Dr Ian Turner, Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching at the University of Derby, has been shortlisted in the Most Innovative Teacher of the Year’ category of the 14^th annual Times Higher Education Awards 2018.

Dr Turner is Assistant Head of Department at the University of Derby where he has worked for eight years. He is a creative and innovative lecturer whose personal teaching philosophy echoes the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle’s famous quote, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

The awards – known as the Oscars of higher education – include 18 categories, covering the full range of university activity. ‘Most Innovative Teacher’ recognises academics whose imagination and passion have transformed a course and inspired their students.

Dr Turner’s unique teaching style uses a creative approach he devised called Lecture Theatre Pantomime. This uses costumes, role play, props and analogies to make demanding subjects such as immunology and genetics both enjoyable and accessible to his students.

He is also committed to enhancing the University-wide student experience, through the implementation and support of key learning and teaching strategies to encourage colleagues to adopt their own innovative methods.

In May last year, he won the HE Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award for his creative approach. He also received a National Teaching Fellowship in 2014 – the most prestigious individual award in higher education – in recognition of his outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession.

In the wider community, Dr Turner is keen to share his interest in science with younger audiences, bringing it to life by introducing scientific principles through the medium of popular culture. He regularly attends events to give talks on subjects including the science of superheroes, Doctor Who and Star Wars.

Dr Turner said: “I am humbled and delighted to be shortlisted for this award. Irrespective of the outcome, being considered for one of the ‘Oscars of Higher Education’ is a great honour.”

Professor Malcolm Todd, University of Derby Provost (Academic), added: “Dr Turner’s shortlisting in the ‘Most Innovative Teacher of the Year’ category is a tremendous achievement, and reflects his commitment to finding creative new ways to deliver the highest standards of learning and teaching to our students. As a university, we are committed to teaching excellence, as reflected in our Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating, and the high standards of our academic staff.”

John Gill, Times Higher Education editor said: “Times Higher Education is extremely proud to host these awards once again. In yet another record year for entries, and with over 70 institutions represented on the shortlist, it’s a genuine privilege for the THE team and our judges to read through these many and varied tales of excellence from all corners of the UK. It’s a significant achievement to make this shortlist, and we look forward to honouring all the finalists at the Grosvenor in November.”

The Times Higher Education Awards 2018 gala ceremony will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London on Thursday 29 November 2018.

Chesterfield Champion Shorts Chartered Accountants have been selected as a finalist at this year’s British Accountancy awards for Mid-Tier Firm Innovation of the Year.

The award seeks to recognise the most unique innovative approach to business structure/strategy or it’s approach to client service. Appreciating innovative techniques used to acquire and retain clients. As well as focusing on the explanation of the new approach the judges also focus on whether the practice’s new approach has had a positive impact on the clients, staff and/or practice.

In 2016 Shorts was also a finalist for the British Accountancy Award: Mid-Tier firm of the Year, recognising the calibre of staff and the growth of the firm over recent years.

2018 has already proved to be a successful year for Shorts following a recent win at the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards where Shorts were awarded Advisory Team of the Year and picking up three awards at the Insider Media Dealmaker awards earlier this summer for Emerging Dealmaker of the year, Deal of the Year (up to £2.5m) and National / International Deal of the Year.

Andy Irvine, Managing Partner comments “To have our work recognised in this way, is testament to the quality and strength of the team we have built and the quality of the service that we are providing to local businesses.”

Shorts won three awards at the Insider Dealmakers awards earlier this year.

A leading Chesterfield business, has partnered with the town’s half marathon, which returns on 21 October this year.

Blachford UK, which is one of Europe’s leading designers and manufacturers of noise reducing trim and insulation for agricultural tractors and construction machinery, has agreed a deal to sponsor the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon’s 1km Fun Run.

As part of its partnership agreement, the firm will also sponsor a service station at the event.

The family-friendly race becomes the “Blachford Fun Run”, which also forms part of the Half Marathon’s Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge. The team-orientated Challenge includes two entries into the Blachford Fun Run, the Peak FM 5 Mile Run and the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

With entry costing £5, the Blachford Fun Run is open to all ages and will take place within the boundaries of Queen’s Park, where the Half Marathon will begin and end.

The race is an easy way of getting involved with the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, which has enjoyed a successful rejuvenation following an inaugural revamped event in 2017. More than 800 people entered last year, with organisers hopeful of a four-figure turnout in 2018.

In addition to their sponsorship of the Fun Run, Blachford UK is also entering its own team into the race. Colleagues from Blachford will be pulling on their running shoes and taking part in the Fun Run, helping raise money for local good causes.

The Blachford team will be running for event charity partners, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Ashgate Hospicecare.

Jason Lippitt, Managing Director of Blachford UK, said: “I am delighted that Blachford are supporting the Half Marathon Fun Run this year.

“Many of the team at Blachford are from Chesterfield so this is a great opportunity for them and us to come together and raise money for the local area, and also get fit. We’re all looking forward to it. It’s a great event for Chesterfield.”

John Timms, Events Director at Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re really excited by our new partnership with Blachford UK.

“Although Blachford is an international business, the company has strong community roots, particularly when it comes to raising money for local good causes such as Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice – one of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon’s charity partners. We’re looking forward to seeing this partnership develop.

For more information on all the races and how to get involved click here.

Sajeeda Rose, formerly the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Senior Manager for Growth Deal and Capital Programmes (pictured), has been appointed Interim Chief Executive of the LEP with immediate effect by D2N2’s new Chair, Elizabeth Fagan. Sajeeda has been with the LEP since November 2017 and has been working with public and private sector stakeholders and partner organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Matthew Wheatley, who has been D2N2’s Interim Chief Executive since January of this year (2018) will be leading the important task of refreshing the Strategic Economic Plan, resuming his role as Growth Plan Manager.

Sajeeda said today: “D2N2 is in a very strong position, helping to lead the economic and business strategy for a region with an impressive track record in creating new private sector jobs. We are keen to look to the future by using our resources, skills and knowledge to work with partners across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, we can boost productivity, improve the economy and create a living, breathing industrial strategy which is fit for the future of the D2N2 area.”

Elizabeth Fagan, D2N2 Chair, added: “As the Chair of D2N2, I look forward to continuing to work with partners as we shape and prepare for the implementation of the LEP review.

“I would like to thank Matthew for his commitment and support to the LEP during this transitional period and I’m pleased to confirm that he will be leading the refresh of the Strategic Economic Plan as Growth Plan Manager at this important time in the LEPs journey.

“Moving forward I am pleased to announce that Sajeeda Rose will be appointed as the Interim CEO with immediate effect to lead our response to the LEP review and its implication on the organisation.”

Derbyshire County Council is joining the NHS, local charities and organisations in supporting World Suicide Prevention Day which is on 10 September 2018.