Nominations for the 2026 Women In Meat Industry Awards are now open
Nominations for the 2026 Women In Meat Industry Awards are now open
The 2026 campaign to find and honour top women working in the UK and Irish meat industry is now fully underway and is offering the unique opportunity for companies and individuals across the meat and food industry to nominate candidates.
Launched in 2018 to great acclaim, the annual Women In Meat Industry Awards is the biggest and most important initiative that recognises the significant and growing contribution that women make across the meat sector.
All winners will be revealed at the much anticipated 5-star ceremony and dinner later this year, which once again is taking pride of place at the prestigious Royal Lancaster Hotel, London on Friday evening 20th November.
Nomination deadline
The initial online nomination process will be open until Friday 26th June. Once the nomination process is completed, the selected finalists will be publicised shortly afterwards on the Women In Meat Industry Awards website, when the online voting stage will commence.
The coveted overall Meat Businesswoman of the Year recipient will be chosen from one of the category winners by a panel of judges.
The 2026 WIMIA categories
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Foodservice (catering butchery sector)
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Manufacturing / Processing
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Craft Butchery
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Poultry
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Trade Body
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Wholesaling
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Livestock Procurement & Sustainability
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Multiple Retailing
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Independent Retailing
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Industry Supplier
- Meat Businesswoman Award – Training & Education
- The Rising Star Award
- Meat Businesswoman of the Year Award
For the full category guide, visit www.womeninmeatawards.com/categories
Editor of Meat Management magazine Gwen Mostyn commented: “The annual Women In Meat Industry Awards is a highlight in the industry calendar and is exclusively driven by company or individual nominations and votes, which subsequently highlight those people who really make a difference.
“The 2026 campaign is now fully underway, which means the industry can nominate candidates in a range of categories. You might nominate one person or several in different categories, however, the main thing is to get those names put forward without delay.”
Sally Gunnell unveiled as 2026 host
Olympic gold medallist and inspirational woman Sally Gunnell will host the ceremony, which is expected to be another sellout occasion. Sally is the only woman to hold Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic track titles concurrently. She is widely recognised as an icon of British sport, and now makes it her main mission to promote health and wellbeing for people in the UK.
Publisher of Meat Management magazine Graham Yandell MBE added: “Sally is a perfect fit for the Women In Meat Industry Awards and aligns brilliantly with the annual event and the profile we bring to fantastic women who are high achievers in our industry. I know we can look forward to another memorable evening on 20th November.”
Nominations are now open. To put individuals forward for an award, visit www.womeninmeatawards.com/nominate
An early bird booking discount on table bookings is currently live, and booking a table now will save £155 compared to the normal price. Visit www.womeninmeatawards.com/tickets for details.
Find more information at www.womeninmeatawards.com
