In October of 2024 our founder and current chairman, Oliver Storrie, heard of the now-world-famous story of Gisèle Pelicot, a woman who had waved her right to anonymity at the trial of her now-former husband, who had, for nine years, been drugging and rapping her along with dozens of other men. At the trail there were 51 defendants including her former husband. Inspired by the bravery and courage displayed by Madame Pelicot, Oliver created the Champions Committee tasked with finding someone who have made considerable, outstanding, or exceptional achievements in the past year. Then in December of 2024, the committee announced that Gisèle Pelicot would be the inagular Champion of the Year, awarded "for her fight for women's rights and service to justice for all."

The following year, the committee awarded Judge Navi Pillay "for her exemplary courage and outspoken stance in upholding international law and human rights." Judge Pillay, in the same year, was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize.

The Champions Committee was reorganised in 2026, by the ratification of the new 'Charter of the Champions Committee' which replaced the former statutes of the committee.

Unlike some awards, the committee's list is released at 15:00 GMT on 20 December each year the same time the Champion is announced, the list can be viewed above.