Business award

Matlock Farm Park’s George Finlay wins national Tourism Superstar award

Matlock Farm Park’s George Finlay is celebrating after being announced as VisitEngland’s 2022 Tourism Superstar.

22-year-old farm supervisor George saw off tough competition from nine other finalists across England to be crowned the winner, receiving 29% of the public vote and becoming the competition’s youngest winner to date.

The Tourism Superstar award was launched by national tourism agency VisitEngland and The Mirror 10 years ago to recognise the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry.

George was nominated for his enthusiasm, passion, knowledge and dedication – attributes that win him regular praise in visitor reviews. His responsibilities include looking after the health and welfare of animals, interacting with visitors and running informative animal-based activities such as wallaby encounters and meerkat talks.

George is particularly passionate about the mental health benefits of animals and when Matlock Farm Park was closed during Covid restrictions, he was the driving force behind the creation of weekly Facebook Live broadcasts to entertain visitors with uplifting content.

In addition, George actively seeks to encourage younger visitors to have a love for animals and with his beaming smile and friendly approach, he goes out of his way to ensure people of all ages and abilities have a memorable day.

The announcement comes after George won Silver in the Tourism Young Achiever category at the Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards earlier this month.

Reacting to news of his win, George said: “I am over the moon to have won the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar award. I feel so lucky to work in a job where I can share my passion for animals with visitors of all ages and winning this national award, which is voted for by members of the public, is a huge honour.

“The Peak District and Derbyshire is an incredible destination, with so much to offer visitors, and I’m delighted that I get to play a small role in helping people to have memorable experiences. Thank you to everyone who voted!”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “At just 22 years old, George is a fantastic ambassador for our vibrant tourism sector and we’re delighted to see him win this prestigious national award.

“George embodies all that is great about working in the Peak District and Derbyshire’s tourism industry – he is friendly, helpful and engages with people of all ages with a view to making their trip special. A huge well done to George and thank you to everyone who voted.”

Andrew Stokes, Director of VisitEngland, said: “Tourism Superstar recognises the people who go the extra mile to create standout visitor experiences, and each finalist has gone above and beyond for tourists. George has clinched the title thanks to his tireless work in ensuring visitors to Matlock Farm Park gave the best time whilst making sure the animals have all they need.

“During Covid, he also extended the healing reach of the animals into people’s homes with his live streams, from lambing to feeding, supporting people to feel connected. Many thanks to all our finalists and to everyone who took the time to take part in the voting.”

Matlock Farm Park and Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

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.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Chesterfield’s MTM Products scoops top industry award

Long-standing medical graphics specialist, MTM Products, is celebrating after being named Industrial Graphics Specialists Company of the Year by a leading industry publication.

MTM were handed the prestigious award by Industrial Process News for ‘helping its existing and potential customers establish an optimum cost-effective solution for their requirements’. The Derbyshire firm has 40 years’ experience in manufacturing and supplying labels, graphic overlays, bespoke safety signage to parts manufacturers in the UK and EU.

A lot of MTM’s focus in 2021 has been supporting the medical sector with bespoke products and they are proud to have helped long-standing customers over the past 18 months. To support the medical sector, MTM has produced UDI and brand labelling for medical device manufacturers, graphic overlays for medical device control panels and nurse call handsets, as well as hygiene and safety labels for hospitals, care homes and industrial companies.

MTM’s focus now is solidifying its reputation within the sector so it can provide cost effective, regulated bespoke graphics solutions in the years to come.

Ian Greenaway, Managing Director of MTM Products, commented: “We are delighted to have received this award and we feel our achievement is down to hard work and the strong relationships built with clients over the years. I’d like to thank our team for their incredible efforts.

“It has been a privilege supporting our clients within the medical industry during these challenging times and we will continue to offer the same quality of service across other industries that are starting to get back on their feet.”

Find out more about MTM Products at www.mtmproducts.co.uk

MTM Products supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, HomeTagged in , , , , ,

Essential Site skills shortlisted for national ‘Positive Impact’ award

Essential Site Skills has been made a finalist for the ‘Positive Impact Award’ at the prestigious SME National Business Awards 2020.

The SME National Business Awards are made up of 16 categories and is a sought after accolade of achievement, a veritable endorsement of success in business.

The Positive Impact Award is an award dedicated to those companies who have adapted and innovated their business for the good of the community, in order to provide solutions to presented challenges.

The pinnacle of the awards is the Grand Celebration, a black tie evening on 28th July 2021.

The SME National Business Awards are made up of 18 categories that allow any successful business in the UK to enter. All entries are judged by up to 4 of a national panel of judges.

Training & Consultancy Director for Essential Site Skills, Darren O’Neill commented: “We’re super thrilled to be shortlisted for the SME Positive Impact Award. In what has been a challenging time for all recently, this recognition highlights the incredible durability, creativity and dedication of our outstanding employees across all areas of ESS to ensure our clients still receive the very best services.”

Essential Site Skills provides a plethora of courses across a range of disciplines relating to construction, plant operations, workplace health and safety, and much more. The company is one of 12 others shortlisted for the Positive Impact award.

You can find out more about the ceremony taking place in July here: https://www.smenationalbusinessawards.co.uk/

The company recently celebrated another award nomination; Managing Director Catherine Storer has been shortlisted as a nominee for the National Business Women’s Awards, taking place in May. Catherine will be up alongside nine other women nominated in the ‘Business Woman of the Year – Small’ category. You can find out more about Catherine’s nomination here.

Essesntial Site Skills supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

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