2024 Women In Meat Industry Awards winners unveiled

The winners of the 2024 Women In Meat Industry Awards were exclusively revealed at a sparkling ceremony in London on Friday 29th November.

Guests from all sectors of the meat industry gathered at the 5-star Royal Lancaster Hotel to hear who this year’s winners of the Women In Meat Industry Awards are, as the sector recognised the vitally important contributions that women make to the meat sector.

TV presenter, broadcaster, ‘Strictly’ contestant and tennis star Annabel Croft presented the awards, with category partners on hand to help reveal the results of the 13 award categories.

The presentations concluded with the prestigious Meat Businesswoman of the Year award, which was presented to Nompilo Sibanda of Pilgrim’s Europe, following an extensive voting and judging process. Nompilo also won the poultry category award.

Leisia Tudor, agriculture manager Beef and Lamb at Dunbia Group, was presented with the 2024 Rising Star Award.

The 2024 winners:

• The Rising Star Award: Leisia Tudor, Dunbia Group
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Trade Body: Carrie McDermid, AHDB
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Foodservice: Rachael Martin, Creed Foodservice Ltd
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Wholesaling: Fran Wyatt, Porky Whites Ltd
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Craft Butchery: Julie Mallinson, Kings Fine Cooked Meats
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Poultry: Nompilo Sibanda, Pilgrim’s Europe
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Training & Education: Alina Hancu, Pilgrim’s Europe
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Industry Supplier: Sally Molyneux, KP
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Livestock Procurement & Sustainability: Maggie Reilly, Liffey Meats
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Independent Retailing: Amy Nicholas, Morgan’s Butchery
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Multiple Retailing: Robyn Myers, ABP UK
• Meat Businesswoman Award – Manufacturing / Processing: Chantelle Burdett, Sofina Foods
• Meat Businesswoman of the Year Award: Nompilo Sibanda, Pilgrim’s Europe

Pam Brook, acting editor of Meat Management magazine, which organises and stages the awards, said: “Once again this year we saw some very deserving winners on the Women In Meat Industry Awards stage! It was fantastic to see the room full of people attending in support of women in the meat sector, and as always we had an excellent evening.

“These awards continue to go from strength to strength, and all of us at Meat Management are proud to be part of such an uplifting initiative. Speaking with guests it was clear to see that the industry really values these awards, which is why we keep hosting them each year!”

Special guest Annabel Croft added: “Meat plays such an important part in our diet and it was such a pleasure to be involved with this event. It was clear at the presentations this evening how much these awards mean to the recipients and it was a really special occasion. Well done to everyone involved.”

Publisher of Meat Management magazine, Graham Yandell MBE, commented: “We had a really enjoyable evening at the 2024 Women In Meat Industry Awards, where we celebrated many of the industry’s brightest stars.

“It is always an absolute pleasure to hold these awards, for what we believe is a truly important cause, and we will continue to support the work of women in the industry by providing the catalyst to celebrate their work. Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists this year – you are amazing!”

Visit womeninmeatawards.com to learn more about the initiative.