Following a record number of nominations for the 2026 Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY) event, an incredible 36 women, (pictured) have been revealed as finalists for this year’s Merseyside Women of the Year awards.
Category winners and the overall ‘Merseyside Woman of the Year 2026’ 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 26th June 2026, with the coveted top prize being presented by headline sponsor, Rathbones.
The public vote is now open and closes at midnight on Monday 1st June 2026. To cast your vote for Merseyside Woman of the Year, visit: http://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/finalists-2026
Each of the 36 finalists have each been recognised for their work in driving change and improving lives across Merseyside and beyond through business leadership, contribution to professional services, voluntary and community work, charitable organisations, and entrepreneurial and creative endeavours.
The much-loved and inspirational event will this year be hosted by the award-winning broadcaster and actress Leanne Campbell, with the afternoon featuring a 3-course lunch and entertainment, along with a silent auction and raffle to raise money for the MWOTY Legacy Fund and the Women’s Fund.
Ellie Kerr is the MWOTY sole Founding Director, taking forward the 23-year legacy of MWOTY after being its first winner in 2003, prior to taking over the organisation of the awards in 2010. Ellie said: “The response to this year’s awards was overwhelming, with a record number of fantastic nominations and a bumper shortlist of 36 finalists. They are women from all walks of life, all at different stages in their careers and personal journeys. They are diverse business and community leaders, thinkers, doers, creators, and volunteers, but all are using their time and skills to make life better for people in our city region and beyond. Each one of the lady finalists is worthy of the spotlight that MWOTY is shining on them, and we continue to provide a platform for these unsung heroines to be seen, heard, and found. We can’t wait to celebrate them on the MWOTY stage and welcome them into our movement!”
Marion Reilly, Senior Director – Wealth Planning, Rathbones, added: “I’m always inspired by the calibre of MWOTY finalists, and this year is no exception! We’ve seen an incredible number of outstanding nominations, making it one of the toughest shortlists yet. I’m incredibly proud that Rathbones are headline sponsors, and can’t wait to celebrate everyone’s achievements at the event in June.”
The overall “Merseyside Woman of the Year 2026” is selected from all of the 36 finalists, following a public vote (contributing 50% to the overall score) and marked by the organisation’s judging panel against its criteria, which contributes the remaining 50% of the final score.
HEADLINE SPONSOR FOR 2026:
CATEGORY SPONSORS FOR 2026 INCLUDE:
FPC, Merseyrail, Community Foundation for Merseyside, Brownlow Health, City of Liverpool College, Rise Construction Framework, Robertsons, Auteur Media, McIver Scott Recruitment, and Morecrofts.
As well as celebrating women and their achievements, the event aims to leave a legacy of empowered, diverse women that are exemplars and who inspire the next generation of young women.
Monies raised at the event go to the Community Foundation for Merseyside’s Women’s Fund, and the MWOTY Legacy Fund. The Women’s Fund supports women across Merseyside and seeks to address key issues and eliminate the barriers that affect girls and women in the local community.
The MWOTY Legacy Fund supports the awards’ finalists beyond the initial day of the event, with networking, connectivity, and training that increases their visibility and helps them to be seen, heard and found.
The MWOTY Awards exist to celebrate the achievements of all women and entries are open to anyone who identifies as a woman or non-binary.
THE FULL LIST OF FINALISTS IS AS FOLLOWS:
Amanda Martins – MICT Ltd Anu Omideyi – National Gospel Music Centre Caroline Munnelly – Birkdale Insurance Group Chantelle Joseph – Regal Entertainments Ltd Debs Patterson – Pilates by Physio (Wirral) Dr Cristina-Steliana Mihailovici – Liverpool John Moores University Dr Deborah Faint – Brownlow Health Dr Karen Groves MBE – Queenscourt Hospice Farida Laeeq – Brownlow Health Faye Boswell – Sensified Spaces Gail Rickett – The Water Whisperer Georgia Davidson – SGD Fire Protection Ltd Gillian Watkins – An Hour For Others Hayley McCaughran – Butterflies Rising Hayley Smith – Northwest HIV Support CIC Jennifer Gallagher – Primas Law Jess Hampson – CEL Solicitors Jodi Whitehouse – Caring Matters Now Jordan Duggan – EFT Group Jude McMaster – Pearl’s Project Julie Griffiths – Caring Connections Karen Blair – Aftermath Support Kate Silcock – Flourish Tutoring Leanne Lucas – Let’s Be Blunt CIC Lindsey Kidd – HM3 Legal Liverpool Feds Women’s Football Club Lucy Byrne – dot-art Michelle O’Dwyer – Bay Tree Cookery Academy CIC Natalie Dickson – Hall Brown Family Law Rachael Parry-Jones – Emporia Marketing & Public Sector Media RASA Merseyside Rebecca Lennox – North West Ambulance Service Renatta Clerice-Ologbosere – Ever Present Care Sharon Munroe – Equilibrium Northwest CIC Suzanne Daley – Bell Lamb & Joynson Tomorrow’s Women
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE PUBLIV VOTE WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY 1ST JUNE 2026
To book tickets for the MWOTY event or to find out more about the finalists, visit:
https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/
