The female powerhouse leading a thriving Northamptonshire health and safety consultancy has been named Best Female Leader in the Best Business Women’s Awards 2026.

 

Operations director at Acorn Safety Services, Zeynep Guzelkasap, won the prestigious Gold Award on Friday night in the much-coveted category, recognising exceptional vision, innovation, and measurable success while fostering a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and empowerment.

The judges said: “Zeynep showed impressive commercial growth, strategic leadership and a clear commitment to innovation, employee wellbeing and developing talent. She has demonstrated strong business success, recent achievements and resilience in overcoming challenges, supported by credible testimonials, financial growth and independent media coverage.

“This is a strong, resilient, growth-focused, leader who has been committed to their personal development in a challenging male-dominated industry, as well as supporting others and their development and success, across genders. An advocate for women and a deliverer of consistent high performance which has aided the success and growth of the business they work for.”

Mary Gregory, of Mary Gregory Limited, was sponsor of the award and also won Gold in the Best Coach category in 2024. She said: “As someone who has spent much of my career supporting women in leadership, challenging the barriers they face and advocating for greater gender equity, this is a cause very close to my heart.

“We need to celebrate women who are leading with courage, integrity and humanity, creating opportunities for others and demonstrating what great leadership can look like.”

The Best Businesswomen Awards 2026 celebrate an exceptional group of female entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals who are making a significant impact across the UK, and Zeynep has certainly made her mark since she joined Acorn Safety in January 2023.

 

The company, which provides health and safety services to businesses, charities and organisations across the UK, has grown exponentially in that time, with Zeynep doubling the workforce and creating a unique business model, with three specialist experts managing their own divisions – Legionella, Fire Safety, and Health & Safety.

 

Zeynep, who was promoted from operations manager to operations director last year, has been the driving force behind Acorn Safety reaching £1 million turnover this year after securing large contracts with household names.

 

The Best Female Leader Award comes hot on the heels of Zeynep taking the Businessperson of the Year title at the 2026 SME Northamptonshire Business Awards in April, as well as being Woman in Construction winner at the National Business Women’s Awards 2026.

 

Zeynep said: “What an amazing night at the Best Business Women Awards. To be in a room filled with so many inspiring woman was a true celebration and to go and win Best Female Leader of the Year was a true honour. Thank you, Mary Gregory, for your kind words, and a huge thank you to the whole team at Acorn Safety Services, I couldn’t do it without you all. Your dedication and hard work, plus your unwavering trust and support is massively appreciated every day.”

 

Debbie Gilbert, founder and organiser of the Best Businesswomen Awards, said: “Behind every winning business is a woman on a mission who has taken risks, solved problems and worked hard to make her vision a reality. These awards recognise what those women have achieved and the difference their work makes to customers, communities and the people they employ.

 

“Our judges look for evidence of achievement. Receiving an award is a significant endorsement of the business each winner has built.”

 

For further information about Acorn Safety Services visit www.acornhealthandsafety.co.uk or call 01604 930380.

 

Photography: Acorn Safety Services operations director Zeynep Guzelkasap won Best Female Leader at the Best Businesswomen Awards 2026. Zeynep is pictured centre in blue, with sponsor Mary Gregory next to her on the right, and the rest of the Best Female Leader finalists.