BWC Edinburgh Athena Awards
The BWC Edinburgh Athena Awards are a celebration of the incredible women entrepreneurs and leaders who are making a significant impact in the business community of Edinburgh, Fife & East Lothian. We firmly believe that their accomplishments deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. By recognizing these women, we hope to inspire others and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in business.
The Awards will take place on Friday 9th May 2025 at Ghillie Dhu, Edinburgh showcasing and celebrating the achievements and contributions of outstanding women entrepreneurs and leaders in the region.
Everyone is welcome to celebrate with us.
Join us for an afternoon of inspiration, empowerment, fun and entertainment with Glitz Band and a fashion show by Tiger Lily Boutique.
Together, let's honour the achievements of women in business and pave the way for a brighter future.
OUR FINALISTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!
Are you interested in sponsoring the Awards or becoming a Partner with BWC Edinburgh?
Athena Awards Categories
Congratulations to our finalists!
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The Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle Award
This Award showcases women who work within the health, fitness, personal coaching or supports everyone in their lifestyle (eg., interior design, home staging, etc.)
The nominated woman will be a business owner (with at least 50% ownership) OR an employee within a business or organisation and the business must be registered in Scotland.
Our Finalists:
Genna Delaney - Genna Delaney Jewellery
Jamie Craig-Gentles & Jayne McGhie - Wild Scottish Sauna
Zoe Mckenna - MatchaMind Ltd
Dr Bharti Rajput MBE PhD - The Foot Expert Clinic
Renee Turner - Renee Turner Interiors
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The Rising Star Award
This Award showcases a young woman who is taking the local area by storm and is one to watch!
The nominated woman will be a business owner (with at least 50% ownership) OR an employee within a business or organisation and the business must be registered in Scotland.
Our Finalists:
Skye Mackie - Proper-Tay Wealth / Utili-Tay
Ruth Micallef - Eating Disorders Edinburgh
Téa Nicolae - Women Vitae
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Hair, Beauty and Fashion Award
This award recognises and showcases the creative talent in Scotland and recognises a woman who has made an outstanding impact on the business landscape in Scotland.
Our Finalists:
Debz Breen - Wilde Mode Ltd
Tanya McMillan - Tanya Suki Style
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Women in Legal and Property
The Women in Legal and Property Award recognises women who are both excelling in their areas of practice and are using their positions as role models to shape the legal and property professions, pressing for the changes needed to ensure women working in law and property are able to thrive, grow, develop and lead this industry.
Our Finalists:
Leah Bryce - Leah Bryce Property Sourcing Ltd
Louise Todd - Louise Todd Property Management Ltd
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Women in PR, Marketing and Communications Award
This Award showcases women who work hard to ensure their clients or stakeholders have excellent PR, Marketing and Comms across all media platforms.
The nominated woman will be a business owner (with at least 50% ownership) OR an employee within a business or organisation and the business must be registered in Scotland. This Award is also open to all self employed consultants supporting businesses.
Our Finalists:
Jen Cadger - Belter Marketing
Jacqui Houston - Brand Vison Hub
Kirsty Wheatley - MAAI Marketing & Digital
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Women in the 3rd Sector Award
This Award showcases women who work in the challenging 3rd Sector environment.
The nominated woman will be a business owner (with at least 50% ownership) OR an employee within a business or organisation and the business must be registered in Scotland. This Award is also open to all self employed consultants supporting businesses within this sector.
Our Finalists:
Danielle du Plooy - Uppertunity; Determined Dandelions; Changemakers Hub Dundee
Beth Reid - Smart Works
Fiona Williamson - Simon Community Scotland
Maggie Wright - Families in Trauma and Recovery
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Women in Business Support and Consultancy Award
This Award showcases women who work as self employed Consultants supporting individuals in areas such as IT, Business Coaching, etc).
The nominated woman will be a business owner (with at least 50% ownership) OR an employee within a business or organisation and the business must be registered in Scotland. This Award is also open to all self employed consultants supporting businesses within this sector.
Our Finalists:
Julie Begbie - The Happy Business Company
Aileen Boyle - Fortro Ltd
Jen Cadger - Belter Marketing
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Hospitality, Food, Drink & Tourism Award
This Award showcases women who work in the broadest hospitality industry sector.
The nominated woman will be a business owner (with at least 50% ownership) OR an employee within a business or organisation and the business must be registered in Scotland. This Award is also open to all self employed consultants supporting businesses.
Our Finalists:
Sarah Martin - Temptations Bakery
Beryl Preuschmann - TRIPorganiser Limited
Kaori Simpson - Harajuku Kitchen
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Inspirational Woman of the Year Award
This Award showcases creative talent and celebrates a woman who has made an outstanding impact on the business landscape in Scotland. The nominated woman will have to display outstanding achievements in their field of work along with evidence of supporting the community she works within.
The nominated woman can be a business owner (with at least 50% ownership) OR an employee within a business or organisation and the business must be registered in Scotland.
Our Finalists:
Michelle de Almeida - MDA Business Coaching
Lisa Fleming - The House of Hope (Scotland)
Cheryl Lessels - Happy Thoughts Squad
Melanie MacIntyre - Melanie MacIntyre Coaching
Our Judges
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Michelle De Almeida
MDA Business Coaching
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Julie Wijkstrom
Owner of The Adamson, Hatch & The Physician, St Andrews
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Sarah MAGUIRE
Director & Principal Designer
Raison Home
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Lynn Smith
COO, Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools
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Hannah Campbell
Director, TaxAssist Accountants
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Alexna McFadden
Director, Moah Media Ltd
BWC Edinburgh Athena Awards 2025
Friday 9th May 2025, 12.30pm - 4.00pm
Ghillie Dhu, Edinburgh
Individual: £120
Half table (5 tickets): £600
Table of 10: £1,200
*Members should use their members discount code at checkout in order to receive 10% off
In Partnership with
Power of Inspiration Awards 2024
FAQ’s
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It is free to enter the awards.
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Nominations can be made on someone’s behalf or by the nominee themself.
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If the nominee meets the criteria, they can be entered into more than one awards category
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It is not necessary to be a member of BWC Aberdeen to enter the awards, but membership offers many benefits.
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No
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It is necessary for the business to be registered in Scotland, however we will also accept entries if the business or person has a head office outside of Scotland but is based in Scotland.
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To be announced.
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To be announced.
Awards Disclaimer
The BWC Edinburgh Athena Awards are organised by Forth Connections Ltd and is a company registered in Scotland with the company number SC797751, trading as BWC Edinburgh.
Each BWC franchisee delivers their own awards independently, with their own appointed judging panel.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
All information submitted as part of the BWC Athena Awards nomination process will be treated with the strictest confidence. Information provided will only be shared with the designated judging panel, appointed by BWC Edinburgh, for the purposes of assessing nominations.
BWC Edinburgh is not involved in the judging process and does not influence the panel’s decisions at any point.
Verification and Validation
All business information submitted as part of the BWC Edinburgh Athena Awards nomination process will be verified for accuracy. This includes validating nominee details and business information with Companies House records to ensure eligibility and compliance. BWC Edinburgh reserves the right to perform these checks and may request additional information if necessary.
Judging Panel Confidentiality Agreement
Each judge on the panel will review and sign a confidentiality agreement, acknowledging that all information accessed for the awards process is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to any third parties. Judges are required to adhere to this agreement throughout and after the judging process.
Data Handling and Disposal
Once the awards process has concluded, all business and personal information collected for the purposes of the awards will be securely destroyed, in accordance with data protection regulations.
By participating in the BWC Edinburgh Athena Awards, nominees and nominators agree to the terms outlined above.
For any questions regarding these terms, please contact:
alvina@bwcedinburgh.co.uk