Helping people back into work, developing new workforce leaders and addressing skills gaps have helped De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) reach the finals of this year’s Leicestershire Business Awards.
DMU has been shortlisted four times in the 2024 awards, the area’s largest business awards which aim to celebrate the very best in business innovation and growth in the region.
Helen Donnellan, director of Research, Business and Innovation at DMU, said: “One of DMU’s core values is partnerships with purpose and it is incredibly rewarding to see our work with local businesses recognised in this way.
“To be shortlisted four times for these awards is a wonderful acknowledgement of our efforts to be a resource for the business community and make a meaningful impact.”
The shortlisted categories are:
Apprentice of the Year - James Colver, Caterpillar UK and Mariya Muleya, Leicester City Council. Both James and Mariya are on the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme and were nominated by tutors Anne Marlow and Felicity Williams for their outstanding performance on the course, which aims to develop new leadership talent.
Excellence in Collaboration – DMU, Leicester City Council, Prince’s Trust and Futures for the Leicester Employment Hub project, which saw DMU's business development team help more than 60 people back into employment across the city and county, raise awareness of available business support and make new links with SMEs.
Education and Business Partnership Award – Leicester Castle Business School for moving its Help to Grow training programme to Market Harborough to address skills gaps identified by the Local Skills Improvement Plan. So far more than 70 businesses have benefited, with Danny Buckley, subject lead for executive education at DMU, working alongside Harborough District Council, Market Harborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce and the EcoVillage in the town.
Dr Buckley said: “This nomination is deeply meaningful to me, as it reflects the success of our efforts to be a valuable resource for local businesses and the wider community. I strongly believe that universities should play a crucial role in making a positive societal impact, particularly within local business communities.
“Our partnership with Market Harborough has allowed us to bring essential educational programmes like Help to Grow: Management directly to small businesses, providing them with the tools they need to thrive.”
Finalists were announced last week by Chamber president Stuart Dawkins, who praised the “exceptionally high” standard of entries for this year.
He added: “The East Midlands business community is strong and when I see so many leaders, so much rising talent, apprentices, and innovative people all in one place, I’m reminded why the region is a Centre of Trading Excellence. While announcing the finalists is exciting, it’s the sharing of ideas that means everyone at an event like this gains.”
The finals take place on November 8 at a ceremony held at The Venue, part of the Leicester Business Festival.
Posted on Wednesday 28 August 2024