Latest News | 23 February 2021
Partnership to boost 'Generation Next' initiative
The University of Derby has joined forces with East Midlands Chamber to back a growing network for young professionals.
Generation Next will now receive enterprise and educational support from the university after signing up as headline partner.
The initiative aims to connect business owners and employees, aged between 18 and 35, with like-minded people, develop their skills and open doors to new opportunities.
As part of the link-up, Generation Next will be integrated into The Innovation Hothouse, a co-working space based at the university’s Enterprise Centre, where the chamber will have a physical presence and host some of its networking events.
Lucy Robinson, the chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “We’re delighted to announce the first key partnership as part of Generation Next, which we truly believe will have an exciting role to play in helping young professionals in the East Midlands to grow their confidence, skills and networks.
“The University of Derby already has a very active role in the local business community, supporting firms of all shapes and sizes while also producing a significant chunk of the graduates who remain in our region.
“The way in which it has also supported both students and postgraduates to develop entrepreneurial skills via facilities such as The Innovation Hothouse makes it the perfect partner for a scheme like Generation Next as they very much fit the profile of our network’s members.
“While the past year has been tough, particularly for young people, we can’t wait to get started in our work alongside the university and help to shape the future leaders of our region.”
Generation Next was launched last year to create a network that supports young professionals and the next generation of business leaders in the East Midlands.
It features a series of networking events and educational workshops led by a range of East Midlands Chamber member companies and specialist advisers, with the aim of developing their professional networks and skills.
The University of Derby partnership means 100 of its students will have the opportunity to join the network and two of these will join the Generation Next board of directors, the make-up of which will be announced soon.
Professor Kamil Omoteso, pro vice-chancellor and dean of the University of Derby’s College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, said: “Supporting Generation Next very much complements what the university and Derby Business School do to inspire young people to become the business leaders of the future through a combination of academic expertise and real-world experience.
“This regional network connects them to a community which can help them – and each other – to take those vital early steps into their business career or to take on their own entrepreneurial challenge.”
