25 Apr 2024

Finalists for Generation Next Awards 2024 announced

Picture of audience at Generation Next awards event

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