Development

Investors praise Chesterfield’s location and lifestyle in new campaign

A series of short films celebrating small and medium-sized companies investing in Chesterfield during 2023 have been premiered online by Destination Chesterfield, the organisation responsible for promoting Derbyshire’s largest town as a place to invest, work, live and visit.

The Why Chesterfield, Why Now? films, which are being published and promoted across a range of online and social media channels, including YouTube and the Destination Chesterfield website, seek to inspire more businesses to locate in Chesterfield and attract investors to the Chesterfield Investment Summit, which will take place in October.

They feature four companies – ChargedEV, Rosewood Wealth Management, NeoDyne and Voeberg Hospitality – that have already created more than 100 jobs in Chesterfield and are expected to invest over £5.6 million in the town’s facilities over the next ten years.

All four business leaders featured in the films cited Chesterfield’s central location and transport connections as significant benefits of being located in the town. They also mentioned lifestyle, access to talent and a supportive investment environment as reasons to base businesses in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield will hold its eighth annual investment summit on 18 October 2023, which will outline the town’s growth strategy, detail new investment opportunities, and provide an update on development activities. More than 200 delegates, including domestic and commercial property investors and business leaders from the UK, are expected to attend the event, which is sponsored by East Midlands Chamber and Turner & Townsend.

Data shared in Chesterfield’s growth strategy, published in April 2023, show the town’s business population grew by more than a fifth (21 per cent) in the last decade and created 2,000 new jobs. Chesterfield aims to attract 400 more businesses and a further 2,000 jobs by 2030.

Matt Close, UK Business Lead at NeoDyne, an Irish industrial automation and electrical engineering company that opened its first UK office at Spire Walk in August, said: “There’s a huge benefit to be able to go and see our manufacturing customers and their processes. Getting to them easily and quickly is why we’ve opened the UK office, and Chesterfield is close to many areas that undertake manufacturing in the UK. There are good transport links from airports, public transport and the road network, a history of engineering excellence in the area, and several local universities we’re partnering with and have recruited from.”

Emily Smith, Director of Voeberg, the property investment company developing The Holywell Hotel in Chesterfield town centre, comments: “We moved from Scotland almost two years ago looking for a new investment area for our residential and commercial projects. Chesterfield was one of the first places we looked at because of the location, and it stood out because of the demand in the area. Chesterfield gave us that kind of local feeling that you don’t get in big cities and the ability to bring something new to the area. Going through this project, we’ve worked closely with the council, which has been massively supportive.”

Mark Pymm, Founder and Managing Director at ChargedEV, an electric vehicle chargepoint installation specialist which relocated to The HQ in March, comments: “We’re already one of the leading installers of EV charging points in the UK, and we expect to maintain that position. We needed new premises that allowed us to grow and scale our customer operations and office-based functions, and this building was prime for that. We chose to maintain a team in Chesterfield because of its transport links and central location, which offer easy access nationwide, and because of the diverse and talented range of people we can get here.”

Donna Robertson, Director of Rosewood Wealth Management, an independent financial advice company relocating to One Waterside Place, part of Chesterfield Waterside, comments: “Chesterfield has a great community feel, people do want to help each other out. It is exciting to be part of that and to be able to grow the business and give back to the community. It was great to get in when Chesterfield Waterside was just starting to take off, and be here from the start, knowing how amazing this development is going to be.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield, comments: “Entrepreneurs and SMEs are vital for economic growth and Chesterfield provides this section of the business community with everything they need to thrive. Businesses in Chesterfield enjoy a strategic location in the centre of the UK, offering access to great talent, great transport links and a great quality of life. Chesterfield is investing in the facilities and homes required to deliver sustained growth, support local startups and scaleups, and attract great people and businesses from elsewhere looking for a compelling alternative to big cities.”

Destination Chesterfield has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

The HQ Chesterfield Charged EV

 

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Approval granted for Staveley Waterside regeneration project

Approval has been granted for the Staveley Waterside project, which will revitalise the Staveley Canal Basin site.

£2.664 million has been earmarked from the Staveley Town Deal fund, to enable Derbyshire County Council to construct a 2-storey building, offering flexible space for new and existing small businesses, some retail use, and a food and beverage opportunity, with indoor and outdoor dining space, along with an access road, and mooring space.

A total of 11 units are planned within the centre, each equipped with kitchen and restroom facilities, while a new 40-metre footpath is planned along Hall Lane.

The project aims to encourage more visitors to use the canal and will also create space for around ten new businesses. Proposals were unanimously approved recently by councillors at Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee.

Councillor Tony King, cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration at Derbyshire County Council, said: “We’ve put together proposals for an exciting new development, which will help to bring jobs to the area and boost the visitor economy.

“Derbyshire County Council has been working alongside partners over a number of years to improve the Staveley Basin area and the Staveley Town Deal has given us a great opportunity to turn our ideas into reality, using our expertise from Markham Vale to create high-quality business accommodation as well as a visitor destination that people from near and far can enjoy.”

The Staveley Town Deal is a £25 million fund, which will bring forward multiple employment sites, and bring higher-level skilled jobs to the area.

As part of the Staveley Town Deal, Chesterfield Canal Trust is working on the restoration of the canal by extending it from the existing limit at Eckington Road. As well as improving outdoor space and creating new leisure infrastructure, it is expected that the restoration project will lead to a 20% increase in visitors to the Staveley area boosting the amount of money spent in the local economy.

Find out more about the range of benefits associated with locating your organisation in Chesterfield.

staveley waterside

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Sustainability Summit encourages green growth across the East Midlands

East Midlands Chamber has praised the ‘shining examples of success’ of green growth in our regional business community at its latest Sustainability Summit.

The event explored how to unlock the green growth for SMEs and the wider East Midlands economy – across themes including leadership, innovation, international trade and best practice.

It took place against a backdrop in which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Government will water down net zero policies, including delaying a ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars and phasing out gas boilers.

Speakers at the Sustainability Summit said “flip-flopping” over net zero commitments from Westminster created huge uncertainty that undermined long-term investments and would ultimately harm the UK’s quest to become a global leader in the green economy.

About 200 people representing organisations from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire gathered for the event, held in partnership with the University of Derby, Mazars, Thompson Tree Services and Epson.

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Chris Hobson said: “We heard at our Sustainability Summit about some of the great things that businesses are doing in pursuing green growth and the very tangible rewards they are reaping with innovation and financial growth.

“These are the shining examples of success we can glean from embracing net zero, which means viewing it as not just a challenge but a golden opportunity.

“Yet while our national leaders correctly talk up the research and development strengths of our businesses and ambitions to be a global leader in developing low-carbon goods and services, there is a huge disconnect between this messaging and Government policy – as evidenced by the Prime Minister’s ill-judged shifting of the goalposts on our country’s net zero commitments.

“We saw first-hand the impact policy flip-flopping has on business decision-making during the chaotic political landscape of 2022, which quashed business confidence and thus investment. The lack of certainty about the future direction of our economy will unfortunately have a similar impact at a time when we should be encouraging transformational long-term investment.

“Having net zero targets is one thing, but to get us there we require a roadmap that will be led by business innovation. The vacillating from our political leaders instead undermines our ability to make real progress in this space and we instead find ourselves stuck in limbo when it comes to the most significant economic opportunity of our lifetime.”

Findings from the Green Growth Trends in the East Midlands research conducted by the Chamber and University of Derby were discussed by report author Dr Polina Baranova, associate professor of strategy and sustainability.

It showed the proportion of East Midlands businesses that have made any income from environmentally-friendly goods and services dropped from 45% in 2022 to 36% in 2023, decarbonisation investment varies significantly according to business size and sector, and a widening gap in business support and information.

Dr Baranova said this illustrated not only the impact of the cost-of-doing business crisis but the “fragility” of the current policy landscape, with green growth yet to be a firmly embedded business philosophy.

Other highlights at the Sustainability Summit included:

  • East Midlands Chamber president Stuart Dawkins discussed how sustainability is at the heart of businesses’ responsibility to support their communities and future generations
  • Professor Chris Bushell, pro vice-chancellor and head of sustainability at the University of Derby, outlined how the institution is taking a lead in the net zero agenda via its research, innovation, thought leadership and knowledge capital
  • Ian Meikle, director of clean growth at Innovate UK, explained how Britain can create jobs and sustainable economic growth by developing its own low-carbon products and services, but this required stable policy and regulation, innovation in business models and supply chains, and a step-change in access to capital
  • Chris Fuggle, global head of sustainability services at audit, tax and advisory services firm Mazars, provided practical strategies to upskill leadership teams on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda and embedding sustainability at board level
  • Charlie de la Haye, communications manager at Epson UK, gave an insight into how the global printing manufacturer had pivoted its business model to deliver green goods and services while demonstrating how it could deliver cost-saving benefits to customers.

Chris Hobson speaking at the East Midlands Chamber sustainability summit

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Work starts on new North Wingfield housing project

Work is now underway on the building of 70 new homes in North Wingfield.

The properties, a mix of two, three and four bed houses, and 2 bed bungalows will all be managed by Rykneld Homes on behalf of North East Derbyshire District Council.

Niall Clark, Director of Property Services and Development, at Rykneld Homes, said: “These 70 homes are a big step towards meeting our target to deliver 400 new homes over the next four years.

“These high-quality properties will provide much needed homes for local families.

“We look forward to them becoming available.”

Councillor Nigel Barker, leader of North East Derbyshire District Council added: “We are committed to building and providing more social housing and this development is only the beginning.

“The houses previously on this site were only built to last 30 years, the homes that will be built here now will be high quality homes for local families to live in for decades to come.

“This site will provide much needed housing for our residents and help develop our communities.”

A number of old properties were demolished in preparation for the new development which will consist of 48 homes for affordable rent made up of a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bed houses and 2 bed bungalows and 22 for open market sale made up of a mix of 2 and 3 bed houses.

A ground cutting ceremony on Monday marked the start of building work on the site, off Whiteleas Avenue, by contractor Countryside Partnerships.

Rykneld Homes has worked directly with Countryside Partnerships to develop the proposals thanks to the involvement of Efficiency North’s EN:Procure Framework, a not-for-profit consortium serving the construction procurement needs of the social housing landlord community.

Countryside Partnerships will also provide six apprenticeship places over the course of the build.

Andy Reynolds, regional MD at Countryside Partnerships said: “We’re delighted to be working with Rykneld Homes and North East Derbyshire District Council again to deliver this significant mixed tenure development in North Wingfield. The range of dwellings and various tenures will offer the widest possible choice of affordable homes built to the highest standards.

“Today we marked the start of this exciting scheme as we broke ground with our development partners and look forward to seeing the project come to life over the next couple of years.”

Works are expected to be complete by summer 2025.

Chesterfield and North Derbyshire offers a fantastic quality of life to its residents. Learn more about Living in Chesterfield. 

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Specialist metals supplier confirms major expansion at Markham Vale

Gould Alloys has expanded at Markham Vale, taking a further 55,000 sq. ft. on a 10-year lease.

The deal, which will see Gould Alloys expand into the MV55 unit, comes almost a decade after the business first arrived at Markham Vale, moving into a purpose-built 50,000 sq. ft. building and investing more than £1million in new technology and machinery.

Markham Vale is a flagship 200-acre industrial and logistics scheme in Chesterfield; a joint venture partnership between property developer HBD and Derbyshire County Council. It remains one of the region’s best-located developments, sitting at the heart of the UK motorway network and providing direct access to the M1 via a dedicated junction, J29a.

The new building forms a key part of Gould Alloys’ sustainability strategy, while providing additional space to deliver new contracts in the future.

The deal also demonstrates the continued demand for space at Markham Vale, with MV55 immediately let with no void period.

Tom Wheldon, Head of Region at HBD, said: “It’s great to see Gould Alloys expanding further at Markham Vale. MV55 is the ideal location for the business’ second base at the scheme; a best-in-class building, its sustainable features will support the company’s environmental strategy and help to minimise its carbon output.”

Jane Bradshaw of Gould Alloys, said: “We’ve been at Markham Vale for almost a decade, so it’s great to be able to secure MV55 for our next chapter. The additional 55,000 sq. ft. is a key component of our environmental strategy, ensuring we can operate as sustainably as possible by limiting the movement of materials and reducing our carbon output, while providing additional capacity for the servicing of future contracts as we continue to grow.”

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, said: “Gould Alloys is a real Derbyshire success story and we’re pleased we’ve been able to accommodate their needs and cater for their growth with additional space here at Markham to help them become more sustainable. They are an established part of our business community and we look forward to following their success for many more years to come.”

Gould Alloys is a global supplier of high integrity components for critical applications and one of the fastest growing specialist metals stockholders in the UK. It serves the ferrous and non-ferrous metals requirements of multiple leading-edge industries, with a specific focus on aerospace.

An award-winning property developer, HBD delivers impactful industrial and logistics, urban regeneration and residential schemes. Part of the Henry Boot Group, it operates from six UK offices and is currently working with a £1.25bn development pipeline.

HBD supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Markham Vale MV55

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Recruitment event to boost jobs in Chesterfield

People searching for work in Chesterfield are being invited to a recruitment event, where they can meet employers and find out more about local job vacancies and training schemes that lead to employment.

The recruitment event is on Wednesday 27 September from 11am to 1pm in the Assembly Rooms above Chesterfield Market Hall.

Councillor Tricia Gilby leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We host these events to help ensure everyone in our borough can access new job opportunities as they become available. Working with our partners we provide an informal setting where applicants can speak to employers directly to find out more about the opportunities available and see if the role will be a good fit for them.

“We’ve seen lots of people find employment through these events and I hope that anyone who is currently looking for work will come along and see what opportunities are available in Chesterfield.”

Paul Munday, Employer Adviser at DWP Jobcentre Plus Derbyshire, said: “With the continuing success of recruitment events held in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council, we are very excited to announce that our next event will be running on Wednesday 27 September.

“Moving to a new venue, Chesterfield Market Hall Assembly Rooms, this event will give Chesterfield Residents the opportunity to speak to local employers and find sustainable employment. There will also be a focus on Christmas recruitment campaigns as well as having Derbyshire Careers Service on hand to support attendees with CVs, employability and training/upskilling opportunities.”

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

There will be lots of seasonal job opportunities available on the day from a range of sectors.

As well as job opportunities there will also be several apprenticeship providers who are currently recruiting for new apprentices. An apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to earn while you learn and can help people at any stage in life. Search for apprenticeships in Chesterfield.

Derbyshire Careers Service will also be attending the event to promote training courses but also advise job seekers on how they can get support with their CV and interview techniques.

Town Market Hall night

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44 new trainees announced by Chesterfield’s BHP Accountants

Chesterfield-based accountancy firm, BHP has announced a new intake of 44 trainees on its successful training programme.

This latest cohort is the second highest for BHP’s training scheme, which provides an opportunity for those looking to break into the finance industry to gain hands-on experience while studying for a professional qualification.

This follows a record-breaking year in 2022, which saw 46 new trainees join the business, underlining BHP’s commitment to investing in future talent and career development. BHP has now taken on 134 trainees in the last three years.

The latest group of trainees cover a range of disciplines and span BHP’s entire network of offices – Chesterfield, Sheffield, Leeds, York, and Cleckheaton. In total, BHP has appointed 21 graduates, 12 non-graduates, and 11 placement students.

Find out more about BHP’s recent move to Chesterfield’s new One Waterside Place office building

BHP’s Director of People, Karen Arch, said: “At BHP, we’re passionate about nurturing and developing the skills of young professionals looking to break through and leave their mark on the finance industry.

“With each intake of trainees, we’re also improving our own workforce by widening our blend of skills, expertise, and personality. These new recruits will bring many benefits, perspectives and added value to our clients.

“Being certified as a Great Place to Work, we pride ourselves on being a supportive workplace that always keeps the wellbeing and future success of our people at the forefront.”

Chief Digital and Efficiency Officer Ellie Dignam said: “I love working at BHP and have enjoyed watching the firm grow and evolve over the last 11 years. I’ve personally benefited from our training programme and it’s great to see that we’re continuing to take on fresh new talent and support them in their career development.”

The company still has vacancies available, and people in Chesterfield will have the chance to meet representatives from BHP at an upcoming recruitment event in the town.

BHP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

BHP;business;WatersidePlace (5)

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How is Chesterfield creating quality urban spaces for future work and play?

Town centres across the UK must evolve as people demand more experiences and better accessibility. In Chesterfield, several projects are moving forward to improve the look and feel of our key spaces, known as the public realm.

At this point, you might be thinking – ‘What exactly is the public realm?’ In simple terms, it encompasses all publicly owned areas outside of buildings, such as streets, squares, parks, and pedestrian zones. These spaces act as the backdrop for our daily lives, providing settings for social interaction, leisure, and recreation.

Organisations in the town’s Property & Construction Group aim not only to enhance the visual appeal of the town but also to foster a sense of community and pride among its residents.

To find out more, we have been catching up with the people behind some of Chesterfield’s key local public realm projects. Read below to find out about the exciting changes you can expect, or may already have seen across the area.

Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield

We will all see major changes to our town centre over the next couple of years. That is because Chesterfield Borough Council has secured £25m in Levelling-up Funding from the government.

A significant portion of this funding will be spent on improving the public realm in the town. We will benefit from enhancements to the Market and New Square, including more seating, improved lighting, refreshed paving, and a new market layout with modern stalls.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield will improve the look, feel and flow of public spaces across the town centre. We want to celebrate our heritage whilst ensuring the town centre is an attractive place to live, work and visit.

“The improvements aim to encourage people to spend more time in this area, as well as creating enhanced flexible event space to boost visitor numbers.

“Elsewhere, improvements to the public realm will be made along Burlington Street, Rykneld Square and Corporation Street where paving, planting and lighting will be improved.  This will create an enhanced visitor experience when travelling to the market from the railway station and will also support the businesses situated along this route.

“We have already made a start towards this vision with works on Packers Row. This area demonstrates the high standards we are aiming for across the town centre. We expect works to start on the Market area during Spring 2024 with the entire project complete by March 2025.”

Chesterfield Waterside

One Waterside Place

One of Chesterfield’s flagship regeneration schemes, The Chesterfield Waterside project is beginning to come to life.

A new seven-storey office development is now open, with firms such as BHP and Varley operating from there.

But that’s not all!

New homes and leisure spaces will bring a key area close to the railway station back into use.

Speaking on Chesterfield Waterside’s ambitions to create a vibrant public realm for the area, Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group commented: “One of the main aims for the regeneration at Chesterfield Waterside is to deliver a truly sustainable development in which people can live, work and ‘play’.

“A high-quality public realm is integral to this aim. It provides a space which people can truly use and appreciate. It is also essential to the making of a new place adjacent to Chesterfield town centre.

“The main function of the public realm is to make places more accessible. It is about creating permeability through the space, linking the surrounding areas such as the town centre, train station and Chesterfield Canal. We are looking to do this through the creation of new public squares, footpaths and shared surface roads which encourage people to walk rather than drive.

“High-quality public realm also supports retail and leisure trade. It drives footfall as occupiers look to locate to areas which complement their business in a safe environment. To achieve this, we’re focusing strongly on landscaping and design during the planning stages. The aim is to draw people to Chesterfield with unique a unique offering. The public realm is the key to unlocking this.”

Elder Way

elder way public realm bsp

The Chesterfield Elder Way scheme is breathing life into the town’s famous former Co-op department store.

This area has already seen major improvements – from modern paving to the addition of nature. It has been designed to give the northern entrance to the town centre a modern feel. BSP Consulting explains how they have collaborated with partners to transform Elder Way.

Carrie Booth, Business Development Manager at BSP said: “BSP has recently been a part of the team that completed a key public realm project in the town. This involved works to the whole length of Elder Way, along with its junctions with Saltergate and Knifesmithgate. The work was part of the wider Northern Gateway regeneration scheme.

“BSP worked alongside Danaher & Walsh, who were appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to carry out the public realm and highway works.

“The recent scheme that our engineers were involved in included reconstruction of existing footways and paved areas. It also included the introduction of trees, pavement widening, taxi rank improvements, and a range of formal and informal pedestrian crossing improvements.

“We worked on de-cluttering the street scene, adding new bus shelters and re-positioning bus stops on Elder Way. Furthermore, we implemented new street furniture, improved the design of loading bays, and carriageway resurfacing.

“Making the town more accessible to residents and visitors will play a key role in its future regeneration. As a result, Chesterfield’s economy will be boosted, attracting future economic growth and creating more jobs. We are excited to be part of the team regenerating the local area.”

Chesterfield Station Masterplan

Plans to transform Chesterfield Station and the areas around it will ensure a bright and inviting welcome to everyone.

The Chesterfield Station Masterplan centres around a new transport hub, capitalising on the benefits of Chesterfield’s proximity to nearby cities.

Chesterfield Borough Council is partnering with Aecom and Whittam Cox Architects on the proposals.  View the plans in more detail here.

The plans include a new public boulevard for pedestrians and cyclists, leading from the station to the town centre. In addition, those walking to and from the town centre will benefit from a new footbridge over the a61 bypass.

Andy Dabbs, Board Director at Whittam Cox and Chair of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group commented: The forthcoming masterplan for Chesterfield Station is not merely a logistical upgrade, but also a reimagining of the space as a welcoming gateway to the town. Careful selection of materials, incorporating both hard and soft landscaping elements, will significantly alter the station’s look and feel.

“Attention to accessibility features, such as well-designed pathways and signage, ensures that the arrival space will be user-friendly for all. By creating a balanced, aesthetically pleasing environment directly outside the station, the masterplan aims to provide a fantastic arrival experience that complements the overall town centre.

“This approach to integrating materials and accessibility features enhances the urban fabric and further solidifies Chesterfield’s status as an increasingly desirable destination.”

Find out more about the wide range of regeneration projects currently taking place in Chesterfield.

To get more information on Chesterfield’s Property & Construction group, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/ or email: PropertyGroup@chesterfield.co.uk.

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Chesterfield showcased in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards

Chesterfield businesses and organisations have made the prestigious shortlist for the 2023 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards.

14 category awards are up for grabs to recognise the incredible apprenticeship network across the region.

Brookfield Community School, Dalton Roofing, Central Technology and Chesterfield Royal Hospital are among the Chesterfield firms to make the final shortlist:

  • Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Alfie Wooldridge Derby City Council; Franchescia Davies Buxton & Leek College; Jordan Pirie Brookfield Community School; Olivia Scane HM Land Registry
  • Higher Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Nottingham Trent University: Alison Liles The Gables Residential Care Home; Sarah Westwood BWB Consulting;
  • Degree Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by University of Nottingham; Arron Faulkner E.ON UK; Connell Parker E.ON UK; Holly Johnson Derby Homes Ltd; Mia Outram No7 Beauty Company; Stuart Rendall Continental Engineering Services
  • Construction Apprentice of the Year: Avikaash Manon Derby Homes; Ben Wilcox BWB Consulting; Eddy Palethorpe Crawford & Co Surveyors; Lloyd Dabell Crawford & Co Surveyors; William Thompson Dalton Roofing
  • Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year: To be announced
  • Professional Services Apprentice of the Year: Eleanor Ancliffe Reach Separations; Jacob Whitty Crawford & Co Surveyors; Lloyd Dabell Crawford & Co Surveyors; Megan Tuohy Crawford & Co Surveyors.
  • Health and Public Service Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Auto Windscreens: Holly Johnson Derby Homes Ltd; Jade Smith St Albans Medical centre; Poppie Staden Blythe House Hospice Care and Helen’s Trust.
  • Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Aim Qualifications Group: Arron Faulkner E.ON UK; Connell Parker E.ON UK; Hannah Jones Experian; James Bennington BWB ConsultingJames Cox Central Technology; Joe Hawksworth Althaus Digital.
  • Mentor of the Year, Sponsored by Greatest Hits FM: Janet Quinlan-Jones Sort Legal; Kiera Bailey Reach Separations; Sarah Walker BWB Consulting; Sophie Bancroft – Employee Development Manager Derby Homes Limited; Waqas Matloob Althaus Digital.
  • Diversity & Inclusion Award: Auto Windscreens; Broxtowe Borough Council;
  • SME Employer of the Year: Sponsored by EMAAN; Crawford & Co Surveyors; Dalton Roofing; Project D; Sort Legal.
  • Large Employer of the Year: Broxtowe Borough Council; BWB Consulting; Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Derby Homes Ltd; Experian; Motus Commercials; Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust;
  • Training Provider/Programme of the Year: Althaus Digital; Auto Windscreens; JTL

East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network are headline sponsors of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards with a special focus on the SME Employer of the Year award category, which is open to businesses with up to 249 employees, which offer an apprenticeship programme.

The awards night is set to be held at The Village Hotel, Nottingham on Thursday 6th October.

For further information and to purchase your tickets to attend the event – visit the event website www.dnapprenticeshipawards.co.uk.

Dalton Roofing, Central Technology and Chesterfield Royal Hospital support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

DERBYSHIRE-NOTTS-APPRENTICE 2022

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Chesterfield Champions announce new team members, mergers and collaborations

Businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions are continuing to grow.

Recently, several businesses have added new members to their teams. Meanwhile, firms have also announced collaborations, mergers and even growth in international export markets.

Find out about the latest news from businesses in Chesterfield below.

Franklin & Sons announces international partnership

Global Brands‘ Franklin & Sons beverage range has announced an exclusive partnership with De Monnik Dranken (DMD), a leading firm in the Dutch drinks market.

The partnership will enable Franklin & Sons’ mixer products to pair alongside DMD’s range of spirits. The company posted the update on it’s LinkedIn page:

Chesterfield’s SMH Group strengthens presence in Leeds

SMH BCL Accountants has announced a merger with D’Arcy Howard & Co, a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants in Leeds. This strategic partnership reflects a shared vision to enhance client services, expand business development opportunities, and ensure sustained growth for the future.

The merger took place on 1st July 2023, resulting in the formation of a new entity called SMH D’Arcy Howard & Co Limited. The integration of the two firms brings together a wealth of expertise and resources to offer an extensive range of services from the newly consolidated office.

Stacey Pocklington, Partner and Director of SMH BCL Accountants, adds: “We are thrilled to welcome D’Arcy Howard into the SMH family. By combining our strengths and expertise, we are better positioned to deliver a seamless service to our valued clients.”

Fellow Chesterfield Champion business, CMP Legal were also involved by providing legal advice on the transaction.

Workpays and the Education and Training Foundation Join Forces to Enhance Staff Training

Workpays and the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) held a recent meeting to discuss the importance of allowing staff members to grow their own skills through training.

The ETF aims to improve the quality of teaching and leadership in the further education and training sector. To do this, they look to give more training opportunities to independent providers.

Workpays strongly believes in developing its own people and are excited to have even more opportunities for its staff to pursue continuous professional development.

Director of Excellence, Kevin Dowson, organised the day to demonstrate the important role we play in the FE system.

He said: “Workpays delivers a wide range of courses to help people enter a working environment and develop the skills and knowledge that they need. This can be through the development of literacy and numeracy skills, the provision of vocational training, such as construction or health and care, or specific technical training through our apprenticeship programmes.

“It was great to meet with Katerina, CEO of the ETF, as she understands just how important Workpays’ position in the sector is. We look forward to continuing to work with the ETF and build on our workforce development plans by investing in the professional development of our employees.”

BRM Solicitors appoints new Dispute Team Director

BRM Lewis Hastie

Regional law firm BRM Solicitors has appointed Lewis Hastie as a Director of its Dispute Team

Lewis joins the firm with more than 14 years’ post qualified experience, specialising predominantly in contentious probate cases and acting in contentious Court of Protection proceedings.

Strengthening both the Dispute and Private Client teams, Lewis joins at a time of expansion for the departments.

Lewis said: “I am very excited to be joining BRM, a firm that is expanding quickly and is fully committed to providing the best possible service for its clients, really going above and beyond for them. I look forward to bringing my strong experience in contentious probate and contentious Court of Protection cases to the firm and positively contributing to the firm’s vision for the future.”

“I look forward to working with the team and helping to expand its growing client base, building on the excellent progress it has made.”

Central Technology announces new Sales Director

Central Technology Steve Dono

Chesterfield’s Central Technology has announced the appointment of Steve Dono to its leadership team.

Steve brings with him a wealth of expertise, having previously held pivotal roles as Sales Director in major IT companies. His impressive track record in sales leadership and business development within the Telecoms and IT industry makes him an invaluable addition to the Central Technology team.

Steve Dono’s entrance marks a pivotal moment in Central Technology’s journey, promising an era of growth, innovation, and collaboration. With his leadership skills, coupled with his rich experience and commitment to excellence, the company is looking forwards to a successful 2024 and beyond.

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said: “What truly drew me in was the strength of the Senior Management Team (SMT). A robust leadership team is essential for any organisation’s growth, and CT’s cohesive blend of knowledge, experience, and united purpose resonated profoundly with me.

“Central Technology boasts a commendable 20-year legacy of customer loyalty, built upon consistent service delivery. However, both CT and the IT & Telecoms industry have evolved rapidly. Our commitment to service excellence remains unwavering.”

Former Tupton Hall Student Lucy celebrates A Level success with DBCP apprenticeship

Lucy Jones - DBCP

A former Tupton Hall Sixth Form student is celebrating her A level success by embarking on an apprenticeship.

Lucy Jones, who achieved three A’ Levels last week, including an A in Art, has secured a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with DBCP, the leading provider of building control services across Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

She has joined DBCP’s Chesterfield-based technical team supporting the company’s team of building inspectors.

She explained: “I am really excited to start my career at DBCP. University wasn’t for me; I wanted to get a job and start working immediately. DBCP has given me the opportunity to continue my learning with an apprenticeship. There is also the option to go on and do a degree level apprenticeship in building control and eventually become an inspector which really appeals to me.”

DBCP’s long-running apprenticeship programme is helping the business attract local young people who want to progress their careers within the field of building control. The company currently employs seven apprentices who are at different stages of their training, including degree level.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP, welcomed Lucy to the business saying: “Apprentices like Lucy, are key to the building control industry addressing its current skills shortage. We’re delighted to have Lucy onboard and very much hope she chooses to build her career within the field of building control beyond her level 3 apprenticeship. There are many opportunities at DBCP and within the industry to build a long and very rewarding career.”

New Finance Director appointed at Hopkinson Waste Management

Hopkinson Waste Jules and Adam

Adam Hadfield has officially joined Chesterfield-based Hopkinson Waste Management’s finance team.

The appointment has been announced as the firm begins its second year of ownership with some very ambitious growth plans.

The company’s Managing Director, Jules Gaynor commented: “Adam is joining us at a crucial time. We’ve grown massively in year one, but the next year will be lift-off as we are ideally placed to provide waste management and recycling services as Chesterfield’s own growth plans are realised.”

Adam added: “The Hopkinson growth plans are simply stunning. A 32-acre fully permitted waste and recycling centre in Chesterfield is a hidden gem. We have instant capacity to treble our operation in size.

“Balancing the financials will be my job. Jules is freed up now to do the business development work with Natalie Hirst, our Head of Commercial. I’m thrilled to be here, it’s an amazing place to work with a totally unique culture.”

The businesses featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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£1.9m funding announced for new leisure centre in Clay Cross

North East Derbyshire District Council has announced a £1.9m funding boost from Sport England as part of the development of the new Clay Cross Active Leisure Centre.

Sport England has been working closely with North East Derbyshire District Council for more than 8 years, assisting with strategy work, playing a key part as active members of the Clay Cross Town Board and generally supporting the development of the new facility which will replace the current sports centre at Sharley Park.

The £1.9m funding will go towards delivering the project, which will boast a range of sport, wellness and community assets:

  • 6 lane x 25m pool & spectator seating
  • Teaching Pool
  • 4 badminton court sports hall
  • 100 station fitness suite,
  • 2 studios, (1 group exercise, 1 group cycling)
  • Treatment room
  • Soft play & TAG active
  • Multi-purpose room
  • Full size, floodlit 3G pitch,
  • Citizens Advice
  • Clinic Facilities
  • Café
  • Wellness Suite to cater for people of all fitness levels, those less mobile, suffering from illness or undergoing post-operative rehabilitation

The facility is set to open in the winter of 2024 (timings estimated at this stage) and is part of the wider Clay Cross Town Deal regeneration and developments which will transform the town.

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Health and Leisure, Cllr Kathy Rouse said, “We are genuinely delighted to have Sport England on board as a partner and are grateful for their funding contribution to help deliver this fantastic project. Their support and expertise has ensured the new centre meets the needs of the community and includes learning from other new build leisure centres from across the country.

“You can see the progress being made on site and I can’t wait for Clay Cross Active to open. If you want to keep track of progress or see information about what’s included in the facility visit: www.claycrossactive.co.uk”

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, Sport England said: “This is an exciting project that will enable a community to come together and reap the benefits of sport and physical activity.

“We will continue to work with North East Derbyshire Council as development of the Clay Cross Active leisure centre reaches a critical stage, supporting in the construction of the facility to ensure the centre delivers on its promise of being a low carbon, low energy facility and a hub for all the community for years to come.”

clay cross active construction councillors and representatives on site

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