West Country Women Awards 2024

Who we are:

We are Alexis Bowater OBE, journalist, broadcaster and womens' campaigner, and award-winning businesswoman Tess Stuber who together launched the massively successful West Country Women Awards in 2022. 

We had another successful year last year and now we are on a set path to celebrate and honour the achievements of the women in the West Country, recognising their outstanding contributions to various fields and their positive impact on the community for another year. Through this platform, we aim to empower, inspire and support women, fostering a culture of inclusivity and equality while highlighting their remarkable accomplishments. We would love you to join us in recognising the amazing women that surround us all over the region -  we want you on board! 

What we will do:

Last year we had more than 1,500 nominations. Sixteen categories. Ninety six semi finalists. Fifty finalists. And sixteen winners at our sold-out Grand Final filled with glitz, glamour and gloriously inspirational stories on December 1st.

That's an amazing increase in women who were nominated and receiving that email to their inbox to say that they had been noticed, across all walks of life, being celebrated. Amazing!

This year we are back with another years' worth of events lined up and some new things as well. We still have some categories available and you can get involved right now as a sponsor. It would be fantastic to welcome you to the West Country Women Awards.

And it goes without saying: This year again, we will be making it not just about business - but about everybody's business.

We are awards with purpose.

You can get involved in lots of easy and rewarding ways: 

1./ Sponsoring a category.

2./ Buying a table and being an Awards Night Sponsor.

3./ Getting involved as an Event Series Sponsor.

4./ Nominating your colleagues, friends and family.

5./ Buying your tickets to the finals right now and making sure you don't miss out on a night to remember! 

Don't forget we have all the categories from last year - and more. 

• The Women in Health and Wellbeing Award 
• Women in Sport Award
• The Diversity and Equality Award
• The Inspirational Leader of the Year Award
• The Women in STEM Award
• Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls Award
• The Women in Charity Award *Available*
• The Small Business of the Year *Available*
• Women in Green Business *Available*
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• Best Supporting Act *Available*
• Women in Food & Drink *Available*
• Women in Property & Construction Award
• Women in Tech *Available*
• Employee of the Year Award
• Women in Arts & Culture *Available*
• The Phoenix Award - for the woman who has risen from the ashes.
• And a couple of extra surprise categories that we haven't had before...

Why this matters

These awards matter because we still, in 2024, need to talk about diversity and inclusion, to work towards a better, fairer and safer world for women everywhere. 

The West Country is an absolute hotbed of talent but it is so often unrecognised - and we are changing that. 

We know that one of the main reasons women are held back is because they don't put themselves forward and our experiences of running networking groups here in the South West have shown us that peer-to-peer support, informal mentoring and inspirational speakers and events rocket-fuel their confidence. 

We believe most strongly in the 'if you can see it, you can be it' philosophy. 

And our findings are backed up by one of the biggest banks on the planet. NatWest's Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship 2020 revealed that 'barriers to women's progress include a lack of confidence, peer mentoring and networking'. It identified 'The Imposter Syndrome' as a key factor in inhibiting women's self development. 

So, LET'S KEEP ON WORKING TO CHANGE THAT!

We have begun to build a solid community of people determined to raise up women, to celebrate them and to recognise what they do, right here on our doorsteps, in the West Country. 

We are a CIC, dedicated to supporting and recognising women, so all help and support is welcome and we are so very grateful for all the support that we have been given over the last few years, it is impossible for us to deliver this vital support without being supported ourselves! Sincerely, Thank you.

Sponsor a category, sponsor a table, sponsor the event, nominate and pay for a social media shoutout - but join the party now because it's going to be a wonderful few months.

What impact do we want to have?

It's not just about joining a community, it's about raising and reflecting what's happening in our community, joining forces to share values, passion and purpose. 

It's also about getting YOUR voice heard, making a difference and supporting other women. 

Our charity this year is Gifted Women. Jenny Adjene was announced the winner of the Women in Charity Award 2023 and is the founder and Director of Gifted Women. Jenny set up her charity to support women who are rebuilding their lives after substance misuse, homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system, with fresh starts and pathways into the world of work. Every year we will support a charity of the year. Every year we will choose that charity from nominations or winners of our categories. 

What will we spend the money on?

Funds raised will help us to prepare and launch the events that we are so well known for! The money will help us to run our semi-finalists and finalists networking events, the Summer BBQ at Heligan is another wonderful way for the community to gather and connect too. Of course the glittering awards finals will be the cherry on top - held on November 28th 2024 at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, once more. 

Get involved:

So get involved to enjoy seven months of networking, celebration, reflection, recognition, confidence building and support - plus meetups for the summer BBQ, the nominations launch, for the semi-finalist announcement and the finalist announcement too and more ... fabulous networking opportunities all round!

Pledge what you can:

We know that the cost of living has impacted many people and businesses. If you can, please support us with what you can: for as little as a £15 pledge we will give you a social media shoutout. 

Or -  if you are a business why not sponsor one of our categories, maybe a new one -we are open to all your ideas! 

Or -  sponsor a table, sponsor the event - but whatever you do, join the party now because it's going to be a wonderful few months.  

We can't wait to have you on board! Be part of it. Be active. Be passionate. Be involved. We can't wait for you to join the West Country Women Awards family here in 2024. 

Who's in?

We are looking forward to seeing you soon!