Celebrating Six Exceptional Women in Leadership
The Retail Marketeers and PDI Technologies proudly announced the winners of the 2026 European Female Leaders Awards. These prestigious awards recognise the remarkable contributions of six women in the convenience retail and mobility sectors across Europe.
On May 7, 2026, in Hamburg, Germany, the awards ceremony highlighted the achievements of female leaders driving change in an industry experiencing significant shifts due to energy transitions and digital advancements. Building on the success of the inaugural awards in 2025, this year’s event showcased exceptional leadership and innovation.
A Nomination Committee and Judging Panel, chaired by Christian Warning of The Retail Marketeers and Dawn Desai from PDI Technologies, selected the recipients. Christian Warning emphasised, “Women have long played a critical role in advancing our industry, and these awards are about ensuring that their leadership and impact are fully recognised.”
Meet the 2026 Award Recipients
The 2026 awardees include Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, a member of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s Board of Directors, responsible for retail in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. Alicia Cruzado Lopez, Senior Manager of Franchise Development and New Business at Repsol, was also honored. Louise Eckford, Head of Transformation, Property & Programmes for Channels & Hospitality at Marks and Spencer, joined the list of distinguished women. Judy Glover, Head of European Merchandising at Circle K Europe, Zsuzsa Hordai, Head of Strategic Projects at SPAR International, and Anna Wallenberg, CEO of Reitan Convenience Sweden, completed the group.
These leaders represent a diverse cross-section of Europe’s leading convenience and mobility organisations, each making a measurable impact across markets and customer experiences during a time of significant industry transformation.
“Our industry is stronger and more resilient because of the individuals who lead it,” said Dawn Desai. “These honorees demonstrate what modern leadership looks like as they combine strategic insight, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to their teams and customers.”
An informal reception will take place at the PDI Technologies stand during the UNITI expo 2026 in Stuttgart on May 20. This event offers a chance to explore the awards further and PDI’s offerings for the European market. a formal awards ceremony will be held on November 11, 2026, during the Convenience Leaders Convention in Hamburg, celebrating these women’s achievements alongside other industry pioneers.
The awards programme continues to spotlight accomplished leaders and strengthen visibility for women in senior roles who are navigating the rapidly evolving industry landscape defined by energy transition, digital transformation, and changing consumer expectations. These awards shine a spotlight on the diversity and depth of women leaders across Europe, reinforcing the importance of recognizing and supporting women in senior roles.
Last updated: 8 May 2026, 3:20 am
