Lauren Cunnington
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: Lauren is a positive and enthusiastic member of the team. Lauren always goes the extra mile by offering supports to the team. An example of this is working extra hours, when we have been down a team member. Lauren is valued team player and is still in the early stage of her career but during this time I have witnessed her empower service user to have their voices heard and supported as their advocates. Lauren is continuously improving her work ethics by searching the community for additional resources and then feeding this back to the team. This demonstrating the positive changes she brings to services users.
Jack Breeze
Nominated by: Sarah Godbert
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Jack Breeze, has come on in leap and bounds since he started with the scheduling team has a relief scheduler in mid 2022 he has been promoted to a team leader in 2024 and has recently got a new post has Business service manager, for the flexible resource pool which is well deserved due to all the hard work he has put in to his new roles the flexible resource pool has been running since 2024 has a new project for relief care staff and is part of the scheduling team he has made a lot of development within this role and he is very passionate about the work he has done so far I believe this award is well deserved due to the hard work he has put in to the project.
Jack Breeze
Nominated by: Karen Fletcher
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: I am nominating Jack Breeze for his quick rise in the position he has achieved in such a short space of time. Jack started as a scheduler on a relief post in 2022, then he became a relief team leader in 2024 to then be successful in achieving the full time post of BSM for the FRP team. He is 27yrs of age and as fully embraced the job with patients and understanding with respect of each individual that he works with.
Ellie Tomlinson
Nominated by: Rachel Browett
Department: Corporate Services & Transformation
Reason for nomination: Ellie has demonstrated high quality work and made a positive impact, demonstrated a commitment to our vision and values, made great progress in her development and learning. Ellie started off in the team as a complaints officer, being very new to the role and responsibilities. Ellie fully committed to her role and worked extremely passionate to ensure she was going above and beyond and striving for excellence. Ellie is open to learning and new ways of working, she has gained more confidence in managing conflict within complaints, she is proactive and responsive to ensure complaints are appropriately dealt with. She works in partnership with complainants and the local authority and is fair and balanced in her approach. Ellie has excelled in her role, meeting expected outcomes, reducing escalation of complaints and agreeing resolutions which in turn has reduced the costs to the Local Authority and restored people's faith in the services offered. Ellie stepped up as the Complaints Manager to cover maternity leave and she continues to do an outstanding job and has clearly proven able, committed and continues to strive for excellence.
Ellie Tomlinson
Nominated by: Deb Ashley
Department: Corporate Services & Transformation
Reason for nomination: I would like to nominate Ellie Tomlinson, Complaints Manager. Ellie has undertaken this role for the last year and during this time her knowledge base has significantly increased and she has gained expert knowledge in relation to how complaints are managed within the local authority as well the LGSCO. Ellie has met, and surpassed, all the goals she set within her PDR for 2024 and is proactive about her ongoing development and her goals for 2025. Ellie is an extremely valued member of the team and despite the role being stressful, Ellie is always calm and professional when managing vexatious complainants. Ellie is dedicated to Derbyshire and is planning her future career by considering the opportunities the local authority has to offer.
Ellie Tomlinson
Nominated by: Liz Street
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Ellie Tomlinson took over the position of Complaints Manager for children's services approximately a year ago. Ellie has taken to this role with apparent ease although post is anything but. This is an extremely challenging role where there are statutory requirements as well as internal processes to adhere to. As would be supposed, there can be some very challenging communications with members of the public who are unhappy with the service they have received or the work that children's services are required to do. Nonetheless Ellie has sought to ensure that families are able to express their views and for resolutions to be progressed wherever possible. As a consequence, her role in ensuring that the high standards expected of our workers in children's services are maintained and provides an additional layer of quality assurance and accountability to the processes that are already being implemented through the quality assurance offer. Ellie is patient, knowledgeable and approachable for services users but also for members of the workforce who require support in ensuring that complaints are responded to in a timely and appropriate fashion. This role also requires Ellie to have regular contact with very senior management in children's services which can be daunting but she has risen to the challenge in order to ensure that accountability is shared throughout the service by the appropriate colleagues. For the children of Derbyshire, having a complaints service that listens to their concerns, and seeks to addresses these, is imperative in providing them with the service and respect they deserve. Having Ellie as the driving force means that the complaints team are fit for purpose and focused on these shared goals and is the reason why she is being nominated for the rising star award this year.
Jon Gouldbourne
Nominated by: Chris Hegarty
Department: Place
Reason for nomination: I am nominating Jon Gouldbourne for the rising star award. He took on the role of local bus manager in October 2024 when the permanent post holder was absent for an extended period due to long term illness. Despite having only been with DCC for a short period Jon threw himself into the role taking on a variety of tasks including - difficult negotiations with a contractor over the long term provision of bus services including the retendering of services when the contractor was about to close - Development of the local bus staff team including empowering the staff to negotiate future service provision - Regular engagement with Councillors and other stakeholders including MPs and the EMCCA during this difficult process - Getting the programme of public transport capital investment including for Real Time Information signage and bus shelter provision back on track following extensive collaborating with external suppliers and internal council highways functions - Providing significant support to the senior management team including the Director of Environment and Transport and the Head of Transport on a variety of difficult issues. At the same time Jon was having to deal with significant personal issues. During the 6 months he was in this role before the permanent member of staff returned Jon showed the very best characteristics of a senior leader in the making. With the transfer of the public function to EMCCA due to happen before March 2026, I am sure Jon has a great career ahead of him in the new organisation.
Jack Breeze
Nominated by: Louise Edwards
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Jack Breeze was the successful candidate to take over from Helen Farnan-Jones for the Flexible Care workers Pool. He has excelled in this position demonstrating great leadership and continuously trying to improve the new department and has shown great support to all his team.
Ellie Tomlinson
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: I am delighted to nominate Ellie Tomlinson for the Rising Star Employee Award. Ellie has demonstrated exceptional performance and dedication in her role as Complaints Manager, stepping up to cover a period of maternity leave. During this time, she has truly shone and made a significant impact. Ellie seamlessly transitioned into the role, quickly picking up LGSCO complaints and leading challenging meetings with confidence and professionalism. Her ability to handle complex cases and provide effective resolutions has been commendable. One of Ellie's notable achievements has been the vast improvement in the coordination, quality, and timeliness of stage 2 and 3 statutory complaints. Her meticulous approach and attention to detail have ensured that complaints are handled efficiently and effectively, resulting in more positive outcomes and resolutions for all parties involved. In addition to her role-specific responsibilities, Ellie has quickly learned and successfully completed the annual complaint report. This is a testament to her ability to adapt and excel in new tasks, even under tight deadlines. Ellie's support to colleagues across departments has been invaluable. She has provided guidance and advice on complaint responses, demonstrating her willingness to go above and beyond to ensure the best outcomes for those who raise complaint or concern. Despite the ongoing challenges in SEND with regards to corporate complaints, Ellie has remained a reliable and supportive presence. Ellie Tomlinson's exceptional performance, leadership, and dedication make her a deserving candidate for the Rising Star Employee Award. Her contributions have had a lasting impact, and I am confident that she will continue to excel in her career. Please consider Ellie for this award in recognition of her outstanding achievements and commitment to excellence.
Claire Thomas
Nominated by: Angela Cunneyworth
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: I am nominating Claire Thomas, apprentice social worker for her outstanding contribution to the Enhanced Support Team, as part of her third year placement in supporting some of the most vulnerable residents—adults with learning disabilities, autism, or both—whose complex needs and behaviours often place them at risk of hospital admission, service breakdown, or social exclusion. Their professionalism, compassion, and dedication make them truly deserving of this recognition. Their compassionate, person-first approach and unwavering commitment to human rights and dignity have not only improved the lives of individuals but also positively impacted families, local services, and communities. Their professionalism, compassion, and dedication make them truly deserving of this recognition and they thoroughly deserve to be celebrated locally for the meaningful and lasting difference they continue to make. Claire exemplifies what it means to work in Social Care. She is dedicated, compassionate and has demonstrated her commitment to the individuals she supports. Throughout her time with EST, she has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to person centred care, she is able to build strong, trusting relationships with the people she supports and empowers them to make their own decisions. She is able to navigate the complexities of working with individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or both and she is a highly valued member of our team. Her ability to go above and beyond for those she supports is admirable, she is able to adapt to challenging work environments and truly deserves recognition for all of her hard work. As Claire’s Practice Educator she is a true assert to the apprenticeship scheme, and it has been a pleasure to be part of her journey.
Adam Rhodes
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: I nominate Adam for the rising star award. Adam consistently demonstrates outstanding collaboration and a strong sense of accountability. Although Adam is not on my team he is always on hand, positive, reliable and takes ownership of tasks.
Amy Prince
Nominated by: Deborah Oddy
Department: Place
Reason for nomination: Amy started in January 2024 as a BSA and despite being unfamiliar with her service area, embraced the challenge and quickly got into her stride, working from the start above her grade, with a positive outlook and can do attitude. Her small team experienced resource issues and within four months, Amy was acting up as a manager showing outstanding commitment and determination. Her resilience was exceptional - she even continued to cover her front line service area whilst on holiday in France, literally going the extra mile to ensure vulnerable adults were safety on transport. Amy demonstrated great collaboration, innovation and problem solving last autumn and early 2025 working alongside managers in ASCH to redesign day centre transport requirements - working compassionately and with integrity with families and social workers to introduce and embed change. Amy was successful in a senior transport manager role in August 2024 and begin recruiting her team - great progression in her professional and personal development. She is a great team player, developing manager, collaborator and innovator with change management and improvement and is set for a great career in local government with her personality and skill set.
Jon Gouldbourne
Nominated by: Deborah Oddy
Department: Place
Reason for nomination: Jon joined the Council is July 2023 as a senior transport officer in the Local Bus team. Coming from the private sector, he was keen to be innovative and embrace change in his area which is a front line service, serving local residents. Jon has an inquisitive mind and a positive, can-do attitude. He was keen to implement change and engage with other colleagues across the Place department, all with the aspiration of improving the lives of residents. Jon is a team player and has learnt so much about local government and Council priorities and outcomes. During the autumn of 2024 unfortunately Jon's line manager was seriously ill and after a recruitment process, Jon stepped up in an acting senior management role which he carried on until 31 March 2025. Jon's performance, commitment and resolve all elevated to a higher level and he became a much respected leader of his service area. Since stepping back, Jon has shown great commitment by agreeing to be involved in EMCCA transition work, representing the Council and Local Bus on the Infrastructure side of the transfer, as well as devoting time to review and redesign the considerable digital requirements of all public transport functions which are transferring. Jon always handles himself with professionalism, respect for others, as well as being a good listener and problem solver. He is a great asset for the Council and I'm sure will have a very successful career ahead of him in local government.
Bianca Smart
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: I am nominating ASYE social worker Bianca Smart for a rising star award because of the amazing development she has shown throughout her ASYE (currently at the 9 month stage) Bianca is someone who always listens carefully, accepts feedback and puts her learning and experience to good use when faced with the next challenge. Bianca has managed to engage with people who in the past we have struggled to engage and I have no doubt that she has made positive impacts on many people’s lives during her early social work journey. I feel Bianca embodies the values of innovative through her curious nature and flexibility and accountability for the commitment she shows to working with the people she supports and addressing her learning needs.
Katy Rhodes
Nominated by: Robin Heath
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Katy joined White Hall Centre as a temporary agency staff member following the retirement of a long-standing colleague. At just 19 years old, she entered a well-established team, many of whom have worked at the Centre for over 30 years. This could easily have been a daunting and intimidating experience, but from day one Katy approached the role with the confidence and professionalism of someone far beyond her years. Katy has since proved herself to be one of the most mature, dependable, and capable members of our team. Her approach to customer service is outstanding, nothing is ever too much trouble. She goes above and beyond to support schools, families, and children, whether over the phone or in person at the Centre. Within the team, Katy’s positive attitude and consistent enthusiasm have had a tangible impact on morale. She has a natural ability to lift the energy in the room and bring people together, making White Hall a better place to work for all of us. It is no exaggeration to say that thanks to Katy’s dedication and daily contributions, we are now able to reach and inspire significantly more Derbyshire children through unforgettable outdoor education experiences. What began as a short-term position has evolved into a vital role Katy is now one of the most valuable and irreplaceable members of the White Hall team. Her rise has been nothing short of remarkable, and we believe she is a worthy recipient of the Rising Star Award.
Charlie Marsh
Nominated by: Mick Heery
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Charlie has been an excellent part of the Cost Planning team, carrying out his work to the best of his ability and being a valued member of the team, regularly collaborating with clients & customers outside of the council and with the building & admin teams to provide an efficient and collaborative service. He carries out his work without question and uses his own initiative when required. Charlie is a very reliable individual who is punctual, honest, trustworthy and a very good team player. He has very good interpersonal skills and good communication skills, both written and verbal. His strengths lie in his ability to work in all areas of his duty efficiently and effectively. Having just completed his Level 3 Apprenticeship Charlie is taking the right steps to further his career in the department and/or any future department in Derbyshire County Council. He has stepped into meetings above his role and deputised for his line Manager whilst completing his course and in other meetings has taken an avid interest in the workings of the Council as a whole. He has a good rapport throughout the department and can be relied on when faced with a task. Charlie recently attended the apprentice celebration day and provided some valuable feedback and made an excellent contribution to the afternoon. To carry on his progression Charlie has now applied for a G11 position within the team. I have every faith this is one of our future successions.
Jamie Allen
Nominated by: Mick Heery
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Jamie has been an excellent part of the Cost Planning team, carrying out his work to the best of his ability and being a valued member of the team, having started out as a joiner on the tools has progressed into an office role in the cost planning team. Part of his progression has involved carrying out an apprenticeship HNC in Quantity Surveying. During the end of the course Jamie had to answer questions as part of an assessment with his tutor and his line manager. Jamie passed this with flying colours and the feedback comments that came back from the Tutor was keep hold and look after this student as he is a credit to himself and DCC. Also Jamie was one of two candidates in feedback to me his line manager that achieved a Distinction in the HNC part of the course out of 36 students (Incidentally the other to achieve the same was also a DCC student). This is a credit to Jamie for his time and effort put into the course and DCC for allowing him the opportunity. Jamie is always questioning and enquiring when carrying out his role and has been an active participant in the development of a database app alongside his line manager. Jamie also gets very good feedback from the team around him and from sites that he visits.
Shannon Wyld
Nominated by: Kathy Whiteley
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Shannon was successfully appointed into her role as a Business Services Assistant in August 2023, having left her previous role working at a Building Society. Since starting her role within DACES (Derbyshire Adult Community Education Services), Shannon has made outstanding progress within both her career and personal development and in the short time she has been with us, has become fully competent in her role. Shannon is within the early stages of her career and currently is based at the Ilkeston and Cotmanhay Education Centre, where on Mondays through to Wednesday she manages the admin and reception for the centre single handed, with support from the wider team remotely. This has meant that Shannon regularly carries out duties above her grading and goes above and beyond. Shannon has outstanding customer service and organisational skills; she always completes her tasks on time and finds time to take on extra responsibilities and keep the centre running smoothly – an example being when we as a service, had to move out of the centre at very short notice due maintenance works, Shannon took on the responsibility of finding alternative venues and liaised with the Teaching and Learning team. I have had nothing but positive feedback from our stakeholders, in relation to Shannon’s performance. As part of her personal development Shannon applied for and is now studying for the Level 3 Team Leadership apprenticeship. She attends the training one day per week and uses the time to complete her assignments. I have regular review meetings with the apprenticeship team and again Shannon is doing extremely well and is on track to achieve a distinction. I have great admiration for all her efforts and fully support her professional development.
Paul Kaye
Nominated by: Mick Heery
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Paul has been an excellent part of the Cost Planning team, carrying out his work to the best of his ability and being a valued member of the team, having started out as a joiner on the tools has progressed into an office role in the cost planning team. Part of his progression has involved carrying out an apprenticeship HNC in Quantity Surveying. Paul was one of two candidates in feedback to me his line manager that achieved a Distinction in the HNC part of the course out of 36 students (Incidentally the other to achieve the same was also a DCC student). This is a credit to Paul for his time and effort put into the course and DCC for allowing him the opportunity. Paul has had to overcome some challenging scenarios to carry out this course. Also very recently Paul was tasked to carry out a very quick solution, with a cost, to Children Services which led to an order from them when they were having difficulties in a particular school. The Childrens Services Team and the school themselves were extremely grateful for the advice, prompt response and outcome with feedback to that effect. Paul also gets very good feedback from the team around him and from sites that he visits and avidly researches new ways of working/materials to use in our projects.
Abbie Sorrell
Nominated by: Mark Lunn
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: I am delighted to nominate Abbie Sorrell, Claims Handler within the Insurance Team, for the Rising Star Award. In just 12 months, Abbie has demonstrated exceptional dedication, making a meaningful impact within her team and the wider organisation. Abbie consistently goes above and beyond in her role, providing outstanding support to claimants, often during difficult and emotional circumstances. Her ability to remain composed and empathetic, even when faced with distressed individuals, exemplifies her professionalism and commitment to excellent service. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed—she recently received a heartfelt thank-you card from a member of the public, a testament to the difference she makes. Beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, Abbie is proactive in driving improvements within claims handling. She continuously feeds back valuable insights to her peers and identifies ways to enhance efficiency, ensuring smoother processes for both the team and claimants. Thanks to her initiative and hard work, the team has successfully tackled the biggest backlog ever faced in highways claims, delivering timely resolutions and streamlining operations. Abbie’s commitment to learning and development is evident in her rapid growth and contribution to the team. She actively engages with training opportunities, applies best practices, and fosters collaboration, supporting both her own progress and that of her colleagues. Her dedication aligns seamlessly with the organisation’s vision, demonstrating integrity, innovation, and a forward-thinking mindset. Abbie is an asset to the Insurance Team, embodying the qualities of a Rising Star through her impact, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. We wholeheartedly support her nomination for this well-deserved recognition.
Chloe Dickinson
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Children’s Services
Reason for nomination: I am proud to nominate Chloe Dickinson for this award in recognition of her exceptional achievements and rapid progression in her early career as a Team Manager. Chloe has consistently demonstrated high-quality work, a deep commitment to our values, and an inspiring dedication to her personal and professional development. Chloe’s impact has been immediate and meaningful. She approaches her role with professionalism, compassion, and a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and families. Her work is consistently of a high standard, and she has shown excellent leadership in supporting her team and contributing to service improvements. What truly sets Chloe apart is her remarkable drive and determination. Alongside her full-time responsibilities, she has recently completed a Business Management degree—achieving a First Class Honours. This outstanding academic achievement reflects her ability to balance demanding priorities while maintaining excellence in all areas of her work. In addition to her academic success, Chloe has recently secured a full-time permanent Team Manager position in a new locality. This is a significant accomplishment that highlights her leadership potential and the confidence others have in her abilities. She has embraced this new challenge with enthusiasm, demonstrating a clear alignment with our vision and values. Chloe is currently working on the reunification strategy for Derbyshire, further showcasing her commitment to impactful initiatives. Chloe is a role model for others at the start of their careers. She is committed to learning, open to feedback, and always willing to go the extra mile to support her colleagues and the families we serve. Her journey so far is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, resilience, and a genuine passion for making a difference. Chloe Dickinson is a truly deserving candidate for this award, and I wholeheartedly support her nomination.
Ben Jordan
Nominated by: Philip Spencer
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: It is with great pleasure that I nominate Ben Jordan (Auditor) for recognition in the Rising Star Award. It's been a pleasure to watch Ben grow in his role with Internal Audit. Starting as an apprentice Auditor shortly after completing his A-levels, Ben demonstrated unwavering commitment and enthusiasm, quickly transforming himself into a skilled and valued member of the team. His progression has been marked by perseverance, dedication, and a strong drive to continually learn and improve, making him an exemplary figure within the Unit. From the very beginning, Ben exhibited an exceptional ability to grasp complex mathematical concepts, navigate intricate processes and large data sets. His natural curiosity and proactive approach to learning has allowed Ben to quickly build a solid foundation of core auditing skills and data analytics. Rather than settling into a routine, Ben constantly challenges himself to take on new activities, refine current skills and consistently strive for perfection. One of Ben's most standout contribution since joining the Council has been his self-taught Microsoft technical expertise. With the support of Internal Audit management, Ben took it upon himself to learn and implement innovative solutions within the Unit to replace the use of an external audit case management system. These new Microsoft applications are now being embedded within the team and shared with fellow authorities, with significant savings potential by reducing external system use. Beyond these technical achievements, Ben embodies teamwork and integrity. His positive attitude and approachable nature make him a highly regarded colleague, fostering collaboration and mutual support within the team. He is always willing to assist others, share his expertise (including Ben’s training videos!) and contribute to the Unit’s collective success. Ben has shown remarkable adaptability, an eagerness to embrace change and a willingness to push boundaries, all qualities that make him more than deserving of recognition.
Tracey Hewitt
Nominated by: Jackie Chamberlain
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: I would like to nominate Tracey Hewitt (Enablement Support Team Manager) for the Rising Star Award. Tracey started her new role as an ESTM in Amber Valley START in early 2024 following organisational change. This meant that Tracey became a new registered manager with the Care Quality Commission, responsible for safe and effective service delivery for the people of Derbyshire. Tracey is a good leader and manager and has developed her own management style which has proved to be a success in the team. This has earned Tracey the respect and trust from her colleagues, peers and managers. Tracey has not only dedicated her time to help develop a new service provision but has also juggled this along with undertaking a university degree and supporting her family. During this time, Tracey has demonstrated a dedication for success and has been central in achieving good results. Tracey has been in pivotal in identifying barriers to achieving better and more timely results/ outcomes. She has strongly advocated for change and involved herself along with other colleagues in developing a new way of working to help streamline referrals into the service. Although this was initially met with apprehension and challenge, Tracey’s persistence paid off when the proposal was accepted and delivered. This change has not only resulted in better outcomes for the person, colleagues and partner organisations, but it has also demonstrated respect from her peers who were previously sceptical. Although there is still much work to do in START Tracey remains open to ideas from the team and is happy to share these with her managers. Although Tracey is still learning and developing her skills and knowledge, she remains accepting of advice and support and is equally willing to adapt to meet the outcomes of the service.
Molly Foster
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: Molly has experience in different roles in Derbyshire; working as a community connector, a Social Care Practitioner and now a SW Apprentice. Molly is a well-respected, liked and supportive colleague to all her team members. Molly's enthusiasm and passion for her role is clear throughout her interactions with clients, carers and professionals. Molly is in the first year of her SW Apprenticeship and demonstrates her commitment to the course and her role and this is reflected in her time management skills. The team are nominating Molly for this award as recognition to what she brings and contributes to the team and in recognition of her ongoing achievements in her career. A safe pair of hands for the future. Collaborative – I witnessed Molly speaking with different agencies and she always sounded very professional but also with a particular case she was very supportive to the care agency worker who had received some harsh feedback from a nurse. I thought this was wonderful as the carers work so hard which Molly acknowledged, I feel that if I had been this particular carer I would have felt very reassured after speaking with Molly. I feel that this also helps maintain the strong relationships that Derbyshire County Council has with our care agencies; it shows them that whilst we will highlight if there is bad practice, we will support them when we see good practice. Molly is a link worker for a care home and works closely with the care staff to maintain positive professional relationships. Accountable - In summary, from the start Molly has taken responsibility for her own learning and has embedded herself into our team, through hard work and perseverance. I have witnessed her person-centred approach, that always begins with a ‘strengths based’ perspective. She has an excellent attitude toward her work and the people she works with in the team and the community she represents. Molly treats people with a positive regard and is a well-liked and respected colleague. Innovative – Molly embraces her Champion role, seeking out resources and updates to share with the team. I feel like she is always looking for new services and ways to improve us as a team. She shares the information she receives with us as a team and all of Erewash. Molly is innovative and curious to learn and looks to see what people (when assessed) can do, as opposed to what they cannot do. She then has the skill and knowledge to mediate where agreements need to be made. Challenges old ideas and ways of working and able to interpret and explain new ways of working Molly approaches change in a positive manner and encourages others to do so, offering practical solutions to colleagues who are struggling with change. Empowered – Molly is always very clear that the person who she is working with takes centre stage; it’s their life and their views always count even if we have concerns about capacity. I have heard Molly numerous times asking if the person/ their representative has been spoken too and stressing that they must be. It is clear that she is very passionate about the people that she works with. Molly is known to go above and beyond when supporting her colleagues, a recent example is an urgent referral for a client nearing the end of their life. Molly wasn’t even on duty and could easily have gone home but chose to stay and help. She’s a lovely person and a great worker.
Steph Rowlands
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Steph started at Whitehall in January and truly has changed our office. She works incredibly hard and thrives under pressure, Steph is excellent at our job and we wouldn’t imagine office life without her!
Jack Breeze
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: Jack took over as Business Service Manager of the newly developed Flexible Resource Pool after the previous manager left after about 6 months into the new role. Jack has worked really hard to develop the system and help/support the Scheduling Team with this as it was a difficult and new system which the team found challenging. He is always extremely patient and helpful and very approachable.
Jack Breeze
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Corporate Services and Transformation
Reason for nomination: This candidate has worked vigorously on this new role. He is Empathic, patient, a good listener and extremely supportive.
Bianca Smart
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: Bianca is a former student, who now works within Erewash and is completing her ASYE. In the 6 months since Bianca started her ASYE, she has demonstrated an abundance of enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Bianca takes every opportunity to work with others to gain experience and knowledge.
She is reflective in her approach and is a fantastic example of what you want an ASYE to be – reflective, curious and open minded in her learning. Bianca is constantly thriving to improve, taking on board and actively seeking feedback on her work because her goal is to be the best advocate for the people she works with. Bianca’s development is measured very clearly within her work, her assessments and her recording – she has come on leaps and bounds and demonstrates a work ethic that deserves recognition.
Bianca is a valued member of the team, volunteering to support new students and other ASYE’s without any need to be asked. She shares her knowledge with the team, and is always an active participant in training or CPD sessions we put on. Bianca’s big personality and infectious laugh are also a testament to what a fantastic team member she is; in a time of uncertainty and where morale in teams can dip because of the difficult job we face, Bianca’s presence is a real balm to the team and I thoroughly feel her contribution should be recognised.
Natalie Pepperell
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: Natalie has not long completed her ASYE.
Natalie supports clients and colleagues to the best of her ability and is always positive and caring towards those in the community that we support.
Jack Breeze
Nominated by: Bryde Beighton
Department: Corporate Services & Transformation
Reason for nomination: I’d like to nominate Jack Breeze for the Rising Star Award. He joined our team as a Team Leader in 2024 and has quickly made a real impact. In April 2025, he was successfully appointed as Business Services Manager, a testament to both his capability and the respect he’s earned in a short space of time.
From the beginning, he’s stood out for his eagerness to learn, his thoughtful approach, and his genuine care for people. He’s taken on challenges with maturity and focus, and nothing is ever too much trouble. He has built strong, positive relationships with colleagues across the board, and it’s clear that people value his input, trust his judgment, and respect him both as a person and as a manager.
One of his standout achievements has been recently being the Business Services Manager for the Flexible Resource Pool, which supports the deployment of care workers across adult care services county-wide. It’s a complex piece of work, but he’s approached it with clear thinking, initiative, and a real drive to make services work better. He’s has been running it as if he has been doing the role for years, but in reality, its only been a couple of months. He’s someone who sees the bigger picture, who is always thinking about how to improve things—not just for the sake of change, but with a clear focus on outcomes.
He’s not afraid to test ideas, learn through doing, and adjust as needed. That level of self-awareness and commitment is rare, especially so early in a leadership journey. Jack has shown real leadership, resilience, and innovation. He’s made a strong start to what I know will be an exciting career for him, and I truly believe he deserves recognition as a rising star.
Ellie Tomlinson
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Corporate Services & Transformation
Reason for nomination: Ellie has stepped up to cover the complaints managers role for the last 12 months nearly. She is responsive, works collaboratively with colleagues in the QA team around complaints responses which has had a positive impact on the working relationships, holds us to account for deadlines and is very approachable and efficient.
Holly Chambers
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Place
Reason for nomination: Holly Chambers is nominated for her exceptional contribution as an Engineering Technician in Transport Development Management, a role she took up in February 2025 following 18 months in DCC's inaugural Graduate Programme.
In just a few short months, Holly has delivered one of the most impactful changes to the service in years. She led the creation of a digital mapping system that captures every Section 38 and Section 278 development in Derbyshire, past and present. More than just a map, it is now fully integrated with our back-office database, linking each scheme’s geospatial location to its technical drawings, legal agreements, and communications. This has fundamentally changed how we operate.The result is a tool that has transformed how we respond to internal and external queries. Where previously it could take hours to trace the right development based on partial location details, we can now identify it within minutes.
This has delivered major efficiency savings and improved the quality and speed of our responses to residents, developers, and Members. Holly clearly understood the brief and delivered a system that exceeded expectations. She worked with the team to gather feedback, proposed a workable solution to a longstanding problem, and managed the delivery of the system independently alongside her core duties. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality have made the system a reliable and valuable asset to the team. She has shown curiosity, initiative, and strong problem-solving skills, and has approached the role with maturity and confidence well beyond her grade.
Holly’s work has already made a lasting difference to the team and the wider department. Her contribution exceeds what would be expected at this stage of her career and she is an outstanding example of a rising star.
Ruth Tunnicliffe
Nominated by: Helen Forster
Department: Corporate Services & Transformation
Reason for nomination: I, on behalf of Property SMT, nominate Ruth Tunnicliffe for the Rising Star Award.
Ruth's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, embodying the very essence of all of the council's values.
Stepping into a new profession is a daunting challenge, yet Ruth has not only embraced this transition but has thrived, proving to be a true asset from day one. With a remarkable ability to grasp new Asset Management concepts and apply them effectively, Ruth has hit the ground running, demonstrating an unparalleled work ethic and a commitment to delivering outstanding results on a daily basis.
What truly distinguishes Ruth is her dedication to continuous learning and development. Enrolled in a university course on a one-day release schedule, Ruth balances academic pursuits with her professional responsibilities seamlessly. Ruth's ability to integrate new knowledge into her work showcases a rare blend of passion and accountability. Beyond her impressive individual accomplishments, Ruth contributes immensely to the success and morale of the Asset Management and Property teams. Ruth's positive attitude, eagerness to collaborate, and willingness to go above and beyond sets a shining example.
Ruth does not just adapt to change but thrives in it and this is the main reason I believe Ruth is a future leader in the making.
Katy Rhodes
Nominated by: Sue Mason
Department: Corporate Services & Transformation
Reason for nomination: Katy joined Derbyshire County Council in July 2024 as an agency worker, thrown into an office that had just lost 3 out of 4 permanent members of staff.
Katy applied for and became a permanent member of staff in the office and by this point it was only myself and her as all 4 previous office staff had now left. It was sink or swim time for us both. Katy's computer skills got us through some difficult times and my little bit of knowledge as to how the office ran got us going.
Its been nearly 12 months and Katy is in charge of the office, the phones, the booking system and now has another staff member she has trained. As a small team of 3 Katy is my right hand woman and we would not be as efficient, competent and reliable as we are today without her leading the way. She is only 19 but so mature and wise and will go far within Derbyshire County Council.
She is a very popular member of staff and helps in any department that is needed, she has helped coach our apprentice, she will listen to anyone’s problems be it work related or not. She is a very driven motivated person, she has led the way with delivering a whole new booking computer system and successfully completed her first financial year end and worked so hard to ensure we have our price list completed ready for booking for 2026-2027. No mean feat when you have never done it before nor the fact that she hates maths.
Dan Merry
Nominated by: Renata Hale
Department: Place
Reason for nomination: Dan joined Derbyshire County Council in December 2024 as a Compliance Officer within the Contracts and Commissioning Team. Coming from a logistics background, Dan demonstrated exceptional adaptability and quickly grasped the complexity of his new role - despite it being a significant career change.
Since joining, Dan has consistently delivered high-quality work and has made a real, positive impact across the wider service. He embodies the Collaborative value in everything he does. He works closely with colleagues across the Council—including Legal, SEND Transport, and Adult Care Transport teams—to deliver shared goals that improve both service delivery and safeguarding for vulnerable users.
Dan is proactive and full of practical ideas. One standout example of his contribution was the development of a new screening process for operators registering onto our Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This process, created and implemented by Dan, ensures that all new operators are fully engaged from the outset—setting a positive tone for ongoing compliance and reducing the risk of safeguarding issues and complaints.
His work has already made life easier for the SEND Transport Team and strengthened our working relationships with over 125 contracted transport providers. He has also supported improvements to our internal processes—streamlining tasks and improving efficiency for the team.
Dan regularly offers support to colleagues and contributes far beyond the expectations of his role, making him an invaluable asset to the team. Dan is a genuine rising star—hardworking, collaborative, solutions-focused, and already making a significant impact in his first year. He has a bright future at Derbyshire County Council, and we believe he thoroughly deserves this recognition.
Hayley Gleeson
Nominated by: Anonymous
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: Hayley stepped into her Public Health Lead role 2 years ago. In that time she has demonstrated her leadership skills within the Strategic Intent team, but also within the wider Public Health department as she has played a critical role in developing the Public Health Strategic Plan and Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Derbyshire.
Hayley has utilised traditional line management to empower the team to develop the Strategic Plan and supporting tasks, but has also lead and championed the development work of the Strategic Plan across Public Health Senior Management Team and the Extended Leadership Team.
At times this was a challenging area of work and building consensus across all leaders was critical and has been delivered. Throughout Hayley has been positive, led by example and inspired others to participate in the strategy development. The Strategic Plan and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy outlined how Public Health can make continual improvement across the department, but also within key programmes of work.
The Strategic Plan and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy is new to the Council Plan, ensuring that everything we deliver in Public Health maximises impact and outcome.
Chelsea Leigh Hardy
Nominated by: Carl Partridge
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Reason for nomination: Chelsea Leigh Hardy came to Bolsover START Team in November 2024. She initially was part time in Bolsover START Team and part time in Chesterfield Start Team. She came at a time that the team was in a period of transition and amid a consultation and morale was generally low in the team. Also the role of Occupational Therapist in the team was still being developed after two previous Occupational Therapists in the team had left for role for different reasons. Chelsea has been a breath of fresh air to the team from the day she came to the team. Right from her first team meeting she has been a supportive and collaborative team member. She is always willing and available to share her knowledge and experience with team members and she adds a MDT element as she has worked in health and she plays an active part in the morning Huddle (MDT discussions). Chelsea has been innovative particularly around finding solutions to enable individuals who have been in care homes for many months to return home with risks minimised after she completes functional assessments on home visits for both my teams and for other teams after other team managers heard of the success of Chelsea’s input. We haven’t had an Occupational Therapist who can consistently complete this task in short term care until Chelsea arrived. This approach has also led to some considerable savings to DCC for people whom without Chelsea's input may still be in costly long term residential care. Chelsea's recording and assessments are first class which has helped with accountability particularly when she has been asked to support Social Work staff with safeguarding cases where she has used knowledge-based evidence to challenge other professionals and family members to appropriately safeguard individuals. Chelsea has off her own back supported carers and Social Work colleagues to upskill their knowledge of equipment and adaptations and she has supported me to provide reablement training to both Derbyshire County Council and NHS Community Response teams which she did early in her role in Bolsover Start Team. Chelsea's knowledge, her personable and approachable nature has heled to empower individuals to seek her out and ask her questions to develop their knowledge of the occupational therapy role and ask questions that they otherwise may not have asked. To indicate Chelsea's value to the team and to the service when an opportunity for a full time Occupational Therapist role in Bolsover Start Team arose, she was supported and encouraged by management and all team members to go for the role. secured a permanent full-time post in the team in May 2025. The term rising star and the criteria aptly apply to Chelsea and I’m sure she will go on to be a Senior Practitioner and a Manager for Derbyshire County Council as she has all of the attributes required to make a success of whatever she wants to do within the organisation.