Celebrating Extraordinary Women

In this, our 70th year, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women has never been more important. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, tension and divide, we welcome the women who, in spite of adversity, embody courage, determination and ingenuity; continuing to shape our world and communities for the better.

Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE DL, President and Vix Brenninkmeijer, Chair, welcomed and celebrated the remarkable achievements of 400 extraordinary women on Monday 13th October 2025 at the Royal Lancaster London.

Celebrating our Lionesses Past and Present

The trailblazing Lionesses – both past pioneers and present players – have been named the Women of the Year 2025. The award honours their game-changing impact on women’s football and their lasting influence on gender equality in sport.

The 2025 Women of the Year Lunch and Awards, held in London on 13 October 2025 and hosted by actor, comedian and presenter Mel Giedroyc, celebrated the team’s collective efforts to secure investment, visibility, and respect for women’s sport. The event also honoured the achievements of the Red Roses.

The award celebrates a legacy that stretches back almost 53 years to the founding of England’s women’s national football team following a 50-year FA ban. The team was recognised for recent successes, including winning back-to-back European Championships in 2022 and 2025.

The award celebrates the players, coaches, and leaders who laid the foundations for today’s triumphs, breaking down barriers and championing equality long before the game gained mainstream recognition.

A squad attended the ceremony to receive the honour, representing different generations of the women’s game. These trailblazers included:

Patricia Gregory MBE – Co-founded the WFA and helped overturn the FA’s ban on women’s football.
Morag Pearce – Defender in England’s first women’s international and mentor to new players.
Lynda Hale – Scored in England’s first women’s international and won seven FA Cups.
Carol Thomas BEM – England’s first female to 50 caps and long-time national team captain.
Gill Coultard MBE – England’s first 100-cap player and a legend of Doncaster Belles.
Hope Powell CBE – England’s first full-time women’s coach and a trailblazer in leadership.
Sue Hough MBE – The FA’s first Women’s Football Coordinator and represented women’s football on the FA Council for over 25 years.
Baroness Sue Campbell CBE – FA leader who transformed women’s football nationwide.
Kelly Simmons OBE – Architect of the Women’s Super League and modern women’s game.
Rachel Pavlou – Led grassroots growth and recognition for generations of Lionesses.

The 2025 Women of the Year Honourees

The Lunch & Awards celebrated an inspiring community of women creating real change, with recipients reflecting the Women of the Year values: leading with purpose, inspiring change, and making a lasting difference to the lives of others.

This year’s award winners included:

Sysco, Thomas Franks, Bidfood, Nestle, Sodexo, and Elior. Game Changer Award: Jane Byam Shaw OBE (Trustee for The Felix Project).
For her exceptional contribution to tackling food waste and supporting those in need across London.

Student.com Woman in Education Award: Louisa Mitchell MBE (CEO of AllChild).
For delivering community-led support for children and families across west London.

Gilead & Kite Campaigner for Health Equity Award: Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan (NHS Consultant in Sexual Health & HIV Medicine).
A researcher and advocate for equity in sexual health & HIV.

Vodafone Women in Sports Innovation Award: Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE (Former England cricketer and Director of Women’s Cricket at Surrey).

Linklaters Pioneering Woman of the Year: Jaz Rabadia MBE (Sustainability Leader & Advocate for Women in STEM).

Lorraine Trailblazer Award: Sarah Harrison, presented by Lorraine Kelly CBE.