East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has secured one of the most significant and highly-sought accolades in business.

In a night of celebration at the prestigious British Chambers of Commerce Business Awards, held in London, it was East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) that won the overall Chamber of the Year title, sponsored by Quest.

Now in its 15th year, the national Chamber Business Awards is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, highlighting the role of business in delivering growth and prosperity for the UK and local communities.

The Chamber was also joined on the night by four member companies – Dalycom, Shirebrook Academy, Tidyco and trentbarton – which had gone on to enjoy regional success following their respective achievements at the Chamber’s Business Awards across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

It has been a busy and productive 2018 for the Chamber which, as the leading business support organisation in the region, continues to dedicate itself to providing its members with a comprehensive and ever-evolving suite of products, services and information to help businesses succeed and thrive.

Reflecting on the award, Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has shown impressive growth and retention in recent years. The strategic work and engagement of the Chamber with local stakeholders embodies the mission of Chambers of Commerce everywhere.”

“Its efforts to engage with other Chambers and improve member offerings is a testament to its dedication. Congratulations to the entire East Midlands team, truly worthy recipients of this award.”

Steve Charles, Head of Business Partnerships at award sponsor Quest, said: “Congratulations to East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), deserved winners of this prestigious award.”

“It is a great example of how a Chamber can make a significant contribution to the national network while also taking a leading and influential role in its own business community. It has developed a first-class service to members, which is witnessed by its continued growth. Well done to all the team.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), added: “To win Chamber of the Year is a fantastic achievement and a great endorsement of the extensive activity we deliver to our members across the region.”

“This acknowledgment is testament to the dedication and hard work shown by all the staff at the Chamber, who made this award possible by continuing to work tirelessly and passionately on behalf of our members to fulfil our overall objective – to enhance East Midlands businesses.”

The latest staff survey completed by Peak Pharmacy has shown promising levels of engagement within its Pharmacy teams. Peak Pharmacy is a local, independent pharmacy chain owned by PCT Healthcare.

Having grown from one pharmacy in Chesterfield to now owning and managing over 120 pharmacies in the UK, PCT Healthcare now employs over 1,400 people, with Peak Pharmacy currently employing over 150 people across North East Derbyshire.

The survey of the Peak Pharmacy staff was used to identify where staff were performing well, and where management teams needed to listen to individuals to improve working environments.

The results have shown that a promising 93% of all staff surveyed wanted to give their best at work, whilst 88% of those surveyed felt that their roles positively affected people’s lives. The findings also revealed that 80% of those surveyed felt valued as individuals, which supports Peak Pharmacy’s family culture of empowering their staff and treating them as a priority.

Gill Watters believes that the firm is a strong role model within the town: “As an employee, I find PCT Healthcare has strong company values tied to strong family values, with employers who understand the need for work / life balance.”

“As an individual, I feel valued and that my opinion matters which is very important. All job roles are crucial to the success of the business and this is noted and regularly passed on to staff through meetings, newsletters and social gatherings.”

Director Joe Cattee stated: “In the current high street climate, and the ever growing pressures on the NHS, I’m proud that so many of our staff feel they are treated as individuals within the company, and they’ve identified that our patients & customers are benefiting from their roles. Community pharmacy is currently a changing environment, and we must now endeavour to use the recent findings to improve the conditions and ethos of our staff within the business, and continue to lead the way in supporting the local communities of Derbyshire.”

“I look forward to carrying out the survey again next year, and improving on this year’s results.”

Peak Pharmacy on Ashgate Road is one of the many Peak Pharmacy stores throughout Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Free public events will be staged by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, to consult with businesses and other organisations on how they think the LEP area’s economy should develop in the next decade up to 2030.

D2N2 is the private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations which promotes economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

It manages over £500million in resources to invest in its business growth, capital projects, infrastructure, employment promotion and other services. Programmes are guided by its long term, Strategic Economic Plan (or SEP); which is now being refreshed and updated to meet the LEP area’s changing economic needs. A copy of the new, draft plan can be viewed here.

Free D2N2 LEP consultation events will take place at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield, on:

• Wednesday November 7^th – 1.15pm to 3.15pm.
• Thursday November 15^th – 9.30am to 12.30pm

All events will feature a presentation on the Strategic Economic Plan proposals and an open discussion, for the audience to join in. There will also be information on D2N2’s wider work promoting economic growth in the area.

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is an important opportunity for individual businesses to directly help influence the direction of the D2N2 LEP area’s economy, for years to come. These events will look at issues such as the key sectors, new industries, infrastructure, skills gaps, technological advances, employment needs and many other things we should be focusing on.”

“I would urge any business or organisation with a stake in the D2N2 LEP area’s future economic growth to attend, and give us their views. We very much look forward to hearing what they have to say.”

For more information and to book your place please click here.

Chesterfield Champion Custom Solar has won a national award for its work with Associated British Ports to deliver the UK’s largest rooftop solar array.

The team scooped the impressive title of Commercial Rooftop Solar Installation of the Year at the Solar Power Portal Awards, held in Birmingham last week.

At the Port of Immingham, Custom Solar created one scheme on a 30,260m² warehouse.  The site, which went live in April 2018, totals an impressive 4.5MW, enough to power almost 750 homes.

The awards, now in their sixth year, hosted 600 clean-energy professionals from the UK and beyond and recognised Immingham’s site, by contractors Custom Solar, best in show.

The installation, which will make a CO₂ saving of almost 1,500 tonnes per annum, will see the port utilise the majority of the generated energy to power port equipment such as cranes, conveyors, lock gates and offices with a small amount being exported from site and back to the national grid.

Matthew Brailsford, Managing Director of Custom Solar said: “Solar power has quickly become the energy generator of choice for many companies across the world, however, delivering project of this scale don’t happen every day. The 4.5MW of power at the Port of Immingham is one of the largest rooftop systems in the country and required a host of high voltage upgrades to ABP’s network. I’m just so proud of every single person who made this project a reality and award winning success.”

Mark Frith, Port Manager for Grimsby and Immingham said: “It’s pivotal that businesses in our region are making a concerted effort to reduce their CO₂ emissions. As the UK’s largest port by tonnage, we’re extremely proud to be able to work with professional contractors such as Custom Solar, who have enabled us to make a real difference in reducing our carbon footprint.”