Ruby Birks has been named as Rising Star in the Enterprising Women Awards organised by East Midlands Chamber.
It’s an award open to female professionals aged between 18 and 35 which acknowledges exceptional career growth and the potential to develop into a future leader.
The honour, sponsored by Amanda Daly from The Turnaround CEO, is the fourth major prize won by Ruby, of South Normanton-based Purpose Media, in the past two years.
In 2022, she was named Apprentice of the Year at both the Enterprising Women and Generation Next awards, and, earlier this year, she was also announced as Generation Next’s Rising Star.
She said: “I certainly didn’t expect to be a winner at the Enterprising Women event last year and to be acknowledged twice in the space of two years is just stunning. I’m so grateful.”
Ruby joined the Purpose team in 2021 as a 16-year-old digital project apprentice and has progressed rapidly and successfully since, completing her apprenticeship with a distinction and achieving promotion to the role of Project Manager. She also now supports the company’s business development activities.
A passionate supporter of East Midlands Chamber’s Generation Next initiative, designed to assist the development of young professionals, Ruby has spent the last year helping to promote apprenticeships in the region.
“The last two and a half years at Purpose Media have absolutely flown by. I’ve loved every minute of it and can’t wait to see what the future holds,” she said.
“Winning the Enterprising Women Rising Star award feels like a nice symbol of progression from my apprenticeship into the rest of my career.
“It was a real honour to be part of the awards again this year. I’m so grateful to the members of the Enterprising Women’s Network for the work they have done over the last 26 years, opening doors for us so that we can have the opportunities we enjoy now.”