KNUTSFORD SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARDED MBE IN KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

Jane Kenyon, a Knutsford-based social entrepreneur and founder of the non-profit Girls Out Loud, has been awarded the honour of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to gender equality in women and young girls in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List.

The King’s Birthday Honours List recognises those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and across the UK as a whole.

Jane, a fearless changemaker and passionate advocate for female empowerment, has spent more than three decades championing women and girls, helping inspire confidence and helping them realise their full potential.

She founded Girls Out Loud in 2010 and has since helped shape brighter futures for more than 30,000 teenage girls through her early intervention programmes, mentoring and advocacy.

This includes its flagship Big Sister programme, which partners 12- to 13-year-old girls with female mentors for 12 months of guidance and support, helping them grow in confidence, improve self-esteem, and develop ambitious aspirations.

Under Jane’s leadership, the social enterprise has partnered with more than 80 schools and trained over 2,000 professional women as mentors, with a further 3,000 volunteers supporting school-based initiatives. Through her tireless fundraising, she has personally raised over £2 million to fund this vital work.

Jane is also a vocal advocate on issues such as body image, gender-based violence, and the impact of social media on teenage girls.

Jane said:

“I’m deeply honoured and humbled to receive an MBE for my services to gender equality and youth empowerment. This work has been my life’s purpose – from mentoring girls one-to-one to building an organisation that champions them at scale. I’ve always believed in helping women and girls see the power they already have and reminding them that they aren’t alone.

“This is more than just a personal honour, it’s recognition of the thousands of girls, mentors, volunteers and changemakers who have been part of the Girls Out Loud journey over the past 15 years and stood behind our mission.

“With teenage girls facing immense pressure, from social media and mental health challenges to rising misogyny and limited representation, our work has never felt more urgent. This award gives me hope that society is listening, alongside a renewed drive to keep pushing forward.”

Jackie Hyde, MD, Stanmore Insurance Group, said:

“Jane is a force of nature. From the moment you meet her, her passion and energy are undeniable, but what’s even more powerful is her belief in every single girl and woman she meets. She doesn’t just speak about change – she builds it, sustains it, and scales it.

“The impact of Girls Out Loud can be seen in the lives and voices of the thousands of girls who’ve found their confidence, their direction, and their spark through the programme. Jane has created something truly special, and this national recognition couldn’t be more deserved.”

Girls Out Loud is currently expanding its reach across the Northwest, launching new programmes in Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester – a move that will see even more girls benefit from its life-changing support.

For more information and to help change the lives of teenage girls across the Northwest and beyond, please visit: 

https://girlsoutloud.org.uk/

Girls Out Loud is a non-profit, social enterprise based in the Northwest who empower and inspire teenage girls in the UK and beyond to have confidence, self-belief, emotional resilience and a positive self-image which, in turn, supports them to think big, embrace risk and reach for the stars.

Instagram: 

girlsoutloudorg 

LinkedIn: 

https://uk.linkedin.com/company/girls-out-loud