Meet the finalists for Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2024

The Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2024 has unveiled its list of finalists, and the public is encouraged to cast their votes for the ‘Woman of the Year’.

The 20 finalists of the Merseyside Women of the Year Award have been acknowledged for their outstanding contributions in enhancing and supporting the lives of individuals in Merseyside and beyond.

The winners of each category, as well as the prestigious title of ‘Merseyside Woman of the Year 2024’, will be announced during a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre on Friday, June 28.

Here are the finalists for this year’s awards:

Abby Younis (Sefton) – Women Conquering Cancer
Adele Connah (Liverpool) – Cancer survivor and creator of ‘healing baskets’
Amanda Unsworth (Wirral) – Trinity Logistics
Claire Morgans (Sefton) – YKids
Donna Scully (Liverpool) – Carpenters Group
Ema Quinn (Liverpool) – Choir With No Name Liverpool
Emily McChrystal (Halton) – Restless Development
Jacqui McAssey (Liverpool) – GIRLFANS
Jayne Hughes (Wirral) – Amy and Friends
Jen Deeney (Liverpool) – Liverpool Women’s Neonatal Partnership
Joanne Henney (Sefton) – Nugent
Kate Martinez (Liverpool) – Sefton Park Palm House
Katie Gordon-Orr – (Liverpool) – Fighting to be Heard
Kiera Vogel (Liverpool) – Senate Group
Leanne Hobin (St Helens) – Merseyside Police & St Helens Bees Netball Club
Lynne Akwei-Howe (Wirral) – Crea8ing Community
Merfat Musleh (Liverpool) – Savera UK
Paula Thompson (Knowsley) – Spectrum Connect CIC
Serena Silcock-Prince (Sefton) – Silcock Leisure Group
Tracey Roberts (Knowsley) – The Jade L Roberts Project

With judges’ votes already counted, the finalists will now be put to a public vote to determine who the overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2024 will be.

The annual celebration of exceptional women from across the region, will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre on Friday 28 June, with the event’s long-standing and much loved commère, Pauline Daniels hosting the event.

Credit: Merseyside Women of the Year Awards

Founding Director, Ellie Kerr, said:

“This year we saw the largest number of entries we have ever received, and the quality was outstanding. It wasn’t an easy decision for our judging panel, being presented with nominations for so many inspiring women, but we are so excited to be able to reveal our 2024 finalists.

“The MWOTY movement is committed to providing a platform for women to be seen, heard and found. Our finalists are business and community leaders, volunteers, campaigners and creatives who are using their time, skills and expertise to help others, change whole industries and make our region a better place.

“Many do this away from the spotlight and ask nothing for themselves. However, we believe their work should be visible and celebrated, and that by stepping onto the MWOTY platform and becoming part of our community, we can work together to help make even more difference.

“Congratulations to all of our finalists, every single nominee, and thank you to everyone who took the time to make a nomination. It’s truly humbling to know how many brilliant women are out there in the region!”

Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner, FPC, said:

“As the headline sponsor of MWOTY for the second consecutive year, we’re both proud and excited to be sharing the stories of another round of inspiring finalists, each as deserving as the last.

“MWOTY shines a spotlight on women who demonstrate a remarkable commitment to their communities, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We can’t wait to celebrate these trailblazing women and honour their achievements with an unforgettable day at the awards next month.

“Our congratulations to the finalists and all those who entered this year. MWOTY wouldn’t be the movement it is without the incredible women who take part each year.”

Renowned for putting a spotlight on those women who do not seek the limelight or push themselves to the front, but instead work to make a difference to the people, sectors, and communities they serve, the awards have grown in popularity and impact since their re-establishment in 2010.

The overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2024 will be selected from all finalists, following a public vote (contributing 50% of the overall score) and being marked by the organisation’s judging panel against its criteria, contributing the remaining 50% of the final score. The public vote is open until midnight on Sunday 2nd June 2024.

The coveted top prize will be presented by headline sponsor, FPC, and category sponsors for 2024 include Community Foundation for Merseyside, LawMed, Morecrofts, Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), part of the Rathbones Group Plc, Rise Construction Framework, Auteur Media, Neo Community and ADDvanced Solutions and the Institute of Directors (IoD).