Local companies are being invited to a Meet the Buyer event to find out how to tender for work connected to the construction of a Chesterfield housing scheme.

William Davis Ltd has planning permission to build 99 homes at Dunston Lane, Dunston. This is the first phase of a larger development which has outline planning permission to build 300 two, three and four bedroom homes in total. Site preparation begins this month to enable work to start on building the homes in January 2018.

As part of its commitment to supporting the local economy Chesterfield Borough Council, as the planning authority, includes local labour clauses within developments of this kind to ensure developers use local suppliers, have apprenticeships and allocate as many jobs as possible to local people.

To maximise the opportunities for local companies to win this business William Davis and Chesterfield Borough Council will hold a Meet the Buyer event at Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill, from 3pm to 5.30pm on Thursday 2 November to provide details of a range of sub-contractor packages available during the project.

Opportunities include:

• Groundworks
• Roof tiling
• Brickwork
• Scaffolding
• Plastering
• Screeds
• Wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• Windows
• Joinery and kitchen fitting
• Vinyl flooring
• Electrical installation
• Electrical appliances
• Plumbing and heating
• Railings
• Fencing
• Landscaping
• Painting and decorating
• Wall tiling
• Mastic and sealants
• Cleaners

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said:-

“There is more than £1 billion of investment currently underway in Chesterfield and one of the key priorities of the council is that Chesterfield residents directly benefit from this by getting new jobs, business and skills and training opportunities.

“William Davis has worked really closely with the council to ensure that our borough benefits as much as possible from the opportunities that building this new housing estate will bring.

“I would encourage all local businesses to attend the Meet the Buyer event and see what opportunities are available for them and their workforces.”

In addition to the Meet the Buyer event William Davis will also be employing apprentices on site and organising work experience opportunities for young people from Chesterfield College and local schools.

Gary Long, M&E and apprentice manager for William Davis, said:-

“The Dunston Grange Development will provide a number of supply chain, employment and training opportunities for the resident and business communities of Chesterfield.

“This event will give the William Davis team an opportunity to engage the local supply chain and also provide details of contract, tendering and employment opportunities arising from the development.”

Anyone wanting more information about the Meet the Buyer session can contact Emily Williams on (01246) 345254 or email emily.williams@chesterfield.gov.uk

Multi-award-winning law firm, Banner Jones, is today celebrating success as it secures its 5^th consecutive year of inclusion in the Legal 500 – an independent guide to the leading law firms in the UK with rankings based on market research and client and peer feedback.

The company is once more recognised for its excellence in its Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence work with the team moving up to a Tier 2 ranking – out of four – while the Family Law team maintain their Tier 3 ranking for a further year.

Simon Wright and Robert Banner, Executive Directors from the specialist Personal Injury team at Banner Jones, were both awarded the prestigious ‘Recommended Lawyer’ status in this year’s guide with Simon praised for being ‘a straight-talker who superbly handles clients and opponents to achieve results other lawyers would die for’.

Meanwhile, Head of the Banner Jones Care team, Helena Downing retained her ‘Recommended Lawyer’ status for the third consecutive year with the guide praising her as a ‘focused and articulate advocate’ with the overall team being recognised for providing an ‘expert service’.

From its HQ in Chesterfield and offices in Sheffield, Dronfield, Nottingham and Mansfield, Banner Jones offers a range of legal services to individuals and businesses as well as wealth management.

Chris Sellars, Executive Director of Banner Jones, adds:-

“The Legal 500 is hugely respected within our industry and we are delighted to see our Personal Injury team move up through the rankings in recognition of the exceptional service that they provide to their clients.

“Customer service is at the heart of our entire approach at Banner Jones. We are constantly investing in new ways to improve the customer experience – which is reflected in the fact that 97% of our customers say they would recommend us to a friend – and are proud to have a team of such highly experienced and dedicated individuals to draw on.

“2017 has seen the company continue to grow, as our reputation for providing quality legal advice sees more and more clients turn to us for help and guidance, and it is therefore fantastic to have these achievements recognised by industry experts and our peers.”

Chesterfield based Hardcase International Limited, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of rigid plastic drum and percussion cases, has completed a management buyout of the business. Led by the company’s former Sales Manager, the business is now on course to enter new markets and plans to increase its workforce.

Currently employing 15 people and manufacturing 30,000 drum cases annually at its Sheepbridge site, under new ownership Hardcase now plans to increase production. New owner and Managing Director Dave Eyre has committed to production remaining in Chesterfield with plans for larger premises to be considered in the long term.

Purchased from founder Derrick Round, the MBO of Hardcase was overseen by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers in conjunction with BRM Solicitors and Optimum Corporate Solutions.

Eyre, who joined the business as Sales Manager in 2003, commented:-

“I am delighted to have acquired Hardcase – it is a company I care so much about. Throughout the buyout process, the wider team and I were committed to a friendly acquisition building on an already strong relationship with the previous owner. Everything went smoothly and it is in no small part thanks to the collaboration between Mitchells, BRM and Optimum.”

Andrew McDaid, partner at Mitchells, added:-

“I am delighted that we have been able to assist Dave with a friendly acquisition which was hugely important to him. By working collaboratively with BRM and Optimum we were able to secure a smooth transition of ownership of the business to Dave, securing all employees’ jobs in the process. Hardcase is a very strong company financially and I have no doubt this will not only continue but also grow under Dave’s leadership.”

Andy Stone, Director at Optimum Corporate Solutions, commented:-

“It was a real pleasure bringing the finance package together for Hardcase. Dave has an inspirational passion for the business and I know it will continue to thrive under his management. At Optimum, we pride ourselves on helping clients secure the right finance. This case in particular has been a good news story and with the collaboration of Mitchells and BRM we ensured the right solution for Dave and Hardcase.”

Sarah Rowland, Director of BRM, added:-

“Having acted for Derrick and Hardcase for a number of years, it was a pleasure to act in the sale, and help Derrick achieve his goal of passing the business on to his existing management team. Working closely with Mitchells helped simplify negotiations, enabling the deal to complete on time. We wish Derrick well for the future, and look forward to seeing the company build upon its successes in the capable hands of Dave and the team.”

Established in 1992, Hardcase was one of the first companies to provide rotational moulded plastic drum cases into the Music Industry. The company’s products are now recognised around the world by leading musicians from renowned bands including Iron Maiden, Kaiser Chiefs, Level 42 and The Pigeon Detectives.

Dave praised the business’ strong team, quality products and dealer network, reassuring the market that “Hardcase has always been customer driven and will continue to be so under my ownership.”

As a drummer himself, Dave is committed to supporting high street businesses and musicians, explaining:-

“maintaining the high levels of customer service associated with Hardcase products is so important to me. Our network of trusted high street retailers and international distribution partners is an important part of the brand’s reputation within the music industry and a key contributor to Hardcase products being regarded as the best.”

Stopfords Chesterfield LLP are proud to welcome graduate Joshua Paget to their team. Joshua has joined Stopfords through the RISE recruitment programme and will be working in a marketing role.

RISE is a scheme created in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield University and Sheffield City Region. It aims to increase graduate employment in small and medium sized enterprises within Sheffield City Region.

Joshua said:-

“I am fresh out of university with a degree in, and the only way I could have secured a position in such a role is through the RISE scheme and Stopfords. I am very pleased to be starting this job.

“It enables me to learn and develop in a role I have an interest in. The RISE team were very supportive and informative throughout the whole process and I have had a warm welcome from all the staff at Stopfords.”

Martin Swain, Partner at Stopfords, comments on Joshua’s appointment:-

“I am delighted to be able to welcome Joshua to Stopfords. The scheme not only benefits the local community and businesses copious amounts, but also saves us, the employer, a lot of time and resources.”

Regional estate agency Redbrik has expanded its sales team with the addition of a ‘highly-skilled’ valuer.

Emma Louise Wilson, from Brampton, Chesterfield, will be working alongside the busy sales team at Redbrik’s Chesterfield office, based on Glumangate.

Having worked in the property industry since 2011, Emma’s previous employers include Blundells and William H Brown.

Emma said:-

“I have always admired the Redbrik way of working – as a company, they really understand their audience and have a fantastic reputation in the area as a result of their strong brand and brilliant marketing.

“Making the move to an independent estate agency has been quite a change for me but I am thoroughly enjoying my new role and I look forward to developing my skillset with the company going forward.”

Mark Ross, Director at Redbrik, said:-

“Emma is a highly-skilled valuer with a wealth of experience, great local knowledge and, like all our team, prioritises fantastic customer service.

“She really understands the property market and exemplifies the Redbrik ethos, so I am certain that she will play a vital role in expanding our sales portfolio.”

Il Mondo Travel will soon be opening its doors within the innovative cluster of shops at 131 Chatsworth Road in Chesterfield.

The independent travel agency are set to specialise in all aspects of travel including cruises, tailor-made, luxury, family, holidays, short breaks, river cruises, rail, flights, business travel, honeymoons, escorted tours, solo and travel extras.

Catering for every need, taste and budget, Il Mondo hope to open a world of totally new adventures around the globe to their customers; offering a bespoke, tailor-made service to create trips that can’t be booked online from their agency on Chatsworth Road.

Jo Bunting, with 38 years’ experience in the independent travel sectors, takes the helm of family-run business as Company Director. She says:-

“I like to be able to offer that personal touch and a truly bespoke service tailor-made to individual travel needs.

“Our reputation in the independent travel sector has been developed through in-depth product knowledge and personal first-hand experiences. Our ethos is centred on the key principle that to confidently recommend a product one has to experience it.

“I believe the opening of Il Mondo marks the dawn of a new era of travel in North Derbyshire.”

Il Mondo will be hosting an open day on Saturday 14 October offering guests a range of coffee and cakes in the afternoon and drinks and canapes in to the evening.

Shorts are delighted this month to announce the appointment of Michelle Frost as Practice Director.

Michelle joins Shorts following seven years working within a large manufacturing and distribution group where she oversaw a large multi-disciplined team in her role of Financial Operations Director.

The role of Practice Director is a newly created role for Shorts; directly responding to the significant growth experienced by the firm in recent years.   A Chartered Accountant, Michelle has extensive experience of leading a team through companywide management programs, including operating systems migration and process automation; her expertise will prove invaluable during the continued development at Shorts.

Andy Irvine, Partner at Shorts Chartered Accountants, commented:-

“We are delighted to welcome Michelle to Shorts. Her appointment is another important step in the growth of the firm and we are confident she will be able to contribute significantly to our future success.”

Michelle added:-

“Shorts have a proven reputation of excellence and I am really excited to be joining such a growing and talented team.  I look forward to developing a role that supports client experience and enhances internal talent.”

A quest to find the most successful and inspirational local businesswomen will launch this month.

The hunt for nominations for the 2018 East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women Awards begins on 13 October and Chesterfield business women are being encouraged to apply.

It formally starts at a two-course lunch at the Quorn Grange Hotel, Leicester, where the guest speaker will be the inspirational mother-of-two, businesswoman and investor Alex Peace-Gadsby.

Alex runs several businesses, including the clothing company Musto, and is also involved with charity work both locally and nationally.

Based in Nottingham, she was appointed as the Chief Scout Commissioner for England in 2015 after being involved in Scouting for 11 years.

She will share her experiences as a woman in business, a journey that is both interesting and motivating.

The lunch will be hosted by the Co-Chairs of Enterprising Women – Jean Mountain, a Past President at East Midlands Chamber, and Eileen Richards, of ER Recruitment, both members of the Chamber Board of Directors.

Eileen said:-

“The awards are all about finding and recognising women who make a serious contribution to the regional economy, often successfully balancing work, keeping home and motherhood, but not always being acknowledged for what they achieve.

“Alex does all of the above and more, which makes her a perfect choice of speaker for the event that launches this year’s quest.”

There are six awards to be won this year – the 21^st year of the competition: Inspirational Woman of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Business, Enterprising New Businesswoman of the Year, Enterprising Women Team of the Year, Enterprising Woman in the Community and Rising Star.

Entries have to be in by Friday 5 January 2018. Entry is by nomination, but can be self-nominated. The winners will be announced at a glittering, ‘little black dress’ dinner on 2 March – coinciding with International Women’s Day.

Jean said:-

“By highlighting their contribution and telling their stories, hopefully we can inspire other women to pursue their business dream, which is why I would urge as many people as possible to send in nominations for this year’s awards.”

Chamber membership is a requirement for nomination. For more information visit http://bit.ly/2wQylGm.