Booking is now live for a range of monthly evening seminars designed to help local small businesses to succeed.

Hosted by S40 Local Small Business Club and held at StraightCurves on Saltergate, the first event will be lead by Paul Stuart, one of Chesterfield Borough Council’s own business advisers.  Paul has been supporting the development of StraightCurves since 2013.

Karen Rogers, Owner of StraightCurves says:-

“Having gone through some really tough times setting up my own small business over the last two years I want to help those going through the same issues. Sometimes all you need is someone who understands what it is like to listen to you and share a cuppa and that is what our get-togethers are all about. There won’t be any formalities or awkward network selling – just chats and cuppas. Equally it great to be able to jump up and down about your successes and bounce ideas off other people.”

Booking is now open for the next Chesterfield Manufacturing and Engineering Forum taking place at Casa Hotel on Thursday 5 March from 12.00pm – 2.00pm.

The free event, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with NatWest and United Cast Bar Ltd, will welcome Richard Hall from the University of Derby as guest speaker.

Richard is Director of the university’s new Institute for Innovation (IISE), Director of Research, Innovation and Impact (RII).  He is also Professor of Engineering Design & Simulation, a chartered engineer and a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Richard will talk about the opportunities available for manufacturing businesses in Derbyshire to work with Derby University following its announcement to open a campus in the town this year. He will also explain how firms can access the university’s Regional Growth Funded grant scheme.

Launched to give the manufacturing and engineering sector a voice in Chesterfield, the forum has made a big impression since it began in 2012. It also ran during the first Made in Chesterfield Week last November which was designed to raise awareness of careers in the sector among local young people. The event was such a success that Made in Chesterfield will return for a fortnight later this year.

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar and Chair of the forum said: “Engineering and manufacturing is thriving in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, however it is not often talked about. The forum is a great opportunity for firms in these industries from across the area to get together and share our success and access the 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.

Spaces at the forum are limited so people are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

To ensure you are able to attend, book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-manufacturing-forum-tickets-15707541680 or for more information visit www.chesterfield.co.uk.

The Government has awarded East Midlands Business (EMB) a five-year contract to deliver export trade advice and support to companies in Chesterfield and across the East Midlands.

EMB is a not-for-profit organisation which is 75% owned by the Chambers of Commerce for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire.

As part of the deal, it will deliver UKTI services aimed at helping companies to start exporting or increase their overseas business by finding customers in new markets, taking part in trade shows and exporting online around the world.

Firms will also be eligible to bid for a share of £100m in additional export support through European structural and investment funds.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, said: “The Chamber is delighted that EMB has won the contract to continue to deliver UK Trade & Investment services to businesses across the East Midlands over the next five years.

“International trade is a key part of the Chamber’s services – to members and non-members – and it looks forward to working closely with UKTI in the months ahead to help more businesses export and fully realise their potential in the global marketplace.”

The first business at Markham Vale has been turned green thanks to the region’s experts in solar energy, Custom Solar Ltd.

MSE Hiller will now be totally self-sufficient in electricity following the switch on of the firm’s final Photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Based at a £3 million purpose-built facility at Markham Vale following a move from Clay Cross in 2010, MSE Hiller, supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries throughout the UK.

The new facility is more than four times the size of the old premises, yet annual energy costs will now be less than half thanks to low energy lighting, efficient heating systems and the recovery of heat and water. Heat from the welding bay will even be recirculated throughout the building and their high speed balancing machine will actually recovers so much energy it will put power back into the National Grid.

Ivan Fomin, Director of MSE Hiller explained: ““With environmental management being a prerequisite for the business with many of MSE Hiller’s customers, and in a period where reporting of carbon footprints and reducing emissions has become such an important aspect when looking to build partnerships with customers, the installation of a renewable energy system like this is a major step forward for the company.

Electricity prices historically have risen at approximately 10% per annum so generating our own electricity like this can protect us against future price rises and ensure that our business is not exposed to uncontrollable growing overheads.”

Pleased to be supporting a fellow Chesterfield Champion to grow, Custom Solar Ltd hopes the project will kick off a green revolution in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.

Matt Brailsford, Director of Custom Solar Ltd said: “Renewable energy sources like the PV system at MSE Hiller are ideal for any business with their own premises. It doesn’t matter what size the building is, all businesses can benefit from investing in PV systems as the like for like percentage of income and savings is relative to the investment.

“Although the financial benefits are very attractive companies will also benefit from being known as an eco-conscious organisation in terms of marketing.”

Custom Solar Ltd has also recently installed PV systems at both Knights Care Homes including Drovers Call in Gainsborough, and Shorts Accountants of Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Interest in Chesterfield and Sheffield City Region at international property trade show MIPIM 2015 will be at an all-time high following a wave of substantial investments in the area.

Chesterfield has seen particularly high-profile publicity in recent months following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the £400m leisure and visitor attraction Peak development – a joint venture partnership between Birchall Properties in the UK and US firm Grand Heritage Hotel Group.

Private sector support for the City Region’s presence at MIPIM has reached record levels this year, as growing numbers of top businesses join the mission, further underlining its significant business potential. The delegation is made up of top business names from across the area including Chesterfield Champion Henry Boot, and will be supported by public sector representatives whose attendance will show investors the strength and importance of local public-private partnership working.

The City Region’s delegation will capitalise on growing interest in 2015 in regional property outside of London. A recent study by Nabarro, an international law firm with offices in Sheffield, showed that property investors expect regional property to rise in attractiveness over the next two years.

Martin McKervey, Partner at Nabarro and Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board member, said:

“The business for property in Sheffield City Region is buoyant and the level of interest in our offer is very high. This year’s programme of activity for the festival is bigger and better than ever before – we are confident in what we have to offer and in our ability to engage with an international audience. This tight schedule of seminars, events and pre-arranged meetings has been designed tell investors about the incredible depth and breadth of opportunity available in Sheffield City Region.”

This year, Sheffield City Region has joined forces with Leeds City Region for MIPIM 2015, in order to demonstrate the connected ambition of both regions. As two of the foremost economic forces in the Northern Powerhouse, the two City Regions will be showcasing the investment ready opportunities that will drive economic growth in the North. The Sheffield City Region will also be working with partners from the Midlands in the neighbouring D2N2 area (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) to promote the strong links and shared economic priorities.

James Newman, Chairman of Sheffield City Region LEP said: “In such a highly competitive market place, working together and having a connected ambition can only strengthen our proposition. Our focus for MIPIM 2015 is to build upon the success our city regions experienced at MIPIM UK in October and to showcase the economic potential we both have.”

To find out more information about Sheffield City Region’s attendance at MIPIM 2015 or to join the delegation, visit www.sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/MIPIM

Image: Peak Masterplan by Stanton Williams (Retina Images)

The team at Handelsbanken in Chesterfield is celebrating following another year of growth for branches across the UK.

Crediting its success to the loyalty of local clients, the 143-year-old bank has revealed a 14 per cent rise in lending to British customers (Q4 ’14 vs Q4 ’13). Business lending has increased 10 per cent, to £9.59 billion, while lending to personal banking customers has risen 22 per cent, to £4.35 billion. UK customer deposits have increased 56 per cent over the period, to £7.72 billion.

Since becoming part of the Handelsbanken group in May 2013, assets under management at Heartwood have risen by 53% to £2.3 billion. This growth reflects the steady expansion of wealth management services, now available to customers throughout Handelsbanken’s nationwide branch network.

These positive results follow the recent appointment of a new staff member – Fraser Kirkman – who joined the Chesterfield team this month to help meet the growing demand of both existing and new customers locally.

Run by 5 experienced local bankers, Handelsbanken Chesterfield is now one of 189 local British branches.

Phil Walker, Manager of Handelsbanken in Chesterfield commented: “We are finding that both corporate and individual customers continue to choose Handelsbanken for the way we deliver long term relationship banking, always from the local branch and always based on trust and high levels of personal service. We continue to grow through personal recommendations from our satisfied customers and this drives our success in the UK.”

Anders Bouvin, Handelsbanken’s UK Chief Executive, comments: “For us it’s not about how far or how fast we grow in the UK. Instead it’s about ensuring every day that our branches are able to deliver the best possible service to their customers, based only on their individual needs.”