AWARDS & RECOGNITION

We honour and celebrate women who are making waves in the global payments ecosystem. Our awards program recognizes the achievements of women who have distinguished themselves as leaders, innovators, rising stars, and consummate professionals.

Our UK-EU Awards Committee, comprised of seasoned talent from across the payments industry, will review all nominations and select the recipients. These distinguished women will be honored at our 2026 UK-EU Symposium.

Please note:

• EACH NOMINEE CAN ONLY BE NOMINATED FOR ONE AWARD CATEGORY, DUPLICATE NOMINATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

• A MAXIMUM OF ONE NOMINEE PER CATEGORY PER ORGANIZATION.

• SELF NOMINATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

• EACH NOMINEE SUBMITTED MUST RESIDE IN THE the UK-EU region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).

• Individuals who have previously won in a given category are not eligible for nomination in that same category at future symposia.

CRITERIA

• Has promoted payments innovation through creativity, vision, and perseverance in her organization or the payments industry.  Has been instrumental in promoting innovations or creative process re-engineering which are original, have significant impact, can be easily and effectively adopted, have results that are measurable, can be applied elsewhere, and support and inspire others in the organization or industry to innovate.
• Creative use of new knowledge and/or technology to develop ideas aimed at addressing ongoing challenges, enhancing customer experience, and creating innovative systems, technology, products, programs and/or policies to solution such challenges.
• Has created a solution that reduces time, resources, risks, and/or costs associated with delivering a service, system or product. Has successfully implemented the solution, resulting in a positive impact to the product or customer experience beyond the nominee’s own team or department. 
• Is widely recognized for her expertise and actively works to empower others.  Leads by example and motivates members of her team, organization or industry.  Acts as a mentor, advisor, and teacher, to make a positive impact on members of her organization or the payments industry.  
• Has high integrity and sets high professional standards for ethics and quality of work.  Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.

CRITERIA

• Is able to create a strong vision and inspire a team towards achieving a goal, either in her organization or industry. Has demonstrated payments thought leadership by actively contributing to the payments debate.
• Exudes a strong desire for growth and has a vision for the future. Actively encourages debate about the evolution of payments in order to shape a strong payments ecosystem. Inspires others to reach great heights of performance and success and is consistently proactive in seizing opportunities. Creates an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
• Freely shares knowledge and insights of the payments system with colleagues, industry professionals and/or outside the industry. Is a beacon of positivity in the face of challenges and failures and is able to uplift others through her positive outlook. Inspires others to accomplish goals, despite difficulty or roadblocks to achieving success.  Inspires greatness and growth from others.
• Is widely recognized for her ability to build strong relationships and mentor others. Actively works to empower others to be positive team players and further change agents. Leads by example and motivates members of her team, organization or industry. Acts as a mentor, advisor and teacher, making a positive impact on members of her organization or the payments industry.
• Displays extremely strong communication skills and creates an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Establishes connections with people to build strong relationships founded on integrity, impeccable ethics and high quality of work.

CRITERIA

• Is always willing to go that extra mile to achieve excellence for herself, her organization and/or the industry. She supports and inspires others through promoting innovation and advancement. She is results-oriented, always seeking new ideas with the ability to translate them into action for her organization and customers.
• Consistently outperforms her peers in a variety of settings and circumstances. Performs with distinction and delivers strong results by building trust and confidence among her colleagues.
• Exhibits behaviors that reflect her company’s culture and values in an exemplary manner. Shows a strong capacity to grow and succeed throughout her career.
• Is widely recognized for her exceptional communication skills and consistently fosters clarity, connection, and collaboration. Leads by example in promoting open, respectful, and effective dialogue within her team, organization, or industry. Actively facilitates understanding and alignment to drive meaningful impact across her organization or the payments industry.
• Has high integrity and sets high professional standards for ethics and quality of work.  Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.

CRITERIA

• Actively contributes to the advancement and development of women either inside or outside his/her own organization and publicly celebrates the work and accomplishments of female leaders. Leads by example—promoting and broadcasting the need for continuous support and advocacy for female leadership. Is a strong role model for female empowerment, encouraging the hiring/promotion of strong female talent with diversity in mind.
• Helps support the development of women and encourages women to increase their levels of participation and engagement. Is an advocate for gender equality, including equal pay and equal opportunities for career growth and provides a positive forum for women to network and find mentors within their industry.
• Promotes education, career development and mentorship opportunities, both formal and informal, for women in his/her organization.
• Is widely recognized for his/her expertise and actively works to empower others. Leads by example and motivates members of his/her team, organization or industry. Acts as a mentor, advisor and teacher, to make a positive impact on members of his/her organization or the payments industry.
• Has high integrity and sets high professional standards for ethics and quality of work.  Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.

CRITERIA

• Is a strong leader and advocate for environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles – such as sustainability, social equity, and mental well-being—. Is recognized as a go-to resource for her ESG knowledge and expertise within her organization or across the broader industry. Demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing ESG values through both professional influence and broader community engagement.

• Consistently seizes opportunities to guide colleagues, the industry, or the broader community toward positive social and environmental outcomes. Leads with empathy and integrity to foster inclusive, supportive, and purpose-driven environments. Adapts thoughtfully to changing circumstances to maintain forward momentum and impact.

• Has demonstrated resilience in driving ESG-related projects, leading teams, or achieving goals despite challenges or evolving conditions. Actively builds and supports organizational or industry resilience— especially in relation to social well-being and sustainable progress—in times of uncertainty and change.

• Possesses a clear and compelling vision for a sustainable future for her organization, the payments industry, or the broader community. Champions mental health and social justice as integral elements of sustainability, and actively shares her insights to inspire systemic, values-based change.

• Has taken tangible leadership action through initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, social equity, or mental health in meaningful and lasting ways. Demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable practices that positively influence her team, organization, and community. Shares strategies and best practices that contribute to ESG progress across the industry and beyond.

CRITERIA

• Has influenced industry trends, acts as a role model and successfully reached and exceeded goals—taking her team, organization and/or industry to the next level.

• Acts as a payments ambassador to promote a positive image of her organization, industry initiative and the payments industry as a whole. Actively contributes to the collective success of the payments industry as a whole. Is viewed as a trusted advisor by peers and colleagues and is often a source of industry expertise.

• Is known for her personal and professional authenticity and building her career on a strong set of values. Has built strong and positive relationships with co-workers and industry stakeholders. Is seen as a role model within her organization and throughout the industry.

• Is widely recognized for her expertise and actively works to empower others. Leads by example and motivates members of her team, organization or industry. Acts as a mentor, advisor and teacher to make a positive impact on members of her organization or the payments industry.

• Has integrity and sets high professional standards for ethics and quality of work. Has contributed to a positive and supportive learning environment by encouraging diversity of people and opinions.

CRITERIA

• Displays remarkable resilience, determination, and motivation to return to the industry after time spent away; or enter the payments and fintech industry from another industry. Demonstrates a strong will to restart and advance her career and set an inspiring example for others with her unwavering commitment.

• Has made a significant and positive impact in her role or organization since returning or joining the industry. Contributes to the advancement of her team, organization, or the wider payments and fintech ecosystem.

• Exhibits strong leadership and initiative. Takes on leadership roles or projects, inspiring others through her actions, and shows a proactive approach to tackling challenges and driving progress. Draws on past experience to contribute effectively to her organization or industry.

• Demonstrates exceptional adaptability and the ability to overcome barriers. Embraces new skills, knowledge, and industry developments, enhancing her contributions while effectively navigating challenges with strategic thinking and innovation.

• Shows a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional growth within the payments and fintech industry. Actively seeks out opportunities to expand her knowledge, skills, and expertise, contributing to her own development and the advancement of her organization or the industry.

CRITERIA

• Demonstrates consistent excellence and deep commitment to her role, ensuring the stability, safety, and integrity of systems and processes. Plays a foundational role in protecting the organization from risk while enabling growth and innovation behind the scenes.

• Is a trusted expert and go-to resource in her field. Leads with quiet strength, precision, and integrity. Contributes valuable insights that influence business-critical decisions, even without formal recognition or visibility.

• Advocates for best practices, ethics, and risk-aware decision-making within her organization. Builds strong cross-functional relationships and influences others through credibility, collaboration, and subject matter expertise.

• Known for her dependability, team spirit, and willingness to step in wherever needed. Serves as a connector and stabilizer in fast-paced or high-pressure environments, supporting both colleagues and organizational success.

• Upholds the highest standards of integrity in everything she does. Remains steady and solution-focused in the face of challenges, regulatory change, or organizational transformation. Demonstrates resilience while maintaining a positive, professional approach.