The Fire Industry Association (FIA) extends its congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the Women in Fire Safety Awards 2026, recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of women across the fire safety industry.

Organised by Western Business Media, the prestigious awards ceremony took place on Thursday 15 October at the Mercure London Earl’s Court Hotel, bringing together professionals from across the sector to celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership.

This year's awards attracted more than 250 entries, with a record-breaking, sold-out audience of over 650 guests attending the black-tie ceremony.

The Women in Fire Safety Awards provide an important platform to recognise the individuals making a positive difference across the industry, from driving innovation and improving standards to demonstrating exceptional leadership and inspiring the next generation of fire safety professionals.

Recognising excellence across the industry

The FIA recognises the importance of celebrating the achievements of women working throughout the fire safety sector and highlighting the valuable contributions they make to protecting lives and property.

Awards such as these play a vital role in showcasing talent, encouraging greater representation and inspiring future generations to pursue rewarding careers within the industry.

The FIA would like to extend its congratulations not only to this year's deserving winners, but also to every individual nominated for an award. Being recognised by colleagues and industry peers is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication, professionalism and positive impact of those working to advance fire safety.

The Association also congratulates Western Business Media, awards founders Chloe Antoniuk and Kate Blake, and everyone involved in organising another successful event.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the Women in Fire Safety Awards 2026. Your achievements, commitment and contributions continue to inspire positive change and help shape the future of the fire safety industry.

Women in Fire Safety Awards 2026: The Winners

Administrator of the Year (Sponsored by the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)

*Winner: Lucy Magee (Apollo Fire Detectors)

*Highly Commended: Jaheda Begum (Peabody)

*Commended: Emma Russell (CHPK Group)

*Commended: Hayley Saint (The Portmarnock Group)

Diversity Champion of the Year (Sponsored by Xact Consultancy and Training)

*Winner: Sarah Forbes (Design Fire Consultants)

*Highly Commended: Lucy Mather (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)

*Commended: Lesley Leach (Chubb Fire & Security)

Excellence Award (Business) (Sponsored by OFR Consultants)

*Winner: Nicola John (Fire Door Maintenance Training and Development)

*Highly Commended: Charlotte Manley (C-TEC)

*Commended: Jennifer Whalley (Warringtonfire)

Excellence Award (Fire Consultant) (Sponsored by the CHPK Group)

*Winner: Davinia Potterton (The DALA Group)

*Highly Commended: Kristie Sullivan (Warringtonfire)

*Commended: Catherine Owen (PartB)

Excellence Award (Fire Engineer) (Sponsored by Design Fire Consultants)

*Winner: Mabel Higgins (MH Fire Safety Ltd)

*Highly Commended: Dr Shuyuan Lin (Axion Consultancy Limited)

*Commended: Maisie Gleeson (OFR Consultants)

*Commended: Zuzanna Bialkowska (Axion Consultancy Limited)

Excellence Award (Social Housing) (Sponsored by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers)

*Winner: Claire Charles (Tenos Ltd)

*Highly Commended: Stevie Cox (Global HSE Group)

*Commended: Heather Langridge (Southern Housing)

Global Research Award (Sponsored by Arup)

*Winner: Fiona Cornfield (The Fire Protection Association)

*Highly Commended: Dr Brittany Hollerbach (Centre for Fire, Rescue and EMS Health Research) (Part of NDRI-USA)

Inclusive Company Award (Sponsored by the Fire Protection Association)

*Winner: Trigon Fire Safety

*Highly Commended: Mott MacDonald

*Commended: Design Fire Consultants

International Rising Star Award (Sponsored by Apollo Fire Detectors)

*Winner: Gizelle Danine Jamero (Arup)

International Woman of the Year

*Winner: Amanda Kimball (Fire Protection Research Association/National Fire Protection Association)

*Highly Commended: Anne Wijayasuriya (Joule Group)

*Christina Alexandropoulou (Philip Morris International)

Rising Star Award (Sponsored by The Fire Safety Event Europe)

*Winner: Momoi Suda (Arup)

*Highly Commended: Pragati Yarlagadda (Olympus Management)

*Commended: Egle Siusiene (Apollo Fire Detectors)

Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Mott MacDonald)

*Winner: Ruth Oliver (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association)

*Highly Commended: Vicki Swaine (3Safety)

*Commended: Kate Swinburne (OFR Consultants)

*Commended: Tracy Gregory (Premier Technical Services Group Fire Consultancy Division)

Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by WisuAlarm)

*Winner: Liz Parry

View the photo gallery from the 2026 Women in Fire Safety Awards online at www.flickr.com

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