Organisers of the 15th Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2025 have revealed the shortlist ahead of the ceremony in June

Finalists for the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards (MWOTY) 2025 have been revealed.

This is 15th MWOTY and the awards ceremony will be held in its regular venue, the Crown Plaza Hotel in Liverpool city centre on Friday, June 27. The public is now able to vote for their overall ‘Woman of the Year’ from the 16 finalists.

They 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.

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
• Racheal Jones – One Knowsley
• Sharon Gregory-Wareing – ASDA Community Champion
• Stephanie Barney – Girls on the Go
• Tamara Gilbert – The Positivitree

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.

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.

She 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.

“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.”

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The 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 for Merseyside Woman of the Year click here.