Sophie Ford-Wilkinson named Freeths Woman with Edge 2026 at Women of the Year Awards

Sophie Ford-Wilkinson, Founding Trustee of The Holly House Charitable Foundation, has been named as the winner of the Freeths-sponsored Woman with Edge Award at the 2026 Women of the Year Awards (WOTY).

More than 400 guests came together at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium for the 44th annual awards, celebrating women making an impact across business and their communities. This was the first non-matchday event to be hosted at the new City Hall development at the stadium.

A longstanding supporter of WOTY, Freeths sponsors the Woman with Edge Award, recognising women who demonstrate courage, individuality and a determination to make a difference.

Sophie was shortlisted alongside fellow Woman with Edge finalists Deborah Batchelor, Shanie Chaudry-Goodall, Samantha Fletcher-Goodwin, Avril Grant, Cat Jones, Daisy Kelly, Michelle Nunkoo, Michelle Laithwaite and Leigh Mellis.

Lisa Gilligan, Partner at Freeths and judge of the Woman with Edge Award, said: “We met a wonderful range of finalists from different backgrounds and with very different experiences, all inspirational in their own way.

“What stood out about Sophie was her determination and practical impact, including her work to grow CPOMS, the safeguarding platform, from 1,700 schools to over 20,000 organisations. It now helps to protect more than 8.4 million children worldwide. That kind of contribution and meaningful achievement is exactly what the Woman with Edge Award was created to recognise.”

Freeths Managing Associate Zalena Vandrewala, who is Chair of Women of the Year, added: “What makes WOTY so special is the community that has grown around it. It genuinely cares, opens doors, shares opportunities and understands that we are stronger when we support one another.

“It’s not simply about celebrating success once a year. It’s about making sure emerging businesswomen are seen, heard and supported long after the awards are over.”

The ceremony also saw Laura Keir, CEO of Protein Works, named Business Woman of the Year, while writer and human rights campaigner Zerbanoo Gifford received the Emmeline Pankhurst Award for Woman of Achievement. The late Baroness Helen Newlove was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work supporting victims’ rights and community safety.