Women in FCERM Awards 2026 will OPEN for nominations on 8th January!
🌟 Inspire Change. Champion Equality. Empower Action. 🌟
Launched in 2019, we have celebrated professionals of all genders and organisations in the FCERM sector, who make a real difference to gender equality in the workplace and across the industry. We are looking for inspiring individuals of all genders and stages of their careers within the FCERM sector.
By submitting a nomination, you:
✅ Recognize Excellence – Show appreciation for those who lead by example and drive progress in gender equality, diversity and inclusion. Raise the professional profile of your work or the work of your colleagues and the achievements made.
✅ Inspire Others – By celebrating the achievements of inspiring people, they inspire others to act and create a more inclusive industry.
✅ Shape the Future – Highlighting these achievements helps set new standards for equality and leadership across FCERM.
✅ Celebrate Impact – Whether it’s a rising star, a visionary leader, or someone who has gone above and beyond throughout their career, their story deserves to be told. Enhance the reputation of your organisation by demonstrating the dedication and commitment of your staff in breaking down barriers and showcasing their talent
Don’t let these contributions go unnoticed. Nominate today and help us celebrate the people and organisations who are transforming our sector for the better!
There are 3 categories:
- Rising Star Award: Rising Star Award: An individual who is in the earlier stages of their career in FCERM who, over the past year (January to December 2025), has proactively influenced and promoted gender equality, diversity and inclusion. This might be an individual who is at a more junior grade, who has had a positive and noticeable difference within their own organisation and beyond.
- Equality Leadership Award: An experienced individual who, over the past year (January to December 2025), has proactively influenced and promoted gender equality, diversity and inclusion. This might be an individual who operates at a senior level and their influence and impact has been felt across the FCERM sector.
- Laura Baird Special Recognition Award in memory of Laura who passed away in 2022. This award recognises an individual who, throughout their career, has been and continues to be, an outstanding role model to all those around them. Someone who has championed gender equality, diversity and inclusion and who has dedicated their time to enable women to be the best they can be.
Note that an individual can ONLY be entered into one of the categories.
Entry
It’s FREE to enter. You can either nominate a colleague, or nominate yourself with support from a colleague, to recognise these achievements. The award submission should demonstrate what the individual has done to truly champion gender equality, diversity and inclusion and inspire others.
Find the guidance and submit a nomination for the Rising Star or Equality Leadership Award here
Find the guidance and submit a nomination for the Laura Baird Special Recognition Award here
Submissions close at 6pm on 27 February 2026.
An Award for each category will be presented to each winner at the Flood and Coast Conference Excellence Awards’ Dinner in early June at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre.
If you have any questions about the Women in FCERM Awards or the process, please contact us at womeninfcerm@environment-agency.gov.uk.
womeninfcerm.org 