Celebrating the achievements of women across franchising.
In partnership with The BFA’s Empowering Women In Business Conference
2026 EWiF Awards are now open!
The EWiF Awards recognise the achievements of women from all kinds of businesses, large and small, across the whole of the UK.
Our award categories are designed to celebrate women right across the UK, from every sector and from businesses of all ages and all sizes. The awards are free to enter and open to all UK businesses involved in franchising, businesses do not need to be an EWiF member to enter.
SPONSORSHIP
Find out about our sponsorship packages and align your brand with the values of diversity, empowerment and excellence!
ENTERING THE AWARDS
Find out all about entering the awards, why, how and what the entry criteria is for each category!
FAQs
We’re always happy to hear from you, but if you have a burning question regarding the awards, check out our FAQs first!
New for 2026: The EWiF Awards will proudly be held in collaboration with the British Franchise Association’s Empowering Women in Business (EWIB) event. Taking place this May, the joint event brings together a full day of learning, inspiration and networking at EWIB, followed by the celebration and recognition of excellence at the EWiF Awards in the evening. This collaboration is designed to reduce time and cost for attendees, while continuing to champion and celebrate the outstanding women shaping UK franchising.
Award Ceremony date: evening of Wednesday 20th May 2026, time TBC
Venue: Leicester Tigers Stadium, Leicester
Our 2026 Sponsorship is now open!
As a small non-profit organisation, we rely heavily on the generous support of sponsors to create an impactful and memorable event. By sponsoring this ceremony, you will not only be supporting these inspiring women but also aligning your brand with values of diversity, empowerment, and excellence.
About the Awards
Our Mission
The EWiF Awards are dedicated to celebrating and supporting the incredible achievements of women in the franchising industry. Our mission is to recognise and honour the exceptional women who are driving change, breaking barriers, and setting new standards in franchising. We aim to inspire more women to consider franchising as a viable and rewarding career path, fostering a supportive community where women can thrive and succeed.
Our History
Founded in 2012, the EWiF Awards were established to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of women in franchising. Since their inception, the awards have been proudly sponsored by NatWest, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in our growth and success. Over the years, we have evolved from a small initiative into a prestigious event that attracts leading figures from across the industry. Our awards celebrate a diverse range of categories, ensuring that the full spectrum of women’s achievements in franchising is recognised.
Our Impact
Over the past decade, the EWiF Awards have had a profound impact on the franchising industry. By highlighting the success stories of women, we have encouraged more women to enter the world of franchising and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Our awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also foster a sense of community and support among women in franchising.
2025 winners
2024 winners
2023 winners
Entry FAQs
When do entries open and close?
Entries for the 2026 awards will open on 19th January 2026 and close at 5 p.m. on 27th February 2026.
Who can enter?
- The awards are open to all UK businesses involved in franchising, you do not need to be a member of EWiF to enter.
- You can enter the awards yourself or for someone else with their permission, e.g. one of your franchisees or team members. You would need to supply the entrants contact details when entering.
- You can enter multiple awards but you must complete an Award Entry for EACH category you are entering.
- Sponsors may enter awards but if they enter an award they are sponsoring, they will not be able to judge their category.
- Two (or more) people can enter one award if the business is jointly owned. For example, if two franchisees are named on the Franchise Agreement they can jointly enter an award.
I'm not a member of EWiF, can I enter?
Yes! The awards are open to all UK businesses involved in franchising.
How do I enter?
Once entries open for the 2026 Awards…
- Read through the Award Entry Guidance document to see what is required for each award category and whether you qualify for that category. Note the required evidence to submit with your entry.
- Write your Award Entry Written Statement where you can demonstrate why you should win your chosen award (word count 850 words)
- Gather all the evidence required and any extra evidence you would like to submit
- Head to the online entry form and complete all the required information and confirm that you have understood and agree to the conditions for the award
- Submit your completed Award Entry to us with ALL supporting material, you can submit up to 12 pieces of supporting material.
Can I enter multiple categories?
- You can enter more than one category but you must complete an online entry form for each category.
- Only one franchisee/employee per brand can enter each category.
When will the shortlist/finalists be announced?
The finalists will be announced on 23rd March 2026.
How do I know what information I need to include?
Make sure you read through the Award Entry Guidance document which will tell you what you need to include for each award category.
Do I have to pay to enter?
No. The awards are completely free to enter!
What is the judging process?
- EWiF Senior Management do first round judging to compile a shortlist in each category.
- The shortlist for each category is then judged by the EWiF Regional Chairs and the Award Sponsor judge for the shortlist in their category.
- All the scores from the EWiF Senior management, EWiF Regional Chairs and Sponsors are added together to give the winner in each category.
- Where an entry is from the same company as a member of the judging panel, that judge cannot judge that category.
- The judge’s decision is final and there will be no written correspondence regarding their decisions.
I was a finalist / winner last year, can I enter again this year?
Yes, we would like to encourage all of last year’s entrants to re-enter this year’s awards.
Can I get feedback on my entry?
As much as we’d like to offer feedback on individual submissions, this is unfortunately not feasible due to the high number of entries.
Keep up to date with the latest EWiF Awards news
Spotlight on Rising Talent: Lucy Crabtree, Young Woman in Franchising 2025
The EWiF Young Woman in Franchising category celebrates the next generation of trailblazers in our industry. It recognises outstanding contributions made within a single year, honours the journeys behind them, and champions early leadership shaping the future of...
Celebrating Leadership: Anna Neville, Woman Franchisor of the Year 2025
Some journeys take a little longer, but that’s often what makes the win so meaningful. After entering the category five times, Anna Neville, founder of the Kidslingo franchise, was named Woman Franchisor of the Year 2025, a recognition that reflects perseverance,...
Entries are now open for the 2026 EWiF Awards!
We’re delighted to announce that entries are now officially open for the Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWiF) Awards! The EWiF Awards celebrate the incredible women who are shaping, leading and inspiring the franchising sector. From franchisees and franchisors to...
With thanks to our Award Sponsors
