Rachel Law named Woman of the Year at the This is Manchester Awards 2026
We have some very big news. On Thursday night at Emirates Old Trafford, our Chief Executive, Rachel Law, was named Woman of the Year at the This is Manchester Awards 2026.
Rachel was one of 12 people on the Woman of the Year shortlist. Now in their ninth year, the awards celebrate the people, places and organisations shaping Greater Manchester, and this year's event was hosted by Jenny Powell. Other winners on the night included Peter Hook, Ella Toone and Javeno McLean, so she was in very good company.
It started with a job as a care assistant
Rachel's career in social care began as a care assistant. It turned out to be far more than a job. Her passion for supporting and championing people took her all the way to Head of Learning Disability Provider Services at Rochdale Council, a role she held for eight years, responsible for Shared Lives, day services, supported living, respite and community outreach.
After years of having to make cuts to those services, Rachel decided there had to be a better way. She spent two years working to take the Learning Disabilities Service out of local authority control, winning support from politicians, trade unions, staff and the people using the services.
That is how PossAbilities began. In August 2014, Rachel was invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate the formation of the first 100 public sector mutuals, at the end of a journey that had taken her twenty years.
A big year for PossAbilities
Earlier this year we were named the winner for our sector in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards, which are based entirely on feedback from our own employees. PossAbilities was also shortlisted for Organisation Making A Difference at this year's This is Manchester Awards.
Awards like these reflect what our teams do every day. Across our services, they support adults with learning disabilities to live the life they choose, and that is the work Rachel has spent her career fighting for.
Congratulations, Rachel
From everyone at PossAbilities, well done. We are so proud of you, and we can't think of anyone who deserves it more.
Inspired by Rachel's story? Come and work with us, or get in touch to find out more about what we do.