Eleven inspiring women have been named as finalists in the 2025 Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS), the UK’s largest celebration of women in business.
Now in its 14th year, the EVAS recognises the innovators, changemakers and leaders driving UK enterprise forward. This year’s cohort represents a rich diversity of industries and backgrounds, with Greater Manchester’s finalists showing just how powerful purpose-driven business can be.
Meet the finalists:
- Caroline Canty, The Craft Coaching Group (Training & Coaching) Caroline helps digital leaders unlock team buy-in, build resilience and lead lasting change. At Craft Coaching, growth mindset meets strategy, because scaling without support is just stress in disguise.
- Chipo Beatrice Zulu, Tosimba-by-Bee (Hospitality Industry) Educating and celebrating culture through African and Caribbean cuisine, storytelling, and workshops. Tosimba-by-Bee is putting diversity on the menu - and on the map.
- Eleanor Bristow, Eleanor Grace Dance (Young Entrepreneur) From toddler ballet to adult acro, Eleanor has built a thriving dance school in just one year, complete with its own studio, award wins and a growing community of 150+ students.
- Fiona Moss, The Natalie Kate Moss Trust (Health & Wellbeing) Founded in memory of her sister, Fiona is tackling brain haemorrhage prevention and funding vital research into life-saving treatment with passion, purpose, and heart.
- Jenna Louise Atkinson, Harrison Drury (Professional Services) A proud team member of the North’s leading full-service law firm Harrison Drury,, Jenna champions client care and community impact, proving that legal excellence and social responsibility go hand in hand.
- Joanna Whitear, Black Cat Building Consultancy (Professional Services) With six offices across the UK, Joanna leads on delivering high-quality surveying and ESG advisory for commercial real estate, redefining what it means to build with integrity.
- Louise Stephenson, Drax Executive (Business Woman) Founder of the Empowering Women in Business Community, Louise is creating spaces for women and allies to collaborate, grow, and push for greater board-level diversity.
- Mary Fashanu, The Maverick Group (Training & Coaching) Through cultural intelligence, leadership training and her signature CORE model, Mary is transforming workplace culture and performance from the inside out.
- Roya Rasouli, FemWear (Young Entrepreneur) At just 23, Roya is tackling menstrual stigma with adaptive fashion and education. Her eco-conscious brand, FemWear, supports women living with bloating, endometriosis and PMS.
- Saira Hussain, HAD & CO Properties (Diverse Business) Architect. Planner. Powerhouse. Saira leads a female-founded firm with offices across the UK, proving inclusive design and strong leadership can shape stronger communities.
- Sarah Birdsey, Nicholls Solicitors (Employer) Leading a multi-award-winning law firm in Timperley, Sarah champions a client-first culture built on over 35 years of trusted legal service and a reputation for excellence.
Across 18 categories, the EVAS celebrates more than just success, it honours the women leading with impact. With over 1,450 nominations and entries this year, just 144 women have made it through to the finals. A quarter of entrants have achieved turnovers of over £1 million, and 5% are breaking the £10 million barrier, well above the UK’s average for women-led businesses.
Michael Dugdale, MD of Trident Utilities, said: “Sponsoring the Business Woman of the Year award is our way of recognising the incredible achievements of women who are not just excelling in their fields, but redefining them. At Trident, we believe that empowering women in business isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential to creating a more innovative, inclusive, and resilient economy.”
Finalists will be invited to take part in an exclusive EVAS Reception at the House of Commons before the dazzling awards ceremony takes place on Friday 26 September at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
To view the full list of finalists or find out more, visit: www.enterprisevisionawards.co.uk
