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Awards 

Our annual Awards stand as a testament to the extraordinary contributions women, men, individuals and teams make to defence.

Every winner has a story of overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and effecting positive change within their organisations. By sharing their stories through our awards, we hope to inspire more individuals to step forward, challenge barriers, and contribute to the transformation of the defence sector.

Awards 2024 highlights

Watch the highlights from the ninth Women in Defence UK Awards. This year we recognised 11 women, teams and organisations for their achievements protecting the nation and helping us to champion and progress gender equity.

Woman of the Year 2024

PA Consulting

Partner

Captain Victoria Kinkaid

Army

Inspirational Award 2024

Lockheed Martin

Partner

Winner

Captain Victoria Kinkaid

Army

Finalists

Louise Speaight

L3Harris

Ruth

GCHQ

Captain Victoria Kinkaid

Army

Shortlist

Louise Speaight

L3Harris

Ruth

GCHQ

Captain Victoria Kinkaid

Army

Elsa Hogan

Rolls Royce

Lieutenant Commander Heather Crossley

Royal Navy

Kelly Van Nelson

Serco

Outstanding Contribution Award 2024

BAE Systems

Partner

Winner

Petty Officer Charlotte Storey

Royal Navy

Finalists

Petty Officer Charlotte Storey

Royal Navy

Debbie Storey

RBSL

Ruth Mitchell-Duthie

MOD

Shortlist

Petty Officer Charlotte Storey

Royal Navy

Debbie Storey

RBSL

Ruth Mitchell-Duthie

MOD

Captain Esther Caddy

Army

Kat Bavington

DE&S, MOD

Leading Engineering Technician Myan Fatal-Turpin

Royal Navy

Tanya Parks

Most Collaborative Award 2024

KBR

Partner

Winner

Lauren

MI5

Finalists

Bethany Ling

MOD

Lauren

MI5

Nicki Gabelle

UK DSC

Shortlist

Bethany Ling

MOD

Lauren

MI5

Nicki Gabelle

UK DSC

Cara Kelly

Babcock International

Michelle Howard

D Group

Natalie Kent

Babcock International

Nicola Hill

Babcock International

Samantha Norton

Babcock International

Resolute Spirit Award 2024

Royal Navy

Partner

Winner

Sergeant Melissa Towell

Army

Finalists

Emma Elgar

Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd

Captain Katrina Matthews

Army

Sergeant Melissa Towell

Army

Shortlist

Emma Elgar

Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd

Captain Katrina Matthews

Army

Sergeant Melissa Towell

Army

Chloe Barker

DSTL, MOD

Nicola evans

MOD

Equity of Opportunity Award 2024

Accenture

Partner

Winner

Natalie Desty

STEM Returners

Finalists

Natalie Desty

STEM Returners

Rachael Stevenson

Serco

Sam Fox

Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd.

Shortlist

Natalie Desty

STEM Returners

Rachael Stevenson

Serco

Sam Fox

Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd.

Becky Cooper

Costain

Kat Swan

Babcock International

Kim Agate

DSTL, MOD

Emerging Talent Award 2024

Army

Partner

Winner

Seren White

NP Aerospace

Finalists

Hattie Wood

PwC

Acting Corporal Lauren McGuire

Royal Air Force

Seren White

NP Aerospace

Shortlist

Hattie Wood

PwC

Acting Corporal Lauren McGuire

Royal Air Force

Seren White

NP Aerospace

Nintse Dan-The

Northrup Grumman UK

Noorhantosha Sharrai

BAE Systems

Polly Banks

Boeing

Simren Sondh

DE&S, MOD

Unsung Heroines Award 2024

Leidos

Partner

Winner

Gemma Whitley

Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd.

Finalists

Fiona Hitchcock

BAE Systems

Gemma Whitley

Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd.

Rachel Baldwin

Amentum

Shortlist

Fiona Hitchcock

BAE Systems

Gemma Whitley

Frazer Nash Consultancy Ltd.

Rachel Baldwin

Amentum

Sergeant Jamie Morton

Army

Corporal Lucy Blair

Army

Becky

GCHQ

Susan James

QINETIQ

Innovation and Sustainability 2024

QinetiQ

Partner

Winner

Cheryl

GCHQ

Finalists

Anisha Patel

Airbus Defence and Space

Cheryl

GCHQ

Nikki Antoniou

Airbus Defence and Space Ltd.

Shortlist

Anisha Patel

Airbus Defence and Space

Cheryl

GCHQ

Nikki Antoniou

Airbus Defence and Space Ltd.

Hannah Cowley

QINETIQ

Laura Anderson

Atkins Realis

Champion for Maximising Talent Award 2024

Northrop Grumman

Partner

Winner

British Peace Support Team (Africa)

UKSTRATCOM

Finalists

Aileen Grant

Sandhurst Sisterhood

British Peace Support Team (Africa)

UKSTRATCOM

Inspiring Women's Network, Maritime Services

BAE Systems

Shortlist

Aileen Grant

Sandhurst Sisterhood

British Peace Support Team (Africa)

UKSTRATCOM

Inspiring Women's Network, Maritime Services

BAE Systems

L3HARRIS WE3 UK Chapter

L3HARRIS

LEIDOS UK Women's Network

LEIDOS

Inclusive Teamwork Award 2024

Royal Air Force

Partner

Winner

Rolls-Royce Bristol Gender Diversity Network and Inclusion Champions

Rolls-Royce Defence - Bristol

Finalists

Families Policy Team; Armed Forces Families & Safeguarding

MOD

Rolls-Royce Bristol Gender Diversity Network and Inclusion Champions

Rolls-Royce Defence - Bristol

Reframe Team

Babcock International Group

Shortlist

Families Policy Team; Armed Forces Families & Safeguarding

MOD

Rolls-Royce Bristol Gender Diversity Network and Inclusion Champions

Rolls-Royce Defence - Bristol

Reframe Team

Babcock International Group

Pause for Thought Peer Support Group

BAE Systems

WWLR UK Lead Linguists

WWLR UK