The award is named after former Reed Smith partner Lynne Freeman, who was an avid supporter of gender equality and career progression for talented women in the legal sector. WeAreTheCity was founded in 2008 to help women progress and excel in their careers.

Penwill advises clients on a wide range of finance matters, including leveraged, corporate, real estate and fund finance. Her experience spans lender, sponsor and borrower roles across capital expenditure, working capital, acquisition and corporate facilities, as well as fund financings and both UK and cross-border refinancings and restructurings.

The WeAreTheCity Rising Star Awards highlight the need for more women in leadership. It aims at recognizing and celebrating the top woman role models and contributors across a variety of different industries. The 2025 Rising Star Awards ceremony will be held in London on July 10.