Why were they created?

The award offers funding to help you access the training you need to grow and lead with confidence.

2026, was the 21st year of the awards, with 21 individuals awarded £1,500 to invest in their future with a training grant. The Talent Awards are part of WACLs Inspire activities focused on accelerating the next generation of talent in our industry, driving towards WACL’s overall mission of 50% of CEOs being women.
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Who can apply?

The WACL Talent Awards are open to talented individuals identifying as women or non-binary people working in the advertising, marketing, media and communications industries. The awards are not open to those working in film or TV unless their role sits within marketing. Age, background and location within the UK do not matter.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Identify as a woman or non-binary person ( inclusive of: cisgender women, transgender women, non-binary, gender non-conforming and Intersex people.)
• Be currently or most recently employed or engaged in the media, marketing, advertising and communications industry
• Be based in the UK
• Have at least three years of industry experience
• Be committed to a career within this industry
• Have the application endorsed by your current/recent employer or sponsor.

What are we looking for?

Here are five questions to help you explore whether the WACL Talent Awards are right for you. These questions are also designed to give you an insight into what the judges are looking for from applications:

1. Are you passionate about the media, marketing, advertising, and communications industry and can you share examples that bring this passion to life?
2. How will your chosen course stretch you beyond where you are today and why does it feel like the right opportunity for you and your career?
3. What examples can you share of supporting, growing and inspiring other women and tackling inclusion for all in the industry?
4. What have you achieved outside of your day job that you’re proud of (personally and professionally)?
5. What does being a leader mean to you and what are your leadership ambitions in the future?

Simply put, we want to hear the story of what sort of leader you are, how you inspire others and how you want to progress as a leader

Get in touch.

If you have questions, please visit the WACL website to view the FAQ’s or get in touch with one of the team by emailing us at wacl_talent@nabs.org.uk