East Midlands Chamber Generation Next winners announced

The most promising young business talent in the East Midlands was celebrated at the inaugural Generation Next Awards at a virtual awards ceremony broadcast on Friday, 16 July 2021.

Generation Next was established by East Midlands Chamber as a network for young professionals to make connections, build new skills and advance their careers.

Breakthrough Business Award

Nottingham University Business School was proud to sponsor the Breakthrough Business Award, which was awarded to Daniel Jones of Professional Heating Solutions Ltd. The judges were impressed by Daniel’s insightful and inspirational business acumen and his demonstration of strong leadership within his sector. They also were struck by Daniel’s determination to support the local communities where the company is based.

Kate Walker who founded ExpHand Prosthetics to make affordable and bespoke 3D-printed prosthetic arms for children in 2018, was crowned the Generation Next Future Leader.

Other winners included an Entrepreneur of the Year title for the three founders of Project D, an artisan doughnut bakery based in Derby that has grown rapidly during the pandemic by pivoting its business model to a delivery service with a strong online presence.

Professor David Park from Nottingham University Business School said:

We work with budding entrepreneurs through the Ingenuity Lab at the University of Nottingham. By supporting initiatives such as Generation Next, we look forward to continuing to support the amazing talent we have here in the East Midlands.

Watch the awards ceremony

Read more about Generation Next network

Find out about the Ingenuity Lab