Addooco, Chesterfield Champions and specialists in Managed IT, Cloud and Communications systems, have recently announced the appointment of Russell Sargeson as Senior Engineer.

Russell joins Addooco from an IT job in Sheffield and will be helping with second and third line support, technical presales and back end system maintenance. His appointment will allow the organisation the ability to grow, with increased capacity leading to increased business. Commenting on his appointment, he says:-

“By joining Addooco I start an exciting new adventure with a like minded team of specialists in Cloud Hosted IT Services, helping the supply of these services into both local and global companies. I look forward to the new challenges this will bring and the new technologies that I will help develop for Addooco’s discerning client base.”

Earlier this year Addooco appointed James Wood as Head of Sales & Marketing to help take the business forward in to the next phase of growth. James joined the company with 20 years’ experience working in customer-facing roles; the most recent 10 years’ within the IT sector in Sheffield. He says:-

“I have been watching the company’s development with great interest for a few years now and they have come a long way over that period. I am extremely pleased to be able to build further on this great company’s existing success.”

Over the last 18 months, Addooco have celebrated 9 years in Chesterfield and a move to new state-of-the-art offices located on Dunston Technology Park. The move to Dunston is key in enabling them easy access to their local, national and international client base.

Richard Walters, Managing Director of Addooco, said:-

“The appointment of both James and Russell is great for Addooco as we constantly keep improving upon our offering, both technically and commercially, to keep our business on its solid trajectory of growth.

“Although we work with clients right across the country and overseas too, our local client base will always be extremely important to us so hiring people with an established regional network and knowledge makes lots of sense.

“Quality is crucial to Addooco, it is deemed as our passport to customer satisfaction and future business. By re-investing in the team and infrastructure we are wholly committed to providing quality and excellence for every client. James and Russ are quality additions to the team and we are delighted to welcome them to Addooco.”

Despite a second global ransomware attack in just two months, nearly half of businesses still do not have cyber security plans, latest research has shown.

The malicious coding originating in the Ukraine on Wednesday locked computers and demanded $300 in bitcoins to release them. Companies that refused to pay were warned they would permanently lose all their data.

Although not as vicious as the wannacry virus that almost shut down the NHS in May and attacked computer systems all over the world, the latest assault seemed to focus on ports and firms shipping goods globally.

Firms in Denmark, America, Argentina, Russia and China have so far reported being hit by the latest ransomware virus, which appears to operate on the same basic structure as wannacry.

The latest research was carried out by London-based accountancy, investment and tax group Smith and Williamson. It confirms earlier research, including some carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce, which found that cyber attacks now account for half of all UK crime, that two-thirds of companies have been attacked and 15% could have been hit ten times or more.

A year from now, under new General Data Protection Regulations, companies will face crippling penalties – up to four per cent of global turnover – if they don’t take measures to prevent data theft.

The importance of backing-up data, updating virus protection, ensuring software is up-to-date and coping with the growing risks posed by workers using cloud technology on company and personal smartphones, tablets and laptops while working away from the office, will also be on the agenda at a forthcoming major regional cyber security conference.

Andy Watterson, Business Crime Manager and cyber crime lead at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“Cyber crime is a rapidly growing phenomenon. The potential for any organisation or individual to fall victim to increasingly clever cyber criminals gets bigger every day.

“But the threat is not just one of disruption, it’s also about the damage that can be done to reputations and the huge financial penalties companies will face from next year when the EU General Data Protection Regulations come into force,” he added.

Raising awareness of cyber threats plays a critical part in preventing them, Andy said, adding:-

“Companies are used to considering compliance, legal, fire and flood risks but, this latest research seems to confirm, still have not grasped the cyber risk.”

The East Midlands Cyber Security Conference and Expo, takes place at the Village Hotel, Chilwell, Nottingham, on Thursday 6 July. It is expected to bring together more than 150 business leaders, information security providers and key influencers to discuss the threats posed by online criminals and practical ways through which businesses can make themselves more resilient to cyber crime.

The event, which has been organised by East Midlands Chamber, is sponsored by Air-IT, an award-winning specialist deliverer of bespoke outsourced services including support, cyber security, backup and business continuity, consultancy, cloud, telephony and broadband and connectivity solutions.

Paul Judge, Marketing Director at Chamber patron Air-IT, said:-

“We’re delighted to be headline sponsor at this year’s East Midlands Chamber Cyber Security Conference and Expo. Highly regarded in the regional business calendar, the event helps bring together local businesses and leading experts in the field of cyber security.

“In wake of the recent global ransomware attacks, it’s essential that businesses take cyber security seriously and we’re keen to help delegates learn from this example through our keynote speech focusing on the wannacry attack. We’re aiming to give delegates a real insight into the ever-evolving threat landscape and growth in cyber crime.”

The Chamber has hosted a number of seminars across the region aimed at equipping local businesses with the information and knowledge they need to protect themselves online and will continue to work closely with local constabularies and national agencies to help push this agenda forward.

Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments Ltd recently announced a significant rise in the number of people working full time at Markham Vale.

The results were announced after data was collected from the annual job survey at the industrial park, which found 1076 people are now employed full time at Markham Vale.

There a number of new businesses that are in the early stages of meeting their staffing needs that will add at least a further 400 jobs to this figure in the coming months alone.

More opportunities will be created when the three developments that are under construction start recruiting their staff. As further announcements are made, more employment opportunities will be created.

One of the three developments under construction is the new Great Bear Distribution building which is on target for completion in October 2017, thereafter it will be handed over to the client in order for them to complete their fit-out works ready for it to become operational.  The progress that is being made by the Derbyshire-based construction company, Bowmer and Kirkland, is being recorded via a live video feed.

Peter Storey, Head of Markham Vale, comments:-

“Markham Vale is going from strength to strength and continues to attract more companies wanting to invest in Derbyshire because of their prime location in the centre of England, excellent transport links, the attractive environment that is being created and the availability of a highly skilled workforce.”

In fact, to attract more employees to the area a number of new – and improvements to – existing footpaths, footways and cycling routes are being implemented across the 800 acre site such that connections between the local communities and villages around Markham Vale, and the new businesses locating to the site, are improved thereby enabling employees to have greater choices of travelling to and from work.

The Derbyshire Times Business Awards return to Chesterfield this November 9. Nominations are now being taken for the awards, which aim to recognise and celebrate the very best in local business and commerce.

Entries can be submitted for any business within Chesterfield and the surrounding areas, across all sectors from both small and larger organisations. The awards span across a range of categories from Small Business of the Year to Customer Service Award, Retailer of the Year to the most sought after 2017 Business of the Year Award.

To support local business in writing their applications for the awards, the Derbyshire Times are offering local business the opportunity to attend a free business workshop. The the 90 minute workshop taking place at the Casa Hotel on July 6 – and led by Lucinda White from Pure Awards Creative – will give local businesses an insight into the benefits of entering business awards and some key tips on how to ensure their entries stand out to the judging panel.

Phil Bramley, Editor of the Derbyshire Times, comments:

“Businesses are the lifeblood of our community, they provide the jobs we need so we can do the things we love – raising families, putting down roots and growing communities.

“The Derbyshire Times business awards are a chance to shine a glowing spotlight on the fantastic work local businesses do day in, day out – highlighting their innovation, their dedication, their talent.

“They are a way of honouring the cream of north Derbyshire’s commerce and industry, raising the profile of companies, celebrating achievement and recognising the sheer hard work that their staff put in to make them what they are today.

“We really want to make the awards a true celebration of the brilliant businesses in our community – so please make sure you get involved and put forward your achievements so they get the full recognition they deserve.”

Winners from last years awards include Craig Evans from UKATA, Adorn Jewellers,  Casa Hotel, Cost Advice and Andy Dukelow from The Sanitaryware Supplies Company.

The high profile awards, sponsored by a range of Chesterfield business including  Shorts Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Learning Unlimited and Mitchells Chartered Accountants, offer organisations a platform to celebrate their success whilst providing an opportunity raise their profile and enhance their reputation.

More information and entry forms can be found by clicking here. Final entries must be made by September 28. 

Business is hoping for a period of stability after tonight when a vote by MPs on adoption of the Queen’s speech could determine whether Theresa May has a mandate to govern.

Confidence has been hit three times in the past two years with two General Elections and the outfall of the EU Referendum, but despite the uncertainties created by those events the regional economy has remained robust.

Business remains bullish about the future, according to the latest research by East Midlands Chamber covering the second quarter of the year.

But recruitment remains a perennial issue for employers and there are still concerns over future price rises and their impact on margins.

In the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 2017, 43% of respondents reported growth in domestic performance in the second three months of the year and 40% expected improvements in the third quarter.

A further 37% said performance had remained constant and 45% expected consistency over the next three months.

A similar picture emerged for performance in overseas markets where the significant growth recorded in the post-referendum period of 2016 continued unabated in both the first and second quarters of 2017.

With continuing political uncertainty, almost two-thirds of respondents (63%) said they expected prices to remain about the same over the coming three months but a third (32%) said they expected prices to rise in the short term, suggesting continued upward pressure on inflation as the year progresses.

The volatility of exchange rates continues to inhibit the ability of exporters to plan ahead, the survey showed. Although advantageous for companies manufacturing in the UK and exporting, the relatively weak pound creates challenges for importers.

As a result of the weakened pound, inflation has risen to 2.9%, a rate not seen since Q2 2013. With inflation expected to continue through the latter stages of 2017, evidence suggests companies will eventually pass cost increases on to customers.

Business confidence in respect of both profitability and turnover remained relatively robust in Q2 2017. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents said they anticipated turnover would increase in the coming three months, with 57% expecting profitability to increase in the short-term.

Almost two-thirds of companies (64%) said they expected their labour force to remain constant. Respondents said they continued to have difficulty recruiting suitably-skilled staff, particularly to professional and managerial roles.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at the Chamber, said:-

“Businesses in the East Midlands continue to drive forward with growth plans, regardless of the obstacles being thrown up.

“With Brexit negotiations now underway, it is essential that Government works with businesses in this region to ensure the real life experiences of the wealth generators informs the discussions that take place.

“However, while the these negotiations will inevitably form the backdrop against which the economy performs over coming months, the day-to-day concerns of business relate more strongly to the domestic issues that remain in our gift to control.

“As we look to show the UK as a being a place for investment and where business gets done, it is essential that we inject momentum into major local and national infrastructure schemes that have already been agreed and announced.

“We need to cut back on the high upfront costs that businesses face – around things such as business rates and employment – and move forward with an industrial strategy that recognises the strengths of what East Midlands businesses bring to the national economy.

“Uncertainty is a killer of confidence. More than anything, businesses want to see a functioning and capable Government that can deliver on the day-to-day priorities of businesses and communities as well as handle the strategic discussions that must now take place.

“A strong partnership between Government and business has to be a cornerstone of making this happen.”

The University of Derby has been awarded Gold by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in the country’s first ever Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), putting it in the top 20% of all providers in the UK.

Chesterfield-based Start Financial Planning is to further strengthen its team with the appointment of respected local financial expert Peter Blant.

Peter boasts more than 20 years’ experience in the financial advice industry having worked throughout the UK for a number of leading firms as well as locally.

A specialist in Inheritance Tax Planning and Corporate Protection, he joins Start next month as a financial planner where he will work alongside directors Steve Taylor and Michael Heath to deliver independent financial advice and solutions for clients.

Peter was attracted to the role by Start’s forward approach to financial planning using the latest technology, as well as industry experience, to consistently deliver returns across a number of markets for clients.

Commenting on his appointment Peter said:-

“I am very excited to join Start. Locally, the firm is acknowledged and respected for its forward-thinking approach to financial planning. In light of recent political events and the economic turmoil nationally and globally, Start’s scientific approach to investment is able to take into account the constantly changing market conditions. This approach, I am confident, will protect investors when the bubble eventually bursts.

“Protecting their clients’ money is at the very core of what Start does; and this was a major consideration when I chose to join the team.”

Welcoming Peter to Start, Michael Heath added:-

“We are delighted that Peter will be joining the Start team. He has worked within the local financial services industry for a number of years and at one point, I worked alongside him. He shares Start’s values and is committed to delivering excellent customer service and sound, independent financial advice. We know he will be an excellent fit in our growing team.”

Outside work, Peter who lives in Brookside in Chesterfield and is married with three young children, is a coach of the under 7s team at Chesterfield Panthers Rugby Club. He is also Chair of the Chesterfield Satellite Rotary Club and Treasurer of local charity Deaf Hearing Support which he became involved with through his father who was born profoundly deaf.

Leading independent regional estate agency Redbrik has strengthened its team with three of the ‘best sales managers in the region’.

Holly Wheatley will be working at the Chesterfield office, June Simpson has joined the Crystal Peaks office and Vicki Greenstreet is at the Millhouses office.

Determined to help buyers and sellers through the sales process, Vicki, previously with ELR, has more than 17 years of negotiating experience that she brings to her role at Redbrik.

After joining the industry straight from school at 16, Holly has worked in all aspects of estate agency within the branch environment, including roles as an administrator, sales negotiator, and senior negotiator.

Mark Ross, director at Redbrik, said:-

“We are thrilled to have three of the best sales managers in the region join Redbrik – the knowledge and expertise they have brought to their roles is already proving invaluable.

“Vicki, June, and Holly are joining the company at a very busy time, but they have all hit the ground running. Marketing, and most importantly service, are at the core of everything we do and bringing in people of this calibre allows us to grow Redbrik without compromising what we are about.

“We are so pleased with how well they are all getting on and I’m sure they will enjoy working with us as we continue to grow as a business.”