Swindon-based entrepreneur Fi Da Silva-Adams has been named a Gold Winner at the prestigious Best Business Women Awards 2025, the UK’s largest celebration of female business talent.
Fi, founder and CEO of Swindon and Wiltshire’s leading performing arts company for children and young people, Revolution Performing Arts (RPA), was awarded Best Business Woman Working with Children & Families award. Gold and Silver Winners of the Best Business Women Awards were announced at the Gala Awards Night at the Daventry Court Hotel, Daventry, on Friday October 11.
After an anticipating lead-up, Fi was announced the ‘gold’ award winner within her competitive category. After launching RPA in 2007 as a small drama group for toddlers and preschoolers, Fi quickly expanded the programme to offer creative performing arts experiences to children of all ages. RPA was the first organisation to introduce performing arts after-school clubs in the Swindon area.
Today, RPA delivers over 1,200 sessions every year, with 400 children attending weekly classes and nearly 5,000 young people taking part in its Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme across Swindon and Wiltshire. The organisation also stages two public shows annually, offering inclusive, pressure-free performance opportunities for children from all walks of life.
“I feel so honoured and privileged to win this national award in such esteemed company and especially in front of my beautiful family,” said Fi. “They have ridden the waves with me for the past 18 years and for them to celebrate with me is a feeling I can’t put into words.”
In addition to RPA, Fi also leads Rapport Community Interest Company (CIC) – a not-for-profit sister organisation aimed at 11–18-year-olds. Rapport explores all forms of performing arts, including drama, singing and dance, delivered in a way that’s age-appropriate, inclusive and empowering. The focus is on confidence, self-expression, and celebrating individuality.
The Best Business Women Awards were established to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women across all industries. The judges’ comments upon Fi’s win were:
“Fiona has built more than a performing arts company; she has built a community. One where backgrounds, challenges or past traumas don’t define people; where individuality is treasured. From children who lacked confidence or have been silenced, to those who simply longed for a chance to shine. Her leadership is matched by her compassion.”
Article from Scott Media
