The revamped event will celebrate women in business across Scotland, as well as recognise the work of supporters of Scottish women in business, and will be held at The Corinthian Club in Glasgow on September 6, marking the first awards held by SWIB since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some of the awards up for grabs this year include the Woman of Influence Award, the Catalyst of Change Award, Woman to Watch, and the Champion of Women Award.

The judging panel for the awards includes Claire Nelson, managing director of the Netball Superleague, purpose coach Alice Thomson, Colin Lamb, chief explorer at Connect Three, and Gordon White, people leader at Capability Scotland, with hosting duties performed by TV and radio presenter Jennifer Reoch. 

Sponsored by RBC Brewin Dolphin, the event will raise funds for SWIB charity partner Baby Loss Retreat, providing support to families across Scotland who have suffered the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or IVF.

SWIB president Sarah Heaney said: “We’re delighted to be back hosting our first awards since before lockdown…and it’s been wonderful to see the volume and quality of entries this year.

“The community of women business owners and leaders in Scotland is fast-growing and it’s a joy to be part of a movement in which women are so supportive of each other. We look forward to demonstrating that at the awards.”

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The return of the awards highlights the challenges for female-led businesses in Scotland. Research research has shown a fall in the number of women-led employer businesses in Scotland, as well as fewer of these enterprises anticipating growth and stability compared to a few years ago, with male-led enterprises showing a higher sustainability rate than women-owned businesses.

The Scottish Government has already provided funding to address this gender gap with a six-week pilot programme run by Elevator, aiming to help women turn their business aspirations into reality. More than 90% of participants who took part in the E3f pilot scheme said they felt ready to start their own businesses following the course.

The full list of SWIB finalists includes:

The Woman of Influence Award

• Laura Maginess
• Heather Lydia Mudhari
• Zaria Young

The Catalyst of Change Award (Sponsored by Glasgow City Innovation District)

• Dechomai Ltd
• Baby Loss Retreat
• Flexibility Works

The Woman to Watch Award (Sponsored by Clarity Accounting)

• Sarah Stewart
• Linzi Kavanagh
• Anji Sandhu

The Champion of Women Award (Sponsored by DYW Glasgow)

• Toni Scullion
• PCOS Buddy
• Cailtin Barrett

And Additional Awards

• Fundraiser of the Year Award
• SWIB’s Outstanding Achievement Award