HSI Donesafe Named Headline Sponsor of the Women in Safety & Health Awards 2026

We’re proud to serve as the Headline Sponsor of the Women in Safety & Health Awards 2026, delivered in partnership with Health & Safety Matters (HSM).

These awards recognise the women shaping the UK’s health and safety profession today. They highlight leadership in action and the real impact women are making in industries where protecting people is part of everyday work.

The ceremony takes place on 15 October 2026 at the Mercure London Earl’s Court, alongside the Women in Fire Safety Awards. Entries open in April 2026 and are free to submit, making this an accessible opportunity for individuals and teams to gain well-earned recognition.

Championing Progress Across the Profession

Health and safety in the UK has changed. It no longer sits quietly in the background as a compliance function. Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, organisations must manage risk in a structured and accountable way. Strong, visible leadership brings that to life.

The profession is moving forward, but representation at every level still needs attention. The Women in Safety & Health Awards help shift that. They recognise the women already leading change across construction, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, facilities management, and beyond. By celebrating their work, the awards make leadership more visible and progression more possible.

More Than an Awards Ceremony

The Women in Safety & Health Awards are part of a wider, year-round programme led by HSM. This isn’t a one-night event. It’s an ongoing commitment to visibility and progression within the profession.

The programme includes editorial features, networking events, and panel discussions focused on career development and inclusion. One of the first sessions will take place at HSM Live Leeds on 12 March 2026, bringing professionals together to discuss progression and representation across the sector.

To keep this work aligned with real industry priorities, it  also convenes an Advisory Panel made up of experienced practitioners and leaders. HSI Donesafe’s own EMEA Marketing Director, Sarah McLaughlin will sit on this panel to help shape the direction of both the awards and the wider programme.

Why This Matters to Us

The profession is changing. Health and safety now carries greater influence within organisations, shaping culture, decision-making, and long-term resilience, not just compliance outcomes.

That progress creates more room for leadership, collaboration, and career progression, particularly for women entering and advancing within the field. As expectations of safety leaders grow, so does the opportunity for different voices and leadership styles to help shape the direction of the profession.

For us at HSI Donesafe, that matters. We work with organisations that want health and safety to be proactive, visible, and embedded across the business. When safety becomes more strategic and inclusive, it strengthens not only performance, but the people behind it.

Initiatives like the Women in Safety & Health Awards help reinforce that momentum. By recognising the women already making a measurable difference, they make leadership more visible and progression more attainable. That visibility helps ensure the future of the UK’s health and safety profession reflects the full range of talent driving it forward.

Enter the Women in Safety & Health Awards

If you or someone in your team is delivering measurable change in health and safety, this is an opportunity to gain recognition and amplify that impact across the profession.

Entries are free and open from April 2026, and the ceremony will take place on 15 October 2026 in London.

We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to celebrating the women who continue to raise standards across the UK safety community.