The Managing Director of a Chesterfield-based structural engineering consultancy business has been shortlisted for a prestigious regional award.

Laura Holland, of Ecotech Engineers is amongst the nominees for the Start-up Award at the 2024 Generation Next Awards.

The Generation Next Awards are one of the biggest events in the annual calendar for the network of young professionals run by East Midlands Chamber in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby.

12 categories will shine the spotlight on the outstanding achievements of people under the age of 35 in awards ranging from the Innovation and Technology Award to Generation Next Future Leader Award.  New to 2024 is the Investing in Young Talent Award aimed at businesses with a forward-thinking approach that provides mentorship, training and growth opportunities for young professionals.

Following a virtual judging process on 14^th and 15^th May Bustler Market in Derby will once again host the awards, this year taking place on 4^th July.  In previous years the unconventional ceremony has featured a DJ, arcade games and street food.

Laura commented: “The Ecotech team are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Start Up Award! Building strong client relationships and a growing East Midlands construction sector have been instrumental to our success and ability to grow in recent years.”

East Midlands Chamber Director of Resources and Generation Next Lead Lucy Robinson said:

“Once again, the standard of applications received for the Generation Next awards has far exceeded expectation.  Taking a look at the calibre in this year’s list of finalists gives an idea how challenging the task of shortlisting was for the judging panel.  It’s wonderful to see the achievement of such talented young people getting the recognition they deserve.   With this array of young talent now unveiled, the stage is set for a fantastic ceremony at Bustler Market on 4^th July.”

 Generation Next Awards 2024 finalists

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Loughborough College

• Alice Taylor – Your IT Department
• Ben Taylor – Preci-Spark
• Cerys Goodson – E.ON
• Emily Barnes – Donaldson Filtration GB
• Evie Culligan – The Fidelity Group
• George Archer – OceanLED
• Hannah Pritchard – Turner & Townsend
• Rav Jackson – Stephen Eve Financial Planning
• Rosie Summers – Caterpillar UK Ltd
• William Murphy – Electrician

Creators and Makers Award

• Olivia Waldron – MHA
• Katie Michaels – Moti Me
• Ollie Henderson – Purpose Media
• Max Palfrey – Comfa
• Alistair Bullock – Purpose Media
• Ewan Johnson – Botso Limited
• Morgan Jones – Hardy Signs
• Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby

Customer Service Award

• Benjamin Wileman – Select Car Leasing East Midlands
• Elliot Pipes – Sort Legal
• Daniel Burke – Delta 74 Private Investigations Ltd
• Hayley Cousins – Loughborough College
• Jack Marshall – Select Car Leasing East Midlands
• Jenny White – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
• Jessica Kelleher – Halborns Limited
• Matthew Robinson – RBC Brewin Dolphin
• Nicole Perkins – Futures Housing Group
• Loredana Budhan – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
• Stephen Atkinson – Longbow Venues
• Rebecca Cliff – Nottingham Trent University
• Thomas Shaw – Shaw Spark Electrical and Property Services

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Joshua Leach-Aslam – Two Chevrons Group / Two Chevrons CIC
• Oliver Smith – Miroproducts
• Luke Beastall – Musclecoach U.K LTD
• Katie Michaels – Moti Me
• Ewan Johnson – Botso Limited
• David Allerton – SE-LF
• Emma Morris – Headway Derby
• Jiten Anand – Inspirate
• Stephen Atkinson – Longbow Venues
• Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby

Environmental Warrior Award sponsored by Hydropath Technology

• Ewan Johnson – Botso Limited
• George Pritchard – Scenariio Ltd
• David Allerton – SE-LF
• Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Award, sponsored by Futures Housing Group

• Emma Sharpe – Menphys
• Katie Michaels – Moti Me
• Max Palfrey – Comfa
• Brogan Lees-Collier – Forsyth Barnes
• Laura Till – AMBITION Sports Coaching Ltd
• Fraser Annis – Anniseeds Ltd
• Michaela Castillo-Williams – Epic Partners
• Jiten Anand – Inspirate

Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by Hardy Signs

• Jake Ridgway – Design Only Gardens Ltd
• Josh Donnell – Purpose Media
• Finn Riggott – Cosy Direct
• Max Palfrey – Comfa
• Elizabeth Ashton – Loughborough University

Investing in Young Talent Award

• Futures Housing Group
• MHA
• Your IT Department
• Base 51
• Purpose Media
• De Montfort University Careers Team
• Innovation Nottinghamshire
• Longbow Venues

Rising Star Award, sponsored by Nottingham Trent University

• Adhinav Jain – Enactus Derby
• Amy Curtis – Loughborough College
• Evie Culligan – The Fidelity Group
• Fern Ritchie – Your IT Department
• Jemima Prater – The Maynard (Part of Longbow Venues)
• Lucy Hilton – Cosy Direct
• Lydia McDonald – Treat Kitchen
• Nicole Perkins – Futures Housing Group
• Sarif Sarker – Growthack Digital
• Scarlet McCourt – trentbarton

Start-up Award, sponsored by Nottingham University Business School

• Alex Taylor – Endeavours Adventures
• Danielle & Ben Slater – Stephen Eve Financial Planning Ltd
• Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby
• Katie Michaels – Moti Me
• Laura Holland – Ecotech Engineers Ltd
• Max Palfrey – Comfa

Volunteering & Charitable Impact Award, sponsored by ITS Technology Group

• Joshua Leach-Aslam – Two Chevrons Group / Two Chevrons CIC
• Bradley Hall – Turner & Townsend
• Emma Sharpe – Menphys
• Alicia Anderson – Reuseabox
• Katie Michaels – Moti Me
• Jenny White – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
• Loredana Budhan – Rosie May Foundation / Think Pink
• David Allerton – SE-LF
• Michaela Castillo-Williams – Epic Partners

Future Leader Award, sponsored by University of Derby

• Chris Allcoat – Turner & Townsend
• Samantha O’Neill – The Derby Conference Centre Ltd
• Jamie Quince Starkey – Down to Earth Derby
• Katie Michaels – Moti Me
• Jack Brewin – Hays Specialist Recruitment
• Emma Sharpe – Menphys
• Nicole Perkins – Futures Housing Group
• Ruby Birks – Purpose Media
• Taylor Wayne Gee – Design Only Gardens Ltd

Tickets for the Generation Next Awards 2024 ceremony can be purchased here

Ecotech Engineers and East Midlands Chamber support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.