The outstanding achievement of young professionals aged 18-35 in the East Midlands has been recognised at 2025’s Generation Next Summer Festival and Awards.
Handed out at a lively ‘summer festival’, complete with Caribbean band, DJ and street food at Electric Daisy in Derby on 3rd July, 12 awards recognised abilities across a wide variety of business areas, ranging from stand-out apprentices to those who excel in professional services.
Powered by East Midlands Chamber’s Generation Next network for young professionals with headline sponsor the University of Derby, the Awards were hosted by the Generation Next Vice-Chair Preethi Kang and Board Member Benjamin Wileman, while Chair Scarlett Canavan opened the ceremony.
The flagship Future Leader Award, sponsored by headline partner the University of Derby, went to Sarah Deaves of Turner & Townsend.
New for 2025 were the Communicator of the Year Award, sponsored by Leicester College, which was given to Robyn Burke of Futures Housing Group and the Excellence in Sales or Marketing Award, sponsored by Enterprising Women, which went to Sean Wilson of Bloc Digital.
Generation Next Lead and East Midlands Chamber Director of Resources Lucy Robinson said: “The ingenuity, fresh thinking and stand-out achievement of young people in the East Midlands is something that must be celebrated – these are the future leaders of the region, the apprentices that have the wow factor and make a huge impact at their workplace and people who’ve set an exceptionally high bar when it comes to customer experience or creativity.
“While we could follow conventional award ceremony format, Generation Next isn’t that. It’s a network that encourages free thinking, looking at things differently. The standard of entries this year was sky-high and having a festival-feel setting to network with likeminded professionals, with live entertainment and street food really adds to the vibe. Success should feel good, and these are impressive people that the East Midlands can be proud of.”
Generation Next Chair Scarlett Canavan opened the ceremony. Speaking afterwards she said: “Along with the summer festival vibe at the Generation Next Awards, we’ve had incredible entries across the board – whether creators or apprentices or the Future Leaders Award – every category has seen some superb finalists and I don’t envy the judges.
“The Generation Next Awards are an opportunity for young people to connect, while recognising the achievements of others and celebrate together.”
Headline Partner of the Generation Next Awards, the University of Derby, sponsored the Future Leader Award. Student and Graduate Engagement Manager Amber Siddall said: “Young people are the next generation of business leaders. It’s really important for us to celebrate their success, get them recognised for all of the great things they’re doing and their achievements.”
University of Derby MBA Director David Orton said: “It’s hugely important that we’re able to recognise brilliance and talent at the Generation Next Awards and it’s also motivational. The next generation coming through can see what they aspire to be can be recognised.”
Futures Housing Group sponsored the Talent Development Award. Executive Support Manager Tanis Wood said: “Being able to celebrate our young people and their capabilities – their amazingness – that’s just fantastic, so we were incredibly proud to not only support the Generation Next Awards but also present the Talent Development Award.”
West Nottinghamshire College sponsored the Emerging Talent Award. HR Director Sian Geeson said: “We recognise young people and the contribution they make to society as a whole and in employment teams. We want to make sure that we support young people to progress and do really well in their careers.”
Hardy Signs have sponsored the Innovator of the Year Award for three years. Marketing Manager Blu Hardy said: “The calibre of entries gets higher every year and it’s so interesting to hear the amazing things people are doing to innovate. It’s vital to celebrate people’s growth and grow people’s confidence. That makes the Generation Next Awards really important.”
Winner of the Future Leader Award, sponsored by the University of Derby, Sarah Deaves of Turner & Townsend said: “It’s a huge honour to win and it feels fantastic to be recognised, so I’m very grateful to the judging panel. I think I bring a different approach or aspect to the business. It’s great that the business enables me to grow.
“The Generation Next Awards are exceptionally important and winning raises the profile of both the industry in which I work, but also the Awards show that everyone’s entitled to grow and develop themselves.”
Generation Next Awards 2025 Winners
Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Derby College Group
Leah Barratt – TDP
Communicator of the Year Award, sponsored by Leicester College
Robyn Burke – Futures Housing Group
Community Impact Champion Award, sponsored by East Midlands Your Export Office
Sadé Paul-Henry – Women Who Can
Creators and Makers Award, sponsored by Nottingham Trent University
Marco Coltro – Bloc Digital
Excellence in Customer Experience Award, sponsored by trentbarton
Katie Cooper – Dronfield Heritage Trust
Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by West Nottinghamshire College
Aliasgar Hassanali – Turner & Townsend
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by East Midlands Manufacturing Network
Darshan Nandha – Microtech
Excellence in Professional Services Award, sponsored by Express Recruitment
Sunita Aythen – Ideagen
Excellence in Sales or Marketing Award, sponsored by Enterprising Women
Sean Wilson – Bloc Digital
Future Leader Award, sponsored by University of Derby
Sarah Deaves – Turner & Townsend
Innovator of the Year Award, sponsored by Hardy Signs
Jade Lewin-Patel – Structural Adhesives
Talent Development Award, sponsored by Futures Housing Group
Ellie-Louise Newton – Ideagen
