Nominations are now open for the BPA Empowering Women Awards 2026, with organisers urging entries from across all sectors and backgrounds. Nominees do not need formal titles or senior roles. Impact, influence and commitment remain the core criteria.
The awards gala dinner event, which takes place on 25 June 2026 at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, are an Asian Express Newspaper initiative, launched last year to mark the publication’s 25th anniversary.
What began as a moment of celebration has since developed into a wider movement focused on visibility, leadership and long-term support for women across Yorkshire.
This year’s nominations open against the backdrop of a growing legacy. Watch highlights from last year’s event here.
Since the 2025 ceremony, the awards have become directly linked to mentoring and peer support through the launch of BPA Lionesses – a network formed from last year’s winners and finalists. The initiative is now delivering mentoring and networking sessions for women across the region, turning recognition into sustained action.
The Lionesses bring together women from business, health, education, culture, law, sport and the voluntary sector. Their focus is practical and forward-looking: sharing experience, widening access to networks and supporting women at different stages of their careers.
Organisers say the model reflects a clear shift away from one-off applause towards long-term investment in women’s leadership.
The current cohort of BPA Lionesses includes Rizwana Mahmood MBE, Dr Saira Ali, Sarah Khan Bashir MBE, Rifhat Malik MBE, Noor Ali BEM, Aqsa Mushtaq, Fatima Khan Shah, Humma Nizami, Lois Monks, Naheed Akhtar, Nazreen Ahmed, Prity Farooq, Rukhsana Siddique, Dr Saghira Sharif, Samreen Akhtar, Shanaz Gulzar, Sobiya Jawaid, Usha Parmar and Wania Ahmed, led by Andleeb Hanif – chairperson of the Business Power Awards.
The ‘BPA Empowering Women Awards’ programme sits within the wider Business Power Awards framework and is coordinated by its founders, Nadim and Andleeb Hanif.
Know a woman who is leading, lifting others or changing lives? Nominate her. Because when women are seen, they step forward. And when they step forward together, change follows.
Nominations for the BPA Empowering Women Awards 2026 are now open. Self-nominations are welcome, as are nominations for multiple categories. NOMINATE NOW: businesspowerawards.co.uk
