Destination Chesterfield

Conference hears how delivery of post-16 green and digital skills a priority to support area’s economic growth

Green and digital skills have been identified as a priority to support economic growth in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Speaking at the sixth annual Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference (9 February 2022), Fiona Baker Head of People and Skills at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We lag behind the rest of the UK in terms of productivity, and this is because our workforce doesn’t have the right skills.

“There has been an exponential increase in employer demand for digital skills recently.  Businesses and education and training providers must work together to ensure that young people are equipped with the right skills to meet the local growth agenda.”

With more than 16,000 students in North Derbyshire set to gain their GCSE and A level qualifications in the next five years and thousands of jobs expected to be created following investment in Staveley, the free conference brought together business leaders and the education community to address the future employability and skills of young people.

The conference followed the Department for Education’s announcement last year that it plans to reform post-16 technical education and training to support people to develop the skills needed to get good jobs and improve national productivity.

Organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield, with support from D2N2 Careers Hub – Derbyshire North, the conference also heard from businesses and education and training providers in the local area.

Nick Catt, Managing Director of Weightron Bilanciai who spoke at the conference urged local providers to work together, saying: “Schools, colleges and businesses need to engage with each other to identify the skills needed in the economy. Having a generic approach to skills doesn’t work as every local economy is different.”

Julie Richards, Principal and CEO of the Chesterfield College Group, welcomed the proposed changes to post-16 education saying: “”The need has never been greater to work in partnership to provide our young people with post 16 options which ensure everyone in our society has opportunities to develop at all levels. We must meet their needs, and the needs of our economy now and in the future.”

Cllr Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “The conference has highlighted that one in 4 young people fall out of their post-16 education choice at age 17. We must ensure that young people get the right information at 16 and that they make an informed decision to take up the correct training provision for their own future. In turn this will help ensure they get the right training to work in highly skilled jobs which will contribute to a thriving local economy and provide a high quality of life for local people.

“It is crucial that we look to the future and the skills we will need to transition to a low carbon economy in Chesterfield. Ensuring that we have the right mix of skills to support a sustainable future is key to mitigating the effects of the climate crisis. It was great to hear from employers and training providers about how they will be helping to support this transition and providing the skills needed to support a low carbon, high value local economy.”

Around 100 people attended the conference at Speedwell Rooms in Staveley. The annual conference aims to strengthen links between education providers and local businesses to ensure that school leavers are work ready and have the skills required by businesses in the area. As well as representatives from the business community and skills and education providers, students from Springwell Community College, which is based in Staveley, also joined the conference.

Emily Carter, Operational Careers Hub Lead at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said “For young people, meeting employers and experiencing different workplaces is a key element in helping them find their best next step.  We are delighted that local cornerstone employers, strategic partners of the D2N2 Careers Hub and Careers & Enterprise Company joined the conference to share best practice, and a huge thanks to the young people from Springwell Community College who facilitated table discussions.

With a regeneration programme currently underway in Staveley and thousands of jobs expected to be created over the next few years, Ivan Fomin, Chair of Staveley Town Deal commented: “It’s important that businesses, the council and education and training providers work together to make sure these opportunities are fully realised for local people. The Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference is the first step in making this happen.”

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DBCP provides advice to local homeowners and tenants following increase in energy prices

With energy prices on the rise, people are turning off their heating to save money. However, it could end up costing them more long term.

Derbyshire’s building control services provider, DBCP, is urging people to try and keep their heating on and not block ventilation in their homes, as they risk causing damp and mould problems which are damaging not only to the fabric of a building but also pose a health hazard.

Building Regulations require all new buildings and alterations to existing buildings to include damp proof courses where walls and floors are in contact with the earth. However, damp proof courses do not protect the building from internal moisture build up caused by condensation which can damage plaster and paint, as well as lead to window frame decay.

A family of four generates around 280 full buckets of moisture on average per year through everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes and even breathing. In new build homes, the problem is worse as up to 8,000 litres of water (about 800 full buckets) may be included in mixtures and materials and will take up to two years to evaporate.

If excess moisture cannot escape, then it can also become a health hazard. Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances.

According to the NHS website, inhaling or touching mould spores can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, a skin rash and even asthma attacks. Babies, elderly people and those with respiratory and skin problems or weakened immune system are among those affected the most.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP explained: “To conserve heat as we try to manage our energy bills, people can be tempted to block all draughts, like covering an air vent, in an attempt to make their homes warm. However, it’s important to ensure that air is able to circulate in order to maintain a good moisture balance. If there isn’t a good moisture balance in then it will cause damp and mould problems in your home.”

To ensure you have a moisture-balanced home, David recommends five simple steps:

  1. Open a window – when moisture generation is higher than usual, (e.g. when showering or cooking) increase ventilation by simply opening a window or turning on an extractor fan.
  2. Keep gutters clean – ensure there are no rainwater or plumbing leaks which could cause damp.
  3. Dry laundry outside – drying laundry inside typically increases interior humidity by 30% on laundry day and 15% overall. Even in freezing temperatures, your clothes will dry eventually.
  4. Take cooler showers – lowering the temperature of your shower by just a few degrees, won’t add as much steam to the air, which helps with humidity levels.
  5. Heat your home – although energy prices are continuing to rise, avoiding damp and mould issues will save you more money long term.

David added “Dampness and mould in properties has always been an issue and it’s partly due to the cold climate we have here in the UK. Fortunately, there are many low cost and free solutions we can put in place to tackle the problem and ensure we all maintain a healthy, moisture-balanced home. However, if you are worried about moisture build-up, damp, mould or any other issue with your property, seek advice from a property maintenance of construction professional.”

DBCP is the leading provider of building control services in Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands. It was formed following a collaboration of  eight established Local Authority Building Control Services from: Derby City Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, Amber Valley Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

This collaboration has created the most effective and efficient service to deliver building control requirements throughout Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

If you’re worried about potential structural damage caused to your home by damp, get in touch with DBCP’s team for advice, by calling 0333 880 2000 or via the website – dbcp.co.uk.

DBCP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Superior Wellness adds two new brands to its growing portfolio

Chesterfield’s Superior Wellness has announced the launch of two new brands for 2022, both welcomed extensions to its growing brand portfolio.

The two new brands, AquaSolus and Fiji Spas, will offer improved choice, innovation and exceptional designs.

AquaSolus is Superior Wellness’ most high-end product offering in its ten-year history. The new hot tubs from this range will be marketed to prospective partners looking to expand their product offering.

Superior Wellness, the world’s fastest growing hot tub manufacturer, currently offers a wide range of hot tubs and swim spas from leading brands including Platinum Spas, Be Well, Thermals Spas and California Spas.

The two new brands were recently soft launched at SPATEX: The Pool, Spa & Wellness Show 2022. Superior Wellness proudly showcased a variety of hot tubs at the show. Six of the models displayed were completely new to the market for 2022.

AquaSolus

AquaSolus, meaning ‘health through water’ in Latin, is the essence of what users will experience with this range. The hot tubs have been developed with wellness and hydrotherapy at the forefront, offering the most premium hot tub range from the Superior Wellness portfolio yet.

The range encompasses various well sculptured models, from all seater models to models with one lounger. There are six hot tubs in total, all which are named after famous lakes from across globe.

The moulds and placements of jets have been carefully crafted to offer a world-class hydrotherapy experience. AquaSolus will help Superior Wellness and its global partner network attract a completely new target market.

Fiji Spas

Fiji Spas, the new Canadian built hot tub range from Superior Wellness, brings together quality engineering alongside industry leading materials and experienced manufacturing.

The hot tubs have been carefully designed with the end user in mind offering a selection of family orientated hot tubs that incorporate a range of benefits to suit all customer requirements. Fiji Spas encompasses various well sculptured models, from a compact single lounger to a 3-hydrotherapy pump social seater.

Graham Message, Business Development Manager at Superior Wellness, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to launch the new brands at SPATEX this year. This was our first return since the 2020 show, and it was fantastic to return with such a strong presence.

“The response we received from prospect partners was incredibly positive. We are excited about the latest additions to our brand portfolio and are confident that both AquaSolus and Fiji Spas will offer customers across the globe improved choice and exceptional hydrotherapy.

“We welcome any new partners who are interested in partnering with Superior Wellness to reach out to us. There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the journey.”

In addition to the new brands, Platinum Spas, the long-standing flagship brand by Superior Wellness, has also launched three new hot tubs for 2022. The Marseille, Monaco and Mykonos are the latest additions to the Platinum Spas premium range. The Monaco hot tub was proudly displayed on the Superior Wellness stand at SPATEX 2022.

Superior Wellness supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield MP congratulates local construction apprentices

The Chesterfield MP and Shadow Minister, Toby Perkins, has praised the work of local construction apprentices during a visit to William Davis Homes’ Skylarks development.

Mr Perkins, Shadow Minister for Skills and Further Education, presented certificates to bricklayer Kieran Moulds and joiners Joshua Ford and Dominic Heardman.

The trio completed their apprenticeships with the house builder at the development in Dunston. All three live in Chesterfield, attended Chesterfield College and will continue to work at Skylarks in their chosen trades.

Mr Perkins was joined by Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and representatives from Chesterfield College. Both organisations worked with William Davis Homes to create these local apprenticeships opportunities.

Gary Long is the Apprenticeship Manager at William Davis Homes. He said: “It’s rewarding to see these three completing their apprenticeships after what has been a difficult couple of years for them. They have seen their training disrupted because of the pandemic and I’m proud of the resilience and commitment they have shown despite this challenge.

“We were also pleased to work with Chesterfield College and the Borough Council to offer our apprenticeships to young people in the Chesterfield area looking to build a career in construction. Over the years, a large part of our workforce has been built on apprenticeships and we aim to continue to create these opportunities.”

The MP for Chesterfield, Toby Perkins, said: “I am delighted to present these apprentices with their certificates and congratulate them on their hard work and achievement. I also want to thank William Davis Homes, Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield College for working together to create these positions and help these apprentices with their skills development and career progression. This cooperation by local authorities, providers and businesses is great to see.

“Recent research proves that our nation’s economic growth is being held back because too few young people are being attracted into the Construction industry. It is estimated that we need to train as many as 40,000 more apprentices every year to keep pace with demand and retirements from the industry. We need many more apprenticeship opportunities so I am delighted to herald the work of these young people today.

“Skills and retraining should be a vital part of our economic recovery and high-quality apprenticeships are central to this. These apprentices now have a foothold in the construction industry, which they can use to build a career in many different directions.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant added: “Developing the skills young people have is vital to ensuring they have the ability to access career opportunities created by investment in Chesterfield. Our local labour clauses help ensure that investment creates these local employment opportunities and prioritises local suppliers.

“The progress of the apprentices on this site is just one of many successful examples of this policy in action. We can help create the opportunities with investors and developers but it is the hard work of these apprentices that has ensured they achieve their qualifications and developed the skills they need to be successful. I want to congratulate them all on this fantastic achievement.”

This week marks National Apprenticeships Week in the UK, running between 7th-13th February. The week is being marked in Chesterfield with the town’s Employability and Skills Conference on Wednesday, 9th February at The Speedwell Rooms in Staveley.

The conference will focus on the future skills and green growth agenda and examine the current recruitment challenges that employers face. A selection of local skills providers based in Chesterfield & North Derbyshire will also be showcased in an exhibition at the event.

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Derbyshire recognised as ‘national leader’ with county deal announcement

Derbyshire has been recognised as a national ‘Levelling Up’ leader with the government announcing today that they had secured a County Deal set to bring substantial investment to the area.

Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council, working alongside the 8 other district and borough councils in the area, have been awarded ‘pathfinder’ status by the government as part of the deal – one of the first to be awarded at county level.

Though figures have not yet been announced, the deal will bring extra investment to support economic growth in the area, alongside the transfer of specific powers from central government to a local level in areas like transport, bus services, housing and skills, giving greater autonomy to local leaders over decision making and funding.

Derbyshire County Council Leader, Cllr Barry Lewis said the success would improve people’s lives across the county and city.

He said: “Today’s County Deal announcement for Derbyshire and Derby is the result of significant and long-term work between councils and wider partners like the NHS and police with a shared focus on improving opportunities, growth and quality of life in our county through our collaborative approach.

“I’m delighted that the government has recognised our unique partnership offer, and we welcome this significant investment in delivering levelling-up locally by those who know our communities best.

“Derbyshire has been at the forefront of this process over the last couple of years and it’s fantastic to see the hard work come to fruition with this announcement which demonstrates our national reputation as a county that delivers and stand ready to level up for Derbyshire and Derby.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is welcome news which builds on Chesterfield’s recent success in securing £20m of Levelling Up Fund funding to restore and remodel the Stephenson Memorial Hall and transform and connect our town centre public squares and market grounds.

“We look forward to working with Derbyshire and Derby to make the case for a North Derbyshire Growth Zone as part of the County Deal that builds on our ambitious regeneration plans for the Staveley Works Corridor, opens up opportunities for new rail sector businesses and complements the vision and aims of our ground-breaking £25.2m Staveley Town Deal.”

More information is expected from the government in the coming weeks.

Find out more about investing in Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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SEO CoPilot celebrates 10 years of success

A Chesterfield business which specialises in Search Engine Optimisation, Web Design and Social Media campaigns is set to celebrate 10 years of helping other firms increase traffic to their website, and boost the amount of sales and enquiries they receive.

SEO CoPilot will be marking the occasion by creating special artwork for the firm’s social media platforms and website, along with thanking clients for putting their trust in the company over the years. The team now comprises of eight digital experts.

SEO CoPilot director Guy Tomlinson, said: “We have had to develop our processes over the years, not only due to the pandemic (which has affected the way most businesses operate to some extent), but also in light of technological advancements, new software, and our expanding range of services. Our ability to adapt to the changing industry has resulted in us receiving over 200 5 star online reviews from happy clients.”

“Our team at SEO CoPilot are constantly monitoring the ever changing world of SEO – we always stick to the Google guidelines and only practice SEO techniques that are organic and that work long term, we never cut corners to achieve unrealistic results quickly.

“Our sole focus is to get our client’s phones ringing and bring in more business for them, so we will always do right by our clients. Over the last 10 years, SEO techniques and what Google is looking for has changed hugely, which is why it is important that we constantly keep up to date with this, and find techniques that bring results.”

Guy also explained why Chesterfield was the ideal place to locate the business: “We love doing business in Chesterfield – not only do we have the best clients, but it’s great to see how much the area is progressing over time. The development of The Glass Yard in Chesterfield is one thing in particular that has impressed me recently, it’s coming along so well and is going to be a huge asset to the town and small businesses once it is completed.”

Over the next 10 years, the company intents carry on expanding its skill set and knowledge as a team to continue delivering a 5 star service to clients.

Guy added: “We are not looking to become a huge company as we have such a great team already and love to give a personal service to our clients, however we would be looking to add a few more skilled people to the team when it’s the right time to do so.”

Find out more about locating your business at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

SEO CoPilot supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Plans revealed for 600 new homes and major regeneration in Staveley

A developer has announced major plans to regenerate Staveley, with 600 homes set to be built on a brownfield site in the area.

Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has announced the freehold acquisition of a 133-acre strategic land site in Staveley, Derbyshire, capable of delivering 600 new homes, extensive green space and other amenities.

The brownfield site is located off Works Road, close to the A619 to the west of Staveley, and in an area known as the Staveley & Rother Valley Corridor. This area has been identified by Chesterfield Borough Council’s Local Plan as a Strategic Site allocated to deliver 1,500 new dwellings and employment opportunities, alongside a HS2 maintenance depot, primary school and energy generation opportunities. The site is also located along the Chesterfield Staveley Regeneration Route (“CSRR”), a proposed single carriageway road connecting Chesterfield to the M1, which is planned for completion in 2025.

Harworth will work collaboratively with Derbyshire County Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, adjacent landowners and other local groups to bring forward a comprehensive delivery plan for residential development along the CSRR. As part of this, Harworth will leverage its placemaking skills to transform the 133-acre land parcel, delivering 600 homes, including a mixed tenure product, alongside new green open spaces, a retail hub and other amenities in the vicinity. Harworth will also manage the closure of the landfill currently located on site, reclaiming the land for new habitat creation as well as the retention of ecology areas to ensure biodiversity net gain.

The site benefits from its proximity to Staveley, which last year was awarded funding by the UK Government’s Towns Fund programme to regenerate Staveley town centre, construct a new railway station and deliver additional employment land. Harworth will work with the Staveley Town Deal Board to ensure that the development complements and enhances these wider regeneration plans.

Submission of an outline planning application for the development is expected in 2023, to coincide with proposed timescales for the commencement of the CSSR.

Andrew Blackshaw, Chief Operating Officer at Harworth, commented: “Staveley is one of a number of recent acquisitions by Harworth as part of our strategy to grow our strategic land portfolio. We look forward to working with local authorities, landowners and other local groups to unlock the significant potential of this brownfield site.”

Andy Roberts, Acquisition Manager for Yorkshire & Central at Harworth, added: “Our freehold acquisition of Staveley presents an opportunity to take a leading role in delivering regeneration in the Staveley Corridor, building relationships with local stakeholders and using Harworth’s unique skillset to deliver new homes and amenities for the community.”

Harworth supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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“We all have a role to play in ensuring that Chesterfield is future-proofed”

Destination Chesterfield Chair, Peter Swallow has published his latest blog focusing on the importance of skills and job creation in the town.

2022 certainly kicked off in style (pun intended) with a trip to Chelsea for Chesterfield FC in the FA Cup.

In what was the ultimate David and Goliath match, Chesterfield FC’s players battled bravely to the end and did themselves proud. However, we must not overlook the fans- Thousands of Spireites travelled to Stamford Bridge and their conduct, friendliness, and optimism made them the ultimate ambassadors for the town. I could not have been more proud of Chesterfield on this historic day.

The conduct of players and fans helped raised the profile of our town in a very positive way, not just nationally but internationally with goodwill messages being received from as far afield as Africa and Russia.

At the 80th minute it would have been easier for the players to sit back and prevent more goals. Not our players, they battled on to score a precious goal against the reigning European champions, sending the fans back home with a smile on their face.

Doesn’t this mirror Chesterfield’s response to the pandemic?

Two years, the town could have bunkered down and ridden out the pandemic. Instead, we chose to forge ahead with existing plans and came up with innovative solutions to ensure Chesterfield continued to grow and develop in the face of adversity.

During the pandemic, Chesterfield has attracted more than £30million in government funding to help revitalise the town centre and regenerate Staveley. Most importantly jobs and opportunities will be created for thousands of young people in the borough.

The last two years have been extremely challenging for students and employers, and it has never been more important to work together to ensure Chesterfield has the skills to grow and recover from those challenges.

We’re committed to creating jobs for local people, which is why, with more than 16,000 students in North Derbyshire set to gain their GCSE and A level qualifications in the next five years, it’s important that they are work ready and know about the opportunities – like apprenticeships – available to them when they leave education.

The annual Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability & Skills Conference, which this year fell during National Apprenticeship Week – plays a big role in this.

Organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield with support from Derbyshire North Careers Hub, it continues to strengthen links between education providers and local businesses. Apprenticeships, alongside university and college all take equal billing at the conference, recognising the importance each of them plays in ensuring the town has a skilled workforce.

However, let’s not wait for a conference and awareness week to highlight the importance and value of apprenticeships. Make sure young people around you are aware of apprenticeships and the value they bring to their personal and professional development and the town’s prosperity.

We all have a role to play in ensuring that Chesterfield is future-proofed. Having a skilled workforce is key to ensure our town continues to thrive for generations to come.

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Businesses set to move into Chesterfield’s new Glassyard development

One of Chesterfield’s exciting new developments, The Glassyard is beginning to welcome businesses on-site with a local hairdresser confirmed as one of the companies set to move into a retail unit there.

A move to The Glassyard has enabled MD Hair to take the business to the next level after operating as a sole trader for five years.

The Glass Yard is a 50,000sq ft development comprising a mix of office and retail space as well as an artisan food and drink hall, known as the Batch House – set to open in February.

The move to The Glass Yard on Sheffield Road, has seen MD Hair grow from sole trader status to a team of three.

Michelle Dalman, Director of MD Hair commented: “I’m really excited to see more businesses moving into The Glass Yard. I am already delighted with the number of new clients we’ve had through the door. Now, it’s all about building the brand and moving forward from there.”

Despite having grown from a sole trader working in premises on Mansfield Road, to a salon with eight chairs, Michelle already has further plans for future growth. She explained: “We’re already thinking about how we can grow. We’ve got room here and I would like to add another salon in the near future.

“We’d also love to open a training academy and be able to offer in house apprenticeships. All our staff have got higher training and that’s important to us. We’re offering a luxury, premium service here and want customers to have more than just a haircut – it’s an experience.”

Sheffield-based property law specialist Mason Thomas Law assisted in her move to the brand new, bespoke premises at The Glass Yard. Mason Thomas Law worked closely with Blue Deer Ltd, to secure the lease deal on behalf of MD Hair.

Michelle explained: “The team at Mason Thomas Law has been amazing. Not knowing anything about the legal side of things, they have really helped me understand everything by breaking everything down into Layman’s terms. Jumping from being a sole trader to this is quite a big leap, so it’s good to have their support.”

Cathy Thomas, Director and Solicitor at Mason Thomas Law said: “It’s been great to see the growth of MD Hair and we’re thrilled to help the business move into its new premises. As well as acquiring new premises, Michelle was upscaling the business at the same time, so it was important to us that we made the lease negotiations at The Glass Yard as straightforward as possible for her. It’s an exciting time for Michelle and her team and we all wish he well and look forward to seeing the business thrive.”

To learn more about how Mason Thomas Law can help you, get in touch with the team today on 0114 2945 360.

 

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Mortgage 1st shortlisted for prestigious industry award

Chesterfield-based Mortgage Advice firm Mortgage 1st has been selected as a finalist in the Yorkshire East Midlands category at this year’s NatWest Local Hero Mortgage Awards.

Natwest is recognising mortgage brokers in the industry who have gone beyond everyday expectations to put the customer and their local community at the heart of their business.

Across the 12 regional categories, firms have been asked to demonstrate their position as a local mortgage and protection expert, their commitment to quality advice, excellent customer outcomes, and their positive contributions using the key areas of environment, inclusivity, wellbeing, charity and community. Only 3 firms have made it to the finals for our region.

Lisa Stones, Operations Director at Mortgage said: 1st said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have made it to the finals in the Natwest Local hero Awards. These awards focus on the areas of our business that mean the most to us, our team, our customers and our local community.

“To have made it to the finals is a huge achievement in itself and we’re extremely proud of our passionate, dedicated and hardworking team. We’ve got our fingers crossed for the awards!”

With their continued growth over the last 10 years, Mortgage 1st are able to continuously offer career opportunities for those with experience, as well as training and supporting individuals who are new to the industry. Their apprenticeship scheme encourages school leavers to enter financial services by providing a friendly and supportive learning environment.

Mortgage 1st designed a schools programme and have already delivered to hundreds of local students, offering them valuable life lessons about mortgages and future financial planning. Their diary is filling up fast for this year with new schools regularly approaching them.

Luke Christodoulides, NatWest’s national account manager, said in a recent article in the Mortgage Solutions publication: “These firms have exemplified putting the customer and their local community at the heart of everything they do, in addition to providing sound financial advice for those consumers within their locality.”

The winners will be revealed at the gala awards ceremony which will be held in Birmingham’s iconic grade 1 listed Town Hall in March.

Mortgage 1st supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital announces her retirement

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive, Angie Smithson, has announced that she will retire in April.

After serving 36 years in healthcare, Angie joined the Trust almost three years ago and has since provided leadership throughout the pandemic.

Angie has also served as a member of the Destination Chesterfield board, helping to guide the strategic direction of the promotion of Chesterfield as a place to live, work, visit and invest.

Dr Hal Spencer, the Trust’s current Medical Director, will take the role in the interim before recruitment is expected to begin later in the year.

Angie said: “I can’t say enough about how incredibly proud I am of all our colleagues who make the NHS and Chesterfield Royal Hospital the place it is today.

“We have a caring and successful organisation and continue to recruit and retain some of the very best colleagues in the country. We are now setting course for the future with Joined Up Care Derbyshire and the establishment of the Integrated Care Boards, this provides a clear vision of the further ongoing improvements we want to make for our patients.

“Seeing that through is a long-term job and as my plan was to retire at this age, now feels like the right time to leave on a high. I will stay in position to provide a suitable handover and provide stability to the organisation that I am hugely proud of and I will be handing over to Dr Hal Spencer as the interim Chief Executive from 1 April. I know Dr Spencer will offer clear and compassionate leadership during these challenging times.

“It has been such a privilege to have worked in healthcare for the whole of my career and to have been the Chief Executive here at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. I have relished leading through these unchartered waters with a team that continue to go not only the extra mile but the extra marathon! You are a credit to the organisation, the NHS and the communities we care for. Thank you.”

Angie’s career started in nursing in 1986 and has since worked in nursing and midwifery, whilst completing her degree. She then moved into general management roles, completing an MBA and has served in Board Director roles in Foundation Trusts for the last 14 years.

During her time in charge, Chesterfield Royal Hospital was shortlisted by the HSJ for two years running for Staff Engagement and Freedom to Speak up, receiving highly commended accolades for both, has refreshed the Trust Five Year Strategy and also agreed and commenced the £24m Urgent and Emergency Development – all alongside managing the pandemic. The Trust is currently rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Dr Helen Phillips, Chair of the Trust, added: “We wish Angie all the very best for the future. Her leadership has been greatly appreciated during what has been an unprecedented period of challenge compounded by the effects of the pandemic.”

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