Merseyside Women of the Year 2025 finalists announced

The finalists for the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2025 have been announced ahead of the prestigious ceremony’s 15th anniversary edition.

The public is now able to vote for their overall Woman of the Year from the 16 finalists, who have each been recognised for their work driving change and improving lives in Merseyside and beyond, through business leadership, voluntary and community work, charitable organisations, and entrepreneurial and creative endeavours.

Category winners and the overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2025 will be revealed at the glittering annual celebration of exceptional women, which will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Liverpool City Centre on Friday 27^th June.

The finalists, who hail from across the boroughs of the Liverpool city region, are:

• Andrea Newton – Confident Conversations/Actually She Can
• Ciiku Sondergaard – 4 Wings
• Dr Rebecca Dobson – Liverpool Chest & Heart NHS
• Gemma Gosling – Iconic NW CIC
• Gillian Ashcroft – Exceptional Care
• Hayley Smallman – Woodlands Hospice
• Justine Mclaughlin – Phantom Digital
• Katie Bowater – Young Entrepreneurs Club
• Megan Kimmance – Red Run
• Mel Kelly – Motivating Minds
• Paula Johnson – Sparkles Boutique
• Professor Adetoro Adegoke – PASTEG Properties Ltd
• Racheal Jones – One Knowsley
• Sharon Gregory-Wareing – ASDA Community Champion
• Stephanie Barney – Girls on the Go
• Tamara Gilbert – The Positivitree

Much loved commère, Pauline Daniels will once again host the event, and there will be entertainment from Liverpool-based singer-songwriter, Emilie Culshaw, and The Liverpool Signing Choir, whose creator, Catherine Hegarty was overall Woman of the Year in 2010 – the year that the awards became a completely women-led organisation.

Founding director Ellie Kerr was part of a trio of women business leaders who took over the awards in 2010, ensuring MWOTY’s survival and transforming it into the movement that it is today. Ellie took sole ownership of MWOTY in 2022, and the importance and impact of the awards and its alumni on the Liverpool City Region has grown exponentially since.

Founding Director, Ellie Kerr, said:

“This year is such an exciting one for MWOTY, as we have been able to really grow and extend the power of our network to mark our 15th birthday celebrations.

“Last week we published the first episode of our podcast, The Crispy Ear, which platforms many of our 2024 winners, sponsors and previous MWOTY winners. This week, we are revealing the names of our 16 incredible finalists and setting the stage for what is proving to be a transformative year for MWOTY.

“I want to congratulate all our finalists, who are business and community leaders, volunteers, campaigners and creatives who are using their time, skills and expertise to help others, to inspire change and make our region a better place. 

We are here to provide a spotlight and a platform for you, a spotlight you deserve, so that you can be seen, heard and found. We’re so lucky to have you joining our movement, as you will strengthen it and bring your story to it, so we can all work together to make change.”

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

“We are proud to support the Merseyside Women of the Year movement as headline sponsor in this very special anniversary year. These awards spotlight the inspirational women who are creating lasting change in our communities – often quietly and without recognition. At FPC, we believe in building futures that reflect people’s values and ambitions, and that starts with celebrating those who lead with purpose and passion. Congratulations to all the finalists – your impact matters, and we’re delighted to play a part in helping your stories be seen and heard.” 

The overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2025 will be selected from all finalists, following a public vote (contributing 50% of the overall score) and 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 1st June 2025.

The coveted top prize will be presented by headline sponsor, FPC, and category sponsors for 2025 include Merseyrail, Community Foundation for Merseyside,  Rathbones, Auteur Media, Neo Community and ADDvanced Solutions, McIver Scott Recruitment and Morecrofts.

To cast your vote, book tickets or find out more, visit the Merseyside Women of the Year website.

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