chesterfield news

Chesterfield entrepreneur nominated for two Enterprising Women Awards

The owner of a Chesterfield structural engineering business has been shortlisted in two categories at East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards.

Laura Holland, of Ecotech Engineers is amongst the finalists for the Small Business of the Year Award and Female Entrepreneur of the Year.

The nominations come fresh off the back of Laura also being nominated for a Generation Next Award, an East Midlands Chamber event which recognises young entrepreneurs and talent in the region.

The event, which takes place in Leicestershire on 20th September will celebrate the best female entrepreneurial talent across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Reacting to the nomination, Laura said: “I was so pleased to get this news after a whirlwind of a month personally and professionally!

“I’m honoured to be shortlisted with all these amazing women in Business for Small Business of the Year and Female Entrepreneur – especially now I have my own little lady to hope to inspire.

“Another nod to the brilliant team of Ecotech Engineers Ltd and everything we have accomplished over the last 4 years!”

Enterprising Women Co-Chair Eileen Perry said: “On International Women’s Day the theme was ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and these awards are part of embracing and celebrating our differences. The theme of promoting, growing and succeeding is something that we see year on year with the people that apply for the awards. There are people who, for example, have applied for a category like Apprentice of the Year and then gone on to win Female Entrepreneur of the Year. It’s not about the fall of men; it’s about the rise of women and believing in themselves more.”

Enterprising Women Co-Chair Jean Mountain said: “Year in, year out, over the years these awards have been phenomenal. We’ve been doing these awards for around 15 years now and the standard of entries gets higher and higher each year. We set the bar really high and you see it with the fabulous names of finalists that come through and the companies they represent.”

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

laura holland ecotech engineers

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Forge Bakehouse opens tasty new location in Chesterfield town centre

A new bakery and cafe is opening its doors in Chesterfield town centre, offering artisan breads, pastries and more tasty treats.

Sheffield’s Forge Bakehouse is continuing its expansion with the launch of a new location in The Pavements Shopping Centre.

Forge Bakehouse already has shops and cafes in Sheffield’s Abbeydale, Beauchief, Lodge Moor and Dronfield as well as an outlet at the Forum in Sheffield city centre and at Sheffield Station.

Having achieved success in the city, the bakery has invested in a new location here in Chesterfield.

“Having established ourselves successfully in Sheffield, we felt the time was right for expansion and recognised there is demand for our range of products in North East Derbyshire,” said Forge Bakehouse owner Liva Guest.

“The core of our success is the continued use of the finest quality ingredients and a team of fantastic chefs, bakers and baristas.

“Dronfield proved extremely popular with customers as soon as we opened at the Civic Centre and Chesterfield is just as successful.

“Chesterfield is such a vibrant and welcoming traditional shopping centre and our visitors are already enjoying the opportunity to call in at Forge Bakehouse for a break.

“The location we have selected within the Pavements Shopping Centre is convenient and extremely attractive and makes a welcome addition to our portfolio.”

Forge Bakehouse produces an acclaimed range of artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches and savouries at its Abbeydale bakery which are sold through the company’s shops and are also available for weddings, corporate events, markets and meetings.

The cafes have also established a strong reputation for their range of coffees and teas, with a team of experiences baristas making regular innovative additions to their offer.

At the same time, the addition of new savoury lines like the Forge Bakehouse melted cheese croissant has increased the brand’s popularity as both an eat-in and take-out destination.

To find out more about Forge Bakehouse and its full range of products and services visit www.forgebakehouse.co.uk

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member, stated: “We are excited to see Forge Bakehouse investing in our town centre. Chesterfield is an excellent location for investment, offering a vibrant community, a deep historical heritage, and great connectivity.

“The town’s blend of modern conveniences and traditional charm creates a perfect environment for businesses to succeed and develop.”

Chesterfield is home to many independent cafes, restaurants and bars serving up a range of cuisines and tasty treats. Find out more about eating out in our town here. 

Exterior of bakery in shopping centre with yellow signage

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Investment success for FHP across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire

FHP Property Consultants has reported a strong first half of the year in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, with strong demand for its sites and properties across the area.

The company says it has seen a high amount of interest, particularly between Junctions 29 and 30 of the M1 motorway.

The office agency team has been dealing with a number of good quality enquiries which has led to the letting of 12,000ft² at Holmewood Business Park, Holmewood, a modern office park approximately 4 miles south east of Chesterfield. The 12,000 sq ft development comprises two lettings, one to Rutland UK , and the second to Harmony Fire who have several offices located across the country. Both businesses have committed to new 5 year terms and chose this location due to the connectivity to the M1.

FHP says there is one remaining office building at Holmewood Business Park comprising 5,267 sq ft, for which it already has strong interest, and the company believes it will be able to declare this “under offer” within the next couple of weeks.

The office team also has 6,000 sq ft “under offer” in Barlborough, just off Junction 30 which is due to complete any week with terms also out on an additional 12,000 sq ft office building in this location.

Darran Severn, Director at FHP Property Consultants commented: “It’s been hard work but pleasing we are seeing some of the deals we agreed earlier in the year completing. We are finding that enquiry levels are consistent and in some of these locations it’s a matter of unearthing the right occupier for the building.

Quality is key, and many of the businesses we are speaking with are looking for refurbished space that is immediately available for occupation. Both capital and rental values remain at existing levels, with typical lease lengths being between 5 and 10 years with breaks in year 3. Whilst there is an element of uncertainty in the air due to political and world events, we do require more stock across Derbyshire to satisfy ongoing requirements.”

The industrial agency team has also been busy working on several schemes in Clay Cross, the first being Wingfield View Business Park, which is being developed by Roe Developments. Wingfield View Business Park is a new industrial estate comprising 19 units totalling some 60,000 sq ft. The units range in size from 2,091 sq ft to 12,062 sq ft and have been available to purchase or lease.

FHP Property Consultants alongside joint agents are pleased to confirm that all units are now under offer with practical completion imminent.

Following the success at Wingfield View Business Park, Roe Developments has started construction on Egstow View Business Park, Clay Cross, which will offer a mix of trade counter and warehouse units. The scheme should be available for occupation around Q2 2025 and FHP has confirmed that there are already four units under offer on a leasehold basis including one drive-through unit.

Elsewhere in the Chesterfield area, FHP completed the sale of 12,500 sq ft unit  in Whittington to another local occupier and haa let a further 3,000 sq ft at Spectrum Business Park, just south of the town centre. Due to the success at Spectrum Business Park, the owners are now looking to deliver further units that will hopefully be available in Q1 2025.

Looking to locate your business in a superb central location with proximity to several major UK cities? Find out more about investing in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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

Wingfield View Clay Cross - warehouse units

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Positive outlook for East Midlands businesses as new research shows boost in sales and orders

Increased sales and orders, a growing confidence in future profitability, and reduced pressure to increase prices are among a series of findings from a new East Midlands survey of over 300 businesses.

Six in 10 respondents to East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey (Q2, 2024) said they anticipated their turnover to improve this year, with half expecting gains in profitability to follow. An increasing number of businesses were planning to boost their investment in new equipment and training and there was a drop in those reporting difficulties with cashflow.

East Midlands Chamber Head of Special Projects Richard Blackmore said: “It’s fantastic to see so many measures in our Quarterly Economic Survey pointing to growth for East Midlands businesses, with the data suggesting this will continue over the remainder of the year. What everyone in business wants to see is their turnover and profit going up and price pressures falling and that’s exactly the picture being painted by this data.

“For fewer respondents than in the last quarter to say they feel a compulsion to raise prices and for that data to coincide with a drop in inflation this week to 2% is a good combination. Orders are up, both in the UK and overseas, and businesses are increasingly talking up their intentions to invest, especially in plant and machinery. These are all signs that businesses are moving away from the drawn-out days of just ‘getting by’ in the face of tough times and are now looking to push ahead.

“It’s worthy of note that just as many East Midlands businesses are saying ‘competition’ is up there with inflation in their list of growing concerns. A healthy economy requires healthy competition between businesses, so this finding again suggests brighter times lie ahead for the rest of 2024.”

Highlights from East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey Q2, 2024:

• Six out of ten respondents expected turnover to increase

• Nearly half of respondents expected profitability to increase

• One third of respondents expected to raise prices (down from Q4 2023 when the figure was two out of five)

• Three out of ten respondents reported an increase in overseas sales over the last three months (up from two out ten in Q3, 2023)

• Just under a quarter of respondents expected overseas orders to increase over the next three months

In Chesterfield, businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have noticed a positive trend.

David Beckford, Managing Director of Pronto Paints commented: “Regarding the general business environment, I’d agree things are looking more positive in 2024. People are starting to make decisions again and move forward with plans. Pronto has seen an increase in volume over the last quarter and signs are it will continue in the coming months, across many of the sectors we work with.”

Peter Botham, Managing Director at Shed Grounds Maintenance said: “We have had an exceptional start to the new financial year, having secured nearly as many new contracts in the first 3 months as we did in the entirety of last year. This remarkable achievement is, however, tempered by the challenge of managing our margins with escalating costs, particularly in labour and fuel. Additionally, we are facing a shortage of skilled personnel to support our growth, making recruitment a significant challenge. Despite these hurdles, we remain optimistic about the future and our ability to continue our successful trajectory.”

Mark Niblett, Managing Director at MTM Products added: “Our sector continues to see increases in the cost of materials, and we are optimistic that the economy will improve over the coming year.

Guy Wall, Head of Marketing at GCL Products said: “At GCL Products, we’ve experienced firsthand the positive momentum reflected in the East Midlands Chamber’s latest survey. A sustained upturn in sales has given us the confidence to grow our staff numbers by 40% since the start of 2024, as well as pursuing futher development of our product range and improvement of production and dispatch processes. This growth reinforces our positive outlook for the future and we’re excited to continue investing in our people and infrastructure to maintain this upward trajectory.”

View the full Economic Survey for Q2, 2024 here.

Find out more about locating your business in Chesterfield, where you will benefit from the town’s superb central location and access to a skilled talent pool: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Nibe business

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Chesterfield manufacturers encouraged to inspire future talent as businesses celebrate 10 years of innovative scheme

Businesses are gearing up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the renowned Made in Chesterfield initiative, which brings together schools and local firms to close skills gaps in the town.

Designed to spark interest in manufacturing, engineering, and construction careers among young people, the campaign offers a unique opportunity for businesses in those key sectors to inspire the future workforce.

Destination Chesterfield is seeking companies to participate in this year’s Made in Chesterfield scheme. By engaging with school pupils, your business can offer firsthand insights into the exciting career paths within these crucial sectors.

Celebrating a decade of partnership and collaboration, the Made in Chesterfield campaign will run throughout October 2024.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership, and supported by Chesterfield College Group, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire North Careers Hub, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, and NatWest, the campaign has a proven track record of success.

Since 2014, over 3,500 students have explored career opportunities in the area’s manufacturing, engineering, and construction sectors.

Chesterfield College Group, the project’s headline sponsor, has witnessed a surge in students enrolling in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) subjects, underscoring the campaign’s significant impact.

Julie Richards OBE, CEO of Chesterfield College Group, shared: “Supporting Made in Chesterfield aligns with our mission to connect students with employers, providing inspiration and creating opportunities for successful careers. Our Engineering, Manufacturing, and Science Centre and involvement in the town’s new Construction Skills Hub highlight our dedication to providing the best career opportunities for young people in engineering and construction.”

Ivan Fomin, Director at MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield Board Member, emphasised the importance of the initiative: “With an ageing workforce creating a skills gap in manufacturing, it’s crucial to cultivate new talent. These tours and interactions give young people invaluable insights into the promising careers in STEM fields.”

Clare Talati, CEO of Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP), added: “We are thrilled to continue supporting Made in Chesterfield, facilitating connections between employers and young people. This initiative provides meaningful experiences, raising awareness of local opportunities and helping employers meet potential future employees.”

Don’t miss this chance to contribute to Chesterfield’s future. Learn more about how your business can get involved with Made in Chesterfield by visiting https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/ or contacting Direct Education Business Partnership at madeinchesterfieldvisits@debp.org.

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

Insurance and risk management company expands to new Chesterfield office

PIB, an insurance brokerage and risk management company has announced the opening of a new branch in Chesterfield.

The new site is designed to enhance the company’s service delivery and support in the midlands.

Equipped with advanced technology and modern amenities, the Chesterfield location is set to become a pivotal sales hub for the firm, driving business growth and customer engagement in the region.

The facility features dedicated training rooms, tailored to provide comprehensive programmes for colleagues and the businesses supported by PIB. The company’s training schedule includes a wide range of accredited and non-accredited courses, tailored to clients’ requirements.

PIB has highlighted Chesterfield’s strategic location as a key strength of the new premises. The team says it will benefit from our town’s robust travel network, with the branch offering easy access for clients and employees alike. Proximity to major motorways, public transport links, and ample parking ensures that reaching the branch is convenient, whether for a business meeting or a training session.

The opening of the Chesterfield branch is part of a broader strategy to expand PIB’s footprint in the region. By establishing a strong presence in the Midlands, the business says it is better positioned to meet the needs of clients and support the local economy. This expansion not only brings new job opportunities to the area but also strengthens ties with the community.

Rob Armitage, Business Development Director, PIB Risk Management, commented, “We are looking forward to the positive impact that the Chesterfield branch will have on our operations and the local community. The blend of sales expertise and training excellence housed under one roof represents a significant step forward in our journey of growth and innovation.”

Ryan Wilkes, Destination Chesterfield Board Member, commented: “We’re delighted to see PIB investing in Chesterfield. Our town is a great place to support the growth of businesses thanks to its strategic location, affordability, and supportive business community.

“With excellent transport links and a skilled workforce, Chesterfield offers a perfect blend of opportunity and growth potential. It is particularly pleasing to see business confidence in Chesterfield reflected by further evidence of companies looking to expand and relocate here.”

Want to find out more about what Chesterfield can offer your business? Find out more about the benefits of investing in Chesterfield here.

Chesterfield Office PIB

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Chesterfield Escape Rooms to launch sequel to popular Rob the Bank game

Town centre visitor attraction, Chesterfield Escape Rooms is set to launch a new game, which follows on from one of its most popular experiences.

Those familiar with the Rob the Bank game will get the chance to continue the adventure, with Rob the Bank 2 set to launch later this summer.

To build the exciting new game, the attraction has worked alongside fellow Chesterfield Champion business, FWD Motion to sustainably design the new room.

Chesterfield Escape Rooms chose FWD Motion to help eliminate single-use plastics and implement an effective upcycling initiative across their organisation.

Nick Hogan, Owner of Chesterfield Escape Rooms, explained: “As a small business it can be difficult to build effective sustainable strategies, but when we decided to create a new set of escape rooms, we placed sustainability at the forefront of our thought process. We didn’t want to simply rip and replace – it was a case of considering what we could recycle, and most importantly, upcycle.”

Nick Hogan Chesterfield Escape Rooms

In search of an alternative solution to business-as-usual, Hogan approached FWD Motion. He commented: “We have had a working relationship with FWD for over 3 years, and in a recent account meeting we heard about their ability to print directly to MDF fire-rated board – which is the material we use for all our structural game build work. Realising we could print over and upcycle our old boards completely transformed our design process, and we quickly got to work with FWD’s creative team to produce the visual effects we needed. We’re delighted with the results!”

FWD Motion’s recent investment in a new sustainable printer enables them to print directly to board. Unlike solvent-based inks, its UV ink technology eliminates the need for vinyl and laminates – reducing single-use plastic consumption and ensuring a longer lifespan for their vibrant print solutions.

“Printing directly to board is a massive step forward for many businesses like Chesterfield Escape Rooms, who regularly rely on bespoke designs and installations to keep their experience up to date,” said David Whiteley, Director of FWD Motion. “By using our new sustainable printing technology, Chesterfield Escape Rooms managed to save approximately 66 metres of vinyl and 66 metres of laminate – and it doesn’t stop there. Now, when their rooms next need updating, we can take the same boards and print over them again and again.”

Chesterfield Escape Rooms and FWD Motion are keen to continue working together and are already discussing joint projects for the future.

Whiteley concluded: “We are incredibly pleased to have supported Nick and the team at Chesterfield Escape Rooms over recent years and are now even happier to help them achieve their sustainability goals. By reprinting and reusing the same MDF boards and wall graphics, we can help them prevent unnecessary waste in landfills and drive a more environmentally responsible future.”

Speaking in more detail about what people can expect from Rob the Bank 2, Nick Hogan added: “This is a change of business model for us because this game will be able to support up to 12 players rather than six. This new game will require a minimum of four players.

“You’ve got to keep things as fresh as they possibly can, but there are huge amounts of work undertaken to change an Escape Room. This particular build will take around three months, but we will continue to keep things fresh in the coming years. We’ve had in excess of 30,000 players since opening three years ago, but I can say to all players that this new game will be bigger and better than anything we have done before!”

Booking will soon be available for the new game on the Chesterfield Escape Rooms website: https://www.chesterfieldescaperooms.co.uk/

Chesterfield Escape Rooms and FWD Motion support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chesterfield Escape Room 873x466

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield business leaders encouraged to apply for regional awards

A regional awards ceremony will celebrate businesses across the East Midlands, and companies in Chesterfield are being encouraged to share their successes.

The East Midlands Business Master Awards 2024 will bring together business leaders and executives from across the East Midlands, the 2024 finalists alongside former winners for the celebration. The event is being organised by regional business media organisation, The Business Desk.

The deadline for entries is Friday 5th July, with the ceremony set to take place at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham on October 3rd.

Firms can nominate themselves across more than a dozen categories, including:

  • Start-up
  • Disruptor
  • Sustainability
  • International Trade
  • Investment
  • Community Impact
  • Employer of the Year
  • Professional Services – Regional
  • Professional Services – National
  • Property Business
  • Hospitality & Leisure
  • Creative & Media
  • Family Business
  • Small Business (up to 50 employees)
  • Medium Business (51-250 employees)
  • Large Business (251+ employees)
  • Outstanding Collaboration
  • Fast Growth Business
  • Ambassador

Sam Metcalf, Midlands editor of TheBusinessDesk.com, said: “The 2024 East Midlands Business Masters will bring together business leaders and executives from across the East Midlands, finalists alongside former winners, our key partners and of course many of our online audience to celebrate business triumphs and successes.

“The Business Masters Awards attracts the most successful and inspirational companies. Independently judged, it is a real celebration of business excellence.

“This is your chance to show why your team should join our prestigious list of past winners at this, the sixth edition of the Masters.”

Find out more about the ceremony and nominate your business at: https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/eastmidlands/events/east-midlands-business-masters-2024

Chesterfield is the perfect location to base your business

Centrally located in the UK Chesterfield is superbly connected, has an abundance of new business premises and room to grow. Well served by the M1 and the Midland Mainline Chesterfield is within one hour’s drive of four major airports and London is under two hours by rail.

Our businesses also benefit from being within easy reach of major cities, such as Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.

Find out more about locating your business in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Two individuals having a meeting at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre in Chesterfield

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Record number of walkers take on Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Night Walk

A record-breaking number of walkers lit up the streets of Chesterfield for Ashgate Hospice’s annual Sparkle Night Walk event.

More than 3,400 supporters stepped out for the return of the charity’s biggest fundraiser, sponsored by NOCN Group, on Saturday 22nd June.

Walkers have already helped raise £220,000 to help fund end of life care in North Derbyshire, and the charity said it hopes to see the figure rise even more by the sponsorship deadline at the end of July.

Find out more about some of the Chesterfield Champion organisations which took part in the event.

The 10km walk began and finished at Chesterfield Football Club’s SMH Group stadium, with people setting off at 10pm and live entertainment kicking off the party at 7pm.

The 10km route took walkers from the stadium down the A61 bypass, which was closed to traffic, past the Crooked Spire and through the streets of Chesterfield before returning to the football ground.

Jack Wood, Director of Income Generation at Ashgate Hospice said: “Once again everyone at the hospice has been absolutely blown away by the amount of people who turned out for our Sparkle Night Walk.

“The event was our most popular ever and we’re so grateful to all the walkers who came out to support the hospice.

“Our incredible staff and volunteers have been working so hard for months to put on an amazing event for the people of North Derbyshire, I’m so glad it was such a success.

“The amount of money we’re expected to receive in donations will go such a long way towards being there for the patients and families who need us most.”

“We hope to see everyone back again next year donning their sparkles, pink tutus and bunny ears – you can grab your super early bird ticket now for just £8!”

Super early bird registration for next year’s event has opened and more than 400 people have already signed up. Entry will be available at a reduced rate until 11th August, with the walk set to take place on 28th June 2025.

To find out more about next year’s Sparkle Night Walk, go to: www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/sparkle-night-walk

If you’re looking for more events and activities taking place across Chesterfield this summer, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/summer/

Sparkle walk ashgate

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Chesterfield Champions: Further growth across town’s business network

Businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions continue to share their successes.

Over the past month, firms have announced new hires, launched innovative networking events and supported major acquisitions.

Ryan Wilkes, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “It is very pleasing to see further success across our town. The more our businesses grow, the more robust and resilient our economy becomes.

“I would like to congratulate all Chesterfield Champions on their recent growth, and we wish further success in the future.”

Banner Jones Advises Peak Sensors on Recent Acquisition by SDI Group plc

Man with dark hair and beard wearing suit and tie smiling for camera

Banner Jones, in collaboration with Mitchells Accountants, successfully advised Peak Sensors Holdings on its recent sale to SDI Group plc. The acquisition, completed late last year, is valued at approximately £2.4 million.

SDI Group plc, quoted on AIM, specialises in the design and manufacture of scientific and technology products for digital imaging and sensing and control applications. This acquisition expands its portfolio and capabilities.

Peak Sensors, a leading UK manufacturer based in Chesterfield, produces standard and bespoke temperature sensors, including thermocouples and resistance thermometers, servicing various industries such as glass, ceramics, incinerators (including energy from waste), cement and ovens.

With a 5,300 sq ft leasehold facility and 14 employees, Peak Sensors reported revenues of £2.1 million for the year ending March 31, 2023.

Further to the acquisition Roshan Aucklah, CEO of Peak Sensors since 2017, will continue to lead the business under SDI Group ownership. Peter Smith, one of the founders, will remain as a consultant. Peak Sensors will now be part of SDI Group’s Sensors and Controls division.

Andrew Fielder, Solicitor and Head of Business Legal Services at Banner Jones, commented: “It was a real pleasure to support Peak Sensors in an acquisition deal that will enhance and drive the company’s success. We are also pleased to have worked again with Mitchells Accountants to support another local Chesterfield business.”

Speaking to press last year following the deal Ken Ford, Chairman of SDI, remarked: “The acquisition of Peak Sensors is a strategic step in our Group growth, demonstrating opportunities to acquire businesses with high-quality products and export growth potential. We expect the acquisition to be earnings-enhancing in the first full year of ownership. We are delighted to welcome Roshan Aucklah, Peter Smith, and their staff to the SDI Group.”

BSP Consulting appoints two new associate directors

BSP Carol Ell and James Payne

East Midlands civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has made internal promotions to create two new associate directors.

Civil engineer Carol Ell has been with the company 20 years next month.

Finance manager James Payne joined BSP from school in August 2001 and has held a variety of roles within the business.

BSP MD Carl Hilton said: “Both Carol and James have proven themselves to be very committed to BSP Consulting, with almost 43 years of service between them. They bring an energy and enthusiasm to the company which very much contributes to our success.

“I am pleased to announce that they have both earned a well-deserved promotion to associate director and congratulate them on their new appointments.”

BSP Consulting was founded 25 years ago and has grown to become one of the largest independent civil and structural engineering companies in the East Midlands.

An award-winning firm that operates across the UK, BSP offers civil engineering, structural engineering, transport engineering, geotechnical and environmental engineering. The company works across all sectors including housing, student accommodation, commercial, industrial, health, education, senior living, retail and heritage.

For more information about BSP Consulting visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

Collaboration leads to new networking event for Chesterfield property firms

property net gain networking

A new networking event taking place monthly has been launched at Casa Hotel, giving property and construction companies further opportunity to collaborate.

Property Net Gain Club has been set up by two members of the town’s business community, Emily Smith and Mike Jones.

Emily is currently working on the Holywell Hotel development in Chesterfield Town Centre, while Mike has experience working for several businesses in the property sector locally.

Mike commented: “We’re really excited to bring people together that share a common interest in property and Chesterfield. Both topics are a passion of mine – so the idea to create an informal and sociable network is really exciting.”

Emily added: “It’s great to see people coming to our event from other locations to find out more about the town. Being able to compliment the great work and effort that Destination Chesterfield put into the sector, we saw an opportunity to use our networks to share the good news and initiatives about the town even further.”

Find out more about the events at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-property-networking-by-net-gain-club-tickets-810203188547

BHP continues growth with new appointment and Commercial Finance offer

bhp commercial finance team

BHP, one of the leading independent accountancy firms in the North, is continuing its growth with the appointment of Dan Summerfield to head up its new Commercial Finance service.

With recent data highlighting that access to funding is becoming more challenging for SMEs, the firm’s new offering will help clients identify and secure the right finance product for their needs, while ensuring they have access to competitive terms.

Dan Summerfield, a Yorkshire financier, joins BHP from Panacea Investment Group in Leeds and has held senior roles in the banking and finance sector over his 30-year career. Dan will oversee all aspects of commercial finance and the firm’s Professional Banking and Finance team, ensuring his wealth of experience can support clients across BHP’s five offices.

Hamish Morrison, Joint CEO at BHP, said: “As trusted advisors, we’re committed to not only delivering a high-quality service to our clients but also expanding our offer to meet the challenges our clients may be experiencing. This new service is evidence of that approach, and we believe it will ensure our clients and their businesses can thrive, despite potential headwinds.”

Dan Summerfield added: “I’m pleased to be joining BHP as it continues to grow. Together with the other partners, I’m looking forward to expanding this service to ensure we can support our clients.

“The finance market has been a volatile space over the last few years, adding to the challenges many businesses have had to face. With the marketplace expected to continue to change as a result of economic uncertainty, it’s crucial that businesses have access to expert advice. Bringing together my experience with the other expertise within BHP, we can offer integrated advisory services that empower our clients.”

Dan is the latest hire for BHP, which has recently announced the appointment of Mark Stanton to Partner in its Digital Finance team, made several new promotions and created new heads of service positions.

BHP Joint CEO Lisa Leighton said: “The last year has been a transformational period for our business as we’ve continued to grow organically, by supporting our clients to do the same. Having been recognised repeatedly over the last 12 months by independent assessor Great Place to Work® UK in a number of categories, we’re pleased to not only be able to attract the best talent in the region, but also to find new talent through our graduate and non-graduate training schemes.

“As we continue to invest in our services and our people, we’re really looking forward to what’s to come for BHP and our clients.”

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Educators and employers address regional skills challenges

Challenges in recruitment and skills across our region’s businesses have been recently highlighted at East Midlands Chamber’s annual People and Skills summit.

The event brought together 200 delegates from the business community and education sector, and hosted a series of talks, keynote speakers and workshops.

The summit was centred around the Chamber’s Manifesto for Growth 2024 – which outlines a set of policy asks for the next government to consider.

Speakers at the summit included: Professor Baback Yazdani, Executive Dean of Nottingham Business School; Kate Lee, Talent & Resourcing Manager, Samworth Brothers; Emma Kwiatkowski, Director, Hays; Craig Brothers, Vice President, East Midlands Chamber; Laura Shepherd, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Loughborough College and Dr Gareth Thomas, Managing Director, Skills and Employment Support Ltd.

East Midlands Chamber Head of Special Projects Richard Blackmore said: “Reforming skills is an essential ingredient to economic growth and all the research we conduct with businesses in the East Midlands – like our latest Quarterly Economic Survey where 66% of respondents in the region reported difficulties recruiting staff – has underlined the need to address the issue. The East Midlands People and Skills summit is one of the ways the Chamber can get right into the heart of the issues faced by businesses, breaking them down and finding solutions to overcome each hurdle.

“Candidate needs are evolving, while factors like technology advance just as quickly. Businesses need to ready themselves for emerging technology like AI and what that might mean for the skills candidates might need in the future. Workplaces need to be attractive to new recruits and be open minded to finding ways to match their needs with those of prospective employees. That can mean consideration of things like having a strong Corporate and Social Responsibility policy, offering employees the opportunity to engage with communities and charities, for example.

“If we can pinpoint the sticking blocks in skills, recruitment and retention, we can fix them and that’s why it’s so important that businesses and educators engage with each other, to solve staffing issues both now and in the future.”

Chesterfield businesses are encouraged to find out more about upskilling their workforce by contacting Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Brokerage Service.

More information about the service can be found at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/skills/

Delegates stood on stage at the Chamber people and skills summit 2024

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