Nominations for the 2025 Rising Star Awards open 13th January
SPONSORED BY
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
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.
MEDIA PARTNER
CHARITY PARTNER
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 Banking and Capital Markets
- Rising Stars in Charity and not for Profit
- Rising Stars in Defence
- Rising Stars in Digital
- Rising Stars in Diversity and Inclusion
- Rising Stars in Education and Academia
- Rising Stars in Energy and Utilities
- Rising Stars in Entrepreneurs and Startups
- Rising Stars in ESG
- Rising Stars in Healthcare and Wellbeing
- Rising Stars in HR and Recruitment
- Rising Stars in Insurance
- Rising Stars in Law
- Rising Stars in Media and Advertising
- Rising Stars in Professional Services and Consulting
- Rising Stars in Property
- Rising Stars in Public Sector *NEW*
- Rising Stars in Technology
- Rising Stars in Telecoms *NEW*
- Rising Stars Global
- Rising Stars Champions
- Company of the Year
- Men for Gender Balance
