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The IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year 2025 nominations are officially open. This is your opportunity to showcase your own remarkable achievements, or indeed nominate an inspiring businesswoman in your life.

Business excellence is hard won, which is why it should be celebrated. And what better way to do that than at the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards? Each year, at this standard-setting event, we welcome the brightest minds in leadership and celebrate remarkable Irish women who are reshaping the way we do business in the world.

You can nominate yourself, or a fellow businesswoman, across a wide arc of industry categories. There is no application fee and all entries are strictly confidential.

To enter, download the nomination form for your chosen category below. Once completed, submit your nomination form as a PDF using the form below.

For judging criteria, please visit HERE.

Nominations close on Monday, February 24.

Nomination Handbook

Nomination Forms

CEO of the Year
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These highly successful businesswomen occupy the position of Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent, in an Irish or international organisation with over 50 employees. Nominees will have occupied their current role for at least two years and have a considerable career story and biography. They will be able to share measures of success, such as a significant contribution to company growth, expansion and success, regardless of business type, underpinned by commitment to diversity, inclusivity and corporate social responsibility, alongside exceptional leadership and management skills.

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CREATIVE BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year
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Nominees in this category will have forged a successful career in Ireland and/or overseas by pursuing her creative passions. Her areas of expertise may include, but not limited to, animation, architecture, art, beauty, design, fashion, film, music, etc. Candidates for this award can be self-employed, part of an organisation or work on a consultancy basis. Nominees who are business owners will be required to supply a minimum of three years’ filed accounts. 

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DIVERSITY & INCLUSION LEADER of the Year
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The D&I Industry Leader will be spearheading the change agenda in her sector, corporate organisation or large-scale project. These women will have demonstrated how their leadership has ensured that workplace equality goes beyond policies and practices to leave a lasting legacy. In this category, we recognise achievement across all strands of diversity, such as, but not limited to, race, age, disability, gender identity and belief.

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ENTREPRENEUR of the Year
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Nominees are switched-on entrepreneurial women with expert business acumen, who have developed an innovative idea (either a new product or service) from initial concept to commercial success. The business must be in operation, with filed accounts for a minimum of three years and state both turnover and profit in the application. Nominees need to demonstrate a high propensity for risk, innovation and achievement, along with quantitative evidence of success and growth.

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ESG CHAMPION of the Year
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This award recognises women who have successfully integrated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies in their business and evolved their overall business strategy to support the green economy and tackle environmental and climate risks. Nominees will have not only the credentials but also the experience and tangible output to demonstrate their influence and expertise across the ESG agenda, an area in which they will have at least three years’ experience. Candidates for this award can be self-employed, part of an organisation, or work on a consultancy basis.

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FAMILY BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year
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This award recognises outstanding women who demonstrate significant achievements in a family business. To be eligible, she will be a founder or hold a key leadership role in a business, to which she has a familial connection, and she will have been involved in it for at least two years. This category welcomes family businesses of all sizes and sectors and judges will be looking for women who can demonstrate how their skills, expertise, innovative thinking and values have contributed to the success of the business.

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INTERNATIONAL IRISH BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year
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The International Irish Businesswoman of the Year award recognises an exceptional female leader operating outside of the island of Ireland. This award celebrates established businesswomen who exemplify resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding leadership, driving business performance beyond Ireland’s borders. Nominees should have at least five years’ industry experience abroad and at least two years’ experience in their current organisation. They will be committed to using their personal values to benefit their region and/or organisation, supporting inclusivity and cross-cultural integration. Nominees will have a strong international network and have made a positive contribution to their local business ecosystem.

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MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL of the Year - Senior Professional
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Working at a senior level in their organisation, these women demonstrate great  expertise and flair for management and/or leadership within their sector. They will have had a measurable impact on their sector/organisation, often finding innovative solutions to problems. Nominees will have at least seven years’ experience in their industry, and at least two years’ experience in their current organisation. Industry sectors considered within this category include, but are not limited to, financial services, fintech, aviation, pharma, life sciences, health, energy, utilities, technology, media, communications, property, construction, law, public sector.

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MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL of the Year - Emerging Professional
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This award recognises women who demonstrate inspiring leadership potential in their sector. Nominees should exhibit outstanding performance in their roles, with a clear capacity for future advancement in management. Key qualities include innovation, clear decision-making, and the successful management of teams or projects. A focus on growth, resilience and a positive impact on their organisation or industry is essential. Nominees will have at least three years’ experience in their industry, and/or at least two years’ experience in their current organisation. Industry sectors considered within this category include, but are not limited to, financial services, fintech, aviation, pharma, life sciences, health, energy, utilities, technology, media, communications, property, construction, law, public sector.

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SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR of the Year - Charitable Organisation
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The Charitable Organisation award will go to a woman who is using her industry knowledge, business acumen and expertise to deliver proven impact in Ireland and/or beyond within a charitable organisation. The result of her innovative strategy and leadership will be evident in the governance, accountability and financial stability of the organisation. These women will be operating in the voluntary or not-for-profit sectors and have occupied her current role for a minimum of two years. This category is open to all registered charities, non-governmental organisations, charitable foundations, community projects and/or social enterprises of any size in Ireland. 

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SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR of the Year - Community Impact
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The Community Impact award will recognise a woman who is demonstrating impact at, or inspired by, a grassroots issue. She will be entrepreneurial, passionate and resourceful and driven by a desire to find a solution to a community need. She may be working solo or leading a team and be operating in the voluntary or not-for-profit sector for a minimum of two years on a paid or voluntary basis. This category is open to all registered charities, non-governmental organisations, charitable foundations, community projects and/or social enterprises of any size in Ireland.

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START-UP BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year
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These enterprising businesswomen have demonstrated entrepreneurial prowess in identifying a niche in the market and establishing a start-up company on or after January 1, 2020. Nominees must have filed accounts for at least two years, with measures of success including percentage increase in turnover; innovation; increased distribution channels; and state turnover and profit in the nomination. While judges will take particular note of the challenges that the nominee has overcome to date, applications should also include evidence of the business’s potential growth and long-term viability.

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STEM PROFESSIONAL of the Year
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This award will recognise women operating in the worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Maths. Demonstrating innovation, passion and achievement, the winner stands out in her field; a game-changer in the 21st century who has at least three years’ industry experience. She may be an entrepreneur, founder or professional working at a senior level in the STEM world, with proven commercial and/or industry success to back up her achievements to date.

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YOUNG BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year (UNDER 35)
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These inspiring achievers have great vision and show huge promise in their sector. They have an impressive track record of success, including at least two years at the helm of their own business, and are aged under 35 on December 31, 2024. In order to qualify, nominees must have filed accounts for the business venture they enter for a minimum of two years and state both turnover and profit in the nomination.

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Submission