A night of celebration and collaboration spirit marked Leicestershire Cares’ Annual Awards Night, where outstanding contributions to education were recognised across a range of categories. Among the evening’s award categories were the Business in Education Award and Education Volunteer of the Year, two categories that showcase the powerful impact of partnership and personal dedication in shaping educational futures.
Through a network of dedicated business volunteers, the Education Project plays a vital role in connecting businesses with young people across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Through a wide range of employability events in secondary schools, the project equip students with practical skills, confidence, and a better understanding of the world of work, helping to level the playing field and raise aspirations. The programme’s success depends on strong relationships with local businesses, schools, and volunteers, all working together to ensure that no young person is left behind when it comes to career readiness.
Business in Education Award
This award celebrates businesses that have gone above and beyond in supporting educational initiatives, engaging with students, and helping to bridge the gap between the classroom and the world of work. The 2025 nominees included:
- CGI
- Everards
- HRBS
- Sytner
After much anticipation, CGI was named the winner of the Business in Education Award, applauded for their sustained efforts in supporting the Interview Technique project and 18 individual volunteers attending events, some attending several. This shows a real company wide commitment to the Education project, and to the future of Leicester’s workforce.
There is almost always a CGI volunteer at our Interview Technique sessions, and I know I can always count on Neil to try and help last minute. It proves that CGI know the value of employee volunteering and also the impact it has on the students we work with
Bella Emmerson, Education Project Development Officer Leicestershire Cares
It’s a real honour for CGI to receive the Business in Education award from Leicestershire Cares. This recognition reflects the dedication of our incredible volunteers who give their time to support mock interviews and help prepare local students for the world of work. Personally, I’ve been involved with Leicestershire Cares for many years, and I continue to be inspired by the positive impact we can have when businesses engage meaningfully with their communities. We’re proud of this partnership and look forward to continuing our support - and encouraging even more CGI partners to get involved
Neil Morjaria, Director - Consulting, Web & Mobile Application Development at CGI
Education Volunteer of the Year
This award honours individuals who dedicate their time and expertise to supporting Education project, acting as role models and mentors within our community. This year’s inspiring shortlist included:
- Jenny Hails
- Denise Bradshaw
- Jessica Kalar
- Danielle Young
The title of Education Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Denise Bradshaw from Hinckley & Rugby Building Society. Denise has gone above and beyond in supporting our educational initiatives and is a devoted volunteer bringing energy and creativity to literacy and learning support. Alongside other colleagues at HRBS, Denise has been involved in our Go For Reading project for an incredible 10 years! A team of volunteers take part in weekly reading sessions with students from a nearby secondary school.
I am incredibly honoured to receive the Education Volunteer of the Year award. It has been a real privilege to support such enthusiastic, engaged, and motivated young people. The opportunity to contribute to young people’s journeys through their education has been deeply rewarding for me, and I’m truly grateful for the nomination and delighted by the win!
Denise Bradshaw, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Hinckley & Rugby Building Society
The evening was further enriched by a powerful keynote speech from Sam White, Careers Lead at Babington Academy. Sam spoke passionately about the importance of employer engagement in schools, sharing how partnerships with organisations like Leicestershire Cares have helped transform students’ outlooks and open doors to opportunities they hadn’t previously considered.
Sam's address reminded everyone in the room that education is a shared responsibility, and that when schools, businesses, and communities come together, the results can be life-changing.
The awards night was a powerful reminder of the strength found in community collaboration and the real difference that both businesses and individuals can make in the lives of young people. Congratulations to all our nominees and winners – your dedication continues to inspire us all.