Champion of the Week
Meet our Champion of the Week: Jessica Risorto, Director at Redbrik Estate Agents
I’m Jessica Risorto, Director at Redbrik Estate Agents. I joined the business in 2015, starting on the phones and working my way through almost every role in the industry, giving me a ground‑level understanding of the industry. In January 2022, I was invited to join the Board of Directors. I’m passionate about creating a vibrant, secure workplace for local people and supporting our community through the challenges of moving home.
What is your organisation looking forward to?
We’re entering an exciting new chapter following the acquisition of Bothams. This enables us to expand our property offering by launching a dedicated commercial department. We’re proud to bring the Redbrik approach to this sector while honouring the heritage Bothams established in Chesterfield.
What makes Chesterfield and North Derbyshire a good place to work?
The focus on people. As an independent business, we are constantly evolving and developing our team, and we shape roles around colleagues’ strengths, and through apprenticeships and work experience, we provide local talent with a clear pathway into the industry.
What sparked your decision to invest in Chesterfield?
Chesterfield is more than a location; it’s a thriving business community. There’s a genuine sense of camaraderie. Business owners support one another and celebrate each other’s success. This creates a positive environment to grow and run a business.
Who has provided advice and how has it helped?
I’m an avid networker and believe shared learning is vital. We can’t all be masters of everything, so I value in the advice and services provided by other local businesses.
How are you supporting young people?
It’s rewarding to visit primary and secondary schools to educate students on the realities of saving, renting, and buying, as well as careers.
How are you supporting our communities?
Community is at our core. We’re proud headline sponsor of the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K, an event we’ve supported for a decade.
How would you describe Chesterfield and North Derbyshire in three words?
Home. Community. Partnership.
What experiences would you recommend?
I love our Chesterfield town centre events, like the Chesterfield Glow Up. I also recommend a wander down Chatsworth Road to browse the independent shops.
How does Chesterfield showcase its culture and heritage?
We celebrate our heritage by breathing new life into historic spaces. From the Crooked Spire and Market Square to the former Stephenson Memorial Hall (1435), our architecture becomes a backdrop for modern life. Events like the Derbyshire Makes festival, the 1940s Market, and our Artisan Markets honour our maker roots while supporting today’s creatives. It’s this blend of old‑world character and new‑world energy that makes our culture so unique.
Where in Chesterfield holds a special connection for you?
The town centre is the heart of my world. I met my husband while running his family’s restaurant on Glumangate, and that street will always be where our story began in fact, I’ve never left the street because it’s where Redbrik is based. We’ve built our life here in Chesterfield, raising our two boys and two dogs. It’s where our family’s story continues.
What have you most enjoyed supporting as a Chesterfield Champion?
I’ve found it incredibly rewarding to watch our local business community thrive over 15 years. The connections within the Champions group are invaluable, but it’s been most exciting to see the network evolve and become more diverse.
What is your vision for 2030?
A thriving residential and hospitality hub where our town centre becomes a 24/7 destination for living, dining, and socialising. Improving accessibility and ease of movement will be key to creating a place people want to visit and stay.
Redbrik Estate Agents is one of over 200 Chesterfield organisations that are proud to support the local economy, working closely with Destination Chesterfield to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as a destination to live, work, visit and invest.
Find out more about our Champions network.
