South Asian Women Qaisra Shahraz, Mezmin Malida, Parvien Akhtar and Anupama Hatti Shine at The Women’s Awards 2026: The Women’s Awards celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 30, 2026, at Winstanley House in Leicester, recognising exceptional women whose achievements are transforming communities, workplaces and society.
The milestone event brought together inspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, professionals, community champions and advocates for equality to celebrate a decade of women’s achievements and contributions.
This year’s awards attracted 245 nominations, taking the total number of nominations received over the past decade to more than 1,000. Following an extensive judging process, a 16-member judging panel shortlisted 70 outstanding candidates before selecting the winners across regional and national categories.
Among the standout stories of the 2026 awards was the recognition of women from South Asian backgrounds, highlighting their growing influence across arts, media, education, entrepreneurship, professional services, STEM and community leadership.
South Asian Women Make Their Mark
Qaisra Shahraz MBE FRSA – Outstanding Woman in Art, Media & Music (National)
One of the most prominent recognitions went to Qaisra Shahraz MBE FRSA, who received the National Outstanding Woman in Art, Media & Music award.
An internationally recognised British-Pakistani writer, author and cultural advocate, Shahraz has made significant contributions to literature, arts and intercultural understanding. Her recognition celebrates the influence of South Asian women in British creative industries and their role in bringing diverse voices and perspectives to wider audiences.
Her award represents an important acknowledgement of the contribution of women writers and cultural leaders to the UK’s artistic and intellectual landscape.
Mezmin Malida – Outstanding Female Leader of the Global Majority (Midlands)
Mezmin Malida received the Midlands Outstanding Female Leader of the Global Majority award, sponsored by Shine Together CIC and presented by Gina Samuel-Richards.
Her recognition highlights the importance of leadership and representation among women from global majority communities. The category celebrates women who contribute to greater inclusion, opportunity and leadership within their communities and professional environments.
Parvien Akhtar – Outstanding Woman in Professional Services (Midlands)
Parvien Akhtar was recognised with the Midlands Outstanding Woman in Professional Services award, sponsored by Afsar Williams and presented by Naz Williams.
Her achievement highlights the contribution of women in professional services and the importance of recognising female expertise, leadership and professional excellence.
Anupama Hatti – Outstanding Woman in S.T.E.M. (National)
Anupama Hatti received the National Outstanding Woman in S.T.E.M. award, sponsored by LBC Mentoring and presented by Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE.
Her recognition is particularly significant as women continue to work towards greater representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Celebrating women in STEM helps inspire younger generations to pursue careers in technology, scientific research, engineering and innovation.
Her achievement also adds to the growing visibility of South Asian women contributing to Britain’s technology and knowledge economy.
Other Outstanding Women Recognised in 2026
The 2026 awards recognised exceptional achievements across a wide range of sectors.
The winners included:
- Lianne Kirkman – Outstanding Woman with Community Impact (Midlands) and Midlands Inspirational Female Leader.
- Charis Hawkley – Outstanding Female Disability Awareness Champion (Midlands).
- Helen Brewster – Outstanding Female Disability Awareness Champion (National).
- Adele Tilley-Jones – Outstanding Woman in Education (Midlands).
- Wunmi Adebowale – Outstanding Woman in Education (National).
- Olivia Mendoza – Outstanding Female Entrepreneur (Midlands).
- Lucie Macleod – Outstanding Female Entrepreneur (National).
- Elham Fardad – Outstanding Female Leader of the Global Majority (National).
- Rachel Thomson – Outstanding Woman in Hospitality (National).
- Dr. Charlotte Proudman – Outstanding Woman in Professional Services (National).
- Dilys Sillah – Outstanding Woman in Public Services (National) and National Inspirational Female Leader.
- Debbie Airey – Outstanding Senior Female Executive (National).
- Leya Luhar – Outstanding Woman in S.T.E.M. (Midlands).
The diversity of the winners reflects the breadth of women’s contributions across British society, from entrepreneurship and education to disability advocacy, public services, hospitality and scientific innovation.
A Decade of Recognising Women’s Achievements
Founded by Sandra Pollock OBE, The Women’s Awards has spent a decade celebrating women who create meaningful change in their communities and professional sectors.
Reflecting on the milestone, Sandra Pollock OBE, Founder of The Women’s Awards and Shine Together CIC, highlighted the significance of receiving 245 nominations in 2026 and surpassing 1,000 nominations over the past ten years.
She also expressed appreciation to the 16-member judging panel for undertaking the challenging task of reviewing 70 shortlisted candidates and selecting this year’s winners.
The awards have developed into a platform for recognising achievements that might otherwise remain outside the spotlight, providing visibility to women whose work makes a difference locally, regionally and nationally.
South Asian Representation Strengthens Britain’s Leadership Landscape
The recognition of Qaisra Shahraz, Mezmin Malida, Parvien Akhtar and Anupama Hatti offers an encouraging picture of South Asian women’s growing participation and leadership across Britain’s cultural, professional and economic landscape.
Their achievements span literature and media, community leadership, professional services and STEM – sectors that are essential to the UK’s future growth, innovation and social development.
Their recognition also highlights the importance of celebrating diversity not merely through representation but through the achievements, expertise and contributions of individuals shaping their respective industries.
As The Women’s Awards enters its second decade, the 2026 winners provide a powerful reminder that leadership comes in many forms. Whether through creative expression, community service, professional excellence, entrepreneurship or scientific innovation, women continue to shape the future of Britain.
The tenth-anniversary celebration was not simply an awards ceremony; it was a tribute to a decade of courage, ambition, leadership and impact – and an inspiration for the next generation of women leaders.
