Award winning law firm and Chesterfield Champion Banner Jones has further strengthened its Family Law division with the appointment of senior solicitor Shetal Gudgeon and the promotion of Kelly Parks to Director, who takes on the role of Head of Family Law.

Recognised as a recommended Family Lawyer in The Good Lawyer Guide – the independent guide to solicitors in England and Wales – and possessing a specialist accreditation in children related and domestic violence cases, Shetal brings with her 15 years of experience advising on a diverse range of complex family law issues relating to married, unmarried and same sex couples including divorce, financial, children and injunction proceedings.

She joins from Best Solicitors and will be splitting her time between the firm’s Sheffield and Chesterfield-based Family Law teams.

Her appointment follows the promotion of Kelly Parks’ to Director and Head of Family Law; overseeing all issues relating to personal relationships, relationship breakdown, high value financial disputes and child arrangement disputes.

Director and Head of Human Resources, Chris Sellars, said the expansion of the team’s offering was strategic, and would allow the firm to meet growing demand from family’s seeking advice.

He said:-

“Recognising talent, commitment and dedication is incredibly important at Banner Jones, and so I am delighted to announce Kelly’s promotion to Director and Head of Family Law. With 15-years’ specific family law experience which includes over five years at Stowe Family Law, the largest specialist Family Law firm in the UK, Kelly has become integral to the team and the service we provide our clients since joining us in 2017.

“We are also delighted to welcome Shetal who brings with her considerable expertise, further bolstering our ability to meet increased demand.”

Kelly commented:-

“With increasing scope to be involved in regional, national and international cases I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Family Law team at Banner Jones during a period of growth and expansion.

“Shetal and I were trainee solicitors together 17 years ago and it’s great to be reunited; she is a welcome addition to our established Family Law team and it will be great to work with her again.”

Shetal commented:-

“This is a very exciting opportunity to join an award winning, ambitious law firm with a long-established reputation for excellence.”

With both companies advised by local Professionals, Chesterfield engineering firm BG Engineering Limited has acquired the share capital of Sheffield based Pentag Gears and Oilfield Equipment Limited (“Pentag”).

Pentag has been operating for over 100 years and designs and manufactures high quality gearing for bespoke projects.  As part of the transaction Martin Wragg and Andrew Larkin will remain with the combined business as it locates to the 40,000 sq. ft. BG facility at Holmewood, Chesterfield.

Pentag was advised on the disposal by Andy Ryder and Ellie Wilcockson of Shorts Chartered Accountants with legal advice provided by John Baddeley at Wake Smith.  BG were advised by Steve Bell and Lisa Ritson of Castle Square Corporate Finance with legal advice provided by Paul Trudgill and James Burdekin of HLW Keeble Hawson.

The transaction follows on the back of Cooper Brown Enterprise Limited’s (“CBE”) acquisition of a strategic stake in BG in April 2017 which was then followed by the acquisition of NiTEC Engineering Limited in August.

Marie Cooper, Director of CBE, said:-

“The opportunity to acquire the Pentag business will allow BG to grow and the acquisition of the complimentary skill base at Pentag will allow us to continue to invest in infrastructure and staff to deliver further growth in existing and new markets.”

Andy Ryder, Partner at Shorts Accountants, said:-

“It has been a pleasure to help Andrew and Martin find a suitable acquirer for this historic company. I look forward to seeing the Pentag business go from strength to strength under new ownership.”

Steve Bell, Director at Castle Square, said:-

“This is the third transaction within the last twelve months that the firm has advised CBE on. The Pentag acquisition emphasises the focus of investing into CBE group specialist engineering businesses in the Sheffield City Region and beyond. We look forward to continuing to work with CBE on this exciting stage of development.”

John Baddeley, who has acted for Pentag over the years, added:-

‘We are really pleased to have advised the shareholders of Pentag on this transaction and assisted in securing the best possible outcome for all parties involved. The shareholders are delighted with the strong message from BG Engineering that growth, support and investment, as part of a bigger company, will be forthcoming.

“We wish Pentag and BG the best of luck in their future plans.”

Paul Trudgill of HLW Keeble Hawson said:-

“It was a pleasure to advise CBE on another strategic acquisition.  The fit between Pentag and BG was obvious and as a combined business the opportunities for both elements to grow are very exciting.”

Ritzy’s Bar, the latest addition to Chesterfield’s nightlife offering opened its doors to great acclaim, with local celebrity and former English, Commonwealth and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) European Champion Ross “The Boss” Berkinshaw on hand to mark its official opening.

Local entrepreneur and owner Justin Fleming was advised on the purchase of his new venture by leading regional law firm Banner Jones Solicitors.

Ian Osborn, commercial property specialist at Banner Jones Solicitors, who advised on the deal commented:-

“Ritzy’s Bar further strengthens Chesterfield’s retail and restaurant line up, supporting the market town’s growing local economy and nightlife scene.

“We were proud to support Justin with the planning, helping to secure the right property, which is crucial to the business requirements. We wish Justin and the team every success with the exciting new venture.”

Justin commented:-

“I am delighted to have opened Ritzy’s Bar Chesterfield and in doing so achieving a lifelong ambition. My thanks to Banner Jones for their support throughout the process as I turned my ‘big idea’ into a thriving new business.”

Guests to the eagerly-anticipated launch enjoyed canapes and Italian prosecco, the trendy alternative to French Champagne, as well as a variety of hand-picked ales, which are all on offer at the newly opened venue.

Ritzy’s Bar Chesterfield will be hosting live music and open-mic sessions every Tuesday, offering 2-4-1 cocktails Tuesday through to Saturday 5pm – 7pm with a real home-from-home atmosphere.

Chesterfield Champions and estate agency, Pinewood Property Estates, received the Gold in the Local Agency 2-5 Branches Group, as well as Gold in the Best Letting Agency in the East Midland Group at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards for 2018, the biggest awards in the UK property industry.

The winners were announced by Phil Spencer, the TV property expert at a lavish luncheon & ceremony at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane London attended by 1,000 of the UK’s top property professionals.

The awards, celebrating their 15^th year determine the best estate and letting agents in the UK based purely on feedback from customers who are asked a series of questions about the service they have received from their agent, over 36,000 surveys were completed by customers during the competition.

Stacey Davies-Bowler, Managing Director of Pinewood Property Estates, said:-

“We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised at this year’s ESTAS. It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance.  We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice.  We have always been very proud of the personal service and this proves we are delivering what we promise.”

Phil Spencer, who has hosted the ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003 said:-

“The ESTAS are special because shortlisted and winning firms are selected purely on the service you deliver to your clients. Real feedback from real customers experiencing real service, I don’t think there can be a greater honor in the industry than to receive an award based on that mantra.”

Estate and letting agents were recognised in 25 regions around the UK.  National Grand Prix Awards were also announced for the Best Single Agent Office in sales and lettings.

Simon Brown Founder of The ESTAS said:-

“At The ESTAS we’re proud to say we believe in old fashioned values like customer service. We know how hard it is to deliver it and that’s why we put the spotlight on property firms who are committed to providing excellent service. The ESTAS brand helps generate consumer trust for all property professionals involved in the home moving process.”

Charlie Bryant, the new Managing Director ZPG’s Property division addressed the audience:-

 “ZPG’s objectives are precisely aligned with those of The ESTAS because we know how demanding consumers are, The ESTAS awards are based on the public votes you receive, so your recognition today is much deserved. Many congratulations to all of this year’s winners and runners up who have been recognised for the excellent standard of customer service they delivered throughout the year.”

Perry’s Motor Group have announced they are to open their doors to their new Spire Walk site on Saturday 19th May.

Chesterfield Champion, Henry Boot Developments, started work on the site infrastructure back in June 2016 before passing over to Perrys Motor Group to construct their new dealership facility.

Fronting the A61, Spire Walk is situated on the former Donkin Valve Works site and includes a range of mixed uses, including retail, a new Community Fire station for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and office buildings. The car dealership is the final piece of the jigsaw and concludes the redevelopment of the former Valve Works.

Justin Sheldon, Senior Development Surveyor at Henry Boot Developments, who was responsible for the site commented:-

“It will be great to see this gateway site completed as Spire Walk is the first, highly prominent, development that is seen when travelling from the M1 to Chesterfield.”

The Perrys Motor Group store joins a number of new additions to Spire Walk including Go Outdoors that opened in March and Xercise4less gym which is set to open its doors in June.

From a perfect location, to quality workforce and a vibrant business community – Chesterfield is not your typical market town – and there are many reasons as to why businesses are deciding to Invest in Chesterfield.  There is currently over £1 billion of regeneration projects in progress and many more opportunities on the way.