Apprentice of the Year

The green skills shortage has prompted many companies across the green economy to launch apprenticeship programmes. This award will go to a woman who as an apprentice has made an immediate impact in their role and has clear potential to enjoy a successful career in the green economy. The judges are looking for nominees who have had a positive impact on their business and colleagues and are committed to pursuing a career in the green economy.

Buildings Professional of the Year

Open to women working in the decarbonisation of the built environment, including through architecture, construction, real estate, retrofitting, and green home finance. Nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and the positive impact they have had within their organisation and/or at an industry level.

Carbon Markets Professional of the Year

Open to women working in the development of high-integrity carbon markets and/or carbon credit projects. Professionals working in the development and financing of nature-based and engineered carbon removal projects are eligible to apply or be nominated, alongside those employed by firms engaged in the monitoring, vetting, operationalisation, trading and expansion of carbon markets. Nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and the positive impact they have had within their organisation and/or at an industry level.

Clean Energy Professional of the Year

Open to women working in the clean energy industry, including, but not limited to, energy retail, renewables, low carbon energy development and generation, low-carbon fuels, and energy storage and demand flexibility services. Nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and the positive impact they have had within their organisation and/or at an industry level.

Clean Technology Innovator of the Year

Open to women working on the development of cutting-edge clean technologies, this award aims to recognise those striving to deliver breakthrough technologies that have the potential to deliver a step change in efforts to meet environmental goals. Professionals working to advance green technologies across a broad range of sectors are invited to apply. Nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and the positive impact they have had within their organisation and/or at an industry level.

Communications or Marketing Professional of the Year

Open to women working in communications, public relations, marketing, or advertising that have shown excellence in promoting green businesses and the merits of growing the green economy over the past year. Individuals working for agencies or within corporate communications teams are eligible to apply or be nominated. Nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and the positive impact they have had within their organisation and/or at an industry level.

Corporate Sustainability Lead of the Year

Chief sustainability officers, environmental leads, sustainability directors – this one is for you. This award is open to women who are responsible for delivering their business’ sustainability strategy and managing sustainability projects. To be eligible for entry, nominees must be the lead for sustainability within their organisation or business.

Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year

Open to women and men working in the UK green economy who are leading the way in terms of championing diversity and inclusion at a business and/or industry-wide level. Nominees can hail from the world of business or environmental campaigning and should be able to demonstrate how they have played a role in proactively improving outcomes for women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and other marginalised groups across a firm or sector.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Open to women who have successfully founded and led an early-stage green business. The judges are looking for evidence of effective business leadership, entrepreneurial nous, and a track record of building a pioneering green business, while overcoming the challenges faced by start-up organisations. The best nominees will also be able demonstrate how they have created a positive environment for other women in business and worked to advance the green economy as a whole.

Investor of the Year

Open to women working in sustainable finance and investment. Professionals working for banks, asset managers or pension funds, as well as angel, early stage, venture capital, and private equity investors mobilising investment into the UK’s green economy are all eligible. Nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and the positive impact they have had within their organisation and/or at an industry level.

Leader of the Year

Open to women business leaders who are able to demonstrate the impact they have had in driving positive environmental change at their organisation and beyond, including by making the wider case for the net zero transition and more sustainable business models. CEOs, entrepreneurs, and senior business leaders who have spearheaded a key business initiative or otherwise led significant change within their organisation are all eligible for this award.

Lifetime Achievement Award

This special award will go to a woman who has worked to advance the cause of the green economy throughout their career. The winner of the award will be selected by the BusinessGreen team with input from our judging panel. However, if you would like to nominate a green business figure who you think is particularly deserving of the BusinessGreen Lifetime Achievement Award then comments on their merits will be taken into consideration.

Mentor of the Year

Open to women and men in the UK’s green economy who can demonstrate they have played a major role in supporting and encouraging women to fulfil their potential within the workplace. The judges are looking to recognise an inspiring leader from the world of green business who has not only proven successful in their own right but has been instrumental in making their organisation more inclusive for women and supporting the career development of colleagues and peers.

Nature Champion of the Year

Open to women working in nature protection and conservation, be it through nature-related innovation, biodiversity consultancy, or corporate nature policy development. Professionals working for business coalitions, campaign groups and trade bodies focused on protecting and restoring nature are all eligible for this award. Successful nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and provide evidence of the positive impact they have had had within their organisation and/or an industry level.

Politician of the Year

This special award will go to the politician who has done the most to advance the cause of women in the green economy in the past year. The winner of the award will be selected by the BusinessGreen team with input from our judging panel. However, if you would like to nominate a politician who you think is particularly deserving of the title of the Women in Green Business’ Politician of the Year then comments on their merits will be taken into consideration.

Transport Professional of the Year

Open to women working to curb the environmental impact of transport activities or the promotion of more sustainable forms of mobility. This can include, but is not limited to, professionals working in low-carbon shipping and aviation, electric vehicle supply chains, fleet decarbonisation, low-carbon last-mile delivery, clean transport fuels, public transport, and active travel. Nominees must be able to demonstrate excellence in their role and the positive impact they have had within their organisation and/or at an industry level.

Rising Star of the Year

Open to women across the green economy who have made an impressive impact in a short space or time and are likely to enjoy continued success in the coming years. Nominees must have worked in a green sector for less than five years as of 1 October 2024, but there is no age limit and candidates can be graduates, non-graduates, trainees, or managers.

Woman of the Year 2024

This prestigious award goes to a woman who has delivered outstanding achievements for the UK’s green economy over the course of the last year. Nominees must be able to demonstrate the mark they have had at their company, across their sector, and/or for the UK’s net zero transition. The strongest contenders will be able to provide clear evidence of the successful initiatives and programmes they have led, their commitment to and understanding of green business issues, and how they have helped colleagues and peers embrace green business models and policies.

Women in STEM Champion of the Year

This award will go to a woman who can demonstrate excellence in a STEM role over the past year and has played a role in encouraging more women to enter the sector. Nominees must be able to demonstrate the positive impact they have had on a project, team, business or at an industry level, as well as their work to promote STEM-based careers to more women and advance the careers of peers and colleagues.