Chesterfield’s collaborative spirit drives economic growth and skills development in manufacturing
Chesterfield has a well-established manufacturing heritage and a proven track record of cross-sector collaboration. Across education, business, local government, and strategic partnerships, the town demonstrates how joined-up thinking can boost economic growth, skills development, and place transformation.
At a recent roundtable hosted by Destination Chesterfield, held at the Casa Hotel, participants highlighted Chesterfield’s ability to bring people together and how this continues to support the growth of the local manufacturing sector.
“We’ve got a very cooperative business community in Chesterfield,” said Ivan Fomin, Director at MSE Hiller. “We get used to it and forget how good it is. When I talk about it in other places, they wish they had it.”
This collaboration is the result of years of relationship-building, shared initiatives, and a commitment to cross-sector working. The Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership, Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Manufacturing Forum, Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield play vital roles in connecting people and aligning efforts.
Lynda Sharp, Economic Development Manager at Chesterfield Borough Council, said:
“We’ve got 335 manufacturing businesses, which is 9% of our total, compared to a national average of 4.5%. There’s strength in numbers, and opportunity.”
Through collaboration, major projects are being completed, driving the sector’s long-term growth and attracting investor interest. These include the new Investment Zone, the DRiiVE rail innovation centre, and the Engineering, Manufacturing and Life Sciences Centre at Chesterfield College.
These developments also extend into education and workforce engagement, ensuring long-term sector resilience.
Rhys Robinson, Director of Employer Partnerships at Chesterfield College, shared how the college is embedding employer engagement into its curriculum. He said:
“We’ve developed a partnership framework that allows us to understand what our employers need, recognise collaboration, and measure the output. It’s about making the college a community space where employers come and go, shaping the curriculum and supporting students.”
The University of Derby is taking a similar approach. Rob Ricketts, Industry Engagement Lead, said:
“We’re aiming to be the most industry-engaged university in the UK. That means every academic must bring industry into their teaching. We’re flipping the model, students will leave with real experience, not just theory.”
This joined-up approach is helping Chesterfield respond to national challenges such as skills shortages, funding uncertainty, and shifting policy landscapes.
Ian Bates, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said:
“We’ve had a lot of changes in funding. But if you’ve got a framework to deliver support and the funding feeds into that, it makes things simpler. Businesses don’t always need help when you knock on the door; they need it when they need it.”
Destination Chesterfield plays a key role in highlighting the support on offer and opportunities to collaborate.
Dom Stevens, Head of Destination Chesterfield, said:
“We’re a marketing organisation, but we’re also a collaboration organisation. We bring people together to support the economy and the people of Chesterfield.”
As the East Midlands Combined County Authority launches its inclusive growth strategy, Chesterfield is well-positioned to support delivery through its coordinated, cross-sector approach. Strategic investment, strong partnerships, and collaborative initiatives underpin the town’s ability to turn ambition into action.
Initiatives such as the Made in Chesterfield Festival have evolved into region-wide programmes that connect businesses and students with real opportunities. Meanwhile, coordinated investment in place marketing has helped to raise the borough’s profile and attract growth.
Get Involved
If you are a business based in Chesterfield or North Derbyshire and would like to support a collaborative approach to inclusive growth, discover more about Destination Chesterfield and the Chesterfield Champions at www.chesterfield.co.uk/champions.
