Organisers are promising a ‘spectacular event’ to mark the 10th anniversary of the awards which will seek to celebrate ‘a decade of exceptional women and unsung heroines’. Tony McDonough reports

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Merseyside Women of the Year Awards – now in its 10th year.

And organisers are promising a “spectacular event” to mark the 10th anniversary of the awards which will seek to celebrate “a decade of exceptional women and unsung heroines” from across the Liverpool city region.

The 2020 awards ceremony will take at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool city centre on Friday, June 26, with nominations closing at 5pm on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. The official launch was attended by Liverpool Lord Mayor Anna Rothery, as well as sponsors and past winners.

Organisers Ellen Kerr and Jean Gadsby spoke of their pride in being able to provide a platform for women making a difference in Merseyside and their plans for the event’s future.

The duo took over the running of the event in 2010, transforming it into one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions in the city’s social calendar and creating a community affectionately known as the ‘MWOTY family’.

Jean said: “When we took over the awards we had no idea how it would grow. Our only aim was to provide the region with an event that had heart. An event that allowed us to find the amazing women working hard in our community to make a difference – the ones that ask nothing for themselves – and shine a spotlight on them.”

The event has doubled in size over the past decade, with a waiting list introduced ahead of last year’s sold-out event, which welcomed 500 people to the Crowne Plaza.

“We aimed to do things differently. Small things like bringing finalists together ahead of the big event and network, providing them with free tickets instead of expecting them to buy them,” said Ellen.

“And allowing our winners – not just our sponsors – to speak on the night, so they could use the platform to promote their work to an audience that could help them move forward and expand their connectivity.”

In the run up to the 2020 event, the organisation will be looking back at the stories of past overall and category winners, bringing supporters up to date on the work they have done and how the MWOTY platform and family has supported them.

The independent awards ceremony, which celebrates the achievements of women from across Merseyside features categories including Arts & Culture, Business Leader, Community Change, Entrepreneur, Inspirational, Social Impact, Women’s Group, Women Making a Difference, Women of Courage and Young Female Apprentice.

The overall Merseyside Woman of the Year 2020 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.

The coveted top prize will once again be presented by Michael W Halsall Solicitors, who return as headline sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. 

You can nominate online, via email or by post. Click here for more information