Young talent from across the East Midlands are taking centre stage as the finalists for the 2025 Generation Next Awards have officially been announced! 🎉
The Generation Next Awards are delivered by East Midlands Chamber, in partnership with headline sponsor the University of Derby. They are a major highlight in the network’s calendar, recognising professionals aged 18–35 for their innovation, ambition, and impact.
This year’s line-up includes 12 categories, from Innovation and Technology to Entrepreneur of the Year – with the addition of a brand-new Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award, spotlighting an individual who has made a significant impact due to their approach to sales or marketing via a campaign.
The winners will be revealed at the Generation Next Awards Ceremony on 3 July. Stay tuned to our socials for the venue announcement coming soon!
Stay tuned for more information about the big night as we celebrate the game-changers, innovators and future leaders shaping the East Midlands.
When asked about the finalists this year Generation Next Project Manager, Kate Nemeth said
“The standard of awards applications received this year has been truly outstanding, making the task of shortlisting incredibly difficult for our sponsors. Each entry demonstrated remarkable talent, dedication, and innovation. Our finalists should be extremely proud of their achievement in reaching this stage, and we’re excited to showcase their incredible applications to the judging panel on the 21st of May.”
Good luck and congratulations to all of our incredible finalists! 🎉
A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm next steps.
Here are our 2025 Generation Next Finalists! Watch the video here
Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Derby College Group
- Aine Wales – Pinewood Properties
- Alfie Quinn – Cavendish Nuclear
- Austin Cartledge – Loughborough University
- Brandon White – Silver X Grouo
- Chloe Waring – Hardy Signs
- Kiann-Simara Ashanti – Ideagen
- Leah Barratt – TDP
- Lewis Benfield – SPS Technologies
- Lewis Griffiths-Cunningham – Druck
- Ruby Miles – Ideagen
Communicator of the Year
- Robyn Burke – Futures Housing Group
- Ruby Miles – Ideagen
Community Impact Champion
- Ayodeji Kingsley – T.A.K Ltd
- Emma Morris – Headway Derby
- Fraser Annis – Anniseeds Ltd
- Mollie Cox – Derby College Group
- Sadé Paul-Henry – Women Who Can (CIO)
- Safiyyah Esat – Soft Touch Arts
- Shivani Soni-Namballa – Step Up Rehab Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic
Creators and Makers Award
- Anushka Gupta – CME Leicester Ltd
- Ayodeji Kingsley – T.A.K Ltd
- Giselle Kandekore – De Montfort University
- Grace Turpin – Dales Fabrications Limited
- Ismael Na Onsa – De Montfort University
- Marco Coltro – Bloc Digital Ltd
- Matthew Finchen – Lancaster Armoury Limited
- Samira Boumecid – De Montfort University
Excellence in Customer Experience Award – sponsored by trentbarton
- Jack Marshall – Select Car Leasing East Midlands
- Katie Cooper – Dronfield Heritage Trust
- Kristian Brace – KJB Tool Hire Limited
- Simran Purewal – INishative & Co
- Yash Parmar – Microtech
Emerging Talent Award – Sponsored by West Nottinghamshire College
- Aliasgar Hassanali – Turner and Townsend
- Balraj Singh – Pentaxia Ltd
- Catherine Rix – Roadgas Limited
- Harry Bickerton – Tuner and Townsend
- Leah Barratt – TDP
- Leah Wattam – Pentaxia Ltd
- Rex Robinson – Ideagen
- Sunita Aythen – Ideagen
- Tamara Stasinska – Bloc Digital
- Walter Nkiwane – Turner and Townsend
Entrepreneur of the Year
- Cat Mitchell – True Talent
- Darshan Nandha – Microtech
- Dillon Downie – Acerlinx
- Jack Taylor – ReRender
- Sam Penhaul – Sustainable Extricko
- Tristan Sidhu – 1ofakindclothing
Excellence in Professional Services Award – sponsored by Express Recruitment
- Albert Har – Mattioli Woods
- Cat Mitchell – True Talent
- Harry Georgiou – Ideagen
- Kayleigh Heath – Ideagen
- Sunita Aythen – Ideagen
- Thomas Brown – Select Car Leasing East Midlands
Excellence in Sales or Marketing
- Karl Leeming – Paragon Products (UK) Ltd
- Sean Wilson – Bloc Digital Ltd
Future Leader Award – sponsored by the University of Derby
- Blu Hardy – Hardy Signs
- Charli Ashcroft – Headway Derby
- Charlie Jordan – Futures Housing Group
- Connie Austin – EGO Technology Ltd
- Jade Lewin-Patel – Structural Adhesives Ltd
- Kayleigh Heath – Ideagen
- Sarah Deaves – Turner & Townsend
- Shivani Soni-Namballa – Step Up Rehab
- Simran Purewal – INishative & Co
- Yasmin Castle – Ideagen
Innovator of the Year Award – sponsored by Hardy Signs
- Amar Suemul – Ideagen
- Chris Marsden – Pentaxia
- Jade Lewin-Patel – Structural Adhesives Ltd
- Joao Bravo – KreatiViz
- Marco Coltro – Bloc Digital Ltd
Talent Development Award – sponsored by Futures Housing Group
- Chloe Lindley – LJM Solutions Ltd
- De Montfort University
- Ellie-Louise Newton – Ideagen
- Longbow Venues
- Yasmin Castle – Ideagen
