Business awards success for Chesterfield Champions
Chesterfield’s business community is proving its strength this summer, with a series of business award wins and shortlists placing local firms in the spotlight.
Mortgage 1st, Roy Peters Estates, and CMP Legal, all Chesterfield Champions, have received major recognition for their innovation, leadership, and community impact.
Together, their successes showcase the talent and ambition fuelling the town’s economy.
Mortgage 1st – Industry leadership and community impact
Mortgage 1st, a Chesterfield-based brokerage, is celebrating an outstanding summer, earning national titles and local recognition.
In June, the firm was crowned Mortgage Broker of the Year (11–50 advisers) at the Financial Reporter Broker’s Choice Awards, winning for the third consecutive year.
The following month, Managing Director Jon Stones was named Business Leader of the Year at the prestigious British Mortgage Awards, praised for his people-first culture and ambitious leadership. Regarded as one of the industry’s most respected events, the awards are often called ‘the Oscars of the mortgage world’.
That same month, Mortgage 1st also received the Business Community Award at the Bolsover Place Programme anniversary event, recognising its inspiring work with schools and young people.
Adding to the celebrations, three team members are finalists in the Women’s Recognition Awards this October:
- Lisa Stones, Operations Director – Women in the Mortgage Industry
- Hayley Port, Mortgage & Protection Adviser – Protection Adviser of the Year
- Nicola Hardy, Senior Specialist Adviser – Specialist Lending Adviser of the Year
Judges praised Jon’s leadership, stating: “A really close category of exceptional leaders, but Jon stood out with a business performance that demonstrated growth and diversification, a culture that focuses on people before results, and an ambition and commitment to his firm and market that was really impressive.”
“It’s been another fantastic year so far for our business. Jon & I are extremely proud of what we continue to achieve alongside our talented team,” Operations Director Lisa Stones commented.
Roy Peters Estates – Award-winning standards
Roy Peters Estates is also celebrating both individual and company success.
After dedicated study, apprentice George completed his Level 3 in Housing and Property Management with Distinction. He also gained his Apprenticeship and Membership of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Propertymark).
George will be presented with his certificates by Founder and Managing Partner Roy Cutt. The presentation will take place in the company’s garden.
The garden was created by the directors to recognise the team’s efforts in achieving the British Property Award. The firm has once again been named Best Letting Agency in Chesterfield at the British Property Awards. This marks its second year running and fourth time overall.
Judged through mystery shopping, the award highlights the consistently high standards delivered by the team.
Roy Peters Estates has also joined the Propertymark Company Advantage programme, further underlining its commitment to industry-leading standards.
“Roy, Emma, and Richard, Directors of Roy Peters Estates, are delighted to welcome George as a full member of our team following his great results and industry qualifications, and also wish to recognise the hard work of every member of our small team in ensuring we retained the Best Letting Agency in Chesterfield Award for the second year running.”
CMP Legal – National recognition in the legal sector
CMP Legal has been shortlisted for six awards across the Yorkshire Legal Awards and the East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women Awards.
Co-founder and solicitor Anna Cattee is a finalist for Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year. She was recognised for leading £140 million worth of corporate transactions in just 12 months. A record rivaling some of the region’s largest law firms. She is also one of the few Notary Publics in the region and a mother to three young children.
“Over that time, I’ve gone from being an employed junior lawyer to a salaried partner and now co-founder of a successful law firm,” Anna said. “These award nominations are wonderful recognition for everyone at CMP Legal. Without teamwork, we could not have achieved what we have in less than five years.”
CMP Legal is also a finalist in three further categories at the Yorkshire Legal Awards:
Trainee of the Year (Harrison Easley), Employment Law, and Corporate & Commercial.
Harrison’s nomination celebrates his innovative work introducing AI into the firm’s practice management system.
The firm is also shortlisted in the Enterprising Women Awards for Team of the Year and Small Business of the Year. Winners will be announced on 26 September 2025.
These nominations follow national recognition earlier this year. CMP Legal was listed in the Legal 500 for Corporate and Commercial. An exceptional achievement for its first submission.
The firm also won Niche Law Firm of the Year and Legal and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year at the Sheffield & District Law Society Awards.
