Bondholders shine at awards recognising young talent

Several Marketing Derby Bondholders tasted success at awards organised by East Midlands Chamber, which recognise young talent across the region.

Alphageek were the big winners at the Generation Next Awards, which celebrates talent aged 18 to 35 in businesses across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

The rapidly growing digital marketing start-up, which was founded by Art Lindop, Kieran Flynn and Alex Mills, scooped the Breakthrough Award and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

They were recognised for their success in quadrupling the start-up’s annual turnover in three years to just below £1 million and supporting watchmaker Casio to boost sales of its G-Shock model via a digital campaign.

Art said: “We are so proud to have picked up these awards in the face of some tough competition on a shortlist of firms who have done some amazing work themselves.

“We’re very ambitious at Alphageek and we’ve set out a pathway towards becoming the number one digital agency in the East Midlands in the next three years. It’s a big target but this is definitely a first step in achieving that.”

There was also success for Purpose Media, with Ruby Birks named Apprentice of the Year.

Fred Gough, from the University of Derby, carried off the Diversity & Inclusion Award, while Jack Hall, from Scenariio won the Sustainability Award.

The awards were presented at an informal celebration at Bustler Market, hosted by radio presenter Kaylee Golding.

Lucy Robinson, director of resources at East Midlands Chamber and Generation Next lead, said: “After being unable to celebrate the inaugural Generation Next Awards in person last year, it was great to bring so many fantastic young people together for this event.

“These awards demonstrated how much unbelievable young talent exists in businesses across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire – from start-up founders disrupting their industries all the way down to apprentices fresh out of education.

“It’s important not only to celebrate their achievements, but also to showcase what we can offer in our region so that businesses of all shapes and sizes recognise why we must continue to invest in our young people, who will be the next generation of business leaders.”