Less than two days after the finalists were revealed and voting went live for the Women In Meat Industry Awards, organisers have reported an amazing response - with around 1,000 votes already received.
Following a host of nominations, the finalists were unveiled for the inaugural Women in Meat Industry Awards 2018 earlier this week and industry was offered the opportunity to vote for their choice of winners online.
There are four finalists in each of the categories, and now those working alongside these women in the industry are being asked to select their winning-candidate in each category, based on who they feel has made an important or unique contribution to the UK meat industry’s success, or made a significant impact at the organisation they work for.
Since voting went live, the votes have been pinging through non-stop and before the weekend has hit, close to 1,000 have already been received.
Awards organiser Emma Cash said: “We are overwhelmed by the response we have received to this new awards initiative. We knew there was a place in the market for a campaign like this one but to have received this number of nominations so soon after launch is truly amazing.
“We have also seen people take to social media to spread word of the campaign, with our hashtag #WomenInMeat lighting up Twitter!”
Meat Management publisher Graham Yandell added: “Our awards initiatives and industry events are always well received but never have we received a response quite on this scale. I am pleased to report that all category partnerships for the Women In Meat Awards have also been taken up by important businesses and organisations in the UK meat sector.
"We are delighted to see industry getting behind this important campaign and look forward to seeing the votes continuing to roll in.”
Readers can vote for their choice of winner for each category by clicking here before 31st July, where they can also view a mini career biography of each finalist.
The categories and finalists are as follows:
Meat Businesswoman Award – FoodserviceHelen Davies – Director at Woburn Country Foods LtdJill Dawson – Head of HR at Althams ButchersPenny Tomlinson – Managing director at Fairfax MeadowSonia Armanet – Senior category manager, Tulip food solutions at Tulip ltd
Meat Businesswoman Award – RetailingAnna Bury – Sales & Marketing Director at Eversfield OrganicJessica Graham – Beef category buyer at Sainsbury’s Supermarkets ltdLynsey Coughlan – Director at The Ginger PigJodie Bolland – Senior buyer, Beef & Lamb at WM Morrisons plc
Meat Businesswoman Award – Manufacturing/ProcessingLinda Lippiatt – Head of operations (Redruth) at Tulip ltdLisa Hand – Head of supply chain at DunbiaSharon Harper – Operations manager, Shrewsbury Retail at ABP UKVictoria Broekhuizen – Purchasing manager at Samworth Brothers Ltd
Meat Businesswoman Award – Craft ButcheryJan Corry – Partner at Corry’s Traditional ButchersRuth Davies – Charcutier at Cwmfarm Charcuterie ProductsJessica Leliuga – Joint proprietor at Ye Olde Sausage ShopSue Winders – Butchery manager at Makro Liverpool
Meat Businesswoman Award – Trade BodyMáire Burnett – Technical director at the British Poultry CouncilClaire Holland – Manager at the Q GuildLiz Murphy – Chief executive officer at the International Meat Trade Association (IMTA)Fiona Steiger – Deputy director at the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA)
Meat Businesswoman Award – WholesalingLucianne Allen – Sales and marketing director at Aubrey AllenNicola Chandler – Sales director at Direct MeatsLindsay Murphy – regional training manager at BookerSally-Anne Thorley – Marketing & operations assistant at Weddel Swift Distribution Ltd
The Rising Star AwardLaura Baker – Marketing manager at Edward’s of ConwySophie Cave – Operational finance lead at Tulip ltdCaroline Houghton – Office manager at J W Mettrick & Son ltdPhillippa Helme – NPD and ingredients sourcing technologist at Dovecote Park Ltd
In addition, a panel of industry judges will select an overall outstanding individual for the Meat Businesswoman of the Year accolade who will receive this prestigious award at the black-tie dinner and ceremony on 16th November hosted by chef and businesswoman Lesley Waters.
Cast your votes now, or before 31st July, at www.womeninmeatawards.com/vote.
Any queries about the Awards or the Awards Dinner can be directed to Emma Cash on 01908 613323 or emma.c@yandellmedia.com.
Some select sponsorship opportunities are available for the dinner. For more information about becoming involved, contact Michelle Ingerfield by emailing: michelle.i@yandellmedia.com.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
