WISE100 Women in Social Enterprise Awards 2025 open for nominations
This is your chance to nominate the UK's leading women in social enterprise and impact investing. In addition to our top 100 list, four awards will be announced at a special celebration event planned for March 2025. Nominate by midnight on Sunday 16 February 2025! If you would like to view the entry form in full to help plan your answers, you can download the PDF here.
The search has begun for the 100 most inspiring women in social enterprise and impact investing across the UK.
The annual WISE100 list, created by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, is open for nominations.
In addition to our top 100 list, four awards will be announced at a special celebration event planned for March 2025, which this year will take place in Scotland (further details will be announced soon).
This year we have also introduced a new category, the WISE100 Changemaker Award – for a woman who has been a driving force for positive change through social innovation during the past year.
Nominations must be submitted online and you may submit an entry for yourself or on behalf of somebody else. The application form will be open until midnight on Sunday 16 Febuary 2025 for the following categories:
WISE100 Social Business Woman of the Year
For a CEO, social entrepreneur or leader with more than five years of leadership experience building revenue, social impact and a strong team.
WISE100 Rising Star Award
For a CEO, social entrepreneur or leader showing star qualities relatively new in their social enterprise career, with five or fewer years of leadership experience.
WISE100 Social Investment Champion
For a woman who has made her mark in social investment during the past year, whether through a particular deal or through a broader contribution to the social investment field.
WISE100 Changemaker Award
For a woman who has been a driving force for positive change through social innovation during the past year, working in any sector or organisation – from climate change to women’s empowerment.
More detailed criteria for each category is provided below. If you would like to view the entry form in full you can download the PDF here.
Insights from our WISE100 Winners in 2024: Meet the winners and finalists in our special immersive feature.
Our WISE100 Award winners and judges from 2024
What is is the WISE100?
The WISE100 celebrates, supports and connects the pioneering women working in social enterprise, impact investing and mission-driven business across the UK. In addition to the awards, the WISE100 is also a powerful network of women who are committed to making a positive impact – and to supporting one another to succeed.
The WISE100 also encapsulates a highly successful partnership between Pioneers Post and NatWest, stretching back over 20 years and including both the WISE100 and SE100 Social Business Awards.
Alongside these annual awards, Pioneers Post and NatWest have collaborated to develop an ongoing programme of content, events, and learning opportunities throughout the year to support this community of pioneering leaders.
NatWest S&CC's latest annual impact report this year highlights the role that WISE100 plays to “foster a community dedicated to driving social change and gender equity”. The report pays tribute to “the remarkable achievements of these outstanding women celebrated through the WISE100 initiative, aiming to inspire and support diverse talents in driving positive change”.
In our special feature on the WISE100 winners from 2024, Victoria Papworth (pictured left), CEO of NatWest Social & Community Capital, said: “The annual WISE100 awards are a highlight for NatWest Social & Community Capital and an integral part of our work supporting social enterprises. We hope these awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on the amazing organisations we partner, and especially the strong, inspiring women leading them. As NatWest Social & Community Capital celebrates our 25th anniversary this year, we are excited to continue in our mission to enable social enterprises, charities and community businesses to make a positive impact in UK communities.”
WISE100 Awards: Criteria
WISE Social Business Woman of the Year
Who we are looking for: a CEO or leader, innovator or pioneer with more than five years of top level experience building revenue, social impact and a strong team. This experience may have been gained in leadership positions at just one or at several different organisations.
What we are looking for:
a) A short biography outlining the person's track record and credentials.
b) Evidence of this leader's achievements and the achievements of their social enterprise during the past year. This should include facts, figures and specific examples where possible.
Please do NOT write a long piece of prose telling us how fantastic this person is without backing it up with clear evidence.
c) Please include at least one endorsement from a team member, board member or business contact/partner.
WISE100 Rising Star Award
Who we are looking for: a CEO or leader showing star qualities relatively new in their social enterprise career, with five or fewer years of leadership experience.
What we are looking for:
a) A short biography outlining the person's experience and development as a new social enterprise leader.
b) Evidence of this leader's achievements and the achievements of their social enterprise during the past year. This should include facts, figures and specific examples where possible.
Please do NOT write a long piece of prose telling us how fantastic this person is without backing it up with clear evidence.
c) Please include at least one endorsement from a board member or business mentor/advisor about why this leader is a Star of the Future.
WISE100 Social Investment Champion
Who we are looking for: a woman making her mark as a leader or pioneer in social impact investment during the past year.
What we are looking for:
a) A short biography outlining the person's track record in social investment.
b) Evidence of this leader's achievements in social investment during the past year. This should include facts, figures and specific examples of how this person has made a mark in social investment during the year.
Please do NOT write a long piece of prose telling us how fantastic this person is without backing it up with clear evidence.
c) Please include at least one endorsement from a board member, senior colleague or social investment partner.
WISE100 Changemaker Award
Who we are looking for: a woman who has been a driving force for positive change through social innovation during the past year, working in any sector or organisation – from climate change to women’s empowerment.
What we are looking for:
a) A short biography outlining the person's experience in as a driver and innovator for positive change.
b) Evidence of this person's achievements as a changemaker during the past year. This should include facts, figures and specific examples of how this person has made a significant positive impact during the year.
Please do NOT write a long piece of prose telling us how fantastic this person is without backing it up with clear evidence.
c) Please include at least one personal endorsement from a board member, senior colleague or business partner/advisor.
Delivered by Pioneers Post, in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, the WISE100 is an initiative to celebrate, support and share expertise, learning and inspiration among women in social enterprise across the UK.
If you have any questions, please get in touch via WISE100@pioneerspost.com.
Read more about Women In Social Enterprise in our WISE100 Collection.
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