chesterfield champions

Trio of Champions begin 2025 with exciting announcements

9th January 2025

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

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

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

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.”

Champions latest: Businesses celebrate successes across Chesterfield

19th December 2024

Chesterfield businesses are continuing to celebrate growth and success, closing out 2024 on a high.

Find out below about some of the latest hires, growth and success stories across our community of Chesterfield Champions.

A Christmas to celebrate at Robinson Paperbox

Robinson Paperbox Packaging is celebrating its most successful Christmas production run, just over a year after their entire facility was almost destroyed in the town’s mass flood.

Thanks to the fantastic efforts of their whole team, the factory is now completely restored. The SATE and Emmeci machines are back in full production with increased capacity for new and existing orders to take them into 2025.

Christmas clients include Wentworth Wooden Puzzles, Betty’s Bakery, Biscuiteers Baking Co, Neom Wellbeing and Holdsworth’s premium chocolate range. This year Wentworth have created a beautiful bespoke range of advent calendars for the festive season with challenging designs and innovative packaging solutions.

Robinson are also involved in several projects for Betty’s in both confectionery and bakery-based products, recently producing the newly launched chocolates and truffles range which includes the Cru Savage Truffles, Champagne Truffles and Salted Caramel Chocolates. They have also recently manufactured the Betty’s Chocolate Tasting Box with its brand-new look, their famous Florentines, Fruit Clusters and Chocolate Desires, and their Langues de Chat chocolates boxes which are a festive favourite.

Jon Walker, New Business Development Manager for Robinson commented: “Securing work with high-profile customers is great for our business and shows exactly why our FSC accreditation is so important”

“We really have had the best Christmas production ever, which is amazing considering the devastation of the flood this time last year. The team have pulled together to not only restore our factory and production in record time but to create a bigger and better business with increased capacity for new orders next year.”

Robinson Paperbox partners with some of the world’s most luxurious brands, from concept to commercialisation, creating widely recyclable packaging which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled material and produced fully in the UK.

Robinson were recently awarded FSC ® certification (Licence code: FSC-C186000) for its Paperbox division.

FSC certification ensures that all products produced at Paperbox are sustainable. FSC-managed forests help provide clean air and water by restricting hazardous chemicals and following strict harvesting and forestry practices. Their work also helps ensure a diversity of animals, trees and plants as well as providing safe working conditions for everyone involved.

Veezu celebrates one million app downloads in 2024

Veezu, the UK’s fastest-growing taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) business,nannounces that it has reached a significant milestone surpassing over 1 million app downloads in 2024 alone.

This achievement reflects Veezu’s strong growth and expanding presence in the UK as well as its ongoing success in providing its highly accessible on-demand and prebooked transport solutions to passengers.

Veezu is licensed to operate in over 50 local license authorities in the UK and has likewise rolled out its mobile app in over 50 cities, towns and rural areas across Yorkshire, Merseyside, the Midlands, South Wales, the South West, the Home Counties and Cambridgeshire.

As Veezu’s popularity grows, the company is continuing to transform the way people travel by blending the deep local expertise of traditional taxi and PHV firms with the efficiency and scale of a national platform that equally serves urban and rural communities, setting it apart in the industry. This unique approach has resonated with UK passengers and the one million download benchmark reached since 1st January 2024 reflects this.

The Veezu app serves both business travel and leisure journeys and prioritises an experience designed around passenger choice, guaranteeing a smooth experience from start to finish. The app allows passengers to book and pay for rides using cash or card, offering flexibility that suits diverse preferences and makes booking a journey simple and straightforward.

For corporate clients, Veezu’s app offers seamless business travel management where employees can book rides directly, with charges billed to their company accounts, eliminating personal reimbursement processes. This efficient setup enables businesses to manage travel costs while giving employees a stress-free booking experience.

Founded in Wales in 2013, Veezu is a UK home-grown tech success story that remains deeply engaged with the communities it serves, integrating local partnerships as part of its mission. In December 2024, for every app booking in Wales, Veezu will donate to Childline Cymru, supporting essential services for children in need. Additionally, app bookings in Cambridge throughout 2024 will contribute to a donation to the East Anglia Air Ambulance, supporting critical services for those in urgent need. In October 2024, a nationwide campaign saw Veezu donating, for every booking made to Cerebral Palsy charities.

These initiatives highlight Veezu’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families across the UK.

Nathan Bowles, CEO of Veezu, commented on the milestone, “We are incredibly proud to reach one million app downloads this year. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and making travel as convenient as possible for passengers. We’ve built a booking system that adapts to the needs of all our users by harnessing our strong tech platform, focus on user experience and our significant footprint.

“The growing reach of our app and our operations is buoyed not only by the continued positive reception to our app but by the appetite in the market for prebooked and on-demand PHV travel solutions across the breadth of the UK.”

Shorts ready for growth with appointment of new Tax Partner

Shorts are delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Walker as Tax Partner with effect from 1 December 2024, joining existing Tax Partners Chris Chambers, Scott Burkinshaw, and David Robinson in leading the firm’s tax offering. Responding to a decade of sustained growth, the appointment of Shorts’ fourth Tax Partner supports their continued commitment to growing the Tax department and underpins the firm’s continued development and strength.

An experienced Chartered Tax Adviser and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Craig has over 20 years of tax experience at large regional firms and a top 15 firm, and he rejoins Shorts twelve years after previously completing his early tax training at the firm.

An enthusiastic advocate for his hometown of Chesterfield, Craig will be based out of the firm’s offices at Ashgate Road and will advise clients on all areas of UK taxation with a particular focus on Private Client work. Going forward, his role will transition progressively towards taking a more active role in the leadership and strategy of the firm, in particular within the Private Client team as Chris Chambers moves towards retirement.

Craig said “I am thrilled and honoured to be joining the team at Shorts, during such an exciting time in the firm’s growth and history, and I am proud to take this next step on my professional journey. I am very much looking forward to working with the leadership team, and to help drive forward the continued success of such a highly respected firm and exceptional tax team.”

Chris Chambers, Senior Tax Partner at Shorts, said “Craig’s passion for Chesterfield and our wider region, experience and expertise makes him a great appointment for Shorts, and it is testament to the strength of the firm that we can attract an individual of Craig’s calibre. Craig will focus on Private Client advice as well as Business Tax matters as required, using his experience of having previously provided the full range of tax advice to a similar client base to ours. Craig will be a fantastic addition to our partner group whilst also forming an important part of our succession planning. I am confident that with Craig on board, the firm will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Scott Burkinshaw, Tax Partner added “I am delighted that Craig has agreed to join us at Shorts. We have enjoyed significant growth over the last decade and have ambitious plans for the future, and this appointment further strengthens our position as we head into the next chapter of our long history”.

Superior Wellness Appoints Steve Noel to Lead US Expansion

Superior Wellness is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Noel as the new US General Manager, a strategic role designed to lead the company’s expansion efforts in the United States. With more than 20 years of experience in operations and distribution, Steve brings an impressive background to Superior Wellness, enhancing the company’s capability to deliver on its growth plans.

Steve previously held key roles in distribution and operations, including as Senior Operation Manager at Target Corp., where he managed operations across over 100 Target stores in the Southeast. Additionally, he spent seven years with Sleep Number Inc., overseeing essential functions in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. This extensive experience equips him well for his new role at Superior Wellness, where he will be instrumental in establishing and leading the Cameron, South Carolina facility.

Steve expressed his excitement about joining the Superior Wellness team, stating, “I could not be prouder or more excited to join the Superior Wellness team, especially as part of launching the Cameron, South Carolina facility. I’m thrilled to help build something sustainable here in the States that will drive the company’s growth for years to come. We have a beautiful facility in South Carolina that will soon be a showcase for excellence.”

In his new role, Steve will focus on building a strong foundation in warehousing and distribution at the Cameron facility, setting the stage for long-term operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Gareth Ward, Global Sales Director, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Steve to the US team. His operational expertise and leadership experience are invaluable assets as we expand our presence in the US. I look forward to working closely with Steve as we drive Superior Wellness forward.”
The Cameron facility represents a major step in Superior Wellness’s strategy to grow its footprint in the US market. Under Steve’s leadership, the facility is poised to become a model of operational excellence, contributing significantly to the company’s future success.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Robinson Paperbox, Shorts, Superior wellness, Veezu

Chesterfield Champions highlight our town’s biggest successes in 2024

17th December 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, Chesterfield is reflecting on another productive year for the town.

The last 12 months has seen work progress on the transformation of our town centres in Chesterfield and Staveley, the restoration of our historic canal, and the Markham Vale scheme which celebrated it’s 20th anniversary.

Another huge boost was the confirmation of the £160m East Midlands Investment Zone scheme, which will support advanced manufacturing and green industries, including at the former Hartington Colliery site.

With further ambitions for growth in 2025, the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have shared with us their biggest successes from the past 12 months.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader, Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair, Destination Chesterfield

“It has been an incredibly busy year in Chesterfield, as well as delivering our day to day services that many of our residents rely on, work on the revitalisation of our town centres in both Chesterfield and Staveley has begun, we’ve invested in helping residents develop the skills they need, provided grants to community groups, hosted museum exhibitions across the borough, launched a new public art project that will create new artworks and activities for people to enjoy and together with our partners we’ve seen significant progress towards delivering the Staveley Town Deal programme.

“Heading into 2025 there is lots to look forward to, with our key regeneration projects set to complete we want to ensure that everyone can benefit from a growing economy to see real improvements in their day to day lives.”

Scott Knowles, CEO, East Midlands Chamber and Destination Chesterfield Board Member

“The progress of the significant volume of economic regeneration projects across Chesterfield Borough towns has been significant across 2024. The tangible impact these are making on our towns is starting to gain momentum which creates greater opportunities for 2025 and beyond.”

Nick Catt, Managing Director, Weightron Bilanciai and Destination Chesterfield Board Member

“Over the past year, Chesterfield’s biggest success has been the continuation of the regeneration of the town centre, particularly the transformation of the Market Hall area that will be completed at the start of the new year and the improved retail and leisure spaces.

“Looking ahead to 2025, I’m most optimistic about the continued growth of both the local economy and the quality of life for residents with both new industrial and residential plans moving forward at the former Staveley Chemicals site and hopefully the start of the Staveley bypass road.”

Dominic Staniforth, Partner at BHP LLP and Destination Chesterfield Board Member

“From the football club gaining promotion back into the English Football League, to the town hosting the Walking World Cup and being awarded £20m as part of the Long-Term Plan for Towns deal, it’s been a great year for Chesterfield.

“Looking forward, it has been really positive to see the success of the events taking place in the market square, and we are excited about the completion of the refurbishment there and further positive developments across Chesterfield in 2025 and beyond.”

Jamie Wajs, Managing Director, Lime Living Estate Agents

Retaining the happiest town in the East Midlands in the Rightmove Happy Home Index!

This is really positive for Chesterfield and also with attracting new residents and businesses into our historic town.

It really shows that we still have a great community spirit, a work & play balance for families, as well as being an excellent location, with access to outdoor recreational enjoyment.

Jessica Risorto, Director, Redbrik Estate Agents

“This year saw 200 more runners participate in the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K, reflecting the event’s growing popularity and community engagement. Additionally, Chesterfield’s housing market has continued to stabilise indicating a steady and resilient local economy.

“For 2025, with interest rates reducing we hope to see first time buyers and aspirational upsizers back in the market. We’re also looking forward to the completion of the market square driving residents back into the town centre.”

Kevin Walker, Owner, Black Swan Cyber

“Chesterfield’s biggest success of the past year undoubtedly lies in the return of Chesterfield FC to the EFL. This momentous achievement has re-ignited passion and pride within the town. Looking at 2025, we’re optimistic about our future business plans and getting more involved with Destination Chesterfield events.

“We also excited about the revitalisation of the town centre, including the Market Place and Stephenson Memorial Hall.

Anna Melton, Director, in the Works PR

“2024 marked 13 years of being part of the Chesterfield business community for In the Works PR. Reflecting on these years it’s amazing to see the progress the town continues to make – Elder Way and Waterside, to name just two developments.

“Looking to 2025, we’re excited to launch our new PR and social media training programmes, which are designed to help members of Chesterfield’s thriving start up and small business community achieve the recognition they deserve.”

Kriston Harvey, Director, Rodgers Leask

“I think the positivity that came from Chesterfield FC being promoted back into the EFL shouldn’t be underestimated! Following 6 years in the National League, this was a huge achievement. The club is pulling in a good crowd each week and hopefully they will continue to build on their progress this season.

“In terms of what I’m most optimistic about for 2025, the good thing is there seems to be plenty happening across Chesterfield, so lots to choose from. Personally, I am really looking forward to seeing the RHOC project continue to progress on site. The works to the Market Quarter are already looking fantastic!”

Natalie Burkinshaw, Director, Crush Design

“Reflecting on the almost 20 years that Crush has been in Chesterfield, the biggest thing that stands out is just how much has been achieved in putting our town on the map. This year, we’ve noticed our clients and connections becoming increasingly familiar with Chesterfield, and all the opportunities to be found within it!

“Whilst 2024 has been another year of new creative projects and wins for our team, as we move into 2025, our 22nd year of business, we look forward to Chesterfield’s increasing reputation as a home to independent business success.”

Daniel Rich, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park Hotel

“Chesterfield’s biggest success this year was the spectacular success of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival, which drew record crowds and showcased local talent.

“Looking ahead to 2025, I’m optimistic about the town’s ongoing transformation, including the exciting Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project, which will further enhance its appeal. We’re proud to support a community that’s growing as a top destination for events, tourism, and business.”

Laura Jo Owen, Owner, Adorn Jewellers

“2024 was an exciting year for Chesterfield, securing a £20m government investment and launching our independent Town Board. It was wonderful to hear from people in the public consultation. We have a strong community, it’s great to see the love and support that Chesterfield receives.

“Next year, I’m looking forward to seeing continued progress on our beautiful new market place. I’m excited to see the project taking shape during 2025.”

Rod Auton, Secretary, Chesterfield Canal Trust

“Our new 38m long bridge at Staveley has already proved to be a tourist attraction. 2025 will see us restoring a length of canal under it, including a new lock, a new bridge, beautiful wildlife-friendly landscaping and 2km of new towpath all the way to Renishaw.

“Meanwhile, Derbyshire County Council’s new Moorings building at Staveley Town Basin, including a café, will open in the spring.”

Claire Shaw, Director of Care, Ashgate Hospice

“As we continue to navigate funding pressures, worsened by the cost-of-living crisis, our staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond to support families living with a life-limiting or incurable illness in North Derbyshire.

“This year, we were absolutely blown away by the number of people who turned out for our Sparkle Night Walk—it was our biggest and best event yet! “We’re so grateful to every single walker who joined us and to our amazing community for helping raise over £340,000.

“With Sparkle marking its 10th anniversary in 2025, we’re hopeful that the Chesterfield community will once again rally behind us to ensure we can continue to be there for those who need us most.”

Philip Dalton, Owner, Dalton Roofing

“The real success for chesterfield is the continued progression of our business community working together and building relationships.

“I hope that we can continue to put chesterfield on the map as a thriving town to visit for visitors to enjoy and a gateway to the peak district. You can see from the Chesterfield Investment Summit the passion and support local business have, here at Dalton Roofing.”

Sian Spencer Bray, Clinical Director & Lead Psychotherapist, Therapy and Lifestyle Clinic

“It has been great to see so many new businesses opening in the area, particularly in retail and hospitality. This shows that Chesterfield is an attractive environment for investment and has enhanced the town’s appeal to residents and visitors alike, fostering community engagement and tourism.

“It would be great to see this continue into 2025 as it indicates a thriving local economy.”

Mike Jones, Owner, Mike Jones Photography

A significant trend this year has been the conversion of commercial properties into residential spaces. Notably, 87 New Square and Burlington House have been transformed into modern, comfortable living spaces. These conversions have not only provided much-needed housing but also revitalised these historic buildings, preserving their charm while adapting them for contemporary use.

“I cannot wait to see the transformation of the Market Place and New Square to complement these changes.”

Jenna Stevens, Content Creator, Pure Awards

“One of the best things for Chesterfield in 2024 has been the business expos. It’s great to have so many amazing opportunities to network, connect with other businesses, and build meaningful relationships, right on our doorstep.”

Mike Norton, Owner and Co-Founder, Hogg Norton

“One of the great successes of 2024 has been the investment into the rejuvenation of Chesterfield’s historic Market Square. We are looking forward to the completion of this in 2025 which will showcase the town.

“As a local business producing award winning Fruit Liqueurs we’ve had a successful 2024 and look forward to continuing this growth by having more local businesses stock our products while also supporting local businesses into 2025.”

Kerry Bentley, Managing Director, DBC Training

“As a business we are growing, and we see Chesterfield as a key part of our growth plans. The investment in our new premises support this, offering more learning space for us to deliver high-quality employment and skills training courses in Chesterfield.”

Stacey Davies-Bowler, Managing Director, Pinewood Properties

“As we reflect on 2024, I believe Chesterfield’s biggest success has been the repurposing of derelict buildings and renovation of historical landmarks. Restoration projects such as The Pomegranate Theatre , Market Place, Burlington House, and The Court House are shining examples of this.

“I’m optimistic that this momentum will continue into 2025, breathing new life into our town’s heritage and enhancing its charm. I’m excited seeing more innovative projects that showcase Chesterfield’s rich history and character.”

Catherine Wenborn, Managing Director, Vines Legal Ltd.

“It is great to see ongoing re development of empty premises by a wide variety of different businesses offering employment and leisure opportunities for the people of Chesterfield.

“At Vines Legal we are proud to be a part of the business community and contribute to the local economy.”

Paul Chapman, Editor, S40 Local

I’m thrilled by the way Chesterfield embraces change, whilst many towns of our size appear to be really struggling Chesterfield actively secures funding that brings new jobs and skills into the area.

The town centre will see significant change over the next few years, and I feel that we are geared up for the challenge and well placed to capitalise on our physical location and strength of community.

Charlotte Marshall, Director, FWD Motion

“Chesterfield is vibrant and exciting and there is a real buzz about the place – with a growing number of new businesses, from independents and startups to larger companies expanding or moving here. Investment in the town makes it an excellent place to do business.

The town is thriving, and it is noticeable there is growing optimism within the business community here, particularly over the past year. I’m already excited about the opportunities ahead for our business, as well as for Chesterfield’s communities as a whole in 2025.”

Matt Close, Director, NeoDyne

“The Chesterfield business community welcomed NeoDyne when we set the UK office up 18 months ago, and it’s great to see it continuing to thrive. We’ve had lots of interaction with other businesses, and it’s great to hear others focusing on similar challenges, and what we can collectively do to address them. This year the commencement of the “Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield” project is making great progress, as well as the Staveley Town Deal Projects.

“It will be great to see how these develop in the coming year, and how we can encourage people to visit the new town market, Rykneld Square, and the wider area. It’s also been interesting to see how we can contribute to attracting talent to stay in the area, especially with regards to local young talent, with the likes of apprenticeships.”

Dawn Brown, Owner, Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare

“In 2024, we’ve risen stronger than ever after the devastating floods. We are rebranding to Dogland and we remain the same beloved destination for all dog owners with even better services, proudly unveiling our rebrand.

“We’re especially thrilled about the revitalised Chesterfield Market, a cornerstone of our community’s revival. This exciting transformation will welcome visitors back to Chesterfield, showcasing resilience and a vibrant new chapter for all. Together, we’re moving forward!”

Richard Sherwood, Director, Roy Peters Estates

“I was most impressed by the positive attitude of the young people we met undergoing training at the new Construction Skills Hub in Staveley. Like our own apprentice George, they questioned us, demonstrated commitment to their training paths and were a pleasure to speak to.

“It’s a great initiative and a credit to Chesterfield, Chesterfield College, Staveley Town Deal and The Devonshire Group. Well done to all concerned and looking forward to seeing these younger skilled tradespeople ready to support our industry.”

Sarah Wills, Associate Director, Nineteen47

It has been wonderful to see the economic growth in the region being supported by the delivery of quality homes for people to live.

“The delivery of the Construction Skills Hub is a triumph for the town and its partners and demonstrates the forward thinking, collaborative nature of Chesterfield. This project will support the housing growth that will be needed in the coming years to compliment the commercial inward investment into the town.”

Andrew McDaid, Partner, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

“As a proud Chesterfield business with a legacy spanning over 150 years, we understand the vital importance of a strong and growing local economy. During 2024 we were thrilled to work with numerous new business start-ups and the relocation of many businesses to Chesterfield.

“This is in addition to our continuing advisory services to many established businesses to achieve their growth ambitions. Our commitment to this cause drives us to continuously forge strategic partnerships with local businesses, including our fellow Chesterfield Champions.”

Georgia Severn, Head of Marketing, Custom Solar

“At Custom Solar we are amazed by the work done in Chesterfield to support the use of renewables within the local community. We’ve installed multiple rooftop Solar PV systems for local businesses and even improved our own office space, as we constructed our own solar carport canopy, energising before Christmas.

“We’re excited to watch Chesterfield thrive as an energy efficient town in 2025 as more businesses generate their own energy.”

Andrew Payne, Director, Chesterfield Estates

“In the past year, Chesterfield has seen remarkable growth and community spirit, the success of our football team. Their promotion has not only elevated our standing in the league but has also fostered a sense of pride and unity among residents. The influx of supporters to matches has boosted local businesses and invigorated community initiatives, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the town.

“Chesterfield stands to benefit significantly from the ongoing investment in our iconic market. This revitalisation will not only enhance the shopping experience for locals and visitors alike but also attract new businesses and vendors, further stimulating the local economy.”

Sasha Brailsford, Operations Manager, UKATA

“Over the past year, Chesterfield has made incredible strides in education and training, with initiatives like the Construction Skills Hub preparing over 5,000 people for opportunities in the sector.

“Starting at Chesterfield College and soon moving Staveley, this project offers hands-on training on a live construction site. UKATA is optimistic about the continued impact this innovative program will have on skills development and awareness of construction related illness including mesothelioma.”

Robert Longden, Managing Director, Central Technology

“During the past year the town has seen significant investment in new office spaces and business developments. Projects like the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre have played a crucial role in boosting the local economy, attracting new businesses and potential new employees allowing Central Technology to continue to grow.

“Looking ahead to 2025, I’m most optimistic about the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project in attracting future growth and an even more vibrant and attractive place to live and visit.”

Nick Grayson, Managing Director, Pinelog Limited

“I’m really optimistic for 2025 which is in no small part down to our manufacturing facility in Chesterfield that we have invested heavily in since relocating here. Pinelog’s own customer research has shown that households will continue to prioritise their holidays, which bodes well for both our holiday parks and timber lodge manufacturing businesses.

“Our location geographically positions us well to work with holiday parks and land owners throughout the UK to capitalise on the domestic holiday market. It’s also great news for businesses locally looking to benefit from the tourism economy.”

Taylor Hogan, Careers and Employability Worker, Direct Education Business Partnership

“Chesterfield is the perfect base for a growing and developing business like ours and we have benefited from its central location and accessibility. We’ve been able to offer some of our programmes more widely, inviting schools to attend our new on-site learning space.

“This provides us with more opportunities to support young people to recognise their potential and develop key employability skills; equipping them for success.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in Chesterfield business community, chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news

Promotions and collaborations lead to growth for Champions

6th December 2024

Businesses in our town’s network of Chesterfield Champions are continuing to achieve exciting milestones, with further growth and success announced my several organisations in recent weeks.

Find out the latest news in our roundup below:

New leadership structure for the next chapter at Whittam Cox Architects

As part of our planned succession strategy and ongoing evolution, Whittam Cox Architects is excited to announce a new management structure for our senior leadership team. With Ashley Turner stepping down from his role as CEO, the new structure is designed to unify and build upon the experience of our directors into a single Executive team.

Effective from 1st December 2024, marking the start of our financial year, the new structure will see the Executive Directors continue to lead the practice in terms of service and project delivery, whilst also taking on additional responsibilities for specific areas of strategic and operational leadership.

Andy Dabbs and Nick Riley will take on newly formed roles as Managing Executive Directors. These positions will draw on the personal and complementary strengths of each individual’s experience and impact to date.
In addition to Andy and Nick, the Executive Director team will consist of existing shareholders; Dave Savage, Jon Godwin, Dan Cocker, Steve Spedding, David Skelton, Mark Williams, Ian Lowson and Paul Rogers.

Andy Dabbs, who also supports the town as a Destination Chesterfield board member, said: “This is an important milestone for us in our sixth decade. We’ve achieved so much progress and diversification in the last ten years, and we are both excited and optimistic about the future. This evolution of our practice leadership structure recognises and promotes the directors into one team. We believe this will positively support leading the business effectively and successfully into the future. We feel both confident and excited about this news and the transition which we are looking to fully realise over the next year and beyond”.

Nick Riley: “Our compass in navigating this change has been centred on providing the best outcome for the practice holistically and for our clients. This structure will provide more opportunity for inclusive progression of colleagues and will help us to continue building on the strength of our service offering to clients. As a practice we want to leave a positive impact and legacy in everything we do and for us this is about being Progressive by Design.”

Ashley Turner: “This marks a new era for Whittam Cox Architects and is part of a succession plan and practice evolution essential for the long-term success of the practice that we set in place just over 10 years ago. I have every confidence that this remarkable business will continue to be successful and grow with this leadership model.”

Green Arch Consulting Expands Sustainability Expertise with New Consulting Partner

Green Arch Consulting, a boutique sustainability consultancy whose founder Emma Knight-Strong is based in Chesterfield, is delighted to announce the appointment of Aberdeen based Zoe Yuill as a Consulting Partner.

This expansion bolsters the firm’s expertise, enhances its geographic reach, and strengthens its service offering.

Zoe brings significant experience in sustainable finance, corporate governance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. Her addition to the team enhances Green Arch Consulting’s existing advisory services covering sustainable business practices, transition planning and sustainable corporate governance.

It also allows the business to expand its growing ‘virtual Chief Sustainability Officer’ service for SMEs looking for senior-level specialist sustainability support but who don’t have the ability to bring someone in on a full-time basis.

This growth highlights the success of Green Arch Consulting’s strategy to deliver an entirely flexible work environment at the same time as providing efficient and responsive client services. Through partnerships with existing consultants and an expanding network of highly skilled associates operating under the Green Arch Consulting brand, the firm provides tailored support and scalable resources for clients.

By fostering a global network and championing flexible working arrangements, the business has attracted highly experienced professionals who work seamlessly across time zones to meet the unique needs of businesses worldwide.

“Zoe’s expertise is a perfect fit for our mission to support businesses in their sustainability transitions,” said Emma Knight-Strong, Green Arch Consulting. “With her experience and our expanded network, we are better equipped than ever to help clients navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability and ESG.”

Future of East Midlands energy production explored at summit

Businesses, policy makers and educators gathered in Derby for East Midlands Chamber’s 2024 Midlands Energy Summit on 28th November.

Keynote speakers and panel discussions examined energy storage, provision, distribution and technological developments in areas like fission, fusion and hydrogen.

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore opened the summit. Speaking afterwards he said:

“Energy plays a vital role in growing the East Midlands economy and embracing and exploring the storage and production scope we have right on our doorstep is a key part of our Manifesto for Growth – our asks to policy makers that have ensuring the East Midlands thrives at their core. Fast-evolving technology has brought a range of attractive clean energy opportunities that make the clean growth journey to Net Zero something businesses can really benefit from.

“The summit today was about marrying the insight businesses in the East Midlands energy sector have as they embark into new technologies and seize its potential, with the detailed research and analysis that our superb universities and academics bring, so that as a region we can lead the way on future energy provision and distribution.”

Superior Wellness unveils premium hot tub and swim spa collection

Superior Wellness is excited to announce the launch of AquaSolus, its most premium collection of hot tubs and swim spas to date. Inspired by the natural elements of water, simplicity, and balance, the AquaSolus range is designed to redefine luxury, wellness, and relaxation. This new collection, featuring the AquaPure and NaturaBalance ranges, combines cutting-edge hydrotherapy with sleek, modern aesthetics, creating an unparalleled relaxation and wellness experience that serves as both a retreat and a stylish addition to any space.

“Launching AquaSolus is a landmark moment for Superior Wellness, as it represents the pinnacle of our commitment to luxury, innovation, and wellness,” said Rob Carlin, Managing Director of Superior Wellness.

“This collection embodies our vision of creating exceptional hot tubs and swim spas that prioritise design, performance, and the complete well-being of our customers.

The AquaSolus collection made its debut at the Pool & Spa Patio Expo in Dallas from November 12-14, where attendees had the exclusive opportunity to experience the AquaSolus range firsthand. With hot tubs and a swim spa on display, visitors were able to explore the advanced features, high-performance design, and aesthetic allure of AquaSolus.

The AquaSolus range will be available in showrooms globally in early 2025. For more information, please visit the new AquaSolus website aquasolus.com.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in Chesterfield, chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Love Chesterfield

Latest hires and achievements for Chesterfield Champions

11th November 2024

Our town’s vibrant network of Chesterfield Champions continue to share their stories of success.

In recent weeks, firms have unveiled fresh hires and supported other companies in their growth.

Catch up on all the latest highlights in our roundup below.

DBCP looks to the future with latest apprentice appointment

Eighteen-year-old Lucy Cockle has embarked on the next stage of her career with an apprenticeship at DBCP, the leading provider of building control services throughout Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

Lucy, who lives in Barlborough, is the latest apprentice appointment at DBCP. Based at the firm’s Chesterfield office, Lucy has joined DBCP’s technical support team where she will undertake an 18-month Level 2 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

In her new role Lucy will support DBCP’s field-based building inspectors, processing Building Regulations applications and arranging inspections with builders, architects and property owners.

A former Worksop college student, Lucy completed her A Levels at the prestigious school earlier this year ahead of deciding to follow the apprenticeship route.

Lucy explained: “I knew that I wanted to work, earn and learn as well as explore a range of business roles. The apprenticeship at DBCP was a perfect fit for me as there are a range of pathways and avenues to go down within the company after I complete my qualification.

DBCP provides training opportunities from Level 2 through to degree level and fully qualified Building Control Surveyor status.

Lucy added: “Becoming a building control surveyor wasn’t a career I was aware of at school but starting my apprenticeship at DBCP has sparked my interest and I’m looking forward to seeing how my career progresses here as I learn more about the business and the industry.”

Lucy joins a number of apprentices at DBCP which has run a successful programme since 2018. Most recently, Charlotte Gladwin a Level 4 building control apprentice at DBCP, was named as the Newcomer of the Year in the LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2024.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP, established the company’s apprenticeship scheme. He welcomed Lucy to her new role, saying: “Building control is not an industry that comes to mind when someone is leaving school. This, unfortunately, has created an industry skills shortage. Our apprenticeships, however, enable us to attract more young people like Lucy to both the industry and DBCP.”

If you’re interested in a future apprenticeship with DBCP, get in touch with David Pratt by emailing david.pratt@dbcp.co.uk

New buyer appointed at Pinelog as part of growth plans

Another new face has joined Pinelog Limited, one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of luxury timber lodges and buildings.

Stephen Hibbert from Sheffield, has joined Pinelog as a buyer, taking responsibility for the procurement of thousands of items for the company. Stephen’s is one of four back-office appointments Pinelog has made in the last 12 months as part of the firm’s strategic growth plans.

He brings a number of years in procurement to the role, previously being employed as a category manager.

Speaking about his appointment, Stephen said: “I am very proud to join Pinelog. The lodges are synonymous with quality and use premium products to ensure longevity. As such, it is very much a case of quality over price when it comes to purchasing decisions.”

Stephen’s role sees him taking responsibility of more than 3,500 in-stock items as well as specific fixtures and fittings for each bespoke lodge.

He added: “It is a hugely challenging but very rewarding role. As we’re manufacturing each lodge from raw materials from the ground up to the finished, furnished product ready for installation, there are thousands of items involved in the production of each one. I am very much enjoying the responsibility of ensuring our production team have the products, tools and equipment to complete each lodge on time and to the highest of standards. It’s great to be part of that team.”

Stephen is based at Pinelog’s headquarters and production facility in Chesterfield, Derbyshire where all lodges are manufactured. The company relocated to Chesterfield from Bakewell in 2022 to accommodate growth plans as well as allow for greater innovation and efficiency in the manufacturing process.

He explained: “Working alongside the team that constructs the lodges at the Chesterfield site means that I can ensure that the products not only meet the needs of our customers but also my colleagues.”

As part of its growth plans, Pinelog is also recruiting a production manager to join the senior leadership team and oversee production at the Chesterfield factory. The company is also recruiting a senior lead electrician. Earlier this year, Pinelog strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Lucy Wood and Jessica Blaney, who joined sales account manager Judy Barwell, to drive forward Pinelog’s ambitions to increase its share of lodge supply to the luxury holiday park sector.

If you are a holiday park operator or have land and are looking to invest in bespoke UK-designed and manufactured luxury sustainable timber lodges, speak to the sales team on 01246 942842 to discuss how Pinelog can help you.

Shorts supports drill bit manufacturing company to become employee owned

A South Yorkshire manufacturer and supplier of premium quality power tool accessories, drill bits and tools has become an employee owned business.

Sheffield-based Armeg Ltd, established in 1973, designs and manufactures high-performance, premium quality power tool drilling accessories for professionals and is now synonymous with smart design, enduring quality and trusted performance.

Armeg has been sold to the newly formed Armeg Employee Ownership Trust.

The move is set to enable the company’s 55 employees to share directly in the company’s success and future growth strategy and will mean business as usual for the firm with the current directors continuing to manage the company’s operations to bring through a new generation of management.

The new ownership model, established through an employee ownership trust (EOT), ensures each employee becomes a beneficiary of the trust.

Advisors included Sheffield’s Wake Smith Solicitors on legal matters and accountancy practice Shorts for corporate finance and tax advice.

Connor Marshall, Corporate Finance Senior Executive at Shorts, said: “It has been great to assist John and Charlie in securing the long-term future of Armeg. This transition into an EOT ensures that the culture and legacy of the business continues, with no change in day-to-day company operations for customers or employees. The employees have always been at the core of Armeg and in John and Charlie’s thoughts throughout the process and it will be great to see them benefit from the business going forward.”

Superior Wellness Appoints Brian Stalter as US Sales Manager to Strengthen Dealer Network

Superior Wellness proudly announces the appointment of Brian Stalter as the new US Sales Manager. Brian, a seasoned professional with over 20 years in the hot tub industry, brings extensive sales and product knowledge to his role, reinforcing Superior Wellness’s dedication to strengthening its dealer network across the United States.

Brian’s experience includes 15 years at Hot Springs and two years at Viking Spas, where he developed a deep understanding of the hot tub industry and a proven track record of successful dealer support and new business development. In his new position, Brian will be focusing on the acquisition and development of new dealer relationships across the Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa.

Brian expressed his enthusiasm for joining Superior Wellness, stating, “I’m extremely excited to work with Superior Wellness and feel like we’re producing some cutting-edge products that dealers enjoy selling! While I’ve been tasked initially with new business development and have been successful at it, I most enjoy helping dealers succeed. My 20-plus years have made me realize that each dealer has different needs; be it marketing, showroom merchandising and design, sales and product training among others. I can’t wait to be of service!”

Gareth Ward, Global Sales Director, commented, “Brian’s extensive experience and dedication to dealer success make him the perfect choice to lead our sales efforts in the United States. We are thrilled to have him on board, and his addition strengthens our commitment to expanding our dealer network and market presence.”

Superior Wellness views Brian’s appointment as a critical step in its growth strategy for the US, and his leadership will be instrumental in building a robust network of successful dealer partnerships across key states.

The organisations featured in this article 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, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in Chesterfield business growth, chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Love Chesterfield

Chesterfield Champions to be showcased in the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards

4th November 2024

The shortlist for the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards has been revealed, with several Chesterfield Champion organisations featured amongst the finalists.

The annual awards shine a spotlight on excellence and outstanding achievement across the area’s £2.89bn tourism sector.

Champions included in the shortlist include Matlock Farm Park, Peak Edge Hotel and Chatsworth.

Following a record number of entries, finalists have been unveiled in 15 awards categories celebrating the best of the local visitor economy, ranging from hotels, B&Bs and campsites to pubs, visitor attractions and unique experiences.

In addition, public voting has officially opened for the new ‘Festival or Event of the Year’ category which champions quality events and festivals that have taken place in the Peak District and Derbyshire – from country shows and music festivals to unique exhibitions and arts trails.

There are 9 finalists competing to take the title of Festival or Event of the Year 2025, with voting open until 1 December 2024. The finalist with the largest number of votes will secure the crown. Check out the events and festivals in the running and to cast your vote.

Shortlisted businesses in the remaining categories will now go forward to the final round of independent judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the winners are selected ahead of a joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Thursday 20 March 2025.

The region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) – Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby and Visit Nottinghamshire – are joining forces to deliver the awards ceremony in partnership for the first time, with the support of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The ceremony will be hosted by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, and is set to be a stunning showcase of the value and quality of the region’s combined £5.25bn visitor economy, celebrating the exceptional talent and innovation across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Following the awards ceremony, Gold winners in each of the core categories will progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2025, which represent the highest accolades in English tourism.

The 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are sponsored by EV charging specialists VoltShare and Derbyshire-based C W Sellors Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches, who will be designing and handcrafting bespoke awards for all Gold winners. The joint awards ceremony is sponsored by Nottingham Venues.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are a celebration of our vibrant tourism industry and its enormous contribution to the local and regional economy. As we look forward to celebrating with finalists and partners at our landmark joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony in 2025, it’s an extra-special time to not only celebrate individual businesses, but to also recognise the importance of the visitor economy in delivering growth, supporting jobs and driving economic prosperity across the East Midlands.

“Our 2025 finalists are a fantastic mix of diverse, innovative and passionate businesses from across the county who deliver consistently high quality, memorable experiences for some of the 42 million visitors who come to the area each year. It will be a privilege to bring all the finalists together next March to mark their achievements and we wish every shortlisted finalist the very best of luck.”

Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Tourism Awards: The 2025 Shortlist

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Matlock Farm Park
Peak District National Park Authority
Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

B&B and Guest House of the Year
The Bull’s Head, Foolow
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford
Sheldon House, Monyash

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Boutique Glamping at Scaldersitch Farm
Darwin Forest Lodges
3Trees Glamping Ltd

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
Host & Stay
Morley Hayes
The Welcome Team

Experience of the Year
Thornbridge House Tour
Great British Car Journey, Drive Dad’s Car
Pub Tours Ltd

Festival or Event of the Year – public vote now open
Eat in the Park
Bakewell Country Festival
Chatsworth Country Fair
Bustler Market: On The Road
The Peak District Highland Games
Haddon Hall Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market
Buxton International Festival
Matlock Bath Illuminations
Bearded Theory Festival

Hotel of the Year
Fischer’s Baslow Hall
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow
Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

New Tourism Business of the Year
The Cupola Café – bar – pizza – grill
The Ashford Arms, Ashford-in-the-Water
3Trees Glamping Ltd

Pub of the Year
The Blind Bull, Little Hucklow
The George, Hathersage
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Foxlow Grange by Muse Escapes
Bolehill Farm Cottages, Bakewell
Atlow Mill, Ashbourne

Taste of the Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Award
The Maynard, Grindleford
Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Baslow
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow

Team of the Year
Belper North Mill Volunteers Association
The Yorkshire Bridge Inn Front of House Team
Bike and Boot Hotel, Hope

Tourism Young Achiever Award
Oliver Curl – The Barrel Inn
Ben Barber – The Maynard
Dylan Hunt – Atlantik Inns

Unsung Hero Award
Charlotte Uwins – The Scotsman’s Pack
Ian Fairbrother – Thornbridge Estate
Jimmy Crookes – The Yorkshire Bridge Inn

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Thornbridge Estate
Bluebell Dairy Farm Park
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury

For more details on the Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards please visit: www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/events/category/tourism-awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Love Chesterfield, Tourism awards

New hires and exciting collaborations for Chesterfield Champions

24th October 2024

Our town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have made exciting announcements in recent weeks.

The latest roundup includes new hires, partnerships and even a collaborative effort on a local regeneration project.

Read the latest in our roundup below.

Champions collaborate on Peak Village improvements

The Devonshire Group has collaborated with local businesses, including Chesterfield Champion Peak Architects, to refurbish park of North Derbyshire’s Peak Village shopping centre.

Visitors to the centre are set to enjoy a new and improved shopping experience as works to the Caffè Massarella conservatory come to an end.

The refurbishment has seen the conservatory transformed following the introduction of new glass fronting and skylights, creating a brighter, more modern space for shoppers to relax and unwind.

Peak Village’s proud Derbyshire heritage has been prioritised throughout, with Peak Architects and Sheffield-based design studio, 93ft appointed to lead the works and help to create a design that better complements the site’s existing architecture, including the Grade II listed Old Station Building opposite.

Complementing the ongoing improvement works, the team at Peak Village have also unveiled a new look across its branding, which visitors will now be able to spot on the signage at the retail destination, as well as the centre’s website. This is the latest milestone in £2 million of customer experience investments made by owners The Devonshire Group since purchasing the site three years ago.

Katayune Jacquin, centre manager at Peak Village, said: “‘We have seen how investment since the acquisition has supported the significant growth of footfall, customer spend and interest from a diverse range of tenants. This most recent round of improvements into the buildings and environment, our brand and digital presence contribute to the creation of an appealing venue for local communities and visitors to Derbyshire and the Peak District.

“The new conservatory sits in a key location of the village where visitors enjoy refreshments from an established and popular tenant. Our investment into the exterior, and Caffè Massarella’s into the interior, demonstrates working in partnership to continually improve and grow.”

Local design agency Crush welcomes new Account Director

Chesterfield-based design agency Crush has welcomed new Account Director, Chris Vannozzi, to oversee the company’s growing portfolio of creative projects in branding, design, digital and marketing.

Founded in 2004, Crush works with brands both close to home, and across the globe.

As an independent agency, Crush’s team has grown considerably over their 21 years in the business. Starting with just one woman, Natalie Burkinshaw (Founder and Creative Director), the Crush team now encompasses an impressive, wide range of talents in brand strategy, design, website development, copywriting and marketing support.

With over 25 years experience working for London agencies in content marketing and commercial strategy, Chris’ wealth of expertise will lend a hand not only to nurturing client relationships at Crush, but also to strategy and big-picture perspective for their creative campaigns.

Chris has delivered creative projects for world-recognised brands such as Unilever, P&G, John Lewis and M&S – as well as public sector projects for King’s College London, Development Media International and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Speaking about his new role, Chris said: “What excites me about Crush is the range of creative projects we get involved in. Coming from a London agency background, it’s refreshing to be joining a team that works on big, corporate projects, as well as supporting local, smaller businesses.

“I hope that my years of experience will prove effective in bringing together more projects like this for the Crush team.”

UKATA to host mock trial event at National Justice Museum

UKATA is set to host a unique Asbestos Mock Trial event on Monday 28^th October at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham. It aims to educate industry professionals about the legal intricacies of asbestos-related claims through an engaging courtroom reenactment.

The event will feature expert speakers from various fields, including legal professionals, health and safety advocates, and industry leaders, providing invaluable insights into the complexities of asbestos litigation. Attendees will benefit from a unique opportunity to observe a simulated trial, allowing for a deeper understanding of the legal processes involved.

Law students from both Nottingham Law School (Nottingham Trent University) and The School of Law at The University of Nottingham will attend the event, providing a valuable educational opportunity for future legal professionals to engage with asbestos litigation.

UKATA’s Senior Operations Manager, Debbie Nixon, added, “I am very excited to be hosting this event in collaboration with Sewell Law and PCR Global. This event will enhance awareness and promote best practices for safety in the workplace. We are honoured to have DSK as sponsors, underscoring the importance of promoting asbestos awareness within the industry and future legal professionals.”

Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions Teams Up with Chesterfield FC

Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions has announced the shirt sponsorship of Chesterfield FC’s goalkeeping coach, Dave O’Hare.

In a statement, the company commented: “As the last line of defence on the pitch, Dave O’Hare trains his goalkeepers to anticipate every shot, react swiftly and neutralise threats. Similarly, Black Swan equips businesses with the tools and expertise to defend their digital assets from cybercriminals.”

Kevin Walker, owner of Black Swan, added: “Just as Dave O’Hare ensures Chesterfield FC’s goal remains untouched, we’re dedicated to safeguarding our clients’ digital assets. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to excellence and our unwavering focus on protecting what matters most.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in Chesterfield business growth, chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, Love Chesterfield

Prestigious Legal 500 listing for Chesterfield’s CMP Legal

22nd October 2024

CMP Legal, a niche commercial law firm based in Chesterfield has been ranked in the prestigious Legal 500.

The company is the only law firm based in Chesterfield to be recognised in the Corporate and Commercial: Elsewhere in East Midlands category.

For over three decades, the Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.

The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions. The rankings are based on a series of criteria, the Legal 500 highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.

The Legal 500 research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.

Anna Cattee, Executive Director at CMP Legal said: “We are delighted to be ranked in the Legal 500. This is such a remarkable achievement and an incredible milestone for CMP Legal. We launched in 2021 and to receive such recognition in such a short period of time, and from the firm’s very first submission, is testament to the hard work and commitment from everyone in our team.

“It is fantastic to be ranked alongside such high-calibre, well-established and large national corporate law firms. We’re immensely proud of our achievement.”

The Legal 500 Editorial commentary stated: “Commended for its ‘attractive depth of knowledge and experience,’ CMP Legal Limited’s key strengths lie in corporate restructuring, M&A, and shareholder agreements. Anna Cattee oversees the practice from Chesterfield and is well-informed in healthcare law. The ‘technically accomplished, well-connected and commercially minded’ Cattee is also knowledgeable of distribution agreements.”

One of the independent testimonials featured read: “The team at CMP have an attractive depth of knowledge and experience coupled with excellent client care skills. They go above and beyond to meet timescales and expectations with first rate advice.”

CMP Legal 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 business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield news, CMP Legal, Legal 500

Exciting news and initiatives to support Chesterfield communities, businesses and regeneration

16th October 2024

Chesterfield Champions have once again been busy supporting our communities with charity initiatives, events, mental health support and more.

Find out the latest community news across our town in the roundup below:

Archeological Dig to take place in Staveley

Before the next stage of canal restoration at Staveley, Chesterfield Canal Trust has engaged York Archaeology to organise an archaeological dig at Bellhouse Basin.

They will be on site from Monday 21st October to Friday 1st November.

As part of their work, they are asking for volunteers to help on Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th, Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October. It is possible they may also need help on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th.

On each day they will need six volunteers.

To volunteer, you must be of at least secondary school age and reasonably physically fit – certainly able to kneel for an hour or more at a time. If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Previous experience is not essential because you will get a full briefing, but it would be helpful.

You will need to wear old, robust clothes and have a decent pair of boots. Gloves, such as gardening gloves, would be a good idea. Tools and any other necessary equipment will be provided.

You will need to report to the site at 08.30 and you will finish by 16.00 at the latest. You should bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be available.

If you would like to volunteer, email publicity@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk stating on which day(s) you will be available.

Several other digs have taken place on the canal recently; to see them click here and here and here.

Boy, six, to conquer hospice’s Superhero walk for charity in memory of ‘amazing’ dad

A six-year-old whose “Superman” dad died from a rare form of cancer will be taking on Ashgate Hospice’s Superhero Night Walk in tribute to the end of life care he received.

Fletcher Parkes was just 10 months old when his dad Gavin Parkes was diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer in August 2018.

Months later – after undergoing intense hospital treatment for the illness – doctors told him the devastating news that his cancer was incurable.

The kitchen fitter, from Sheffield, was admitted to the hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Chesterfield in March 2019, where he received round-the-clock specialist care.

Gavin and his partner Lori’s wedding had been planned for June, and they soon realised he was not going to make it to the date.

But staff and volunteers rallied together to ensure they could tie the knot at the hospice, with Fletcher by their side, just days before Gavin’s death on 4 April, aged 39.

Fletcher and Lori will join hundreds of others at the Superhero Night Walk fundraiser in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield on Saturday 19 October.

“It has been heartbreaking for us all,” said Lori, 30, from Chesterfield. “Gavin was the most amazing man and an incredible dad to Fletcher.

“I honestly can’t explain how much we appreciated everything that Ashgate did for us in those last few weeks.

“Once Gavin arrived at the hospice, I stayed there with him every night. They went above and beyond for our family.

“Ashgate set up our entire wedding for us – including a car, cake, drinks, hair and makeup. It was just fantastic and all our family and friends were there to see it.”

The family, who were living in Sheffield but moved to Chesterfield to get family support, also received care at home from Ashgate before he was admitted to the ward.

Fletcher is continuing to receive child bereavement support from the hospice’s counselling team.

He is getting set to don his favourite Superman costume, which is particularly fitting given Gavin had the theme song played at his funeral.

Lori, a teaching assistant at Tupton Hall School, added: “Fletcher is just starting to feel the impact of losing his dad at such a young age.

“He’s receiving child bereavement counselling from Emily at Ashgate which he loves so much!

“Fletcher wants to take part in the Superhero Night Walk so we can give something back to the hospice for everything they’ve done for us.

“He first did the event last year and loved it! He loves dressing up as Superman because that’s what he called his dad, and we even had the theme tune playing at the funeral.”

Since Gavin died, Lori’s family and friends have raised more than £10,000 to help fund end of life and palliative care for future families.

Tickets cost just £6 per child and adults go FREE – registrations must be made before 1pm on 17^th October. The walk will start at 5:30pm, and doors will open at 4.30pm.

Every participating child will receive a fundraising pack, superhero cape, and a glow-in-the-dark mask to wear whilst taking part in the event.

Chesterfield FC Community Trust’s mental health initiative featured on TV

Chesterfield FC Community Trust has picked up national media attention, for providing a room in the HUB at the SMH Group Stadium for the weekly Andy’s Man Club meetings.

Andy’s Man Club is a network set up to support men’s mental health The meetings take place from 7pm to 9pm every Monday. They are free to attend.

Take a look at the feature on Sky Sports, with organiser Pete Wilson and Trust chairman Mike Goodwin both interviewed.

Businesses encouraged to share their positive news with local media

Businesses are encouraged to share their news with local media organisations to help promote their organisations.

The Derbyshire Times is urging local companies to help spread positivity around Chesterfield and beyond, by submitting their news via a new online portal.

The YourWorld portal is free to use, and provides businesses with an easy step-by-step process to share their stories.

Want to shout about your business achievements? Submit your story on the YourWorld portal here:

You can also share your news with Destination Chesterfield by emailing: info@chesterfield.co.uk

Phil Bramley, Editor of the Derbyshire Times commented: “The new portal on the DT site is a great way to let people across north Derbyshire know what’s going on with our fantastic local businesses.

“It’s simple to use and helps put our local businesses right at the heart of the community.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield fc, chesterfield news, Love Chesterfield, Staveley

Champions support good causes with wide range of fundraising initiatives

20th September 2024

Our town’s network of Chesterfield Champions continue to play their part in supporting the local community.

Several business in the town have gone above and beyond to help good causes and help those most in need. Take a look at the latest community initiatives that have taken place across our town:

UKATA Brews Up Support for Macmillan

UKATA is set to host a Macmillan Coffee Morning on 25 September, 10am – 12noon at Markham Vale Environment Centre. This event is part of the annual campaign from Macmillan Cancer Support, designed to bring people together over a cup of coffee to raise vital funds for cancer research and support services.

The first Coffee Morning happened in 1990. It was a small affair with a simple idea: guests would gather over coffee and donate the cost of their drink to Macmillan.

Now Coffee Mornings come in all shapes and sizes. From small home gatherings to large corporate events; school fundraisers to a gathering with a local community group. They all have one thing in common – they raise vital funds to support the more than 3 million people in the UK living with cancer.

Local businesses, UKATA members and associates are invited to come along to help raise much needed funds and indulge in homemade cakes and biscuits. In previous years the association has raised more than £600 for the charity in similar events.

On organising the event, UKATA’s Marketing Executive Nathan Shaw says: “With the support from the team, we plan to try and exceed our previous fundraising efforts to raise as much as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support, we will even be having a bit of friendly competition between us, with a bake off judged by a special guest”

UKATA, a leading association, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and standards of asbestos training with the aim to shield workers and the public from the hazards of asbestos exposure.

The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources, and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.

Over £1,500 raised at Vicar Lane’s charity day

Vicar Lane has announced that a total of £1,598.07 was raised at their charity event on Saturday 10^th August.

The event was organised in aid of Ashgate Hospice and saw visitors enjoying a range of exciting activities at the centre.

All proceeds from the activities which took place on the day have been donated to Ashgate Hospice, who provide free palliative and end of life care as well as bereavement support to people aged 18 and over in North Derbyshire.

Brandon Howard, Centre Administrator said: “We’re delighted that so many of the local community came to Vicar Lane to support Ashgate Hospice. As well as raising much needed funds, we hope this also provided a great day out for families.”

Rachel Brought, Senior Corporate and Communication Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospice said: “A big thanks to Vicar Lane and the local community for supporting Ashgate Hospice at the recent charity event. Without the efforts of our supporters like Vicar Lane we simply wouldn’t be able to continue caring for the patients who need us and their families”.

Over the summer, Vicar Lane has hosted a number of events and there is still time to get involved.

Graysons team up with Ashgate Hospice for free wills week

Glassyard-based Graysons Solicitors is delighted to announce a partnership with one of Chesterfield’s leading charities, offering a free will writing service from September 30th to October 4th, 2024.

The legal firm are encougaing clients and supporters to make a suggested donation of £75 per will, which will fund crucial work of Ashgate Hospice in providing specialist care to those with life limiting illnesses.

Laura Law, senior individual giving and legacy officer at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We’re so happy to once again have the support of Graysons Solicitors during their Will Week fundraiser.

“Writing a will is so important to ensure that our affairs are in order while making sure our loved ones are looked after when we’re no longer here. Not only that but it allows us to put plans in place so that we can get on with making the most of the time we have with them.”

Graysons are offering free standard wills as part of the complimentary session, together with advice on other subjects from powers of attorney to trust arrangements.

Peter Clark, managing partner at Graysons, said: “Every donation will help provide specialist care and support to people living with a life-limiting or incurable illness, and to the people important to them. Making a will provides peace of mind that your affairs will be handled in the way the you wish in the future.”

Graysons Solicitors has been a regular supporter of Ashgate Hospice for many years. They were the main sponsor of the Butterfly Appeal at Chatsworth last year, following two years as sponsors of the successful Forget Me Not Appeals staged at Chatsworth in 2021 and Renishaw Hall in 2022. They also sponsored Ashgate Hospice’s 2024 ‘Big Thank You Party’.

Graysons Solicitors specialise in wills, estates and trusts, elderly client services, lifetime planning, property, family law, personal injury, and clinical negligence.

To book your appointment, call 0114 299 4759 or email amber.mcintosh@graysons.co.uk or out more at: www.graysons.co.uk

Graysons is situated at Unit 14F, The Glass Yard, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield S41 8JY. They also have offices in Sheffield and Hathersage.

Chesterfield Canal Cruises raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young

Chesterfield Canal Trust raised a total of £600 by hosting special Canal Cruises in aid of the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity.

On Monday 26th August, the Chesterfield Canal Trust ran cruises on its Madeline tripboat.

All fares were be donated to CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young – in memory of Madeline Siddall after whom the boat is named.

On 7th July 2011, Madeline collapsed and died of a cardiac arrest (Young Sudden Cardiac Death, or YSCD). She was just 15 years old. There had been no warning signs, she appeared to be fit and healthy.

12 young people die of YSCD each week. With 80% of these there will be no warning. It is the third highest killer of young people under the age of 35, yet there is no national screening programme to help detect the heart defects that cause it.

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a charity that funds research into YSCD, bereavement support, screening and much more.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity To Benefit From Being the ‘Charity of the Year’ Across Bolsover

Not one but two organisations from Bolsover have committed to supporting Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity as their ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2024/25.

Bolsover District Council and the Chairman, Tom Munro, together with SNAP Fitness, have made the declaration to support the charity as so many local people are supported by the incredible work of the Trust on a daily basis.

Cllr Munro, said: “We very much appreciate Chesterfield Royal Hospital; it’s a great local asset for people. The care given is exceptional and many of the colleagues who work at the Trust are also members of our community, so it felt right to support the charity. We have numerous activities planned throughout the year to raise awareness and fundraise for them including raffles, my Civic Dinner, my Civic Service and many more.”

The Charity has recently undergone a change to branding to show a clearer connection to the whole hospital trust – and aims to make ‘every day exceptional’. The Charity was responsible for the £2m Health and Wellbeing Hub, which provides free access for colleagues employed by the Trust 24/7.

Josh Dawes, added: “Our Members have often used the hospital and have lived in the area for generations, so we really wanted to show our support. It’s great that the Charity is committed to working with us too – we’re offering free day passes to colleagues and will be fundraising across the year as well as supporting with Health and Wellbeing talks at the Trust. It’s exciting stuff!”

Both organisations will continue to work with the Trust and Charity to raise awareness and fundraise across the year – and they are always on the look out for volunteers, ideas and to have direct engagement from people in the community to support. You can find out more online: Our Charity :: Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Mahmud Nawaz, Chair of the Trust, ended: “I’d like to extend our deepest appreciation for the Bolsover communities for working with us. To have two organisations prepared to make Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity their ‘Charity of the Year’ is such a great thing and we’re looking forward to continue working together. Thank you. Every penny raised goes to making every day better at the Trust for our patients, visitors and colleagues.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield charity news, Chesterfield community news, chesterfield fundraising, Love Chesterfield

Champions celebrate new hires, awards and major deals

18th September 2024

Businesses in our town’s network of Chesterfield Champions continue to celebrate growth and success.

Our latest roundup includes new hires for Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP and Oasis Studio.

Elsewhere, Shorts has played a vital role in advising on a major business acquisition, and a Chesterfield-based apprentice has scooped a prestigious award.

Read the latest successes from our Champions below:

Banner Jones Expands Residential Property Department with Three Key Appointments

Banner Jones, a leading regional law firm, has significantly strengthened its Residential Property department with the addition of three new hires. This expansion supports the firm’s ongoing efforts to enhance its service offering amidst a growing demand for residential property services.

The team welcomes Sarah Khatib, an experienced solicitor with over 16 years of expertise, who joins as a Director. Sarah will be based in the Chesterfield office, where she will work closely with Richard Joy and Kate Skelton to support the management and development of the residential property teams.

Her extensive knowledge will play a key role in advancing the firm’s service delivery and operational processes in the firm’s key localities of Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

In addition to Sarah’s appointment, Banner Jones has also brought on board Dana King, a paralegal, and Roberta Griffin-Pygott, an experienced Conveyancer and Legal Executive, to the Residential Property department in Sheffield.

Both bring substantial experience and expertise that will further elevate the firm’s ability to meet client needs.

This strategic expansion follows a period of sustained demand for the firm’s residential property services. Over the past year alone, the Residential Property team has successfully handled more than 3000 new residential property matters. The new appointments are a direct response to increased demand in the property markets locally, ensuring that Banner Jones can continue to provide exceptional service to its growing client base.

Richard Joy, Head of Residential Property at Banner Jones, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Sarah, Dana, and Roberta to our teams in Chesterfield and Sheffield.

“Their combined experience will be instrumental in helping us continue to grow and meet the evolving needs of our clients. I am confident that their expertise will contribute significantly to the expansion of our services.”

Commenting on her new role, Sarah Khatib said, “I am excited to join Banner Jones at such a pivotal time. The firm’s reputation for delivering excellent client service is well-known, and I look forward to working with the team to continue providing high-quality residential property services. The growing demand for our expertise presents an exciting opportunity to further develop the department, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success.”

Banner Jones operates from offices in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Dronfield and Mansfield, serving clients across the region and the rest of England and Wales. They manage a range of property transactions including buying, selling, transfer of equity, re-mortgage, right to buy, help to buy and equity release.

Chesterfield apprentice named as Newcomer of the Year in LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2024

A Chesterfield building control apprentice has been named as the industry’s Newcomer of the Year in the LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2024.

Charlotte Gladwin (22), a Level 4 apprentice with DBCP, started her five-year Building Control surveying Degree Apprenticeship last year after making the transition from retail management.

The LABC award recognises Charlotte’s exceptional proactivity, dedication, and customer-focused approach.

She said: “I am delighted to win the award at this early stage in my career. The opportunities provided by the team at DBCP are so exciting. I’m really enjoying being out on site and being part of a process that creates positive change in the local landscapes for our communities.”

Prior to joining DBCP, Charlotte was pet shop store manager for three years. Keen to move out of retail and, with an interest in construction and the outdoors, she identified Building Control as the ideal profession in which to build a career.

Explaining why she made the move into building control, she said: “I really enjoyed studying Geography, Psychology and Business at A-Level and, together with my love of the outdoors, I felt that a career in building control aligned with my future ambitions.”

DBCP’s Building Control Manager, David Pratt praised Charlotte’s dedication to her apprenticeship saying: “Charlotte quickly demonstrated her ability to support building inspectors by anticipating their needs, preparing for site visits, and actively contributing to inspections. Her attention to detail and eagerness to learn have made her a valuable asset to the team. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her work, both on-site and in her college studies, where she consistently aims for distinction.”

In addition to Charlotte, David Pratt was also recognised in the prestigious awards when he clinched the Public Service Superstar Award.

With a career in building control spanning more than three decades, LABC judges praised David ‘unwavering dedication to professional development and his commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning within DBCP’, adding that ‘his leadership by example, from passing Level 6 courses with distinction to providing invaluable guidance on officer validations, has helped to set the high standards at DBCP.’

His forward-thinking approach, which saw the introduction of the company’s successful Apprenticeship scheme, and the development of a training partnership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), has been instrumental in transforming the company.

Further success for DBCP at the annual industry awards came when Oak Grange Primary School in Derby was named as the Best Public or Community Building.

DBCP, worked alongside Lungfish Architects and Morgan Sindall to deliver the multi-million-pound school in 2023. Collaboration between DBCP, the architects, and contractors ensured the school’s design met aesthetic and functional goals, making it a valuable addition to Derby’s educational resources. The school was also delivered on budget despite rising material costs and also saving 10 tonnes of CO2 during construction.

David, commented: “I am honoured to have won the award but equally delighted to see Charlotte, and DBCP’s projects recognised. It is a tremendous achievement for everyone.

“All the wins reflect our combined commitment to excellence in building control and our dedication to supporting high-quality, sustainable construction projects throughout Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.”

David, Charlotte and Oak Grange Primary School were amongst 12 winners at the awards in August. The annual awards celebrate significant achievements within the construction industry, rewarding excellent buildings, outstanding companies, as well as partnerships and individuals that go the extra mile.

All the winners from LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2024 will now go forward to the national LABC Building Excellence Awards grand final which take place in London on Friday, 24 January 2025.

BHP appoints new CIO as it looks to harness disruptive technology

BHP, one of the North’s leading accountancy firms, has appointed Melanie Foster as its first Chief Information Officer (CIO), as the firm looks to harness the power of technology to support its clients’ objectives.

Melanie, who has held a number of senior technology positions within the financial services sector, brings with her almost two decades of experience in technology innovation and integration.

In her new role, she will work alongside the wider team to develop and progress the company’s data and technology strategy, keeping it at the forefront of new tools and advancements, including AI, to support both internal processes and client services.

Commenting on her appointment, Melanie said: “I’m pleased to be joining BHP as the business continues to thrive and deliver results for its clients across the North. I was attracted to the organisation due to their culture and values and ever since my first engagement with the Leadership Team have been impressed by their commitment to living those values. With the huge technological advancements over the last 5 years, including AI, I believe we can make transformative changes to our colleagues efficiency and hence the level of value provided to our clients.”

“I look forward to working with Hamish, Lisa and the Leadership Team to look at how BHP can best leverage these for the benefit of businesses across the UK.”

Lisa Leighton, joint CEO of BHP added: “At BHP we are committed to offering our clients tailored, trusted and transformative services and one way in which we do that is through embracing technology. Appointing BHP’s first CIO demonstrates our commitment to investing in the future and staying at the forefront of the industry, which must continuously reflect and integrate technological advancements.”

“I’m excited to see how Melanie and the team further develop our technology and AI strategies as we look to embrace developments which will be used as an enabler to our talented teams of specialists.”

Shorts advise on major business acquisition

Chesterfield accountancy practice, Shorts, has acted as advisor on a large business sale, as Dinnington-based company Direct Track Solutions Ltd (DTS) has been acquired by Swiss company Schwihag AG.

Dinnington based company Direct Track Solutions Ltd (DTS) has been acquired by Swiss company Schwihag AG. Corporate Finance advice was provided to DTS by Andy Ryder and Adam Ames of Shorts, together with legal advice from Matt Ainsworth of Shakespeare Martineau.

Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner at Shorts said: “We are delighted to have helped complete this transaction for Martin and Melanie. It has been a pleasure to work with them on this international transaction, and we look forward to hearing of Direct Track’s continuing success under Schwihag’s ownership.“

Direct Track Solutions Ltd will continue to trade under the DTS Brand, with the company structure and personnel remaining unchanged.

The acquisition of DTS last month supplements Schwihag’s manufacturing facilities in Doncaster; Leipzig, Germany and Grandview Missouri, USA, alongside its additional regional offices in Valencia, Spain and New Delhi, India. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, is seen as a strategic addition to Schwihag’s UK portfolio, increasing the range of products and services offered to the market.

New team member a ‘wonderful addition’ for Oasis Studio

Oasis Studio has expanded its team, welcoming Olivia Dale to the company.

Olivia is currently studying her Master’s Degree in Architecture at Sheffield Hallam University. She has joined the Oasis Studio EyeSiteView team for her internship and has already been contributing significantly to the firm’s live projects.

Olivia commented: “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to intern at Oasis Studio. It’s been an incredible experience working on live projects for EyeSiteView alongside a talented team who have provided invaluable support and guidance. Throughout my time here, I’ve developed and honed skills that will not only enhance my professional journey but also contribute significantly to my Master’s studies.”

Jade Chinn, Marketing Lead at Oasis Studio said: “Olivia has been a wonderful addition to our studio. In just the short time she has been with us Olivia has already been making great contributions to our live projects for our house builder clients, it’s great to have her on our team.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in Banner Jones, bhp, chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, DBCP, Oasis studio, Shorts