Women in Defence UK Awards 2026 Finalists
Champion for Maximising Talent Award 2026
Northrop Grumman
Partner
Finalists
Ben Tucker
QinetiQ
Kelly Shungu
Leonardo
Surg Capt Kate King
CSOC
Shortlist
Ben Tucker
QinetiQ
Pina Palermo
QinetiQ
Kelly Shungu
Leonardo
Prof Julie Greeves OBE
Civil Service
Surg Capt Kate King
CSOC
Emerging Talent Award 2026
Army
Partner
Finalists
Flt Lt Jodie Mitchell
CSOC
Maisie Lord
Civil Service
Juliet Butler
Civil Service
Shortlist
Cdt CSM Bobbi Sancha
Army
Lauren Dias
Civil Service
Flt Lt Jodie Mitchell
CSOC
Lucy Maidwell
MBDA
Maisie Lord
Civil Service
Juliet Butler
Civil Service
Lt Em Shore
Royal Navy
Equity of Opportunity Award 2026
Accenture
Partner
Finalists
Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit
MOD
The Arduous Training Guide Team
Army
Christian Dix
Babcock
Shortlist
Babcock International Gender Balance Network
Babcock
Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit
MOD
The Arduous Training Guide Team
Army
Cdr Edward Higgins MBE
Royal Navy
Christian Dix
Babcock
Inclusive Teamwork Award 2026
RAF
Partner
Finalists
DPHC Dental HQ
CSOC
LGBT Restorative Action team
MOD
GODZILLA
Army, PA Consulting and Leonardo
Shortlist
Defence Cancer Support Network
Civil Service
DPHC Dental HQ
CSOC
Female Veterans' Transformation Programme
WRAC Association
LGBT Restorative Action team
MOD
GODZILLA
Army, PA Consulting and Leonardo
Innovation and Sustainability Award 2026
QinetiQ
Partner
Finalists
Zeba Khanam
BT
Martha Burton
Verzon Engineering Ltd
Winfred Athembo
Kuehne Nagel
Shortlist
Dr Rachael Hazael
Cranfield University
Zeba Khanam
BT
LET Melody Watson
Royal Navy
Martha Burton
Verzon Engineering Ltd
Winfred Athembo
Kuehne Nagel
Kate Khera
Sopra Steria
Inspirational Award 2026
Helsing
Partner
Finalists
AB Tazmin Kirk
Royal Navy
Lauren Nazer
Babcock
Sqn Ldr Hannah Parker
RAF
Shortlist
AB Tazmin Kirk
Royal Navy
Capt Malise Bih
CSOC
Roxana Dumitriu
Helsing
Flavia Popescu
Babcock
Lauren Nazer
Babcock
Sqn Ldr Hannah Parker
RAF
Judith
Defence Intelligence
International Award 2026
BAE Systems
Partner
Finalists
Col Antonina Blodone
Republic of Latvia Armed Forces
Maj Gen Jette Albinus
Royal Danish Defence College
Mary Omene
British Defence Staff (West Africa)
Shortlist
Calibrated
Calibrated LLC Ukraine
Col Antonina Blodone
Republic of Latvia Armed Forces
Dr Jennifer Sparks
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War, USA
Maj Gen Jette Albinus
Royal Danish Defence College
Mary Omene
British Defence Staff (West Africa)
Most Collaborative Award 2026
KBR
Partner
Finalists
Hollie Barnecut
SMI Ltd
Wg Cdr Alex Scott
RAF
Claire Kennedy
KBS Maritime
Shortlist
Dr Jenny Stevanovic
AWE
Kate Nicolson
Civil Service
Stephanie Griffiths
MOD
Emma O'Mara
Babcock
Hollie Barnecut
SMI Ltd
Wg Cdr Alex Scott
RAF
Claire Kennedy
KBS Maritime
Outstanding Contribution Award 2026
Leidos
Partner
Finalists
Nina Slocombe
Civil Service
Caroline Dyer
Civil Service
Kristina
GCHQ
Shortlist
Nina Slocombe
Civil Service
Lt Col Becca Archer
Army
Hannah Ward
Civil Service
Charlotte Mariosa
BAE Systems
Rebecca Millar
Civil Service
Caroline Dyer
Civil Service
Helen
NCSC
Kristina
GCHQ
Resolute Spirit Award 2026
Royal Navy
Partner
Finalists
LCpl Safiya Barber
Army
Lt Susan Jefferies
Royal Navy
Kimberley Gittins
Leidos
Shortlist
LCpl Safiya Barber
Army
Lt Cdr Rachel Abbey
Royal Navy
Lt Susan Jefferies
Royal Navy
Kellie Bransbury-Hare
Civil Service
Kimberley Gittins
Leidos
Unsung Heroines Award 2026
PWC
Partner
Finalists
Claire Foster
Airbus
Kyleigh Tucker
Babcock
WO Ayshae Howes
RAF
Shortlist
Dr Sarah Loveridge
PA Consulting
Claire Foster
Airbus
Kyleigh Tucker
Babcock
Sqn Ldr Sadie Pairman
RAF
WO Ayshae Howes
RAF
Hannah
MI5
Ashley
MI5
The WiD awards are an amazing opportunity to recognise the hard work and perseverance that goes into making the cultural and policy changes that are still so needed in Defence. Change wouldn’t happen without passionate, dedicated and inspirational Women.
LNN Abigail Wright
Woman of the Year 2025
