We are pleased to announce the winners of our Women in the Fire Service Awards 2025. We received over 70 nominations from organisations, colleagues, family and members of the public and we would like to recognise each nominee for their exceptional dedication to their service, their teams, and the communities they support.
Jules King, WFS Chair, said: “Once again it was incredibly hard to choose our winners from all the amazing entries received this year, it was a privilege to read and discuss the award entries with the panel. I would like to congratulate every single nominee for what they have achieved and also sincere thanks to all the nominators for taking the time and highlighting the great work that is being done up and down the Country – without you these achievements would not be recognised, shared or celebrated.”
The winners of each award category are as follows:
Dany Cotton Inspiring Leader sponsored by Dräger
Leigh-Marie Rand (Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service)
“At first when I had the email saying I had been nominated for the award I thought ‘oh wow how nice of someone to take their time to do that’ but with 70 other people I didn’t think I would be the one to win it.
All these people do amazing things and probably don’t think they are doing anything out of the ordinary. They go about their day helping people and it’s just what they do. You just get on with things and if someone asks for something or you see someone that needs something you help them, you see something that needs doing, you just do it.
To see why I was nominated was really nice to read and to be honest a bit strange.
I am grateful for the nomination, and everyone involved in the process, and I am very overwhelmed by it all and a little in shock.
It means a lot to see my Station Commander noticing his staff and taking time to do this and I’m proud to be a firefighter.”
Firefighter Rising Star sponsored by Ruth Lee
Shelley Jones (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
“I’m very honoured to receive this award. It’s incredibly encouraging to know that my efforts to improve equality for women in the fire service are not only being recognised but also heard. This acknowledgment strengthens my commitment to making a meaningful and lasting impact in the field, while remaining mindful of the work that still lies ahead. I’m very grateful for the support of my colleagues whose guidance has been invaluable.”
Outstanding Team sponsored by National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
BSL Champions (Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service)
“Trying new things to engage with our communities is paramount to the approach here at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and so to receive this award means everything to us. It validates the approach of teamwork and putting in the work to get the results we hope for. After 2 years of learning British Sign Language, successful partnerships with the Royal School for the Deaf Derby, BSL focussed safety events and open days and a more authentic connection with the Deaf community of Derby this award is a message. A message that says it is worthwhile, it is important and it has been a success for all involved – Thank you!”
Bright Light sponsored by the Emergency Services Times (EST)
Sophie Green (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
“Receiving this award has made me so proud of all I have achieved within West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.
As a trainee firefighter joining the service in January 1994 to now a Station Manager over 30 years later. I would like to thank all the amazing women I work with who have always believed in me, shared my vision and joined me on my journey through the highs and lows. I would like you all to remember you inspire me every day to be the best version of myself.”
Youth Inspiration sponsored by Delta Fire
Zahra Ahmed (London Fire Brigade)
“Winning this award is a representation of the recognition of the efforts of mine throughout my cadet journey. It also shows how dedication support and commitment truly make a difference. Joining cadets was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and this award makes me believe this further and I truly feel a part of the community, and I am so grateful for it.”
Exceptional Allies sponsored by The Institution of Fire Engineers
James Payne (London Fire Brigade)
“I have been very privileged to keep being invited back to represent and support WFS over the years and truly humbled that people have even taken the time to nominate me for an award, let alone win one. WFS is a special place to be where everyone, including myself, can be free from judgement or pressure to get themselves heard and excel at just being the best you. I would like to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who nominated and voted for me.”
Online Creator sponsored by PBI Performance Products
Angela Everington (Surrey Fire and Rescue Service)
“Social media was never part of my original plan—I simply started sharing my journey in the hopes that it might resonate with someone whilst sharing insight into the role. To see it grow into something that inspires, informs, and supports others in the fire service, other blue light workers and beyond is humbling, at times overwhelming and deeply rewarding. From the growth of the page, I have been fortunate to launch The Blue Light Health Club to help other First Responders prioritise their health, something I am truly so proud of and have every faith for it to be a success. Thank you to those that choose to follow, without your support I wouldn’t be in this position and of course, thank you so much WFS for this recognition, I’m so grateful to be part of a community that uplifts and empowers one another.”
Advocate of Excellence sponsored by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Lauren O’Sullivan Jones (South Wales Fire and Rescue Service) (Joint Winner)
“I am truly humbled and honoured to jointly receive this award, which recognises the hard work and commitment of those who are dedicated to advancing our mission within the fire and rescue service. While this recognition is incredibly meaningful to me, I know that it is far from an individual achievement. It reflects the collective effort and passion of the outstanding teams I am fortunate to work alongside in both National & Regional settings. I am proud to be part of these teams, and I look forward to continuing our journey towards making a lasting difference.”
Ashleigh Grieve (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) (Joint Winner)
“I was really surprised and humbled to just be nominated for this award, so to find out that I have won was unbelievable. The work and mission of WFS has given so much to me personally – if I am able to ensure that other female colleagues can continue to be inspired the way that I have been, that will be the biggest reward for me. Thanks to those who nominated me and a massive thank you to my friends, family and colleagues who continue to support me in doing my bit to progress the good work of the wider WFS family. All we do as WFS is a team effort, so this award is a recognition of all of us.”
As well as naming winners of each category, we also want to announce the runners up for each award. The names are as follows:
Dany Cotton Inspiring Leader
Karla Stevenson (Scottish Fire & Rescue Service)
Firefighter Rising Star
Charlotte Jones (Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service)
Outstanding Team
WFS Working Group (NFCC)
Bright Light
Niamh Kenny (Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service)
Youth Inspiration
Hollie Hewitt (London Fire Brigade)
Exceptional Allies
Andrew Mackay (Scottish Fire & Rescue Service)
Online Creator
Zoe Crossan (Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service)
A list of the total nominees are as follows:
Dany Cotton Inspiring Leader
Karla Stevenson (Scottish Fire and Rescue service)
Leigh-Marie Rand (Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Sue Mallinson-Smitham (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Andrea Heffernan (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Yasarian Murfin (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service)
Jo Dawson (Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Nickie Ashcroft (Manchester Combined Authority)
Joanne Musgrave (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Hannah Patchett (Surrey Fire and Rescue Service)
Georgina Ralph (South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Anna Morris-Jones (Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service)
Susannah Hancock (National Fire Chiefs Council)
Natasha Logan (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Firefighter Rising Star
India Poe (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)
Charlotte Jones (Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Charley Moore (Surrey Fire and Rescue Service)
Jenny Olley (Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service)
Eleanor Sargent (South Wales Fire and Rescue Service)
Shelley Jones (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Outstanding Team
BSL Champions (Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service)
The Education Team (London Fire Brigade)
HR Specialists (North Wales Fire and Rescue Service)
WFS Working Group (NFCC)
Prevention and Protection Training Team (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Group Commander Karen Pointer, Station Commander Chrissie Cooper, and Watch Commander Phil Stonebanks (Surrey Fire and Rescue Service)
Service Training Centre training team (Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Women’s Football Team (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Admin Team (Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service)
OCSO Team (Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service)
Bright Light
Georgina Connor (Jersey Fire and Rescue Service)
Tracey Garrett (Avon Fire and Rescue Service)
Sue Mallinson-Smitham (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Niamh Kenny (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Yvonne Devereux (Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Sophie Green (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Natasha Logan (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Youth Inspiration
Mary-Anna Jennings (SWIFS – Supporting women into the fire service)
Hollie Hewitt (London Fire Cadets)
Ellie-Mai Dott (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Ruth Bethan Price (Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Grace Barwick (London Fire Brigade)
Fathima Rauha Mohamed Razil (London Fire Brigade)
Alix Laffaille (London Fire Brigade)
Zahra Ahmed (London Fire Brigade)
Rosetta Dys (London Fire Brigade)
Alexandria Morgan Smith (London Fire Brigade)
Jacq Hardwick (Avon Fire and Rescue Service)
Exceptional Allies
James Payne (London Fire Brigade)
Andrew Mackay (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)
Dave Russell (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Tom Westcott (Surrey Fire and Rescue Service)
Manjinder Uppal (West Yorkshire FRS)
Online Creator
Zoe Crossan (Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Angela Everington (Surrey Fire and Rescue Service)
Lucy @healthandfitnessbylucy (Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Advocate of Excellence
Lauren O’Sullivan Jones (South Wales Fire and Rescue Service)
Kelsey Shilton (Avon Fire and Rescue Service)
Zuzana Bond (Avon Fire and Rescue Service)
Sara Slater (WFS/South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Joanne Henry (WFS/Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service)
Amanda Houghton (Humberside Fire and Rescue Service)
Sue Mallinson-Smitham (Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)
Ashleigh Grieve (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)
Georgina Ralph (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Maria Phillips (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service)
Congratulations to all winners, runners-up and nominees in the Women in the Fire Service Awards 2025.