2026 Finalists

Following careful review by our judging panel, we are proud to reveal the finalists for the Women in Independent Retail Awards! Discover the exceptional women and male allies recognised for their impact and their role in driving progress across independent convenience retail.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday 8 December at One Moorgate Place, London.


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(R) = Retailer     (B) = Brand/Agency

Innovation, Marketing & Customer Experience

(R) Innovation in Convenience Retail

  • Emily James, James Convenience Retail
  • Becky & Lucy McCammond, B&L Retail
  • Samreeta Kaur, One Stop

Supported by 


(R) Convenience Marketing & Social Media Star

  • Asiyah Javed, A&J Spar Alloa Road
  • Hollie Mulkerns, Mulkerns Eurospar
  • Lisa Mulkerns, Smart Social
  • Deirdre Toland, Centra Waringstown
  • Revathy Vasu, Freshfield’s market
  • Rebecca Willis, Warner's Supermarkets

(R) Unsung Hero Award – Independent

  • Trudy Davies, Woosnam & Davies News, Llanidloes, Powys
  • Roopie Gill, Wattville Road Post Office and Convenience Store
  • Asiyah Javed, A&J Spar Alloa Road
  • Michelle Maguire, Chathas Go Local Extra
  • Fiona Malone, Tenby Stores
  • Sian Meech, WM Morrison
  • Chetna Patel, Torridon Convenience Store
  • Krupali Patel, Montpelier Wines Convenience Store & Off-License
  • Caroline Julie Stace, Amberley Village Stores

(B) PR/ Agency Woman of the Year

  • Vicki Baker, Cirkle
  • Sophia Mercieca, Mercieca
  • Amy Searle, Joe Public PR
  • Carly Smith, SmithComm

(B) Unsung Hero – Brand

  • Susan Nash, Mondelēz International
  • Kayleigh Shaw, The Fed
  • Carly Smith, SmithComm

(B) Brand’s Best Marketing Leader

  • JUDGES' CHOICE

(B/R) Customer Experience Award

  • Samreeta Kaur, One stop
  • Brona Moran, Moran Retail
  • Hollie Mulkerns, Mulkerns Eurospar
  • Krupali Patel, Montpelier Wines Convenience Store & Off-License
  • Bhavi Sohal, Select and Save Westlands
  • Leona Starzec, Go Local Wholesale

Community, Responsibility & Sustainability

(R) Community Champion Award

  • Valerie Aston, G.W. Proudfoot
  • Charlotte Dant, Gill Marsh Forecourts
  • Lynwen Jenkins, Nisa Local Tymawr / Tymawr Filling Station
  • Julie Kaur, Jules Convenience
  • Oonagh Kelly, Kellys Supermarkets
  • Anna Kubasik, Karuana
  • Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience
  • Fiona Malone, Tenby Stores
  • Bisi Osundeko, Go Local Extra and The Local St. Helens
  • Pallavi Patel, Meet and Deep Newsagents
  • Bhavi Sohal, Select and Save Westlands Supermarket
  • Mandy Sohal, Bronllys Garage
  • Rebecca Willis, Warner's Supermarkets

(R) Sustainability Champion Award

  • JUDGES' CHOICE

Sponsored By 


(R) Responsible Retailing Award

  • Nathalie Fullerton, Go Local Dumbarton Road
  • Raj Oujla, R A Retail T/A Spa Food and Wine

Supported By 


Partnerships, Mentorship & Industry Support

(B) Supplier Partner of the Year

  • Jenny Allaway, VCT Europe
  • Suzanne Greenwell & Susan Nash, Molson Coors / Mondelēz

(R) Sue Nithyanandan Award (lifetime achievement)

  • Susan Connolly, Connolly Spar
  • Trudy Davies, Woosnam & Davies News, Llanidloes, Powys
  • Nathalie Fullerton, Go Local Dumbarton Road
  • Roopie Gill, Wattville Road Post Office and Convenience Store
  • Julie Kaur, Jules Convenience
  • Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience

Sponsored By 


(R/B) Retail & Supplier Collaboration of the Year

  • Suzanne Greenwell & Susan Nash, Molson Coors / Mondelēz
  • Emily James, James Convenience Retail
  • Susan Nash, Mondelēz International

(R/B) Mentor of the Year

  • Suzanne Greenwell & Susan Nash, Molson Coors / Mondelēz
  • Sarah C Johnson, CarrollJohnson 

Retail Leadership & Achievement

(R) Retailer of the Year

  • Kathleen Campbell, Campbell's of Leyburn
  • Hulya Ciereszko, Julia Premier
  • Nathalie Fullerton, Go Local Dumbarton Road
  • Roopie Gill, Wattville Road Post Office and Convenience Store
  • Asiyah Javed, A&J Spar Alloa Road
  • Julie Kaur, Premier Jules Convenience Store, Telford
  • Gemma Kearney, Brennans Spar
  • Anna Kubasik, Karuana
  • Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience
  • Becky & Lucy McCammond, B&L Retail
  • Sharon McPolin, SCE NI
  • Bhavi Sohal, Select and Save Westlands Supermarket
  • Mandy Sohal, Bronllys Garage
  • Deirdre Toland, Centra Waringstown

Supported By 


(R) Rising Star Award

  • Yasmin Clark, Go Local
  • Jemma Holliss, Holliss Filling Stations - Holliss Fuelling Your Day
  • Emily James, James Convenience Retail
  • Samreeta Kaur, One Stop
  • Hollie Mulkerns, Mulkerns Eurospar
  • Revathy Vasu, Freshfield’s Market
  • Rebecca Willis, Warner's Supermarkets

Sponsored By 


(B) Rising Star Award

  • Roshni Shamim, Co-op Wholesale
  • Sophie Thurlow, Co-op Wholesale

Sponsored By 


(R/B) Male Ally Award

  • Stewart Fenn, Booker
  • Colm Johnson, Booker
  • Mike Scheibli, MolsonCoors
  • Leon Toland, Centra Waringstown

(R) Retailer of the Year – Group

  • Victoria Lockie, Morrisons
  • Vicky Smithson, Penny on the Move

(R) Store Manager of the Year

  • Louise Kalus, James Retail
  • Gemma Kearney, Brennans Spar
  • Sophie Morrow, Centra Waringstown
  • Krupali Patel, Montpelier Wines Convenience Store & Off-License