Business

Government and Sheffield City Region sign £325 million Growth Deal

Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, will today join up with council and business leaders from across Sheffield City Region to sign a £325 million Growth Deal.

In July, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) secured the landmark funding for Sheffield City Region, which will create over 28,000 jobs and training for 40,000 people.

The official signing ceremony will take place at the Electric Works in Sheffield City Centre. Electric Works is a state-of-the-art office space and home to a growing community of creative, digital and media businesses in Sheffield City Region.

The Deputy Prime Minister will meet with leaders from the Sheffield City Region including LEP Chairman James Newman and Combined Authority Deputy Chairman Councillor Eion Watts.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who chairs the Local Growth Cabinet Committee said:

“We are ending a culture of Whitehall knows best. Decisions over spending on infrastructure, business support and housing are being made at a truly local level.

“Instead, we are placing the power and money in the hands of the people who know how to spend it best, making a real difference to Sheffield City Region.

“This Growth Deal will create thousands of jobs, provide incredible new training opportunities for young people, build thousands of new homes and improve transport links for everyone – building a stronger economy and a fairer society.”

James Newman, Chairman of Sheffield City Region LEP, said:

“Signing our deal with the Deputy Prime Minister marks an important milestone in the process of taking control of our local economy. This deal will unlock millions of pounds of investment to grow the Sheffield City Region economy and create jobs.

“The Sheffield City Region LEP achieved the fifth biggest deal with Government of all areas in England. We achieved this because our leaders worked closely together to put forward a very compelling offer.

“However, this is only the first small step on a journey to take control of our City Region’s economic destiny.”

Councillor Eion Watts, Deputy Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said:

“This Growth Deal is a significant step in the right direction and we will continue to work with Government to address the imbalances in the national economy.

“The Sheffield City Region has proved that it has the strong governance and processes in place to use government funding effectively to create jobs for local people.

“We are continuing to work with Government to get the best deal for our City Region and we recently submitted a further funding bid which asks for £38 million to further boost jobs and growth in the City Region.”

The Growth Deal has been achieved as a result of the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) to Government which set out plans to transform the local economy over the next decade. At the heart of the plan is the creation of 70,000 new private sector jobs and 6,000 new businesses over the next ten years.

The funding secured by the Growth Deal will facilitate over £600 million of infrastructure schemes, including improvements to Sheffield City Centre, transport links to new housing and employment sites the Dearne Valley and a link road to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.

It will enable the LEP to create a £130 million Skills Bank, which will provide training for 40,000 people in the Sheffield City Region, including between 5,000 and 7,500 apprentices. The funding will also be used to upgrade further education facilities and build a brand new British Glass Academy.

The Growth Deal will also mean that the LEP can extend its business investment programme which will create 4,000 new jobs for local people.

Earlier this month, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) wrote to Government to officially ask for an additional £38 million to further boost economic growth and create jobs in the area.

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in Business

New Nando’s creates 30 new jobs in Chesterfield

Chesterfield residents and visitors are in for a tasty treat as Nando’s, home of legendary Portuguese flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, opens to the public on Wednesday 22nd October 2014.
Located in Alma Leisure Park on the former Blockbusters retail site, the restaurant stays true to Nando’s unique Afro-Portuguese roots with a stunning design seating up to 128 guests. The opening has also created 30 new jobs for the local area, ranging from cashiers and grillers to assistant managers.
Packed with flavour and great variety, the new restaurant is just a stone’s throw away from the cinema and will provide the perfect pre or post film refreshment for students, families and locals.
19 year old Nando’s devotee, Jared Shooter, will be given the opportunity of a lifetime after winning a Facebook competition to open the new Chesterfield restaurant. Jared is adding to his list of Nando’s achievements, having finished second place at last year’s ‘Nando’s Comedian of the Year’.  As well as cutting the all-important ribbon, Jared will be the very first customer to sample the infamous flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken.
Andy Crook, Nando’s Regional Managing Director said: “Chesterfield is clearly hungry for chicken, so we’re delighted to be finally opening a restaurant in the area to satisfy people’s cravings.”

Source:Nandos

Posted in Business, Visiting

Chesterfield firm named best in county

Marine maintenance equipment manufacturer Cathelco has been named Derbyshire Business of the Year 2014 by the county’s Chamber of Commerce.

The Chesterfield-based firm which produces anti-fouling systems for seawater pipework received the award at the Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards at the Roundhouse on Friday. The company also won the Excellence in Innovation award.

In its 55-year history, Cathelco has completed more than 30,000 installations worldwide. Its success stems from its focus on two very specialised but essential safety systems for vessels in the harsh marine environment, namely its pipework anti-fouling systems and its hull corrosion protection systems.

Its Technical Director, Robert Field, said: “We are delighted to have won this award, which comes on the back of a great year for Cathelco. Our BWT system is going into commercial production and there is already strong interest from ship owners worldwide.

“As a result, Cathelco will be enlarging its production facilities and increasing its workforce. This award is testament to the hard work of all our staff in achieving this.”

Another Chesterfield business – Mitchells Chartered Accountants – also scooped an award on the evening for Best use of Technology to Improve Business Performance.

A spokesman at the firm said: “We are delighted to have won the award because it is at the very heart of what we do.  Essentially, we are on a journey of development to transform our clients’ businesses using more than just accountancy skills.

“We’ll continue to blaze a trail in the effort to make business operations and growth easier for our clients.  Our motto is ‘if you can’t measure it you can’t manage it’ – we think this is why the Chamber were kind enough to recognise us for this prestigious award.”

Chamber Chief Executive George Cowcher said: “The Chamber’s congratulations go to all of this year’s winners. We had some stellar entries this year and the judging process was extremely tough, but all of the winning businesses thoroughly deserve their success.

“The standard of competition was extremely high this year which clearly shows that, following a year in which the local economy has made remarkable progress, we have some real success stories of Derbyshire businesses doing well.

“Over the past 12 months, businesses in Derbyshire have been busy investing, innovating, exporting and growing and these awards are testament to the quality of business we have in this city and county.”

Source:Chamber of Commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

£300k boost for Chesterfield Innovation Centres

A major upgrade is on the cards to improve the digital connectivity and conference facilities at the Chesterfield Innovation Centres.

Tapton Park Innovation Centre and Dunston Innovation Centre – both owned and managed by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce – look set to receive £200,000 investment toward the exciting development.

The project, which will cost in the region of £300,000 will benefit existing tenants at the centres as well as attracting new businesses to the area.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration said: “Chesterfield’s Innovation Centres have proved extremely popular with businesses in the borough.

“They offer quality workspaces, support from the council’s team who staff and service the centres and easy in/easy out terms giving flexibility for businesses to adjust their accommodation requirements to the size of the business.

“Work does need to be carried out, though, to improve the broadband and phone systems in order to meet the needs of modern businesses and to attract new innovative, creative or knowledge-based businesses into Chesterfield.”

A 1GB connection will be the main focus of the upgrade as well as new telephone facilities and refurbished conference suites.

Cabinet members have also made a commitment to include a clause in the contracts for the work for contractors to use local labour and materials where possible.

The work has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet and will be considered by council at the next meeting on Wednesday 15 October.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in Business

£16m now available to support growing businesses

Businesses with clear growth aspirations are now invited to apply for a share of a £16 million fund via the University of Derby.

The money has been secured from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF), which is aimed at fuelling business expansion and helping to create and safeguard thousands of jobs in the East Midlands region.

The ‘Invest to Grow’ project, is now open for expressions of interest, which can be submitted via the website: www.derby.ac.uk/investtogrow.

The university will use the fund to support business growth in the region by investing in companies, as well as providing access to its extensive range of wider resources including academic expertise and technology.

Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our city and region. We are delighted that the university will deliver this multi-million pound investment, supporting companies in the East Midlands to grow and flourish.

“It will benefit companies that need funding or other support to innovate and accelerate growth, particularly those companies which have the potential to become high value incoming generating businesses.

“This funding is particularly timely, especially in a fast growing region such as ours where companies are trying to grow and confidence is returning but it still remains difficult to get all the help needed from the banks.

“Investing in these companies will create high value jobs in the region, which will help to retain our best graduates and attract others, creating a pipeline of young talent to the region.”

David Ralph, Chief Executive of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, added: “It is great news that a fresh injection of funding is now available to help support businesses to grow, create new jobs and safeguard others, as well as access wider resources of expertise.

“We have already seen excellent results from the Regional Growth Fund programme in our area, through our own ‘Unlocking Investment for Growth’ programme and others, such as the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund and Global Derbyshire.

“The Invest to Grow project, managed by the University of Derby, will further enhance the help available to firms in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I would urge all those who need this assistance to further their business, to look into this new grant project.”

The University of Derby Invest to Grow team can be contacted on 01332 597907 or via email: investtogrow@derby.ac.uk

Source:The University of Derby

Posted in Business, Development

Chesterfield factory expands with bank support

One of the UK’s leading nickel plating specialists is expanding its factory after securing a six figure funding deal.

NiTEC UK Ltd is based in Chesterfield and boasts one of the world’s largest electroless nickel plating facilities.  This cash injection will allow it to increase its existing production capacity which provides services including pipe strengthening and exterior protection to a diverse range of industries, from oil and aerospace to architecture and art.

Funding support was provided by Yorkshire Bank, with the deal arranged by Steve Wicks, Commercial Relationship Manager at the bank’s South Yorkshire Business and Private Banking Centre in Sheffield.

NiTEC UK’s in-house laboratory team developed SeaTEC, a revolutionary coating for the marine industry which can withstand exposure to salt spray for more than 19,000 hours.

The company also works with the aerospace and oil industries. Other more unusual bespoke projects include plating a gorilla sculpture created by Turner Prize winner David Mach.

Marcus Hill, Commercial Director at NiTEC UK, said: “We are pleased to be expanding to meet the growing demand for our expertise and products.  The support from Yorkshire Bank and commitment of the NiTEC team has been instrumental in establishing our reputation and place in the marketplace.

“Working with Yorkshire Bank has been fantastic and the team has really taken the time to learn our business.”

Kevin Elliot, head of the South Yorkshire Business and Private Banking Centre, said: “We are proud to be supporting a highly regarded local business that combines technological expertise with an impressive entrepreneurial flair.

“Yorkshire Bank remains committed to investing in the growth ambitions of the local business community.”

Source:Yorkshire Bank

Posted in Business

Local magazines get national recognition

Staff at Heron Publications are celebrating after being presented with a second successive accolade in the national Magazine Publishers’ Awards.

The company responsible for local titles including ‘Twist’, ‘Dronfield Eye’ and ‘Wings’ finished runner-up in the keenly contested ‘Best Magazine Editorial’ category. Director Mike Firth received the award at a glitzy presentation evening staged at the Heart of The Midlands Conference Centre, Warwickshire.

Hundreds of publications from dozens of companies featured at the annual conference and awards night and the ‘Best Magazine Editorial’ class was the most fiercely contested category. Ten magazines were on the shortlist.

A delighted Mike said: “We were thrilled to receive a similar accolade a year ago for the excellent quality of our front pages, but this particular category saw judges run the rule over the standard of editorial throughout our magazines.

“The number of entries overall had increased by more than 200% this year and the awards night featured many excellent publications belonging to magazine owners throughout Britain.

“There were even entries from magazines in Spain and Australia, so to be presented with the runner-up ‘Highly Commended’ trophy was indeed an achievement.”

Mike added: “Heron Publications – an original Chesterfield Champion – prides itself on offering readers a variety of interesting news and feature articles to enjoy each month, accompanied by the brightest local photographs.

“We are often told by readers and advertisers just how much they appreciate our magazine being around. We know people enjoy reading it, but it is very nice indeed to be honoured at such a prestigious national industry gathering.

“Although this particular award recognises our magazine’s editorial excellence, it is a reflection of the standards of our publications as a whole.”

Heron Publications is now into its 13th year and carefully distributes 51,000 free-of-charge magazines monthly in North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

 

Photograph: Mike Firth receiving the trophy at the Independent Magazine Publishers’ Awards.

Source:Heron Publications

Posted in Business, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield solicitors receives national recognition

Banner Jones Solicitors has once again been named a ‘Leading Firm’ in the 2014 UK Legal 500 rankings.

Ann-Marie Lowe, Marketing Manager comments “Following our family law team’s success last year, we are delighted to have received a ranking for our personal injury team this year as well.  Being a Legal 500 firm is a great accolade for the business, and we are one of the few law firms in Chesterfield to have been awarded a ranking”.

Simon Wright who heads up the Personal Injury department has received recognition for leading ‘a very well-organised’ team, which handles claims of any size and type’ and as such has been given the accolade of ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in the Legal 500. Both Robert Banner, also in the Personal Injury team and Toby Netting from the firm’s family law team have also received the Recommended Lawyer status.  The Legal 500 quoted Toby Netting as being ‘Exceptional’ and said that Robert Banner ‘exudes calm and experience’.   Simon comments “We are very proud of the business for achieving this ranking as it highlights our specialism and expertise in these areas. It is wonderful thing to have been given this recommendation from such a highly regarded publication”.

Source:Banner Jones Solicitors

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Electronics firm moves into 21st-century building thanks to grant funding

An expanding electronics company is enjoying life in a new premises – and has created new jobs – thanks to grant funding of a quarter of a million pounds from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

Kingfield Electronics, based in Chesterfield, has moved from two separate locations into a large new manufacturing facility that provides an increased range of manufacturing capabilities, and significantly improves its competitiveness within the global electronics manufacturing marketplace.

The £2.5m project was supported by a grant of £250,000 from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which has been awarding RGF grants to business across the region.

The grant has enabled Kingfield Electronics to create 30 new jobs and safeguard a further 20 jobs which may otherwise have been under threat.

Kingfield Electronics’ new 45,000sq ft facility at Carrwood Road is in excess of twice the size of the previous premises, and the company says it provides “a far better platform on which to develop and win new customers.”

The project also includes further investment in new equipment, and the implementation of existing equipment that has been in storage due to a previous lack of space.

Kingfield Electronics started up in 1985 and manufactures products for companies operating in a number of high reliability, high technology areas including: aerospace, defence, process instrumentation, and oil/gas production.

It has grown steadily in recent years, though global competition has become tougher due to increased amounts of manufacturing moving out of the UK to countries offering cheaper labour rates.

Nick Taylor, Managing Director of Kingfield Electronics, said: “There is a constant requirement to offer ongoing performance improvements, cost reductions, and ever-quicker turnaround times.

“This latest investment has involved purchasing and refurbishing our new premises, as well as adding new production equipment, including an additional high-speed robotic assembly line.

“We are still a relatively small company, with no group company or external investors. However, we hope that this expansion – made possible with the grant from the RGF – will enable us to grow and compete more strongly in a global marketplace.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration said: “Chesterfield is on the up – each year we see new businesses relocating to the borough and existing businesses like Kingfield Electronics growing. In great part this is due to our own regeneration team providing expert support for Chesterfield businesses.

“It is great to see businesses growing thanks to the funding they have received from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and as a board member I will continue to work with other members in the partnership to get the best deal for businesses and residents in the region.”

The grant funding has come from the LEP’s “Unlocking Business Investment” programme, which has seen £32m in central Government funding allocated to the Sheffield City Region.

Around £29m of that fund has already been allocated, while £3m is still available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that plan to create sustainable, private sector employment in the Sheffield City Region.

Significant expenditure must have taken place by March next year and the balance of investment must be in place by March 2016.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Sheffield City Region has secured a £320m “growth deal” from the Government, which will create more than 28,000 jobs and training for 40,000 people.

This is the fifth-largest sum to be secured of the 39 LEPs within the country.

For more information on Kingfield Electronics visit the website atwww.kingfield-electronics.co.uk

Information regarding Sheffield City Region’s “growth deal” will appear hereover the coming months.

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in Business, Development, Made in Chesterfield

Derbyshire firm supported to grow

A Derbyshire-based jewellery label manufacturer, which supplies major jewellery buying groups worldwide, has secured funding for new machinery. This was made possible thanks to the Growth Accelerator Programme and support from Chesterfield-based asset finance broker, Balanced Funding Solutions.

The firm now has a bespoke labelling converter which has contributed to an increase in efficiency, with production times cut by 60%.  Finance has also enabled the company to employ an additional member of staff.

Caren Colabella of Magpie said “We are a family business with 5 employees.  We have recently moved to larger premises and plan to increase both UK and export sales and achieve the number one position with 60% market share by 2017.

“One of the biggest obstacles we faced was keeping up with production deadlines due to machinery down time, break downs and inefficiencies and we desperately needed additional bespoke machinery to cope with increased orders and demand.”

Commenting on the process John Pemberton of Balanced Funding Solutionssaid “ This is the type of problem that we encounter on a regular basis where small companies are not receiving the backing of their own bank and then do not know where to turn to help grow their business.

“We have secured a panel of lenders that have an appetite to lend to the SME market and are looking to fill this void with £12.7 billion of funds released to small businesses in 2013.

The list assets that we can fund is extensive and so if any local business is struggling then please get make contact with us and we will see what options are available”

Details of the Growth Accelerator Programme can be found online here.

Source:Balanced Funding Solutions

Posted in Business

Three Chesterfield businesses win regional awards

Three Chesterfield-based companies have been recognised in a prestigious awards scheme.

The national Chamber Awards, now in their 11th year, are a highlight of the business calendar, showcasing the pivotal role local businesses play in the UK’s continuing growth story.

Casa Hotel, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Northern Lights all came top in their respective categories.

  • Young Person in Business Award – Mark Thurman, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
  • Best Use of Technology to Improve Business Performance – Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
  • Achievement in International Business – Northern Lights, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

These three local businesses, along with six others, will now go forward to represent the East Midlands region in the national finals, which take place in London in November. The full list of winners can be seen here.

Chamber Chief Executive George Cowcher said: “Congratulations to all of the winners from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, who will go on to represent the Chamber – and the region – at the BCC’s national awards in November. It’s fantastic to see members of this Chamber achieve a clean sweep of awards for the whole region.

“The fact that all of the regional winners come from two of our three counties really demonstrates the strength of the business community here and reflects the role key role these businesses play in helping drive the UK’s economy forward.”

BCC President Nora Senior said: “These businesses play a crucial role in creating a balanced and prosperous economy and one that is admired on the global stage.

“They are hungry for growth, constantly seeking new opportunities in local and global economies, creating new products for market, and sharing best practice with their peers.

“The Chamber Awards are the perfect platform to showcase and celebrate the amazing work of firms across the country.”

Source:Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield