East Midlands Chamber Just Named Tania Gerard a Finalist for the Enterprising Women Awards 2026, and She Couldn't Be Prouder.
I'm thrilled to share that I've been named a finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 Enterprising Women Awards, run by East Midlands Chamber.
What the Enterprising Women Awards are all about
Enterprising Women is an East Midlands Chamber network that champions women in business, building connections across the region and celebrating success. The shortlist for the 2026 awards was announced on 2nd July at the Enterprising Women Summer Networking Event at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield, covering nine categories that range from innovation to social commitment.
Being shortlisted in the Female Entrepreneur of the Year category, sponsored by Freeths, alongside other brilliant women building businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, is something I don't take lightly.
Why this recognition matters
Enterprising Women Co-Chair Eileen Perry MBE DL put it plainly at the shortlist announcement. Even now, in 2026, women make up just 43% of company boards. That is not a historic statistic. That is where things stand today.
Awards like this exist because representation still has a long way to go, and because the businesses women build, often against the odds, deserve to be seen and celebrated properly.
That's exactly why Tania Gerard Digital exists too. Building a business around accessibility and inclusion means constantly pushing for people, and ideas, that get overlooked to get the recognition they deserve. Being shortlisted for this award feels like part of that same fight.
What the ceremony night looks like
The awards evening takes place at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest on 25th September, running from 6:30pm to 11:30pm, with ITV's Emma Jesson hosting for another year. There will be a welcome drink, a three course dinner, and the announcement of every category winner, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
I'm already looking forward to it, new venue, new dress, and a room full of women who deserve every bit of recognition coming their way.
Between now and then, I'll be celebrating every other finalist on that list, because East Midlands business is clearly full of women doing exceptional work.
For now, I'm just proud
Being shortlisted is its own achievement, and I'm letting myself enjoy this moment before September comes around. Whatever happens at the ceremony, TGD is proud to be flying the flag for accessible marketing among some brilliant company.
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