Generation Next Awards

Chesterfield structural engineering company shortlisted for prestigious start-up award

The Managing Director of a Chesterfield-based structural engineering consultancy business has been shortlisted for a prestigious regional award.

Laura Holland, of Ecotech Engineers is amongst the nominees for the Start-up Award at the 2024 Generation Next Awards.

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.

Laura commented: “The Ecotech team are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Start Up Award! Building strong client relationships and a growing East Midlands construction sector have been instrumental to our success and ability to grow in recent years.”

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.”

laura holland ecotech engineers

 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

Ecotech Engineers and East Midlands Chamber support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Generation Next Awards 2024

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

East Midlands Chamber launches Generation Next Awards 2023 to recognise region’s young talent

The best of young business talent across the East Midlands will once again be celebrated at the Generation Next Awards – as a refreshed look is revealed for 2023.

The awards are the showpiece programme of the Generation Next network for young professionals and entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35, which is run by East Midlands Chamber in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby.

It features 11 categories, ranging from a Start-up Award and Customer Service Award through to Innovation and Technology Award and the Generation Next Future Leader.

The programme includes a new addition that recognises “rising stars” who show ongoing growth and development, as well as refreshed guidelines for prizes recognising outstanding contributions in diversity and inclusion, creativity, corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

The application process of each category award has also been streamlined for a “one form fits all” method involving a reduced number of questions.

Lucy Robinson, East Midlands Chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “The Generation Next Awards are a celebration of the amazing young talent within the East Midlands, and our diverse programme recognises the next generation of business who make outstanding contributions to their communities.

“We want to encourage young professionals from across the region to tell their story and celebrate their successes. There is an award to suit everyone at each stage of their career.”

Last July, Generation Next held its first in-person awards celebration at Bustler Market in Derby, and recognised young talent such as apprentice Ruby Birks, who works for South Normanton-based marketing agency Purpose Media, and the three entrepreneurs behind Derby-based digital marketing and web development agency Alphageek.

It was an awards ceremony with a twist, featuring street food, a live DJ and arcade games. More than 220 people attended, marking it as a new milestone in the Chamber’s events calendar. This year’s ceremony will be held on 13 July, and the venue will be confirmed in the coming months.

Entries are open for the 2023 awards from now until Monday 6 March. They can be submitted either by individuals within the 18 to 35 age bracket or on their behalf by a colleague or line manager.

Applications can be downloaded at generationnextemc.co.uk/awards and should be emailed to the Generation Next team at gennext@emc-dnl.co.uk.

Generation Next Awards 2022 categories

  • Generation Next Future Leader Award (sponsored by University of Derby)
  • Apprentice of the Year Award (sponsored by Loughborough College)
  • Start-up Award (sponsored by Nottingham University Business School)
  • Entrepreneur of the Year Award (sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group)
  • Innovation and Technology Award (sponsored by Hardy Signs)
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Award (sponsored by RSM UK)
  • Creators and Makers Award (sponsored by PPL PRS)
  • Volunteering and Charitable Impact Award
  • Environmental Warrior Award
  • Customer Service Award
  • Rising Star Award (new for 2023)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , ,

Recognition for Chesterfield Champions as finalists confirmed for Generation Next Awards

Some of the most promising young talent across businesses in the region has been recognised among the finalists of East Midlands Chamber’s Generation Next Awards 2022.

The shortlist includes Craig Evans of Chesterfield Champion business UKATA, who has been shortlisted for the Future Leader Award. The University of Derby’s Fred Gough also made the list of finalists for the Diversity & Inclusion award.

The second instalment of the awards, held in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby, recognise young professionals and business leaders aged under 35, as well as organisations led by people in this demographic.

A shortlist has now been revealed across the 10 categories, ranging from a Breakthrough Award and Customer Service Award through to marking Excellence in Innovation and Technology and the Generation Next Future Leader.

New prizes for this year recognise outstanding contributions in diversity and inclusion, arts and culture, corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

A virtual judging day will take place on 8 and 9 June, in which finalists will be interviewed by members of the chamber of commerce’s senior management team, Generation Next board and representative of the sponsor.

Winners will be crowned at an awards ceremony with a twist – featuring street food, cocktails and live music – held at Bustler Market, in Derby, on 14 July.

Lucy Robinson, East Midlands Chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “The Generation Next Awards are a celebration of the rising stars of business who make outstanding contributions to their communities.

“We received some brilliant applications from a diverse breadth of individuals, and our shortlist of finalists offers a glimpse into the amazing young talent that exists here in the East Midlands.”

Finalists were announced at an event held at Cosy Club, in Nottingham, last night (25 May) in which two of the three founders of Derby-based doughnut delivery service Project D – who won the Entrepreneur of the Year category at the inaugural Generation Next Awards – talked about their journey to date and hopes for the future.

Winners will be crowned at an awards ceremony with a twist – featuring street food, cocktails and live music – held at Bustler Market, in Derby, on 14 July.

Tickets cost £65 + VAT for Generation Next members and £75 + VAT for non-members. Early-bird tickets are available at bit.ly/GenNextAwards

UKATA, University of Derby and East Midlands Chamber support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Generation Next Awards 2022 shortlist

Future Leader Award (sponsored by University of Derby)

Craig Evans – UKATA

Matilda Swanson – Loates HR

Mir Patel – Unique Window Systems

Theo Kirk – Express Recruitment

Emma Roberts – Derby Community Parent Programme CIC

Dan Heffernan – D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership

David Maran – MP Digital Limited

Rob Spence – Paragon Sales Solutions

Umar Razah – Mauricare Homes

 

Breakthrough Award (sponsored by Nottingham University Business School)

Alpha Geek

Dan Poynton – On Poynt Creative

Kate Johnson – Rate Social

Sophie Redman – Linford Grey Associates

Kevin Kapezi & Leo Worsley – Growthack Ltd

 

Customer Service Award

Danielle Harkness – Plastek UK

James Hardwick – Future Life Wealth Management

Anxhela Agaci – Gents of Notts

Arran Gessey – Bam Boom Cloud

Ben Wilkinson – MHA MacIntyre Hudson

 

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Loughborough College

Emily Jacob – emh group

Frank Hemmingway – Plastek UK

Polly Oakes – Express Recruitment

Rebecca Houlston – Cross Productions

Ruby Birks – Purpose Media

 

Diversity & Inclusion Award

Fred Gough – University of Derby

Jake Wood – Jake Wood PT

Martin Croft – Barrister Link

Rob Spence – Paragon Sales Solutions

 

Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group)

Adam Bamford – Colleague Box

Alpha Geek

Dan Poynton – On Poynt Creative

Kate Johnson – Rate Social

Katie Gilbert – TTK Confectionery

 

Excellence in Innovation and Technology Award (sponsored by Hardy Signs)

David Maran – MP Digital

Harsh Shah – De Montfort University

Jack Hall – Scenariio

Nicola Ciaessen – RSM UK

Rachel Saunders – Duncan & Toplis

 

Sustainability Award (sponsored by MHA MacIntyre Hudson)

Carys Tetlaw – RSM UK

Daniel Kelk – Plastek UK

Jake Hall – Scenariio

 

Creative Award (sponsored by PPL PRS)

Dan Poynton – On Poynt Creative

Deng Yudan – Follow the Orient

Joey Lever – Another World Media

Katie Brennan – Cross Productions

Sophie Price and Tom Dennis – My Town Vision

 

Volunteer Award (sponsored by RSM UK)

George Hanvere – Paragon Law

Izzy Plummer – TTK Confectionery

Taylor Gee – 360 Autoleasing East Midlands

2021 Generation Next Awards Ceremony

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Generation Next Awards 2022 launched to celebrate young professionals and entrepreneurs

From apprentices taking their first steps on the career ladder to the future leaders of the region, the very best of young business talent across the East Midlands will be celebrated at the Generation Next Awards.

The second-ever awards are the showpiece programme of the Generation Next network for young professionals and entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35, which is run by East Midlands Chamber in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby.

It features 10 categories, ranging from a Breakthrough Award and Customer Service Award through to marking Excellence in Innovation and Technology and the Generation Next Future Leader.

New prizes for this year recognise outstanding contributions in diversity and inclusion, arts and culture, corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Winners will be crowned at an awards ceremony with a twist – featuring street food, cocktails and live music – held at Bustler Market, in Derby, on 14 July.

Lucy Robinson, East Midlands Chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “The Generation Next Awards are a celebration of the amazing young talent within the East Midlands, and our diverse programme recognises the rising stars of business who make outstanding contributions to their communities.

“We want to encourage young professionals, apprentices and entrepreneurs from across the region to tell their story and celebrate their successes. There is an award to suit everyone at each stage of their career.”

Project D and ExpHand Prosthetics among Generation Next Awards alumni

Generation Next was launched in 2020 as a new group for 18 to 35-year-olds to meet likeminded people via networking events held at locations such as Leicester cocktail bar Manhattan34, Nottingham arcade game bar Penny Lane and Peak District walks, as well as attend educational workshops on themes such as marketing, personal finance and inclusion.

A mentoring scheme was launched this year to connect Generation Next members – who join on an individual basis – with senior businesspeople within the wider East Midlands Chamber network.

The inaugural Generation Next Awards took place virtually last year and recognised rising stars such as Kate Walker, who makes affordable and adjustable 3D-printed prosthetic arms as founder of Loughborough-based start-up ExpHand Prosthetics, and Derby’s rapidly-growing doughnut delivery company Project D.
Entries are now open for this year’s awards until Tuesday 3 May, and can be submitted either by individuals within the 18 to 35 age bracket or on their behalf by a colleague or line manager.

Applications can be downloaded at generationnextemc.co.uk/awards and must be emailed to the Generation Next team at gennext@emc-dnl.co.uk.
Early-bird tickets are available for the awards ceremony on 14 July at https://bit.ly/GenNextAwards.

Generation Next Awards 2022 categories

• Headline – Generation Next Future Leader Award, sponsored by the University of Derby
• Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Loughborough College
• Breakthrough Award, sponsored by Nottingham University Business School
• Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Fraser Stretton
• Excellence in Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by Hardy Signs
• The Volunteer Award, sponsored by RSM
• Sustainability Award, sponsored by MHA MacIntyre Hudson
• Customer Service Award
• Diversity and Inclusion Award
• The Creative Award

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,