The 2026 Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards have revealed a record‑breaking year of action, ambition and measurable cultural change, with winners raising the bar for workplace support that reshapes the working lives of millions.
An independent panel of industry experts selected this year’s winners, applying a rigorous process that required clear evidence of impact and meaningful change. Their choices highlight those going above and beyond to deliver positive, lasting improvements for colleagues. Chosen from an exceptionally diverse field spanning private and public sector organisations, the 2026 winners reflect the nationwide momentum in changing workplace culture.
This year’s Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year: Public Sector is Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year: Private Sector is ScottishPower. They are joined by other category winners ranging from AMEX GBT, QVCUK and Simplyhealth to Manchester City Council, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and South Yorkshire Integrated Care System.
Marking its fifth successful year, the 2026 Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards were announced during a day of knowledge, networking and celebration on September 16, 2026. More than 300 delegates from across the UK attended one of three regional events, simultaneously hosted in London, Nottingham and Liverpool by these menopause friendly accredited organisations:
- HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank in London
- Boots UK and No7 Beauty Company in Nottingham
- Rathbones in Liverpool
Set against the backdrop of mandatory Menopause Action Plans for employers with over 250 staff coming into force next spring, these organisations offer a powerful, practical blueprint to encourage and inspire others to follow their lead.
“This year’s award-winning body of work arrives at a critical moment, as employers prepare for mandatory Menopause Action Plans and have the opportunity to act now during the voluntary year,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “The Employment Rights Act 2025 brings a sharp focus to workplace responsibilities and a growing recognition of menopause as a core part of employee wellbeing.
“The impact of the menopause and menstruation friendly work celebrated at our Awards shows just how far workplace support has come,” she continues. “Employers are moving beyond raising awareness to creating real, measurable change and building cultures where people feel understood, supported and able to thrive. What makes these Awards so powerful is that the learning doesn’t stop with the winners. We share what works through our training, events and resources so other employers can learn from shared experience, move faster and create meaningful change of their own.”
Celebrating change, creating impact
Alongside celebrating the action, impact and leadership of trailblazing employers and inspirational individuals driving cultural change, the annual Awards also raise money for menopause and menstruation‑related charities and fund vital research. This year’s event saw the cumulative total reach £250,000, made possible through the continued support of sponsors HSBC UK including first direct and M&S Bank, Boots UK & No7 Beauty Company, Rathbones, AtkinsRéalis, BAE Systems, Mars UK, Ninja Theory, Onvero, ScottishPower and Menopace by Vitabiotics.
Menopause Friendly Employer Awards Winners and Highly Commended Organisations
Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year
- Winner, Public Sector: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Winner, Private Sector: ScottishPower
- Highly Commended: AtkinsRéalis
- Highly Commended: HF Limited
- Highly Commended: Northumbria Police
- Highly Commended: Manchester City Council
Most Open Culture
- Winner: AMEX GBT
- Highly Commended: BAE Systems
- Highly Commended: DHU Healthcare CIC
Most Menopause Friendly Environment
- Joint Winner: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Joint Winner: QVCUK
Best Engagement Campaign
- Winner: South Yorkshire Integrated Care System
- Highly Commended: Boots Opticians
- Highly Commended: London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Best Trained Workforce
- Winner: Simplyhealth
- Highly Commended: Leicestershire County Council
Best Support Group
- Winner: Manchester City Council
- Highly Commended: BAE Systems
- Highly Commended: British Airways
The Carolyn Lazarus Award for outstanding individual contribution
- Joint Winner: Brigitte Kaviani – South Yorkshire Integrated Care System
- Joint Winner: Helen Gaier-Laidlaw – ScottishPower
- Joint Winner: Jackie Williams – HSBC UK
Menstruation Friendly Employer Award Winners
Most Open Culture
- Winner: Fletchers Solicitors
Most Supportive Workplace
- Winner: Ninja Theory
