Derby Celebrates its First Ever ‘Derby Impact Awards’

Announcement Of Awards Highlighting Growing Social Enterprise Movement

More than 170 guests gathered at the Museum And Art Gallery on The Wardwick on Thursday 20^th November 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.

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 together to support us in delivering this work.”

Martin Austin, Director of Nimbus Disability (Derby Impact Awards headline sponsor) commented: “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/ 

For further information about Derby Social Ventures Partnership, see https://socventures.org/