Oliver’s Big Win at the 2025 Apprenticeship Awards
Last night, our NotLuck crew dusted off our glad rags and hit the red carpet at the Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025, hosted at the Village Hotel in Nottingham. The room shimmered with purple lighting, the tables were dressed to perfection, and there was a real sense of occasion. We knew it was going to be a glitzy affair — but the scale of it still took us by surprise.
Big names were everywhere — from Nottingham Trent University to the NHS, from East Midlands Railway to the Derbyshire Times. The atmosphere was electric: a celebration of apprentices, mentors, providers, and the businesses who champion growth and innovation across our region. Categories spanned everything from construction and engineering to health, professional services, and technology.
And in the middle of all that, our very own Oliver was up for Higher Apprentice of the Year 2025.
The Nomination Journey
Oliver’s nomination wasn’t a quick tick-box exercise. It was a story of growth, determination, and proof of the impact an apprentice can have when given the right support and space to shine. And as any business knows - it’s not enough to believe wholeheartedly, social proof is key. We were lucky to have support and input from three directions:
👉 From our clients – InHouse Corporation shared how Oliver’s work in building bespoke automations and CRM systems has had a tangible impact on their business.
👉 From a professional standpoint – Evans Accountancy praised his financial oversight and systems development, noting the kind of maturity you’d usually expect from someone years further into their career.
👉 From education – his Cambridge Marketing College tutor recognised his adaptability and commitment to learning, describing him as a standout apprentice.
Oliver consistently translates our business challenges into effective technical solutions. Several systems he’s implemented have dramatically improved our operational efficiency, and his willingness to develop custom solutions has been particularly valuable.
Jason, InHouse Corporate Services
(We’ll be sprinkling some snippets of their testimonials throughout this post — because honestly, they say it best.)
Our Awards Night Experience
We found ourselves sat with the brilliant teams from Dalton Roofing and Lifetime Training. Between us, there were nominees for everything from Mentor of the Year to Training Provider of the Year — so we quickly decided our table would cheer the loudest when it came to celebrating our people.
There was some healthy competition: Bertie joked he’d overheard other tables plotting to out-cheer us. Challenge accepted.
Dinner was a full three-course affair: roasted red pepper & tomato soup to start, lemon tarragon chicken with roasted vegetables, and sticky toffee pudding with ice cream to finish (though if you ask our table, the pudding didn’t quite live up to the hype).
We also caught up with Verity from Base 51, the evening’s charity partner. Base 51 do amazing work supporting young people and their families in Nottingham and Lee-ann has spoken at their FFS+ Female Networking events before, so it felt like reconnecting with friends. Oliver was introduced to her too - another full-circle moment.
The Big Moment
When Oliver’s category came around, the tension at our table was real. The calibre of other finalists was sky-high, and the room was buzzing.
And then — his name was called. Oliver: Higher Apprentice of the Year 2025.
Cue the cheers (we definitely won the loudest table contest).
He went up to collect his award, cracked a quick joke with the presenter about keeping it “on a shelf” (which landed with mixed success 😂), and held his trophy high. The award itself is a beauty — and yes, we got the all-important stage photo in front of the big event logo to mark the moment.
Why This Win Matters
For Oliver, this award is recognition of his hard work, his creativity, and his ability to rise to every challenge thrown his way.
For us at NotLuck, it’s bigger than that. It’s a reflection of how we nurture talent, trust people to take ownership, and innovate fearlessly. Oliver’s success mirrors the way we work with our clients: diving deep into their businesses, creating systems that actually work for them, and delivering automations that free up time and unlock growth.
We often say at NotLuck that CRMs and automations aren’t just about technology — they’re about people. The right system gives you space to focus on what you do best. Oliver embodies that ethos.
Oliver demonstrated a level of understanding of bookkeeping software beyond many experienced clients. He was well-presented, communicated his ideas clearly, and came across brilliantly — the kind of young talent that gives you hope for the future of the industry.
~ Richard, Evans Accountants
Thank You
This win wouldn’t have happened without the people who supported Oliver’s nomination.
To our clients at InHouse Corporation, thank you for recognising his impact on your operations.
To Evans Accountancy, thank you for shining a light on his professional growth.
And to his Cambridge Marketing College tutor, thank you for encouraging his development from an academic perspective.
It really does take a village - and Oliver’s journey is proof of that.
Oliver has been a hardworking, committed apprentice who has grown personally and professionally through the course. His commitment to learning, even during busy work periods, has been exemplary — qualities that will make him a high-level performer in the marketing of the future.
Bernard, Cambridge Marketing College
Looking Ahead
We left the Village Hotel last night not just proud, but inspired. The awards reminded us of the incredible businesses and individuals driving our region forward.
As for Oliver, his trophy may well end up on a shelf, but his story is only just beginning. We can’t wait to see how his journey continues to unfold as NotLuck grows, builds smarter CRMs, and delivers bold automations that help other businesses shine.
Here’s to apprentices, here’s to growth, and here’s to celebrating the wins along the way. 🥂
If you have enjoyed reading this, you might also enjoy
Why Your Business Needs to Work With AI (Instead of Pretending It Doesn’t Exist)
