Freeths Manchester hosts penultimate celebration with finalists ahead of prestigious Women of the Year Awards 2025

Leading law firm Freeths welcomed finalists and judges of the 2025 Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards (WOTY) at its Manchester office today ( Friday 5th September), for an inspiring afternoon of networking and celebration ahead of the anticipated awards ceremony on 10th October.

Now in its 43rd year, the national awards continue to honour and spotlight the achievements of exceptional women across the UK. Past winners include influential figures such as Baroness Karren Brady, the late Dame Julie Kenny CBE, Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, Fiona Allen and Jenny Campbell.

This year’s finalists represent a broad spectrum of industries — from media and education to healthcare, hospitality, engineering, construction, and manufacturing — each one showcasing the strength, innovation and leadership of women in business today.

As a key sponsor, Freeths was proud to host the event for a second consecutive year, welcoming all the 2025 finalists to a networking lunch at its Manchester office for their first official introduction. The afternoon saw judges conduct interviews with each of the finalists from the Freeths Woman with Edge Award, offering valuable insights into the stories and successes of each candidate, helping to establish a rounded picture of their journey.

Lisa Gilligan, Freeths’ Partner and WOTY advocate, said: “Every year, the Women of the Year Awards shine a light on the exceptional talent and inspiring journeys of women across the UK, and this year is no exception. Meeting the finalists at our Manchester office was a powerful reminder of the resilience, innovation and leadership that these women bring to their industries. It’s an honour to be part of an event that not only celebrates achievement but also uplifts and connects women who are shaping the future of business.”

The 2025 ceremony will once again feature three prestigious awards: Businesswoman of the Year, Freeths’ Woman with Edge, and the Emmeline Pankhurst Award: Woman of Achievement — introduced last year to honour the awards’ move to Manchester, the birthplace of the suffragette movement.

Zalena Vandrewala, Chair of the WOTY Board and Managing Associate at Freeths, added: “Freeths has been a dedicated sponsor of WOTY for more than 15 years, and has played a pivotal role in championing our women in business. As we’re approaching our second season of WOTY in Manchester, we’re excited to see how it continues to evolve while staying true to its mission: elevating and empowering women from all walks of life. The energy and ambition from the finalists at the Freeths’ event on Friday were really uplifting, and we can’t wait to meet with everybody again next month for the luncheon at the Etihad Stadium.”

Following its Manchester debut last year, the WOTY Awards 2025 will take place for a second time at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium on Friday, 10 October, with Aldermore Bank returning as headline sponsor for the third consecutive year. Other sponsors of the event include LSH Auto, Strategi Solutions and Pertemps.

The event will welcome over 400 guests, including WOTY President Sally Lindsay, Patrons Jenny Campbell and Arti Halai, and Directors Zalena Vandrewala and Wendy Dean.