Businesses are being urged to take part in a survey that will provide a last look at their main concerns ahead of the General Election.

The results will provide a snapshot of confidence levels in the fourth quarter since the EU-Referendum last June and set a benchmark against which the success of the new Government can be judged.

The East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for the second three months of 2017 asks businesses how they have fared in the three months to the end of May and expect to fare in the three months from the start of June, including whether they expect their prices to rise and are considering increasing wages.

There are additional questions this quarter to determine relationships between growth and recruitment, planned investment in staff training and what factors might influence investment in training.

Whether employers believe they will get good value from the apprenticeship levy also features.

Data collated from the East Midlands Chamber QES will update the regional State of the Economy Index – which last quarter was at its highest since Q2 2105 – and is fed into the British Chambers of Commerce QES, which builds a national picture of business confidence and shapes the BCC’s interactions with Government.

Chris Hobson, the Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“It takes only a few minutes to complete the survey and the information it gives us is vital to driving our policies and the issues on which we will campaign on behalf of businesses.

“You don’t have to be a Chamber member to take part, the important thing is that we get as many businesses as possible to complete the survey so that we build the most accurate picture possible and can make sure our lobbying activities properly reflect the concerns of regional businesses.”

To take part in the survey click here. The closing date is 12 June.

Simon Marsden has been appointed to lead NLT Training Services. The training provider, which has offices in Chesterfield and Scunthorpe, has appointed Simon as Chief Executive.

Simon has been involved with NLT since 2014 as the vice chairman of the training organisation’s board. He has since resigned the position to take up the role of Chief Executive.

Simon comes from a chemical engineering background and has had managing director roles with Oilgear in Leeds, KM Furniture in Chesterfield and, most recently, DarenthMJS in Sheffield.

He joins NLT at an exciting time in the charity’s 40-year history. Most recently it has rebranded, launching a new website which boasts online booking for NLT’s Health & Safety courses.

Simon, delighted to join NLT as Chief Executive, said:-

“The support, training and mentoring I had in the early years of my career enabled me to become a managing director of a multi-million-pound company at the age of 29. Having been the beneficiary of training and support I have always wanted to put something back. Becoming a board member with NLT allowed me to do this, however, taking up the Chief Executive role is where I hope to make a significant difference both in the organisation and with our young people and employers.”

He is a passionate believer in training and development to enhance workforce skills.  His key priorities in his new role include strengthening the delivery of engineering training, developing the popular pre Apprenticeship programme, Evolve, and reviewing NLT’s commercial courses delivered at NLT’s Chesterfield and Scunthorpe sites as well as in the workplace.

Simon explained:-

“The experience we give learners and employers is of paramount importance and I want to ensure that NLT earns the strongest possible reputation for helping the next generation acquire the skills, knowledge and qualifications that local businesses need. There is a real opportunity to build on our existing successes and long history. NLT has a committed and supportive team who are all focused on delivering the best possible outcome for individuals.”

He added:-

“I am hugely excited for the challenge ahead. Together, I know we can make NLT the go-to provider in north Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.”

Outside work Simon, who has two children in post 16 education, enjoys badminton and travelling. He has visited most parts of the world including recent trips to Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Later this year, he plans to return to Barcelona and cruise to the Azores and Madeira.

Pensions specialist Graeme Goodwin has joined Chesterfield-based Start Financial Planning as a Paraplanner.

He joins the growing independent financial advice firm from a leading national accountants and is Start’s second appointment this year. He also brings with him more than 10 years’ experience working on final salary pension schemes with a well-known international organisation to his new role at Start.

Within his new role, Graeme will ensure the firm is at the forefront of the changing financial planning landscape, supporting the firm’s directors in delivering independent financial advice.

Describing what attracted him to the role, Graeme said:-

“I was attracted by the family feel of the office and the opportunity to take a more hands-on, holistic approach with people planning their financial future. I am not only researching the various markets for our clients’ needs but also liaising with them to ensure a full understanding so that we can deliver the best solution both immediately and ongoing.”

Commenting on his appointment Steve, director of Start Financial Planning, said:-

“We’re delighted to welcome Graeme on board at Start. His appointment represents a significant step forward for the business. His technical knowledge is extensive, enabling us to deliver an enhanced service to our clients and grow the business in the right way.”

Outside work Graeme, who lives in Sheffield, enjoys running, football and mountain biking.

Start Financial Planning deals with pensions, tax planning, estate planning, investments, business and personal protection.

Kind-hearted Chesterfield residents have donated £29,000 to local causes in the past 12 months through the mayor’s appeal.

During their term of office from May 2016 to May 2017, Chesterfield’s mayor, Councillor Steve Brunt and his wife and mayoress, Mrs Jill Mannion-Brunt, supported by a dedicated team have organised more than 30 events to support building the new Macmillan Cancer Centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Accessible Derbyshire.

These events have included a charity beer festival at the Assembly Rooms in Chesterfield Market Hall, a ‘fish and fizz’ event, a Christmas jumper night and a sporting dinner with Matthew Hoggard MBE.

In addition, Councillor Brunt also entered a relay team into the Chesterfield Marathon last September where he was joined by Councillor John Dickinson, Councillor Amanda Serjeant and Chesterfield Borough Council’s chief executive, Huw Bowen.

They also organised the Whistle for the Somme event to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme last summer.

Councillor Steve Brunt, mayor of Chesterfield 2016/17 said:-

“We have had a great year and our fundraising team have worked tirelessly throughout and the generosity of Chesterfield people helped us to realise such a fantastic sum of monies and much needed funds for our two charities”.

Councillor Brunt and Mrs Mannion-Brunt presented a cheque with money raised from the mayor’s appeal. to both charities in a ceremony held in the mayor’s parlour at Chesterfield Town Hall.

The senior partner of Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Richard Trueman, has retired after nearly 50 years’ service with the firm.

He joined Mitchells in 1970 as a fresh-faced 18-year old from Chesterfield Boys School, now Brookfield Community School, and was made partner of the firm in 1978. He leaves 12 months ahead of Mitchells celebrating its 150^th anniversary.

Richard leaves after 46 years’ service during which he has worked with around 1,200 clients. He leaves the firm in the hands of senior partner Tim Leeman, who is supported by fellow partners Andrew McDaid and Tony Hornsby, who were promoted in 2015 as part of the firm’s succession planning strategy ahead of Richard’s retirement.

Under Richard’s leadership, Mitchells has grown to become one of the leading firms of Chartered Accountants in Chesterfield and north east Derbyshire. From handwriting all accounts in ledgers when he joined, the firm has progressed to become a leader in its field for the adoption of technology, winning awards for its CloudMitchells online service.

Richard explained:-

“When I started my career we were still writing everything in ledgers, an Apple was something you ate; a Dell was a secluded valley and a calculator was the person who could add up fastest in the office. Things have certainly changed, however what has remained constant is the fact that the people continue to be at the heart of the firm.

“I have loved my time at Mitchells – all 46 years of it, and that’s because of the people. They have not only made coming to work fun, but also given me great personal pride in seeing so many of them develop their careers at Mitchells.

“I leave the firm in the very capable hands of my fellow partners. Mitchells goes into its 150^th year in strong shape which I am confident will continue under the leadership of Tim, Tony and Andrew.”

Tim Leeman, partner at Mitchells added:-

“Myself and all staff and clients wish Richard well in his retirement. He is officially the longest serving member of staff and will be missed, but his legacy in the firm lives on in the strong team he has helped build here as well as the processes and technology he has put in place to make us one of the leading and longest established firms of Chartered Accountants in the area.”

Richard’s retirement was marked with a celebration for all staff and clients at Casa Hotel.

The three main political parties will be represented at a hustings style General Election business briefing in Chesterfield next week.

Chamber research reveals that regional businesses have conquered initial fears over Brexit, and have demonstrated adaptability and flexibility under challenging circumstances. However, it is important that the understandable preoccupation with Brexit does not come at the expense of a number of other domestic concerns that firms still have on a variety of topical issues.

Against a backdrop of prevailing uncertainty inhibiting investment intentions, the aim of this session is to enable each party to clearly articulate what it stands for on a broad range of operating issues affecting the day-to-day activities of firms across the region.

Candidates confirmed to attend so far are Toby Perkins (Labour) , Nigel Mills (Conservative) and Tom Snowdon (LibDem) have all confirmed they will take part in the East Midlands Chamber and Destination Chesterfield hosted event.

Many local businesses, covering a cross section in terms of sector and size, are expected to attend the event to question candidates about where they stand on Brexit, support for business growth, jobs creation and security and the wider regional economy.

Chris Hobson, the Chamber’s Director of Policy, said:-

“There are many domestic issues that risk being shunted into the sidings as negotiations for Brexit and trade agreements with the rest of the world grab centre stage in politics.

“But it’s important that momentum is not lost in these matters and businesses, quite rightly, will be seeking assurances from electoral candidates that they will not let them get sidelined.”

The free event will be held at East Midlands Chamber’s office at Commerce House, Millenium Way, Dunston Road, Chesterfield from 5pm to 6.30pm on Thursday 18 May. If you are a local business and would like to be involved click here to book.