Business

Across the board growth for Mitchells triggers five new appointments

18th November 2016

Following across-the-board business growth of 20 per cent in 2016, Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, has made five new appointments.

Chartered Accountant and Sheffield University graduate Emily Coy strengthens the firm’s corporate team. She joins from a local accountancy firm and brings a broad range of experience in a wide variety of business sectors to her new role at Mitchells.

Commenting on her appointment, Emily, who is originally from Somerset, said:-

“The opportunity to join a well-respected and large firm, yet still be hands-on and involved with my own portfolio of clients, attracted me to the role at Mitchells.”

Vaughan Carr from Chesterfield also joins the firms as an AAT accredited Senior Accountant. Alongside Emily, his appointment supports Mitchells’ current growth while a further three new appointments will support future business development and the firm’s commitment to developing talent from within the firm.

Connie Shaw, from Sheffield joins as an AAT Apprentice and Mathew Nutt from Owlthorpe joins as a Tax and Employer Solutions Apprentice, working with Mitchells’ Small Business and Tax and Payroll teams respectively.

Completing the new appointment line-up is Abigail Chadburn, who joins from Sheffield Hallam University on a 12-month undergraduate placement and will be supporting Mitchells’ Corporate Services team.

The addition of Auto Enrolment services to Mitchells’ portfolio last year has contributed to the firm’s growth and also helped enable the firm to attract new clients.

Mitchells has also experienced significant growth in its corporate business, working with current high growth clients and attracting new clients who are looking to access finance and grant funding.

Over the last eighteen months, Mitchells has secured in excess of £75 million for businesses across Derbyshire, including Chesterfield-based care home group Hill Care, which the firm secured a £26 million finance package earlier this year to enable it to expand the business further nationally.

Richard Trueman, Managing Partner of Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, commenting on the new appointments and firm’s strong performance in 2016, said:-

“Mitchells goes into 2017 in impressive shape. We have an excellent team made stronger by our recent appointments. We are now looking to make further senior appointments within the firm during 2017.”

The recent appointments recognise Mitchells’ commitment to ensuring over capacity in employee numbers to ensure its staff have a work/life balance. This commitment, alongside its investment in staff training and development, led to Mitchells being shortlisted for the People Development Awards in the 2016 East Midlands Chamber and Derbyshire Times Business Awards earlier this year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Great Bear announce second development at Markham Vale

17th November 2016

Distribution and logistics giant Great Bear are making their mark on the Chesterfield regeneration site as they announce plans to open a second distribution centre creating up to 400 new jobs.

The announcement comes four months after the firm got the keys to their new distribution centre which is set to open next year at Markham Vale located at J29A of the M1.

Building work is set to start on the company’s second 479,285 sq.ft distribution centre in January 2017 and completed in June next year.

Established in 1994, the Chester-based firm operates in 30 locations nationwide providing warehousing and distribution for clients such as PZ Cussons, BMW, Unilever, Mars and Mondelez.

Peter Yarwood, Regional Operations Director at Great Bear Distribution, said:-

“The deal agreed between Henry Boot Developments for a second distribution unit is evidence of the quality of space Markham Vale has to offer.

“Being located on the M1 corridor, the site fits our needs perfectly.

“Henry Boot Developments has already delivered a bespoke facility for us at the site and we are confident the second unit will allow us to further enhance our capacity to service the wider UK more effectively.”

After successfully building Great Bear’s first unit at the site, Heage-based construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland have been appointed by Henry Boot Developments − Derbyshire County Council’s private sector property partner − to build the company’s second premises.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, said:-

“We’re really pleased Great Bear has chosen to build a second distribution centre at Markham Vale bringing a further 400 jobs.

“It shows great confidence in the site’s location and in Derbyshire as a place where businesses thrive and grow.

“We’re very proud of Markham’s progress to date − it’s now home to 40 businesses and has brought over 900 to jobs to the area so far.”

When Great Bear’s second distribution unit is complete, the firm will occupy just under one million sq.ft of land at Markham Vale making them the largest business on the site to date.

Vivienne Clement, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said:-

“This second investment by Great Bear is a testament to our successful approach to the delivery of high quality, bespoke buildings at Markham Vale.

“The new unit will join the 225,000 sq ft unit currently under construction for Ferdinand Bilstein UK on Markham Vale North, which is due to be completed in January 2017.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Heritage students seize engineering opportunity

17th November 2016

As part of the town’s annual Made in Chesterfield festival, which celebrates the manufacturing and engineering sector, six Year 10 students from Heritage High School visited MSE Hiller, based at Markham Vale.

The popular month-long festival, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and brings businesses, primary and secondary schools and training providers together to showcase the sector to school children across north east Derbyshire

This year, more local engineering and manufacturing firms than ever have signed up to offer students a chance to tour their facilities and try their hand at a range of activities in a bid to spark their interest in a career in the sector.

Other manufacturing businesses offering secondary school experiences include United Cast Bar, Brampton Brewery, Cathelco, Techman Engineering, Palamatic, Trans-Tronic and Precision Products UK, while Mintdale Engineering and Krantech have organised tours for primary schools at their facilities.

‘Hands on’ education was the name when six Year 10 Engineering students from Heritage High School visited MSE Hiller, based at Markham Vale for some practical work experience.

The day began with a tour of the work site. Interesting sights included viewing one of MSE Hiller’s machines worth £1 million, which is one of the largest machines in the country. Also impressive was the large indoor concrete bunker which protectively houses a massive centrifuge.

Seeing the way that sludge and water are separated was demonstrated in the laboratory.

One student, Harry Clarkson said:-

‘This was just like our school science labs but much more modern and state of the art.’

After an informative video presentation explaining how hydraulics work and looking at the different components of Hiller’s machinery, students were literally thrown in at the deep end of engineering and asked to weld metal together and imprint their initials upon it.

Students donned overalls, steel capped boots and welding helmets to begin their first practical engineering task. The difficulties of the task were soon obvious.

Adam Hendley, Heritage student admitted:-

‘It was a bit daunting to start with but luckily I soon got the hang of it!’

The visit was set up by Mrs Oley-Jones, the school’s Alternative Curriculum & Achievement Coordinator as part of November’s Made in Chesterfield festival which celebrates local manufacturing.

Student Owen Ordidge highlighted the positive nature of the work experience. He said:-

‘The visit has made me much keener to focus on Engineering GCSE. Now that I have experienced how the subject comes alive in the work place, it has made me realise that studying in the first instance is the key to doing well in a subject like Engineering.’

Visits like these are invaluable to secondary school students as they are able to witness engineering skills first hand and with facilities that just can’t be replicated in a school environment.

Made in Chesterfield is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, NatWest, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Placing Futures, NLT Training, Department of International Trade, East Midlands Chamber, the University of Derby and Positive 4 Young People.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Manufacturing

UKATA General Manager scoops Business Person of the Year Award

16th November 2016

The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is celebrating after a double victory at the Derbyshire Times Business Awards on 10 November. An audience of local business leaders, assembled at the Casa Hotel, saw UKATA awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Small Business of the Year category and UKATA General Manager Craig Evans named Business Person of the Year.

Held annually, The Derbyshire Times Business Awards recognise and celebrate the very best in local business and commerce and this double success is recognition of a highly successful 2016 for UKATA. The Markham Vale office has spearheaded a series of successful national initiatives, including Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe; with UKATA members offering free asbestos awareness training to small businesses throughout the country.

Craig Evans, UKATA General Manager, commenting on the awards said:-

“I am obviously delighted to have been named as Business Person of the Year.

“However, my award, and the commendation in the Business of the Year category are fitting recognition of all the hard work of both my colleagues and our members this year. It is a proud moment for me personally and UKATA collectively and we certainly couldn’t have made the progress we have this year without the backing of a great team.”

While UKATA is a national organisation with members throughout the UK, the Association does a great deal of work in the region, both on asbestos awareness and training and in support of local charities.

Craig continued:-

“At UKATA we recognise the importance of playing an active role in the local region, both in terms of asbestos awareness and supporting local charities.

“It’s great these awards recognise the contribution of both individuals and organisations like UKATA in the local community. We joined Chesterfield Champions to support efforts to raise the profile of the town and these Awards demonstrated there are a lot of really impressive businesses and business people operating in this area, and we are proud to be among their number.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Local company win prestigious ‘Green’ environment awards

14th November 2016

On November 11 2016, Morclean Ltd travelled to the Houses of Parliament in London to attend the Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice. The Green Apple Awards, which are sponsored by the Environment Agency, are dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.

Morclean Ltd, based in Staveley won not one, but two awards at the glittering presentation where other like-minded companies, councils and communities attended to receive recognition.

Morclean, specialists in a wide range of industrial cleaning equipment, had two products up for an honour in this year’s awards including the popular WashPad vehicle wash system and the LowFlow pressure cleaning system. Both of the systems left the award ceremony with an accolade and received a silver award each.

Peter Morley, Managing Director at Morclean, said:-

“The aim here at Morclean is to always develop products that are more friendly for the environment and promote these the best way possible. This will be the 4^th Green Apple Award we will have received and we always enjoy the recognition presented to companies that work to help the environment.

“We wish to thank everyone involved in the Green Apples Awards and look forward to continuing to develop and launch products that the environmentally-minded love.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Take part in Chesterfield College’s Santa Dash

10th November 2016

Chesterfield College invite you to put on your best festive fancy dress and join them for a festive Santa Dash around Queens Park at 10am on Monday 12^th December to help raise money to send student volunteers to Africa.

Last year’s event saw over 100 Chesterfield College students and staff join forces with local organisations and businesses to raise funds which helped to send a group of students on a volunteering expedition of a lifetime to Ghana with African Adventures* where they worked on projects that made a big difference for the local children and the community.

The college are urging individuals and businesses to take part in whatever way they fancy tackling the dash around the park. If you are entering as a team, there’s an option to do the two mile course either, in a relay or as a group.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal at Chesterfield College, is asking students, staff , local residents and businesses to sign up to take part in the festive fun again this year. He said:

“Our Santa Dash is going to be bigger and better this year but we do need the help of the people of Chesterfield. The dash is a fantastic festive start to the week so we’d love you to get behind us by taking part in the dash, sponsoring the participants or donating prizes for the best dressed dashers. We want to give more students the opportunity to go on an inspiring and life-changing trip to Africa and to make a bigger impact with their volunteering.”

Chesterfield College staff/students – advanced registration £3 (£4 on the day)
External entry/individual – advance registration £6 (£7 on the day)
External entry/business team of 4 entry £20 (advance ticket only)

Contact ccxtra@chesterfield.ac.uk to make a booking or for more information.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield

New 90,000 sq.ft warehouse planned for Markham Vale

7th November 2016

There are proposals for a further development on the northern phase of Markham Vale. A planning application for the development of a 90,000 sq.ft warehouse has been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council for consideration.

The development is on target to create up to 4,100 jobs when finished.

This new application follows the latest businesses to join Markham Vale which include Great Bear Distribution and Ferdinand Bilstein UK which are both set to create up to 400 new jobs over the next few years.

The site is now home to 40 local, national and international businesses and has brought over 900 jobs to the area so far.

Existing occupiers include, Meter Provida, inspirepac, Gould Alloys, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

More jobs on the way as Markham Vale partnership renewed

7th November 2016

A commitment to bring business, create jobs and boost the local economy has been renewed as Derbyshire County Council have signed a new four-year partnership with Henry Boot Developments for the continued growth of Markham Vale.

The Sheffield-based firm were appointed in 2003 as private sector property partner to develop the former Markham colliery into a flagship regeneration site. The development is on target to create up to 4,100 jobs when finished.

The latest businesses to join Markham Vale include Great Bear Distribution and Ferdinand Bilstein UK which are both set to create up to 400 new jobs over the next few years.

The site is now home to 40 local, national and international businesses and has brought over 900 jobs to the area so far.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:

“Our partnership with Henry Boot Developments has been very successful to date and we’re delighted to sign another four-year agreement with them to take Markham Vale onto its final stages of development.”The site plays a key role in providing jobs for local people, helping businesses to grow and boosting Derbyshire’s economy which are all key priorities of ours.

“Markham’s excellent transport links being located just off junction 29A of the M1 continues to attract businesses and we’re looking forward to welcoming even more companies to the site in the next few months.”

Existing occupiers include, Meter Provida, inspirepac, Gould Alloys, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.

Vivienne Clements, Director at Henry Boot Developments commented:

“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Derbyshire County Council for a further four years. Our strong partnership has enabled us to establish Markham Vale as an unrivalled business and logistics hub in the region, and it is a testament to our success to date.”We have achieved a lot this year with the completion of Great Bear Distribution’s unit, the commencement of the Ferdinand Bilstein UK’s facility and we have a number of deals in the pipeline which we will deliver over the next 12 months.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield designer announced as finalist in Derbyshire Times Business Awards

4th November 2016

Local design company and Chesterfield Champion, Jumble Creative Design, have recently been announced as finalists in the Derbyshire Times Business Awards.

The Chatsworth Road based designers are entered in the Innovation Category following their expansion in to wide-format and vinyl printing.

This new print and cut technology enables Jumble to offer a wide range of products including posters, pop up displays and banners, window graphics, vehicle graphics, signage, cut vinyl, packaging labels and stickers.

Jumble has also undertaken training to learn new skills, as part of their innovative approach to design, offering clients services to partner with these product including the application of window and vehicle graphics, sign making and mounting wide format graphics to board and other substrates.

With an innovative focus, Jumble are attracting the attention of other innovative local businesses, having recently worked with local food producer, and Food and Drink Awards winner, Teresa Lambarelli to re-brand her packaging.

Andrew Everitt, Owner of Jumble Creative Design, said:-

“Like us, Teresa is always looking for ways to improve her offer, regularly developing and creating new tastes. We were able to create a new look design, a quick turanound and offer a flexible approach to quantity depending on stock levels.

“We are always looking for creative and innovative ways to meet the customer needs.”

Their focus on innovation has allowed Jumble to grow bigger year on year. Projects they have recently worked on include designing print and commemorative beer labels for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards and producing vinyl graphics for Chesterfield Theatres.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chamber announces new President at AGM

3rd November 2016

East Midlands Chamber has announced Geoff Poyzer as its President for 2016/17.

He received the chains of office from outgoing President Jean Mountain at the Chamber’s annual general meeting this morning.

Geoff is Managing Director for the Highways Division at North Midland Construction PLC, a national contractor with a turnover in excess of £225m, and has expertise in managing large construction projects at director level.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Nottingham Trent University, Geoff has been employed by NMC, located in north Nottinghamshire, for over 28 years.

He has been a member of the Chamber Board since October 2008.

Geoff, a married father of two grown-up children, who lives in Nottingham with his wife Jacqueline, said:-

“It is an honour and privilege to be elected President of the biggest business-representative body in the Midlands and one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the country.

“I would like to extend my personal thanks to Jean Mountain, my predecessor, for choosing me as her deputy for the past year and for all her hard work during her 12 months in office.

“I promise to uphold the dignity of this office and to be the best ambassador that I can be for the Chamber, for the region and for business generally.”

He said he had four areas on which he wants to focus during his year in office – Brexit, the difference between management and leadership, helping business to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of technology and promoting the ‘great’ East Midlands as a great place to live and work– all areas where the Chamber is already active.

“I make no apology for slipping ‘great’ in there. I was born and bred in this region and truly believe it to be great.”

Geoff also intends to back devolution, by supporting the Midlands Engine for Growth and Midlands Connect, and locally-focused education systems.

Robert Mayo, Development Director for the Welbeck Estate, where his role is to bring about the transformation of one of the most significant groups of listed buildings in the East Midlands, has been elected Vice-President for 2017.

He is a graduate in Art History from the University of Nottingham and has a Master’s degree in Conservation Studies.

Board changes announced at the AGM include the appointment of Steve Midgeley and Hari Punchihewa as Directors and the retirement of Past-President Liz Fothergill, who was this year made High Sheriff of Derbyshire, and Richard Horsley, Managing Director at QED Public Relations.

Steve is the founder and Managing Director of Chamber member Fairgrove Homes and Hari is Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director at the University of Derby. Both were co-opted to the Board in August.

Directors David Merifield, Ian Greenaway and Richard Wilkins have been re-elected unopposed to the Board.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

WCEC Architects to speak at leading European Student Housing Conference

3rd November 2016

A Chesterfield based architect is to deliver a keynote speech at a European conference on the remarkable change in how students live.

Nick Riley, Design Director at WCEC, at Sheepbridge, Chesterfield, has been at the forefront in the evolution of student housing in the UK for more than ten years, delivering more than 18,000 beds.

He said:-

“This is a significant conference. Gone are the days of basic, functional and high density accommodation led by ageing university halls of residence lacking imagination.

“I believe we are now heading towards a new era of student living, potentially with a more ‘raw urban’ look satisfying the next generation of students who will be the most formally educated, most technology supplied and the wealthiest ever.”

Nick, one of the executive architects behind the world’s biggest co-living space in London, will speak at ‘The Class of 2020’ European Student Housing conference in Vienna, Austria on Thursday (Nov 3^rd). The two-day annual conference attracts hundreds of delegates, including a large UK contingent, involved in developing student housing.

Nick will present a UK perspective outlining how student housing has changed in the last ten years to respond to students’ needs, demands and aspirations. He will also explore ideas for what we might see in student housing over the next ten years.

Nick said:-

“Student housing is now a mature asset class in the UK and attracts and generates millions of pounds’ worth of investment for the economy.

“I’m very pleased to be speaking at this conference as the UK is regarded as the leader in this sector globally. I believe student housing will continue to grow and evolve and we are outlining our vision for the future at the event.

“Key themes of my talk will include better and more efficient ways of building, greater integration of technology and connectivity, greater flexibility of living spaces and amenity space.

“The boundaries between University campus and where students live are increasingly blurred; modern student housing developments need to provide a much greater range of facilities and services for residents to live, rest, exercise, socialise, work and play.”

Posted in Business