Smith.

This year’s event also officially launches SWIB’s partnership with Dress for Success Scotland, named as the organisation’s Charity of the Year. Operating since 2010, the charity supports women into employment by providing more than just professional clothing, by offering interview preparation, workshops, and ongoing career support.

Recommended reading

• Scot Gov: Supporting Women-led Businesses an “Economic Imperative”
• Female Founders Growth Summit | Success, Struggles, and Resilience
• Women Entrepreneurship: New Scot Gov Report Tackles Gender Barriers

“Dress for Success Scotland’s mission aligns perfectly with our own,” said Sarah Heaney, president of Scottish Women in Business. 

“Both organisations are about unlocking potential and creating opportunities for women to thrive. Showcasing their work at our awards is an ideal way to amplify their impact.”

Last year, the SWIB Awards returned to Glasgow with a revived event following a five-year hiatus, with winners including Belinda Roberts, founder and CEO of Edinburgh-based WeDO Scotland, Toni Scullion, the Scottish computer science teacher and founder of the charity dressCode, and Dechomai Ltd, founded by Bayile Adeoti, who returns this year as a judge.