Young creatives, entrepreneurs and future leaders from the East Midlands are among those set to be recognised for their business talent at a ceremony to be held at the award-winning street food venue Bustler Market in the heart of Derby’s industrial quarter on 4th July.
As the nation decides who will lead it on Election night, the Generation Next Awards will shine the spotlight on aspiring future leaders in the East Midlands business community.
The annual awards, run by East Midlands Chamber in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby, are one of the most important events in the calendar for Generation Next – a network of young professionals.
With just days to go until the awards, preparations are underway to make this year’s ceremony one to remember, in creating valuable connections for young people and celebrating success.
Live music from DJ Beau Jack will follow the 12 awards being revealed, which cover a wide range of standout business areas and skills like Innovation and Technology and the Future Leader Award. Guests will be able to interact among stalls offering a range of street food, drinks and arcade games to create a relaxed environment.
Generation Next Lead and East Midlands Chamber Director of Resources Lucy Robinson said: “To receive a Generation Next award is a strong indication that your ability has been noticed by those that are influential in business; you’re seen as one to watch and someone that could make a really big impact, perhaps by innovating or inspiring others in the East Midlands – all leading to economic success. Showcasing those people and their achievements requires a very special event.
“In building the awards evening, we think differently – while ball gowns and bow ties have their place, this event is designed to inspire informal networking. We create a space where we retain all the sparkle of ceremony, but it’s very much about celebration too. Everyone that attends can feel totally comfortable enjoying great food and live music while building worthwhile connections.”
Perinatal Support Director Emma Roberts won the Future Leader Award in 2022 and was a guest speaker last year, which led her to collaborating on several projects and a podcast with David Allerton, who won the Start-Up Award for founding self-care gift box company SE-LF. Emma said: “The Generation Next awards were an opportunity for personal growth, particularly making that new contact with David Allerton – that was a very special thing that resulted from the awards. The venue was amazing, the structure and the attention to detail. It’s more current than other award events, more relaxed in vibe and style and that encourages networking, connection and socialisation. Personally, that’s far more in my comfort zone than a black-tie event. The more natural the environment you’re in, the more confident you’re going to be.”
Tickets for the Generation Next Awards 2024 ceremony can be purchased here
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, sponsored by Derby College Group
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
