Twelve years ago, She Inspires began in a community centre in Bolton with one simple belief: when women are recognised, they begin to see new possibilities. Today, that belief has grown into a global community spanning 45 countries, advancing Women’s Economic Agency through the pathways of Recognition, Leadership and Opportunity.
Every organisation has a story. Some begin with a business plan, others with significant investment or a carefully mapped strategy. She Inspires began much more simply, with a belief that ordinary women were achieving extraordinary things every day, often without recognition. Across businesses, charities, schools and local communities, women were leading with courage, creating opportunities, preserving culture and heritage, educating future generations and quietly changing lives. Yet many of those stories remained untold. She Inspires was created to celebrate those women because recognition is about far more than awards. It is about making people feel seen, valued and confident enough to believe in what is possible.
As the organisation grew, so did its community. When the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way the world connected, She Inspires opened its Awards beyond the United Kingdom, never imagining how profoundly that decision would shape its future. Applications began arriving from across the world, revealing that while women lived in different countries and cultures, many of their experiences were remarkably similar. They wanted to be recognised, they wanted opportunities to grow and lead, and they wanted to belong to a community where collaboration mattered more than competition.
Today, the She Inspires community spans 45 countries, with women travelling from AUSTRALIA, INDIA, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, TÜRKIYE, NORWAY and many other parts of the world to attend the Awards. What began in a community centre in Bolton has become a truly global community, connected not by geography but by a shared belief that when women support one another, everyone benefits.
Behind every finalist is another extraordinary community: our judges. Drawn from business, education, healthcare, culture, entrepreneurship and the voluntary sector, they volunteer their expertise with integrity and generosity, often joining interviews across different time zones and outside working hours. Many are former finalists and winners themselves, choosing to give back by recognising and encouraging the next generation of women leaders. Their commitment ensures that every nomination is treated with fairness, respect and credibility.
Over the years, She Inspires witnessed something remarkable. Recognition did far more than celebrate achievement; it changed the way women saw themselves. Women who had questioned their own abilities began to recognise their strengths, believe in their potential and imagine possibilities they had never previously considered. Many described standing a little taller, thinking bigger and finding the confidence to pursue opportunities they once believed were beyond their reach. Recognition was not simply the beginning of their journey; it was the catalyst for transformation.
That transformation also revealed another reality. As women grew in confidence, many wanted to do more. They wanted to lead, to build businesses, to influence change and to create greater impact, but they often encountered barriers to leadership, trusted networks, finance and opportunity. The question was never whether recognition worked. It clearly did. The question became: how could She Inspires help women turn renewed confidence into lasting social and economic impact?
The answer became the foundation of She Inspires today.
At the heart of the organisation is a commitment to advancing Women’s Economic Agency, creating the confidence, capability, connections and opportunities that enable women to shape their own futures. It is about far more than employment or income. It is about having genuine choices, building sustainable businesses and careers, stepping into leadership, influencing decisions and creating opportunities for others.
This is not simply a social ambition; it is an economic imperative. The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship estimated that if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men, it could add £250 billion to the UK economy. Globally, the World Bank continues to identify women’s economic participation as one of the greatest untapped drivers of economic growth and prosperity. Advancing Women’s Economic Agency benefits women, but it also strengthens families, communities, businesses and economies.
Understanding this transformed She Inspires from an awards programme into a movement built around three connected pathways: Recognition, Leadership and Opportunity.
Recognition is, and always will be, the foundation of She Inspires. For more than twelve years, the organisation has celebrated and recognised thousands of women from every walk of life, shining a light on their achievements and the impact they make in their businesses, professions and communities. Recognition is where every journey begins because when women are seen, valued and celebrated, they begin to see themselves differently. Confidence grows, aspirations expand and new possibilities emerge. Recognition is not simply about celebrating what has already been achieved; it is about unlocking what becomes possible next.
As She Inspires approached its tenth anniversary, the organisation looked beyond today’s women leaders to the next generation. If confidence and opportunity could transform adult lives, why wait until adulthood? That question inspired the launch of Empower 50K Girls, an ambitious commitment to empower 50,000 girls and young women through 100 schools, helping them build confidence in their Health, Wealth and Work. As a local-to-global initiative, Empower 50K Girls has already reached 48 schools. In INDIA, the programme has been delivered in partnership with local teams and dedicated community champions, reaching 20 schools. In the UK, it has reached 28 schools under the leadership of Lynn Williams, Christine Baldwin and Sarah Steele, with Sarah leading the delivery of the Let’s Talk Money programme in association with ASDA. Together, these partnerships are investing in the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers.
The second pathway focuses on Leadership. As the community grew, women consistently asked for somewhere to continue learning, exchange ideas and build meaningful relationships beyond the Awards. That led to the creation of RISE Conference & Expo, bringing together leaders from business, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, government and the voluntary sector to share knowledge, challenge ideas and build collaborations that continue long after the event has ended. RISE is built on the belief that leadership is not defined by a job title but by the ability to create positive change. At a time when women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles around the world, creating spaces where women can learn, connect and lead has never been more important. RISE exists to provide exactly that.
The third pathway is Opportunity. Women did not want to reconnect only once a year; they wanted a trusted community where conversations, collaborations and opportunities could continue every day. The She Inspires Marketplace was created to help bridge that gap, providing a trusted ecosystem where relationships come before transactions, knowledge is shared generously and opportunities grow through collaboration rather than competition.
None of this would be possible without the organisations, businesses, educational institutions and community partners who share our vision. Whether sponsoring initiatives, opening doors, contributing expertise or investing in future generations, our partners do far more than sponsor events. They become part of a collective effort to create opportunities and advance Women’s Economic Agency, demonstrating what is possible when purpose and partnership come together.
Looking back, every stage of the She Inspires journey has evolved because the community revealed what was needed next. There was never a master plan to create awards, educational programmes, leadership conferences and a global marketplace. Each initiative grew from listening, responding and remaining true to one simple belief: that when women are recognised, supported and connected, they create extraordinary change.
Today, those three pathways work together with one shared mission: advancing Women’s Economic Agency. Recognition helps women believe in themselves. Leadership equips them to influence change. Opportunity creates the connections that enable them to thrive. Together, they create lasting social and economic impact.
The story of She Inspires is still being written. Every woman who joins the community, every judge, volunteer, partner and supporter becomes part of that story, helping to create a future where more women have the confidence to step forward, the leadership to influence change and the opportunity to shape their own futures.
Through Recognition, Leadership and Opportunity, She Inspires is creating pathways that advance Women’s Economic Agency. Recognition is the first step. Leadership turns potential into influence. Opportunity transforms possibility into lasting impact. Together, they empower women to shape stronger businesses, stronger communities and a stronger future.