Businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have announced further growth and successes.

Firms across our town have announced new hires, successful events, and even launched a new podcast. Find out about the latest growth and success stories from across our town in the roundup below.

SMH Group Appoint Steve Fern as Chief Financial Officer

SMH Group, a leading professional services firm with offices across Yorkshire and Derbyshire, is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Fern as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective January 2025. Steve brings a wealth of experience in financial leadership, strategic growth, and business transformation, gained over a 25-year career across the UK, USA, and Australia.

Steve gained his ACA qualification early on in his career and has gone on to hold several senior roles across a diverse range of industries, including business turnaround, insurance and professional services. His fantastic track record includes his most recent success story where he held the role of Managing Director, taking the business on an incredible expansion journey which ultimately concluded with a sale to a national business.

Steve fostered a workplace culture where all staff felt valued and part of the company’s growth, aligning with the business’s core values. Earlier in his career, Steve supported hundreds of businesses during the financial crisis and implemented an industry-leading Enterprise Risk Management process while working in the US insurance sector.

Steve said: “I’m thrilled to join SMH Group at such an exciting time in its journey. The firm has a strong reputation for its client-first ethos and a dynamic approach to growth, with ten acquisitions since 2018. I’m looking forward to contributing to its continued success and helping build on the robust financial foundations already in place.”

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Steve’s people-focused approach and commitment to fostering positive company cultures have been instrumental in his career. Beyond work, he dedicates time to family, youth sports coaching, and charitable fundraising, including cycling the length of Britain.

Jonathon Dickens, CEO at SMH Group, said: “Steve’s wealth of expertise and his impressive track record in driving growth make him the perfect addition to our leadership team. His values align seamlessly with ours, and his appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients and staff alike.”

Chesterfield Chat launches podcast following success on Spire Radio

Chesterfield Chat, the weekly radio show that debuted on Spire Radio in May 2024, is excited to announce the launch of its podcast. Due to listener demand and the show’s continued success, episodes will now be available on all major podcast platforms, allowing listeners to catch up on their favourite interviews and local stories anytime, anywhere.

Chesterfield Chat has quickly become a go-to source for news and information about the Chesterfield community. Hosted by Jordan Hartshorne, the show features engaging interviews with local businesses, charities, community groups, and artists, covering everything from upcoming events and initiatives to inspiring personal stories and local achievements.

“We’ve been thrilled with the response to Chesterfield Chat on Spire Radio since launching last year,” says Jordan Hartshorne, Chesterfield Chat host and Managing Director of Spire Radio. “The community has really embraced the show, and we’ve received so many requests for a way to listen back to episodes. Launching a podcast was the natural next step, and we’re delighted to make Chesterfield Chat even more accessible.”

Listeners can now subscribe to the Chesterfield Chat podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other popular podcast apps. New episodes will be released weekly following the live broadcast on Spire Radio.

Pinelog welcomes Darrell Fisher as new Production Manager

Chesterfield-based Pinelog, a leading UK manufacturer of luxury timber lodges, has appointed Darrell Fisher as Production Manager.

Darrell brings 34 years of experience in the holiday homes, lodges, and motorhome sectors to his new role, having previously worked with the Swift Group Ltd, one of the UK’s largest leisure vehicle manufacturers. Beginning his career as an apprentice cabinet maker, Darrell has gained experience across the industry, from hands-on craftsmanship to strategic leadership, culminating in his role as Senior Production Manager at Swift.

“The stars aligned at just the right time,” Darrell explained. “I’d been thinking about a change for a while, and when I saw the role and spoke with Craig Morrison, Pinelog’s Operations Director, I knew it was the perfect fit. The scope of the role and the company’s vision for growth made it an easy decision.”

With extensive expertise in manufacturing, production management, and process improvement, Darrell is excited to bring his knowledge to Pinelog. His scope of work includes overseeing the transition from design to production, driving continuous improvement across manufacturing processes at the company’s Chesterfield site, managing delivery and installation, and ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction.

Impressed by Pinelog’s approach to craftsmanship and quality, Darrell said: “From day one, I’ve been impressed with the attention to detail and the traditional, hands-on building methods used for each lodge. The Pinelog production team are incredibly highly skilled and handcraft every aspect of the lodge from start to finish – unlike larger companies where teams often focus on smaller, segmented tasks. What they create is a credit to the exceptional skill and dedication of the team.”

In his new role Darrell will bring his skills to assisting with Pinelog’s journey to modernise and fine-tune its production processes while maintaining the brand’s legacy of quality. “I’m looking to introduce more contemporary techniques, strengthening the production team, and ensuring that Pinelog continues to exceed customer expectations as it grows,” explained Darrell.

Nick Grayson, Group Chairman, commented on Darrell’s appointment: “We’re delighted to welcome Darrell to the team. His wealth of experience and process-driven mindset are exactly what we need to take our manufacturing capabilities to the next level. With Darrell onboard, we’re confident that Pinelog will continue to set the standard for luxury timber lodge production in the UK.”

Workpays hosts The Big Assembly to highlight apprenticeships

The Big Assembly 2025, founded and organised by Workpays, has once again proved to be the UK’s largest live-streamed apprenticeship event, with a record-breaking 197,000+ students, teachers, and employers signing up.

Bridge Help welcomes Lisa Griffiths as new Business Development Manager

Chesterfield-based commercial bridging finance provider Bridge Help has swelled its ranks with the appointment of Lisa Griffiths, who has joined as a Business Development Manager.

Her appointment means Bridge Help continues to boast an all-female business development team, led by Katie Snodden, bucking the trend in the male-dominated financial services industry.

Lisa, who hails from Chesterfield, brings a wealth of experience her new role, including a 20-year career in law before transitioning into ground-up property development before moving into commercial finance brokering.

Her extensive knowledge of the property sector, from both legal and financial perspectives, gives her a unique understanding of the challenges brokers and borrowers face.

Speaking about her new role, Lisa commented: “I’ve always enjoyed working closely with clients and brokers to find solutions that make deals happen.

“Bridge Help is known for its flexible, common-sense approach to lending, and I’m excited to be part of a team that truly puts brokers and borrowers first. With my background in property and finance, I’m excited to work closely with brokers to help them find the right solutions for their clients and get deals done quickly.”

Lisa’s appointment comes at an exciting time for Bridge Help, as the company celebrates its fifth year and continues to expand and enhance its offering to brokers and borrowers.

Chris Sellars, CEO and General Counsel at Bridge Help, welcomed Lisa to the team, saying; “2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Bridge Help as we continue to grow and strengthen our offering. Lisa’s extensive experience, both in law and commercial finance, makes her a fantastic addition to our team. Her ability to understand complex deals from multiple angles will be a huge asset to our brokers. I’m delighted to welcome her aboard.”