A key local charity, Citizens Advice Chesterfield has organised a sponsored abseil on Tuesday 30 July – Medieval Market Day. Local residents and businesses are invited to take part in a rare opportunity to abseil from the roof of Chesterfield Town Hall. As you descend you will be helping a charity that supports thousands of local people who face challenges on a daily basis.

Trustee Linda Moore said: “When I took this on two years ago it was a real challenge but was also exhilarating. The views of Chesterfield from the roof are amazing and I raised funds for a charity close to my heart. We help thousands of local residents every year. If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

Individuals or teams can enter, but you must be 18 years or over at the time of the event. No previous experience of abseiling is necessary.

A local abseil team from Staveley Healthy Living Centre will run the day helped by Army Reservists. Staff and volunteers from Citizens Advice Chesterfield will be on hand to welcome abseilers and present certificates.

The event is being sponsored by several local businesses and promoted by the Derbyshire Times and Peak FM.

Registration is now open at abseil4advice@chesterfieldcab.co.uk

Five new board members have been announced for the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, significantly boosting its representation from the business community.

D2N2 is the private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations; promoting economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The LEP’s board of experienced people, from a range of sectors, use their knowledge to give strategic advice on boosting the D2N2 LEP area’s economy; deciding how and where it should invest over £500 million in resources (via UK Government and European Union funding) to promote business growth, capital projects, better infrastructure, jobs growth, social and community projects, and other services.

The five new board members are:

Karen Smart, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport (EMA)

Karen was appointed EMA’s Managing Director in April 2018. As the region’s international gateway the Airport serves just under five million passengers a year; connecting them to over 80 destinations in Europe, and further afield to Florida and Cancun. As the UK’s most important airport for dedicated cargo aircraft, it plays a nationally important role in the UK’s ability to trade globally. Prior to joining EMA Karen was Director of Landside Operations at London Stansted Airport, worked for service company Serco and was a Royal Air Force officer.

Viv Russell, Group Managing Director for the Longcliffe Group

Viv was appointed Group MD to the Matlock-based company in March 2018. Longcliffe, established in 1927, employs over 170 people and is the UK’s leading independent supplier of pure limestone powder, granules and aggregates.

Viv’s previous experience includes working for Tarmac Cement and Lime business based in Buxton, as its Lime & Powders Director, and he was responsible for its £90million per annum turnover operations. He is Institute of Quarrying Deputy Vice-Chair, Chair of the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC) and board member of the Eastwood-based Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC).

Emma Rigler, Logistics and Manufacturing Excellence Leader, Laing O’Rourke

Emma’s expertise is in helping businesses improve how they work, particularly around seeking growth by maximising supply chain partnerships. She works for Laing O’Rourke, supporting its drive towards leading innovation and excellence in the construction industry. Much of that ambition is realised through the company’s Explore Industrial Park (EIP) in Steetley, Nottinghamshire; Europe’s most automated concrete products facility and employer of 400 people.

Emma’s past experience includes promoting ‘business transformation’ in the manufacturing and financial services sectors. Previous employers include multi-national insurance company The RSA group, where she was Operational Excellence Manager and Business Transformation Programme Manager.

Jayne Mayled, Managing Director of  True Story, Nottingham

Jayne is the owner of retail and brand creative agency True Story; where her team of 90 help businesses and brands grow, through designing customer experiences and communication. Jayne spent her early career in marketing and PR in the premium beauty sector before joining Boots plc; where she worked across a wide range of roles and business areas before becoming Communications Director, leading all group internal and external communications. Jayne is also the founder of specialist hair care brand, White Hot, sold globally in stores and online.

Graham Cartledge CBE, Chairman of Handley House

Handley House is the parent company overseeing three leading international design teams; Benoy, Holmes Wood and Uncommon Land. Graham joined Benoy in 1974 and became its Chair in 1992.  Handley House has more than 500 people globally, working on diverse and complex projects to strengthen communities and deliver lasting economic value.

A passionate supporter of British design and champion of international trade, Graham has worked with UK and international Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and numerous dignitaries in furthering the work of British business overseas. Graham maintains his global network via multiple roles including Honorary Member of The 48 Group Club, Vice-Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, Board Advisor for the UK India Business Council and Board Member at Infrastructure Exports UK. In 2014/15 Graham held the position of High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and is currently a Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire County Council. In 2007, Graham and his family established The Domlal Foundation; a grant-making charitable trust which has supported tangible, lasting projects in building sustainability, community and education, from Nottinghamshire to India and Vietnam.

The board members were recruited to join the D2N2 LEP board following an advertisement seeking applications from the private sector, in November 2018, followed by an interview process.

The new board members will begin their roles effective immediately; apart from Jayne Mayled, who will become a board member from summer 2019.

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted to welcome such an array of new talent to be D2N2 LEP board members.

“We were clear when we asked for board applications that we wanted people who’d bring fresh thinking and new ideas, and who would best reflect the business sectors and communities in our LEP area. I’m confident our new members will be a great asset, in dealing with the area’s economic challenges and opportunities in the future.”

A list of all D2N2 LEP board members is at website link www.d2n2lep.org/about/board

Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School took the title of Best Trade Stand at the recent Young Enterprise Trade Fair held at the Pavements Shopping Centre in Chesterfield on Thursday 7 March.

The school was one of six from North Derbyshire taking part in this year’s Young Enterprise competition.

As part of the competition, teams of students from Mount St Mary’s College, Eckington School, Brookfield Community School, St Mary’s Catholic High School, Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and Lady Manners School descended on The Pavements to showcase a variety of goods which they are selling as part of their Young Enterprise experience. Many of the products have been handcrafted by the students who are all aged between 14 and 17.

Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School’s winning team – Kickers and Clickers – has produced a range of personalised shoes and bags. The judges, which included the Mayor of Chesterfield, Cllr Stuart Brittain and his wife the Mayoress Anne Brittain, and local business people Laura Jo Owen, owner of Adorn Jewellers and Andy Ingman of Ingmans, commended the team for their well thought out business strategy.

The Trade Fair is co-ordinated by the North Derbyshire branch of the education charity Young Enterprise which aims to equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise.

Each of the teams have set up a company and are operating them for a year. As well as coming up with a product to sell, they must produce a business plan, market their products and services and also file accounts – which includes paying VAT and tax on their profits!

Hazel James, Chair of the Young Enterprise’s North Derbyshire Area Board, explained: “The scheme is designed to give students an insight into business and to inspire them to ‘learn by doing’. All participants are expected to operate in a professional manner as they would in the workplace.”

“The teams have been encouraged to be innovative and creative in the products they have developed and the ways in which they market their products to Chesterfield’s shoppers. We are all very excited to see what they have done so far and how they put their new skills into practice.”

Laura Jo Owen said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for these students to get some valuable hands-on experience in business and the retail sector. It was brilliant to meet the teams and find out more out more about them.”

Keep up-to-date with the teams’ young Enterprise journey on Facebook at ‘Young Enterprise – North Derbyshire Area Board’.