Royal Navy's Abigail Wright named Woman of the Year at Women in Defence UK Awards
The Royal Navy's LNN Abigail Wright has been named the Woman of the Year 2025 at the tenth anniversary version of the Women in Defence UK Awards.
LNN Wright, 33, was unable to attend the ceremony in London as she is deployed on HMS Prince of Wales, which returns to Portsmouth next month following an eight-month deployment to the western Pacific.
Instead, she streamed the event live to the cabin of the carrier's captain, who was joined by the Royal Navy's Director of People and Training Rear Admiral Jude Terry, who officially presented the award.
"It hasn't fully sunk in yet – what an experience it was," Lnn Wright said.
"I was surprised to find out that I had been nominated in the Outstanding Contribution Category – then to be shortlisted… and then a finalist. I could not believe it."
LNN Wright joined the Royal Navy in September 2020, and since then she has worked at hospitals in Portsmouth, supported Royal Marines training in Norway and then went to Faslane.
She is the only mental health nurse assigned to the Submarine Service and was the first naval nurse to serve on a vessel.
The awards ceremony celebrated a decade of honouring exceptional women, men, individuals and teams who contribute to the United Kingdom's defence.
The event saw more than 500 people from across defence come together to recognise 33 finalists across 11 award categories, as the organisation committed to accelerating gender equality in defence.
This year, the organisation handed out a new International Award, with three finalists from Georgia, Brunei and Sweden competing for it on the night.
"These winners and finalists represent the best of UK defence, and their extraordinary achievements will inspire countless others to enter the defence community and succeed," Defence Secretary John Healey said.
The ceremony featured keynote speeches, live performances and tributes to past winners.
"The awards play an essential role in recognising outstanding people and teams who strengthen and inspire our defence community," founder of Women in Defence UK, Angela Owen, said.
"Marking this anniversary milestone is an immense moment of pride.
"There is still work to be done but the Women in Defence UK community are proud of our shared commitment to creating a more inclusive, equitable and forward-looking defence enterprise."
Veterans and People Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: "It is an honour to celebrate outstanding women in defence, who embody what our sector can achieve at its best – pushing boundaries, fuelling innovation and growth, inspiring the next generation and keeping our country safe."
Women in Defence UK is an independent not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2011 by former British Army officer Angela Owen.
The charity has a network of more than 19,000 individuals, around 40 partners, spanning every level of the defence sector.
The complete list of the 2025 Award Winners are:
Most Improved Charter Signatory Award: Airbus
Innovation and Sustainability Award: Rebecca Findlay – Civil Service
Inspirational Award: Rachel – MI5
International Award: Capt Khatia Gogaladze – Georgian armed forces
Most Collaborative Award: Major Emily Lawson – British Army
Outstanding Contribution Award: LNN Abigail Wright – Royal Navy
Resolute Spirit Award: Catherine Smith, Civil Service
Unsung Heroines Award: Elena Ktori – Sodexo
Woman of the Year 2025 : LNN Abigail Wright – Royal Navy
Emerging Talent Award: Flt Lt Grace Feetham – Royal Air Force
Championing for Maximising Talent Award: Bex Gotterson – Serco
Equity of Opportunity Award: The Defence Fertility Network – Tri Service
Inclusive Teamwork Award: Terrorist Finance Team – MI5
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