16 YEARS OF WOMEN BREAKING BARRIERS
Novi Leadership Summit & Awards 2026
Lift As You Rise
The Londoner Hotel, London · November 20
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
today
Running Order
ON THE MENU
Starter
Seared aubergine carpaccio with thyme and feta yoghurt dressing
Main
Lemon-crusted corn-fed chicken breast with dauphinoise potatoes and forest mushroom crème
Vegetarian main
Portobello mushroom, black cabbage and goat’s cheese Wellington with shallot and garlic sauce
Dessert
Lemon tart with lemon confit, lemon sponge, crème fraîche and crispy meringue
supporting transformational leader award
Empowering women to lead, transform and shape the future of business.
welcome
“If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.” — Toni Morrison
Everyone in this room has earned their seat at the table. Now comes the real work.
Today is Equal Pay Day. Women in the UK effectively work 42 days for free this year, and the gap has widened. Across engineering, technology, energy, defence, finance and pharma, women remain far too rare at the top.
We’re not here to clap. We’re here to change it.
Lift As You Rise asks every leader in this room to open a door for someone else
supporting ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
Inspiring the next generation of women in engineering
THE 2026 FINALISTS
Meet the women we're celebrating
Emerging Leader
For women already demonstrating leadership, influence and the potential to go further.
Engineering Excellence Award
For women engineers delivering exceptional work and inspiring the next generation
sponsored by
Rising Star
For women at an early stage of their career who are showing exceptional potential.
Technology Leader
For women driving innovation and transformation across technology and digital
Transformational Leader
For women in leadership roles who have driven business results
sponsored by
Senior Executive
For women demonstrating outstanding leadership, influence and impact at senior level
Data AI
For women driving innovation and impact through data and AI.
Academic Leader
For women working within academia or the education sector.
Inspiring Mentor
For women who have a strong track record of mentoring and developing future leaders
Social Impact
For women creating or delivering digital products, programmes or services that generate positive social impact
Changemaker
For women already demonstrating leadership, influence and the potential to go further.
International leadership excellence
For women demonstrating strong leadership across multiple cultures, markets or international business environments
Disruptor
For a woman who challenges convention and creates meaningful change through innovation.
Female Entrepreneur
For women who own or run a business (5+ years trading) with demonstrable growth.
sponsored by
Start Up
For women who have launched a new business and are within their first five years of trading
supporting female entrepreneur
Championing choice, dignity and quality care that puts people first.
ON STAGE TODAY
Host & Speakers
Women's Health Panel
Women Leaders Panel
With thanks to
Our 2026 Sponsors
GOLD sponsor
BOLD LEADERSHIP. LASTING IMPACT.
At Alvarez & Marsal, we bring leadership, action and results to our clients’ most complex challenges. Our practical, fact driven and action-oriented approach helps organisations act decisively, navigate change and unlock value at every stage of growth.
Our core value of Inclusive Diversity is an important part of our culture. We believe that bringing together diverse perspectives, experiences and ideas makes us stronger, enabling better thinking, stronger collaboration and greater impact. A&M is proud to sponsor the Novi Awards, celebrating the women who are driving change, challenging convention and shaping the future of leadership.
GOLD sponsor
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
At Rolls-Royce SMR, we recognise that engineering excellence is driven by talented people who innovate, lead and inspire others. We are proud to be the Gold Sponsor of the Engineering Excellence category at the 2026 Novi Awards, celebrating women who are delivering exceptional engineering solutions and acting as role models across the profession.
We’re committed to creating opportunities for women to thrive in engineering and helping to build the skilled workforce needed to deliver the clean energy solutions of tomorrow.
CATEGORY sponsor
MOONRISE 24hr Recruitment supports the Novi Awards through a personal commitment to celebrating and empowering women. Founded by previous Novi Awards winner Jessica Gwaringa, the partnership represents a full-circle journey from being recognised to helping create opportunities for others. Having experienced first-hand the impact that recognition and visibility can have on an entrepreneur’s confidence and business, Jessica is now paying it forward by supporting other women on their leadership journeys. Through this partnership, Moonrise is helping ensure more exceptional women receive the recognition, encouragement and opportunities they deserve.
causes we support
A special thank you
Our Judges
Ajaz Ahmed
Founder , Freeserve
Debra White
Rt. Customer Experience Director , Small Business Banking, HSBC
Dr Carol Marsh OBE
Engineering Director , Celestia Technologies Group UK
Elizabeth Vega OBE
Group CEO , Informed Solutions
Erica King
People Operations Director in Corporate Transformation Services , Alvarez & Marsal
Fabienne Viala
Non Executive Director , HS2 Ldt and at Port of London Authority
Gillian Hosier
Head of Philanthropy , The Open University
Gisela Abbam OBE
Chair , General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Greg Turner-Smart
Head of Culture & Inclusion , Rolls-Royce SMR
Jessica Gwaringa
Managing Director , Moonrise 24hr Recruitment
Karen Finlayson
Former Partner , PwC
Lara Oyesanya
Non-Executive Director , PensionBee Group plc
Lisa Kelly
Head of BTC Country Organisation , BTC UK & Ireland
Louise Jenkins
Managing Director , Alvarez & Marsal
Ruby Raut
CEO & Co-founder , WUKA
Usha Kong
Co-founder , novi FUTURES
next year
Nominate for 2027
Know a woman who should be on this page next year? Nominations are open
novi futures
Lift as you rise
Our social mobility charity opening doors for young people. Fund a student’s place