Supporting Your Social Venture

Derby Celebrates its First Ever ‘Derby Impact Awards’

Announcement Of Awards Highlighting The Growing Social Enterprise Movement

More than 170 guests gathered at the Museum And Art Gallery on The Wardwick on Thursday 20thNovember for the inaugural Derby Impact Awards, to recognise and celebrate the city’s most inspiring social ventures, impact-driven entrepreneurs and mission-led businesses.

Organised by Social Ventures Partnership as part of its Derby Social Ventures Programme, the awards shine a spotlight on the organisations and individuals who are strengthening Derby’s economy and communities by connecting business to social impact. The event highlights the growing momentum behind the city’s social enterprise movement.

The 2025 Derby Impact Awards winners were announced at the event, as follows:

• Upbeat  Clean Social Venture of the Year
• Rebuild East Midlands Enterprising Charity of the Year
• The  Manasi Foundation New Start Social Venture of the Year
• Circulayo Impact Business of the Year
• Nadia Jane Performing Arts Impact Business in Place Award
• Electric Daisy Creative & Cultural Impact Venture of the Year
• Katapult, B-Corp of the Year
• Michael Gladwell Social Entrepreneur of the Year

Guest speakers and award presenters for the event were: HM Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mr. Andrew Cochrane DL; The High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Sir Richard Fitzherbert; Derby North MP, Catherine Atkinson; Marketing Derby MD Dr John Forkin DL MBE; Cosy Direct CEO, Peter Ellse DL; Disability Direct Group CEO, Louise Moss and Culture Derby Chief Executive, Alix Manning-Jones.  

Catherine Atkinson, MP for Derby North, backed Social Venture Partnership’s call for the creation of a new ‘Derby Social Enterprise Compact’ designed to ensure a greater share of public sector spending goes to local impact businesses and social entrepreneurs. Ms Atkinson added “In Derby, we lift each other up”. 

Dr. John Forkin MBE DL, Marketing Derby CEO commented “The awards show that impact businesses and social ventures are now at the heart of the story we tell about Derby.”

Louise Moss, Disability Direct Group CEO said “The integrity of social enterprise creates trust with customers and builds customer loyalty”

Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, praised the sector’s contribution to the city, stating that “The City Council wants to grow and develop the social enterprise sector in Derby because it represents the very best of our city; creativity, ambition and a desire to do things differently”

Keith Jeffrey, Derby Social Ventures Partnership added “The Derby Social Ventures Programme has demonstrated that our unique approach to building an impact driven economy in Derby through coaching is working. We hope stakeholders in the City can come come together to support us in delivering this work.”

Martin Austin, Director of Nimbus Disability (Derby Impact Awards headline sponsor) added:

“Derby has such a history of innovation and reinvestment in its community. We are pleased to be supporting Social Ventures and the Impact Awards, aligning with our own mission and business model. To be help enable giving that recognition to others is a fabulous opportunity.”

The Derby Impact Awards will return in 2026, to further strengthen partnerships between innovators, community leaders, funders and businesses committed to making a positive difference. 

For further information about the awards, see https://www.derbyimpactawards2025.org/ 

On Thursday 20 November 2025, the city of Derby will host the Derby Impact Awards at Derby Museums, The Wardwick — an evening dedicated to recognising the ventures and individuals who combine business success with real social and environmental impact.

Organised by SVP/Derby Social Ventures, the event will feature 10 award categories — from New Start Social Venture of the Year to B-Corp of the Year and Social Venture Champion of the Year.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy keynote talks, short films showcasing finalist stories, and networking with social entrepreneurs, charities, impact businesses, B-Corps and community leaders. 

With nominations still open until early November and tickets priced at £20, the Derby Impact Awards aim to shine a spotlight on a new wave of changemakers in the Greater Derby area — and empower the region as a growing hub of social innovation. 

Want to nominate a venture or secure your place at the evening? 

Visit www.derbyimpactawards2025.org for full details and ticket bookings.

The Derby Impact Awards are kindly sponsored by Nimbus Disability

SVP is delighted to announce the appointment of several new board members who bring a wealth of experience, insight, and passion for social impact to our growing organisation.

Joining the board are:

• Dominika Walker – specialist in strategic partnerships, community engagement, and sustainable infrastructure.
   
• Michael Gladwell – social entrepreneur and Managing Director of Upbeat Clean, the UK’s first cleaning company recognised with The King’s Award for Enterprise.
   
• Jaz Greer – global social selling influencer and founder of Enterprising 4 Change, promoting inclusive economic regeneration.
   
• Karen Whitelaw – COO and social impact strategist, currently leading Pollen Careers in transforming equitable recruitment.
   
• Serena Bostock – psychotherapist, educator, and coach dedicated to empowering women and building wellbeing-led ventures.
   
• Alex Rock – arts, heritage, and audience engagement leader, currently Director of Commercial and Operations at Derby Museums.
   

Together, they join Co-Founders and Executive Directors Keith Jeffrey and Paul Squires, strengthening DSV’s mission to build a thriving, inclusive social economy for Derby.

“Our new board brings exceptional expertise across enterprise, culture, and community development — united by a shared belief in people-powered change,” said Keith Jeffrey, Executive Director.

Derby Social Ventures (DSV) has released its 2024/25 Impact Report, revealing how coaching-led, people-centred support is transforming Derby’s social economy.

Over the past year, DSV has supported 52 social entrepreneurs through coaching, mentoring, and events — helping 20 new ventures access funding, develop business models, and grow their community impact.  
 

Since transitioning from a pilot initiative to a permanent city-wide programme, DSV has built a network of 100+ social entrepreneurs, delivered eight major community events, and launched Derby’s first Social Safari to showcase local ventures.

Co-founders Keith Jeffrey and Paul Squires credit the programme’s success to its coaching-first approach, which helps social entrepreneurs build confidence, clarity, and resilience.

“We don’t hand over toolkits — we help people unlock their own capacity to create change,” said Jeffrey. 

Looking ahead, Derby Social Ventures aims to support over 50 ventures annually, launch the Derby Social Ventures Awards, and lead the city’s bid to become a recognised City of Social Enterprise.

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