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Heathcotes appoints Group Managing Director

Chesterfield care provider, Heathcotes Group, has appointed Brendan Kelly as Group Managing Director to provide nationwide strategic leadership.

Brendan was a Regional Director with a national charity prior to joining Heathcotes Group in 2009 as Regional Director for Heathcotes Northern. In his new role, Brendan will now oversee all regions with key responsibilities for the operational aspects of the organisation, including quality and compliance, learning and development and employee relations. Brendan has over 20 years’ experience in Health and Social care, primarily in adult mental health and learning disabilities, as well as a wealth of expertise in delivering, managing and developing services including crisis services, supported living and carer education.

David Harrison, CEO at Heathcotes Group, said: “It is fitting that, having reached his tenth anniversary with the company, Brendan is stepping up to this new role – he has been at the heart of Heathcotes’ success over the past decade. Brendan is someone who understands how the culture of an organisation is vital to the delivery of high quality care and he has led that culture at Heathcotes, making us one of the UK’s fastest-growing specialist care providers. We now employ over 2,200 staff as a trusted partner to over 50 local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups. I know that Heathcotes’ continued success will be driven by Brendan’s strategic vision and passion for the work we do.”

Brendan said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to this position, with some exciting times ahead for Heathcotes. The company’s ethos remains the same as it was when I joined ten years ago – a commitment to providing a better quality of life and greater opportunities for some of the most vulnerable people in society.”

He added: “We have achieved a great deal in recent years, including the development of a unique model of residential therapy for people with personality disorders, an award-winning apprenticeship programme which has become a benchmark for recruitment in the care sector and the successful introduction of a new independent supported living provision to complement our full-time residential care services. Heathcotes has the potential to achieve much more in the coming years and I’m looking forward to being part of that.”

At the Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa in February, Brendan spoke to delegates about the importance of embedding apprenticeship and skills initiatives into workforce development strategies to facilitate business growth. In March, Heathcotes Group joined the town’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, helping to increase local apprenticeship participation.

Heathcotes Group currently provides 72 specialist residential services supporting adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs, specialist children’s services, and a pioneering service model for people with personality disorders.

Click here to find out more about the Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference 2020. 

Click here to find out more about becoming an Apprenticeship Ambassador.

Heathcotes Group joined the town’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network following the Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability & Skills conference, where Brendan Kelly was a key note speaker.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Go behind the scenes of Chatsworth at Christmas with a Channel Four TV Special

Billed as must-see TV, watch the hour long ‘Christmas at Chatsworth House’ airing on Channel Four on Thursday 12 December at 9pm.

Chatsworth welcomed the national broadcaster to come and spend several weeks filming behind the scenes at the Derbyshire stately home as it pulls out all the stops to put on its annual festive season enjoyed by more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Taking a look behind the scenes of the historic Derbyshire house that provided the iconic backdrop for Pride and Prejudice, Christmas At Chatsworth House follows this unique British institution as it prepares for its most important weeks of the year and gets ready to open its doors to its Christmas visitors.

In just five days housekeepers, designers, gardeners and foresters transform Chatsworth with traditional and nostalgic Christmas displays. The house alone is decorated with over 30 Christmas trees, 60,000 baubles and a million fairy lights.

This year’s theme, A Land Far, Far Away, is a global experience with the grand rooms of the house dressed in homage to countries that have influenced generations of the Cavendish family. The Chatsworth team has delved into the collection to find a treasure trove of memorabilia from around the world. Morocco, India, Netherlands, Italy, China, Japan, and America all feature in what is described as ‘one of the most ambitious Christmas seasons staged by Chatsworth’.

ITN Production’s Executive Producer, Will Smith, said: “Viewers will be amazed at the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to transform Chatsworth House at Christmas and make it such a magical and enchanting time for visitors. This one-off documentary will provide a compelling insight into the sheer scale of getting the house ready so that guests can participate in the festive fun and have a Christmas to remember.”

Chatsworth’s Head of Visitor Experience, Sally Ambrose, said: “Christmas at Chatsworth has become one of the biggest events of the year for the estate, so we were delighted to welcome a national broadcaster to come and have a peek behind the scenes and feature some of our wonderful staff who make this such a special experience for thousands of visitors each year.”

Chatsworth Christmas runs up until 5 January 2020. Tickets for House and Garden are priced at £25 per adult and £15 per child (aged between 3-16). Family tickets are also available.

Click here to find out more about Christmas at Chatsworth House.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Christmas, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

55,000 sq ft industrial building now available at Markham Vale

The brand new 55,000 sq. ft. industrial building at Markham Vale, aptly named MV55,  is now available for immediate occupation.

MV55 provides a gross internal warehouse area of 52,500 sq. ft. with a further 2,500 sq. ft. office accommodation at 1st floor level with an option to expand below. With a 10 metre internal height, a 40 metre yard depth, 2 dock level loading doors and 4 level access loading doors, the building provides excellent opportunities for a range of industrial and logistics uses.

Markham Vale is a 200-acre business park with direct access to the M1 motorway via a dedicated junction, J29a. This prime development site offers build-to-suit units from 2,500 up to 300,000 sq. ft. for industrial, warehouse, hotel, office or retail builds.

It has also been announced that HGV repair and maintenance company Transcare 28 Ltd are the latest business to select Markham Vale as a place to meet their growing business needs.

2018 saw 1,600 jobs maintained at the development, along with 164,500 sq. ft. secured of new commercial space for three global businesses; Protec International, Sterigenics and Grangers International.

For a copy of the MV55 brochure or to find out more about relocating to Markham Vale, please click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home

HGV repair and maintenance specialist moves to Markham Vale

Transcare 28 Ltd are the latest company to select Markham Vale as a place to meet their growing business needs.

The company provide HGV repair and maintenance solutions throughout the Midlands and into South Yorkshire. They offer a full range of onsite and workshop based maintenance services for all commercial vehicle operators. This includes trucks, trailers, light commercial vehicles and PSVs.

As well as a comprehensive range of routine maintenance, inspection and repair services, the company also provide specialist diagnostics, HGV, Trailer and PSV MOTs and tachograph calibration installation and repair.

Managing Director, Darren Parkin says “We’re very excited at being part of the Markham Vale community and look forward to the completion of our new depot.”

The new Markham Vale depot will bring their services closer to a growing list of customers based in the area and will boast a large workshop with drive-through bays, MOT test lane, tachograph calibration equipment and vehicle wash facilities.

Click here to find out more about Markham Vale.

Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Pioneering Empty Property Scheme extended for North Derbsyhire

A pioneering scheme set to bring dozens of empty homes across North East Derbyshire back into use, has been extended.

In January 2019, North East Derbyshire District Council became the first council in the country to take part in the Empty Property Scheme in partnership with energy company E.ON. The council was approached by E.ON, due to their commitment in tackling empty properties.

Originally set to pilot for one year, the scheme has now been extended for a further 12 months, due its success in reducing the number of empty properties in the District.

Cllr Richard Welton, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The scheme is an excellent example of how the public and private sector can work together, at a time when it is vital for local authorities to maximise their income, to continue to provide essential public services.”

“NEDDC is taking the lead in developing innovative solutions to empty properties which are a blight on the local community. These homes also provide much needed housing for our residents.”

Since the scheme launched, 25 long term empty properties have been – or are in the process of – being brought back into use.

There are approximately 400 empty properties in the District at any one time and at a time where there is a shortage of housing, the Council is keen to help owners bring them back into use.

Nigel Dewbery, Director of Energy Efficiency at E.ON, said: “We’re really pleased to have extended the scheme for another twelve months and to be able to continue to work together with North East Derbyshire District Council to tackle the problem of empty properties.”

Services offered as part of the scheme include:

  • Free one-to-one support and advice.
  • A free property survey carried out by a professional from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
  • Property cleaning and clearance.
  • Probate services.
  • Free EPC (Energy Performance Certificate).
  • Flexible payment terms with no interest or charges.
  • Fully project managed renovation.
  • Discounted estate and letting agent rates.

The initiative has received widespread praise from a number of organisations, including other local authorities and the Empty Homes Network, who invited the Council and E.ON to talk at their National Empty Property Conference about the scheme.

If you own an empty property and would like to see if you are eligible to benefit from the scheme, please contact Thomas Evans on 01246 231111 or email Thomas.evans@ne-derbyshire.gov.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home

Successful business innovation project receives £1.8m funding boost

A successful project set up to support businesses across the region to innovate through collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, has received £1.8m in further funding.

The Sheffield Innovation Programme was set up in 2016 to support SMEs from across the region to access academic expertise, facilities and resources at both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield to stimulate innovation to deliver new products and services.

The programme is jointly funded by both universities, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). The new phase of the project also includes the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, and enables the project to continue for a further 3 years until 2022.

The programme is free for businesses to use and since it began, more than 200 academics from both universities have worked with more than 300 companies from across the region. This has helped businesses in the region to engage in more than £1.2million worth of collaborative projects through Innovate UK programmes.

Professor Roger Eccleston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We’re delighted the project has received further funding which highlights the impact it is having for businesses in the region and the wider economy.”

“Many of the collaborations have resulted in lasting professional relationships and, more importantly, market success for the businesses we’ve worked with, contributing to the economic growth of the region as a whole.”

“Thanks to input from our academics and their research, a number of businesses have been able to find solutions to real-life business problems and bring new products to market.”

As part of the programme, the universities have provided businesses with academic support for projects, workshop-based innovation guidance, student interns and their world-class facilities.

Professor Dave Petley, Vice-President for Research at the University of Sheffield, said: “We’re delighted that this successful programme, which has such a profound impact on businesses and economic growth in our region, will continue for another three years.”

“This scheme is a fantastic way for regional businesses to access our world-leading facilities and academic expertise to drive innovation and find solutions to the challenges they face.”

“At the University of Sheffield, we have a deeply ingrained connection to our region and a sense of pride in our civic values. Contributing to the growth and regeneration of the Sheffield City Region is a key part of our founding mission and ongoing strategy today.”

James Muir, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It’s inspiring to see our region once again leading the way with cutting-edge university and industry collaborations. I’m proud that the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership is able to support this important programme, with more than £200,000 in match funding and an active role in selecting two new specialist innovation advisors to work on the project.”

“Collaborations between our two leading universities and our innovative and forward-thinking businesses leads to exciting new developments and enables companies to bring new products to the market, further strengthening the economy and boosting supply-chains.”

Working closely with the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and other key partners, Sheffield Innovation Programme provides research and innovation to support regional businesses whilst attracting new inward investment.

making tax digital chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Made in Chesterfield

CT strengthens executive team with Commercial Director appointment

Rob Longden has been promoted to Commercial Director at CT to support the company’s drive for further growth and success.

After joining CT over two years ago, Rob previously held the post of Head of Operations and has led an operational transformation to drive greater efficiencies within the service desk, providing significant benefits to both customers and the team. This, coupled with more than 25 years of operational leadership and significant experience within the Managed Services area made Rob a very natural choice to take a key role in the business and become CT’s Commercial Director.

Rob said, “I was delighted to accept the promotion and be part of a company that has such a unique approach to helping organisations achieve their business goals. I am looking forward to the challenge of the new role and using skills I have adopted throughout my career to build great teams and grow the business.”

Ian Snow, MD at CT, Said “Rob’s new appointment is a great step forwards for the business as we strengthen the board and continue to invest in our growing business. Rob has an impressive wealth of experience and enthusiasm and an ability to grow and build outstanding teams of people. Rob will now be leading both the operational and account management teams to enable coherent working from customer management through to service delivery.”

Under his new title, Rob’s key objective will be to ensure that the commercial models throughout the business deliver a growth strategy in line with the strategic business plan.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home

Hasland to receive community contributions alongside new housing development

Work is currently under way at a new housing development in Hasland, which will bring more than £600,000 of educational and health community contributions to the area.

Persimmon Homes Nottingham is creating a new community in Hasland as it builds 160 new homes off Mansfield Road.

Both Hady Primary School and Hasland Hall Community School are set to benefit from Section 106 contributions agreed during the planning process for the site, which will help create a further 37 pupil places across the two schools.

The NHS North Derbyshire CCG will receive £60,000 to support Hasland Medical Centre and Avenue and Hasland Partnership.

Persimmon’s Alderman Park development will feature two, three, four and five-bedroom homes and the company is working to open its showhome in January 2020.

Managing Director for Persimmon Homes Nottingham, Neil Follows, said: “We see our Alderman Park development as an extension of the thriving Hasland community.”

“This is the first time we have built in the area, so we are looking forward to introducing visitors to our range of homes.”

“We are already seeing many customers getting ahead of the game and securing their new home off-plan,” added Neil.

“Buying this way is ideal because you can secure your preferred property and location within the development.”

Located to the south-east of Chesterfield town centre, Alderman Park is near to all amenities and attractions required for everyday life as well as being close to beautiful countryside. Along with these benefits, comes convenient transport links by road, bus and rail.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Vicar Lane wins national award for digital innovation

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, last night (4th December), won the gold award in the Re:wired category at the prestigious REVO Gold Awards.

The Re:wired award recognises and celebrates the best examples of innovative retail property technology. Vicar Lane has beat big names in the retail sector to the award including Westfield and Savills, highlighting the industry-leading nature of their approach to technology and customers.

The Centre and its owner Alterx have both been working with tech specialist Maybe*Tech to engage with the Chesterfield audience. The fascinating results have helped to shape the future design and function of Vicar Lane as well as helping to create a better experience for visitors.

The findings have led to a new approach to the leasing of empty shops with Steeplegate coming to life again as a venue for independent brands.

The approach has also helped shape the development of the centre’s marketing and promotions, and led to innovations like the giant new screen which opens in St James’ Square next month.

David Goldstein of Alterx explains: “The innovative work with Maybe*Tech has allowed us to actively use social media to monitor and communicate with our customers to understand what they want from Vicar Lane. This has led to us developing a series of successful pop-up events such as flower arranging, cinema screenings and a micro pub to compliment Vicar Lane’s current retail offer.”

Other new technology innovations have seen a partnership with parking specialists Reef, which has led to the Vicar Lane car park being upgraded to be fully automated and ticketless. Number plate recognition and an easy mobile payment enables a faster and frictionless parking system which is more efficient and environmentally conscious.

Behind the scenes, Alterx has set up new in-house communication channels for Vicar Lane retailers. This enables greater visibility on tenant trading performance which allows retailers to make better informed decisions.

The results have also seen increases in pedestrian counts, which is great news for Chesterfield, especially when so many similar towns across the country are struggling.

The shopping centre continues to be re-imagined and a new big screen and public square officially open in Chesterfield on Friday 6th December.

Proposed Vicar Lane Improvements

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Former councillors honoured for their service

Three former councillors, John Burrows, Ray Russell and Steve Brunt, have been honoured for the service they have given to the borough of Chesterfield.

Former council leaders John Burrows and Ray Russell and former cabinet member Steve Brunt received the honour at an extraordinary council meeting held at the Town Hall on Monday 18 November.

Former councillor John Burrows served as council leader between 2001 and 2003 and again between 2011 and 2017. Former councillor Ray Russell served as council leader between 2003 and 2011. Both John Burrows and Ray Russel served on the Destination Chesterfield Board.

Former councillor Steve Brunt served as mayor in 2016 and as cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy from 2017 to 2019.

Honorary alderman status is the second-highest honour the council can bestow after the freedom of the borough and has previously only been granted on 13 occasions.

At the ceremony, each was presented with a scroll and commemorative badge and signed the roll of honorary aldermen. Their names have also been added to the board displayed outside the Council Chamber in the Town Hall.

The role carries no responsibilities but recognises the service each of these men have given in their communities and means they will be invited to attend certain council meetings and events as honoured guests.

(L to R) Ray Russell, Steve Brunt and John Burrows receive their Honorary Alderman certificates during a ceremony held at the town hall.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Banner Jones demonstrates commitment to staff with dedicated Performance and Wellbeing Coach

Banner Jones Solicitors has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of its growing team with the appointment of a Performance and Wellbeing Coach.

Working closely with the firm’s HR department, experienced counsellor and psychotherapist Katie Newton is the latest in a string of senior personnel to join the award-winning law firm where she will provide tailored one-to-one sessions to staff across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Lisa Gill, Human Resources Manager at Banner Jones, said: “The health and wellbeing of our staff is the upmost of importance, and Kate’s appointment is indicative of our ongoing commitment to this.”

“As the business continues to grow and expand, we are determined not to lose sight of the needs of those individuals who make our success a reality.”

“We pride ourselves on our open-door policy and are as committed as ever to putting our staff, as well as our customers, at the heart of every decision we make and in doing so provide a positive workspace for everyone.”

Katie Newton said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Banner Jones team and working alongside the HR team to ensure that the staff have as much support with regards their own health and wellbeing, as they do their professional development.

“My focus will very much be on contributing to, and bolstering, what is already a productive and happy workplace by ensuring that everyone has a voice in the way that the business operates – from its policies on working hours and flexible working, as well as devising wider, dedicated Health and Wellbeing Programmes across the firm.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home