The Menopause and Menstruation Friendly
Employer Awards 2025
24 September 2025 | London, Nottingham and Liverpool
“From start to finish the room is filled with love, warmth and happiness.”
Amanda O’Loughlin, British Airways – 2024 attendee
Celebrating employers leading the way in women’s health
The Menopause Friendly Employer Awards are back for the fourth year and this time we’re going even further. For the first time, we’re recognising Menopause Friendly and Menstruation Friendly Employers, reflecting the brilliant work so many of you are already doing to support broader women’s health in the workplace.
Together, we’re creating lasting change – breaking down barriers, opening up conversations and making sure those who need it get the support they deserve. We’re changing the lived experience for today and generations to come.
Whether your organisation is focusing on menopause, menstruation, or both, this is your chance to step forward, share what you’ve done and be recognised.
The whole experience was amazing. The highlight for me was our organisation winning which was the biggest bonus and totally unexpected.
Leigh Staff, Young Epilepsy
With thanks to our wonderful sponsors
These inspirational employers are demonstrating that wellbeing is a top priority for their brand and that they’re keen to keep the drumbeat going, whilst encouraging others to join in.
Supported by…
Congratulations to this year’s award winners…
Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year – Private Sector
HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank
Recognising an accredited private sector organisation that has truly embedded menopause awareness, education and support into its workplace culture.
HSBC UK, first direct and M&S Bank, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, AtkinsRéalis, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Menopause Friendly Employer of the Year – Public Sector
Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Recognising an accredited public sector organisation that has truly embedded menopause awareness, education and support into its workplace culture.
Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Lancashire County Council
Most Open Culture (Menopause)
AtkinsRéalis
Awarded to an organisation where menopause is spoken about openly, with strong leadership and a culture of support.
AtkinsRéalis, City of Wolverhampton Council, AMEX GBT, Battersea, Youth Sport Trust, University Hospitals Birmingham, Experian, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Most Open Culture (Menstruation)
The Huddersfield Town Association Football Club Limited and Lloyds Banking Group
Awarded to an organisation where menstruation is spoken about openly, with strong leadership and a culture of support.
Most Menopause Friendly Environment – Private Sector
Mars UK Ltd
Celebrating a private sector organisation that has made real, practical changes to its workplace environment to support menopause.
Mars UK Ltd, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Police, DHU Healthcare, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Together Housing Group
Most Menopause Friendly Environment – Public Sector
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Celebrating a public sector organisation that has made real, practical changes to its workplace environment to support menopause.
Mars UK Ltd, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Police, DHU Healthcare, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Together Housing Group
Best Engagement Campaign
Alzheimer’s Society
Awarding an organisation that has run a brilliant campaign, raising awareness and sparking conversations.
Alzheimer’s Society, HSBC UK first direct M&S, Specsavers Optical Superstores, Rathbones Group Plc, Amex GBT, Kent Police, Department for Education
Best Peer-to-Peer Support
Santander UK
Celebrating an organisation that has built a strong network where colleagues support each other, creating a culture of care.
Santander, Alzheimer’s Society, Northumbria Police, Young Epilepsy and St Piers, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Battersea, Southeastern Railway, Experian
Best Trained Workforce
Young Epilepsy and St Piers
Recognising an organisation that has invested in training, giving employees and managers the confidence and knowledge to offer real support.
Young Epilepsy and St Piers, Manchester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Amex GBT, Havens Hospices
The Carolyn Lazarus Award for Best Individual Contribution
Recognising an organisation that has invested in training, giving employees and managers the confidence and knowledge to offer real support.
Mandy Baughurst – Leicestershire County Council
Melanie Redfern – AtkinsRealis
Sally Busby – Southeastern
Hayley Douglas – Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Jodie Millard – Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Mandy Reid – Pheonix Group
Laura McIntosh – Manchester City Council
Nia Alston-Holmes – DHU Healthcare
Angela Carrabotta – London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Michelle Sereno – Experian
Sarah Gould – Siemens
Eve Homer – Teachers Building Society
Julia Frost – South Tees Hospitals HNS Foundation Trust
Lucie Hodgson – Youth Sport Trust
Lesley Sherwin – Together Housing Group
“My highlight was connecting with people (old friends and new) that we are normally only able to meet virtually and feeling the depth of warmth and positivity in the room….and of course winning a special award.”
Jackie Williams, HSBC UK
Raising funds for vital charities and research.
Every penny of profit from the annual awards is donated to vital research and charities. With thanks to sponsors and attendees, we’ve raised…
“The event has such a ‘feel good’ factor about it, like awards without the competition! The camaraderie was palpable!”
Michelle Wakelin, American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT)
Photo gallery
What an incredible celebration in Nottingham, Liverpool and London.
We recognised and celebrated organisations leading the way in creating menopause friendly workplaces.
We’ve captured the energy, pride and joy of the awards in our photo galleries. Explore the moments, the winners, and the celebrations from each location:
Meet the Menopause Friendly judging panel…
Alongside governing the Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Standards, the Independent Panel review all applications for the Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards, select short listers, highly commended entries and winners.
Alongside the Awards, they are also responsible for governing the Menopause Friendly standards, reviewing applications for The Menopause Friendly Accreditation.
All experts in their field, with distinguished careers across a huge range of industries. Above all, they have one thing in common: they’re passionate about accelerating change in menopause in the workplace best practice.
PROFESSOR JO BREWIS
Professor Brewis is co-author of the Government Equalities Office, Menopause transition: effects on women’s economic participation .
Putting this work into practice by introducing the first university menopause policy in the UK, and helping employers understand why being menopause friendly is urgent and important.
Evelyn dickey
A Non-Executive Director on the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Board, Evelyn has extensive People Leadership experience.
She pioneered the introduction of the first menopause policy in Severn Trent in 2017 and has continually encouraged other employers to do the same.
Paul sesay
Paul Sesay is the Founder and CEO of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers, National Diversity Awards, Excellence in Diversity Awards and The Diversity Group.
With nearly 20 years’ experience within the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion sector, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations in the world on their diversity and inclusion.
susannah fish obe
Ex-Chief Constable Sue Fish OBE introduced the first menopause policy into a police force in 2017, during her 30-year policing career.
She’s passionate about menopause and leadership, encouraging all employers to take menopause awareness, education and support seriously.
jog hundle
Jog heads the health and care employment team at Mills & Reeve, having specialised in the sector for over 25 years.
She’s passionate about helping employers understand the importance of taking menopause seriously to benefit employees and the organisation.
Heidi cooper
Heidi is an Associate in the Employment and Immigration team at HCR Law.
It’s her mission to make sure menopause is discussed as openly as the office coffee order and weekend plans. Partnering with Henpicked in 2018, she passionately champions menopause awareness and regularly educates organisations on the critical aspects of menopause in the workplace.
Suzanne banks cbe
A recently retired NHS chief nurse, Suzanne is passionate about raising the profile of menopause in the workplace, having created and introduced the comprehensive programme at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust in 2018.
Since then, she’s encouraged other NHS Trusts to take action.
anne bell
Anne was the Senior People Lead at HSBC UK Corporate Bank. She was instrumental in recognising the need for menopause awareness, education and providing support for individuals.
She started the campaign resulting in HSBC UK becoming the UK’s first accredited Menopause Friendly employer.
dr BELINDA STEFFAN
Belinda is a Research Fellow and gender scholar at the University of Edinburgh studying how work is reciprocally influenced by the intersection of gender, age and health and well-being.
Working with industry partners, she develops practical, meaningful workplace solutions around gender, age, health and work. Her research-led lectures address local and global workforce challenges of business and the future of work.
pamela hutchinson
As the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Bloomberg, Pamela leads the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives around the world whilst establishing strategic direction, goals and accountability.
Pamela is cited as one of the most visible and vocal thought leaders and advocates for diversity across the private sector and has more than 20 years’ experience in managing diversity cross engineering, financial services, technology and media.
Helen normoyle
Helen is co-founder of My Menopause Centre, an online clinic and community empowering women to take control of their menopause.
She has held Chief Marketing Officer roles with Boots, the BBC, DFS and Countrywide and worked in broadcast and telecoms regulation at Ofcom and in the mobile technology sector with Motorola.
CAROL ATKINSON
Professor Carol Atkinson has undertaken research into menopause in the workplace, including the police service and the NHS.
She has written research papers and blogs about this, including for The Conversation and Sage Perspectives. Her work has lead to changes in practice, one NHS developing its Women’s Health Policy as a result.
THERESA WINTERS
Theresa was the Senior HR Manager for Employee Experience at Santander UK.
She led the creation of a broad programme of menopause support that saw Santander recognised as Best Open Workplace at the Menopause Friendly Employer awards in 2023 and Theresa was the first recipient of the Carolyn Lazarus award in 2022, recognising her personal contribution of raising awareness of menopause across the UK, within and outside the workplace.
PAUL STARBUCK
Paul is an Executive Coach and Leadership Development Specialist with extensive experience as a senior leader in retail and healthcare before founding Starbuck & Associates.
His business offers a range of coaching and development programmes, including those tailored for women in leadership and for those navigating perimenopause and menopause.
““From the moment I walked into the hotel to the moment I left, I felt excited and energised.”
Fiona Parkinson, EON
BE INSPIRED…
Winners from 2022-2024
“An opportunity to network with a fabulous bunch of like-minded, positive people”
Melanie Johnson-Remy, Ramboll
Register your interest for next year
We’re already planning The Menopause and Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards 2026 — and with every location sold out this this year, it’s not too early to register your interest.