Several Bondholders up for awards recognising young talent

Several Marketing Derby Bondholders have been shortlisted in awards organised by East Midlands Chamber, which aim to recognise the region’s brightest young professionals and entrepreneurs.

The Generation Next Awards 2023, held in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby, celebrate the achievements of young professionals and business leaders aged under 35, as well as organisations led by people in this demographic.

More than 80 individuals are recognised in the shortlist across the 11 categories – ranging from a Start-up Award and Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Award through to marking achievements in Innovation and Technology and the Generation Next Future Leader.

A number of Bondholders have been named as finalists, with some featuring in multiple categories.

For example, Jamie Quince-Starkey, founder of Down to Earth Derby, is shortlisted in the Creators and Makers Award and Environmental Warrior Award categories.

Joining Jamie in the Creators and Makers category is Liberty Always, of Bam Boom Cloud.

There are also two nominations for Michael Gladwell, who is head of enterprise at Upbeat Communities. He is shortlisted in the Entrepreneur of the Year and Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Award categories.

And there is a brace of nominations for Purpose Media’s Ruby Birks, who will be vying for the Rising Star Award and Future Leader Award.

For the Rising Star Award, she will face competition from Cerys Graham, of Morrison Design, and for the Future Leader Award, her name is shortlisted alongside Renee Sunnar, of Bam Boom Cloud.

The whole of the Purpose Media team will also be competing for the Innovation and Technology Award – a category in which Finlay Riggott, of Cosy Direct, is also shortlisted.

The Customer Service Award is a hotly contested category, with Cameron Hogan of ‘AV IT! Media, Ella Sheppard, of Nelsons , Harriet Fell, of Purpose Media and Josef Hicks, of Bam Boom Cloud, all going for glory.

Jo Walchester, of Rotheras, and Kate Frisby, of Nelsons , are both up for the Volunteering and Charitable Impact award.

And Evie Culligan, of Invictus Group, and Sophia Shapcott, of Smith Partnership are both nominated for Apprentice of the Year.

The awards are part of the Chamber’s Generation Next network, which provides learning, development and connecting opportunities to individuals based in businesses across the East Midlands.

Lucy Robinson, the chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “The Generation Next Awards are a celebration of the contribution our young people make to their communities across the East Midlands.

“We received our highest number of applications this year and are always blown away by the achievements of the entrants.

“Our shortlist of finalists offers a glimpse into the amazing young talent that exists here in the region.”

The winners will be crowned at an awards ceremony, which will take place at Bustler Market , on 13 July.