When the Women Leaders Awards 2026 officially launches next month, entries will mark a significant new chapter as, 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.
Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire are increasingly interconnected. Companies recruit across county borders, supply chains span multiple towns, and collaborations between organisations, universities, charities and start-ups are now the norm rather than the exception. Many women already build their careers across this wider geography, whether that means running a business that serves several counties, working in regional leadership roles, or contributing to networks that stretch far beyond one place.
Women Leaders has always celebrated contribution in its broadest sense – from entrepreneurship and corporate leadership to innovation, education, community impact and public service. By extending eligibility to Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire, that same inclusive lens can now be applied to a richer, more diverse pool of stories and achievements. The result will be a stronger, more representative picture of what women’s leadership looks like across this region.
There is also a deeper purpose behind the expansion. Visibility remains one of the most powerful drivers of change. When women see people like themselves being recognised, in different sectors, at different career stages, from different backgrounds, it reshapes expectations. A wider regional stage means more role models, more narratives, and more opportunities for women to see themselves reflected in positions of influence.
While there has been genuine progress in women’s representation, it remains uneven and, in many sectors, fragile. Senior leadership positions within many industries continue to be disproportionately male. Creating a platform that consistently highlights female achievement plays a vital role in addressing this imbalance.
This challenge is especially apparent in technology and engineering-led industries, which drive much of the region’s economic growth, and attracting, supporting and retaining women from the wider region is becoming essential.
Chantal-Lawren Welch, Marketing Manager at Silverstone Park, said: “Silverstone Park is proudly based in Northamptonshire and sits at the heart of a globally recognised ecosystem for high- performance technology and advanced engineering. As the Park prepares to double in size, ensuring a strong and diverse talent pipeline is essential.
“Motorsport and engineering have traditionally been male- dominated, currently around 80% of our on-site workforce are men, but the future of these industries depends on attracting the very best minds, including female talent.
“In reality, geographic borders across Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire are increasingly blurred, with people living, working and collaborating across the region. That’s why initiatives like our Women’s Innovation Network (WIN), alongside the expanding reach of Women Leaders, are so important in raising voices, building visibility and creating a more even playing field as the region grows.”
For businesses and organisations, 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. This year, those stories will come from a broader, more interconnected region – reflecting the way women live, work and lead today.
Categories span entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, innovation, education, community impact and public service.
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