This month, it was Top Hats and Tiaras at Chesterfield Champions Shorts, when they held a ‘dress-up day’ in support of the Master Cutler’s Challenge.

The Master and Mistress Cutler (Nicholas and Liz Cragg) try to visit as many participating companies as possible during the duration of the challenge, and Shorts were delighted when he chose to visit both of their offices along with Jack Kidder, Corporate Fundraising Manager at St. Luke’s and had the opportunity to speak to many of the team about the challenge and the charities who benefit from the funds raised.

Andy Irvine commented “We’ve been taking part in weekly dress down Fridays, but it was one of our tax team, who came up with the suggestion that we organise a ‘dress-up’ day for a change – something a bit different.  This seemed a great idea and we were delighted that so many of the team got on board with the idea.  The weather this week has been absolutely appalling, so we were especially delighted that so many people made the effort to make their way into work in all their finery.”

Jack Kidder added “Having spoken to a number of the teams taking part in this year’s challenge, there are as always, a wide variety of interesting and fun events taking place.  It’s great to see such enthusiasm, and originality from this year’s participators, and in all my years in fundraising, I haven’t come across anyone doing a dress-up day before.  We thoroughly enjoyed visiting both of Shorts’ offices and it was fantastic to see so many people taking part.”

There were a variety of outfits worn during the day, from evening dresses to black tie and dinner jackets, with tiaras, crowns and plenty of jewels.   A competition was held, and a bottle of champagne awarded to the ‘best dressed’ in both offices, with Margaret McPhail and Alexandra Robinson taking the titles.

The Master Cutler’s Challenge is now in its 12th year, and this year’s chosen primary charities are St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield and Rotherham Hospice.  Businesses across the Sheffield City Region are invited to raise as much as possible in fundraising for the two charities, and Shorts have already been busy, raising over £2,900 with a 13-mile sponsored walk, dress down Fridays, monthly cake sales and a variety of office sweepstakes and Last Man Standing competitions.

University of Derby Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kathryn Mitchell, and Sarah Barley-McMullen, the University’s LGBT+ Allies Staff Network Chair, have both received a regional Stonewall Award, in acknowledgement of their commitment to role modelling inclusion and equality.

In February this year, the University of Derby rose 189 points in the Stonewall Workplace Index, putting it within reach of becoming one of the most inclusive LGBT+ 100 employers in the UK.

Through the work identified in the University’s Stonewall Workplace Index submission, Stonewall awarded Professor Kathryn Mitchell ‘Stonewall Senior Champion of the Year’ for the Midlands, and Sarah Barley-McMullen ‘Stonewall Role Model of the Year’ for the Midlands.

Professor Mitchell said: “The University of Derby places great importance on having Role Models and Allies for those with protected characteristics, so we are delighted that our work to promote inclusion, equality and diversity has been recognised in this way by Stonewall. 

“Our LGBT+ staff network has over 55 members, who are actively engaged in creating an inclusive culture where students and staff can explore their identity in a safe and supportive environment. 

“Over the last year we have embedded more specific support mechanisms for Trans and Bi students, deepening the richness of the University’s diversity even further. We know that if someone is able to be their whole self when they come through the University’s doors, then they are more likely to engage proactively in their studies, and in their professional and academic roles.”

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York, where role models and allies of the LGBT+ community made a stand against the violence and discrimination that was thrown at them daily.

Pride events are now held all over the world, bringing together people who represent many different religious beliefs, identities and abilities.

For the first time, the University is sponsoring three local Pride events in Chesterfield, Derby and Belper. The events celebrate LGBT+ culture and brings together the diverse communities across Derbyshire.

In addition, an Inclusion Quality Mark is being created with graduate employers and stakeholders. This is to ensure benchmarking and the consistency of inclusive practice continues for graduates in employment and students on placement. 

Sarah Barley-McMullen added: “One of the worst things anyone can do to someone else is treat them as though they are invisible and as though how they identify is wrong. Having visible Role Models and Allies within an organisation not only says, we see you, you matter, it also gives people the confidence to be their whole self within an organisation.

“The University of Derby does not identify difference in order to consciously be inclusive, but instead it creates a culture that normalises difference and respects who we are all meant to be. Through this approach the University is role modelling positive cultural change.”

The number of people in work across the East Midlands rose in the three months to the end of April compared to the previous quarter according to figures released this morning.

Office for National Statistics data showed there were 2,343,049 in work, 31,713 more than during the three months to the end of January.

Over the same periods, the number of people recorded as unemployed fell by 8,421 to 105,124, giving an unemployment rate of 4.3% – a 0.4 percentage point improvement.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at award-winning East Midlands Chamber*, said: “Once again the figures underline the robustness of the region. They show that despite all the doubt and uncertainty over Brexit and the continuing upheaval in Parliament, businesses in the East Midlands continue to do what they do best – create jobs and wealth.

“Although there have been blips over the past year, the overall trend continues to show increasing employment and falling unemployment.”

Today’s figures showed that nationally the East Midlands had the highest proportion of jobs in the production sector at 14.4%.

Despite the improved regional employment figures, the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance rose by 1,070 across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire in May compared with April, with Nottingham city seeing the biggest individual rise and Derbyshire, excluding Derby, recording the fewest new sign-ons.

Chesterfield Champions Shorts recently teamed up with Keebles and NatWest to act as lead advisors, legal representatives and funders, to Stacy Phillips on his recent management buy-out of motor parts specialists, Bullseye Superfactors Ltd.

Bullseye have been supplying car parts to South Yorkshire and the surrounding areas for over 38 years.  Stacy first joined the company in 1989 and for the last six years has been Managing Director, playing an active role in the development and growth of the business.  This culminated in being given the opportunity to put together a Management buy-out when the owners decided to sell.

Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner with Shorts comments: “We are delighted to have advised Stacy on the successful completion of this transaction.  This transaction required key support on tax (David Robinson) as well as corporate finance (Adam Ames) and great teamwork between ourselves, Stacy, Keebles and NatWest. We look forward to seeing Stacy continue to grow the business.”

Steve Mayor, Relationship Director at NatWest’s South Yorkshire Commercial Office added, “We are delighted to assist Stacy with funding to complete the MBO of Bullseye and are confident the business will progress under his leadership.  It has been a pleasure to work with local professionals on the deal and we wish Stacy every success for the future.”

Corporate Finance Partner at Keebles, Paul Trudgill said: “It was a pleasure to assist Stacy to complete the buy-out of a business which he has been key to driving over recent times.”

Stacy added “I will continue to manage the business, and as far as existing clients are concerned it will be business as usual.  I am very excited for the next phase of what promises to be an exciting period for the company.”

A family run business, Bullseye’s reputation has built on providing a friendly and helpful service, carrying an extensive range of top brand components and accessories.  With 17 branches throughout South Yorkshire and surrounding region, they offer a competitive and responsive service for customers.