Ashley Meston is one of ten category winners recognised at this year’s awards, celebrating the achievements of women shaping Scotland’s business community.
Ashley Meston, Chief Executive Officer of ESP Group, has been named the winner of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Product Design category at the Business Women Scotland (BWS) Top 100 Awards 2026, placing her among just ten category winners selected from this year’s Top 100.
The awards were held on Wednesday 28 October at voco Grand Central Glasgow, where around 300 guests came together to celebrate the achievements, leadership and contributions of women across Scotland’s business community.
Now in its 12th year, the BWS Top 100 Awards recognise women who are driving innovation, creating opportunities and contributing to Scotland’s economy. This year’s winners represented sectors including technology, manufacturing, professional services, healthcare, retail, design, charity and education.
Ashley has led major projects for clients including Network Rail, Transport for London and London Councils, joining the Board in 2024 and becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2025.
ESP Group continues to grow as a partner in customer experience, back-office processing, smartcard production and technology, supporting organisations across transport, local government and the public sector.
The Overall Winner of the BWS Top 100 Awards 2026 was Karen Greenshields of GAP Group, with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Professor Jillian MacBryde of the University of Strathclyde.
Ashley Meston, Chief Executive Officer of ESP Group, said:
“Being included in the BWS Top 100 was a real honour, so to go on to be named one of this year’s ten category winners makes the recognition even more special.
I have been with ESP Group for nearly 20 years, having joined as a Customer Service Advisor and I now have the privilege of leading the business. My experience across different roles has given me a real appreciation of the people, resilience and partnerships that sit behind a successful business.
I am incredibly proud of what we have built at ESP and the progress we are continuing to make. While this is a personal recognition, it means a great deal to have the contribution of our wider team recognised too.
Congratulations to Karen, Professor MacBryde and all of this year’s winners and thank you to Business Women Scotland for continuing to champion and celebrate women in business across Scotland.”