"The feeling can't be beaten": your WRA25 finalists on what it means to them

On 15th October, we'll be celebrating the incredible finalists of the Women's Recognition Awards 2025 and announcing our winners at Exhibition White City in London!

Before  we get to the big event, we wanted to hear more from our finalists about their experience of making the shortlist.

Read what they had to say below, and click here to learn about how you can get involved in WRA25...

I can't believe it to be honest, I didn't think I stood a chance but here we are. DEI and mental health are two areas I am genuinely passionate about, so I'm thrilled to be a finalist in this category, to raise awareness and continue the conversation.

-     Tara Hanratty, Crystal Mortgages Ltd, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Mental Health Advocate finalist

Wow! This is an incredible surprise and such an incredible honour to be nominated among such a fantastic group of women! A huge thank you to the judges!

-     Rachael Hunnisett, April Mortgages, Woman in the Mortgage Industry finalist

I'm extremely grateful to be shortlisted for the second year running and proud to help represent women in finance and UTB!

-     Hayley Evans, United Trust Bank, Underwriter of the Year finalist

This is truly fantastic news! I'm absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted alongside such a talented group of rising stars within the industry. It's a genuine honour to receive this recognition for the dedication and effort I've invested in fostering crucial discussions within the financial sector, and I'm very much looking forward to continuing this important work.

-     Aimee Carnwath, Paradigm, Rising Star finalist

Overwhelmed! I feel honoured to have even been nominated let alone be chosen as a finalist! It's not often that I'm left at a loss for words but now would be that time!

-     Zoe Leek, Walden Capital, Paraplanner of the Year finalist

Excited to be in such great company!

-     Dr Elizabeth Blakelock, Monzo, Woman in Fintech finalist

I feel quite overwhelmed but extremely proud to be recognised as a finalist in these awards. The work I do in the later life sector is really important to me and to be recognised for that work means the world.

-     Carol Nuttall, Adlington Law Limited, Woman in Later Life Lending finalist

I am so proud to be part of Scout and the wider Yopa team, I joined just over a year ago and it felt like coming home. I am passionate about my work as a protection specialist and I work hard to provide excellent customer service and value in the products recommended. To be recognised for my ability is humbling and motivating for me.

-     Fiona Kettlestring, Scout Financial Services, Protection Adviser of the Year finalist

Fantastic! I'm beaming. So, so chuffed! It just makes all the energy and passion you pour into this even more worthwhile.

-     Becky Male, Canada Life, Equality Employer of the Year finalist

WOW! I can't believe it. I feel overwhelmed and humbled to be shortlisted and very excited to attend the awards evening.

-     Kate Keeling, JML Financial Associates Ltd, Mortgage Administrator of the Year finalist

To be recognised for doing something I truly love against so many strong, fantastic women really feels so special.

-     Louise Stevens, Coreco Lifetime, Later Life Adviser of the Year finalist

It’s an incredible honour - and genuinely a moment of reflection. Being named as a finalist feels like a celebration of values I hold close: equity, inclusion, and empowering others to rise. It’s also a tribute to every quiet milestone, bold conversation, and relentless push to dismantle barriers in the mortgage industry. It reminds me why I started Stagg Mortgage Services - not just to provide guidance, but to create lasting impact. 

This recognition is more than a personal achievement; it speaks to the community we’ve built and the voices we’ve lifted. And if I’m honest… it’s exhilarating. Not for the spotlight, but for what it represents: a shift towards a more inclusive future where advocacy and action go hand in hand.

-     Katherine Stagg, Stagg Mortgage Services LTD, Entrepreneur of the Year finalist

It feels amazing to be recognised as a Rising Star! Recognition is an important aspect of building momentum for a more diverse industry - I'm honoured to be included in this list of talented and passionate women.

-     Alice Crofts, Quantum Mortgages, Rising Star finalist

It feels unreal! I am totally over the moon! Especially when I see the other women who are also in the final. It just makes me feel so proud.

-     Laura Fry McCalmont, Danske Bank, BDM of the Year finalist

We are absolutely delighted to be finalists at the Women's Recognition Awards in three categories! We have worked so hard as a business to lead in diversity and inclusion, not only within Roma but into our partner and community networks. To be recognised in people focused awards is an incredible achievement for us all.

-      Charlotte Rutter, Roma Finance, finalists in Equality Employer of the Year, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Best Employee Support, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Community Champions.

Honestly? I’m equal parts thrilled and slightly stunned to be a finalist! In an industry that loves a buzzword more than a Gantt chart, it’s easy to overlook the real graft that goes into building great products and driving change. So being recognised like this, in a space full of brilliant, fierce women, means so much! I’m super proud, grateful, and absolutely worried my team will never let me live it down!

-     Toni Robinson-Bowring, Twenty7tec, Woman in Fintech finalist

It feels amazing, what an honour to be shortlisted against so many other incredible women.

-     Kate Fuller, MAB Crawley, Mortgage Adviser of the Year finalist

I can’t quite believe it, totally overwhelmed, I never thought I would be a finalist. I now feel nervous and excited for the night, I've got my fingers and toes crossed, and so much support from the wider industry.

-     Jo Powell, Brightstar Financial, Specialist Lending Adviser of the Year finalist

It means a great deal to me that my efforts have been noticed and valued, I'm extremely honoured and also amazed!

-     Beverley Tompkins, Seymour Financial, Paraplanner of the Year finalist

It feels incredible! Being shortlisted for an award is an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience. It brings a deep sense of validation, knowing that the hard work, dedication, and passion that I’ve put into my efforts have been recognised.

It’s both exciting and encouraging to be considered among such talented individuals, and it inspires me to continue striving for excellence. I’m truly grateful for the recognition and for everyone who has supported me along the way.

-     Devina Heir, Xpress Mortgages, Mortgage Administrator of the Year finalist

I'm absolutely thrilled to be recognised. These awards mean a great deal to the women in our industry, and this event is a really inspiring date in our diaries. The finalist accolade motivates us to keep doing what we're doing, and I have never felt as supported at an awards event as I did when I attended for the first time last year. That has stayed with me.

-     Sarah Tucker, The Mortgage Mum Limited, Spokesperson of the Year finalist

To be a FRWRA finalist is a huge privilege. It's so rewarding to receive recognition for my work, but particularly to be named alongside such well-established, incredible women. I feel very proud!

-     Jennifer Harrison, MPowered Mortgages, Marketer of the Year finalist

Lost for words!

-     Simone Riley, Elite Force Mortgages, Mortgage Adviser of the Year finalist

To be named a finalist for Best Leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion honestly means the world. This work about people, progress and pushing for a future where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. I’m proud to be recognised alongside such incredible women who are each driving meaningful change in their own way.

Thank you to WRA for shining a light on this space – it reminds us that inclusive leadership isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. Can’t wait to celebrate with everyone on the evening and good luck.

-     Rachel Eason-Whale, L&C Mortgages, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Best Leadership finalist

I am truly delighted and extremely proud to be named as a finalist in this category. There are so many inspiring women in our industry and to be recognised as one of those is a huge complement. Chuffed to bits.

-     Jo Badger, Primis Mortgage Network, Woman in Management finalist

Being named a finalist is an emotional whirlwind - a mix of excitement, deep gratitude, and sheer disbelief. It’s also a powerful milestone in my personal journey. From starting with a £0 salary to now earning five figures per month, the transformation from employee to employer still feels surreal. To be recognized alongside such inspiring, empowering women is already a huge win in itself - and one I’ll always cherish.

-      Jasbir Dhaliwal, JD30 ltd, Entrepreneur of the Year finalist

Quite humbling to be honest. I never thought in a million years I'd make it as a finalist. I'm part of a really fabulous, hard-working team. We should all be recognised.

-     Peggy Falconer, MB Associates, Mortgage Administrator of the Year

Honestly, it feels amazing to be a finalist for Woman Led Brokerage of the Year. Running a business in such a fast-moving industry isn’t always easy, so to have that hard work recognised really means a lot. I’m so proud of what we’ve built and the difference we’re making for our clients. This nomination is a lovely reminder that staying focused and true to your values really does pay off.

-     Jo Elwell, Contractor Financial, Woman Led Brokerage of the Year finalist

It’s an incredible feeling! I feel so proud and honoured to be named alongside so many talented and inspiring women.

-     Lisa Stones, Mortgage 1st, Woman in the Mortgage Industry finalist

I'm still in disbelief! There are so many amazing women in our industry, and to have been shortlisted, there are no words. I'm truly humbled. The first person I called was my husband and I cried down the phone to him, I was in such shock!

-     Penny Desborough, Habito, Woman in Management finalist

I'm genuinely delighted to be named a finalist - and in two categories, which feels especially meaningful. It's such a privilege to be recognised among so many inspiring women and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of it. Just being nominated was an honour, so making it to the finals is something I'm so delighted about.

-     Siobhan Moran, HSBC UK, finalist in Spokesperson of the Year and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Best Leadership

It feels incredible and I am honoured to be recognised along with all the other amazing women in the category.

-     Amiee Downing, Mortgage Advice Bureau, Woman in Fintech finalist

I'm totally honoured to have been recognised amongst some other amazing women! It was a complete shock to have been nominated, and then to be shortlisted as a finalist is just a wonderful feeling!

-     Gemma Clark, Nationwide Building Society, Woman in Management finalist

Being named a finalist for the 2025 Women's Recognition Awards is an incredible honour. It’s both humbling and empowering to be recognised alongside so many inspiring women and companies who are making a real impact in their fields.

This nomination is a reflection of the amazing work the MAB Foundation does and the support, collaboration, and encouragement we have received from our charities and the community.

-     Sarah Drew, Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Community Champions finalist

It’s an honour to be named a finalist. Just being recognised alongside so many inspiring women is amazing.

-     Rosa Del Rio Llorente, Acre, Woman in Fintech finalist

Where do I begin, honestly the feeling can’t be beaten. Having the judges see something in my entry that stood out amongst so many others just made my heart burst with pride. Being a mortgage advisor for 20 years I have seen plenty of highs and lows and this is most certainly a high point for me.

-     Rachel Lummis, Xpress Mortgages, Mortgage Adviser of the Year finalist

To be recognised after just two years in the role feels like a massive achievement. I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come, and the impact I have made in such a short time. 

I’m also deeply thankful for the fantastic team around me and the amazing brokers I have the privilege to work with -  they’ve been a huge part of this journey. I feel truly honoured to stand alongside such remarkable women in our industry, and I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in October.

-     Chantelle Wilson, Accord Mortgages, BDM of the Year finalist