After a flood of nominations, the finalists have been revealed for the Women in Meat Industry Awards 2018 and online voting for the winners is now open. 

There are four finalists in each of the categories, and industry can now vote for their favourites online based on who they feel has made an important contribution to the UK meat industry’s success or made a significant impact on the business or organisation they work with.

Readers can vote for their choice of winner for each category by clicking here before 31st July, where they can also view a mini career biography of each finalist.

The categories and finalists are as follows:

Meat Businesswoman Award – Foodservice

Helen Davies – Director at Woburn Country Foods Ltd
Jill Dawson – Head of HR at Althams Butchers
Penny Tomlinson – Managing director at Fairfax Meadow
Sonia Armanet – Senior category manager, Tulip food solutions at Tulip ltd

Meat Businesswoman Award – Retailing

Anna Bury – Sales & Marketing Director at Eversfield Organic
Jessica Graham – Beef category buyer at Sainsbury’s Supermarkets ltd
Lynsey Coughlan – Director at The Ginger Pig
Jodie Bolland – Senior buyer, Beef & Lamb at WM Morrisons plc

Meat Businesswoman Award – Manufacturing/Processing

Linda Lippiatt – Head of operations (Redruth) at Tulip ltd
Lisa Hand – Head of supply chain at Dunbia
Sharon Harper – Operations manager, Shrewsbury Retail at ABP UK
Victoria Broekhuizen – Purchasing manager at Samworth Brothers Ltd

Meat Businesswoman Award – Craft Butchery

Jan Corry – Partner at Corry’s Traditional Butchers
Ruth Davies – Charcutier at Cwmfarm Charcuterie Products
Jessica Leliuga – Joint proprietor at Ye Olde Sausage Shop
Sue Winders – Butchery manager at Makro Liverpool

Meat Businesswoman Award – Trade Body

Máire Burnett – Technical director at the British Poultry Council
Claire Holland – Manager at the Q Guild
Liz Murphy – Chief executive officer at the International Meat Trade Association (IMTA)
Fiona Steiger – Deputy director at the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA)

Meat Businesswoman Award – Wholesaling

Lucianne Allen – Sales and marketing director at Aubrey Allen
Nicola Chandler – Sales director at Direct Meats
Lindsay Murphy – regional training manager at Booker
Sally-Anne Thorley – Marketing & operations assistant at Weddel Swift Distributions ltd

The Rising Star Award

Laura Baker – Marketing manager at Edward’s of Conwy
Sophie Cave – Operational finance lead at Tulip ltd
Caroline Houghton – Office manager at J W Mettrick & Son ltd
Phillippa Helme – NPD and ingredients sourcing technologist at Dovecote Park ltd

Once the votes have been counted and the category winners established, a panel of industry judges will select an overall outstanding individual for the Meat Businesswomen of the Year accolade who will also receive this special additional award at the black-tie dinner on 16th November.

Organiser YPL Exhibitions & Events reports that the Women In Meat Industry Awards campaign has received a tremendous response from industry, exceeding expectations. Multiple candidates have been nominated, strong interest has been shown in the awards dinner and all of the categories have achieved sponsorship.

Recent new category partners to support the campaign include Maritime Cargo Services and Columbus Global. They join Kerry Taste & Nutrition, RSPCA Assured, Proseal, Cutting Edge Services, Marel, Ladies In Pigs, Ladies In Beef and The Institute of Meat.

Awards organiser Emma Cash said: “We are absolutely delighted with the response we have received to the Women In Meat Industry Awards. Our inaugural campaign has seen a high number of names put forward, multiple commercial partners signing up to show their support and in addition we are receiving enquiries about tickets and tables for the presentation dinner almost every day.
“We look forward to seeing the response we receive to the voting process for our finalists ahead of celebrating and crowning our winners in London on 16th November at The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, with celebrity host and businesswoman Lesley Waters.”

Cast your votes now, or before 31st July, at www.womeninmeatawards.com.

Any queries can be directed to Emma Cash on 01908 613323 or emma.c@yandellmedia.com.

Some partnership opportunities are also available for the awards dinner. For more information about supporting the campaign, contact Michelle Ingerfield: michelle.i@yandellmedia.com.