Development

Chesterfield’s CMP Legal advises on record £140 million worth of corporate transactions in a year

CMP Legal, a leading niche commercial law firm based in Chesterfield has achieved significant growth in 2024. The company has advised on 24 corporate transactions with a combined deal value of over £140 million over the past 12 months, marking an incredible milestone for the firm.

This remarkable achievement demonstrates the company’s high level of expertise in handling complex transactions. Since its inception in 2021, CMP Legal has grown from strength to strength and has carved a niche as an approachable, but commercially focused law firm that offers a fresh perspective. The company specialises in corporate, commercial, dispute resolution and employment law.

Over the past 12 months, CMP Legal has acted across a variety of sectors, earning a nationwide reputation for its strong expertise in the Dental and Pharmacy sectors. In addition, the firm has acted upon several large scale Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) and has served as trusted advisors in the Professional Services and Private Equity sectors.

CMP Legal advised on the following Corporate Transactions from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024:

Deal Type Deals Done:

  • Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) – 3
  • Pharmacy Purchases & Sales – 4
  • Dental Purchases & Sales – 6
  • Professional Services Purchases & Sales – 3
  • Private Equity – 1
  • General (Non-sector specific) – 7

Anna Cattee, Executive Director at CMP Legal says: “We are immensely proud to announce that our department has achieved completion on transactions with deal values of over £140 million for the calendar year 2024. This remarkable milestone reflects not only our team’s dedication and expertise but also our ability to attract and serve high-calibre clients who trust us with their most significant deals. We are expanding year on year, and while 2024 was an excellent year, the momentum is continually building in 2025 and we’ve started off with several completions in their millions for January already!”

CMP Legal advises on all forms of corporate transactions, across all industries, including mergers and acquisitions, disposals, private equity transactions, transaction due diligence, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, reorganisations and demergers, corporate structures and governance. The company also provides dispute resolution and employment law advice.

The business 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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Entry opens for awards showcasing young professionals in our region

Future leaders, creatives and apprentices are among East Midlands 18-35s set to be recognised for outstanding ability, potential or achievement in 2025’s Generation Next Awards, now open for applications.

Powered by East Midlands Chamber, Generation Next provides learning and development resources, skills workshops and mentoring for professionals and entrepreneurs in the 18-35 age group. The Generation Next Awards are one of the most important events in the network’s calendar.

Three new award categories have been introduced for 2025: Excellence in Professional Services, Excellence in Sales and Marketing and Communicator of the Year, while entry requirements for established categories have been refined. Following a judging process winners will receive awards at a celebratory event in summer.

Entry for all 12 categories closes on 7th March and submissions can be made by people within the qualifying age group or by a colleague.

Generation Next Lead and East Midlands Chamber Director of Resources Lucy Robinson said: “The day we hit ‘go’ on the Generation Next Awards is the start of an exciting rollercoaster each year! There’s so much young business talent in the East Midlands that deserve to be recognised for hard work, skill or innovative thinking. 18-35’s can enter themselves, or a business or colleague can nominate on their behalf.

“We’re all used to hearing of people awarded after making millions for a company. Generation Next is that same star quality in people – just much earlier in their journey! Whether you or a colleague excel in customer service, are a promising apprentice or have led a project brilliantly, we want to know.

“I’m really excited we have three new awards for 2025 and we’ve revamped the requirements for our longstanding awards too. Winning a Generation Next award isn’t just 5 minutes in the spotlight – you get excellent exposure, and nothing highlights brilliance like an award judged by industry leaders.

“I’m often asked for tips on what makes a winning entry. I’d just say don’t hesitate or overthink as people have often achieved far more than they realise or see in themselves. That’s why businesses can nominate an employee or colleague on their behalf. If you or a colleague stand out in some way, our judges will see that too so don’t hold back. We’d love to see you at the ceremony in summer, which is always great fun, and join in celebrating a Generation Next award win!”

Categories for the 2025 Generation Next Awards

• Apprentice of the Year Award
• Creators and Makers Award
• Excellence in Customer Experience Award
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• Future Leader Award
• Innovator of the Year Award
• Talent Development Award
• Community Impact Champion Award
• Excellence in Sales or Marketing Award
• Emerging Talent Award
• Communicator of the Year Award
• Excellence in Professional Services Award

Applications close at 17.00 on 7th March 2025.

To see full entry requirements or submit an entry click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Manufacturing, Skills, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Nearly £200 million coming to the East Midlands for transport funding

Nearly £200 million is set to come to the East Midlands, improving links in Chesterfield and Derbyshire.

This significant funding – comprised of several different sources – has been given to East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) from the Department for Transport* and is for the year 2025/26. It includes a new pot of money specifically for Mayoral Combined Authorities: an extra £66 million, on top of last year’s commitments**, which pushes the transport budget for next year to nearly £200 million.

This will allow EMCCA to invest in creating better connections between cities, towns and rural areas, making it easier and cheaper to travel around the whole region. It will help give people more choice on how they travel and will make networks safer and improve public spaces.

It will further support major network improvement schemes and improve the reliability of bus services, making them more accessible for everyone and providing better facilities and information for passengers. It will also help to move to fully zero emission bus fleets and support the development of and connectivity to the region’s growth zones.

More money will also go towards highway surface improvements – a local authority responsibility – so they can fill potholes and improve our roads.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I am delighted we have been given this additional funding to invest in our roads and local transport programmes across the region. This is more than filling potholes and getting people from A to B, it’s about transforming lives and communities, and it will give us a fantastic opportunity to connect people across the region and make it easier to access jobs, skills training, health appointments, and our incredible tourist attractions.

“We will work closely with key partners and councils to make sure every penny of this funding makes a difference. The ambition is to create the best possible transport system for the East Midlands and this funding will help us towards achieving this. We want to transform transport opportunities for all those who live, work and do business in our region, as well as those who come to visit our amazing places – creating a region where everyone has the chance to succeed.”

The funding is both capital and revenue and is derived from the following sources:

• Highways Maintenance
• Integrated Transport
• Active Travel 5
• Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP)
• City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements 2 – early release

EMCCA is the single public transport body for the whole region and services and resources from councils are currently being transferred over to the Authority.

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Chesterfield rail firm receives order for environmentally friendly shunting locomotive

A Chesterfield company has received an order for a zero-emission shunting locomotive, following a positive trial period.

Heidelberg Materials, which supplies heavy building materials, has ordered its first zero emission battery shunting locomotive to support internal rail operations at one of the UK’s leading quarry facilities.

The highly innovative 08e battery locomotive will be delivered by Chesterfield-based Positive Traction in the summer of this year and follows two weeks of trials with the 08e prototype in October at Heidelberg Materials’ Whatley Quarry in Somerset, the company’s largest UK quarry.

Heidelberg Materials’ 08e shunter will be upgraded to zero emissions operations by repurposing an existing 60-year-old vehicle from its current operational fleet and removing its carbon-based diesel power source, achieving an immediate reduction in carbon, NOx and particulate tail-pipe emissions. The move to zero emission shunting of thousand tonne trains within the Whatley Quarry site will also offer environmental benefits to nearby communities.

Alistair Gregory, Director of Positive Traction, said: “I’d like to thank the Heidelberg Materials team at Whatley Quarry for inviting us to trial the prototype 08e last year and for their swift move in placing an order for an 08e designed with their specific and demanding requirements in mind. All of us at Positive Traction are hugely excited by Heidelberg Materials’ recognition of the opportunities presented by repurposing existing traction to meet the zero emissions demands of tomorrow’s railway.”

Vincent Pitt, Area General Manager at Heidelberg Material’s UK, said: “Our order for a battery powered 08e shunter is part of Heidelberg’ Materials’ 2030 commitment to reduce scope 3 emissions in delivery transport by 15 per cent from our 2019 baseline and to be fully carbon neutral by 2050.

“We were enormously impressed by the trial of the prototype 08e easily mastering 1,000-tonne aggregate trains on what is a steep and challenging internal quarry network in places. By offering a donor vehicle for conversion by the Positive Traction team we can capitalise on our existing assets and secure the long-term future of these powerful shunting locomotives in a sustainable way.”

Maggie Simpson, Director General of the Rail Freight Group, said: “This is an excellent example of the aggregates sector partnering with an innovative UK SME to deliver zero emission rail movements in a very demanding operational environment. I congratulate both Heidelberg Materials UK and Positive Traction on this announcement and look forward to seeing the 08e in operation later this year.”

Find out more about the benefits of locating your organisation in Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

battery powered shunting locomotive in action shunting trucks

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Manufacturing, Skills, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield’s Crush Design shortlisted for major continental award

An independent design and branding agency based in Chesterfield, which works for brands both close to home and across the globe, has been recognised by the only awards programme in Europe that celebrates the transformative power of rebranding and brand development.

Crush Design has been shortlisted for the Transform Awards Europe 2025, under the category of ‘Best Visual Identity From the Engineering and Manufacturing Sector.’ The nomination comes as a result from the company’s recent re-brand for Ziemann Holvrieka.

The awards recognise excellence in creativity and strategy across the whole brand development process. Categories cover audio branding, brand architecture, brand evolution, creative strategy, implementation, visual identity, and wayfinding. The awards also include a special recognition subsection to identify the most strategic, creative and innovative brand specialists.

Natalie Burkinshaw, Director at Crush said: “As a renowned global player with 15 subsidiaries worldwide, Ziemann Holvrieka has been at the forefront of shaping the beverage industry for over 170 years. Their engineering and manufacturing experience has seen them build breweries for the world’s most esteemed beer brands, along with executing projects across complementary industries worldwide.

Black and white image of female business owner smiling at camera

“But despite their centuries of success, the Ziemann Holvrieka brand was starting to fall behind. Whilst very established, their identity needed to be re-imagined to retain a competitive brand presence and look to the future of brewing engineering.

“Taking on this year-long re-brand project involved each and every one of the Crush team, but the hard work was certainly worth it. Working with the senior management at Ziemann Holvrieka, too, proved seamless, and as project partners that truly understood and trusted our creative thinking both during the development and rollout of the refreshed brand.

“They really were, and still are, a pleasure to work with, as we continue to support them in sustaining their identity across their website, sales collateral and wider creative assets. We look forward to the award results in March!”

Crush 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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East Midlands unemployment falls to lowest level in over a year

Unemployment in our region has fallen to the lowest level for more than a year, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures.

However, East Midlands Chamber has warned that the impact of higher staffing costs businesses face from April, following measures announced in the Autumn Budget has yet to be seen.

The latest ONS data for the East Midlands region covers September to November 2024 and is now the lowest unemployment rate in England, having fallen 0.8% from the previous quarter. The last time the figure was below this point was April to June 2023.

Figures also show unemployment in the region among over 16’s having dropped more than any other region in the UK to 3.8%.

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Falling unemployment is absolutely something we want to see, getting people into jobs and driving the East Midlands economy, but the reality is we’re not at a champagne moment. The swathe of costly measures announced to businesses in the tough Autumn Budget hasn’t hit yet and could well turn this figure upside down.

“Our most recent Quarterly Economic Survey revealed Corporate Taxation at the top of concerns reported by businesses, followed by inflation and business rates. With National Insurance contributions set to rise and a lower rate at which payments are made, added to a higher national living wage on the horizon, businesses have difficult decisions to address.

“We have strong data that shows a doubling of East Midlands businesses planning to cut back on recruitment, up to 22% of firms. To put perspective on that, it was 9% in the survey we carried out before the Autumn Budget was announced. Three out of ten respondents in the survey after the Budget have revised their investment plans downwards for training, while six out of ten plan to up their prices. These are signs that businesses are going ‘should we really be pushing up our costs when we’ve got huge added costs to foot somehow.’

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey is a reliable indicator of business intention in the East Midlands as it’s based on both sentiment and measurable factors. Businesses invest when times are good and the right environment is in place, but when you’ve attributed a certain amount of outgoing cash and then learn your staffing costs will be higher than anticipated you may well rethink.

“Political leaders must not sit back and wait to see how the next few months unfold. We need policies in place that are supportive to businesses in the East Midlands, enable uninhibited growth, so businesses are not having to freeze spending to protect themselves.”

To view East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey Q4 2024 click here.

Looking for support or advice for your business? Get in touch with Destination Chesterfield today, and we’ll put you in touch with funded advisors to discuss your needs.

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Regional skills funding to be highlighted at Chesterfield business conference

Chesterfield and North Derbyshire businesses are being encouraged to embrace new skills initiatives which aim to create high-quality jobs, bridge skills gaps, and ensure our region thrives in high-growth industries.

The upcoming Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference will outline how businesses can access and bolster local talent to support the growth of our economy.

The conference will highlight new and emerging policy at national and regional levels. This includes the government’s intention to launch foundation and short apprenticeships in key sectors, investing £40m to create a Growth and Skills Levy and a Youth Guarantee Trailblazers initiative. The East Midlands is one of eight areas in England and Wales set to benefit from additional funding for young people.

Delegates will also gain updates on existing programmes that enable new and existing employees to access an apprenticeship or other work-related training, such as Skills Bootcamps and supported internships – with no or minimal cost to employers.[1] Experts will update delegates on emerging topics, initiatives, funding, and opportunities to upskill their workforce.

The conference will hear from Cllr Paul Hezelgrave, Portfolio Lead for Skills & Employment at East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), who will speak about the challenges and opportunities in skills and employment across the region.

Cllr Hezelgrave commented: “The East Midlands is at the forefront of innovation, and we want to ensure our businesses are equipped to harness future growth in our region. By investing in local talent, we can close skills gaps, create high-quality jobs, and support sustainable and inclusive growth. This is an exciting time for employers to shape the future of our workforce, so I would encourage businesses to attend the conference and gain a comprehensive overview of the latest opportunities. I look forward to meeting regular members of our business community who attend the conference, and many new ones.”

Delegates will also hear about the benefits of inclusive recruitment and how employers can engage with a new project. Six Youth Voice Ambassadors will attend to share their experiences of the Connected Futures project, which is designed to break down barriers and improve access to employment for young people with learning disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Condition.

Back by popular demand, the conference will once again include an interactive Round Table session, giving businesses a unique chance to engage with four different table hosts who are experts on skills support and funding.

The conference seeks to strengthen existing links between education providers and local businesses. This helps ensure school leavers become work-ready and can ‘make it’ in their hometown.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, commented: “We are proud to deliver the annual Employability and Skills Conference, which plays a vital role in supporting continued collaboration among businesses and the skills and education sector, promoting the sharing of best practices, and enhancing the skills of our residents. By developing a resilient workforce, we can help local businesses seize new opportunities and drive growth.

“This year’s conference places a strong emphasis on the wide range of support available to local businesses, and I encourage all business leaders to attend and explore the resources on offer.”

Find out more about the event and book your place at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-north-derbyshire-employability-skills-conference/

The Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership delivers the Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability & Skills Conference in association with Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.

[1] Government funds the training and assessment cost of an apprenticeship for those aged up to 21 for non-levy paying employers. Employers are not required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to 25 (where the employee’s wage is below £4,189/month).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Manufacturing, Property and Construction, Skills, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Long-awaited PEAK gateway resort breaks ground

The long-awaited PEAK gateway resort situated on the eastern boundary of the Peak District has broken ground. Phase One is scheduled to open to visitors 2027/8.

Consented on 283 acres (114 hectares) of reclaimed former opencast land, PEAK proposes the UK’s first purpose built national park gateway ‘resort town’.

PEAK Gateway will offer visitors world class facilities and services as a base from which to access the trails and attractions of the 550 square mile National Park. Similar to a ski resort, PEAK Gateway has visitor mobility at its heart. PEAK’s mobility system will link up the trails and country lanes of the Peak District without the need for a car and help establish the area as the largest integrated off and on road cycling and hiking region in the UK.

Planning approvals totalling 1.8mft2 (168,000m2) have been granted to facilitate a multi-branded mixed use development available to both day and stay visitors. The approvals offer extensive experiential retail, a wide range of leisure and educational facilities, a wellness clinic with operating theatres, 2,850 car parking spaces and up to 2,000 hotel rooms and 250 holiday lodges. The development has consent for its own energy park.

PEAK Gateway will be delivered by way of an incremental and phased ground leasing strategy. Heads of terms have already been agreed for the first two anchor plots with Colliers acting as Real Estate Adviser and leasing agents for Birchall Properties, the land owner. Phase One represents in the region of 30% of the consented development and is scheduled to open 2027/8.

Plan of new PEAK Gateway building - artist impression from high vantage point

Fully implemented PEAK has the potential to achieve a development value of over £1billion and sustain thousands of jobs. Around 70% of the reclaimed estate will be set aside for continued biodiversity gains as well as offer nature connectivity to encourage people’s engagement and delight in nature.

Sheffield City Region granted £2.85m for the construction of the now completed resort public highway access from A61 interchange at Sheepbridge and the new public rights of way around surrounding the resort estate.

The commencement of land formation works continues the delivery of the outcomes promised by the grant. Booths Group https://theboothgroup.co.uk/ have been appointed lead contractor for the land formation activity.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Acting Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “PEAK offers an opportunity to use formerly open cast land in a way that supports nature but also creates new opportunities for our residents and increases the number of visitors coming to Chesterfield. It is great to see work starting on site and I look forward to seeing the development progress.”

Scott Knowles CEO of the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce said: “PEAK’s gateway manifesto provides the opportunity for regional businesses to participate in the construction and operation of a world class ESG exemplar enterprise celebrating and making available the cultural and natural assets of our region.”

Jo Dilley Managing Director Visit Peak District and Derbyshire said: “The PEAK Gateway development, is a transformative project that will redefine the visitor experience in the Peak District. With the introduction of high quality serviced hotels, we will be able to cater to more groups and international visitors, offering world-class accommodations and amenities. The sustainable transport solution at the heart of PEAK will not only enhance the visitor experience by providing seamless access to the park’s trails and attractions but also significantly reduce car traffic in busy hotspot areas, a change
that will be warmly welcomed by local residents. This development marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and enjoyable future for all who visit and live in and around the Peak District.”

James Shorthouse, Head of Alternative Markets at Colliers Real Estate said “We are delighted to have advised PEAK, and to be delivering exciting new developments bringing visitors and employment to Chesterfield and the East Midlands region of the UK.”

For enquires please contact james.shorthouse@colliers.com

Matthew Booth, Founder of The Booth Group, highlighted the significance of the project, stating: “This is a three year programme for Booth’s and perfectly complements our specialism of regenerative land solutions bringing challenging landscapes back into beneficial use. We are thrilled to be part of the iconic Peak Gateway development, activating the UK’s growth potential through the regeneration of land for local communities and legacy value.”

Rupert Carr of Birchall Properties said: “From the outset PEAK has been a land first business, over 30 years and millions of pounds has been invested in the revival of the former opencast estate and the obtaining of now implementable planning permissions. It’s great to finally be underway and to be involved in a regenerative enterprise capable of activating and sustaining clean growth in the regional visitor economy”. For enquiries, visit the PEAK community information website https://www.peakliaison.co.uk/enquiries

Location of PEAK Gateway

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Stay, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Bridge Help celebrates five-year milestone from Chesterfield base

Chesterfield’s Bridge Help, a specialist provider of commercial bridging finance, is proudly celebrating five successful years in business.

Operating from its central Chesterfield headquarters, located on Old Brick Works Lane, the company has not only thrived but also defied the odds, with fewer than half of UK businesses surviving beyond their fifth year, according to government statistics.

Research shows that the likelihood of business failure increases year-on-year up to five years:

  • 1 year: 6% have failed
  • 2 years: 27% have failed
  • 3 years: 44% have failed
  • 4 years: 54% have failed
  • 5 years: 60% have failed

Founded in 2019 by Chesterfield native Chris Sellars, Bridge Help has since risen to become a trusted name in the bridging finance industry as well as developing a reputation for doing complex deals.

Reflecting on the achievement, Chris Sellars, General Counsel and Chief Executive of Bridge Help, said: “Reaching the five-year milestone is particularly meaningful because the odds are stacked against businesses surviving this long. It hasn’t always been easy, but through adaptability, hard work, and a commitment to doing things better, we’ve carved out a niche as a lender that prioritises personalised service over a ‘tick-box’ approach.”

In addition to the firm’s people-focused approach, Chris attributes Bridge Help’s strategic location in Chesterfield as a contributor to its success. The town providing a central base for servicing brokers and investors throughout England and Wales as well as attending major industry events in Manchester, London, and beyond.

He added: “Chesterfield is more than just my hometown; it’s the ideal location for Bridge Help. Its central position enables us to stay connected to brokers and clients across the UK while attending key industry events such as MBE and the Finance Professional Show. I remain deeply committed to Chesterfield, which has proven to be an excellent foundation for our growth.”

Bridge Help was launched to address inefficiencies Chris encountered during his legal career with Banner Jones Solicitors, where delays in securing finance often disrupted property deals. Determined to make a difference, he founded the company to offer fast, tailored lending solutions.

Originally based at offices on Hady Hill, the company relocated to its current HQ off Sheffield Road in 2020 where it employs a nine-strong team. Chesterfield’s central location and transport networks allows the team to meet brokers and clients across the UK with ease while also attending industry events that drive business growth.

“Chesterfield isn’t just where our story began; it’s central to how we operate. The town offers a fantastic quality of life for our team, and its strategic position enables us to remain agile and responsive to our clients’ needs,” he added.

Looking to the future, the company has recently secured additional inward funding, which will enable it to expand its lending book sustainably.

“This town is part of our DNA, and we’re excited to continue our journey here, supporting businesses and property projects across the UK. Here’s to the next five years and beyond.”

If you’re looking for a short-term loan for commercial property and would like to speak to a member of the Bridge Help business development team, contact Bridge Help on 033 3303 4681 or visit bridgehelp.co.uk.

Bridge Help 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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Whittam Cox Architects expands into Scotland

Chesterfield’s Whittam Cox Architects is expanding, having announced the opening of its new office in Scotland.

Situated in Dundee, this expansion marks a milestone in the practice’s growth strategy and underscores its commitment to delivering architectural services in the region.

The new Scottish office will serve as a hub for the practice’s growing portfolio of projects in Scotland. The initial focus will be on Retail, enabling them to collaborate more closely with both national and local clients and stakeholders.

This strategic move aims to strengthen the company’s footprint in the region, with a particular focus on driving growth in the retail sector, as well as providing further potential to expand into a wider architectural offer to deliver projects in other sectors.

The practice has worked in Scotland for many years with some of the UK’s leading retailers. This office will look to further develop their ability to deliver a range of projects in the country.

“We are thrilled to officially launch our new office in Scotland,” said Andy Dabbs, Managing Executive Director: “We see Scotland as a diverse and dynamic market for us. By establishing a local presence, we aim to deepen our relationships with existing clients and enhance our proposition and reach for new client growth, both here and in Ireland”.

The Scottish office will focus initially on retail work. The firms long-standing expertise in retail architecture will be complemented by its aspiration to deliver wider architectural design and delivery services in the region.

The new office will be led through the new appointment of Regional Director Clive Gordon; a retail and technical expert with experience spanning many years. Clive is known to the practice through collaborating on previous projects together.

Commenting on his new appointment and the announcement of the new office, Clive said: “This is a great opportunity to build on the clear strengths of Whittam Cox Architects profile and reputation, and I’m delighted to be joining and them and shaping this new location. Through working closely with the senior management team and wider practice colleagues, we are confident we can create a strong service offering here with clear potential for growth.”

Whittam Cox Architects 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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Trio of Champions begin 2025 with exciting announcements

Three Chesterfield organisations have started 2025 strongly, announcing staff promotions and boosted services.

Our latest roundup features a new service being launched by Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s Primary Care department, a new CEO announced for SMH Group, and an exciting new role for a Managing Partner at Shorts Accountants.

Find out more below:

Royal Primary Care enhances patient experience with new phone system

Doctor writes on clipboard wearing stethoscope and gloves

Arriving at a time of increased demand across the NHS and primary care, Chesterfield’s Royal Primary Care (RPC) is excited to announce a positive development for patients with the implementation of a new, state-of-the-art phone system, Surgery Connect, designed to enhance patient experience and streamline practice management.

Nathaniel Webber, Managing Director of Royal Primary Care, said: “We are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients. The introduction of Surgery Connect is a significant step forward in improving our communication capabilities. This system will ensure that our patients experience more efficient and effective service, reducing wait times and enhancing overall satisfaction.”

Key benefits for patients:

• Enhanced Queue Position and Call-Back Options: Patients will spend less time waiting on the phone with new queue and call-back features.
• Effective Signposting: Patients are directed to the right service quickly, reducing wait times.
• Seamless Integration with Clinical Systems: Calls are managed more swiftly, with patient details easily checked and updated.
• Dedicated Cancellation Option: Patients can easily cancel appointments, helping to reduce wasted slots and improve availability.

Initial feedback from other GP practices using Surgery Connect has been overwhelmingly positive. Practices have reported significant improvements in call handling efficiency and patient satisfaction.

According to recent data, 60% of UK GP practices using Surgery Connect have seen a marked improvement in their communication processes. Additionally, patient surveys indicate an 85% satisfaction rate with the new system, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing the overall patient experience.

Royal Primary Care is a division of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This close relationship allows for a more integrated approach to healthcare, combining primary care with hospital services to provide comprehensive care for our patients and ensures that we can respond effectively to the significant challenges in primary care and continue to deliver high-quality services.

Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the operational benefits: “Surgery Connect is not just about better phone lines; it’s about integrating our communication with our clinical systems to provide a seamless experience for both patients and staff. The new system will allow us to manage calls more swiftly, update patient details easily, and reduce the time taken to handle each call. This means our staff can focus more on patient care.”

Shorts’ Managing Partner Andy Irvine elected to Global Board of Praxity

Shorts_Andy Irvine

With affect from 1st January 2025, Shorts’ Managing Partner Andy Irvine has been elected to the Global Governing Council and Board of Praxity – the world’s largest alliance of independent accounting and consulting firms.

Shorts have been members of Praxity since 2018, and in the six years since joining, have forged strong relationships with member firms and extended their reach to businesses worldwide. The alliance provides a modern responsive delivery model that gives member clients access to quality auditing, tax, accountancy and advice around the world, whilst UK clients remain confident in the knowledge that partner firms in other territories are there to support and guide as appropriate.

Having played an active role within the Alliance and chaired the UK conference for four years, Andy’s appointment to the Global Board, reflects his commitment to the future success of the Alliance.

Upon confirming his appointment, Andy Irvine said “I look forward to working with Steffen Aherns, Jason Drake and the rest of the Praxity board as we focus on developing the alliance for an exciting future, whilst continuing to serve our global clients with outstanding work.”

As active members of the alliance, Shorts maintain strong relationships with international colleagues. During 2024 alone, representatives from Shorts attended the North American Leadership conference, the Global Tax conference in Madrid, the Global conference in Singapore, and the North American Tax Conference in Orlando.

You can find out more about how being a member firm of Praxity helps Shorts’ clients by visiting shorts.uk.com/praxity/

SMH Group appoints Jonathon Dickens as CEO, James Hartley steps into Chairman role

Jonathon Dickens SMH Group

Yorkshire and Derbyshire based accounting and business services firm, SMH Group as announced the appointment of Jonathon Dickens as CEO of the business, with James Hartley moving to the role of Chairman.

Having been at the firm for almost 20 years after joining as an apprentice in 2005, Jonathon has been instrumental alongside James in the firm’s strategic growth in recent years, completing multiple acquisitions since 2017 and expanding the group’s service offering to include commercial finance, mortgage brokering and wealth management.

With these changes, SMH is doubling down on its already successful growth strategy and its vision of becoming the leading accounting and business adviser in the region. Key to this is continuing to attract and retain the best talent, making it the partner of choice for clients in the region, and continuing its current growth trajectory through a combination of organic growth and future M&A activity.

Jonathon Dickens, CEO said: “Our people are what makes SMH such a fantastic place to work and an equally trusted advisor to our clients. I hope to carry on the great work James and I have done together by continuing our growth trajectory into 2025 and beyond.

“On a personal note, I’d also like to thank James for being an inspirational figure, a true mentor and friend during our time to date at SMH and beyond.”

James Hartley will be moving to a strategic advisory position in his new role as Chairman of SMH Limited.

James Hartley, Chairman added: “Over the last 22 years, SMH has become a business we can truly be proud of, with an incredible team and clients. I look forward to supporting the business in a strategic capacity in my new role as Chairman.”

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