EWIB and EWiF Awards to combine

The BFA (British Franchise Association) has today announced that their flagship event EWIB (Empowering Women in Business), will be combining with the Encouraging Women in Franchising (EWiF) Awards, for the first time in 2026.

The new joint event will be held on Wednesday 20th May at Leicester Tigers Stadium. There will be a combined or single ticket options, but the goal of the collaboration is to reduce costs for the community and time out of the office. 

CEO of the BFA, Pip Wilkins QFP said: “I am delighted to announce this important merger today between EWIB and the EWiF Awards events. Both events have one core objective, recognising and celebrating the importance of women in UK franchising.  Guests can now look forward to a day of learning and networking at EWIB, followed by all the fun and the glamour of the EWiF Awards. We hope this joint day will mean more women and their teams will be able to attend these top-tier franchising events.”

Helen Mansfield, managing director of EWiF agreed: “For the last couple of years, we have been aware of the pressure on brands and their networks, especially financially. Pip and I had been discussing how we could best support the sector; bringing these two events together into one amazing day felt like a clear, positive step. We can’t wait to see how the day unfolds, and I’m even more excited to start reading the award entries.”

The theme for EWIB 2026 is Leadership. Legacy. Impact. bringing together inspiring women from across business and franchising to celebrate success and share real, lived experience. Through powerful stories and practical insight, the event will explore how women grow sustainable businesses, build support systems, and lead with confidence, while navigating everyday challenges. The EWIB programme will move beyond buzzwords to honest conversations that empower women to lead, lift others as they climb, and create lasting impact on their own terms.