Archaeological works will re-commence today on part of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park in Chesterfield following finds made earlier in the year.

The works will take place for at least four weeks.

In recent excavations at the car park, which is owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council, archaeologists from ArcHeritage, dug four trial trenches.

In these trenches, they uncovered well preserved archaeological remains of the buildings which occupied the site from the late 18^th century onwards.

Earlier deposits were also found in three of the four trenches with pottery dating from as early as the 14^th century recovered.

There is potential of a deeper layer of remains being present that could represent even earlier occupation and activity on the site.

The limited size of the trial trenches prevented a more detailed investigation taking place at the time.

The new dig will help to characterise these earlier deposits and ensure the site is fully assessed and documented before work begins on the construction of Chesterfield Borough Council’s new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth said: “These investigations are required to satisfy a planning condition as part of the approval for the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

“They also represent a unique opportunity to find out more about the history of this important town centre site”.

The works will cover the entire footprint of the proposed building.  The excavation area and spoil storage area will be fenced and secured.

The rest of the car park will remain open with vehicle entry and exit points continuing to operate as normal.

Glyn Davies, ArcHeritage, Regional Manager said “Archeritage is pleased to be teaming up with Chesterfield Borough Council once again on this site.

“The proposed works will greatly improve understanding of the history of this site located along Saltergate, which itself was the principal route used by the Cheshire to Chesterfield salt trade from at least the 12^th Century.

“We will be employing a team of five archaeologists over four weeks on the site.  The aim will be to submit our findings soon after completing these works”.

Councillor Gilby added: “Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to town centre users, although the remainder of the car park will continue to operate, drivers failing to find a space can be accommodated in the council’s other surface car parks in the town centre.”

A list of car parks is available on the council website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/parking.

With 4000 staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, it’s North Derbyshire’s  largest employer – and serves more than 400,000 people living in our local communities and beyond.

Recently awarded GOOD ratings by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – for the hospital and both of its Royal Primary Care Practices, the Trust is well-respected for its performance against national standards, including emergency department waits, timescales for cancer treatments and waiting times for routine operations. It is also recognised for its approach to staff-led improvement and engagement, which resulted in a 71% return rate in the 2018 national staff survey – second highest in the country for an acute hospital.

The Trust has been on a considerable improvement journey over the last three years and from September 2 2019 will have a new Chief Executive to take it one step closer to realising its ambition of achieving an outstanding rating.

The role has been offered to Angie Smithson, currently a Deputy Chief Executive/Chief Operating Officer (COO) who has been based in Liverpool since 2014.

She has more than 30 years of NHS experience, starting her career in nursing and midwifery in 1986, before moving into a range of leadership positions.

Since 2017, she has combined her COO role with the responsibilities of Integration Director, leading a complex and challenging merger to combine Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Commenting on her appointment Angie says: “I am so pleased to be offered the Chief Executive leadership role at Chesterfield Royal. I’m excited at the prospect of taking on the scale of this opportunity and really look forward to working with everyone. I am passionate about ensuring the delivery of exceptional care for patients and I have also been part of engaging and leading staff through challenging changes that have helped to ensure sustainable services, at the same time as realising enhanced patient experience and a host of other improvements. ”

The Trust’s Chair, Dr Helen Phillips comments: “It’s a thrilling time for a new Chief Executive to join us and I am certain that Angie will direct the Trust in our continued ambition to achieve ‘outstanding’ both for the care we give to all our patients and for the workplace we provide to all our staff. I believe that Angie’s track-record of realising large scale change in health services is an asset. As Chief Executive, her leadership will be crucial to build on our Leading the Chesterfield Way approach, where our values and principles around staff engagement and staff-led improvement have already started to make a difference.

The new Chief Executive ‘s appointment will need to be ratified by the Trust’s Council of Governors in June 2019 – and Angie’s expected start date is the beginning of September. She will replace Simon Morritt, who joined the Trust in 2017 and will be moving on to the Chief Executive role at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Leading law firm Banner Jones Solicitors has today announced the further expansion of its senior management team with a raft of Director promotions.

Spanning the firm’s employment law and dispute resolution departments, the move sees Head of Employment Law, Katie Ash, and Head of Dispute Resolution, Rob Stubbs, being appointed as Shareholding Directors, and Lee Foster, Dispute Resolution Solicitor, receiving a promotion to Director.

Taking on their new positions will see Shareholding Directors, Katie and Rob, sit on the strategic decision-making board at Banner Jones.

The move comes amidst continued growth for the firm which employs more than 120 staff across its South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire offices; specialising in a wide spectrum of legal advice for businesses and individuals – including employment law, family law, dispute resolution and conveyancing.

Katie advises on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law, including claims for unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and discrimination. With particular expertise in TUPE, she has advised on complex situations for local and national organisations.

Rob joined Banner Jones in 2004 and was promoted to Director in 2012, he specialises in all aspects of Dispute Resolution, including commercial disputes, Wills and Estate disputes and professional negligence.

After qualifying in 2002, Lee has practiced across the Derbyshire country and joined Banner Jones in 2015. Lee has a wealth of experience in commercial litigation, Wills and Estate disputes and contractual disputes.

Commenting on the appointments, Executive Director at Banner Jones, Chris Sellars said: “I would like to congratulate Katie, Rob and Lee on their promotions which acknowledge the hard work, dedication and invaluable contribution that these individuals have made to the practice.”

“Here at Banner Jones, we are committed to investing in our staff and providing them with opportunities to develop their career within the firm.”

“In addition to our new appointments, we are continually on the lookout for passionate, skilled individuals at all levels and this recruitment drive is indicative of client demand for our expert, no-nonsense legal services and our ambitions to grow the practice further.”

Banner Jones, operating from its offices in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Dronfield, Mansfield and Nottingham, was recognised in the Legal 500 for the sixth year in a row, with its Family Law team celebrating a move up the ranks to Tier 2, and the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team maintaining their Tier 2 ranking.

Chesterfield Champion BHP is celebrating after winning two awards at the prestigious Yorkshire Accountancy Awards.

Yorkshire and North Derbyshire’s leading accountancy firm was recognised as both Mid-Tier Firm of the Year and Best Employer of the Year at the awards, which took place at the New Dock Hall in Leeds.

Alongside winning two awards, BHP were also finalists in the Managing Partner of the Year and Rising Star categories at the event on Wednesday 8 May.

Now in its second year, the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards represent accountancy firms of all sizes, working with both local and international clients, and recognise both team and individual efforts within the Yorkshire industry.

Winning Best Employer at the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards follows the firm’s recent recognition by the Sunday Times in their 100 Best Companies to Work For list in February, a hard-fought and nationally celebrated list that recognises the very best in employee engagement around the country.

Lisa Leighton, Joint Managing Partner said: “We are extremely proud to have won these two awards.”

“Over the last 10 years, BHP has experienced significant growth and increase in turnover, and this success is testament to the firm putting its people first.”

Hamish Morrison, Joint Managing Partner added: “The BHP team are agile, pioneering and future-facing, and as a team we continue to move from an accountancy to advisory focus – meeting shifting client needs.”

“The last 12 months have been crucial for us as a business and this recognition is testament to the hard work of the whole team.”

BHP has more than 300 staff, including 31 partners. Over the last 10 years the business has increased turnover from £8m to over £22m.

BHP remains in the top 35 accountancy firms in the UK and was also recently recognised with the Community Award at the Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards. The firm has five offices in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Cleckheaton, Leeds, and York.

For more information about BHP click here.

Chesterfield Champions Milestone Financial Planning have recently recruited a top lawyer following his progression into the field of financial management.

Craig Croft-Rayner originally qualified as a lawyer in 2007. He has since practised at various law firms, specialising in high value personal injury and clinical negligence cases.

Having always had a keen interest in financial planning, Craig is relishing the opportunity of making the career change, by joining a successful, forward thinking company in an area which he loves.

Craig said: “I have always held myself to the highest client care standards and enjoy being a complex problem solver. My role within the company will be looking after the needs of clients, discussing their financial objectives and tailoring advice that is unique to them.”

“I will also be heavily involved in financial research, producing recommendations and keeping abreast of economic trends and issues. This will ensure Milestone’s clients are best protected against economic volatility.”

“What attracted me to Milestone was the close knit family atmosphere they radiate. They are passionate and enthusiastic and always put clients’ interests as a top priority. This is a quality that is really important to me.”

Milestone MD, Michael Heath said: “There are many different career backgrounds that can pave the way to being a successful financial planner, but the practice of law prepares any aspiring advisor better than most. Craig is vastly experienced in dealing with high value complex cases and is already making a real impact within the company. We are delighted to have him on board.”

Milestone is a very different financial practice, in the fact that they offer truly independent financial planning. They don’t believe in searching for last year’s best investment performer, blinding clients with science or confusing them with industry jargon. Believing in a common-sense approach, they strive to deliver consistent returns that take the worry out of investing.

More information about Craig and Milestone Financial Planning can be viewed here.