Three Chesterfield-based companies have been recognised in a prestigious awards scheme.

The national Chamber Awards, now in their 11th year, are a highlight of the business calendar, showcasing the pivotal role local businesses play in the UK’s continuing growth story.

Casa Hotel, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Northern Lights all came top in their respective categories.

• Young Person in Business Award – Mark Thurman, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
• Best Use of Technology to Improve Business Performance – Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
• Achievement in International Business – Northern Lights, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

These three local businesses, along with six others, will now go forward to represent the East Midlands region in the national finals, which take place in London in November. The full list of winners can be seen here.

Chamber Chief Executive George Cowcher said: “Congratulations to all of the winners from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, who will go on to represent the Chamber – and the region – at the BCC’s national awards in November. It’s fantastic to see members of this Chamber achieve a clean sweep of awards for the whole region.

“The fact that all of the regional winners come from two of our three counties really demonstrates the strength of the business community here and reflects the role key role these businesses play in helping drive the UK’s economy forward.”

BCC President Nora Senior said: “These businesses play a crucial role in creating a balanced and prosperous economy and one that is admired on the global stage.

“They are hungry for growth, constantly seeking new opportunities in local and global economies, creating new products for market, and sharing best practice with their peers.

“The Chamber Awards are the perfect platform to showcase and celebrate the amazing work of firms across the country.”

Source:Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

Teresa Lambarelli is hoping to retain her Food Producer of the Year title for a second year running after being selected as one of the three finalists shortlisted for the prestigious award at the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. Fellow finalists include Liza Bakes Ltd and Brampton Brewery.

This prestigious title recognises local food producers, growers and manufacturers within 10 miles of Chesterfield.

The shortlisted businesses were selected from hundreds of nominations received by Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the awards in association with Chesterfield College, also headline sponsor of the awards for the second year running.

The winner of the Food Producer of the Year category is just one of 17 which will be announced by celebrity Chef Ainsley Harriott at a glittering awards ceremony being held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building on Wednesday 29 October.

The shortlisted three were selected from six at a tasting event held on 20th August at Hollingwood Hub, the home of the Canal Trust Partnership in Chesterfield.  Also in the running for the award were Highfield House Farmand Meringue Bakery.

The competiton required each of the businesses to present three variations of their products to a panel of local judges, including Chesterfield Championsand sponsors of the event, NatWest. They were awarded marks out of 10 for both presentation and taste.  Business plans from each business will also be assessed by Destination Chesterfield and will contribute to the final scores.

Mick Littlewood, Relationship Manager at NatWest, said, “We are pleased that so many local businesses are producing such high quality produce and we are delighted to support the Food Producer of the Year award as part of our continued support of local businesses and entrepreneurs. We hope that this fantastic opportunity is going to be used as a stepping stone for each of the six businesses that were shortlisted and no matter what happens, we wish each and every one them the very best of luck.”

Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “What should have been an enjoyable evening sampling some excellent, locally-produced food and drink, was a trial for everyone concerned and trying to decide a winner will be an incredibly difficult task.

“It was a very strong field and the judges had a very difficult decision. Each finalist was passionate about their products and took great pride in them. They were also equally passionate about their role as food and drink producers in Chesterfield and how they are actively helping the town receive the recognition it deserves for its thriving food sector.

Teresa Lambarelli said: “Winning last year was an absolutely fantastic, but I’m very nervous about this year, the competition is just so good!”

Chris Radford, Managing Director and Head Brewer of Brampton Brewerysaid: “The fact that we were nominated by our customers is enough of a recognition for us.  To win the award would be phenomenal, but it’s not the be all and end all. To be up against a great range of local producers, that are a testament to Chesterfield themselves, is a prize in itself. I’m so proud to be part of something that recognises the great talent the town really does have.”

Chatsworth Road-based Liza Bakes Ltd distributes its produce all over the country but prides itself in using local goods. Its cakes and puddings have already won awards such as their Orange Polenta Cake which won the Great Taste award in 2013. Louise Milroy, Managing Director of Liza Bakes Ltd said: “We were delighted when we found out we’d been nominated, to be up against such great local food producers is a privilege, honour, and a real tribute to our team and what they create every week.

“We’re strong believers in local produce ourselves, all of our products and ingredients come from local producers like Brampton Brewery and Eyres Fruit and Veg, so we’re proud to be part of a local award that appreciates and recognises authentic, local products to raise the profile of all of Chesterfield.”

This year there are more opportunities for food and drink establishments to win in the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards with the introduction of two new categories – International Restaurant of the Year and the Family Friendly Award.

Other supporters of the awards include Banner Jones, Franke Sissons andIn the Works PR.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities still remain. If any businesses are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards they should contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Casa has been named by its employees as one of the best places to work in the country.

Having already been awarded 14th place in the Catey Best Employer Awards for the hospitality industry, Chesterfield’s four star hotel has now been shortlisted as a top employer at this year’s Best Employers in Hospitality Awards run by Caterer.com.

Voted for by Casa employees themselves, the awards are a true testament to the fantastic environment at the hotel.

Having won awards in the Caterer.com Best Employers in Hospitality Awards for the past two years, Casa looks forward to hearing the category and overall winners for 2014, both of which will be announced at an awards dinner to be held at Lancaster London on Monday 29th September.

Source:Casa Hotel

A Chesterfield-based business has won a major industry award for its refurbishment of the offices and reception of the Mining Information Centre in Mansfield.

Leverton UK, based in Wingerworth, has received the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Award for Collaborative Working following its £250,000 major structural refurbishment of the Coal Authority’s reception and offices on Lichfield Lane in Mansfield.

The company, a family business established in 1972 which specialises in commercial refurbishment and shopfitting contracts, was recommended for the award by Shirley Hurst-Cox, the Coal Authority Facilities Manager who submitted the award entry.

Shirley Hurst-Cox commented: “Leverton UK went beyond the brief.  They managed other contractors on site well, brought design flair to the project and recycled and reused existing materials to ensure the refurbishment of our offices and reception were delivered on time and on budget.

“All too often in construction we hear of projects going over budget and being delivered late.  Leverton UK’s collaborative approach to working at every stage just shows this can be avoided. This award is justly deserved.”

Selected from a shortlist of 40 other companies, Leverton UK was presented with the award at the recent East Midlands Committed to Construction Awards Dinner 2014 held in Nottingham – the most prestigious event in the region’s construction industry’s social calendar.

At the ceremony Leverton UK was praised by CIOB for the way, as principal contractor, it worked with other contractors on site and delivered the project ahead of schedule and on budget despite finding asbestos, which had to be removed, two weeks into the refurbishment. The company was also recognised for its value engineering measures, while working on the project, achieved through recycling a number of materials.

The new glass stepping stone bearing the Coal Authority Logo inset into the floor of the new reception was the brainchild of Marcus and uses recycled glass partitions that were removed from the original offices.

Leverton UK Directors, Marcus and Tony are both Fellows of the CIOB which is the highest professional qualification and recognises people who have worked at a senior level in the industry for at least five years.

Marcus Leverton said: “We were delighted to win the award. To be recognised by our peers and the CIOB is incredible.

“We approached the refurbishment of the Coal Authority’s offices like we do every project; with a professional team all sure of the end goal, aware of their own responsibilities, yet willing to go the extra mile to help each other out.

“But most of all, each member of the team, from the client to the guys working on site, know they are appreciated and are wholly included in the project which results in a superior end product. The award is definitely a highlight in the company’s 41 year history.”

The Awards were open to organisations, both public and private; and also individuals located in and around the East Midlands and whose business is related to construction. The categories were chosen to reflect sensitive and diverse issues and matters current in a modern construction industry.

Pictured left to right: Marcus Leverton, Mike Sheldon – Head of HSE and Facilities and Shirley Hurst-Cox – Facilities Manager both from The Coal Authority are presented with the Collaborative Working award by Chris Chivers Vice President of the CIOB (FCIOB).

Source:Leverton UK via In the Works PR