Celebrating a Milestone: What the Women in Tech Award Means for Illuminate.

Amanda Stewart is Founder & CTO of Illuminate, serving on the Board of the ScotlandIS Charter of Best Practice and contributed to the development of the Charter. An award-winning advocate for ethical leadership in cybersecurity and advancing women in technology, Amanda writes this month on what earning the 2026 Women in Tech Award from the UK Business Awards tells us about where our industry is headed and why recognition from peers and business leaders matters now more than ever.
WIB Winner Badge
This year’s Women in Tech Award at the UK Business Awards (https://business-awards.uk) is our first win of 2026 and it’s especially significant: It’s an award judged not by marketing metrics or internal performance data, but by experienced business leaders who understand the real-world challenges of building inclusive, high-performing organisations. For us, this accolade isn’t just a trophy; It’s a great reminder of the people, culture and high standards that make us who we are. “Winning a Women in Tech Award recognised by the broader business community doesn’t just celebrate individual achievement – it signals the rising importance of inclusive leadership across the entire tech industry.” Amanda Stewart, Founder & CTO, Illuminate IT

Why This Award Matters

The cybersecurity and IT world moves fast, so getting recognised by people outside our usual bubble really means something. The UK Business Awards shine a light on organisations that lead well, innovate boldly and perform brilliantly and not just the ones with strong technical skills. Being acknowledged here lifts the work we do with clients and celebrates the culture we’re building together. And as women and underrepresented groups continue to shape the future of tech, visibility genuinely matters. This award is a reminder that:
  • Inclusive leadership helps businesses thrive
  • Doing the right thing builds trust
  • Women’s success in tech strengthens the whole industry for the long run

Continued Recognition

While this Women in Tech Award is a standout moment for 2026, it joins a growing body of recognition that reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence and leadership: Each of these honours shines a light on different parts of who we are as a business – from how we lead and show up in our communities to how we grow sustainably and deliver great results.  They also recognise the work we do to open doors for women and young people who want to build careers in STEM. Tech is everywhere now, shaping almost every part of daily life, and there are incredible opportunities out there. Helping more women step into those roles isn’t just the right thing to do it strengthens the whole industry and the future we’re all building.

Looking Forward

For our clients, this award is a reminder that we’re more than a service provider – we’re a partner you can rely on, with strong values and a steady approach to doing things the right way. For the wider industry, it shows that ethical behaviour, inclusion and good leadership genuinely matter and are being recognised alongside technical skill. And as we celebrate this Women in Tech Award win, we’re also celebrating everyone who’s helped us get here – our team, our clients, our partners and our community. It gives us fresh energy to keep raising the bar, because leading responsibly in IT isn’t a finish line; it’s a direction we’re committed to and following through on every day.

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