NOMINATION CRITERIA & CATEGORIES
Nomination criteria
Nominations are open to individuals who:
- Identify exclusively as women
- Are publicly and professionally recognised as women within their industry or sector
- Women working in any role across the food & drink industry in the UK and Ireland
Nominee job roles may include, but are not limited to:
- Leadership/Strategy
- Buying/Procurement
- Category Management
- Merchandising
- Product Development & Innovation
- Food Manufacturing
- Distribution & Logistics
- Sales & Account Management
- Marketing & Brand
- Foodservice Operations
- Hospitality Operations
- Drinks Manufacturing, HR & Administration.
Nominees may also work in roles supporting the industry, such as:
- Sustainability Consulting
- Packaging
- Procurement
- Project Management.
Individuals are required to nominate a colleague or themselves which is the first stage of the process, with a brief explanation for their nomination.
Once the nomination period has closed , individuals will be invited to submit a formal entry into the awards
Up to three nominations per individual are permitted.
Nominees must have been working in the industry before 1st November 2024.
Certain categories may be open to all genders; where this applies, it will be clearly stated in the category description.
Categories
Food Waste & Circular Economy Champion
Recognising leadership in waste reduction, recycling, and circular economy innovation.
Foodservice Leader of the Year
Recognises a woman demonstrating outstanding leadership in foodservice through innovation, strategic impact, and operational excellence.
Hospitality Hero
Recognising outstanding contribution to food and drink within hotels, restaurants, bars or catering; driving quality, customer experience, and team leadership.
Innovator of the Year
Celebrating women driving new ideas, products, or technologies in food and drink.
Leadership in Drinks Manufacturing
Honouring women driving innovation and quality in beverage production, from soft drinks to spirits.
Leadership in Food Manufacturing
Recognising excellence in food production and manufacturing leadership.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognising a trailblazer whose lifelong contributions have transformed the food and drink sector.
Marketing & Brand Leader
Recognising women who have shaped powerful food and drink brands through creativity and insight.
Policy & Advocacy Award
Honouring women influencing policy, regulation, or advocacy in food and drink.
Primary Producer of the Year
Celebrating women at the forefront of agriculture, fisheries, or, horticulture, aquaculture.
Product Developer of the Year
Celebrates a woman leading the creation, reformulation, or innovation of food and drink products that meet evolving consumer needs.
Retail and Buying Excellence Award
Celebrates a woman making a difference in buying, category management merchandising and retail operations. This award recognises commercial insight, supplier collaboration, and strategic thinking that drives consumer value and retail success.
Retail Innovator of the Year
For women transforming retail through strategy, technology, or customer experience.
Rising Star Award
Celebrating an emerging woman who is already making her mark early in her career.
Supply Chain & Logistics Leader
Recognising women who keep the food and drink industry moving; from sourcing to shelf.
Sustainability Champion
Recognising women leading the charge towards a greener, more responsible food system.
Technical & Quality Leader
For excellence in technical, regulatory, or food safety roles that ensure trust in our food system.
Woman of the Year
The most prestigious award, recognising an outstanding woman whose achievements have had a transformative impact on the food and drink industry.
