The Winners of the Women with Metal Awards 2026
© ALUMINIUM / Jannik Hammes
Bar ohne Namen
Entschlossen verweigert sich Savage, der Bar einen Namen zu geben. Stattdessen sind drei klassische Design-Symbole das Logo der Trinkstätte in Dalston: ein gelbes Quadrat, ein rotes Viereck, ein blauer Kreis. Am meisten wurmt den sympathischen Franzosen dabei, dass es kein Gelbes-Dreieck-Emoji gibt. Das erschwert auf komische Weise die Kommunikation. Der Instagram Account lautet: a_bar_with_shapes-for_a_name und anderenorts tauchen die Begriffe ‘Savage Bar’ oder eben ‚Bauhaus Bar‘ auf.
Für den BCB bringt Savage nun sein Barkonzept mit und mixt für uns mit Unterstützung von Russian Standard Vodka an der perfekten Bar dazu.
Recognising achievement and equal opportunities
Making women in the industry visible and empowering their success: Following their successful debut in 2024, the Women with Metal Awards returned at ALUMINIUM 2026. In partnership with the Women with Metal network, the UK Aluminium Federation (ALFED), and the industry publication Aluminium International Today, organiser RX recognised women whose outstanding achievements and dedication are helping to shape the aluminium industry. The Awards also honour companies that actively promote equality, create fair career opportunities for all, and support the advancement of women across the sector.
The awards ceremony took place on 6 October at ALUMINIUM 2026 and was one of the highlights of the event’s opening day.
An industry in transition needs diverse perspectives
Women remain underrepresented across many industrial sectors, including the aluminium industry. This makes it all the more important to highlight role models, recognise achievements, and showcase the many career opportunities available within the sector. Doing so creates value for the industry as a whole and opens doors for future generations.
At the same time, the Awards help raise awareness of the skills shortage facing the industry and encourage solutions. By inspiring more women to pursue careers in aluminium, the sector can address the shortage of qualified professionals while strengthening its long-term competitiveness.
Patrick Herman, Event Director of ALUMINIUM at RX, also sees the Awards as making an important contribution to the industry's future:
“Our industry is in the middle of a profound transformation. We need the sharpest minds, the widest range of perspectives, and the courage to think differently. That is exactly what happens when we bring more women into technical and leadership roles: we don’t just become more equitable, we become more competitive. The response to the 2024 premiere of the Women with Metal Awards showed us that the industry is ready to acknowledge this. The Awards give us a platform to make role models visible, to retain talent by showing people they are valued, and to signal to the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders that this sector offers careers worth pursuing. That is not a nice-to-have – it is essential for the future of aluminium.”
An award with real impact
The growing significance of the Women with Metal Awards is reflected in the breadth of this year’s nominations. More than 70 entries from around the world demonstrate that recognition, equal opportunities, and the advancement of women are now firmly established on the international aluminium industry agenda.
Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, Founder of Women with Metal and a member of the judging panel, also highlighted the importance of the awards:
"Bringing Women with Metal to a global audience at ALUMINIUM was an incredible opportunity to celebrate the amazing people in the sector who are driving diversity and inclusion. The nominees showed us just how much talent there is in the sector, and by showcasing these individuals and companies we can promote the industry to the next generation and highlight the career opportunities available."
This year’s nominees, finalists, and winners represent the talent, innovation, and dedication that continue to strengthen and advance the global aluminium industry.
Six categories, six winners
The Women with Metal Awards 2026 were presented across six categories, recognising not only outstanding women in the industry but also companies actively committed to supporting and advancing women’s careers. From emerging talent and experienced leaders to champions of sustainability, the winners demonstrate the many ways women are shaping the future of the aluminium industry.
Future Leader: Quds Yahya Al-Balushi
Quds Yahya Al-Balushi, ESG Officer at Oman Aluminium Rolling Company, received the Future Leader Award for her significant contribution to the company’s ESG, climate and decarbonisation strategy. Through remarkable initiative, she has strengthened internal sustainability capabilities and played a key role in advancing the organisation’s transformation journey.
Role Model: Siri Sande
As Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer at Storvik Group, Siri Sande has spent many years supporting young talent and creating opportunities for women within the industry. Through her commitment to education, career development and greater representation in technical professions, she has become an inspiring role model for the sector.
Sustainable & Innovative Leader: Tiziana Tronci
Tiziana Tronci, CEO of Gefond, combines sustainability, digitalisation and industrial innovation. Through energy-efficient technologies and AI-driven solutions, she is setting new standards for a competitive and future-focused metals industry.
Unseen Impact: Nabeeha Farooqui
Working behind the scenes, Nabeeha Farooqui, Materials Scientist at Crown Packaging, has made a significant contribution to increasing the use of recycled aluminium. Through close collaboration with international partners, she continues to advance sustainability goals both within her company and across the wider industry.
Women with Metal Champion – Individual: Teresa Hayes
Teresa Hayes, HR Manager at Logan Aluminum, has dedicated many years to supporting women in the metals industry. Through mentoring programmes, transparent career pathways and an inclusive workplace culture, she is helping create lasting opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
Women with Metal Champion – Company: Canex Aluminum
Canex Aluminum was recognised for its strong commitment to equality and inclusion. By actively supporting women in both operational and leadership positions, the company is setting an example for a modern and inclusive industrial workplace.
A commitment to the industry’s future
The finalists and winners were selected by an independent judging panel comprising representatives from partner organisations, industry associations, aluminium companies and trade media, including Kirsty Davies-Chinnock (Women with Metal), Nadine Bloxsome (ALFED), Duygu Saymen (Turkish Aluminium Industrialists Association), Dr Fiona Solomon (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative), Angelika El Noshokaty (Aluminium Deutschland), Patrick Herman (ALUMINIUM / RX) and Jess Mills (Aluminium International Today).
Together with its partners, ALUMINIUM uses the Women with Metal Awards to send a strong message in support of greater visibility, equal opportunities and inclusion within the aluminium industry. The initiative aims to break down barriers, support talent and encourage more women to pursue technical, scientific and leadership careers.
In doing so, the Awards make an important contribution to the future of the industry: they highlight role models, open up new perspectives and demonstrate the immense potential that exists within a more diverse and inclusive sector.
Issued by:
ALUMINIUM Press Office, RX
Email: service.aluminium@rxglobal.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM is the world’s leading event for the aluminium sector. Every two years, it brings together industry leaders in Düsseldorf, Germany, for a dedicated exhibition and conference, driving meaningful conversations, innovation and business ventures. Taking place 6–8 October 2026, this year’s edition focuses on sustainability, circular economy, and technological transformation. ALUMINIUM is the flagship of a global RX series for the aluminium industry, including ALUMINIUM USA in Louisville, ALUMINIUM China in Shanghai, and the new ALUMINIUM Arabia in Riyadh. www.aluminium-exhibition.com
About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.