Young business talent across the East Midlands has been recognised as finalists for the Generation Next Awards 2024 were revealed at an event at BOX in Nottingham.
Singer-songwriter Mason Bailey joined guest speaker Nathan Addai – winner of last year’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Award – as the names of the finalists were unveiled.
The Generation Next Awards are one of the biggest events in the annual calendar for the network of young professionals run by East Midlands Chamber in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby.
12 categories will shine the spotlight on the outstanding achievements of people under the age of 35 in awards ranging from the Innovation and Technology Award to Generation Next Future Leader Award. New to 2024 is the Investing in Young Talent Award aimed at businesses with a forward-thinking approach that provides mentorship, training and growth opportunities for young professionals.
Following a virtual judging process on 14th and 15th May Bustler Market in Derby will once again host the awards, this year taking place on 4th July. In previous years the unconventional ceremony has featured a DJ, arcade games and street food.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Resources and Generation Next Lead Lucy Robinson said:
“Once again the standard of applications received for the Generation Next awards has far exceeded expectation. Taking a look at the calibre in this year’s list of finalists gives an idea how challenging the task of shortlisting was for the judging panel. It’s wonderful to see the achievement of such talented young people getting the recognition they deserve. With this array of young talent now unveiled, the stage is set for a fantastic ceremony at Bustler Market on 4th July.”
Generation Next Awards 2024 finalists
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Loughborough College)
Alice Taylor – Your IT Department
Ben Taylor – Preci-Spark
Cerys Goodson – E.ON
Emily Barnes – Donaldson Filtration GB
Evie Culligan – The Fidelity Group
George Archer – OceanLED
Hannah Pritchard – Turner & Townsend
Rav Jackson – Stephen Eve Financial Planning
Rosie Summers – Caterpillar UK Ltd
William Murphy – Electrician
Creators and Makers Award
Olivia Waldron – MHA
Katie Michaels – Moti Me
Ollie Henderson – Purpose Media
Max Palfrey – Comfa
Alistair Bullock – Purpose Media
Ewan Johnson – Botso Limited
Morgan Jones – Hardy Signs
Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby
Customer Service Award
Benjamin Wileman – Select Car Leasing East Midlands
Elliot Pipes – Sort Legal
Daniel Burke – Delta 74 Private Investigations Ltd
Hayley Cousins – Loughborough College
Jack Marshall – Select Car Leasing East Midlands
Jenny White – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
Jessica Kelleher – Halborns Limited
Matthew Robinson – RBC Brewin Dolphin
Nicole Perkins – Futures Housing Group
Loredana Budhan – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
Stephen Atkinson – Longbow Venues
Rebecca Cliff – Nottingham Trent University
Thomas Shaw – Shaw Spark Electrical and Property Services
Entrepreneur of the Year
Joshua Leach-Aslam – Two Chevrons Group / Two Chevrons CIC
Oliver Smith – Miroproducts
Luke Beastall – Musclecoach U.K LTD
Katie Michaels – Moti Me
Ewan Johnson – Botso Limited
David Allerton – SE-LF
Emma Morris – Headway Derby
Jiten Anand – Inspirate
Stephen Atkinson – Longbow Venues
Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby
Environmental Warrior Award (sponsored by Hydropath Technology)
Ewan Johnson – Botso Limited
George Pritchard – Scenariio Ltd
David Allerton – SE-LF
Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Award (sponsored by Futures Housing Group)
Emma Sharpe – Menphys
Katie Michaels – Moti Me
Max Palfrey – Comfa
Brogan Lees-Collier – Forsyth Barnes
Laura Till – AMBITION Sports Coaching Ltd
Fraser Annis – Anniseeds Ltd
Michaela Castillo-Williams – Epic Partners
Jiten Anand – Inspirate
Innovation and Technology Award (sponsored by Hardy Signs)
Jake Ridgway – Design Only Gardens Ltd
Josh Donnell – Purpose Media
Finn Riggott – Cosy Direct
Max Palfrey – Comfa
Elizabeth Ashton – Loughborough University
Investing in Young Talent Award
Futures Housing Group
MHA
Your IT Department
Base 51
Purpose Media
De Montfort University Careers Team
Innovation Nottinghamshire
Longbow Venues
Rising Star Award (sponsored by Nottingham Trent University)
Adhinav Jain – Enactus Derby
Amy Curtis – Loughborough College
Evie Culligan – The Fidelity Group
Fern Ritchie – Your IT Department
Jemima Prater – The Maynard (Part of Longbow Venues)
Lucy Hilton – Cosy Direct
Lydia McDonald – Treat Kitchen
Nicole Perkins – Futures Housing Group
Sarif Sarker – Growthack Digital
Scarlet McCourt – trentbarton
Start-up Award (sponsored by Nottingham University Business School)
Alex Taylor – Endeavours Adventures
Danielle & Ben Slater – Stephen Eve Financial Planning Ltd
Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby
Katie Michaels – Moti Me
Laura Holland – Ecotech Engineers Ltd
Max Palfrey – Comfa
Volunteering & Charitable Impact Award (sponsored by ITS Technology Group)
Joshua Leach-Aslam – Two Chevrons Group / Two Chevrons CIC
Bradley Hall – Turner & Townsend
Emma Sharpe – Menphys
Alicia Anderson – Reuseabox
Katie Michaels – Moti Me
Jenny White – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
Loredana Budhan – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
David Allerton – SE-LF
Michaela Castillo-Williams – Epic Partners
Future Leader Award (sponsored by University of Derby)
Chris Allcoat – Turner & Townsend
Samantha O’Neill – The Derby Conference Centre Ltd
Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby
Katie Michaels – Moti Me
Jack Brewin – Hays Specialist Recruitment
Emma Sharpe – Menphys
Nicole Perkins – Futures Housing Group
Ruby Birks – Purpose Media
Taylor Wayne Gee – Design Only Gardens Ltd
Tickets for the Generation Next Awards 2024 ceremony can be purchased here
