Celebrating extraordinary accomplishments

The 72nd Women of the Year Lunch and Awards brought together remarkable women from all walks of life to celebrate extraordinary achievements, leadership, and purpose-driven impact across society. Every woman selected to attend the annual lunch is honoured as a Woman of the Year. At the event, eight special awards were presented to exceptional individuals and collectives whose resilience, innovation, and courage continue to make a lasting difference.

The 2026 Award Winners

Lindsey Burrow, Annie Moody, Kathy Weir & Joanna Slater

A Star-Studded Celebration

The ceremony welcomed an impressive line-up of celebrity guests and presenters who joined in celebrating this year’s honourees, including Sienna Miller, Lorraine Kelly CBE, Dame Arlene Phillips, and Dame Maureen Lipman.

“This year’s Women of the Year Lunch was a truly inspiring celebration of the remarkable women who make such a positive difference in their communities, professions and across society.

What has always made Women of the Year special is its ability to shine a light on women whose contributions might otherwise go unnoticed. The stories, resilience and leadership of this year’s guests were a powerful reminder of the impact individuals can have when they are driven by purpose, determination and a desire to help others.

It has been an enormous privilege to honour and celebrate these incredible women. Everyone involved with Women of the Year is immensely proud to provide a platform where their achievements can be recognised, and where women from all walks of life can come together to support, inspire and learn from one another.

The success of the Lunch so many decades after it was created shows how important it is that these opportunities remain, and we are delighted to continue championing the extraordinary women who make our world a better place in so many different ways.”

Diane Kenwood, Chair, Women of the Year