The percentage of people out of work in the Chesterfield has fallen according to figures released this morning by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Figures for unemployment in Chesterfield stood at 1,270 down from 1,295 the previous month.

Unemployment in the East Midlands stood at 4.02% for the latest period, compared with a national figure of 4.3% – the same as last month and the lowest since records began in 1975. Last month, regional unemployment was 4.2%.

According to the ONS, 1,855 more people (2,236,663) were in work in the three months July to September than three months earlier (2,234,808).

The figures released this morning also show the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, was down in October compared with September.

Of the three counties and cities, only Derby showed a very small increase (ten) in the number of claimants month-on-month. Overall, the number of claimants fell by 645 across the three counties from 32,350 to 31,705.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“The changes this month are all relatively small, but the positive message is that the East Midlands continues to set the example with yet another monthly fall in the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants and a lower unemployment rate than the rest of the country.

“We would urge the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, in his Budget next week, to recognise the continued success of the East Midlands – which comes often despite Government policy rather than because of it – and not introduce any additional burdens or costs which could jeopardise what our businesses do.

“We would also remind him that this will be his penultimate Budget before the proposed EU-leaving date of 29 March 2019 and we need to see evidence that the Government is planning to ensure the continued competitiveness of UK plc post-Brexit.”

North Derbyshire’s leading independent estate agent has boosted its sales team with the appointment of a new sales manager.

Natalie Watters, 30, has joined Redbrik’s Chesterfield office as a sales manager where she will serve as the direct point of contact for vendors who are selling their home.

Prior to her role at Redbrik, Natalie worked at Reeds Rains for three years where she gained valuable industry experience in negotiating.

Natalie has a varied work history and has previously been self-employed, helping companies with their staff training, and has experience in accounting.

Natalie said:-

“I’ve always wanted to work for Redbrik – I just love the way they operate, from their exceptional customer service to their fantastic marketing.

“I am delighted to be part of such a welcoming and dynamic team. I’m really looking forward to developing my skillset with the company and bringing in new vendors.”

Mark Ross, Director at Redbrik, said:-

“Natalie has already proven to be an invaluable part of the Redbrik team, bringing with her plenty of experience, a willingness to grow and a great deal of local knowledge.

“As the company continues to go from strength to strength, we are delighted to be bringing in so many new people to strengthen the growing Redbrik family.”

Staveley-based LPG specialist AvantiGas has entered the mainstream gas market, establishing a new division to supply mains gas to business customers with a commitment to service and competitive, transparent pricing which the company claims will give it unique appeal in an increasingly crowded market.

AvantiGas is already a major contractor in off-grid fuel and heating but is confident it can make its mark in mains gas as well as LPG. The division’s Managing Director Dean Ewart said the enterprise had a sufficiently strong unique selling proposition to make it attractive to business customers. The new subsidiary is already up and running.

Mr Ewart said that the new entrant was already showing business customers that they can trust them to always give good value and clarity:-

“Our typical clients are businesses which are looking for cost efficiencies through their energy contracts. We will be offering a high-quality digital service but operating with a low-cost base, so that we can always offer good value with no hidden extras.

“When a customer contract ends and they haven’t negotiated a new one, our customers go on to our standard tariff, which is always competitively priced. Most or possibly all our competitors put the client on a very high default tariff. We won’t be doing that. It’s a matter of establishing trust with our clients so that they know they will always get a fair deal.

“We‘re also more digitally enabled than our competitors – we keep things simple, clear and understandable and customers can do it all online. They can log on, interact and get information. What we’re essentially trying to do is empower the customer to be able to do everything for themselves, at the time they want to do it.

“We had a soft launch in June to test systems, prove our process and perfect our customer journey with our very first customers, and we launched fully on October 30.”

Mr Ewart said that business customers were open to and interested in the proposition of new competitors:-

“The market has been getting used to us as a new entrant and interested businesses have been testing us to find out what we’re about – do our systems work, do they believe that we’re here to stay? But we’re now seeing more people taking that leap and joining us.”

He also stressed that the company was “in it for the long-term” and was backed by AvantiGas owners UGI, the American conglomerate which has been continually widening its reach with new acquisitions across Europe since AvantiGas was created in 2011, when UGI bought the former Shell LPG business.

“Our arrival builds the AvantiGas brand and expands its market place. Any business that comes to us can have confidence that we are a well-funded, long-term aspiration company, with the backing of UGI. They are investing properly to make a sustainable business.”

Mr Ewart said his management team had a combined experience in the energy industry of more than 60 years. His own career to date has included positions with British Gas, Gaz de France and the German energy giant RWE.

Neil Murphy, CEO of UGI International (North) said:-

”We’ve expanded our AvantiGas offering to not only supply rural, off-grid homes and businesses with LPG but also to supply mainstream business markets with natural gas. So any business which has both on and off-grid premises can use AvantiGas as their sole supplier. Most competitors can’t do that, but it’s something we already do successfully in the US and across Europe. We think this gives us another unique advantage.”

Redbrik Estate Agency has appointed a new applicant manager to boost its thriving team.

Thea Cox will take up her new role at Redbrik’s busy Chesterfield office, based on Glumangate.

Thea’s previous employers include Treetops Nursery and Lilypad Café, and she is now hoping to bring her top customer service skills to the estate agency.

Thea said:-

“I’ve always had a strong interest in property and architecture so I am excited to get stuck into my new role at Redbrik.

“I love the way that Redbrik look after their clients, and providing excellent customer service is something I feel very strongly about. I can’t wait to learn new skills and become part of a really strong team.”

Julie Bulheller, Director at Redbrik, said:-

“Thea is a real people person and completely embodies the Redbrik ethos of putting the customer first.

“I am thrilled that she has chosen to embark on the next stage of her career here at Redbrik and I’m certain she will be a great asset to the fantastic team already assembled in our Chesterfield office.”

Chartered Accountancy firm BHP has reinforced its commitment to training the next generation of accountants, by recruiting 20 apprentices, graduates and placement students to work across five of the firm’s departments in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Leeds, Cleckheaton and York.

The Apprentices will work within the Audit and Accounts Department, the Tax Department, the Healthcare Department and for BHP’s outsourcing business – Prosper. The two year programme will see the Apprentices work towards the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) qualifications.

Six of the seven graduates working within the company’s Audit and Accounts Department will support experienced BHP staff who service a range of clients in the manufacturing, retail, creative and digital industries. They will undertake a three year training agreement to attain the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification and become Chartered Accountants.

The seventh graduate will be working alongside some of the apprentices within the recently formed outsourcing business Prosper – an innovative competitively priced service which provides financial, technical and commercial support to small and medium sized enterprises.

Four budding accountancy professionals are joining BHP on a one year professional placement programme. Working in Audit and Accounts and the award winning Corporate Finance Department, the placement students are all on track for at least a 2:1 degree at University, and had to demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm, commitment, professionalism and academic ability to gain one of the coveted placements.

BHP is Yorkshire’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants, ranked 33 in the Top 50 firms nationally, BHP employs over 300 people.

Lisa Leighton, Partner at BHP says:-

“Each year we make a huge commitment to the professional development and training of the next generation of accountants, and this year we have selected some of the finest students who are not only talented, but have a genuine passion for the industry.

“Recruiting apprentices, graduates and placements students enables us to give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed in their chosen field, and we can’t wait to start introducing these talented young people to our team and clients.”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers has further strengthened its corporate team with the appointment of a senior chartered certified accountant.

David Mizler from Gleadless in Sheffield, joins the Chesterfield-based firm as a Corporate Manager. An FCCA accredited accountant, he brings more than 25 years’ experience to the role and makes the move from a Doncaster-based firm of Chartered Accountants.

He brings a raft of skills to the role, in particular audit experience, having specialist knowledge of the regulations and legislation within this field of accountancy.

Commenting on his appointment, David said:-

“I am delighted to join Mitchells. The firm’s inclusive and open culture fits with my own values. Through the sharing of ideas and best practice, I will be able to further expand my knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high quality, highly professional service to my clients for which Mitchells is renowned.

Outside work, David who is married with a son, enjoys playing football and tennis.

The firm is looking to make further appointments to add to its expanding team of tax professionals and Chartered Accountants. If you’re looking for a career at Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, get in touch with Andrew McDaid by calling 01246 274121, or send your CV and covering letter to andrewmcdaid@mitchellsaccountants.co.uk

East Midlands Chamber has announced Robert Mayo as its President for 2017/18.

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

Robert is Development Director at Nottinghamshire’s historic Welbeck Estate, with responsibility to bring about the transformation of one of the most significant groups of listed buildings in the East Midlands.

He is a graduate in Art History from the University of Nottingham (1986-89) and has a Masters degree in Conservation Studies from the University of York.

Robert trained and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and has spent much of his career involved in the regeneration of historic buildings.

Prior to his appointment at the Welbeck Estate, Robert led the Heritage Lottery Fund-financed Piece Hall Transformation Project, in Halifax, a Grade I listed building and the last of the great northern cloth halls.

As well as being a Director at East Midlands Chamber, Robert is Chair of the D2N2 Rural Reference Group, Vice-Chair of North Notts BID and a Director of St Leger Homes.

He is also Place Chair at the North Notts Business Improvement District, or BID, the first of its kind in the country as it will cover the whole of the district of Bassetlaw instead of being limited to a very small area. It will have a budget of £3.5m over five years if successful.

“I would like to extend my personal thanks to Geoff Poyzer, my predecessor, for choosing me as his deputy for the past year and for all his hard work during his 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.”

Robert has said he has four areas on which he wants to focus during his year in office – Brexit, helping local firms to begin their export journey, the region’s rural economy and promoting the North Notts BID.

Kevin Harris, a partner at international audit, tax and consultancy firm RSM, has been appointed as Vice-President for the year.

He is a strong advocate of Leicestershire and a prominent member of the local business community. He has worked in the accountancy profession for more than 30 years since graduating from university and obtained an MBA in 2004.

Kevin is a ‘hands-on’ business adviser who works closely with the management and shareholders of privately-owned businesses to help deliver their corporate and personal objectives, specialising in helping businesses to determine and execute corporate strategy.

As a strong communicator and being action-orientated, Kevin is used to working alongside a diverse group of people to get things done. He was part-owner of a successful regional accountancy practice before joining RSM in Leicester this year as a Partner.

Kevin is Vice-Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and has been heavily involved in helping to attract significant inward investment into Leicestershire in recent years.

Board changes announced at the AGM include Directors Dawn Edwards, James Bowie, Stuart Dawkins and Jaffer Kapasi, who were due to retire by rotation this year, being re-elected unopposed and the formal appointment to the Board of Eileen Richards, Martin Rigley and Lindsey Williams, all of whom were co-opted earlier in the year.

Board members retiring having completed their permitted term under the Chamber’s governance rules were Russell Thompson and Past-Presidents Jean Mountain, Ian Greenaway, David Merifield and Richard Wilkins.

Phil Stanyer, Chair of the Board of Directors, said:-

“I’m delighted to formally welcome Eileen, Martin and Lindsey to the Board. They each possess skills, knowledge and experience that will be of great value to the Chamber.

“And I want to express my extreme gratitude to Russell, Jean, Ian, David and Richard, who have all been loyal and devoted supporters of the Chamber and I hope will continue to be our good friends.”

Also at the event, two local business were presented with their British Chambers of Commerce East Midlands Regional Awards. They were Mansfield-based R.E.A.L Education, which won the Education and Business Partnership Award, and Retford-based iCON Aerospace, which won the High Growth Business of the Year Award.

Both were winners of the same categories at this year’s East Midlands Chamber Business Award. Later this month they will discover if they have been successful in the national finals of the BCC Awards.