About Chesterfield

Summit celebrates collaborative approach to turbocharge Chesterfield’s business growth

Business leaders have outlined details on how Chesterfield’s collaborative approach towards regeneration is creating a perfect environment for business growth.

The Chesterfield Investment Summit took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at Casa Hotel, providing an extensive update on various projects that will dramatically increase jobs and prosperity across the borough’s communities.

Destination Chesterfield organised the event, which was supported by Markham Vale, We Are Spaces, and East Midlands Chamber. The summit showcased a range of transformative projects taking place across the Borough, many of which have been made possible thanks to collaborative partnerships created across the public and private sectors.

Delegates heard an update from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) on the East Midlands Investment Zone, which is set to bring hundreds of high-quality jobs in advanced manufacturing and green industries to the former Staveley Chemical Works site and former Hartington Colliery site.

Speaking at the summit, Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, commented: “The East Midlands Investment Zone is a gamechanger for our region. Under the leadership of Mayor Claire Ward, EMCCA will help create 4,300 jobs and leverage £383m of private investment.

“Investing in the right places at the right times is going to be crucial to deliver the change needed to make this region the best place in the country to live, work and learn.”

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council provided delegates with an extensive update on the town’s wide range of current and future regeneration projects.

These include the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme, in which contractors are currently on-site carrying out transformations of the town’s famous marketplace and the historic Stephenson Memorial Hall Building.

Dr Huw Bowen Speaking at the 2024 Chesterfield Investment Summit

A further £20m is also expected to be made available to the Chesterfield Town Board as part of the government’s long-term plan for towns, with details of further development in the town centre to be revealed in the future.

In addition, the summit was updated on the progress being made on development in Staveley. Chair of the Staveley Town Deal project, Ivan Fomin said: “Developments are now underway with a £6 million project to improve Staveley Marketplace, ensuring it is a great facility for people living, visiting and working in the area. On top of that, the £4.41 million Staveley Waterside building is being constructed at the canal basin, complementing the wider restoration of the Chesterfield Canal.”

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Project

Other speakers included Ojay McDonald, CEO of Association of Town and City Management, Amy Revell, Director at We Are Spaces, Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, Peter Storey Head of Markham Employment Growth Zone at Derbyshire County Council and David Wells, Director of HBD. Collectively, they called on delegates to continue building on recent momentum, by continuing to work in partnership across sectors to maximise the town’s potential.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Bringing forward investment is a collaborative approach and Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield have a successful track record of working with partners to achieve our economic plans.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council

“We look forward to both starting and continuing relationships to bring future growth. Whatever we achieve together, one thing is absolutely clear, all of our communities must share in the benefits of Chesterfield’s regeneration.”

To find out more about why Chesterfield is an ideal location to base your business, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield to remember the fallen this weekend

Residents are being invited to attend Chesterfield’s annual service of Remembrance.

The service will remember all those who have sacrificed their lives in service for our country. It will be on Sunday 10 November, at 2.30pm at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, the ‘Crooked Spire’.

Councillor Jenny Flood, the Mayor of Chesterfield, said: “This is the most important civic duty that we all have, and I am honoured to be leading the parade this year alongside His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire. I look forward to seeing the many members of our community turning out to pay their respects.”

Everyone is welcome to attend but residents are politely asked to be seated by 2pm as the Church can become very full.

The service will be followed by a parade from St Mary and All Saints’ Church, through Burlington Street, High Street, Glumangate onto Rose Hill.

Residents and visitors are welcome to watch the parade which will be led by HM Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Chesterfield’s Mayor and Mayoress and other local dignitaries. They will be joined by members of the Armed Forces, ex-services organisations and uniformed youth organisations from Chesterfield.

Members of the public are also welcome to attend the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial from approximately 3.30pm with the poppy cascade featuring 16,000 poppies donated by people from across the world as a backdrop.

The poppy cascade will be installed on the front of the Town Hall by members of The Royal Engineers Association, who are the custodians of the poppies. Each year the Royal Engineers Association ensure the poppy fall’s safekeeping, making sure it is dry and safely stored and any repairs are carried out prior to their next outing.

Staveley Town Council will hold their annual Remembrance parade and service in Staveley on Sunday 10 November. The parade will leave Staveley Market Place at 10.30am and head for the Garden of Remembrance, where the service will take place at 10.45am.

Brimington Parish Council will hold their annual Remembrance parade and service in Brimington on Sunday 10 November. The parade will leave the Recreation Ground on Station Road at 1.45pm before a service in St Michaels and All Angels Church at 2pm. The parade will then head to the Memorial Gates in Broom Gardens on Manor Road where there will be wreath laying and the Last Post at 3pm.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield Champions to be showcased in the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards

The shortlist for the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards has been revealed, with several Chesterfield Champion organisations featured amongst the finalists.

The annual awards shine a spotlight on excellence and outstanding achievement across the area’s £2.89bn tourism sector.

Champions included in the shortlist include Matlock Farm Park, Peak Edge Hotel and Chatsworth.

Following a record number of entries, finalists have been unveiled in 15 awards categories celebrating the best of the local visitor economy, ranging from hotels, B&Bs and campsites to pubs, visitor attractions and unique experiences.

In addition, public voting has officially opened for the new ‘Festival or Event of the Year’ category which champions quality events and festivals that have taken place in the Peak District and Derbyshire – from country shows and music festivals to unique exhibitions and arts trails.

There are 9 finalists competing to take the title of Festival or Event of the Year 2025, with voting open until 1 December 2024. The finalist with the largest number of votes will secure the crown. Check out the events and festivals in the running and to cast your vote.

Shortlisted businesses in the remaining categories will now go forward to the final round of independent judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the winners are selected ahead of a joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Thursday 20 March 2025.

The region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) – Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby and Visit Nottinghamshire – are joining forces to deliver the awards ceremony in partnership for the first time, with the support of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The ceremony will be hosted by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, and is set to be a stunning showcase of the value and quality of the region’s combined £5.25bn visitor economy, celebrating the exceptional talent and innovation across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Following the awards ceremony, Gold winners in each of the core categories will progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2025, which represent the highest accolades in English tourism.

The 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are sponsored by EV charging specialists VoltShare and Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches, who will be designing and handcrafting bespoke awards for all Gold winners. The joint awards ceremony is sponsored by Nottingham Venues.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are a celebration of our vibrant tourism industry and its enormous contribution to the local and regional economy. As we look forward to celebrating with finalists and partners at our landmark joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony in 2025, it’s an extra-special time to not only celebrate individual businesses, but to also recognise the importance of the visitor economy in delivering growth, supporting jobs and driving economic prosperity across the East Midlands.

“Our 2025 finalists are a fantastic mix of diverse, innovative and passionate businesses from across the county who deliver consistently high quality, memorable experiences for some of the 42 million visitors who come to the area each year. It will be a privilege to bring all the finalists together next March to mark their achievements and we wish every shortlisted finalist the very best of luck.”

Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Tourism Awards: The 2025 Shortlist

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Matlock Farm Park
Peak District National Park Authority
Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

B&B and Guest House of the Year
The Bull’s Head, Foolow
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford
Sheldon House, Monyash

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Boutique Glamping at Scaldersitch Farm
Darwin Forest Lodges
3Trees Glamping Ltd

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Host & Stay
Morley Hayes
The Welcome Team

Experience of the Year
Thornbridge House Tour
Great British Car Journey, Drive Dad’s Car
Pub Tours Ltd

Festival or Event of the Year – public vote now open
Eat in the Park
Bakewell Country Festival
Chatsworth Country Fair
Bustler Market: On The Road
The Peak District Highland Games
Haddon Hall Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market
Buxton International Festival
Matlock Bath Illuminations
Bearded Theory Festival

Hotel of the Year
Fischer’s Baslow Hall
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

New Tourism Business of the Year
The Cupola Café – bar – pizza – grill
The Ashford Arms, Ashford-in-the-Water
3Trees Glamping Ltd

Pub of the Year
The Blind Bull, Little Hucklow
The George, Hathersage
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Foxlow Grange by Muse Escapes
Bolehill Farm Cottages, Bakewell
Atlow Mill, Ashbourne

Taste of the Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Award
The Maynard, Grindleford
Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Baslow
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow

Team of the Year
Belper North Mill Volunteers Association
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn Front of House Team
Bike and Boot Hotel, Hope

Tourism Young Achiever Award
Oliver Curl – The Barrel Inn
Ben Barber – The Maynard
Dylan Hunt – Atlantik Inns

Unsung Hero Award
Charlotte Uwins – The Scotsman’s Pack
Ian Fairbrother – Thornbridge Estate
Jimmy Crookes – The Yorkshire Bridge Inn

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Thornbridge Estate
Bluebell Dairy Farm Park
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury

For more details on the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards please visit: www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/events/category/tourism-awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Chancellor gives the go-ahead for East Midlands Investment Zone

Chesterfield’s economy is set to receive a major boost, following confirmation by the Chancellor of a new Investment Zone in the East Midlands.

Rachel Reeves used her first budget speech to confirm the £160m East Midlands Investment Zone scheme, which will support advanced manufacturing and green industries.

The East Midlands Combined County Authority now hopes the funding will soon be made available to spread over ten years at three sites in the region.

One of the proposed sites is the Hartington site in Staveley, a site close to the already successful Markham Vale business park, just off J29a of the M1. The land set to be developed includes the former Staveley Chemical Works site and former Hartington Colliery site.

The investment zone sites have been designated to support growth in green industries and advanced manufacturing, with developments to provide a boost in jobs and economic activity for the area. The designated sites will provide a series of tax benefits to companies which occupy them, and the Hartington scheme will also benefit from Business Rate Retention mechanisms.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, welcomed the news. She said: “This is great news and I’m delighted the government has recognised the potential for our region to lead the country in green industry growth.

“The East Midlands Investment Zone will help us turbocharge our economy, attracting major investment and creating opportunities for businesses and residents and thousands of high- quality new jobs and apprenticeships for local people.

“As a combined authority we can work at a regional level to deliver opportunities like this across the East Midlands and make this the best region in the country to live, work and learn.”

East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward stood looking at camera with crooked spire in background

 

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield also welcomed Government’s confirmation of the East Midlands Investment Zone, adding: “Government’s confirmation of support for the new East Midlands Investment Zone is fantastic news for Chesterfield – paving the way for us to work with partners and landowners to incentivise and accelerate delivery on these key sites, to create more jobs, more business start-ups and more houses.

“The Investment Zone will bolster the council’s existing £2billion growth programme, and through the incentives on offer will create major opportunities to attract new green technology and advanced manufacturing businesses to these former industrial sites and hundreds of new high-quality jobs for local people.”

Find out more about the current investment opportunities available in Chesterfield, and why our town creates an ideal environment for business growth: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield Champions shine at Derbyshire Business Awards

Several Chesterfield businesses have been announced as winners at East Midlands Chamber’s annual Derbyshire Business Awards ceremony.

The wins showcase the importance of companies across our town, and the vital role they play in supporting the local economy.

Hosted by ITV presenter Emma Jesson, the Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards took place on 25th October in Derby. Awards were presented across 13 categories, in a ceremony accompanied by a three-course dinner and followed by live entertainment.

Kranlee Logistics, based at Markham Vale was a big winner on the night, taking two prestigious awards, including Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year.

Business of the Year is a special award, selected from any one of the category winners during the ceremony. The recipient then goes through to the regional and national British Chambers of Commerce Awards taking place in 2025.

Lee Wells (pictured), Co-Owner of Kranlee commented: “Winning this will elevate us so much within the industry and within the community. We’ve got loyal customers that support us so much, but this might expose us to a lot more customers.

“We’re all about service, all about personality. There’s the staff we’ve got working for us that that work so hard day-to-day, providing the personal feel that we give to people.”

The success for Chesterfield Champions didn’t end there… Chesterfield’s Global Brands were winners of the Business Improvement Through Technology award.

In addition, Laura Holland, founder and Managing Director of Dunston-based Ecotech Engineers, was crowned Entrepreneur of the Year.

East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles added: “Derbyshire is fortunate to boast a wealth of businesses of all sizes that continually excel, further underlining the East Midlands as a Centre of Trading Excellence. Whether through innovation, approach to sustainability or superb customer service, the finalists and award winners this year were simply exceptional.

“The Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards bring together organisations from all over the county, across a wide range of sectors. To be able to network and build valuable connections over a three-course dinner, and at the iconic location of Pride Park Stadium made for an unmissable evening.

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the award recipients whose resilience, creativity and sheer hard work gave them this well-deserved recognition. I thank all those who entered, sponsored or supported the Derbyshire Business Awards and played a part in creating such a memorable evening.”

Do you want to find out more about entering your business into local and regional awards? Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/promote-your-business/

East Midlands Chamber, Kranlee Logistics, Global Brands and Ecotech Engineers support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill to open new Chesterfield store

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, a renowned British brand with a rich heritage, has announced the opening of its newest store in the heart of Chesterfield.

This expansion brings an array of employment opportunities and an exciting retail destination to Chesterfield town centre and the wider the local community.

Founded in 1946 as the Langholm Dyeing and Finishing Company Limited in the thriving mill town of the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh Woollen Mill has evolved into a household name with a portfolio of 200 stores nationwide.

The brand’s presence extends across High Street, Tourist, and Garden Centre locations, captivating shoppers with its diverse and high-quality offerings.

The new store, located in Chesterfield, will open its doors on Thursday 31st October 2024, and the retailer will celebrate its arrival with some fantastic giveaways.

To celebrate this milestone, staff will greet the first 20 customers who make a purchase in-store with an Edinburgh Woollen Mill goody bag, while prizes will also be hidden in the store.

Lesley Olive, Area Manager for the store, said: “We are excited to welcome visitors to our new store to explore our wonderful collections. It’s going to be a great addition to Chesterfield and the local retail mix.”

Visitors to the new store can browse some of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill’s most sought-after men’s and ladieswear collections, including Country Rose, Isle, Honor Millburn, James Pringle and PG Field as well as a full range of gifts and accessories.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re thrilled that Edinburgh Woollen Mill has joined the line-up of stores here at Vicar Lane and we look forward to welcoming others in the near future.”

Further details on The Edinburgh Woollen Mill product range and store network can be found by visiting www.ewm.co.uk and www.facebook.com/edinburghwoollenmill.

Find out more about shopping and leisure here in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield Pubwatch named National Pubwatch of the Year

Chesterfield Pubwatch, a local scheme that aims to reduce alcohol-related crime, has been named ‘National Pubwatch of the Year at a prestigious awards event at the House of Lords.

The scheme, which has been operating for more than 20 years, picked up the top accolade at the National Pubwatch awards ceremony on 22 October 2024.

The award, which is judged by members of the National Pubwatch Committee, recognises the work of local Pubwatch schemes and their efforts to provide safe drinking environments for customers and staff.

Chesterfield Pubwatch is run by local business owners, with support from Chesterfield Borough Council’s licensing team, Derbyshire Constabulary and other local partners with the aim of supporting a safe environment within the night-time economy.

The scheme was recognised as an effective and forward-thinking organisation after a number of initiatives have been rolled out across the town to help provide a safer environment for customers and staff alike – including new ways for venues, police, and the local authority to share information.

Together with Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Pubwatch has delivered an upgraded digital radio communications network across the town – allowing licensed premises to communicate effectively with each other and key stakeholders such as the Police. This system is instrumental in maintaining safety and security in the town.

Additionally, Chesterfield Pubwatch has also supported the launch of the Best Bar None scheme in the town – with 22 local businesses already being awarded the accreditation, which helps to reduce alcohol-related crime and create a safer night out.

Roger Butler, Chair of Chesterfield Pubwatch, said: “We are delighted that our efforts have being recognised and that we have been named as National Pubwatch of the Year.

“With help from National Pubwatch, the local police force, the borough council and licensees’ we are confident that Chesterfield is a safer place to socialise and enjoy the many facilities on offer.

“The award recognises what we have achieved so far, but we will continue to work with local businesses and groups to look at what else we can do to make sure everyone can enjoy a safe night out in Chesterfield.”

Councillor Steve Lismore, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Chesterfield is a safe place to live, visit and socialise and we’re lucky to have so many licensed venues for people to enjoy – but like towns and cities around the country, alcohol-related crime and disorder can sometimes be an issue.

“Chesterfield Pubwatch continue to work tirelessly across in our communities to reduce this type of behaviour and I am delighted to see that those efforts have been recognised by National Pubwatch – a huge congratulations to all of the team.”

National Pubwatch is a voluntary organisation, which supports over 800 Pubwatch schemes across the UK, and works to promote safe, secure and social drinking environments in all licensed premises throughout the UK.

Award winners holdng up certificates

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , ,

Chesterfield businesses invited to have say on government Industrial Strategy before time runs out

With exactly one month left until the government closes public consultation on Invest 2035 – its Industrial Strategy – East Midlands Chamber is to hold three round table webinars for the business community to help shape and influence the consultation response ahead of the 24th November deadline.

Insight and evidence gathered at the webinars – to be held on 11th, 18th and 20th November – will provide the core elements, shaping the response East Midlands Chamber delivers to the government.

The government’s Industrial Strategy proposes to boost growth across clean energy, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, clean energy, design and technologies, defence, life sciences, financial services and professional and business services. The final Industrial Strategy will be published in spring 2025, alongside the multi-year spending review.

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “This is a critical moment where, with only 4 weeks until the clock runs out on the government’s public consultation, it’s essential the voice of business in the East Midlands is heard.

“The Green Paper identifies 8 key sectors which offer the highest growth opportunities for the UK economy. It is vital the East Midlands is seen as a key delivery partner for some, or all of these to ensure the region benefits from the impact on growth this strategy is set out to deliver over the next 10 years. We’re calling on the region’s business community share their views and experiences on the 10 questions we’ve raised including ‘How should the government identify the most important subsectors and technologies’ and ‘What barriers are there to investment?’

“It’s just a case of a business choosing one of the three webinar dates that work for them and registering. Sparing a short amount of time could really make a difference.

“These opportunities to influence policy on this scale are rare. It’s seven years since the previous government released the last Industrial Strategy, so now is a key opportunity which I’d urge businesses in the East Midlands to seize and shape the response that the Chamber presents to the government.“

Register to attend one of the webinars here.

2 male and 2 female business people speaking at table at Chesterfield Enterprise Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

New hires and exciting collaborations for Chesterfield Champions

Our town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have made exciting announcements in recent weeks.

The latest roundup includes new hires, partnerships and even a collaborative effort on a local regeneration project.

Read the latest in our roundup below.


Champions collaborate on Peak Village improvements

Peak Village conservatory improvements

The Devonshire Group has collaborated with local businesses, including Chesterfield Champion Peak Architects, to refurbish park of North Derbyshire’s Peak Village shopping centre.

Visitors to the centre are set to enjoy a new and improved shopping experience as works to the Caffè Massarella conservatory come to an end.

The refurbishment has seen the conservatory transformed following the introduction of new glass fronting and skylights, creating a brighter, more modern space for shoppers to relax and unwind.

Peak Village’s proud Derbyshire heritage has been prioritised throughout, with Peak Architects and Sheffield-based design studio, 93ft appointed to lead the works and help to create a design that better complements the site’s existing architecture, including the Grade II listed Old Station Building opposite.

Complementing the ongoing improvement works, the team at Peak Village have also unveiled a new look across its branding, which visitors will now be able to spot on the signage at the retail destination, as well as the centre’s website. This is the latest milestone in £2 million of customer experience investments made by owners The Devonshire Group since purchasing the site three years ago.

Katayune Jacquin, centre manager at Peak Village, said: “‘We have seen how investment since the acquisition has supported the significant growth of footfall, customer spend and interest from a diverse range of tenants. This most recent round of improvements into the buildings and environment, our brand and digital presence contribute to the creation of an appealing venue for local communities and visitors to Derbyshire and the Peak District.

“The new conservatory sits in a key location of the village where visitors enjoy refreshments from an established and popular tenant. Our investment into the exterior, and Caffè Massarella’s into the interior, demonstrates working in partnership to continually improve and grow.”


Local design agency Crush welcomes new Account Director

Black and white photo of male smiling at camera

Chesterfield-based design agency Crush has welcomed new Account Director, Chris Vannozzi, to oversee the company’s growing portfolio of creative projects in branding, design, digital and marketing.

Founded in 2004, Crush works with brands both close to home, and across the globe.

As an independent agency, Crush’s team has grown considerably over their 21 years in the business. Starting with just one woman, Natalie Burkinshaw (Founder and Creative Director), the Crush team now encompasses an impressive, wide range of talents in brand strategy, design, website development, copywriting and marketing support.

With over 25 years experience working for London agencies in content marketing and commercial strategy, Chris’ wealth of expertise will lend a hand not only to nurturing client relationships at Crush, but also to strategy and big-picture perspective for their creative campaigns.

Chris has delivered creative projects for world-recognised brands such as Unilever, P&G, John Lewis and M&S – as well as public sector projects for King’s College London, Development Media International and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Speaking about his new role, Chris said: “What excites me about Crush is the range of creative projects we get involved in. Coming from a London agency background, it’s refreshing to be joining a team that works on big, corporate projects, as well as supporting local, smaller businesses.

“I hope that my years of experience will prove effective in bringing together more projects like this for the Crush team.”


UKATA to host mock trial event at National Justice Museum

UKATA Exhibition stand

UKATA is set to host a unique Asbestos Mock Trial event on Monday 28th October at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham. It aims to educate industry professionals about the legal intricacies of asbestos-related claims through an engaging courtroom reenactment.

The event will feature expert speakers from various fields, including legal professionals, health and safety advocates, and industry leaders, providing invaluable insights into the complexities of asbestos litigation. Attendees will benefit from a unique opportunity to observe a simulated trial, allowing for a deeper understanding of the legal processes involved.

Law students from both Nottingham Law School (Nottingham Trent University) and The School of Law at The University of Nottingham will attend the event, providing a valuable educational opportunity for future legal professionals to engage with asbestos litigation.

UKATA’s Senior Operations Manager, Debbie Nixon, added, “I am very excited to be hosting this event in collaboration with Sewell Law and PCR Global. This event will enhance awareness and promote best practices for safety in the workplace. We are honoured to have DSK as sponsors, underscoring the importance of promoting asbestos awareness within the industry and future legal professionals.”


Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions Teams Up with Chesterfield FC

Man in football kit shakes hands with man in business wear in football stadium

Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions has announced the shirt sponsorship of Chesterfield FC’s goalkeeping coach, Dave O’Hare.

In a statement, the company commented: “As the last line of defence on the pitch, Dave O’Hare trains his goalkeepers to anticipate every shot, react swiftly and neutralise threats. Similarly, Black Swan equips businesses with the tools and expertise to defend their digital assets from cybercriminals.”

Kevin Walker, owner of Black Swan, added: “Just as Dave O’Hare ensures Chesterfield FC’s goal remains untouched, we’re dedicated to safeguarding our clients’ digital assets. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to excellence and our unwavering focus on protecting what matters most.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

National award win for Chesterfield’s RA Information Systems

RA Information Systems, a Chesterfield-based IT company has received the 2024 UKSPA Customer Service – Business Affiliates Award.

The prestigious award recognises business affiliates that go above and beyond in delivering exceptional service to support scientific and technological innovation hubs across the UK, contributing to the success of the UKSPA community.

The success of RA Information Systems is driven by a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to customer service. The company integrates incident, problem, and change management into a robust workflow system, ensuring every client interaction is meticulously tracked and managed.

This allows the firm to maintain consistently high service standards through continuous performance monitoring and review. The team works seamlessly with 2nd/3rd line support, product managers, and external IT partners to resolve issues swiftly and efficiently. From product implementation to ongoing support, RA Information Systems says it is committed to delivering excellence at every stage, ensuring client satisfaction and enhancing the overall experience.

Having attended the event, Helen Hadfield, Financial Director at RA Information Systems, shared her reflections on this important milestone.

She commented: “This is a very proud moment for our company, as this prestigious award celebrates Business Affiliates that consistently go above and beyond in delivering exceptional service to support scientific and technological innovation hubs across the UK, and myself and Richard Fowler were truly honoured to accept the award on behalf of our incredible team!

“This award not only highlights the hard work our team puts in every day, but is also a reflection of our collective commitment to excellence and our focus on supporting our clients and driving innovation. I am excited to see where our innovation leads us next and how we can continue to provide the excellent service we offer our clients.”

RA Information Systems supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

RA information Systems award

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , ,

Prestigious Legal 500 listing for Chesterfield’s CMP Legal

CMP Legal, a niche commercial law firm based in Chesterfield has been ranked in the prestigious Legal 500.

The company is the only law firm based in Chesterfield to be recognised in the Corporate and Commercial: Elsewhere in East Midlands category.

For over three decades, the Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.

The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions. The rankings are based on a series of criteria, the Legal 500 highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.

The Legal 500 research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.

Anna Cattee, Executive Director at CMP Legal said: “We are delighted to be ranked in the Legal 500. This is such a remarkable achievement and an incredible milestone for CMP Legal. We launched in 2021 and to receive such recognition in such a short period of time, and from the firm’s very first submission, is testament to the hard work and commitment from everyone in our team.

“It is fantastic to be ranked alongside such high-calibre, well-established and large national corporate law firms. We’re immensely proud of our achievement.”

The Legal 500 Editorial commentary stated: “Commended for its ‘attractive depth of knowledge and experience,’ CMP Legal Limited’s key strengths lie in corporate restructuring, M&A, and shareholder agreements. Anna Cattee oversees the practice from Chesterfield and is well-informed in healthcare law. The ‘technically accomplished, well-connected and commercially minded’ Cattee is also knowledgeable of distribution agreements.”

One of the independent testimonials featured read: “The team at CMP have an attractive depth of knowledge and experience coupled with excellent client care skills. They go above and beyond to meet timescales and expectations with first rate advice.”

CMP Legal supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,