2020 and 2021 were hard for people in the business industry to navigate, but the resilience and spirit of local communities have shone through. Whether it was helping the wider community through donations or innovations to transform lives, or finding a way to adapt to working from home, everyone has done their part to maintain the local economy while keeping everyone safe.

The DerbyshireLive Business Awards, in association with Champions (UK) PLC, has a diverse range of awards to hand out to the region’s top entrepreneurs to ensure that they get the recognition that they deserve. The black-tie ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 21, live at the Derby Arena.

This year’s headline sponsors are Invictus Communications, Futures, Diginius, Derby Arena and Derby College. To find out more, visit the official website. For tickets, contact Michelle Roberts, [email protected].



Recognising the excellent performance of the public sector, not-for-profit and charitable organisations in the Derbyshire area, the Not-for-Profit Organisation Award, sponsored by Sellick Partnership, celebrates the selfless companies putting others first. Judged on the cultural influence of the business and the potential benefits it brings, as well as the organisation’s ability to maintain financial performance, the finalists below provide vital support for our community and deserve commendation for their commitment.

The finalists for the Not-for-Profit Organisation Award are:

Safe & Sound

Determined to end child exploitation forever, Safe & Sound offers a portal to concerned parents, friends and children who require help, support and advice. This year alone, it has given more than 140 people specialist one-to-one support and has delivered more than 870 awareness sessions to children and young people.

Safe & Sound focuses on four key areas: prevention, early intervention, diversion and transition. This shapes its mission to transform the lives of children and young people affected by exploitation. As well as providing a place of safety, Safe & Sound works to help children achieve their maximum potential through values based on empowerment and learning.



Padley Group

Founded in 1985, Padley Group is one of the region’s longest established and largest charities. Its purpose is to provide services to the most vulnerable people in the City of Derby. This includes helping with a range of issues such as homelessness, debt and addiction, with services designed to help growth and development.

Padley has a commitment to accept everyone as a unique individual. It makes the inter-related facilities of the Day Centre, Therapeutic Learning and accommodation available to those in need, using the ‘Housing First’ Model of working, where people can grow in confidence, self-esteem and skills.

Sunshine Support

Sunshine Support is a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) consultancy, with a goal to empower and advocate for parents, carers and professionals who support children with SEND.

It was established in 2017 after founder Chrissa Wadlow’s own battle to gain her daughter suitable education provision, forming Sunshine Support to help families in need of SEND guidance. The consultancy helps parents and carers gain support by offering expert advice and professionals benefit from training and educational services. Events and webinars are made easily accessible, with the Cuppa & Chat event designed for stress-relieving informal talks and discussions.

Sellick Partnership to sponsor Not-for-Profit Organisation award

Advertiser content from Sellick Partnership



Group director at Sellick Partnership Nikki Kinsey.

The DerbyshireLive Business Awards attract the creme de la creme of local businesses, all showcasing the innovation and talent the region has to offer.

They aim to celebrate success, recognise achievement and highlight the innovative people and companies throughout Derbyshire who are putting their region on the map by boosting the economy while making a positive contribution to the local community.

This year’s event will be held on October 21 at the Derby Conference Centre. For more details or to buy tickets, click here.

The sponsors of the Not-For-Profit Organisation Award this year will be Sellick Partnership, a market-leading professional services recruitment specialist with offices across the UK in Derby, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and London.

Group director Nikki Kinsey said: “Our focus is to provide more than just a recruitment service – we are passionate about how our business can make a real positive difference to the wider community. We have proudly sponsored the Not-for-Profit Organisation Award for the last seven years because we firmly believe that your achievements and contributions to our region need to be recognised and rewarded.”

The DerbyshireLive Business Awards 2020/21 categories are:

Company of the Year Sponsored by University of Derby

SME Business of the Year

Start-Up Business of the Year Sponsored by Wheeldon Brothers

Business Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by HUUB

Employer of the Year Sponsored by Smith Partnership

Customer Service Excellence Award

Professional Services Sponsored by EVAD

Excellence in Innovation Award Sponsored by Derby City Council

Contribution to the Community Award Sponsored by Lubrizol

Family Business of the Year Sponsored by Invictus Communications

Apprentice Employer of the Year Sponsored by Futures

Not-For-Profit-Organisation Award Sponsored by Sellick Partnership

Education Sector: Business Engagement and Employability Sponsored by Rolls Royce

Best Digital Transformation Sponsored by RDS

Excellence in Manufacturing Award Sponsored by ACE Sameday Couriers

Excellence in Business Growth Sponsored by Dains Accountants