INSPIRE Business Award categories and finalists for 2026

The nominator said: We are delighted to nominate Demi-Leigh Charlton in recognition of her outstanding contributions and remarkable growth since she joined Castle Trust Bank to begin her Customer Service Level 2 apprenticeship in July 2024.

Demi has consistently demonstrated professionalism and pride in her work, adheres to office etiquette and maintains a strong commitment to her responsibilities. Demi interacts with colleagues and management in a polite, respectful manner, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere. Her delightful personality and strong work ethic make her a pleasure to manage.

Throughout her apprenticeship, Demi has shown forward-thinking by staying ahead of deadlines and managing her workload effectively. Demi has balanced her apprenticeship work with increasing her responsibilities in her role, handling a higher volume of emails while maintaining her commitment to quality. Demi’s proactive approach and dedication to continuous improvement have been key in helping her stay on track to meet expectations in both her apprenticeship and her daily role.

Demi is proactive in communicating any challenges and when faced with tasks or topics she is unsure about, Demi does not hesitate to seek additional training to improve her skills, reaching outside her team to our L&D function to arrange bespoke one-to-one training. Her willingness to ask for help and take the initiative to learn, demonstrates her dedication to both personal and professional growth.

Three months after Demi joined Castle Trust Bank, her role was involved in a structure change, where we combined two of our contact centres individually servicing different customers. The structure change is an opportunity for the bank to provide an even better and more efficient service to our customers, whilst upskilling our customer-facing colleagues to serve multiple customers across different channels. Demi has been extremely positive with the changes, embracing the new opportunity it brings to her role and the breadth she has to service a multitude of Castle Trust Bank’s customers. Demi’s positive outlook on the structure change exceeded our expectations for those involved and she has been a role model to her peers on displaying the right attitude and enthusiasm of the exciting opportunity it brings.

Demi joined with no experience in the finance industry and has shown remarkable growth in her confidence and knowledge. Demi has completed her apprenticeship work to a high standard, passing her assignment at distinction level and receiving positive feedback from the provider.

Demi has consistently met all expectations, demonstrating that recruiting an apprentice into our customer-facing function was the right decision for the bank. Our experience with Demi has instilled confidence and optimism regarding future apprentices we may bring into this area of the business.

Demi has truly found her feet within the role, passing her probation in January and becoming a valued and reliable member of the team. Demi’s ability to meet deadlines, produce high-quality work, and maintain a consistently upbeat attitude has been praised by many, highlighting her strong work ethic and what an asset she is to Castle Trust Bank.

The nominator said: Kyle is currently training with us a student nurse. He joined the team as an animal care assistant when we opened in August 2023 and has been truly invested in the business ever since. It became immediately obvious to Jamie, Emily and Ruth, our head nurse, that Kyle was an asset to the practice and a student nursing apprenticeship was offered to him when it became clear that nursing was his passion.

Kyle has truly applied himself to his student nursing role, and strives to go above and beyond on a day today basis. He works exceptionally hard both at work and also in his studies. We are incredibly proud of the excellent progress he has made so far in his practical training and college assessments, achieving a distinction in his latest exam. Whether assisting in surgeries, administering medication, or providing animal care, he has shown he is ready to tackle real-world challenges.

Kyle’s approach to both clients and patients is caring and empathetic. Even in the most stressful situation, he is unfailingly polite and calm. His attention to detail means that he always gives the best possible care to our patients, treating them as if they were his own pets. Kyle has also worked an out-of-hours veterinary support role to gain more experience and this has highlighted his commitment to the veterinary industry and has served to enhance the care that he provides.

The nominator said: Tallulah is an outstanding example of commitment to The Salon and has truly embodied the values we seek in an apprentice. From the start, Tallulah has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to both her personal development and the success of the business. She has shown excellent punctuality, enthusiasm for learning, and a strong work ethic, constantly going above and beyond expectations.

Tallulah is on a day release Apprenticeship scheme, attending the Level 2 Hairdressing course at BCoT in Basingstoke one day a week and working in The Salon for the others. At college, Tallulah has shown the same level of commitment – she has finished all modules, ahead of schedule and achieved brilliant results. Her consistency and work ethic mean that she is likely to qualify well before the end of the college year.

Tallulah has an exceptional ability to connect with the clients, ensuring they feel comfortable and valued. She has received consistent praise for her attentive and professional approach, always taking the time to listen to clients’ needs and providing personalised, tailored recommendations. Whether it’s assisting with a new haircut or helping clients choose the right treatment, Tallulah consistently delivers outstanding customer service.

Tallulah has contributed fresh, creative ideas to the team, from suggesting new styling techniques to helping improve client experiences. She is up-to-date on the latest trends and actively applies her knowledge in the salon, introducing innovative ideas that have led to enhanced services and greater client satisfaction.

Throughout her apprenticeship, Tallulah has developed a strong set of technical skills, mastering cutting, colouring, and styling. Her commitment to honing her craft ensures that she contributes to the salon’s reputation for high quality services. Moreover, Tallulah is proactive in assisting other team members and keeping the salon organised, ensuring smooth operations on a day to day basis.

Tallulah is still an active apprentice and has shown exceptional growth in her role, making her a perfect candidate for the Basingstoke Inspire Awards Apprentice of the Year.