Merseyside-born leader Simone Roche MBE and We Are PoWEr celebrate double win at Merseyside Independent Business Awards

It was an impressive night for We Are PoWEr last night, with PoWEr Collective CIC winning Community Interest Company of the Year in recognition of its PoWEr Pack programme plus Simone Roche MBE, Founder and CEO of We Are PoWEr, was named Business Person of the Year.

Delivered by PoWEr Collective CIC, part of We Are PoWEr, PoWEr Pack bridges the gap between education and employment, connecting young people with industry professionals to develop the practical skills, confidence and connections needed to take their next steps into work.

The awards also celebrate the leadership of Simone Roche MBE, Founder and CEO of We Are PoWEr. Simone is a CEO, Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy, Public Speaker and Northern Power Woman who continues to champion collaboration, create opportunities and drive meaningful change across the North.

When asked about the double win Simone Roche MBE, Founder and CEO of We Are PoWEr, said:

“Winning Community Interest Company of the Year for our work through PoWEr Pack, and Business Person of the Year, means a great deal to me and to the whole team. These awards recognise the hard work and commitment that goes into creating opportunities for young people and communities across the North every day.

Neither win happens in isolation. They belong to the people, partners and communities who work alongside us, and I’m proud of every one of them. Independent businesses are the backbone of Merseyside and the wider North, and it was a real pleasure to be in a room full of people building something that matters locally.

Thank you to the Merseyside Independent Business Awards for recognising our work, and congratulations to all the finalists and winners.”

The latest PoWEr Pack programme, delivered with The City of Liverpool College in April 2026, supported 65 students from Uniform Services and Academic Studies. Students took part in interactive challenges and workshops with professionals from more than nine organisations, including Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Tetra Tech, Liverpool John Moores University, Weightmans LLP, the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the British Army.

The programme concluded with a live showcase attended by more than 100 people, where students presented ideas and solutions to real-world challenges through presentations, role plays, debates and poetry.

Feedback from the programme showed that 97% of students benefited from taking part, while 95% reported developing new skills. PoWEr Pack generated £15,600 in social value in April 2026.

We Are PoWEr will continue working with education providers, employers and communities to connect people, create opportunities and amplify impact.