IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2022: Who should apply?

Following our announcement last week that our nominations are now open for this year’s IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards, we want to share more details with you about WHO should apply for each award.

As women, we can be our own worst enemies when it comes to promoting and celebrating our successes. We often feel like an ‘imposter’ at work, thinking that we don’t deserve recognition for the amazing work we do each day in our personal and professional lives. Well, it is time to change that and to start manifesting ourselves on to that winner’s podium!

Take a moment to review the categories below and if any of them sound like they could be you, or indeed another inspiring business woman you know, we urge you to carve out the time to submit your application.

It could be the best investment in yourself and your business you make all year. Just imagine how you would feel to be one of the Businesswoman of the Year winners this year…

Award Categories

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Nominees should be switched-on, entrepreneurial Irish women, based in Ireland or overseas, with expert business acumen, who’ve developed an innovative idea (either a new product or service) from initial concept to commercial success. The business must be in operation with filed accounts for a minimum of three years, with nominees demonstrating a higher propensity for risk, innovation and achievement, along with quantitative evidence of success and growth.

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: YOUNG BUSINESSWOMAN (UNDER 35)

Nominees must be Irish women, based in Ireland and under the age of 35 on December 31, 2022. They should be inspiring achievers with a great track record of success, including at least three years industry experience and/or three years at the helm of their own business, who also show huge promise in their chosen field. In order to qualify, candidates must have at least one year’s filed accounts for the business venture they enter with.

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL

Nominees should be resident in Ireland or working overseas, working at a senior level in their organisation. They should be involved in planning, organising, staffing, leading, directing or controlling an organisation, with at least eight years experience in their industry, and at least two years in their current organisation. Industry sectors considered within this category include finance, marketing, retail, technology, medicine, legal and media.

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: START-UP

Nominees should be enterprising Irish businesswomen, based in Ireland or overseas, who have established a start-up company since January 1, 2020. Nominees must have filed accounts for at least one year with measures of success including percentage increase in turnover; increased distribution channels, etc. While judges will take particular note of the challenges that the nominee has overcome to date, applications should also include evidence of the business’s potential growth and viability in the longer term.

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: CREATIVE INDUSTRY

The winner of this category will be an Irish woman who’s a proven achiever, having forged a successful career in Ireland and/or overseas through pursuing her creative passions. The areas of expertise may include fashion (design including clothing, footwear, accessories, millinery; boutique owners; fashion distributors; stylists etc); beauty (salon owners, product development and distribution); design (industrial, interiors, visual); and art (artists, gallery owners).

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: CEO

We’re looking for successful Irish businesswomen, working in Ireland or overseas, in the position of Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent, in an Irish or international organisation. Nominees should have occupied their current role for at least two years, with a considerable career story and biography. Measures of success include a significant contribution to company growth and expansion, regardless of business type underpinned by strong commitment to diversity and corporate social responsibility.

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

This award will recognise Irish women, home-based and abroad, in the worlds of technology and the digital space. Acknowledging innovation, passion and achievement, the winner shall stand out in her field; a game changer in the twenty-first Century who has at least three years industry experience. The winner may be a professional, entrepreneur or employee working at senior management level in the tech/digital world with financial success to back up her achievements to date.

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

We’re looking for an inspirational business woman working in the voluntary or not-for-profit sectors, who has occupied her current role in Ireland for a minimum of two years while further industry experience is an advantage. The successful nominee will demonstrate the use of entrepreneurial principles to organise, create and manage a charitable venture to achieve a desired social change. The main characteristics the judges are looking for include innovation, passion, resourcefulness and risk-taking.

THE IMAGE PwC BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR: SUSTAINABILITY 

As the Environmental, Social and Governance message becomes more integrated into all facets of life and business, we want to recognise the individual who has, in the past 12 months (March 2021-March 2022) made a meaningful difference to environmental impact. Our winner will have not only the credentials, but also the experience and tangible output to demonstrate their expertise and influence. Candidates for this award can be self-employed, part of an organisation, an academic, or work on a consultant basis.

Who can Apply?

Anyone can nominate a successful business woman they know, including employees, employers, advisors, financiers, friends and family. We also encourage self-nominations, and are delighted to receive many entries this way.

If nominees or shortlistees have previously entered, our board of judges welcome and encourage them to apply once again. So many of our previous finalists and winners have successfully entered multiple times, year after year.

Please take a few minutes to fill out our nomination form no later than 5pm on Monday, March 14, 2022.

*Click HERE to apply*

IMAGE PwC Businesswomen of the Year Awards 2022

WHEN: Wednesday, April 20, 2022, from 6pm until late

WHERE: The Clayton (Burlington Road, Dublin 4)

HOW TO REGISTER: Register for your tickets below.

*General Admission tickets are priced at €250 ex VAT and Business Club Member tickets are priced at €200 ex VAT. (Join our Business Club today and receive a discounted ticket!)

**You can find FAQs & T&Cs for the event here.