The winners of the West Country Women Awards were announced at a sold-out glittering ceremony at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth this week.
More than 360 guests, finalists, and sponsors from across the South West attended to celebrate winners across 16 categories.
The West Country Women Awards CIC celebrate and recognise women across the peninsular in all walks of life from women in sport, women in arts and Culture, women in health and wellbeing, combatting violence against women and girls to green business of the year and many more.
Chamber member Taunton Brewhouse’s Executive Director, Vickie Robbins, was honoured with the Women in Arts and Culture Award.
Vickie said: “It is an honour to accept this award, but it is truly the dedication and hard work of the entire Brewhouse team that has earned it. This has been an incredibly busy and rewarding year for us, filled with challenges, triumphs, and a relentless commitment to delivering exceptional arts and cultural experiences to our community.”
Hosts for the evening’s inspiring celebrations were Alexis Bowater OBE and Tess Stuber, co-founders of the West Country Women Awards. 
Alexis Bowater said: “Since we founded these awards three years ago, we have recognised and celebrated more than three and a half thousand amazing women across the region through our nominations.
“The finals are the culmination of that and give women a powerful platform to be seen and heard for their astonishing contributions to our community and to society. These awards are not just about business, they are about everybody’s business.”
The awards’ charity of the year was Gifted Women who support women who are rebuilding their lives after substance misuse, homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system, with fresh starts and pathways into the world of work.
More than £7,000 was raised on the night for the charity, including £1,000 donated from a Full Moon Fundraiser event by owners of Plymouth’s Drake’s Island in the summer.
Honoured guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Stevens MBE and Commodore Jake Moores The High Sheriff of Devon.
DLL Richard Stevens MBE helped to present the award for Small Business of the Year sponsored by Vivobarefoot and The High Sheriff joined Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Mark Kingscote to present joint winners of the Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls category.
Every sponsor on the night emphasised the outstanding calibre of their category finalists when presenting the winner with their West Country Women Awards trophy.
The Winners of the West Country Women Awards 2024 were:
The Women in Health & Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Andrew Hill Salon – Samantha Jackman, Boost Innovations, Cornwall
The Women in Property and Construction Award, sponsored by Ian Williams – Helena Chivers, Heritage Homes, Devon
The Employee of the Year Award, sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson – Rhea Crighton, Northern Devon Healthcare NHS, Devon
The Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls Award, sponsored by Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Devon and Cornwall – Dawn Dines, Stamp Out Spiking, Devon and Jeanie Lynch, CoLab Exeter, Devon
The Phoenix Award, sponsored by Michael Spiers Jewellers – Nicola ‘Rosie’ Steevenson, On A Mission, Devon
The Best Supporting Act Award, sponsored by Genius PR & Events – Ewelina Romanowska, EMR Business Management, Somerset
The Diversity and Equality Award, sponsored by Plymouth City Council: The Plymouth Charter – Alexis Wright, The Olive Project, Devon
The Women in STEM Award, sponsored by MSubs – Lyndsey Withers, Plymouth Soup Run & Plymouth NHS, Devon
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Continuum – Alison Logan, Bespoke + Local, Devon
The Inspirational Leader Award, sponsored by The Franchise Consultant – Sarah Sabater Romero, Care Your Way, Devon
The Women in Sport Award, sponsored by Kaya Gallery – Lexi Chambers, End2End, Devon
The Women in Arts and Culture Award, judged by Genius PR & Events – Vickie Robbins, Taunton Brewhouse, Somerset
The Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Vivobarefoot – Donna Davies, Kintota Care, Devon
The Green Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Cavanna Homes – Brittany Harris, Qflow, Devon
The Community Award, sponsored by South West Water – Isabel Livingstone, The Women’s Centre Cornwall, Cornwall
The Women in Food and Drink Award, judged by Axford & Heaton – Katie Marriot, Jamaica Inn, Cornwall
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