Waverley Borough Council’s Enterprising Women workshop programme has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award recognising excellence in economic development.
The council’s Economic Development Team has been named as one of three finalists for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year at the Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Awards 2026 for the series of workshops; part of Waverley’s wider commitment to fostering a supportive environment for female entrepreneurs - an area where the borough already has a strong foundation.
The iED Annual Awards celebrate excellence and achievement in economic development across the public and private sectors. This year attracted 99 entries, the highest number since the awards were launched four years ago, with finalists selected across a range of individual, team and organisational categories.
The national recognition celebrates the work of Waverley Borough Council’s Economic Development Team in supporting women in business and creating opportunities to make connections, develop skills, share experiences and build confidence.
Councillor Liz Townsend BEM, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that our Enterprising Women workshop programme has been shortlisted for this prestigious national award.
“This recognition is testament not only to the hard work and commitment of our small Economic Development Team, but to the fantastic women from across Waverley who have facilitated these sessions, engaged with the programme, shared their experiences and supported one another.
“Creating an inclusive local economy where everyone has the opportunity to develop their skills, make valuable connections and fulfil their potential is incredibly important to us.
“To see Enterprising Women recognised nationally is a fantastic achievement and I am extremely proud of what the workshop programme and its participants have accomplished.”
The iED Awards are an annual celebration of the people, organisations and initiatives making a difference through economic development. The 2026 finalists span 10 individual, team and organisational categories, including Collaborative Initiative of the Year, Leader of the Year, Rising Star of the Year and the newly introduced International Project of the Year.
Nigel Wilcock, Executive Director for the Institute of Economic Development, said the record number and quality of entries demonstrated the “fantastic work taking place up and down the country”, congratulating all those who had made the shortlist.
The winners will be announced at the iED Annual Awards at BMA House in London on 18 November 2026, following the institute’s Annual Conference, which this year has the theme ‘Delivering Good Growth’.
For more information about the awards and to see the full shortlist, visit the Institute of Economic Development website: Finalists announced for iED Annual Awards 2026 - Institute of Economic Development.
Image: Third in the series of our Enterprising women workshops: Build Your Brand, Grow Your Business: Haslemere in June. Hosted by Fay Sharpe OBE.
Article image: Group of 16 people posing together indoors