Sponsors
Best Business Women Awards Sponsors
Click on a logo to see more information on each of our sponsors
Peer network for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision makers dedicated to collective growth, clarity, and long-term success. At its core, peer2peer creates confidential, high-impact boardroom communities where like-minded leaders meet monthly to share challenges, exchange insights, expand capabilities, and accelerate both personal and business development.
Each peer2peer board is thoughtfully curated by experienced Chairs who hand-pick non-competing members and facilitate dynamic group sessions that combine strategic skill building, constructive accountability, and collaborative problem solving. The peer-led format empowers members to break free from isolation at the top, gain clarity on strategy and decisions, and harness the collective wisdom of their peers, making sustained growth a reality.
Beyond board sessions, peer2peer offers tailored programmes, workshops, and personalised support designed to strengthen leadership, sharpen critical thinking, and fuel innovation. With an emphasis on trust, confidentiality, and mutual support, peer2peer enables business leaders to connect, challenge each other, and thrive in an environment built for purpose-driven achievement.
Demonstrating its commitment to championing ambitious, purpose-driven businesses, peer2peer Global is delighted to be the headline sponsor of the The Best SME Awards, celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership across the UK SME community.
Website – https://peer2peer.global/
We are a multi award-winning digital marketing agency based in Hertfordshire.
Our uniqueness is in our approach and our passion. We get to know your business inside and out, work as members of your team and guide you on how to meet (and exceed) your business objectives.
Our in-house team of expert digital marketers & Google Partners work with brands of all sizes to create bespoke campaigns.
Your ROI is our priority. We don’t believe you need the biggest budget in your sector to be top dog on Google (or any of the social media platforms for that matter!). We believe you need to be strategic, imaginative and creative with your digital marketing and that’s what we’ll bring to the table.
Whether you’re looking to turbo-charge your lead generation, scale up online sales or establish your brand as a leader in your market, we will work with you to ensure everything we execute is targeted, measurable and impactful.
welcome@cariadmarketing.com
01992 582 824
Visit the website – Cariad Marketing
She Can Prosper is on a mission to support women with the tools to empower them for all aspects of their financial wellbeing.
We’ll give you the tools you need to take stock of your own current financial situation and what small changes you can make now to create a big difference in the future.
From ongoing content, interviews and webinars to networking events and talks, we’re creating a support network of, and for women, so that all of us are free and informed to make the decisions that create our safe and secure futures.
We’re here to educate and empower you and ultimately share support for women of all ages and backgrounds to learn how to make their own decisions for the future they want and deserve.
Visit the website – She Can Prosper
Scott Media was set up 15 years ago by journalist Fiona Scott after she was made redundant from her role as a series producer for ITV.
She had previously worked in local newspapers in Somerset and Wiltshire and had run her own radio show. She made the leap into PR and the SME sector as she saw that many PR companies were making big promises to small businesses about publicity which were unrealistic and seemed clouded in smoke and mirrors.
Many had little or no experience working within the media - yet were telling small businesses what the media wanted. For Fiona this didn't make any sense.
Since that time, she's built up her consultancy, working with a freelance team including fellow journalists, to help businesses, business owners, charities and organisations to tell their stories and become visible via the media, social media, blogging, video and animation.
She's worked with four Dragons' Den funded entrepreneurs, a winner of The Apprentice, a number of celebrities, Paralympic athletes and brands including Creative Nature, Haines Watts, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, Nutricia and many more.
She specialises in human interest stories, celebrating the personalities within and around any business. In the last year, she's had clients on BBC Panorama, Steph's Packed Lunch, I-news, GB News, LBC, FiveLive and MailOnline as well as in numerous local, regional and trade media outlets.
Fiona also provides training in being media-friendly and in planning for PR through various events and retreats as well as online learning and she has a successful membership group to connect business owners to journalists to build relationships over time.
She also offers specialist services to bigger companies including crisis management advice, disaster recovery planning around the media and training marketing teams to develop journalistic insight.
Her podcast - PR NOT BS - was launched in 2021, the same year that she won a national award as the UK's Top PR Adviser for SMEs.
Visit the website
Scott Media
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a business platform designed to guide women business owners in growing and scaling their businesses with confidence. AWE provides access to business opportunities, the right network, and a disciplined strategy to drive success.
Founded by Ceylan, AWE delivers real impact—its active members experience an average income growth of 88% within 12 months (Impact Survey 2022) and achieve both their business and life goals through strategic planning and business education.
At the heart of AWE’s offering is THE PLANNING. The word itself may not be exciting, and the process might not be thrilling, but the results? Absolutely phenomenal! Strategic planning is the key to making business growth intentional, predictable, and stress-free.
AWE’s flagship “Create Your Game Plan” event series empowers women entrepreneurs to take control of their future by setting clear goals, overcoming roadblocks, and building actionable strategies that drive real results. These sessions also provide access to AWE’s signature growth programs, tailored to different business levels.
Beyond tools and events, AWE fosters a supportive community of ambitious women who want to scale their businesses with confidence and ease.
OUR PHILOSOPHY: NO FOUNDER LEFT BEHIND!
Because when women entrepreneurs plan for success, they win big—and so do their communities and the world around them.
Visit the website – https://academyforwomenentrepreneurs.com/
Amanda FitzGerald is known by her clients as The Ultimate Door Opener.
She’s a leading PR and Visibility Strategist, passionate about training and mentoring female entrepreneurs to successfully pitch to the press and get SUPER VISIBLE using the power of PR so that they have a surge of new client enquiries, speaking gig invites, book reviews and interviews as they share their message everywhere.
She talks about the 3 C’s that can come as a result of PR placement: clients, confidence and credibility.
The confidence booster of appearing in the press is priceless and long lasting; new clients discover you as you build your authority and credibility super-fast.
Using her proven 7 step process called The 7 Secrets on How to Pitch to the Press, she has helped female founders to get into their dream publications and outlets such as ITV's This Morning, Forbes, The Sunday Times, Telegraph, Raconteur, Platinum, Top Sante, Daily Mail, Psychologies, OK!, Delicious, LBC, BBC, Metro, and industry podcasts to name a few!
Amanda’s services include 1:1 mentoring, the signature VIP Mastermind and the PR membership: PR + Visibility Mastery.
Connect with Amanda here:
Visit the website – Amanda Fitzgerald PR
Sharon has supported over 2500 businesses to start their own businesses and developed and delivered more than 1,000 training courses over the last 20 years to support business start-ups and business growth. Sharon started running her own business from the age of 22 and is currently Founder and Director of Verde Business Solutions. Verde not only focuses on Business Start Up but also supports businesses to become sustainable and in April will launch the Company Leaf Awards to help support businesses to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
Sharon believes in supporting young people to run their own businesses and has developed, written and delivered programmes for Uni of Herts, Uni of Beds, Oxford Brooks plus written EPQ education courses and school programmes such as the Beacon Green environmental audit for schools Beacon Life, managing finances which all highly interactive, educational and helps develop business skills.
She has also run projects such as The Carbon Cut-out programme to support over 300 businesses in their goals to become more environmentally sustainable, EEDA Inspiring Women’s Enterprise programme which supported 500 female entrepreneurs and the Women and Broadband project supporting 1000 women into the digital arena.
Sharon’s passion is theatre and helps to run the Pump House Theatre 2 days a week developing and delivering Watford Fringe and many other exciting projects. She states, “life is too short to sit and watch it sail by”.
Sharon has been a judge for Best Business Women Awards since it began and this has always been a highlight of her year, “It is a privilege seeing the fantastic female talented businesses that are thriving and growing adding to our incredible economy. To judge these prestigious awards is an honour.”
Visit the website – Verde Business Solutions
Cleveland Scott York is one of Europe’s leading intellectual property firms.
We advise some of the world’s most innovative companies on the protection and enforcement of their key assets. Technical expertise and clear advice are just part of what we are.
Our engagement with clients sets us apart. It allows us to play a collaborative role in their IP decisions, without losing sight of their commercial aims. It also builds the trust and insight required to form longstanding relationships with our clients.
Our attorneys combine technical expertise, sharp analysis, and market insight to make sure that you can compete effectively.
We combine a strong trade mark practice with patent attorneys who cover all fields of technology. This means that we are able to provide expert advice across all areas of intellectual property.
Our engagement with clients sets us apart. It allows us to play a collaborative role in their IP decisions, without losing sight of their commercial aims. It also builds the trust and insight required to form longstanding relationships with our clients.
We have a high proportion of direct clients, some of whom we have advised for over 50 years.
We understand that every client is different and requires a tailored approach, be that a seamless extension of your business, or a more arms-length service. Whether you are a start-up, a multi-national or a firm of attorneys, we can provide a service which is anything but routine.
Cleveland Scott York’s attorneys combine technical expertise, sharp analysis, and market insight to make sure that you can compete effectively.
Visit the website – Cleveland Scott York
Stefan Thomas is a keynote speaker, trainer and best selling author. Also founder of the Networking Retreat supporting entrepreneurs get the most out of their networking. This year he is also launching Connect Live a one day conference.
Visit the website – Stefan Thomas
Crane & Staples are a firm of solicitors, members of the Law Society of England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We are specialists in our fields. Our solicitors and Legal Executives are highly qualified, well trained and many hold additional specialist qualifications.
We are entirely independent and put our advice to our clients first. Unlike many organisations we do not pay referral fees. Clients come to us because they have been our clients for many years and know that they receive a good service or because they are recommended to us by other satisfied clients. Over 90% of our work comes to us in this way.
The Law Society has a quality accreditation called Lexcel. In order to achieve Lexcel any firm of solicitors must comply with a rigorous scheme that includes everything from a Business Plan to a proper system for managing files and the training and development of staff. It is not easy to achieve. We have had our Lexcel accreditation since 2003. Less than 15% of all firms in England and Wales have a Lexcel accreditation and few have retained it as long as us.
Visit the website – Crane and Staples
Mary Gregory Ltd offers comprehensive leadership coaching services designed to empower senior leaders and organizations to maximize their impact and performance. Recognising the challenges posed by today’s relentless pace of change, Mary provides tailored solutions to help leaders navigate complex dynamics and drive meaningful results.
Services include:
By engaging with Mary Gregory Ltd’s services, leaders can strength their confidence, enhance communication, boost resilience, and gain clarity in their vision and purpose, both personally and organizationally. Mary’s approach is centred on enabling leaders to access their strengths, values, and purpose, leading from a place of power, love, and humility.
Link to website https://www.marygregory.com/
Plain Talking HR, based in Luton, offers comprehensive human resources services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and beyond. Our mission is to provide quick, decisive, and cost-effective HR support tailored to each business’s unique needs.
The service offerings include:
Led by Bina Briggs, who holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualification and has extensive experience across various industries, Plain Talking HR is committed to delivering practical and pragmatic HR solutions. Their approach ensures that businesses remain compliant with employment laws while fostering positive employee relations and a productive work environment.
Visit the website – https://www.plaintalkinghr.com
Banya Family Placement Agency is an independent foster agency.
Our fully supported foster carers look after children and young people placed by local authorities.
Banya supports foster carer households all over the UK. Hundreds of children and young people have benefited from placements with our foster carers since Banya was founded in 1997.
We provide a high standard of foster care for a range of children and young people. Banya has developed specialisms in placing sibling groups, unaccompanied children and young people from overseas, children with special needs, and troubled teenagers.
We’re a diverse and welcoming fostering agency, so we open our foster carer applications to everyone. Your race, culture, sexual orientation or income don’t affect your chances. In fact we need foster carers from a wide range of backgrounds, races and religion. This is because all children have their own unique and individual background and heritage. You do not need to be married, own a house or have children of your own.
We believe the diversity of the foster parents we work with is a positive thing when finding the best possible family for a foster child.
Find out more about becoming a Foster Parent here
Visit the website – Who Can Foster?
Funny Women CIC is a non-profit organisation founded in 2002 by Lynne Parker BCAa to help women find their voice through performing, writing, and using humour in business and everyday life. As a recognised force for good across the arts, entertainment, and creative industries, Funny Women discovers and supports emerging female comedy talent through its annual Awards and community programmes.
The Funny Women Awards have elevated the profile of women in comedy in the UK and internationally since 2003, helping to launch numerous successful careers. Alongside the Awards, Funny Women operates a centre of excellence for comedy skills, offering workshops, courses and live events designed to build confidence, creativity and improve communications.
In 2024, the organisation launched The Glitter Project, an Arts Council England–funded outreach initiative that increases access to its services and promotes wellbeing through comedy.
Funny Women also delivers workplace diversity and inclusion programmes for organisations including FSB, NatWest, Canada Life and VistraCorp. Initiatives such as ‘HERlarious’, ‘Comedy in the Community’, ‘How to Have Fun at Work’ and ‘Stand Up to Stand Out’ focus on leadership development and confidence for those who identify as female, while encouraging male allyship and empowering all genders to use their voice.
Contact: info@funnywomen.com
Tel: 020 8948 4444
Stefania Bartolomei, Founder of One of a Style, and her team help women feel empowered through their style, guiding them to build wardrobes that reflect their personality and boost their confidence. She believes fashion is far more than clothes — it’s a form of self-expression, identity, and strength.
With a background in fashion design and extensive experience working with professional women, Stefania has built a strong reputation for transforming the way her clients see themselves. Her approach blends creativity with strategy, helping women align their personal image with their ambitions and lifestyle.
Through One of a Style, Stefania collaborates with leading fashion brands and delivers engaging workshops for corporate teams and events, focusing on topics such as style confidence, strategic shopping, and personal branding. Whether through one-to-one sessions or group experiences, her mission remains the same: to help every woman feel confident, visible, and authentically herself — both in business and in life.”
Saia Creative is an award-winning marketing and branding agency helping SMEs turn scattered marketing into focused, results-driven growth.
Founded in 2017 by marketing strategist Rosie Di Lecce, Saia Creative blends strategy and creativity to deliver highly tailored solutions for growing businesses that don’t have in-house marketing teams but understand the impact strategic marketing can have on growth.
Our services range from marketing consultancy and strategy to branding, copywriting, websites, launches, and campaign execution.
The Book Midwife® is a book coaching company founded in 2002 by multi-award-winning entrepreneur Mindy Gibbins-Klein. Since its inception, the company has helped over one thousand experts plan, write and publish great books fast!
The philosophy of the company is that “Every book deserves to be written and published”. Having spent ten years trying to write and publish her first book, Mindy created a process to help aspiring authors get their books done better and faster, and with more clarity and confidence.
The Book Midwife® is specifically reaching out to people from traditionally under-represented groups to create more diversity, equality and inclusion on our bookshelves.
Visit the website – https://www.thebookmidwife.com