Women in Defence UK Awards 2026 Shortlist
Champion for Maximising Talent Award 2026
Northrop Grumman
Partner
Ben Tucker
QinetiQ
Pina Palermo
QinetiQ
Kelly Shungu
Leonardo
Prof Julie Greeves
Civil Service
Surg Capt Kate King
Royal Navy
Emerging Talent Award 2026
Army
Partner
Cdt CSM Bobbi Sancha
Army
Lauren Dias
Civil Service
Flt Lt Jodie Mitchell
RAF
Lucy Maidwell
MBDA
Maisie Lord
Civil Service
Juliet Butler
Civil Service
Sub Lt Em Shore
Royal Navy
Equity of Opportunity Award 2026
Accenture
Partner
Babcock International Gender Balance Network
Babcock
Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit
MOD
The Arduous Training Guide Team
Army
Cdr Edward Higgins
Royal Navy
Christian Dix
Babcock
Inclusive Teamwork Award 2026
RAF
Partner
Defence Cancer Support Network
Civil Service
DPHC Dental HQ
Defence Medical Services
Female Veterans' Transformation Programme
WRAC Association
LGBT Restorative Action team
MOD
GODZILLA
Army, PA Consulting and Leonardo
Innovation and Sustainability Award 2026
QinetiQ
Partner
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
AB Tazmin Kirk
Royal Navy
Capt Malise Bih
Army
Roxana Dumitriu
Helsing
Flavia Popescu
Babcock
Lauren Nazer
Babcock
Sqn Ldr Hannah Parker
RAF
Judith
Defence Intelligence
International Award 2026
BAE Systems
Partner
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
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
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
LCpl Safiya Barber
Army
Lt Cdr Rachel Abbey
Royal Navy
Lt Susan Jefferies
Royal Navy
Kellie Bransbury-Hare
Civil Service
Kimberly Gittins
Leidos
Unsung Heroines Award 2026
PWC
Partner
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
