A Night of Recognition and Inspiration
Tuesday, 23rd September 2025, the energy was electric at Xero’s stunning Central Milton Keynes offices as Worktree rolled out the red carpet for its most anticipated event of the year – the annual awards ceremony celebrating the business champions who are transforming student lives across Milton Keynes and the UK.
Business leaders, school partners, and passionate volunteers gathered under one roof for an evening that perfectly captured the competitive spirit driving Worktree’s mission. The night was about recognition for the companies whose volunteers clocked the most Career Workout sessions, each one a stepping stone toward inspiring countless young minds.
The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as attendees discovered who had climbed the volunteer league table for 2024-25 academic year’s ultimate volunteering championship.
Hosts with the Most
Venue sponsors Xero didn’t just provide the backdrop – they delivered an unforgettable experience. The dream team of Meredith Cade-Westcombe, Jade Partner, Beth Rushton, Alex Lai, and Mo transformed their beautiful workspace into the perfect celebration venue, ensuring every detail sparkled.
Spotlight Moments That Moved Hearts
Worktree Trustee Michelle Theuma commanded the stage as MC, seamlessly weaving together an evening of triumph and inspiration. A powerful Sponsor Partner and Volunteer testimony was delivered from Meredith Cade-Westcombe of Xero, who revealed the beautiful dual impact of Career Workout sessions – not only do they light up young people’s futures, but volunteers forge meaningful connections that extend far beyond the classroom.
Worktree Chair Sarah Watt gave a heartfelt tribute to the volunteers who generously donated their time throughout the 2024-25 academic year. Her rallying cry for more in-person volunteers in Milton Keynes had attendees already checking their calendars for upcoming sessions.
Large Company League Award Winners
The Large Company category delivered heart-stopping drama as corporate titans battled it out for volunteering supremacy – and the results were phenomenal!
First Place: Dentons – The Unstoppable Force
Sponsoring Partners Dentons claimed the coveted first place award in spectacular fashion, thanks to the incredible advocacy of Volunteer Champion Chris Northway. His word-spreading prowess truly mobilised the teams and ignited a volunteering revolution! The numbers speak volumes: 31 dedicated volunteers who collectively attended 90 sessions across 29 schools, reaching an absolutely staggering 2,229 students! That’s over two thousand young minds inspired by one company’s commitment to the future. Dentons have clearly highlighted what’s possible when corporate values and community care collide. Just amazing!
Large Company League Table 2024-25 – Top 10
Second Place: Network Rail – Connecting Communities
The competition was fierce, with Network Rail proving they don’t just connect places but connect hearts and minds too! Their impressive squadron of 18 volunteers (including new Worktree Trustee Richard Moody, pictured above) attended 67 sessions, visiting 25 schools and reaching 1,935 students across the UK. Nearly two thousand young people whose horizons have been expanded by Network Rail’s dedication to our mission.
Third Place: Volkswagen Group UK – Driving Dreams Forward
Sponsoring Partners Volkswagen Group UK rounded out the top three in this inspiring race to make a difference, and what a difference they made! With 21 volunteers attending 46 sessions across 23 schools, they reached 977 students – proof that when corporate commitment meets community spirit, extraordinary things happen.
These aren’t just numbers on a board – they represent thousands of conversations, connections, and career enlightening moments that will shape the next generation’s future.
Construction Champions Suzanne Moss and Daniel Mullins from Ringway (this year’s Drinks Hosts) brought powerful insights about representation in construction, demonstrating how breaking down barriers and showcasing diverse role models can transform perceptions of the industry. Their testimony highlighted how crucial it is for young people to see that construction offers opportunities for everyone, regardless of background.
Community Connector Peter Marshall from Suez Recycling and Recovery UK passionately spoke about the vital importance of reaching out to young people in their communities. His message resonated deeply, showing how businesses have a responsibility to bridge the gap between industry and education, ensuring no young person is left behind.
Michael Abbott from Worktree Sponsoring Partner Accelera by Cummins delivered a stirring testimony that reminded everyone in the room of the profound importance of social impact. His insights demonstrated how meaningful corporate engagement in communities isn’t just good business – it’s essential for building a sustainable future.
Small Company League Award Winners
The Small Companies category delivered pure inspiration as Sue Pardy of Face2faceHR claimed first place with jaw-dropping dedication of 25 sessions, 18 schools visited, and 694 students inspired!
Sue delivered a powerful volunteer speech (pictured with Worktree Trustee Rachel Collar presenting her award), highlighting why it’s vital for small business owners to engage with young people – not only to drive community transformation, but to stay plugged into the next generation and gain invaluable insights into future talent trends.
Second place went to Sarah Watt, Worktree Chair and Alt St Property Owner, with an impressive 18 sessions across 14 schools, reaching 477 students. (Here’s the thing – although we’ve tried (not very hard!) to get Sarah to take a break, her unstoppable enthusiasm just doesn’t quit! Especially when it comes to students being inspired. It’s exactly this infectious passion that makes her such a powerhouse on our magnificent Worktree Board.
Third Place went to last year’s Small Company Winner Rochelle White of Rochelle White Communications, who racked up 16 sessions, across 8 schools and reached out to 315 students! Yes Rochelle!
These achievements shine even brighter knowing that small business owners make genuine sacrifices, with every hour away from their business truly counting.
Small Company League Table 2024-25 – Top 10
The Power of Purpose
This wasn’t just an awards ceremony; it was a celebration of the ripple effect created when passionate professionals dedicate themselves to nurturing the next generation within their community.
The power of our Worktree mission was beautifully reinforced by heartfelt teacher testimonies from Careers Co-ordinator Nicola Parkins from St Paul’s School and Careers Lead Yookti Kotecha-Davda from Fulbrook School in Milton Keynes. Both educators shared how crucial these business connections are for their students – highlighting the transformative impact when real-world professionals step into classrooms to share their experiences and insights.
Every session attended, every young person inspired, every connection made adds up to something extraordinary, and these testimonies reminded everyone in the room exactly why this work matters so profoundly.
Diversity Champion Tendai Rukarwa brought infectious energy about the power of representation – explaining how seeing diverse professionals can ignite young people’s belief in their own potential. It’s not just career advice; it’s about young people seeing themselves reflected in success.
Apprenticeships enthusiast Bella Hollingsworth from CGI delivered a compelling message as she championed alternative pathways to success. Her testimony showcased how Career WorkOut sessions open young minds to apprenticeship opportunities, proving there isn’t just one route to a fulfilling career.
With very special thanks to Xero our event hosts, Ringway our drinks hosts, all Guest Volunteers and organisers and of course the very fabulous Jane Russell Photography for capturing the night with some very wonderful photographs.
Please note, if you share any of the official awards evvening pictures, please credit Jane Russell Photography.
If you would like to volunteer with Worktree, joining others to answer students’ questions in a 40-60 minute Virtual or In-person Career WorkOut session, please BOOK HERE.
More pictures of our Awards Celebrations from Guest Volunteers Large and Small:
