A longstanding advocate of the city region’s women, the Merseyside Women of the Year awards has been quietly supporting its winners and finalists to grow, develop and thrive for 16 years, creating a powerful impact in the city

This year’s Merseyside Women of the Year awards (MWOTY) has taken an approach that strongly connects to the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day – Give to Gain.

The global celebration takes place on Sunday, March 8, with initiatives and events taking place throughout the month. This year’s ‘Give to Gain’ theme encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration and emphasises the power of reciprocity and support.

“This year’s theme for IWD is one that is so close to my heart,” says MWOTY founding director, Ellie Kerr. 

“The organisers of IWD 2026 have said of the theme: ‘Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise’ – this idea is central to the founding principles of MWOTY and is behind the success of our network.

“Being an MWOTY finalist isn’t just about the day of the awards. It doesn’t stop once your sparkly frock has gone back in the wardrobe. The awards ceremony is just the start. We are a movement not a moment.”

Since taking the helm of the awards in 2010 and later becoming a sole director in 2022, Ellie has worked to ensure that the event delivers on its reputation as a platform for exceptional women from across the region to be seen, heard, and found.

She adds: “It’s easy for MWOTY to be dismissed as just another women’s awards ceremony, but we know that we are doing things differently.

“We invest in our alumni each year, using the MWOTY Legacy Fund to provide networking and training opportunities and other support. We provide podcasting opportunities, host events and connect winners and finalists with others in our network so they can do business together.

“Even our sponsors are different, they don’t just write a cheque and sit back – they provide mentoring to their category winners each year to help them grow and thrive.

“As they do, we find that they are then feeding back into the network, nominating others, sponsoring and skill-sharing. They are living and breathing the ethos of giving to gain.

“Together we are creating a legacy and a powerful eco-system that allows our alumni, supporters and sponsors to work together long after awards day finishes.

“Their values and social principles align with ours and that is why they support us and we are so lucky to have that level of commitment. After the event, within all this, that is where the magic really happens way beyond the one day in June.”

MWOTY’s alumni includes a host of high-profile business and charity leaders, multi-award winners, recipients of the King’s award for voluntary service and enterprise, and the British Empire Medal and MBEs.

“After winning an MWOTY, we often see success snowballing for finalists and winners,” Ellie says. “They are shortlisted for and win other awards, their business grows, opportunities open up.

“We know being recognised at MWOTY and forming strong relationships through MWOTY, greatly contributes to this success.

“Acknowledgment from MWOTY not only highlights individual expertise but opens doors to new opportunities and influential collaborations. Further outcomes of mentorship, inspiration and shared learning help drive a continuing growth and excellence mindset.”

There is still more than a month to go until MWOTY 2026 nominations close on Monday, March 30. The awards recently announced Rathbones as its new headline sponsor and its commeré for 2026 is broadcaster and presenter, Leanne Campbell.

Ellie explained: “Being a MWOTY finalist really can make a huge impact, particularly for women who tend to shy away from the limelight, so if there is someone doing exceptional work that you think could benefit from being part of MWOTY, you still have time to nominate them.”

The 2026 MWOTY awards will take place on Friday, June 26, at the Crowne Plaza, Liverpool waterfront. There are a range of categories including Business Leader, Women Making a Difference, Community Leader, Entrepreneur, Social Impact, Inspirational Women, Arts, Media & Culture and Women of Courage.

The overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2026 will be selected from all finalists, following a public vote (contributing 50% of the overall score) and being marked by the organisation’s judging panel against its criteria, which can be viewed here, contributing the remaining 50% of the final score.

Nominations can be submitted by clicking here.