Nominations for the 2025 Rising Star Awards open 13th January

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RISING STAR AWARDS 2025

Now in their eleventh year, the Rising Star Awards continue to be the first to spotlight the achievements of women below the Senior Management or Director level – showcasing the female talent pipeline and the next generation of future leaders.

The awards also recognise the efforts of senior leaders who are championing gender equality, as well as putting the spotlight on a “company of the year” that is actively supporting its female talent pipeline above and beyond industry norms.

Over the past ten years and with the support of leading organisations, WeAreTheCity has been able to highlight the achievements of over 1000 women (950 in the UK, 100 in India) through the Rising Star Awards.

EDUCATION PARTNERS

 

 
 

PREVIOUS EDUCATION PARTNERS

 

 
 

TIMELINE

Nominations open
13 January 2025

Nominations Close & Additional Info Deadline
03 March 2025

Judging starts
24 March 2025

Judging closes
07 April 2025

Shortlist announced
29 April 2025

Public vote opens
29 April 2025

Public Vote closes
13 May 2025

Winners announced
04 June 2025

Winners Awards Ceremony
10 July 2025

Knowledge Sharing Day
11 Sept 2025

THE PROCESS

Nominations will open online on 13th January via the Rising Stars’ website. Nominations will close after a seven week period on 3rd March.

A shortlist of ten women from each industry category and ten from the Champion, Global Award for Achievement and Men for Gender Balance categories, alongside three shortlisted companies for the Company of the Year award, will be chosen by an esteemed panel of judges. Once the shortlist is announced, we will also open the public votes of support, which enables individuals to show their support for a specific shortlisted individual.

All winners will be announced in June 2025 and will be invited to celebrate at a prestigious awards ceremony in July 2025.

RISING STAR AWARDS 2024:
A DECADE OF CELEBRATING TALENT

WeAreTheCity is proud to share a special montage honoring last year’s 10th anniversary of The Rising Star Awards. For over a decade, these prestigious awards have served as a beacon of recognition, celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of women across a multitude of sectors and industries. Each year, The Rising Star Awards spotlight the incredible talents and dedication of women who make significant impacts in their fields, drive innovation, and inspire future generations. Join us in celebrating this milestone and the remarkable women who have shaped ten years of excellence and progress.

MEDIA PARTNER

 

 
Marie Clare
 

CHARITY PARTNER

 

 
Refuge
 

WHO CAN APPLY?

A female individual who works within one of the nomination categories, whose current position is below director level.

  • The individual demonstrates a high level of competence within their role
  • The individual demonstrates a clear passion, this may be through extra curricular activities
  • Individual who pays it forward and helps others (e.g. schools, networks, internal/external activities)
  • The individual is taking charge of their own career, e.g. personal development

This award is open to all women, regardless of age, however nominees must be working in the UK.

A senior individual of any gender who is championing gender equality, either inside or outside their organisation.

The individual must also be able to demonstrate that they have actively supported the female pipeline either through their current work role or external activities.

Nominees must be Director level (or equivalent) or above and work in the UK.

A company that can clearly articulate their commitment to supporting their female talent pipeline and who can demonstrate tangible impact through their various gender initiatives.

A senior man who  is championing women and gender balance either inside or outside their organisation. Nominees must be at least Director level (or equivalent) or above, must demonstrate that they have actively supported the female pipeline either through their current work role or external activities and must be working in the UK.

A female individual, outside of the UK, who works across any industry, whose current position is below director level.

  • The individual demonstrates a high level of competence within their role
  • The individual demonstrates a clear passion, this may be through extra curricular activities
  • Individual who pays it forward and helps others (e.g. schools, networks, internal/external activities)
  • The individual is taking charge of their own career, e.g. personal development

This award is open to all women from anywhere in the world, regardless of age.

WHO CAN APPLY?

A female individual who works within one of the nomination categories, whose current position is below director level.

  • The individual demonstrates a high level of competence within their role
  • The individual demonstrates a clear passion, this may be through extra curricular activities
  • Individual who pays it forward and helps others (e.g. schools, networks, internal/external activities)
  • The individual is taking charge of their own career, e.g. personal development

This award is open to all women, regardless of age, however nominees must be working in the UK.

A senior individual of any gender who is championing gender equality, either inside or outside their organisation.

The individual must also be able to demonstrate that they have actively supported the female pipeline either through their current work role or external activities.

Nominees must be Director level (or equivalent) or above and work in the UK.

A company that can clearly articulate their commitment to supporting their female talent pipeline and who can demonstrate tangible impact through their various gender initiatives.

A senior man who  is championing women and gender balance either inside or outside their organisation. Nominees must be at least Director level (or equivalent) or above, must demonstrate that they have actively supported the female pipeline either through their current work role or external activities and must be working in the UK.

A female individual, outside of the UK, who works across any industry, whose current position is below director level.

  • The individual demonstrates a high level of competence within their role
  • The individual demonstrates a clear passion, this may be through extra curricular activities
  • Individual who pays it forward and helps others (e.g. schools, networks, internal/external activities)
  • The individual is taking charge of their own career, e.g. personal development

This award is open to all women from anywhere in the world, regardless of age.

PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED BY

 

 
 

AWARD CATEGORIES

  • Rising Stars in All Other Industries
  • Rising Stars in Advertising & Media
  • Rising Stars in Banking & Capital Markets
  • Rising Stars in Charity & Not-for-Profits
  • Rising Stars in Defence
  • Rising Stars in Digital
  • Rising Stars in Diversity
  • Rising Stars in EA/PA
  • Rising Stars in Education & Academia
  • Rising Stars in Energy & Utilities
  • Rising Stars in Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups
  • Rising Stars in ESG Global
  • Rising Stars in Healthcare
  • Rising Stars in Insurance
  • Rising Stars in Investment Management
  • Rising Stars in Law (Lynne Freeman Award)
  • Rising Stars in Professional Services
  • Rising Stars in Public Sector
  • Rising Stars in Science & Engineering
  • Rising Stars in Technology
  • Rising Stars Global
  • Rising Stars Champions
  • Company of the Year
  • Men for Gender Balance

RISING STAR AWARDS CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS 2023

Relive our amazing award ceremony for our 2023 Rising Star winners. We celebrated over 100 remarkable women, male allies & companies at the Rising Star Awards Ceremony

Kindly hosted by IHG at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London and live streamed virtually, where over 400 winners, sponsors, judges and guests enjoyed a sparkling reception, a three-course meal and fine wine. Attendees were also given the opportunity to network with each other, sponsors and judges and to celebrate their achievements.

Facilitated by Julia Streets, CEO of Streets Consulting, we were also joined by a number of inspirational speakers and entertainers, including  Ayesha Patel, Chief Operating Officer, RBC, Lisa Waterhouse, Global DEI, National Grid, Tamra Box, Partner, Reed Smith, Strictly Come Dancing Stars; Robin Windsor & Kristina Rihanoff and musical duo; Old Hat.