The annual Women In Meat Industry Awards ceremony is to take place online this year in December as a virtual event. The popular initiative has received over 9,000 votes – a record number and is set to reveal nine category winners and one overall winner.

Organiser of the Awards, Sharon Yandell, commented: “The ceremony is normally a physical event taking the format of a black tie dinner, but once again the coronavirus problem has meant that a very popular and well supported industry occasion has to react to a situation not of our making and as a result change format to meet Government social distancing and public assembly requirements.

“We originally scheduled a black tie dinner for 13th November and then we reviewed the event still further proposing a smaller lunch and presentations at Butchers Hall for 2nd December. Regretfully however, following Government announcements on Friday 11th September, it became clear that we have no choice but to conclude the Awards online in 2020.”

The 10 categories to be recognised on 2nd December are:

Meat Businesswoman of the Year Award

Meat Businesswoman Award Foodservice

Meat Businesswoman Award Retailing

Meat Businesswoman Award Manufacturing

Meat Businesswoman Award Craft Butchery

Meat Businesswoman Award Trade Body

Meat Businesswoman Award Wholesaling

Meat Business Woman Award – Industry Supplier 

Meat Business Woman Award – Training & Education 

The Rising Star Award

The Meat Businesswoman of the Year Award will be presented to a winner of one of the other catgeories, excluding The Rising Star Award. All the finalists can be viewed online at the website along with other information: www.womeninmeatawards.com.

Sharon Yandell continued: “The decision to change format follows a highly successful online broadcast for the recent Meat Management Meat Industry Awards ceremony back on 8th September. I think we have already proven that we can and will create a highly professional and engaging event online and therefore everyone involved can expect a great occasion which will be professional, good fun and slick. In fact, online events like this if done well get far greater coverage than events that combine a lunch or dinner. Obviously online is different, but it still does a really great job in rewarding and generating publicity for the winners and in recognising excellent people and companies.

“I would particularly like to thank our partners who support this unique Awards programme and help us recognise the brilliant job our finalists and winners do for the UK meat industry.”

For companies wishing to be involved with partnership opportunities, email Michelle Ingerfield today: michelle.i@yandellmedia.com.

The 2020 Awards partners:

Event date is subject to ongoing Government rulings on public assembly and therefore the organisers reserve the right to make appropriate changes if required affecting the date or venue at their absolute discretion.