Business

Derbyshire companies scoop major contracts at Markham Vale

8th April 2016

Six local companies are flying the flag for Derbyshire after winning contracts to help build the latest development at Markham Vale.

Heage-based construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland was awarded a £16.2m contract to build a new distribution centre at Markham Vale business park for national warehousing and distribution firm Great Bear Distribution.

And now as part of the deal, Bowmer & Kirkland has appointed a number of sub-contractors to work on the project. This includes five other Derbyshire businesses providing services ranging from construction and engineering to drainage, scaffolding and fire prevention.

They include:

• All Foundations (UK) Ltd − Specialist Civil Engineering Contractors − Blackwell
• CRS Fire Protection Ltd − Fire protection services − Chesterfield
• High Peak Scaffolding Ltd − Scaffolding – Buxton
• J. Pugh-Lewis Ltd − Fencing − Pilsley
• Melfort Construction Services Ltd − Groundworks − Alfreton

Live images of Great Bear – external

Live images of Great Bear – internal

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:

“It’s fantastic to see Derbyshire-based companies being brought in to work on Great Bear’s new distribution centre which is great for the local economy.

“Markham Vale continues to play a key role in achieving the council’s long-term vision of building a strong economy in Derbyshire, creating new jobs and supporting local businesses.

“Great Bear is a shining example of how Markham is helping us to achieve this vision by awarding contracts to local businesses within Derbyshire and nearby areas as well as creating more than 400 new jobs over the next few years.

“We look forward to welcoming even more new businesses to Markham’s growing network this year as the site continues to move from strength to strength.”

Great Bear’s 480,000sq.ft distribution centre − which is set to be completed this summer − will be the biggest development to date at Markham Vale, located just off M1 junction 29a.

Bowmer & Kirkland was appointed to oversee the project by Henry Boot Developments − Derbyshire County Council’s private sector property partner.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments said:

“We are delighted Bowmer & Kirkland have looked to Derbyshire and the surrounding area for their supply chain, ensuring the construction of the Great Bear facility has a positive impact on the local economy surrounding Markham Vale.

“Our commitment to the local businesses and labour force is a major focus of our joint venture with Derbyshire County Council and it’s fantastic to see the efforts made in the conception stages of Markham Vale coming to fruition.”

John Clarke, Regional Director at Bowmer & Kirkland said:

“We have worked closely with Henry Boot Developments to make sure the supply chain process takes into account local contractors, and ensure the construction of Great Bear creates high-value opportunities for these local businesses.

“We still have a further £240,000 of construction contracts to award before completion and we hope these will result in further local appointments.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Growing Chesterfield Company to Hold Recruitment Day

7th April 2016

One of Chesterfield’s fastest growing companies, Evolution Funding, is holding a recruitment open day on Thursday 21^st April, from 10am until 2pm, at its headquarters on Thompson Close.

Evolution Funding boasts multiple arms to its operation, including a motor finance brokerage, vehicle rentals, vehicle loans, and a car dealership and body shop.

There are currently vacancies for various roles across the business, including sales, sales support, finance underwriters, administrators, customer service, IT, developers, car technicians and mechanics.

The open day will be an informal opportunity for attendees to meet some of the Evolution team, chat with reps from the various departments about the roles on offer, ask any questions and find out where to submit their CV.

This is an exciting time to be joining a company that consistently gains both industry and wider recognition, being named ‘F&I Broker of the Year 2015’, listed in the Investec Mid-Market 100, a ranking of the UK’s fastest-growing private companies, and identified as one of London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ in both 2015 and 2016.

The firm recently caught the eye of Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins when it was recognised as the tenth best performing SME in Chesterfield by the Derbyshire Times in their recent listing of top local firms.

Mr Perkins commended Evolution Funding on their success. He said: “Firms like Evolution create the jobs and growth that are vital to Chesterfield’s economy.

“It is great news that Evolution are looking to employ more people here and that some of the current workforce have been promoted from apprenticeships and junior positions to managerial roles.”

For further information or an informal chat, contact Carrie Rowlandson, HR Officer, on 07785 619 985 or email carrierowlandson@evolutionfunding.com.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Councillors confirm support for Sheffield City Region devolution deal

7th April 2016

At a special meeting held yesterday evening, councillors again voted in support of Chesterfield Borough Council applying to be part of a devolution deal which will see the borough benefit from a share of £900 million in funding over a 30 year period.

In applying to be a full member of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, powers and funding relating to issues such as transport, skills and training and business support will be controlled locally rather than by ministers and civil servants in London.

A letter from the Government to the Sheffield City Region was provided to councillors at the meeting, confirming the powers to be devolved to local councils and the allocation of a single pot of flexible funding amounting to at least £484 million over the next five years, as a direct result of the devolution deal.

This will not affect the services that the council currently provides to residents in Chesterfield.

The meeting was called following the threat of a legal challenge by Derbyshire County Council.

The report which was considered by councillors when they made their original decision to apply for full membership of the Sheffield City Region on 3 March did not contain a full Equality Impact Assessment, which looks at how the decision will affect groups protected by anti-discrimination legislation.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We held this second meeting to look again at the options open to us in terms of devolution deals rather than spending public money on legal battles.

“As councillors elected to represent Chesterfield residents, we have looked again at all of the evidence presented to us, including the full Equality Impact Assessment and the decisions of other councils in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

“We feel strongly that the Sheffield City Region devolution deal is the best deal for Chesterfield people and I want to reassure all that this does not mean that Chesterfield will become part of Yorkshire; Chesterfield is and will remain a Derbyshire town – that is not up for negotiation.”

Residents will have another opportunity to have their say on the issue in a further round of public consultation to be held in the late spring and early summer before a final decision is made by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in the autumn.

For the latest on the issue, visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/devolution

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

New High Sheriff for Derbyshire

7th April 2016

Liz Fothergill CBE, Immediate Past President of East Midlands Chamber and Chairman of Derby-based Pennine Healthcare, will be appointment as High Sheriff of Derbyshire today.

Liz started her working life as a librarian but in 1977 found herself between jobs and started helping out in the family company, founded by and named after her father, Ivor Shaw.

The business evolved from engineering, filling stations and car sales and by the end of the 70s was manufacturing a small range of plastic medical disposable products from a new site on Pontefract Street, Derby.

Decades later, Liz still has the manufacturing bug and today the business, now known as Pennine Healthcare, turns over in excess of £30m a year, has 380 employees and produces 250,000 items a day, of which 70% are exported to 70 countries worldwide.

As a keen exporter, Liz is a Catalyst member, a global network of business leaders promoting UK excellence internationally under UK Trade and Investment.

Away from work, Liz gives a lot back to the city and communities of Derby. She is passionate about the positive influence business can have in education and community development.

She was HRH the Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for Business in the Community in the East Midlands from 2012 to 2014. She is Derby City business representative for D2N2 – the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Economic Partnership – and a member of Derby Renaissance Board.

Liz was Deputy Chair of the University of Derby from 2003-2013, is Chair of Derwent Stepping Stones (a neighbourhood nursery and training academy). She is a business champion of YMCA Derbyshire and a governor of Landau Forte Moorhead Academy and was formerly Chair of Derbyshire Dales Careline.

She is also Chairman of the Derby Book Festival, which had its very successful first event in 2015 and will stage an even more inclusive and exciting festival in June this year.

Liz said: “I am honoured to have been invited to be High Sheriff for Derbyshire and I hope I will make the most of the opportunity this office presents.

“During my tenure, I would like to really fly the flag for all that is great and good about Derby and Derbyshire, including its businesses, and ensure that the East Midlands remains a flag-bearer for the rest of the UK.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “The chamber would like to congratulate Liz on her appointment as High Sheriff for Derbyshire.

“Liz has been the driving force behind Pennine Healthcare, in Derby, and is a very active member of the local community. She is the immediate Past President of the Chamber and remains a very influential member of our Board of Directors.

“I’m sure Liz will take her enthusiasm for business and for Derby and Derbyshire into her new role and we wish her every success.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Town’s manufacturing businesses called on to make their voice heard at free event

5th April 2016

Representatives from manufacturing and engineering businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are being invited to have their voice heard at the Chesterfield Manufacturing Forum on 28 April.

The free event, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield with support from United Cast Bar and NatWest, is being held at the Casa Hotel from 12.30 – 2.30pm. It is designed to give companies currently operating in the sector the opportunity to learn about the latest news and developments.

Sheffield’s 377th Master Cutler Craig McKay, who himself is CEO of Sheffield engineering firm Evenort Ltd, is speaking at the Forum. Mr KcKay will also be joined by Andy Tuscher from EEF Ltd, an organisation that supports and champions manufacturing and engineering in the UK and Europe.

The Forum, which was established by Destination Chesterfield in 2012, brings together key representatives in the town’s manufacturing and engineering sector and feeds into Growth, Skills and Funding plans in Sheffield City Region and D2N2 LEPs. The Forum has also led a programme of activity of awareness raising of jobs and careers within the sector amongst young people,

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar and Chair of the Forum said: “We want to ensure that the views of Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering sector are properly presented at a regional level and the Forum plays an important role in this. The more businesses that get involved, then the louder voice we have.

“The Forum is a great opportunity for firms to get together, share success and access information and advice to grow and prosper further.”

There will be a two course lunch as well as a chance to discuss business with colleagues in the sector.

Places are strictly limited and are only available to manufacturing and engineering businesses. To reserve your place visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-manufacturing-forum-tickets-23084479299

Posted in Business, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield firm to speak at major new European exhibition

5th April 2016

Chesterfield-based UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has been unveiled as the official media partner for a major new European exhibition.

The Contamination EXPO Series, taking place in London this autumn, will offer the latest knowledge, products and innovations to manage all aspects of contamination, from land remediation, spill response to air pollution and hazardous materials.

UKATA will exhibit at the event, while a representative from the UKATA board is also set to address delegates.

“UKATA is proud to be one of the official media partner for the Contamination EXPO this year,” said UKATA Marketing Officer, Victoria Castelluccio. “The event will have a major focus on asbestos, which is perfect as part of our overall awareness campaign strategy, and we are looking forward to both exhibiting and to putting forward one of our directors to address this important EXPO.”

The exhibition will feature over 120 hours of CPD accredited, free-to-attend seminar conference content, networking and the exhibition show floor will be filled with companies and associations like UKATA offering the most innovative products, solutions and expertise in cleaning up, or preventing contamination.

UKATA exists to set and verify standards and to emphasise the importance of best practice in training when it comes to the safe handling, removal and disposal of asbestos. Tasked by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2008 for taking-on, managing and developing the list of training providers for licensed asbestos work in the UK, UKATA is now the leading authority in all levels of asbestos training in the UK.

Posted in Business

Expansion at Markham Vale company

4th April 2016

Chesterfield distributor Industrial Ancillaries has unveiled its new, larger headquarters at Markham Vale.

After just under 4 months, Caddick Construction has completed a new extension across the front of the building, which has added 3500 sq ft of office space for the growing firm.

In line with the company’s continuous efforts to be energy efficient, the new build features rainwater harvesting and solar photo-voltaic panels; ensuring the firm keeps up with its low CO2 emission rate and company ethos.

The development also boasts an array of new facilities including:-

• Industrial Ancillaries’ brand new training academy – for the company to focus on delivering it’s BFPA Accredited courses;
• A re-vamped trade counter to offer customers a welcoming and more widely-stocked store;
• A re-vamped workshop;
• New canteen and welfare areas for staff;
• New meeting room facilities furnished with modern equipment, created for both staff and customer use;
• Additional car parking space to add to the already ample parking available on-site;
• Additional Kardex Remstar© vertical lift machines to provide enhanced storage facilities and increase product lines.

Jamie Dennis, managing director at Industrial Ancillaries comments:-

“The new ultra-modern facility undoubtedly brings more value to the company and an enhanced capability to provide more improved service to customers. Industrial Ancillaries looks forward to welcoming visitors to the new premises and continuing to build the business from strength to strength.”

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield College student lands Thailand business trip

1st April 2016

This week a young entrepreneur from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy course at Chesterfield College was invited to speak at a business seminar taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.

Scott Levers, aged 18, landed the opportunity, along with one other UK student from Leicester, to present to 150 directors and senior practitioners, teachers and students from Thai vocational colleges following his successful work in a local business and his approach to developing his entrepreneurial skills.

Organised jointly by the British Council Thailand and the Office of Vocational Education, the seminar was designed to help share best practice about developing, encouraging and enabling entrepreneurial attitudes, skills and knowledge.

Before Scott flew off to Thailand he told Chesterfield College how the course and his experiences working in a developing wholesale jewellery business creating a sales and marketing database was a real bonus to help him develop his business acumen.

He said: “Doing a vocational course like the one the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy offers allows you to test your own ideas and gives you the ability to try out the theory in a practical situation. Learning in this way helps you to develop logic and reasoning which is so important in business.

“It’s a huge honour to be asked to go to Thailand. I am looking forward to learning more about doing business in different cultures from the Thai students and bringing back new ideas. I hope that this experience will help me during the rest of my course and in my business career.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire revealed

31st March 2016

BHP Chartered Accountants has published this year’s list of top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire, along with an overview of the economy locally.

Speaking positively about the results, Dominic Staniforth, Partner at BHP said:-

“North Derbyshire continues to be home to a wide variety of businesses which contribute significantly to the economic prosperity and provide a substantial number of employment opportunities which all help, together with fantastic infrastructure links, to ensure that North Derbyshire remains a great place to do business.

“A broad snapshot of the numbers reveals some key trends: the combined turnover of the Top 50 amounting to £734 million, a rise of 18 per cent on the previous year, profitability at £67 million has increased by an impressive 40 per cent and very encouragingly, employment at just under 5,000 employees has shown a nine per cent increase on last year.

“These statistics make impressive reading and show that there continues to be a lot of confidence in the area.”

Download the report and discover the Top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire in 2016.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre scoops bronze

30th March 2016

The team at Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is celebrating after bringing home a bronze award from the prestigious England for Excellence Awards 2016 held in Blackpool earlier this month.

Run by Chesterfield Borough Council, it is the second time in two years that the centre has been shortlisted in the Visitor Information Provider of the Year category.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre provides an efficient and friendly service to the thousands of people who visit the town centre each year and for our residents.

“Whether it’s giving information about attractions and events in the borough or the wider area of Derbyshire and the Peak District or selling tickets to our theatres, our staff go the extra mile.

“We have lots of positive feedback from people who use the service and I’m proud that we have received bronze in the England for Excellence Awards this year.”

Commenting on the Award, Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland said “We received hundreds of applications this year of an extremely high standard.

“Winning a Bronze Award is a considerable achievement, especially against such tough competition.

“Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is now ranked as one of the top three businesses in their category for excellence in England and I warmly congratulate them on this achievement”.

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Major funding boost for historic railway site Barrow Hill Roundhouse

29th March 2016

Britain’s only surviving operational railway roundhouse is set to receive a £1.17m cash boost to help safeguard its future as one of Chesterfield’s top attractions.

The funding, confirmed by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will be used to repair and refurbish Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and transform it into a nationally-important museum.

High quality visitor facilities, a dedicated learning and meeting space and a conservation workshop will all be created at the site, which will also enjoy a new entrance, shop and café. A wide range of learning, training and skills activities will accompany these developments, ensuring that the roundhouse can attract a much wider and more diverse audience.

Mike Kennedy, chair of Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, said: “We are delighted by the news of our success. The project will enable us to safeguard the roundhouse for future generations, and provide the improved facilities that we need to attract a new audience, while retaining our existing audience of rail enthusiasts.

“It will also provide us with the expertise and equipment to tell the story of the roundhouse and its workforce to a wide range of people, particularly local people including families and schoolchildren.”

Barrow Hill Roundhouse was built in 1870 for the Midland Railway and houses an operational turntable serving 24 radiating roads or tracks. It was used to repair and maintain engines and rolling stock for the Staveley Iron and Coal Company.

As one of the few roundhouses to survive the transition from steam to diesel engines, it operated until the industry went into decline during the 1970s and 80s.

In 1991 it was saved from demolition by local campaigners with just 48 hours to spare and has since become a popular place to visit, primarily for railway enthusiasts. Visitors can currently see a host of rare locomotives and over 4,500 items including tools, lamps, uniforms and photographs.

Now the Engine Shed Society wants to attract local people as well, many of whom are unaware of what is on their doorstep and its history.

The main building also requires urgent attention to make it watertight and prevent the collections from getting damaged. There is also a pressing need to record the memories of people who worked at the site, many of whom are now elderly.

Jonathan Platt, Head of HLF East Midlands, said: “As the last surviving operational roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a unique role in telling the story of the UK’s evocative transport heritage.

“There’s no better way to learn about this history than getting up close to the buildings that survive from that time, so we’re delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we can support this much-needed project to repair the building and enhance visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of the site.”

HLF previously provided a £96,400 development grant in 2014 to work up plans for the project. Now, following a further application, the full grant has been awarded allowing the major works to commence.

It is hoped that work will start at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in June this year and be complete by mid 2019.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Summer, Visiting