Celebrating 32 years of recognising Inspiring Women
We are working behind the scenes to bring you another memorable Inspiring Women Awards lunch. Drinks Reception, Entertainment, Guest Award Announcers, Finalist Interviews, Guest Speakers, a 5* Lunch and a Post Awards Party complete an exciting line up. Visit our 2024 Events Page to learn more about the 2024 Inspiring Women Awards Lunch on 17/05/2024 at the Award winning Lowry Hotel.
Judging is over and Finalists notified.
Names of the finalists are below and they will be interviewed at the 2024 Awards lunch before winners announced. Profiles of the finalists will be published on a weekly basis in our newsletter and on our website in ‘news’. To keep up to date, please sign up to our newsletter
Our 2024 Finalists
Gemma Aitchison – YES Matters UK
Dr Parul Baranwal – Oregon Dept of Environmental Quality
Dr Amy Benstead – University of Manchester
Dr Anita Bhanja – Eternal Paws
Nicole Broad – The Fruit Moth
Evie Canavan BEM – Perinatal Mental Health Partnership
Olivia Clarke – Young Manchester
Jo Conlon – University of Manchester
Charlotte Knowles – Elektec
Caroline Kende-Robb – African Development Bank
Deborah Lawson – Disability Advocate
Karen Livsey – No Whispers
Kate McCarthy-Booth – The Ukrainian Family Hub
Helen Pankhurst – GM4Women
Lindsay Pressdee – University of Manchester
Dr Medha Tadpatrikar – Rudra Blue Planet Environmental Solutions (India)
32 years and still going strong
Over the past 32 years, the Inspiring Women Awards lunch has become known for giving a platform to the finalists to share their stories in their own words. Guests always comment that they don’t know how we find these remarkable women year on year, but are glad we do and so are we. The Awards exist to share these stories and shine a light on these inspiring women and 2023 was another good year for doing just that.
“Everyone had a lovely day, laughter, tears, and came away very inspired. We will be back next year“ Vicky Laight, Revolution Bars Group.
This year we had two additional speakers, Awards sponsor and previous award winner, Dr Shikha Pitalia who shared her own NHS and private practice experiences and Viv Barclay, who at 59 aims to become the oldest female to cross the Atlantic solo. (you can catch both of these on the 2023 videos).
“I’m so proud to have won the Here Come The Girls award and stand alongside the talented and passionate women nominated in the other categories. It meant a great deal to have my work and causes recognised, surrounded by so many phenomenal and diverse women working to make the world a better and more equitable place. I haven’t stopped smiling since the awards lunch, it’s an experience I know will keep me boosted, and stoke the fire in my belly as I continue to move forward. I hope my story connects with and inspires other women to stand up for themselves and each other”. Kerry Daynes Consultant & Forensic Psychologist / Here come the Girls award winner 2023
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Nominations for the 33rd annual Inspiring Women Awards (2025) are now open and close on 31/12/2024. The shortlist will be published in February 2025 and the winners announced at the Awards lunch on 16th May 2025.
Be inspired
Founded in 1992, the Inspiring Women Awards have, over the past 30 years, publicly recognised and promoted the achievements of 100’s women who live or work in the North West of England, North Wales and in 2022, nationally and internationally. Many of our award winners have gone on to receive further recognition through our Honours system and in 2023, three more were honoured: Dr Gee Walker MBE; Marie McCourt MBE and Dee Drake BEM.
These evolving Awards have stood the test of time because at their heart is the desire to continue finding and recognising those women who inspire us.
Our recent tweets
“The Inspiring Women Awards shine a light on hundreds of inspirational women from all walks of life in the North West of England and North Wales. Publicly celebrating and promoting the achievements of women in business and the community is critical to ensuring the impact they are having is recognised, and it also provides a cadre of visible role models to inspire the next generation of leaders. I am honoured and humbled to have received the 2019 Constance Award, and am determined to continue quietly making a difference in all that I do.“
Sharon Thorne, Deloitte
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