Handelsbanken Chesterfield has appointed a new Corporate Banking Manager in response to increasing demand for its local relationship banking services.

Steve Wicks joins the fast-growing relationship bank with over 25 years of banking experience. He will be involved in developing existing customer relationships as well as welcoming new customers to Handelsbanken’s bespoke approach to local banking.

A strong focus on long-term relationships and high levels of personal service has seen the bank rated top for customer satisfaction eight years running in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers*. Branches are responsible for making all day-to-day banking decisions based solely on their customers’ requirements, free from product and lending targets or bonus incentives.

Steve commented:-

“What attracted me to Handelsbanken was its focus on serving the customer. As experienced local bankers we have the power to make all the decisions that matter to our customers, swiftly and sensibly here in the branch. The bank continues to grow locally through our reputation for providing our customers with extremely high levels of service.”

The branch, established in 2012 and located on Spire Walk Business Park, has developed a reputation for traditional banking, financial strength and high standards within the local business and professional services community.

Phil Walker, Branch Manager, added: –

“I am very pleased to welcome Steve and his substantial experience to our team. His appointment means that we can continue to meet the growing needs of both existing and new customers in our area, whilst maintaining the high levels of service for which we are renowned.”

Originally from Sweden, Handelsbanken now has over 800 branches in more than 20 countries and was named the world’s fourth safest commercial bank, by Global Finance magazine. At a time when strength and stability is of particular importance to customers, the bank enjoys the highest credit ratings of all the major UK-based banks. This reflects Handelsbanken’s strong financial position, long-term focus and prudent, consistent approach to banking through all economic conditions.

Contracts totaling £100,000 within the rail industry have been won by start-up business The Sanitaryware Supplies Company.

The online business, which was established last year, is the brainchild of Andy Dukelow, the former Managing Director of Chesterfield-based Franke Sissons.

The company, which supplies a range of commercial sanitaryware and for healthcare, transport, stadiums, schools, sanitary bin service and public washrooms nationally, builds on Andy’s 35 years’ experience in market leading design, specification and knowledge across all commercial sanitaryware market sectors.

As part of the contract wins, The Sanitaryware Supplies Company is supplying grab poles, socket boxes and plates for power sockets as part of a major carriage refurbishment project for Trains Bits and More Limited. Additionally, the company is supplying parts for toilet systems as well as fascia panels for contracts with Bombardier and Arriva respectively.

Neil Smith, Trains Bits and More Limited Director, said:-

“We have extensive expertise and some great facilities at our Cheshire site, but working alongside a proven supplier of top-class washroom products is a real bonus for us.

“Moreover, Sanitaryware Supplies have some superb engineering workshops themselves, and they have already provided us with the necessary capacity to supply bespoke electrical backboxes and casings for our ongoing roll-out of three-pin and USB power sockets to several train companies.

“Looking forward, with increased skills and resources across two respected companies, we can provide a one-stop service to train operators looking to refurbish their fleet’s passenger toilet and washroom facilities.”

As well as having an online presence, The Sanitaryware Supplies Company also offers a traditional design and manufacturing service, with bespoke stainless steel, mild steel and aluminium projects, manufactured in Chesterfield.

Andy Dukelow, Managing Director of The Sanitaryware Supplies Company,  commented:-

“There is a gap in the market for a quality stainless steel sanitaryware supplier, especially in custom made fabrication which is supported by a technical and after sales service that you can only deliver by having 35 years’ industry experience. Because of this, the business has really hit the ground running and I am winning sizeable national contracts which are contributing to the future success of The Sanitaryware Supplies Company.”

Chesterfield-based kitchenware manufacturer David Mason Design are set to move into their new headquarters at Carrwood Industrial Estate after 7 year deal agreed with national industrial and commercial property manager, Dunedin.

The transaction,  facilitated by property consultancy Commercial Property Partners LLP (CPP), will see the family run wholesale supplier – best known for its bespoke salt and pepper mills and tableware accessories – take over the 22,750 sq ft unit situated close to the town’s centre and just off the A61.

Adam Smith of Dunedin Industrial, said:-

“The warehouse, which is situated on the Carrwood Industrial Estate in Chesterfield, provides David Mason Design with an ideal base from which to meet the needs of its customers across the country.

“Spanning in excess of 22,000 sq ft their new premises comes with ample office and warehouse space to allow expansion and continued growth in the months and years ahead.”

Property consultancy CPP, which acted on behalf of the landlord, has also been responsible for other deals at the popular industrial estate; with a leading plumbing and heating products distributor taking over four bays spanning in excess of 50,000 sq ft – inclusive of warehouse and office space – in December 2016.

Ed Norris, commenting on the deal between David Mason Design and Dunedin CPP Partner, said:-

“The Carrwood Industrial Estate is ideally situated close to major transport links, making it an ideal location for businesses such as David Mason Design and other businesses like it which require a high level of accessibility due to a far-reaching network of clients.”

Commenting on the new premises David Mason Design’s CEO, Nicholas Cowan, said the business now had the space needed to continue to ‘deliver excellence’ to a growing customer base across the UK and abroad – including retailers, importers and distributors.

He said:-

“With more than 60 years’ experience in the production of mills we have established a strong reputation for technical innovation and quality when it comes to designing and manufacturing salt and pepper mills and other kitchenware accessories.

“This move into bigger premises located close to major transport links is part of our ongoing commitment to providing an accessible service to our customers who are invested in sourcing, supplying and selling unique, exclusive products.”

Markham Vale has seen a spectacular start to 2017. Since January’s opening of the new spine road on Markham Vale North, Henry Boot Developments and their development partner Derbyshire County Council have completed, commenced construction and secured offers for 850,000 sq ft of industrial space at the flagship development.

Chesterfield Champion, Start Financial Planning has expanded its team further with the appointment of Nick Evans.

Nick (28) from Hasland, joins the independent financial advice firm as a trainee financial advisor. He makes the move to the financial services industry from a career in training and, prior to that, banking where he worked for a high street building society for six years.

Nick’s appointment plays a key part in the firm’s ambitious growth plans. He is currently undertaking financial advisor qualifications and expects to qualify in October later this year.

He commented:-

“I am loving the challenge that my career change has brought. While I have experience of working in a financial environment, I am now learning about and dealing with a vast array of financial products in order to deliver truly independent financial advice.”

Outside work, Nick plays guitar with a few local bands and last year played with the indie folk duo The Natterjacks at Derbyshire’s Y Not Festival.

Start Financial Planning was established last year by Steve Taylor and Michael Heath. Working closely with firms within Chesterfield’s professional services sector, Start has brought a new approach to the world of financial planning.

Welcoming Nick to Start, Steve said:-

“We’re delighted to have Nick on board. His appointment embodies our approach to doing things differently from other financial advisers. We want to develop team from the ground up, training them in all aspects of the business so that they have full knowledge of products, markets and our clients. This, we believe, delivers a far superior service.”

Delivering a full financial planning service to individuals and businesses nationwide, Start’s services are in high demand from small business owners who are keen to maximise their pension contributions.

As well as pensions and exit strategies, Start Financial Planning also specialise in tax planning, estate planning, investments, business and personal protection.

BHP Accountants recently released their Top 50 survey of the most profitable SMEs in North Derbyshire, which showcases many of the region’s most successful businesses, that all contribute hugely to the local economy.

Download the Top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire

The services and manufacturing sectors dominate the table this year, with the largest turnover figures of £272million and £130million respectively, followed by the wholesale sector which has a £118million turnover and the retail sector which has a £101million turnover.

Retail businesses have outperformed other industries this year, with a 13% increase in turnover, a 17% increase in pre-tax profits and a 43% increase in employee numbers. This is very encouraging news for the retail sector, which has demonstrated good growth patterns lately, after years of poor performance.

Overall the manufacturing sector has experienced a 3% fall in turnover, but an 8% growth in pre-tax profits, and 10% growth in employee numbers. With many companies in this sector reporting growth in profits and employee numbers, it’s largely very positive news for manufacturing, and this should enable further investment in the sector.

The services sector also continues to grow steadily, with an 8% growth in annual turnover, although there has been considerable pressure on profits, with a 13% annual decrease. This has therefore resulted in a decline in employment figures of 8%.

This year there have been 15 new entrants from varying sectors in the Top 50 table, the highest is for Pbst Limited, a financial services firm in 13^th place, followed by Cloudbass Limited, which provides solutions to the broadcast market, and came 22^nd in the table.

Dominic Staniforth, Partner at BHP Accountacts said  “In general, it’s still a favourable fiscal environment for investment, with both the Capital Allowances and Annual Investment Allowance helping to support growth, and the continued low interest rate economy should help to encourage further growth and stimulate investment.

However, the uncertainty surrounding post Brexit implications for the economy will keep playing on many peoples’ minds, so we will have to wait and see what impact these factors will have on the attitude of business owners throughout 2017.”

” In summary, there will no doubt be both challenges and opportunities ahead for all of the companies in this year’s Top 50, but having worked with and advised many of them during my career, I am confident that these North Derbyshire SMEs will continue to succeed and benefit the local economy greatly. ”

A strong vision for the Midlands’ economic and transport future – laid out in two important strategy publications – has been welcomed by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

Coming the day after the 2017 Budget the publication of the Midlands Engine Strategy and the Midlands Connect Strategy anticipate major investment, to generate regional growth, to benefit all communities.

Chancellor Philip Hammond was in Dudley, West Midlands, this week to launch the Midlands Engine Strategy, a copy of which can be found online here.

The Midlands Engine is a partnership of ten Local Enterprise Partnerships – including D2N2 (which promotes economic and jobs’ growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) – local authorities, businesses, and education providers; aiming to create 300,000 jobs and add £34billion to the region’s economy by 2030.

The Midlands Engine Strategy aims to help the region address productivity barriers, enable businesses to create more jobs, and to export more goods and services.

It will do this by focusing on the five key objectives of:

• Improving connectivity to raise productivity.
• Strengthening skills to make the Midlands more attractive to businesses.
• Supporting enterprise and innovation to foster a more dynamic regional economy.
• Promoting the Midlands nationally and internationally, to maximise trade and investment in the region.
• Enhancing quality of life to attract and retain skilled workers, and to foster the local tourist economy.

Practical steps in the Strategy to achieve these objectives include:

• Plans to invest £392million across the Midlands through the Government’s Local Growth Fund.
• £20million for a Midlands Skills Challenge fund, to help close the skills gap between the Midlands and the rest of the country.
• A £250million Midlands Engine Investment Fund, which from this spring (2017) will provide financing to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grow.
• A Midlands Trade and Investment Programme, to help position the Midlands Engine on the global stage. This will include export events in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East; and the presentation of a Midlands Engine Investment Portfolio at MIPIM 2017 – the annual global property investment exhibition to be held in Cannes, France, next week – which will set out the most exciting investor opportunities in the Midlands region.

Philip Hammond MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:-

“Underpinning the Midlands Engine Strategy, and crucial to its success, is close engagement with local partners – Local and Combined Authorities, universities, businesses and Local Enterprise Partnerships.”

He added:-

“Working together, we can achieve our ambitious vision for a Midlands’ economy that works for everyone.”

Improving transport connectivity across the region, and between it and the rest of the UK and the world, is essential to carrying forward the ambitions of the new Midlands Engine Strategy – a fact recognised in the Midlands Connect Strategy.

Midlands Connect is a partnership of 28 local authorities across the East and West Midlands, businesses, ten LEPs (again including D2N2), Network Rail, Highways England, HS2 Ltd and associate member the Department for Transport.

The Midlands Connect Strategy: Powering the Midlands Engine report also published this week is the result of 18 months of extensive consultation. It proposes an ambitious 25 year programme of investment in strategic road and rail improvements, to reduce congestion and improve journey times across the Midlands, to aid its economic growth. A full copy of the transport Strategy can be read online here.

Priorities spelled out in the Midlands Connect Strategy include:

• A52 improvements between Derby and Nottingham, including to enable access to the future East Midlands HS2 Hub Station at Toton, and to improve the route to East Midlands Airport. These plans are to be delivered by the end of the 2020s, to improve east-west connectivity.

• Measures to relieve traffic pressures affecting the central Midlands motorway network, including on the A42 and A5 roads.

• A’ smarter’ approach, to make personal and commercial travel across the Midlands’ areas and between different modes of transport simpler. This would include smart and digital travel ‘tickets’ and applications, and trials for connected passenger and freight autonomous vehicles.

Commenting on the Midlands Connect Strategy today Peter Richardson, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, added:-

“With the commitment to complete HS2 and an interchange at the East Midlands Hub in Nottinghamshire, and potentially a high speed station and maintenance facility at Chesterfield by early 2033, an evidence-based and considered plan of action is needed to make the most of the opportunity which the HS2 network presents to communities and businesses throughout our area.

“Developing the projects set out in the Midlands Connect Strategy will stimulate the economy further, and give the vast talent pool across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire greater access to jobs and businesses throughout the Midlands, from east to west and north to south.

“We are in full support of flagship projects such as the Midland Main Line upgrade and electrification; and the development of the Newark Northern bypass. These could increase the speed of journeys across our region, giving businesses and their employees better access to the talent across the region; especially in the triangle of cities which is Derby, Nottingham and Leicester. The development plans for the A52, including a mass transit strategy and access to the HS2 Hub, will also have a major impact on our area. If we are to see the true potential of all our communities in the Midlands we need these recommendations to be acted on as soon as possible.”

Sir John Peace – who is Chair of both the Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect – said today:-

“We have come together across a wider geography than has been attempted before, to deliver a collective view of what the Midlands can achieve.

“We are confident in our physical, economic, commercial and cultural assets – and in our people – and our potential to contribute more to the success of UK plc.

“We believe that with the right investments in place the Midlands can raise its performance to match global cities like Singapore, Shanghai and New York. We can grow faster and generate more wealth, helping the government to create an economy that serves everyone well.”

Copies of the Midlands Engine Strategy can be found online here and the Midlands Connect Strategy: Powering the Midlands Engine report here.