IAOTP to honor Natasha Makhijani with 2026 Empowered Woman Award

The International Association of Top Professionals will recognize Natasha Makhijani at its annual awards gala in New York City, where she is set to receive the Empowered Woman Award 2026. The award spotlights her leadership at Oliver Sanderson Group PLC and SnappCV, plus her work in recruitment innovation, mentoring and women’s advancement.

Why it matters: - IAOTP’s recognition puts Natasha Makhijani’s leadership, business growth and community work in front of a global professional audience. - The award underscores how recruitment leaders are using technology, including AI, to reshape hiring and broaden access to opportunity. - The honor also adds momentum to Oliver Sanderson Group PLC and SnappCV as both companies pursue wider international growth.

What happened: - IAOTP selected Natasha Makhijani, Group CEO of Oliver Sanderson Group PLC and Co-Founder and Group CEO of SnappCV, for its Empowered Woman Award 2026. - IAOTP also recognized Natasha Makhijani as Top Group CEO of the Year 2026. - Natasha Makhijani is scheduled to travel to New York in December 2026 for IAOTP’s awards celebrations at the Plaza Hotel. - A Nasdaq Times Square billboard is planned to mark the recognition.

The details: - IAOTP will honor Natasha Makhijani at its Annual Awards Gala in New York City. - IAOTP describes the award as recognizing women whose experience, professional achievements, academic work, leadership and community contributions inspire others through innovation and compassion. - Natasha Makhijani has more than 15 years of leadership at Oliver Sanderson. - Oliver Sanderson Group PLC has grown into an award-winning executive search and interim management business with international client experience. - The company provides board, C-suite and senior leadership search, mid-management recruitment, and interim and fixed-term executive roles. - Oliver Sanderson works with FTSE 100, FTSE 350, Fortune 500 and private equity-backed organizations. - Clients have included British Airways, SGN, Equans, DHL, Speedy Hire, Matches and the Department for Work and Pensions. - Oliver Sanderson was named Executive Recruitment Agency of the Year at the British Recruitment Awards 2025. - Oliver Sanderson was shortlisted in three categories at the Recruiter Awards 2026. - SnappCV is an award-winning, video-first AI recruitment technology platform. - SnappCV is designed to help candidates show skills, personality and potential beyond a traditional CV. - SnappCV also helps employers engage with talent in new ways. - SnappCV is developing an international growth strategy that includes expansion into the United States. - SnappCV is pursuing a Series A fundraising strategy and investor conversations to support product development, technology innovation and broader global reach. - Natasha Makhijani also created the Amazon Alexa skill “Find Me a Job,” which lets users search for jobs globally through voice technology. - Natasha Makhijani founded and serves as trustee of the 2 Study Foundation, a UK charity that offers means-tested grants to university students. - Natasha Makhijani hosts the podcast “Stories of a c?o,” where entrepreneurs and leaders discuss careers, challenges, lessons and personal experiences. - Before her current roles, Natasha Makhijani held senior recruitment positions at Michael Page and Hays. - Natasha Makhijani earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in Sociology and Media Studies from City University London. - Natasha Makhijani completed Professional in Human Resources certification through DePaul University as part of SHRM.

Between the lines: - The award reflects a broader recognition of leaders who combine commercial performance with social impact and mentoring. - Natasha Makhijani’s profile sits at the intersection of executive search, HR, entrepreneurship and recruitment technology. - IAOTP’s praise also signals interest in women leaders building businesses that pair innovation with inclusion.

What’s next: - Natasha Makhijani will attend the awards events in New York in December 2026. - Oliver Sanderson Group PLC is expected to keep expanding its executive search and interim management reach. - SnappCV is expected to continue its U.S. expansion plans and fundraising efforts. - Natasha Makhijani will continue mentoring, charitable work and advocacy for women’s leadership.

The bottom line: - IAOTP’s 2026 award recognizes Natasha Makhijani as both a business builder and a champion of more inclusive recruiting.