Jane Byam Shaw OBE, co-founder of The Felix Project, has received the Women of the Year Game Changer Award at the 2025 Women of the Year Lunch & Awards. The award recognises her exceptional contribution to tackling food waste and supporting those in need of access to food across London.
In recognition of Jane’s transformative impact, a coalition of companies have come together to sponsor the Game Changer Award. Catering organisations and leading suppliers including Elior UK, Bidfood, Foodbuy, Nestle, Reynolds, Sysco, Sodexo and Thomas Franks supported the award. This industry-wide collaboration celebrates Jane’s tireless efforts to redistribute surplus food and provide vital support to those in need, highlighting her remarkable impact she has achieved through The Felix Project.
"At Elior, we’ve seen the incredible impact Jane has had in tackling food waste and hunger across London,” said Catherine Roe, CEO of Elior UK and a member of the Women of the Year Board, who spearheaded Jane’s nomination for this award. “Her dedication with The Felix Project has not only redistributed millions of meals to those in need, but has also inspired the catering industry to think differently about food sustainability and community responsibility. Jane’s work is truly transformative, and we’re proud to celebrate her achievements with this award.”
Jane co-founded The Felix Project in memory of her son, Felix, who died suddenly of meningitis in 2014. Inspired by his compassion and desire to help others, she committed herself to rescuing surplus food and redistributing it across London to tackle hunger and food insecurity. Her dedication has made a lasting impact, with The Felix Project now recognised as one of the UK’s leading food distribution charities. In recognition of her work, Jane was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours of 2022 for her services to London. Now that impact is set to go even further following the recent announcement of a merger between The Felix Project and FareShare. The new organisation will be even bigger and more ambitions, aiming to have greater national impact and influence over policies on food waste and insecurity.
Charlotte Wright, Director of CSR & Food Strategy, Elior UK, who also serves on the Women of the Year Management Committee, said: "Jane’s compassion and determination have inspired the entire catering community to take action against food waste and hunger. We are united in recognising the remarkable impact she has had on communities across London through The Felix Project. Her work drives meaningful change for the greater good, and we are proud to support her recognition with the Women of the Year Game Changer Award.”
Upon receiving the award Jane Byan Shaw OBE said: "I am deeply honoured to receive the Women of the Year Game Changer Award. This recognition is not just for me, but for everyone at The Felix Project and the incredible volunteers, partners and supporters who make our work possible every day. It’s also for Felix’s father, Justin Byam Shaw, who was and remains the entrepreneurial genius, originator and powerhouse of the charity. I am humbled to see the impact we’ve been able to make together, but there is still so much more to do. This award is a reminder of the urgent need to keep tackling food insecurity, and I hope it inspires more people and organisations to join us in making sure good food never goes to waste.”
Vix Brenninkmeijer, Chair of Women of the Year, commented: “We are honoured to present Jane Byam Shaw with our Women of the Year Game Changer Award. She is an extraordinary woman who has turned personal loss into a mission to fight food waste and hunger across London. Through The Felix Project, Jane has transformed the lives of countless people, ensuring millions of surplus meals reach those in need. Her passion, dedication, and lasting impact on communities make her a true game changer, and we can think of no one more deserving of this award this year.”
As the original women's networking event, Women of the Year has brought together a powerful community of remarkable women for over 70 years. Striving to inspire and empower women, whilst championing those making a difference to others. Our annual Awards celebrates and shines a spotlight on extraordinary women from all walks of life. A non-profit organisation, Women of the Year is run by a dedicated committee of volunteers, whose aim is to continue the legacy of founder Tony Lothian by recognising, celebrating, and advancing the achievements of women throughout the United Kingdom and around the world.