Mitchells accountants

Chesterfield Champions announce new hires, promotions and award wins

Several Chesterfield businesses have taken on new team members, announced promotions, and even scooped awards for tourism recently.

Read the latest news from our town’s community of Chesterfield Champions below.

Silver awards for Matlock Farm Park and Peak Edge Hotel

Mum and son feeding a goat at Matlock Farm Park

Matlock Farm Park took home three silver awards for Visitor Attraction of the Year, Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award and Team of the year at the recent Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards.

Chesterfield’s Peak Edge Hotel was also amongst the businesses recognised at the event, with a silver award for Hotel of the Year.

The winners of the 2024 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards were announced at a special awards ceremony at the Museum of Making in Derby

Some of the area’s finest visitor attractions, experiences, pubs, restaurants and accommodation providers were amongst those recognised at the awards, designed to showcase excellence and outstanding achievement across the area’s tourism and hospitality sector.

Organised by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire in collaboration with Visit Derby as the region’s official Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), this year’s awards celebrated the success and resilience of tourism businesses whilst highlighting the sector’s valuable contribution to the local economy.

The awards were hotly contested, and finalists progressed through shortlisting, mystery shopping and a rigorous judging process by an independent panel of experts to arrive at last night’s ceremony.

Finalists, guests and partners enjoyed a drinks reception sponsored by White Peak Distillery followed by a three-course formal dinner in the historic surroundings of the Museum of Making, which is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first factory, at the heart of the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Host Andy Miller compered the event as Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners were revealed in 14 awards categories celebrating the best of tourism in the local area.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are a celebration of all that’s great about our tourism industry locally, and recognise its vital importance to the local economy as well as the dedication of those who work in this important sector.

“Tourism is worth £2.59 billion to the Peak District and Derbyshire, supporting thousands of jobs, and a strong, sustainable visitor economy is vital for the future success of our communities. The quality and diversity of our tourism offer is inspiring, and it has been an immense privilege to bring together such a wide range of tourism-related businesses to pay tribute to their hard work. It’s only fitting that many of our winners could now go on to represent the area nationally at this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Congratulations everyone!”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants welcomes new Senior Tax Specialist to bolster expert team

Mitchells group shot Liz Tim Jane B LR

Mitchells has announced the addition of Jane Falconer-White to its growing team in Chesterfield. She joins Chartered Tax Advisers Tim Leeman & Liz Fisher at the firm.

Jane brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the company, further strengthening its commitment to delivering exceptional tax advice to clients of all sizes.

Jane is a seasoned tax adviser and former management consultant, with a proven track record of success working with a diverse range of clients, from blue-chip organisations to individual sole traders. She also boasts a unique background in IT and project management, bringing valuable technical expertise and a collaborative approach.

But Jane’s strengths extend beyond qualifications and experience. She is passionate about simplifying the complex world of tax and empowering clients to make informed financial decisions. Driven by a desire to help people understand and improve, Jane excels at bridging the gap between technical jargon and everyday language. Mitchells believes that this, coupled with a flexible and fast-learning nature, makes her a perfect fit for the organisation.

“I’m excited to join Mitchells Chartered Accountants and contribute my skills to their already impressive team,” says Jane. “I’m particularly drawn to the firm’s focus on technology-driven solutions and client-centric approach, which aligns perfectly with my own values and working style.”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants Partner, Andrew McDaid adds, “We’re delighted to welcome Jane Falconer-White to the team. Her diverse experience, technical expertise, and passion for communication make her a valuable asset. We’re confident that Jane will play a key role in helping our clients navigate the ever-evolving tax landscape and achieve their financial goals.”

Banner Jones announces plans to bolster Residential Property team amidst continued growth in demand

Richard Joy and Kate Skelton

Banner Jones has announced plans to build on the existing expertise and capacity of its Residential Property team amidst continued demand for its services, having handled over 13,500 new residential property related matters over the last three years.

The announcement coincides with news that Shareholding Director and Solicitor Richard Joy will become the sole Head of Residential Property across the firm following the recent retirement of Mark Bilton, a well-known and highly regarded property solicitor in the Mansfield area, who stepped down from his role as Executive Director in November last year.

Richard will now work closely with Kate Skelton, a property law expert who deals with property sales and purchases, transfers of equity and re-mortgages, who has been promoted to Shareholding Director and who is stepping up as operational lead of the firm’s Sheffield and Dronfield-based residential property teams.

Looking to the future the duo say they are hoping to build on the existing expertise and capacity of the team, which has invested heavily in its IT infrastructure in recent years in order to best meet the evolving needs of clients.

The developments have included the launch of the firms online ‘Flying Start’ client portal which allows for much of the conveyancing transaction to be completed online, typically saving up to four weeks throughout the conveyancing process. The ability to deal with the transaction securely and electronically has significantly speeded up the onboarding and transaction times and allows clients to undertake the steps required at a convenient time without the need to attend our offices.

The firm’s Project Management System now also includes an integration to enable property searches to be ordered automatically, allowing for artificial intelligence to assist the expert legal advisors to produce reports for clients based on search reports received.

This year, the firm has also developed a compliance support service for estate agents designed to underpin their increasingly stringent regulatory requirements surrounding ID verification for anti-money laundering and material information disclosure.

Commenting on his role and the department’s continued growth ambitions, Richard Joy said: “I am delighted to be continuing in my role as Head of Residential Property, working alongside Kate to deliver on our growth ambitions which will further strengthen our existing client service offering.

“The conveyancing market in particular has been very active in recent years, and we are confident that the investments that we have made in our IT infrastructure means that we are well equipped to keep up with increased demand and to better meet the needs of clients who increasingly want to work in a more fluid and dynamic way.

“We’re committed to continuing to challenge the way that we do things moving forward to further enhance what we do and how we do it, and I am looking forward to leading the team throughout that process.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Mark the best of luck as he moves to the next chapter in his life.”

Find out more about our award-winning legal services for businesses and individuals at www.bannerjones.co.uk

Long-serving Head of Charities at BHP to retire

Jane Marshall BHP

Jane Marshall, Partner and Head of Charities and Not-for-Profit at BHP, is to retire from her role at the end of March after 37 years at the firm.

As one of the leading independent accountancy firms in the North, Jane has helped grow the firm’s charities and not-for-profit expertise, leading it to be repeatedly recognised, at a national level, by Charity Finance Magazine in its annual audit survey. Most recently, in December 2023, BHP was named in the top 12 Charity Audit firms in the UK.

The recognition is based on feedback from clients and saw the firm top the national table for client service, scoring 97% for charity expertise and marking the 12th consecutive year of high scores for the firm. Following Jane’s retirement, Audit and Charities’ Partner, Laura Masheder will take on the role as Head of Charities and Not-for-Profit.

Jane founded BHP’s successful annual Charity Conference in 2005, after realising there was no provision for such high calibre events outside of London. Over the intervening 18 years, 15 conferences have been held, with the 2023 event attracting over 100 delegates from charities across the region to hear about the latest developments in the charity sector. During her time with the firm, Jane has also been a member of the ICAEW Charity Committee and was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire in 2017.

Jane began her work with charities and not-for-profits in the 1990s, before becoming Head of Charities in 2005 and Partner in 2008. She has overseen the team’s growth to be 65-strong, with professionals from across BHP’s five offices currently supporting over 250 charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Laura Masheder will be supported by three partners and three Director Responsible Individuals (RI). Laura is an accomplished Partner and has specialised in the charity and not-for-profit sector for over a decade. She has been working alongside Jane since joining BHP’s charity team in October 2022 and has a wide range of experience providing audit, compliance, technical accounting and compliance services to many charities and owner managed businesses.

Jane said: “I’ve enjoyed many happy years with BHP and have seen the firm grow from one office in Sheffield in the 1980s to be represented now by five offices, covering the whole of Yorkshire and North Derbyshire and serving an enviable client base. I’m enormously proud of the Charities and Not for Profit team we’ve developed, and I know it will flourish and grow further under Laura’s leadership.

“I wish the firm every success in what’s to come and will continue to champion the expert work and values of everyone involved in the firm.”

BHP Joint CEO Lisa Leighton said: “Jane will be greatly missed by her colleagues, clients and so many of her friends and associates across the firm and the industry. She has shared her vast knowledge and experience with countless team members over the last 37 years and leaves a lasting legacy within our Charities team.

I’d like to thank Jane for her commitment and dedication to BHP and the not-for-profit sector and wish her a very happy retirement.”

Laura added: “Jane has played a key role in establishing BHP as a Northern powerhouse within the third sector and I look forward, along with the rest of the team, to continuing to support our clients as they navigate what can only be described as a challenging economic period.
Personally, I wish Jane all the best for her retirement and can’t thank her enough for sharing her expertise and guidance with me since I joined the firm.”

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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Chesterfield Champions collaborate to secure 50 jobs at historic local bakery

Two Chesterfield Champions have played a key part in securing the future of Jacksons, a historic bakery in Chesterfield.

Allen Jackson Bakery Limited, part of Lifft Group Limited, has acquired Jacksons the Bakers in a deal which has safeguarded dozens of local jobs.

With its history dating back as far as the late 19th century, Jacksons supplies a wide range of wholesale clients including schools, supermarkets, and English Football League Clubs, operating out of its head office, bakery and factory shop in Clay Cross.

The business also has a retail shop in Chesterfield town centre and is well known across the region for its quality baked goods, as well as its support of the local community including supplying Ashgate Hospice with fresh bread and cakes for patients and staff free of charge.

The acquisition, which completed earlier this month for an undisclosed sum with a turnaround time of just two weeks, follows news that the company had gone into administration amidst challenging trading conditions following the COVID 19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, including rising energy costs.

Andrew Fielder from Chesterfield law firm Banner Jones, and Andrew McDaid from Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, advised Allen Jackson Bakery Limited on the purchase of the company’s trade and assets.

Looking to the future the company’s new owners say they hope to build on its heritage and success over the years in order to establish new contracts with local independent pubs, restaurants, and cafes.

Commenting on the deal Allen Jackson Bakery Limited founder and Lifft Group Limited Director, Giles Allen, said it formed part of group’s strategic growth ambitions to expand its portfolio of businesses which operate commercial fleets and companies specialising in transport training.

He added that the move was also aligned to the group’s ethical, social and governance values (ESG), and its commitment to invest in companies that can help to create sustainable job opportunities in the local area.

“Jacksons the Bakers is a wonderful bakery which employs great people. It has an impressive heritage dating back more than 100 years, and a long-standing reputation for supporting the local community,” Giles commented.

“Like many businesses it has faced some challenges in recent years, brought about by the pandemic and increasing operating costs, but it also has an expansive, loyal customer base and there is considerable opportunity for further growth and expansion.

“We are delighted to be bringing Jacksons into the group, and to have secured the company’s continued presence in Chesterfield. We hope everyone in the community will now get behind the business and help us to grow by buying local.”

Andrew McDaid, Partner at Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers who acted as a representative for Giles in his negotiations with the administrators, added: “It great to work alongside ambitious, entrepreneurs such as Giles who share our passion for Chesterfield and want to improve the economic prosperity of the area.

“At a time when there has been so much in the press about businesses shutting down, resulting in thousands of redundancies, we are pleased to have been able to work together quickly to ensure that jobs were safeguarded, and the business moves forward.”

Andrew Fielder from Banner Jones added: “Banner Jones is delighted to have acted for Allen Jackson Bakery Limited in its acquisition of Jacksons the Bakers. The purchase has secured the future of a well-respected local business and protected the jobs of the businesses’ employees.

“We wish the new owners every success moving forwards.”

Chesterfield is excellently located on the edge of the Peak District, and well-connected to several major cities with road and rail links. Find out more about investment opportunities in the town.

Banner Jones Solicitors and Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Jacksons the Bakers with Banner Jones and Mitchells

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More growth announced for businesses in Chesterfield

Firms across Chesterfield have announced further growth, with new recruits, promotions, major deals and takeovers announced across the town.

Check out some of the latest stories of growth in our roundup below.

Laura Pain becomes first female equity partner at Mitchells

Laura Pain

Laura Pain has been announced as an equity partner at Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers – the first female equity partner in the company’s 155-year history.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Laura has been with the Chesterfield-based accountancy firm since 2008 and became an associate partner in 2021. She now joins fellow equity partners Tim Leeman, Tony Hornsby and Andrew McDaid in leading the business.

She commented: “Becoming an equity partner coincides with my fifteenth year with the firm, making it an incredibly special milestone for me. I am honoured to be the first female equity partner at Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers.

As equity partner, Laura will continue to lead the firm’s team of digital accountants who specialise in advising start-ups and small businesses leverage the power of Cloud Accounting to automate their business processes and reduce costs.

Laura brings extensive experience to her role at Mitchells, boasting a 23-year career in accountancy.

Her appointment as equity partner recognises her contribution and leadership within the business. Senior partner Tim Leeman commented: “Tony, Andrew and I are delighted that Laura is now an equity partner. Her experience and passion for the business and clients is very much valued and will be instrumental in helping us grow the business further.”

Laura added: “I look forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of Mitchells in the years to come.”

Banner Jones strengthens personal injury team with new hire 

Sarah Schoolar and Sarah Sadler

Law firm Banner Jones has strengthened its leading personal Injury team with the appointment of experienced Chartered Legal Executive Sarah Schoolar.

Bringing more than 15 years’ experience in civil litigation to the role, Sarah works to secure compensation for clients who have suffered life altering injuries sustained through no fault of their own.

Joining from Elliot Mather, and based in the firm’s Chesterfield office, her appointment follows hot on the heels of news that Sarah Sadler will also take on the role of Head of Personal Injury. Chief Executive, Simon Wright (former Head of Personal Injury) maintains a role in the team as consultant.

Having joined Banner Jones in 2017 Sarah oversees all types of injury claims including Clinical Negligence, Road Traffic Accidents, Accidents at Work, Public and Occupier’s Liability and Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claims (CICA) and sexual abuse compensation claims.

She is ranked as a Recommended Lawyer in the 2023 UK Legal 500 guide.

Welcoming Sarah Schoolar to the firm and commenting on her promotion to Head of Personal Injury, Sarah Sadler said: “I am delighted to welcome Sarah to the team and to take on my new role as Head of Personal Injury. We are excited to grow the department and to help people, who have been through difficult experiences, get the outcomes they hope for”.

Sarah Schoolar added: “I am really looking forward to joining the Banner Jones and working alongside Sarah.

“The Personal Injury team has a strong reputation across the region for its in-depth legal knowledge, but also for its personal approach that helps to put clients at ease and makes them feel that they are treated as individuals.

“The firm as a whole has an unrivalled reputation for delivering accessible, customer service-led legal services and that’s something I am equally passionate about.”

Elliot Mather Appoints First Non-Lawyer as Designated LLP Member

Alan Grant 1

Full service law firm Elliot Mather LLP has announced the appointment of new designated LLP Member – Alan Grant.

Alan is the first non-lawyer in the firm to be appointed as a Designated LLP Member, with his focus being on the strategic and operational aspects of the LLP.

He has been integral in the development and growth of the business in recent years, after having joined Elliot Mather in 2016 as Chief Operations Officer.

Since he joined Elliot Mather, Alan has planned and coordinated office relocations in three of the firm’s locations, and was also instrumental in the smooth installation of a new IT system in 2017.

Commenting on his recent appointment as Designated LLP Member, Alan said: “It is a pleasure to be part of a business that recognises the need for diverse skills.

“I believe my skillset compliments those of the existing Designated Members. I am excited for the future of Elliot Mather and for the staff being developed to continue our success and growth. I am grateful for the experiences I have obtained in different professional industries and look forward to the challenges within the legal sector.”

In his new role, Alan will retain overall responsibility for Finance, HR, IT, Marketing and Admin but will also shift his emphasis to the strategic development of the firm.

The Skills Centre acquires Chesterfield’s Sorted Training

Jon Howlin, Managing Director of The Skills Centre

The Skills Centre, one of the UK’s most successful vocational construction training providers, has acquired Sorted Training to bolster its commercial training portfolio.

The acquisition of Sorted Training, a leading provider in Health & Safety Training and NVQ Assessments, will result in the further expansion of The Skills Centre’s portfolio nationally.

The Skills Centre already has training centres across London and Birmingham, and training programmes in Liverpool, Bristol and along the HS2 line.

Sorted Training, based in Chesterfield, offers an innovative approach to Health & Safety training, helping employers within the industry through delivery of Health & Safety training and NVQ assessments.

It complies with key tender applications and principal contractors, including creating policies and reviewing safety equipment, on-site short courses, offering CSCS / CPCS NVQ to specialist accredited Face fit testing through Qualitative or Quantitative methods.

Jon Howlin, Chief Executive of The Skills Centre commented: “The construction sector has a massive skills shortage across all parts of the industry. Thanks to this merger, we will be training even more people new to the construction industry to fill pivotal positions. Sorted Training aligns perfectly with The Skills Centre’s missions to transform lives by providing local people access to local opportunities, so the acquisition makes total sense.”

Gareth Davies, founder of Sorted Training, will take the role of Commercial Director at The Skills Centre. He added: “It’s a match made in heaven in my eyes.

“I bonded with Jon, the directors and team immediately. I loved everything about them and what they stood for – helping communities, individual progressions and client support and care.

“We will now be operating nationally with a local provider approach with the aim of being the number one training provider in the country.”

Chesterfield’s FA-ST Filtration appointed UK distributor for internationally renowned products

FA-ST

A Chesterfield business has announced a major international link, becoming an official UK distributor for the Checkfluid range.

For 18 years, FA-ST has been innovators in promoting oil filtration and analysis products and service to a broad range of industries.

Checkfluid’s oil sampling valves allow for the sample to be taken in a uniform, consistent and representative way, making the process more reliable.

The team at FA-ST say the addition of Checkfluid’s range of sampling valves is a real game changer for the company, and the entire oil sampling/analysis industry.

Craig Cousins, Business Development Manager at FA-ST, commented: “We understand that our customers require high quality and reliable products and the Checkfluid valves certainly meet those criteria.

“With the cost of oils and fuels continually rising, our ongoing task is to promote the use of these sampling valves combined with oil analysis to aid companies in reducing their usage of oils which in doing so will reduce their overhead costs of purchasing new oils, reduce waste disposal and aid the environment improving their Green credentials.”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Banner Jones Solicitors 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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Strength of Chesterfield’s financial & legal sector on show at South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards

Several Chesterfield-based financial and legal companies are celebrating success, with nominations in the 2023 South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards.

Mitchells Chartered Accountants, Banner Jones Solicitors, Shorts Accountants and BRM Solicitors have all made the shortlist across several categories.

The South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards celebrates leading banking, funding, legal and accountancy businesses across the region. The winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner, which will be held at Sheffield City Hall on Thursday 8th June.

Mitchells Chartered Accountants

mitchells rob and tony

Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants has been shortlisted for the South Yorkshire Dealmakers award for “National/International Deal of the Year.”

Being shortlisted for this prestigious award comes after the firm won the “Deal of the Year £10m+” at the Sheffield City Region Dealmakers Awards in 2021.

Tony Hornsby, Corporate Finance Partner at Mitchells, said: “It has been a privilege to support our client’s growth ambitions with this acquisition. It is a real testament to what our award-winning corporate finance team can deliver and delighted to be shortlisted for the National/International Deal of the Year”

Rob Drake, Corporate Finance Executive at Mitchells, said: “In today’s competitive business environment, companies need tailored help to grow and succeed. Our boutique corporate finance team is perfectly placed to provide cost-effective industry expertise delivered with personal attention and it is wonderful to see this recognised regionally by being shortlisted for the South Yorkshire Dealmakers award”.

Shorts

SHORTS corporate finance team

 

The Shorts team is very excited to have been shortlisted 6 times across 5 categories for the 2023 Insider South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards.

It has been a great year for the firm’s Corporate Finance team, which is now celebrating with the following award nominations.

  • Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year
  • Dealmaker of the Year: Andy Ryder
  • (2x) Deal of the Year (£10m+): Acquisition of AML Juratek by Fras-le, and Management buyout of Wincro Metal Industries
  • Equity Deal of the Year: Investment in Sitehop by Mercia
  • Innovation Investment Award: Investment in Sitehop by Mercia

Following the announcement of the award nominations, Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner at Shorts who is himself nominated for the Dealmaker of the Year Award, said: “It is great to see the expertise of the Shorts team being reflected in these nominations. We have had a record-breaking year, with some fantastic transactions completed, and we are proud to see that hard work being recognised. We have a great team and with an exciting pipeline of opportunities, we are looking forward to another successful year”

Shorts are no strangers to the Insider Dealmakers Awards, with previous wins in a number of different categories.

  • 2020: Deal of the Year (up to £2.5m)
  • 2018: Emerging Dealmaker of the Year (Ellie Wilcockson)
  • 2018: National/International Deal of the Year
  • 2018: Deal of the Year (up to £2.5m)
  • 2017: Mid-market Deal of the Year

Banner Jones Solicitors

Andrew Fielder 873

Leading regional law firm Banner Jones has been shortlisted alongside Translink Corporate Finance in the National/International Deal of the Year category.

The announcement sees the firm’s Business Legal Services department receive recognition for the role it played in advising the shareholders of Chesterfield-based The Corrugated Case Company (CCC), in a major acquisition deal with the UK arm of the global packaging specialist, Tri-Wall, which completed last summer.

CCC is a specialist designer and manufacturer of corrugated cardboard packaging. The company supplies innovative, design led packaging solutions to customers in a range of sectors including retail, food & drink, pharmaceutical and manufacturing.

Andrew Fielder from Banner Jones’ Business Legal Services department – supported by colleagues Tim Barley, Katie Ash and Sara Patel – advised the sellers on all aspects of the share disposal, and of the separate sale of the businesses trading premises.

BHP Corporate Finance (BHPCF) acted as lead advisor to the shareholders of The Corrugated Case Company Limited (CCC) on its acquisition by Tri Wall UK.

A BHPCF team led by Partner Kevin Davies and Assistant Director Declan Savage, ran a competitive sale process, working alongside colleagues from its global Translink Corporate Finance network.

Banner Jones will now join South Yorkshire’s leading banking, funding, legal and accountancy communities at Sheffield City Hall on Thursday 8th of June for the prestigious, black-tie awards ceremony, hosted by South Yorkshire Business Insider, and compèred by comedian Fred MacAulay.

Commenting on the shortlisting Andrew Fielder from Banner Jones’ Business Legal Services department, said: “We are delighted to have received recognition for the work carried out on the CCC acquisition deal, alongside the team at Translink Corporate Finance.

“The South Yorkshire Dealmaker Awards provide a unique opportunity for the local deals community to get together to celebrate our successes, and we are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted in the National/International Deal of the Year category.”

BRM Solicitors

BRM Solicitors Trevor Bird and Sarah Rowland

Chesterfield’s BRM Solicitors has also been shortlisted for two awards at this year’s event:

  • Equity Deal of the Year
  • Corporate Law Firm of the Year

Commenting on the nominations, BRM’s Sarah Rowland said: “I’m incredibly proud that we’ve been nominated, it really is a testament to the hard work of the team, and we take great pride in going the extra mile for our clients and getting the results they need.”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Shorts, Banner Jones Solictors and BRM Solicitors 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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Mitchells Accountants partners with Chesterfield College to provide apprenticeship opportunities

A Chesterfield Accountancy and business advice firm has grown its team by taking on several apprentices, having worked with Chesterfield College to provide employment opportunities for local people.

Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers are one of Chesterfield’s longest standing firms and has been at the heart of its business community for 150 years, as well as a long serving member of Chesterfield Champions.

Mitchells have also long been an Apprenticeship Ambassador, helping to promote Chesterfield as an Apprentice Town and raising awareness of apprenticeships and their benefits to strengthen the workforce of the local economy.

Mitchells recognises that university isn’t the only option available to those leaving school, which is why the firm offers apprenticeships for young people who wish to undertake the AAT qualification – the internationally recognised qualification based on real-world accounting knowledge.

Examples of recent success stories for Mitchells apprentices include the following:

  • Mitchells’ apprentice, Dominic Day has successfully finished his ICAEW exams and associated work this year to become a qualified member of the Institute.
  • Two ICAEW apprentices, Sophia Ferretto and Brandon Wazirali, have passed advanced level exams and are in the final stages of also becoming fully qualified Institute members.
  • Julie Clayton has progressed to the final exam in her ACCA apprenticeship and received glowing praise from their training provider for their dedication to both the training and the apprenticeship requirements.
  • Apprentices, Sophia Ferretto and Olivia Powell were both put forward by Mitchells for recognition in the Apprentice of the Year category at this year’s Love Chesterfield Awards. The applications showed how well thought of these individuals, along with their fellow apprentices, are by the firm and also the care taken to ensure they continue to develop and flourish.

From the moment their training begins, apprentices are assigned a mentor who monitors and supports their professional and personal development.  As well as becoming a full-time employee at Mitchells, with a salary and other associated benefits, they pay for their AAT apprentices to attend Chesterfield College on a day release basis to study.

Further industry specific qualifications are completed by apprentices including ATT, ACCA, ICAEW and CIOT on a similar basis using internationally recognised training providers.

Having used other training providers in the past, they now only use Chesterfield College for their AAT qualifications because the college is employer led and prepares students for their careers and helps develop ambitious students prepare for work and life.

Mitchells currently employs 5 AAT apprentices who all study at Chesterfield College. Associate Partner, Laura Pain said: “We strongly believe in attracting candidates leaving college and sixth form to help them get started at the ground level.” She went onto highlight two apprentices in the Business Services Team, which she heads up.

“Olivia Powell joined us at just 17 years old and has thrived over the past three years to the point where she is confident and comfortable dealing with the rest of the team, her clients and HMRC. Jessica Wright first joined Mitchells as a university placement student and returned to learn more. Jess achieved a Distinction at Level 2 AAT with an overall qualification percentage score of 96%.”

Olivia Powell and fellow AAT apprentices, Jasmine Pollard and Chloe Jones commented on why they chose the apprenticeship route: “Apprenticeships are a great way of gaining your qualifications whilst working along-side meaning you can put theory into practise and practise into theory. It is also means no commitment of university and allows you to get a head start into the world of work as you can begin your career as young as 16.”

They also commented: “Chesterfield College is a training provider that allows you to work with other apprentices who are working towards the same qualifications as yourself. This not only supports us but allows us to have an insight into all the aspects of accounting, whether this is in industry or practise as you are working with people from a diverse range of job roles. Chesterfield College is extremely local to Mitchells and you are given a day release each week in order to attend the lessons. The lessons are in person allowing you to engage more and ask for any help or resources if needed. Printers and laptops are also available to use on campus which can be used after teaching hours. College tutors are also accessible via email and on teams whenever you need them showing they are very willing to contribute towards your success during AAT.”

Henry Taylor-Toone, Vice Principal Finance and Corporate Services at Chesterfield College said the following: “We’re very proud that Mitchells, a very well known and established Chesterfield business, has chosen Chesterfield College as their training provider. Chesterfield College is employer focused and our partnership with Mitchells demonstrates exactly what we can provide to local businesses – top quality education, delivered locally, helping apprentices, students and adults succeed in their chosen field. Apprentices from Mitchells are also a delight to teach which is always a bonus!”

David Waining, the firms Qualified Person Responsible for Training (QPRT) said “We have been very proud to work with all our apprentices. The joint provision between the training providers and ourselves provides the trainees with valuable experience of the practical work to apply the technical knowledge they have picked up in the classroom. We have had numerous success stories at all levels of the apprenticeship scheme and have looked to expand the number of apprenticeships we are offering across the firm because of these successes. We see this as a vital resource to grow our workforce.”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers and Chesterfield College 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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Success for undergraduates completing placement at Mitchells Chartered Accountants

A pair of undergraduates are set to take up permanent roles at Chesterfield’s Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, following a successful placement year working with the firm.

Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers have long been an Apprenticeship Ambassador, helping to promote Chesterfield as an Apprentice Town and raising awareness of apprenticeships and their benefits to strengthen the workforce of the local economy.

Some years ago, Mitchells put in place various strategies to ensure the development of a staff pipeline. Bringing in talented and dedicated people through apprenticeships and yearlong undergraduate placements is a vital element to their sustainable model for the future.

From the moment their training begins, everyone is assigned a mentor who monitors and supports their professional and personal development. They offer a comprehensive, fully supervised, structured training programme which is supported and closely monitored by a leading firm of external tutors. Training consists of a combination of courses at the tutors’ offices, private study and regular tests, as well as on-the-job training. Paid study leave is granted and course and examination fees are paid.

Alongside this, they have the support of Mitchells’ partners and senior staff, all ready and willing to offer guidance and advice at every stage of their journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant or Chartered Tax Adviser. The openness and friendly nature of all the staff makes it easy to speak up and ask for assistance whenever needed.

Melissa Grafton (pictured right) and Hannah Longton (pictured below) are undergraduates in Accounting and Finance. Melissa studying at University of Lincoln and Hannah studying at Sheffield Hallam University. They have both just completed their year’s placement at Mitchells.  This is what they had to say about their experience:

“Applying for a placement is a very daunting thought, after being in full time education for the past 20 years, the idea of writing up a CV and applying felt very overwhelming but this couldn’t have been put more at ease when we applied to Mitchells. The application process at Mitchells gave us both a great idea of what it would be like to work here with having an interview with both our line manager and a partner at the firm. This showed us how hands on our superiors are with new workers and what our work environment would be like.

“From the moment we started working at Mitchells we were given the space and jobs to help us develop as people both academically and personally. Some of the many personal skills we have developed include confidence, communication, and time management. Working in a corporate environment has greatly improved our time management skills as we have had to ensure we complete jobs on time in order of importance. We both believe our confidence and communication have developed hand in hand as Mitchells have always provided an environment to ask for help off colleagues and superiors to ensure that we are learning and developing on each job and never struggling.

“From spending the year at Mitchells, we can see exactly how transferrable the skills we have gained are to our final year at University. At University it can sometimes be hard to comprehend how theory is used in practise, but from working in different sectors and different clients. We have expanded our commercial awareness and our ability to retain and relate our knowledge. We have both felt our Excel skills have been greatly enhanced from being able to work on special and innovative projects within Mitchells.

“We have not only gained in skills and experience but have also gained an inclusive social work team. Every month our colleagues have made effort to include us and feel welcomed into the workspace by having monthly events such as escape rooms, and meals out. This has helped settle and ease our worries of joining the world of full-time employment. It has also helped us develop good working relationships.

“We couldn’t recommend completing a placement year at Mitchells enough, we have even had the lucky offer of being invited back. Which we have gladly accepted as we know that the Mitchells working environment will give us all the support as we study and work towards our ACA qualification to become a Chartered Accountant.”

Andrew McDaid, Partner at Mitchells said: “Throughout the year that both Melissa and Hannah have spent with us, they have consistently exceeded all expectations. The whole team at Mitchells wishes them all the best in the final year of their degrees and look forward to welcoming them back in 2023 as permanent colleagues.”

Dan Plumley, Principal Lecturer and Recruitment Lead for the department of Finance, Accounting and Business Systems at Sheffield Hallam University commented “Mitchells provide an excellent placement scheme for Sheffield Hallam Students and the fact that they then go on to secure full time work with Mitchells after they graduate is testament to the impression they make whilst on placement. This is exactly what placement years are all about for both the students and the employers as it gives them a chance of guaranteeing employment before they have even finished studying with us. We are delighted to work with Mitchells to offer students such great opportunities and experience and are always on the lookout for other local employers that would like to do the same.”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers supports 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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Collaborative working from Chesterfield firms leads to landmark deal… and regional recognition

The success of the recent landmark buyout of Heathcotes Group by partners Civitas and Envivo Group has led to new opportunities, and awards, for the financial brains behind the deal.

The buyout, presented and managed in a unique collaboration between Chesterfield Champions Milestone Financial Planning Services and Mitchells Chartered Accountants, has led the two businesses to team up formally.

This brand-new partnership, Mitchells Corporate Agents, is already in line for their first award, being shortlisted in Sheffield City Region’s Dealmaker Awards later this week. And in the words of Milestone Financial Planning’s MD Michael Heath, this is just the beginning.

Michael said: “It’s great to be shortlisted for this award, but more than that, we’re so pleased to be taking our collaboration with Mitchells to the next level. Together, we take the time to get to know our clients so we can protect them from the complex nature of a business sale, it’s what makes Mitchells Corporate Agents so different from our large-scale competitors.“

Instruction for the sale of healthcare group Heathcotes, which has 72 healthcare facilities located across the UK, including here in Chesterfield, was first received in March 2020 as COVID-19 reached its height, with the buyout agreed by the end of 2020.

On the sale, Tony Hornsby of Mitchells Chartered Accountants said. “It has been a privilege to work with Heathcotes Group from initial incorporation, through to working alongside Milestone Financial Planning on the business sale. We are very excited regarding our collaboration with Milestone as Mitchells Corporate Agents and believe this will offer tailored solutions and guidance to owners looking for similar business exits.”

The Insider Sheffield City Regional Dealmaker Awards are being held this Thursday, 7 October at Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and celebrate the top dealmakers in the region, recognising expertise, leadership and innovation in banking, funding, legal and accountancy.

Milestone Financial Planning, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Heathcotes Group support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Left: Tony Hornsby, Right: Michael Heath

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Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers celebrates UK Employee Ownership Day

Chesterfield Champion, Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers are delighted to be part of the UK Employee Ownership Day (EO Day), run by the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) today (Friday 25th June 2021.)

Mitchells are taking part in this year’s campaign, to celebrate and raise awareness of how business is better together for individuals, businesses, and the community.

Since 2018, the company has supported several of our region’s businesses through the decision to become employee owned and have become a Trustee on their Boards to support their future journey.

One such business is specialist engineering company, P&D Specialist Services which was established over 30 years ago by brothers Pat and Dave Musgrave.

Pat Musgrave explained: “At P&D, legacy has always been important to us, and we wanted to keep it that way.

“An EOT was the only option that checked all our boxes because it not only gave our employees security, it also ensured that the legacy we had built could still be developed within the community.

“We were delighted to hand the company over to the people who are the most invested and critical to the success of the business – the employees.”

The UK government introduced the concept of EO in 2014 to encourage more businesses to transition to the corporate structure, that many colloquially refer to as the “John Lewis” model.

Mitchells Partner, Andrew McDaid explained: “For many years, the entire concept was overlooked and under utilised.”

“We have been talking to clients about EO since 2018 and have seen firsthand, the benefits that employee ownership can bring.”

“It’s great to see so many businesses raising awareness of EO and for any businesses who would like to know more, I would encourage them to speak to a firm who has many years’ experience of advising and supporting businesses through the considerations and challenges, such as Mitchells.”

Deb Oxley, CEO for the Employee Ownership Association, said: “Companies such as P&D Specialist Services are great examples of the economic and social benefits that can be achieved when employees have a stake and a say in the business in which they work.

“This year’s EO Day theme reflects what we have been hearing from our members – when it comes to resilience, mental health and well-being and good business we are better together.

“This rapidly growing sector of the economy offers many great reasons why more employee ownership has lots to offer the UK as it seeks to recover from the pandemic.”

With numerous events running across the UK and the involvement of thousands of employee owners and other partners, EO Day is an integral part of the EOA’s events calendar and was introduced to raise awareness of employee ownership as an economically strong and balanced business model.

The benefits of employee ownership have been proven in EOA-led research, and include improving employee health and wellbeing, increasing productivity and fostering creativity and innovation across an array of industry sectors. In addition:

• UK employee owned companies contribute over £30 billion to the UK economy annually
• Employee-owners have higher levels of job satisfaction, feel a greater sense of achievement and job security, and are more likely to recommend their workplace than employees in non-employee owned businesses
• Employee owned businesses operate in a range of sectors including healthcare, social care, education, transport, manufacturing, retail and professional services

Mitchells Chartered Accountants supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Mitchells announces appointment of two female partners on International Women’s Day

The first female partners have been appointed at one of Derbyshire’s oldest firms of chartered accountants.

Laura Pain and Liz Fisher are the first female partners in Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers’ 153-year history.

Boasting an impressive 36 years combined service between them, tax and employer solutions specialist Liz and cloud accounting and start up expert Laura now join Tim Leeman, Andrew McDaid and Tony Hornsby in leading the strategic direction of the firm.

Respected and well-known in the business community, Liz and Laura organise regular and longstanding female networking events and head up the firm’s tax and small business divisions respectively.

Liz and Laura’s promotion not only recognises their long service but also their commitment to the continued growth of the business particularly over the last 12 months. Partner Tony Hornsby explained: “Over the past few years, and even more so since the pandemic, Liz and Laura have demonstrated their commitment and drive towards the continued growth of Mitchells and the development of the teams that works with them. They embody the ethos and character of Mitchells and I and my fellow partners are extremely excited at what they will bring to the continued growth and leadership of the firm.”

Laura is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). Her promotion comes 100 years after the registration of the first female chartered accountant in the world. In May 1920 Mary Harris Smith, at the age of 75 years old, was allowed to join the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). She had applied repeatedly however the ICAEW could not refuse her again after The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act was passed in 1919 opening the way for women to be admitted into professions such as accountancy.

Laura said: “I am thrilled to have made a little bit of history in the firm. Being one of the first-ever female partners at Mitchells is an incredible honour for me and I am proud that I can share it with Liz.”

Liz’s promotion in particular, embodies Mitchells’ longstanding commitment to growing and developing talent within the firm. She has been with Mitchells since leaving school in 1997, joining the firm in a part time admin role after completing her A Levels. She went on to complete an ATT apprenticeship and later qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser (one of three at Mitchells), winning a distinction for one of the exam papers.

She commented: “Twenty-four years ago the head of sixth form at my school said that leaving education to take up a workplace traineeship would be the worst decision I’d ever make. I hope my recent promotion will inspire other young people currently at a crossroads over whether to choose higher education or the world of work. As I have shown, if you join the right company, which believes in supporting employees and developing them then there is no barrier to progression within your career.”

Laura added: “The last 12 months in my 22-year career in accountancy has been one of the most challenging but also the most rewarding. “I am very proud of the advice and support I and the Mitchells’ team have delivered to clients during the pandemic crisis. I am delighted to join Andrew, Tim, Tony and Liz in leading such a strong and dedicated team.”

Mitchells is a leading accountancy and business advisory firm based in Chesterfield. The firm prides itself on its pragmatic and down-to-earth approach, providing high quality accountancy and taxation services and business advice to all types of industry sectors. It is one of only a handful of care home specialists and their services in this sector are in demand nationally.

With a team of 40 staff, Mitchells is large enough to take on the most demanding of businesses but small enough to provide personal care and attention. The firm is a proud Chesterfield Champion and devoted to supporting the town in its economic development and success.

For more information about Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, please visit www.mitchellsaccountants.co.uk

Mitchells Chartered Accountants supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through  Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Mitchells Chartered Accountants blasts off the New Year by announcing new recruits

Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers based in central Chesterfield are starting 2021 with optimism and have announced the recent recruitment of several new staff members.

The leading accountancy firm has a long-established reputation as an excellent employer and are also part of the Chesterfield Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, helping to promote all aspects of apprenticeships, including traineeships, higher and degree level apprenticeships.

Their Employer Solutions team continue to provide support and guidance to their clients through the myriad of changes to Government support measures; ensuring their clients take full advantage of the various available grants and other support mechanisms. Their Corporate teams also continue to advise their clients through the complexities of Brexit.

Despite the current economic environment, they have also continued to experience high demand for their core services from their growing client base, consisting primarily of owner-managed SME’s. To assist with this growth, they have recently recruited several new full time members of staff.

Recently, Mitchells moved to strengthen their small business department with the return of a former placement Student, Jessica Wright. Jess completed a year’s placement with Mitchells during 2018-2019 and went on to achieve a first class degree in Mathematics from Sheffield Hallam University. Even though Jess didn’t study accountancy, the time she spent with Mitchells gave her an essential insight into the industry which confirmed her future career path.

Small Business Manager, Laura Pain said: “We were very pleased to welcome Jess back to the firm in September this year and she is now studying towards her professional qualifications.”

Partner Andrew McDaid said: “We believe that staffing is a critical factor in service delivery and look for knowledgeable, personable team members who will receive training to ensure they meet modern-day business demands, as well as the human side of being a people-to-people business.”

Regarding the various new roles, Andrew went on to explain: “The roles are client facing and we therefore require individuals who are keen to advance their knowledge of accounting by applying themselves in a dynamic accountancy practice.”

Charlie Furniss recently started, having been made redundant from his role as an assistant accountant at another firm, due to Covid-19. He is currently level 3 AAT qualified and looking forward to further his studies at Mitchells.

Charlie said “Having been made redundant at such a young age during the current pandemic, I was nervous about getting another job. I am delighted to have joined Mitchells, where everyone is so friendly and helpful. I am driven by learning new skills and expanding my working experience and can’t wait to complete my AAT qualification”.

Jeffrey O’Gara recently started having graduated with a first class degree in Accounting & Finance in 2018 at Sheffield Hallam University. He initially moved into industry but was looking for the right move into practice.

Jeffrey explained “I am eager to learn and plan on becoming a Chartered Accountant in the next few years and I believe Mitchells will be a great place for me to achieve this. The chance to work with and improve the local business community with a personal touch is something I want to be involved in”.

Mitchells’ specialist corporate finance team provide a complete end-to-end service for businesses looking at an acquisition, a management buy out, business sale or succession planning. They have extensive experience of successfully arranging corporate finance packages for businesses across a wide range of sectors, including hospitality, manufacturing, commercial construction, healthcare and transport, with finance amounts ranging from £100,000 to £200 million.

Despite the current challenging environment, they are still completing on many deals and don’t see this stopping any time soon.

Andrew McDaid said “We are always forward-thinking and have been pondering the shape of the post-pandemic world. We knew we wanted to strengthen our corporate finance team to accommodate our strategic ambitions and we knew we had found the right guy with Rob Drake”.

Rob recently started at Mitchells as a corporate finance executive. Rob obtained a 1st class degree in Mathematics at University of Sheffield and became a Chartered Accountant in 2019.

Robert was a financial consultant for a High Street bank for several years before moving into practice. He has developed experience working for a wide range of business within both an accounting and audit capacity having worked at a large regional firm since 2016. Having completed his ACA exams in 2019, Robert was seeking an opportunity away from audit that would allow him to continue his professional development.

Rob explained: “When I decided to pursue opportunities outside of audit, I was keen to expand my knowledge in corporate finance. After meeting with Andrew, Tony and Tim, I instantly recognised that we shared the same values. I’m very much looking forward to working with the team and helping deliver a quality service to existing and new clients of Mitchells.”

Andrew McDaid commented: “Robert is a highly confident individual; he is a very personable individual and demonstrates excellent communication skills with a clear commitment to working hard and continuing the development of his career”.

When asked about the challenges in recruiting, training and servicing its clients during a lockdown, Andrew said: “Our IT strategy has always been to invest heavily in technology to keep our business relevant and competitive. This included an upgrade of our entire IT hardware in 2020, which together with our cloud servers meant that we were able to transition to full time remote working without any issues whatsoever. We have the necessary tools and software to create collaborative experiences for staff and clients, which help to develop important relationships and ultimately continue to deliver standout client service.”

Mitchells are enthusiastic energised by the possibilities of 2021 and beyond and encourage the business community to remain optimistic.

Mitchells supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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