2025 Women In Meat Industry Awards winners revealed

2025 Women In Meat Industry Awards winners revealed

The 2025 Women In Meat Industry Awards winners were unveiled on Friday 21st November in London during an exclusive and much anticipated awards ceremony.

Individuals, including those working in the manufacturing, retailing, processing, foodservice, trade body and training sectors were recognised, both as finalists and category winners.

There was a palpable buzz in the air as an excited meat industry came together at the 5-star Royal Lancaster Hotel in London for the annual Women In Meat Industry Awards dinner and ceremony, which celebrate the outstanding contributions that women make to the sector.

Top impressionist Rory Bremner hosted this year’s ceremony together with actor, broadcaster and writer Julie Peasgood, both presenting the 2025 category winners with certificates or trophies, and entertaining guests during the evening.

The presentations concluded with the prestigious Meat Businesswoman of the Year accolade, which was awarded to Michelle White of Dawn Meats following the recent voting and judging process. Michelle also won the Manufacturing category award. Rachel Barnwell of Aubrey Allen Ltd was presented with the 2025 Rising Star Award.

This year, a surprise special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Christine Walsh, the CEO of the Food & Drink Training & Education Council (ftc).

Christine commented: “I was totally overwhelmed and surprised by this award and was delighted to receive it. The Women In Meat Industry Awards offers a much-needed recognition of the wealth of talent we have in the meat industry and it has been a pleasure to be part of it.”

The 2025 winners:

Meat Businesswoman of the Year Award: Michelle White, Dawn Meats

The Rising Star Award:  Rachel Barnwell, Aubrey Allen Ltd

Meat Businesswoman Award – Trade Body: Nan Jones, BMPA

Meat Businesswoman Award – Foodservice (Catering Butcher): Rachael Hirst, Sykes House Farm

Meat Businesswoman Award – Wholesaling: Adele Rooney, Kings Fine Cooked Meats

Meat Businesswoman Award – Craft Butchery: Shona Marshall, Marshall’s Farm Shop

Meat Businesswoman Award – Poultry: Beatriz Curran, Pilgrim’s Europe

Meat Businesswoman Award – Training & Education: Kate Taylor, ABP UK

Meat Businesswoman Award – Industry Supplier: Claire Graham, Dalziel Ltd

Meat Businesswoman – Lifetime Achievement Award: Christine Walsh, Food & Drink Training & Education Council

Meat Businesswoman Award – Livestock Procurement & Sustainability: Katie Major, Danish Crown UK

Meat Businesswoman Award – Independent Retailing: Alison Gault-More, W. Reid Butchers

Meat Businesswoman Award – Multiple Retailing: Kate Smith-Bingham, Waitrose & Partners

Meat Businesswoman Award – Manufacturing/Processing: Michelle White, Dawn Meats

The overall Meat Businesswoman of the Year, Michelle White of Dawn Meats, commented: “I am honoured to receive this important accolade and offer my congratulations to all the category winners and finalists.

“We at Dawn Meats and Dunbia have supported the Women In Meat Industry Awards from the outset and to win this award is outstanding. Thank you to the judges and to everyone who voted.”

Editor of Meat Management magazine Gwen Mostyn, who stage and organise the event, added: “It is a delight to see so many women celebrated at the 2025 ceremony. It is vital that we continue to recognise the brilliant work of women in the meat sector, and it is clear to see that guests value the opportunity to attend this event in support of their friends and colleagues!”

Publisher of Meat Management magazine, Graham Yandell MBE, said: “This initiative and the awards ceremony goes from strength-to-strength. With more than 9,000 votes this year the engagement from all across the industry is unique.

“It is a pleasure to celebrate the industry’s brightest stars as part of these awards. The atmosphere in the room tonight was incredible, and it was great to see winners and finalists, plus the award partners, come together and show their support for one another. This sector consistently needs talent, creativity and passion, and these ladies not only have it in abundance but are fantastic role models too!”

More information about the annual Women In Meat Industry Awards can be found at the website: womeninmeatawards.com