HSM launches Women in Safety & Health Awards

To expand on the Awards’ key aims, there will now be a year-round editorial focus in Health & Matters designed to shine a light on the achievements of women in the sector, with the aim of further increasing diversity across the industry. This will take the form of a new column interviewing different women in the health and safety sector in each issue, in-depth articles and research, podcast interviews and seminar sessions at the Health & Safety Matters Live events.

In addition, the Awards will host workshops to discuss key issues facing women in the sector and what can be done to encourage more women to pursue a career in the industry. 

The Women in Safety & Health Awards will take place on 15 October 2026 at the Mercure London Earls Court Hotel and will be co-located with the long-established Women in Fire Safety Awards, which were recently purchased by Western Business Media.

It's also been revealed that the Headline Sponsor for the Women in Safety & Health Awards will be HSI Donesafe, who HSM announced as an industry partner earlier this year. Speaking on the launch of the Awards, HSI CEO Jose Arcilla said: “As headline sponsor, we’re proud to stand alongside the Women in Safety & Health Awards in recognising outstanding leadership and excellence in safety. We are committed to supporting a culture of safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement across every workplace.”.

Health and Safety Matters will now be establishing a steering committee for the Awards, which will play a key role in deciding the agenda for the workshop meetings and helping shape the editorial campaign in HSM.

Speaking on the launch, commercial head of Health & Safety Matters, Chrissy Knapp said: “The launch of these awards shines a spotlight on the incredible women driving change across the health and safety industry. From manufacturers and distributors to frontline professionals, we’re celebrating those who break barriers and redefine what’s possible.

“Diversity isn’t just important, it’s essential. These awards champion inclusion at every level, from recruitment to leadership, and highlight the vital role women play in shaping the future of safety.”

Interested parties who would like to join the Steering Committee should send an e-mail to: [email protected]

Entries for the Women in Safety & Health Awards will open in April 2026 and will be free to enter.