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Winners announced of Enterprising Women Awards announced

13th March 2020

Neeyantee Karia, co-founder of nationally renowned, Leicester-based food producers Jake & Nayns’, has been named Enterprising Women Business Woman of the Year for 2020 at a glittering awards ceremony at Double Tree by Hilton, Sheffield Park.

She was one of eight winners on the night as a record number of guests gathered to acknowledge and celebrate the very best female business talent across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Food Attraction Ltd manufactures food for many high street restaurant chains as well as the Jake and Nayns’ brand of handheld street food for the retail market.

Neeyantee has now collected six major awards in the past 12 months, two of them national awards.

She oversees finance, production and the manufacturing site as well as HR and H&S and has been instrumental in the success of the company, which has grown from a start-up to an international business, with further growth predicted.

Neeyantee is mother to two daughters and looks out for the 100 staff in the business. Her attitude to work and passion for supporting those around her is infectious and she is influential in nurturing employees to bring out the best in them.

She said: “I am both shocked and delighted to win this award. I want to thank my amazing team for this win as well as the Enterprising Women Awards sponsors and everyone at the Chamber – this is such a huge honour.”

Other winners on the night included Mital Thanki, Spark Academy (Female Entrepreneur of the Year), Easy Internet Services (Social Commitment Award), Blueprint Interiors (Small Business of the Year Award), Emma Anderson, Freeths LLP (Female Employee of the Year), TTK Confectionary (Team of the Year), Learn by Design (Outstanding Contribution to Working in STEM) and Sophie Neil, Turner & Townsend (Apprentice of the Year).

The sponsors for the Enterprising Women Awards were Futures Housing Group (headline sponsor); Pick Everard, Leicester Racecourse, Leicester Tigers, Hastings Direct, Smallman & Son, The Belmont Hotel, Derby College Group (category sponsors); Purpose Media (media sponsor), Mercia Image Print (print sponsor), Cross Productions (design sponsor) and The Conference Works (AV sponsor). The host for the evening was TV personality Emma Jesson.

Co-Chair of Enterprising Women, Eileen Richards, founder of ER Recruitment, and Vice-President at the Chamber, said: “The standard of entries was, again, very high this year and we had a record number of submissions, which is testament to the real hunger among women in the business community to be recognised for their achievements.

“These awards go from strength to strength every year and are one of the best ways to achieve that recognition. In the past we have had some very worthy winners and I’m delighted that Neeyantee is now among them; every single finalist and winner deserves to be celebrated and should be immensely proud of their efforts.”

Co-Chair Jean Mountain, a Past President at the Chamber, said: “These annual awards never fail to inspire me, and it is an honour to be able to showcase the fantastic female talent we have in this great region of ours. My congratulations go to all the winners and finalists and a big thank you goes out to all our valued sponsors which do such a wonderful job in supporting these prestigious awards.”

Lindsey Williams, Group Chief Executive of headline sponsor Futures Housing Group, added: “Futures Housing is proud to be sponsoring this event. We are currently tackling a long-standing issue – to get more women on company boards – so it is so important to get the messages of encouragement out to women in business.

“Neeyantee’s passion and drive for both her business and her team really shone through and she has won a category in which the standard was exceptionally high.”

For more information on Enterprising Women, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/connecting-you/enterprising-women.

Click here to find out ore about East Midlands Chamber

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Bolsterstone’s £150million Bradford scheme delivers ALDI food store

12th March 2020

An ambitious £150 million mixed use regeneration scheme in Bradford, which is being delivered by the sister company of Chesterfield Champion Bolsterstone Group, has taken a further step forward.

Practical completion has now been reached for a new 1,700 sq m ALDI food store within the heart of the New Bolton Woods scheme. The new food store, which will create around 40 jobs, will serve residents within the local area, including nearly 1000 homes which are currently being built at the urban village.

The opening of the Aldi foodstore will achieve a major objective in the ambitious plan to create a £150m urban village in Bolton Woods which is located between Bradford and Shipley. The ambitious plan is being delivered through a dynamic partnership set up by Bradford Council and Bolsterstone’s sister company Urbo Regeneration, which together trade as Canal Road Urban Village Ltd.

“The opening of this high quality ALDI store is a significant milestone as we continue to drive forward the bold plan to create a new neighbourhood at New Bolton Woods,” says Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Canal Road Urban Village.

“ALDI is the UK’s fastest growing discount supermarket chain, with more than 800 stores nationwide. With a reputation for great value and wide range of products they will bring huge benefits to the people of Bolton Woods and the surrounding area.

“We are proud to be helping to make New Bolton Woods a great place to live.”

A spokesperson for ALDI commented: “ALDI are delighted to be opening a store in New Bolton Woods in the spring and look forward to serving the local community. This has been an exciting regeneration opportunity that ALDI are proud to be a part of.”

ALDI is the second major retail occupier to be announced for the New Bolton Woods project. A Costa Coffee cafe and drive-thru, which opened on Canal Road near to the ALDI development site last Spring, is already proving highly popular.

Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, commented: “New Bolton Woods is really starting to take shape now with housing and the first phase of the new village centre being delivered.

“It’s a really exciting time for the community in this area as we’ve also just announced plans to re-naturalise the nearby Bradford Beck, making it more open and attractive, and last year opened a new cycleway and greenway that passes right through New Bolton Woods.

“We are very pleased to see bold, sustainable development now being delivered in Bolton Woods and we are confident that our successful Canal Road Urban Village partnership with Urbo Regeneration will continue to deliver excellent results for both residents and businesses.”

Bolsterstone’s sister company, Urbo Regeneration, is also in talks aimed at developing a GPs’ surgery, health centre and pharmacy close to the ALDI store.

New Bolton Woods is one of a number of large-scale regeneration schemes in the UK being delivered by Bolsterstone and its sister company. Further schemes include Chesterfield Waterside in Chesterfield, West Bar Square in Sheffield City Centre and Moneystone Park in Staffordshire.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group, said: “Bolsterstone’s regeneration projects are moving forward at a pace in 2020 with construction either already underway or due to begin this year. All our projects represent long held visions by the company to positively transform communities and local economies and create spaces in which people will want to live, work and enjoy their leisure time.”

Based in Dunston, Chesterfield, Bolsterstone Group’s property investment portfolio stands at around £800million and includes some of the UK’s largest regeneration sites.

For further information about the investment opportunities at any of Bolsterstone Group’s development sites, please visit www.bolsterstone.com.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

East Midlands Chamber comments on Budget

12th March 2020

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), has commented on on Rishi Sunak’s Budget.

He said: “Given the current challenges being faced, the Chancellor did a good job of reassuring businesses and communities of Government’s intention to offer meaningful and robust support during this period of uncertainty.

“Specifically, support in the form of additional business rates relief for the leisure, hospitality and retail sectors – and SMEs in general – will be welcomed, given the current and anticipated impact of coronavirus.

“Employers are already working closely with employees on coronavirus concerns, however the additional support around statutory sick pay for SMEs with fewer than 250 employees will be welcomed.

“Away from immediate challenges, Government’s commitment to “unleash the power of business” will be well received; although, as ever, the devil will be in the detail.

“More funding for start-up loans, backing for businesses looking to export, as well as continued support from Growth Hubs are all important part of developing the business support landscape following our exit from the European Union and, in the fullness of time, details will be required as to how such elements will be funded.

As a region blessed with innovative and forward-thinking businesses, the extra support announced in relation to R&D investment is encouraging, although more businesses need to be supported to access this.

“If the East Midlands is to truly level up, infrastructure investment is paramount and to that end, a recommitment to major infrastructure in the region – including the pre-announced Transforming Cities Fund for Derby and Nottingham – is a positive, as is the commitment to improving the strategically important A46, often referred to as the Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor.

“Further funding for the Midlands Rail Hub, which unlocks regional rail routes across the East Midlands, and £27bn funding for the country’s strategic roads network, will also be crucial to our region’s long-term prosperity.

“Equally, the focus on investing in high-skill, high-wage, low carbon jobs presents a real opportunity for the East Midlands, while additional funding for flood damage repair will be important for the parts of our region affected.

“Finally, while some measures announced in Mr Sunak’s speech centred on Education, the Budget statement was relatively light on how we ensure businesses access the right people in the long term – away from immediate pressures, this is one of the biggest priorities we face as a country and a perennial issue facing members we speak with.

“On the whole, though, businesses across the East Midlands will be encouraged by the measures outlined in the Budget and the impact such measures will have in the short-term and moving forward.”

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Casa Hotels are the highest rated Four Star hotels in Derbyshire

11th March 2020

Casa Hotels are delighted to announce that both Casa Hotel and their sister hotel, Peak Edge Hotel, have once again achieved the coveted silver star status from the AA.

Both the hotels visited by a member of the AA inspector team recently who stayed overnight at each hotel. They were subsequently marked on the various standards that make up the renowned AA star rating, including accommodation, dinner and facilities in general.

The six critical areas that the hotels are marked on are: cleanliness, hospitality, service, bedrooms, bathrooms and food and both hotels with both hotels receiving excellent merit scores. It means that Casa and Peak Edge Hotels are now the highest rated four-star hotels in Derbyshire. The inspector commented on the high standards of the hotel teams and the cleanliness of the hotels. Both the Red Lion Pub and Restaurant and Cocina restaurant have also maintained their Two AA Rosette Awards.

Casa Hotels Managing Director, Stuart Downham said: “We are once again absolutely delighted – to be awarded silver star status is fantastic but to maintain it proves that we do indeed offer consistently high standards at both of our hotels. We all work tirelessly to ensure that our guests have the best possible experience when they stay at Casa or Peak Edge and being awarded the Silver Star award cements all of our hard work”.

Casa Hotel was also a finalist at the Marketing Peak District Tourism Awards on Thursday 5th March. They were delighted to be awarded the silver award in the Hotel of the Year Category. This was the first year of the awards, held at the Buxton Dome in Derbyshire.

Click here to find out more about Casa Hotel

Click here to find out more about Peak Edge Hotel

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Chamber outlines asks ahead of Wednesday’s Budget

10th March 2020

Ahead of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s first Budget on Wednesday 11 March Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said:

“Now is the time for Government to replace sound-bites with concrete actions and commit to creating an environment in which our businesses and communities can thrive.”

“If Government is serious about ‘levelling up’, nowhere more needed than the East Midlands, it must take on board the real-world issues and concerns that, along with sustained uncertainty, have meant many of our businesses have been operating with the handbrake on in recent times.”

“This Budget must be one of aspiration. This includes committing to infrastructure investment, breaking down barriers that inhibit growth – such as the broken Business Rates system – and supporting businesses in their key priorities, like attracting the right people and enhancing climate and sustainability credentials.”

“This budget is an opportunity to put business, the creators of wealth and prosperity, front-and-centre in the UK’s drive for future prosperity and it is vital this opportunity is seized.”

The Chamber will be part of a live roundtable summit, hosted by strategic partner RSM, on Budget Day, with reaction both during and following Mr Sunak’s announcement.

For reaction on the day, follow @EMC_Newsroom on Twitter and visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Pitchford reaches first World Tour singles final and doubles final

9th March 2020

Liam Pitchford hailed a “massive step” in his career as he reached his first singles final on the ITTF World Tour at the Qatar Open – a day after reaching his first doubles final.

And although both ended in defeat to opponents from the all-powerful Chinese camp, Pitchford can take huge confidence from a string of eye-catching performances, including beating the world No 1 in the semi-finals.

Seeded 15th for one of the strongest events on the calendar, world No 22 Pitchford started in the last 32 with a 4-2 win over Alvaro Robles of Spain and then overcame world No 27 Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus by the same margin.

His quarter-final against Chuang Chih-Yuan of Chinese Taipei showed Pitchford at his best as he dismissed the world No 37 – a former long-standing top-10 player – 4-0.

That set up a semi-final against Xu Xin, against whom Pitchford had never won a set. All that changed in spectacular fashion as the Chesterfield athlete won 4-2 with a performance of focus and intelligence as Xu struggled to find attacking openings against Pitchford’s precise short game.

The final was a high-quality affair against a player who was recently world No 1 and who had to pull out his top form to see off Pitchford 4-2).

Pitchford said: “It’s a bit mixed emotions. It’s always disappointing to lose a final, but overall it’s been a massively positive tournament. It’s a massive step and the next step is to win one.”

“I had my chances in the final and maybe on another day it could have gone my way, but I made him play his best and pushed him to the limit.”

“Especially against the Chinese, you’ve got to mix up the play and I think I did that really well.”

“The fifth set was one of the best sets I’ve played and it was probably the same for him. That’s what you’ve got to do against these players and that’s the level I want to be at all the time.”

A day earlier, Pitchford & Paul Drinkhall became the first English pair to reach an ITTF World Tour doubles final, which they did as an unseeded pair.

Having come back from 2-0 down to defeat Serbia’s Marko Jevtovic & Zsolt Peto 3-2 in the preliminary round, they saw off Mohammed Abdulwahhab & Ahmad Khalil Al-Mohannadi of the host nation 3-0 in the last 16, following up with a 3-1 defeat of Lam Siu Hang & Ng Pak Nam of Hong Kong in the quarter-finals.

It was another pair from Hong Kong in the semis, second seeds Ho Kwan Kit & Wong Chun Ting, and the English pair withstood a comeback to seal a 3-2 victory which made them the first English pair to reach a doubles final since the World Tour began in 1996.

Standing in their way were Xu Xin & Ma Long of China, the No 1 pair in the world and No 1 and No 3 respectively in the singles rankings.

Drinkhall & Pitchford lost the first 11-8 but hit back by the same margin, but the Chinese pair stepped on the gas to win the next 11-1, and they completed a 3-1 victory by winning five points in a row from 6-6 in the next set.

Pitchford said: “We hadn’t played together for a while but I think we proved we’re the best pair together and now we’ll play a few more tournaments together and hopefully kick on.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Chesterfield’s Seb Perez moves to European GT4

9th March 2020

Chesterfield’s 20-year-old race ace, Seb Perez, is to be the new R-Motorsport Junior Driver in the highly competitive GT4 European Series, alongside team mate George Gamble.

Perez makes his move up to the GT4 European Series, after successfully racing Porsches in the last two seasons. Back in 2018, Perez won the Pro-Am title in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. Last year the driver from Chesterfield claimed two victories in the Pro class of the one-make series.

The team pairing of Perez and Gamble as team mates is not new. The previous years have seen them in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and before that in Ginetta’s.

Perez commented: “I’m really looking forward to the 2020 season with R Motorsport and a new challenge with driving a GT4 Aston Martin Vantage with this vastly experienced team. The team adds European GT 4 this season to its range of different championships and their vast knowledge will help and George Gamble and I look forward to working with them.”

The Swiss motorsport outfit of R-Motorsport will make its GT4 European Series debut this season after confirming the expansion of its GT racing programme with the announcement of the first two drivers for the 2020 season. The spotlight will be on both Perez and Gamble bringing their talents and experience to the team.

Both drivers will race in one of R-Motorsport’s Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4s, taking their first steps in international GT racing. It is more closely based on a standard production car than the GT3 version and is regarded as its ‘little brother’.

Florian Kamelger, Team Principal, explained: “We are very pleased to be able to extend R-Motorsport’s range of activities this season. We see this involvement in GT4 as the logical extension of our previous GT sporting activities”.

“So, as part of our programme of development for juniors, we are now giving these two GT4 drivers a chance to perform well and show that they are ready to move up into the higher categories, such as GT3, for example.”

“With George Gamble and Seb Perez, we have signed two promising young talents, who are very keen to show just what they are capable of in GT4.”

First race of the season takes place in the UK at Silverstone in May and includes prestigious circuits including Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring. The GT4 European championship features high level competition with team and drivers from around the world and promises top class racing and in previous years entries of up to 40 cars have been seen.

The Silverstone circuit will host the opening round of the 2020 GT4 European Series on May 8-10.

Editorial by Paul Horton

Image by R Motorsport – Image Caption- Perez and Gambles Supercar – The R-Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

North East Derbyshire District Council named as finalists in UK Housing awards for work on homelessness

8th March 2020

North East Derbyshire District Council have been announced as finalists at the UK Housing Awards for their work in preventing residents becoming homeless through collaborative working with other authorities.

They have been nominated as finalists in the Homelessness Partnership of the Year category. Dash Services and authorities across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire set up Call B4 You Serve, an initiative which is aimed at providing landlords with free advice and support for dealing with tenants in difficulties.

The awards holders recognised the contribution and success of the Call B4 You Serve Project, which has helped people stay in their homes in difficult circumstances and has prevented homelessness across the two counties in the private rented sector.

Councillor Alan Powell, portfolio holder for Communications and Housing said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the Authority. Being recognised nationally and being finalists for the work we have done on homelessness just goes to show the efforts we are making to help people in desperate need.

“The advice and support landlords have received from the Call B4 You Serve project has been pivotal in helping people stay in their homes. We are passionate about helping both the tenant and landlord, and this project has provided the perfect platform the remediate between the two.

“This award is well deserved and shows that collaborative working with other authorities has far reaching benefits for our residents, a huge well done to all involved.”

The winners of the event will be announced on 7 May 2020 at an event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Pictured left to right: Mark Skelton (Dash Services Call B4 You Serve) / Lee Pepper (NEDDC Housing Options Manager) / Linda Cobb (Dash Services Call B4 You Serve) / Helen Scott (Dash Services Call B4 You Serve) / Sally Agyeman Dash Services Call B4 You Serve)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Chesterfield FC Community Trust secures National League Trust grant

7th March 2020

Chesterfield FC Community Trust has secured funding from the National League Trust to support delivery of sports clubs in the community.

The project is aimed at engaging parts of the community that don’t always have the capacity to access sporting opportunities.

Keith Jackson, The Trust’s head of sport and activities, said: “It’s fantastic news that we have again secured funding from the National League.”

“This will enable us to increase our offer for those in deprived areas, those with disabilities and other hard to reach groups.”

“We owe a huge thanks to the National League Trust for supporting our project again.”

The recent Chesterfield FC match against Ebbsfleet United last weekend marked the Time to Change fixture for Chesterfield FC Community Trust. Time to Change is a nationwide campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Winners Revealed: Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards 2020

6th March 2020

Shining stars of the local tourism industry were announced at the prestigious Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards last night (5 March).

Designed to recognise and reward excellence in the area’s valuable £2.3 billion visitor economy, the awards brought together 31 finalists in 11 categories for a glittering ceremony at Buxton’s Grade II* listed Devonshire Dome.

Some of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s finest hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks, pubs, visitor attractions and experiences were amongst those recognised at the awards evening, which was organised by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire with support from the University of Derby and the European Regional Development Fund.

Demonstrating the quality and diversity of the area’s tourism offer, awards were hotly contested and nominees progressed through shortlisting, mystery shopping and a rigorous judging process by panels of experts to arrive at last night’s much anticipated awards ceremony.

The evening was enhanced by a sparkling drinks reception which included tastings from White Peak Distillery, the area’s first full-scale craft distillery, and a three-course meal prepared by students from the University of Derby’s Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism.

Host James Berresford, former CEO of VisitEngland, congratulated finalists as Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners were announced, shining a spotlight on the best of the area’s visitor economy.

Gold award winners were each presented with a hand-crafted plaque sponsored by Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery.

In a further boost, Gold winners will now represent the Peak District and Derbyshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence on Tuesday 16 June in Hull.

Brendan Moffett, of sponsors the University of Derby, said: “We’re delighted to host this wonderful celebration of the area’s tourism industry at the prestigious Devonshire Dome in Buxton.”

“The University of Derby is keen to use our location at the heart of the Peak District to continue to support the growth of our excellent tourism businesses and develop the next generation of talent to meet future challenges, ensuring the industry can remain strong and competitive.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “It is our privilege to celebrate some of the talented businesses who offer that extra special service and experience for some of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s 42 million visitors each year.”

“All of our finalists are shining examples of quality, excellence and innovation. It is this emphasis on quality that keeps us firmly on the map as a world-class visitor destination. Congratulations to all our worthy winners and finalists!”

The Winners:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

GOLD: Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington
Silver: Croft Bungalow Accessible Holiday Let, Birchover
Bronze: Hope Cross Cottage at Vicarage Farm, Wheston

B&B and Guest House of the Year

GOLD: Underleigh House, Hope
Silver: Grendon Bed & Breakfast, Buxton

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

GOLD: Landal Darwin Forest, Matlock
Silver: Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington
Bronze: Hayfield Camping and Caravanning Club Site

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

GOLD: Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington
Silver: The Devonshire Arms, Pilsley

Experience of the Year

GOLD: Pure Outdoor Ltd
Silver: Acclimbatize Ltd
Bronze: Live for the Hills Ltd

Hotel of the Year

GOLD: The Peacock at Rowsley
Silver: CASA Hotel, Chesterfield
Bronze: Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, Chesterfield

New Tourism Business Award

GOLD: White Peak Distillery, Ambergate
Silver: myGuidedWalks Ltd
Bronze: Tagg Lane Dairy Ltd, Monyash

Pub of the Year

GOLD: The Prince of Wales Village Pub & Restaurant, Baslow
Silver: The Devonshire Arms, Beeley
Bronze: The Royal Oak, Hurdlow

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

GOLD: Ashford Mill, Ashford-in-the-Water
Silver: Peak District Holidays Ltd, Matlock Bath
Bronze: Peak Venues – Redhurst Barn, Wetton

Taste of the Peak District & Derbyshire

GOLD: Fischer’s Baslow Hall
Silver: The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
Bronze: The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

Visitor Attraction of the Year

GOLD: Chatsworth
Silver: Matlock Farm Park
Bronze: Haddon Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Leading Chesterfield SMEs boost workforce skills – for free

6th March 2020

Three prominent Chesterfield businesses are upskilling their management teams with free training thanks to a government scheme.

The Skills Support for the Workforce Programme supports SMEs to flourish with free courses to boost workforce skills. Delivered by leading provider The Source Skills Academy, with Chesterfield business coach and author Anne Burton at the helm, the training is worth up to £600 per person.

Peak Pipe Systems, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of polyethylene pipe, jumped at the opportunity of boosting its workers’ potential. Along with sister company ControlPoint Ltd, creators of quality assurance systems, it put nine team leaders forward for accredited Team Leading and Management courses.

ControlPoint opened its doors to other businesses and hosted the workshops at its Chesterfield Trading Estate site, including local company Weightron Bilanciai, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of weighbridges and industrial weighing products, software and automation. Five team leaders from Sheepbridge-based MSK Ingredients are also upskilling.

Sammy Hodgkiss, Service Team Leader at Weightron Bilanciai, said: “I want to progress to management at Weightron and this course will improve my leadership skills and give clarity on how to deal with HR issues should they arise.”

Laura Chapman (right), HR Manager at Peak Pipe Systems, commented: “We didn’t know there was free government funding to help us develop our employees until we heard about Skills Support for the Workforce from The Source. We realised it was a fantastic opportunity.”

“Investing in our people is a priority but we have to keep an eye on our budgets. A number of talented staff across our shop floor, offices and warehouse had been promoted to team leaders but had not received managerial training. SSW has enabled us to support them in their roles.”

“The employee’s voice is very important to us. Upskilling our managers, enables them to provide better support to their staff.”

Laura added: “As Chesterfield Champions, we were delighted to support other local businesses by hosting the training.”

Chesterfield has been designated a priority area in the Sheffield City Region’s delivery of the Skills Support for the Workforce Programme, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

Dale Robinson, Business Development Director at The Source, said: “We are helping Chesterfield SMEs grow by enabling them to develop their people at no cost.”

“Our SSW courses support the Sheffield City Region LEP’s priority to boost the local economy and will be running regularly in different parts of the region.”

Companies who want to develop staff management skills can contact The Source’s business development officer at vernon.tolson@thesourceacademy.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield