North East Champions Shine at Europe’s Largest Gender Equality Awards, the 2025 Northern Power Women Awards
The North East’s brightest role models and advocates for gender equality, innovation, and social impact have been recognised at the prestigious 2025 Northern Power Women Awards this month. Now in its ninth year, the event is the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe, spotlighting individuals and organisations leading positive change across industries. The event was co-headline partnered by Bank of America and Barclays.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2025 Northern Power Women Awards introduced new categories, with a record 15 winners and celebrating the incredible achievements of individuals and businesses across the North. Among the standout moments was Melanie Brown (Mel B) receiving the inaugural Public Spotlight award for her advocacy against domestic abuse, presented by We Are PoWEr CEO Simone Roche MBE.
Simone Roche MBE reflected on this milestone event: “The truly exceptional 2025 winners embody everything We Are PoWEr stands for: gender equality, diversity, business for good, and shared prosperity. Each year, the Awards grow in influence, and seeing the impact of this year’s winners makes me incredibly excited as we look ahead to our tenth awards in 2026.”
The North East led the way and shone brightly, with seven of the twenty winners and commended taking centre stage for their commitment to empowerment and social mobility being from the North East.
North East Winners and Commended:
Ann Stonehouse, Founder & Chair of Assist Women’s Network
Empowerment Champion – Winner
For nearly 20 years, Ann has championed women across the region, launching initiatives like Sisterwood and Widening Horizons to empower women in business and beyond. Through mentorship, training, and advocacy, she has driven real change, creating opportunities for future generations.
Susan Mulholland, freelance Writer and Creative Producer
Empowerment Champion – Commended
Susan empowers young people in the North East through creative storytelling, working with LGBTQIA+ groups in Gateshead, students with SEND at Sacred Heart High School, and grassroots women’s football teams to champion inclusivity. As Northern Stage’s Work Experience lead, she introduces underrepresented youth to theatre careers.
Nuvo Wellbeing
Micro Organisation – Winner
Founded by Bethany Ainsley in 2008, Nuvo Wellbeing has impacted over 50,000 people through its inclusive dance and wellbeing programmes, ensuring accessibility in deprived areas by removing financial barriers to prioritise talent and wellbeing. Committed to create lasting social change.
Digital Voice for Communities
Inclusive Innovation – Tech for Good – Winner
A trailblazer in digital inclusion and AI-driven storytelling, Digital Voice for Communities transforms access to technology for vulnerable individuals across the North East, empowering them with skills, confidence, and career pathways. Programs include DigitalMe and DreamIt. By anonymising voices while preserving accents, they inspire creativity, confidence, and future tech careers, driving true innovation and inclusion.
Rachel Brown of Northumbria University
Mentor of the Year – Winner
A long-time champion of mentorship, Rachel has guided students, professionals, and emerging leaders through outreach projects, CIPD North East’s mentoring scheme, and graduate programs. Her selfless dedication has changed countless lives.
Juliet Sanders, Founder of Feeding Families
Person with Purpose Charity/CIC – Winner
As founder and CEO of Feeding Families, Juliet has led the North East’s largest non-franchised food charity, supporting over 46,000 households and driving innovative solutions to fight food insecurity and share kindness. She’s a true testament to turning her personal hardship into a mission to help others.
Kayleigh Laverick, Founder of Mamma Social Co
Person with Purpose – Private Sector – Commended
After surviving a traumatic birth and postnatal depression, she launched a simple meetup in 2021 - Mamma Social Co is now a nationwide parental support network with 50+ groups and 17,000 parents, partnering with major brands (like John Lewis) she advocates for maternal health to combat postnatal isolation.
The 2025 Northern Power Women Awards are supported by partners including Co-Headline Bank of America and Barclays, plus, Bentley Motors, Accenture, BT Group, Connected Places Catapult, ASDA Property and Construction, Castle Peak Group, KPMG, Tetra Tech, Northumbrian Water, Royal London, 2m, JP Morgan, MSP Global, and PoWEr Pack.
Now entering its tenth year as a business and with the tenth Northern Power Women Awards set for March 2026, We Are PoWEr continues its commitment to driving change, amplifying the voices of those making a difference, and building a more inclusive and equitable future for the North East and beyond.
For more information, visit wearepower.net and follow @npwawards or #npwawards on social media.
