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 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.
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
