Meet the 2026 Women’s Prize judging panels

The Women’s Prize judging panels have been announced for the 2026 Prize for Fiction and Prize for Non-Fiction.

The panels bring together ten remarkable women from the worlds of politics, poetry, broadcasting and business – along with a Crown Court judge turned thriller author – and Blake Morgan is once again proud to partner with the Women’s Prize Trust to support these prestigious awards.

Women’s Prize for Fiction judges

(L-R) Annie Macmanus, Salma El-Wardany, Julia Gillard, Mona Arshi, Cariad Lloyd

The Women’s Prize for Fiction panel is chaired by former Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard. She is joined by Mona Arshi, poet, novelist and essayist, Salma El-Wardany, author, presenter, poet and speaker, Cariad Lloyd, writer, podcaster, actor and comedian, and Annie Macmanus, author, broadcaster and DJ.

Julia Gillard said: “There have been times in my life when I had too little time for reading. Now I am delighted to have the opportunity to plunge headlong into many vibrant works of fiction by women and to work with a joyful panel of judges to highlight the books that really speak to us and shine.”

Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction judges

(L-R) Nicola Elliott, Roma Agrawal, Thangam Debbonaire, Nicola Williams, Nina Stibbe

Now in its third year, the Prize for Non-Fiction judging panel is chaired by Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, member of the House of Lords and former Labour MP. Baroness Debbonaire is joined by Roma Agrawal, engineer, author and broadcaster, Nicola Elliott, founder of NEOM Wellbeing, Nina Stibbe, novelist and memorist, and Nicola Williams, Crown Court judge and thriller author.

Speaking about the Non-fiction prize, Baroness Debbonaire said: “Reading and writing are hugely important tools for action – two of the best ways of developing and exploring ideas thoroughly. The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction is a powerful platform for women’s expertise and the voices we so desperately need, and I am honoured to be chair of judges for the 2026 Prize.”

Blake Morgan Legal director Michelle Davenport added: “It is fantastic to see the Women’s Prizes go from strength-to-strength and we are honoured to continue to partner with the Trust in its work of championing women writers and role models.”

The 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist will be announced on 4 March, and the shortlist on 22 April. The 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction longlist will be announced on 11 February, and the shortlist on 25 March. Winners of both prizes will be revealed on 11 June 2026.

Blake Morgan is a proud partner of, and the official legal provider to, the Women’s Prize Trust.