Leading accountancy firm BHP is launching a free and innovative support service to help SMEs drive post lockdown growth, tackle challenges and pioneer new ways of working.

BHP’s experienced consulting team is offering SMEs the opportunity to meet virtually for a free of charge appointment, which will provide invaluable one to one business support.

BHP Consulting provide businesses with access to high quality solutions and expertise. The team are all successful leaders who have all run and grown businesses. Using their knowledge and experience, they work with business owners and senior managers to further develop skills and confidence as well as improve the effectiveness of management teams, create clear business strategies, and ultimately grow their business.

Mark Roberts, Head of Consulting at BHP, said: “We believe that every business challenge is unique and what was happened over the last few months is something that businesses will have never experienced before.”

“From mobilising dispersed teams, maximising productivity and employee engagement, generating leads remotely, to attracting new talent, the to do list for business owners has been, and is, relentless.”

“We are introducing the free ‘virtual coffee’ initiative to give business leaders the opportunity to speak to an experienced member of our consulting team and talk through short and longer term priorities. Our team is made up of business leaders who all have experience running successful businesses and organisations and have proven track records.

Rachel Hannan from the consulting team said “Even the most experienced business leaders benefit from accessing additional ideas, thinking and a sounding board to help them overcome hurdles and capitalise on opportunities. Especially at a time like this.”

“All of our team are passionate about helping others and sharing our knowledge and expertise to support SMEs, the backbone of the northern economy. This a great chance for business owners to take a breath, take stock and plan for the future.”

“Hamish Morrison & Lisa Leighton, Joint Managing Partners at BHP, said “We are delighted to be able to offer this free support, which underlines BHP’s commitment to businesses in the region.”

“When a company signs up for a virtual coffee appointment, the team will assess their requirements and they will be allocated to the member of the team who best suits their needs. It is very much a bespoke service that’s being offered.”

To book your virtual coffee, please either visit www.bhp-consulting.co.uk or contact jemma.houseman@bhp.co.uk.

BHP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Lisa Leighton & Hamish Morrison, Joint Managing Partners at BHP (image taken prior to the coronavirus pandemic)

Bridget Ball has been appointed as Chesterfield FC’s new Marketing Manager.

This follows recent changes to the Spireites senior management team after the sale of Chesterfield FC to Chesterfield FC Community Trust.

In August, John Croot was appointed Chief Executive of Chesterfield FC Community Trust, while Andy Fantom was appointed as Chief Finance Officer.

Bridget, who recently left her role as Peak FM’s Sales Director, said: “I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”

“It is a great opportunity for me to join the club following the recent takeover and I’m looking forward to working with clients I already know as well as establishing new ones.”

Spireites Chief Executive John Croot said: “I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Bridget as she has valuable experience and a wealth of local contacts. Working alongside Jim Brown, she will be a great addition to the senior management team at the club.”

To contact Bridget, please email bridgetball@chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

Chesterfield FC supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Image credit: Tina Jenner

The finalists of this year’s East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Awards have been revealed.

The awards are split into three competitions for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, and feature 13 categories, ranging from Outstanding Growth and Innovation in Manufacturing within an organisation to individual honours for Entrepreneur of the Year and Apprentice of the Year.

New categories have been added this year with the Environmental Impact Award and the Generation Next – Young Professional of the Year Award.

Winners will be chosen during a virtual judging day by a panel including sponsors, a Chamber board member and a member of the Chamber’s senior leadership team. They will then be announced across three award ceremonies to be held in November and December.

The Chamber plans to host physical events but will assess the situation as the Covid-19 situation unfolds and take note of any changing Government advice.

There will also be a Business of the Year award for each county selected from all the finalists by headline sponsor Mazars. Last year, Bloc Digital was named Derbyshire Business of the Year (pictured).

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “Our Business Awards are always a great opportunity to showcase enterprise success in the region, but perhaps this year will be even more special during what has been a hugely difficult time for many businesses.

“It was great to see that Covid-19 hasn’t stifled innovation, resilience, and a determination to grow and succeed among the region’s business community, with a very high number of applicants.”

“What’s also apparent is the range of companies – spanning a cross-section of sectors – that entered this year’s awards. It highlights both the diversity of industrial strengths and the mix of large and small companies the East Midlands has to offer – something that will be key to the region’s economic recovery.”

“I’d also like to thank our sponsors. Without their support, these awards would not be possible. Like the finalists, they represent success stories in the East Midlands and it speaks volumes of this event’s reputation that they should want to be aligned with it.”

Derbyshire Business Awards 2020 finalists

Business Improvement through Technology – Sponsored by Purpose Media

• Bloc Digital
• Derby Swap Shop
• Healthy Stuff
• Insight Finance Solutions
• Strengths Director Coaching

Community Impact Award – Sponsored by University of Derby

• Geeks Headquarters
• Investors In Community
• Wathall’s

Outstanding Growth Award

• Bloc Digital
• Cosy
• Scenariio
• think3
• West Road Haulage

Generation Next – Young Professional of the Year Award

• Daniel Nikolla – Hardy Signs
• Christopher Monk – Monkey vs Owl
• Tom Ward – Wytech

Environmental Impact Award – Sponsored by Futures Housing Group

• 3rd Rock
• Longcliffe Group
• MVIS
• Shed Grounds Maintenance
• Tec 4 Lubricants

Commitment to People Development

• DBC Training
• HSG
• MVIS
• Rhodes Wealth Management
• UK Asbestos Training Association

Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by GBS

• Cerys – DHU Health Care
• Ranica Brown – Bloc Digital

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Jillian Thomas – Future Life Wealth Management
• Nik Hardy – Hardy Signs
• Anne Ashman -MVIS
• Joe Burns – Reformed IT
• Peter Botham – Shed Grounds Maintenance

Education and Business Partnership Award – Sponsored by RDS Global

• Access Training
• Derby High School
• Embark Federation

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Aston Lark

• Anoki Derby
• DHU (111) East Midlands CIC
• Futures Housing Group
• Home Instead Senior Care Chesterfield
• Rhodes Wealth Management

Excellence in International Trade

• Adshead Ratcliffe & Co
• KJB Consulting (Global)
• P R Marriott Drilling

Small Business of the Year

• Healthy Stuff
• Sheds Ground Maintenance
• The Accountancy Recruitment Group
• think3
• West Road Haulage

Innovation in Manufacturing – Sponsored by Rolls-Royce

• Bartco UK
• Composite Braiding

The East Midlands Chamber supports the marketing and economic growth of Chesterfield through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Awards 2019

Derbyshire County Cricket Club has been presented with the Data and Business Impact Award at this year’s Sports Industry Awards.

The club was nominated for its data-driven approach to marketing the Vitality Blast local derby against Notts Outlaws, which achieved a club-record attendance in 2019 and a first sell-out in the fixture since 2013.

Derbyshire partnered with data agency Performalytics in 2017 and has since developed its strategy make an efficient and targeted use of its data to maximise marketing spend and drive engagement with its Vitality Blast audiences.

Coupled with positive results on the field, the club has seen record crowds attend Twenty20 matches at The IncoraTM County Ground, most notably the 2019 sold-out clash with Notts Outlaws in July.

The club focused its attention on the rivalry and formulated the Local Rivals Collide campaign, teaming-up with the Outlaws for a series of player challenges from which to build compelling communication in the build-up to the fixture.

Using this to underpin both direct and digital campaigns, as well as an approach to engage away supporters, the club recorded an over 40% increase in the number of advanced tickets sold for the fixture, ultimately creating the first sold-out occasion between the sides at Derby in six seasons.

In a strong field of nominees, Derbyshire were chosen as winners ahead of The European Tour, Formula 1, NFL Game Pass Europe, StatsBomb and The R&A.

The award, which was announced by Paralympic great Tanni Grey-Thompson on Thursday 3 September on the Sports Industry Awards website, is further recognition for the club’s success after winning the ECB Business of Cricket Award for the Blast It Communication Campaign in February.

Media & Marketing Manager, Tom Skinner, said: “Since partnering with Performalytics, we have put far greater emphasis on our data approach and have seen positive engagement with supporters and an increase in crowds.

“To be recognised with such a prestigious award, up against high-profile nominees, is a great reward for the hard work which goes on behind the scenes at the club and for our loyal supporter-base. We are continually grateful to Performalytics for their commitment and new ideas which help us to keep developing.

“Next year will prove a new challenge and we will need to continue learning and adapting how we use our data, but all involved with the club hope to be in a position to welcome crowds back to The Incora County Ground for more sold-out nights of Vitality Blast cricket.”

James Dickens, Managing Director of Performalytics, said: “Being shortlisted was a great achievement in itself, but winning such a prestigious industry award is truly fantastic.

“It’s a true testament to the work that goes on behind the scenes. Credit must go to the Derbyshire team who have such an appetite to test new strategies with complete confidence in the impact they can, and have, made to the business within this campaign.”