Author: Tara Underhill

Seb Perez prepares for Donington

15th April 2016

Chesterfield racing driver Seb Perez will be back on the track again this weekend – this time at Donington – for the next round of the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship; the support race to the popular Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Despite mechanical problems, the 16-year old son of 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion Steve Perez showed tremendous determination in the first round at the beginning of the month at Brands Hatch where he raced at the high-speed Indy Circuit track for the first time in a fiercely competitive field of 23 cars.

His weekend began with a good free practice session finishing 13th fastest with a top speed of 81.9 mph.

Qualifying for race one was a somewhat slower affair however and Perez finished in 17th position after suffering brake issues. He recorded a time of 57.696 seconds with a speed of 75.37mph.

After a mid-race safety car period, Perez pulled out all the stops for race one and rose through the ranks to finish in 11th position – 12.272 seconds behind race winner William Tregurtha; with a top speed of 67.95mph on lap 9.

Driving for his team JHR Developments, Perez started race two from the 6th row on the grid in 11th place alongside rookie driver Enzo Fittipaldi. Perez reached the chequered flag in 10th place – only 8.666 seconds behind race winner, Stuart Middleton.

Despite a disappointing start due to brake and engine problems, the car has since been through extensive testing and is now performing better ready for Donington.

Perez said “After a tricky weekend at Brands Hatch with brake issues in Qualifying and missing a bit of pace over the weekend I’m looking forward to Donington Park.

“I tested at Donington last week with some good times in dry and wet conditions. A lot of work has been put into the car since by JHR Developments.”

The whole race season is televised live on the Sundays on ITV4.

Images and editorial courtesy of Paul Horton Motorsport Photography.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

New funding to help young people into work

12th April 2016

Young people in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being offered a boost to their employability skills and being helped onto a fulfilling career path thanks to new funding.

A total of four projects have received a total of £141,000 after successfully bidding from the Careers and Enterprise Fund, which is administered through the Government–backed Careers and Enterprise Company and works to build closer links between schools and employers.

The projects will help schools and students and work alongside the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – the private-sector led group of businesses, local authorities, skills and training providers, community and social groups, which promotes economic growth across the two counties.

The two projects running in Chesterfield include:

*IntoUniversity Careers Programmes – This will develop students’ awareness of high quality careers through contact with employers; increasing their knowledge of the career paths and opportunities available to them through contact with employers on Business in FOCUS days, Careers in FOCUS programmes, the Corporate Mentoring scheme, and through internships and work experience. It is aimed at students in the D2N2 area and the Solent, Oxfordshire, Leeds City Region, Coast to Capital, the West of England and London areas.

*Founders4Schools – This nationwide scheme aims to provide teacher training workshops to teachers of Year 9 and 10 students in all schools across the LEP’s area; to help increase the number of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) graduates, to close the skills gap. Workshops will provide materials and deliver training to three teachers per school, on how to get local business leaders to visit the teacher’s classroom as role models to help bring subjects to life.

Ian Greenaway, Employability champion for D2N2’s Skills and Employment Commission, said: “It’s great news that D2N2 area schools will benefit from Careers and Enterprise Company support around careers, enterprise and employability.

“It means young people across the D2N2 area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire getting help on developing skills, gaining knowledge and becoming ‘work ready’ at the beginning of their careers. D2N2 and its stakeholders will work with the organisations offering employability training to schools, to provide a joined up solution.”

Mike Hughes, Executive Director at Twenty Twenty, added: “Too many 15 to 18-year-olds in the D2N2 area are struggling to thrive in mainstream education, feel stranded without the qualifications for college or the skills and experience employers require, and don’t know what to do next.

“Our motto is that all young people are resources to be developed not problems to be solved. So we’re really looking forward to working closely with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, along with the Enterprise Adviser Network, to target support where it’s needed most and make a measurable difference.

Claudia Harris, Chief Executive of the Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “We were delighted to award funding to Think Forward, TwentyTwenty, Into University Careers, and Founders4Schools, as part of our Careers & Enterprise Investment Fund.”

She added: “We believe these outstanding programmes will use our funding to help ensure every young person across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can transition successfully from education to work.”

The D2N2 LEP is already working with the Careers & Enterprise Company on a £300,000 Enterprise Adviser Network project to match up to 80 schools across its area with a volunteer business advisor in order to champion employability and careers at schools.

For more information about the Careers & Enterprise Company visit www.careersandenterprise.co.uk

To learn more about D2N2’s work on skills see its website at www.d2n2lep.org/skills

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

New director appointed at Shorts

11th April 2016

Chesterfield Champion Shorts Chartered Accountants is delighted to announce the appointment of Brian Gooch as the most recent member of its rapidly expanding tax planning team.

Brian brings with him over 22 years of experience working within large independent and national accountancy firms locally. He is a chartered tax adviser and chartered accountant who joins as Tax Technical Director specialising in business taxation and VAT advice.

Welcoming Brian, Tax Partner Scott Burkinshaw commented: “Brian is another top quality appointment for us. Over recent years we have continually strengthened our tax planning team to meet the demand created by our sustained growth and we now have in my view the pre-eminent tax team in the region.”

“We continue to attract high calibre recruits across the firm and have appointed almost 40 additional members of staff within the last two years alone who were attracted by being part of a quality growing firm. Our Partner group is unrivalled within the local marketplace and the senior team that we have assembled around the partner group is similarly impressive: Brian represents another important addition to this expanding team. With a large number of our partners and staff having Big 4/large national firm experience our clients can be confident when dealing with senior personnel from Shorts that they are working with some of the finest accountancy and tax professionals in the region.”

“There has been a need in the Sheffield City Region for many years for a firm to provide proper proactive tax advice. At Shorts we recognised this gap in the market and we have therefore been focussed on building the capacity and capability of our tax team. We now have more Chartered Tax Advisers than any other independent firm in the region and this has been key in allowing us to be able to consistently bring leading edge tax solutions to our clients as a matter of course.”

Brian added “I am thrilled to be joining such an impressive team and look forward to supporting the continuing exciting growth of the firm. Shorts is a highly regarded within the local professional and business communities and they are clearly focused on providing their clients with the very best service and advice”.

Image: Scott Burkinshaw Tax Partner, welcoming Brian Gooch to Shorts

Posted in Business

Spireites to face Rams in testimonial

11th April 2016

The Spireites are to entertain Derby County this summer in a testimonial match for Shane Nicholson.

Part of Chesterfield Football Club’s pre-season programme, the fixture takes place at the Proact Stadium on Tuesday, July 26 (7.30pm).

Nicholson played for both Chesterfield and Derby in a 21-year playing career and it is fitting that the two clubs will meet in a match to honour the former defender and reward him for his loyal service to the Spireites.

After retiring from playing during his second stint with Chesterfield in 2007, Nicholson was then employed by the club as a fitness coach and remained in the role until last summer.

Nicholson said: “Not only is it a chance for me to say thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, but more importantly be able to help a young special lady called Sheenam, who has suffered from Junior Huntingdon Disease (JHD) for the last 13 years. The adult version of the illness had sadly claimed the life of her father only a few weeks before Sheenam herself was diagnosed.

“On meeting Sheenam and her dearest mother Paramjit, it was clear the family had faced and continued to battle with one of life’s cruelest illnesses, however they never cease to both light up a room with their smiles.

“Both Paramjit and her daughter Sheenam have become close friends to my family and I’m honoured to be able to help towards the necessary life changing treatment in India. So please come along and show your support and be apart of something special for both myself and Sheenam.”

Further details regarding the testimonial match will be released shortly.

Image: Shane Nicholson – courtesy of Tina Jenner

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Derbyshire companies scoop major contracts at Markham Vale

8th April 2016

Six local companies are flying the flag for Derbyshire after winning contracts to help build the latest development at Markham Vale.

Heage-based construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland was awarded a £16.2m contract to build a new distribution centre at Markham Vale business park for national warehousing and distribution firm Great Bear Distribution.

And now as part of the deal, Bowmer & Kirkland has appointed a number of sub-contractors to work on the project. This includes five other Derbyshire businesses providing services ranging from construction and engineering to drainage, scaffolding and fire prevention.

They include:

• All Foundations (UK) Ltd − Specialist Civil Engineering Contractors − Blackwell
• CRS Fire Protection Ltd − Fire protection services − Chesterfield
• High Peak Scaffolding Ltd − Scaffolding – Buxton
• J. Pugh-Lewis Ltd − Fencing − Pilsley
• Melfort Construction Services Ltd − Groundworks − Alfreton

Live images of Great Bear – external

Live images of Great Bear – internal

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:

“It’s fantastic to see Derbyshire-based companies being brought in to work on Great Bear’s new distribution centre which is great for the local economy.

“Markham Vale continues to play a key role in achieving the council’s long-term vision of building a strong economy in Derbyshire, creating new jobs and supporting local businesses.

“Great Bear is a shining example of how Markham is helping us to achieve this vision by awarding contracts to local businesses within Derbyshire and nearby areas as well as creating more than 400 new jobs over the next few years.

“We look forward to welcoming even more new businesses to Markham’s growing network this year as the site continues to move from strength to strength.”

Great Bear’s 480,000sq.ft distribution centre − which is set to be completed this summer − will be the biggest development to date at Markham Vale, located just off M1 junction 29a.

Bowmer & Kirkland was appointed to oversee the project by Henry Boot Developments − Derbyshire County Council’s private sector property partner.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments said:

“We are delighted Bowmer & Kirkland have looked to Derbyshire and the surrounding area for their supply chain, ensuring the construction of the Great Bear facility has a positive impact on the local economy surrounding Markham Vale.

“Our commitment to the local businesses and labour force is a major focus of our joint venture with Derbyshire County Council and it’s fantastic to see the efforts made in the conception stages of Markham Vale coming to fruition.”

John Clarke, Regional Director at Bowmer & Kirkland said:

“We have worked closely with Henry Boot Developments to make sure the supply chain process takes into account local contractors, and ensure the construction of Great Bear creates high-value opportunities for these local businesses.

“We still have a further £240,000 of construction contracts to award before completion and we hope these will result in further local appointments.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Race against time at Staveley Basin

7th April 2016

Chesterfield Canal Trust’s volunteers have been praised this week for their efforts to complete Staveley Basin ahead of the National Trailboat Festival in May.

Managed by Derbyshire County Council, the Staveley Basin project is designed to restore and improve Chesterfield Canal; making more of the waterway navigable.

Working under the direction of council engineers, and with occasional help from the volunteers of the Waterway Recovery Group, the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Volunteer Work Party has now almost completed the lock. Only the coping stones and lock gates are still to be fitted, despite encountering lots of bad weather and mechanical issues along the way.

The team has also been striving to build an additional 300 metres of canal below the lock – known as Hartington Harbour – ready for boats to turn around. This has proven the biggest challenge, as since November, the section has been at best ankle deep in mud and at worst totally flooded.

Chesterfield Canal Trust’s aging excavator, known as Denis, has also developed frequent problems, however much breakdown support has been received from JCB/TCHarrison.

Trustee in charge of the volunteers, David Kiddy, said: “I am very proud of our volunteers. Many have come to work on four or five days a week throughout the winter, frequently working in atrocious conditions.”

A major project, the Chesterfield Canal Trust has already invested around £100,000, with nearly half of the money coming from donations, and the rest coming from activities such as tripboat rides and membership fees. Part of the Markham Vale development, Derbyshire County Council has committed £89,000 for contractors and a grant has also been received for the lock gates from Veolia.

Chesterfield Canal Trust will host the National Trailboat Festival on behalf of the Inland Waterways Association on May 28th and 29th. The event will run from 10am to 5.00pm on both days and will include boat rides, canoeing, children’s rides, plenty of entertainment, dozens of stalls plus food and drink including a Real Ale bar run by Brampton Brewery.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Councillors confirm support for Sheffield City Region devolution deal

7th April 2016

At a special meeting held yesterday evening, councillors again voted in support of Chesterfield Borough Council applying to be part of a devolution deal which will see the borough benefit from a share of £900 million in funding over a 30 year period.

In applying to be a full member of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, powers and funding relating to issues such as transport, skills and training and business support will be controlled locally rather than by ministers and civil servants in London.

A letter from the Government to the Sheffield City Region was provided to councillors at the meeting, confirming the powers to be devolved to local councils and the allocation of a single pot of flexible funding amounting to at least £484 million over the next five years, as a direct result of the devolution deal.

This will not affect the services that the council currently provides to residents in Chesterfield.

The meeting was called following the threat of a legal challenge by Derbyshire County Council.

The report which was considered by councillors when they made their original decision to apply for full membership of the Sheffield City Region on 3 March did not contain a full Equality Impact Assessment, which looks at how the decision will affect groups protected by anti-discrimination legislation.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We held this second meeting to look again at the options open to us in terms of devolution deals rather than spending public money on legal battles.

“As councillors elected to represent Chesterfield residents, we have looked again at all of the evidence presented to us, including the full Equality Impact Assessment and the decisions of other councils in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

“We feel strongly that the Sheffield City Region devolution deal is the best deal for Chesterfield people and I want to reassure all that this does not mean that Chesterfield will become part of Yorkshire; Chesterfield is and will remain a Derbyshire town – that is not up for negotiation.”

Residents will have another opportunity to have their say on the issue in a further round of public consultation to be held in the late spring and early summer before a final decision is made by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in the autumn.

For the latest on the issue, visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/devolution

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

New High Sheriff for Derbyshire

7th April 2016

Liz Fothergill CBE, Immediate Past President of East Midlands Chamber and Chairman of Derby-based Pennine Healthcare, will be appointment as High Sheriff of Derbyshire today.

Liz started her working life as a librarian but in 1977 found herself between jobs and started helping out in the family company, founded by and named after her father, Ivor Shaw.

The business evolved from engineering, filling stations and car sales and by the end of the 70s was manufacturing a small range of plastic medical disposable products from a new site on Pontefract Street, Derby.

Decades later, Liz still has the manufacturing bug and today the business, now known as Pennine Healthcare, turns over in excess of £30m a year, has 380 employees and produces 250,000 items a day, of which 70% are exported to 70 countries worldwide.

As a keen exporter, Liz is a Catalyst member, a global network of business leaders promoting UK excellence internationally under UK Trade and Investment.

Away from work, Liz gives a lot back to the city and communities of Derby. She is passionate about the positive influence business can have in education and community development.

She was HRH the Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for Business in the Community in the East Midlands from 2012 to 2014. She is Derby City business representative for D2N2 – the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Economic Partnership – and a member of Derby Renaissance Board.

Liz was Deputy Chair of the University of Derby from 2003-2013, is Chair of Derwent Stepping Stones (a neighbourhood nursery and training academy). She is a business champion of YMCA Derbyshire and a governor of Landau Forte Moorhead Academy and was formerly Chair of Derbyshire Dales Careline.

She is also Chairman of the Derby Book Festival, which had its very successful first event in 2015 and will stage an even more inclusive and exciting festival in June this year.

Liz said: “I am honoured to have been invited to be High Sheriff for Derbyshire and I hope I will make the most of the opportunity this office presents.

“During my tenure, I would like to really fly the flag for all that is great and good about Derby and Derbyshire, including its businesses, and ensure that the East Midlands remains a flag-bearer for the rest of the UK.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “The chamber would like to congratulate Liz on her appointment as High Sheriff for Derbyshire.

“Liz has been the driving force behind Pennine Healthcare, in Derby, and is a very active member of the local community. She is the immediate Past President of the Chamber and remains a very influential member of our Board of Directors.

“I’m sure Liz will take her enthusiasm for business and for Derby and Derbyshire into her new role and we wish her every success.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield firm to speak at major new European exhibition

5th April 2016

Chesterfield-based UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has been unveiled as the official media partner for a major new European exhibition.

The Contamination EXPO Series, taking place in London this autumn, will offer the latest knowledge, products and innovations to manage all aspects of contamination, from land remediation, spill response to air pollution and hazardous materials.

UKATA will exhibit at the event, while a representative from the UKATA board is also set to address delegates.

“UKATA is proud to be one of the official media partner for the Contamination EXPO this year,” said UKATA Marketing Officer, Victoria Castelluccio. “The event will have a major focus on asbestos, which is perfect as part of our overall awareness campaign strategy, and we are looking forward to both exhibiting and to putting forward one of our directors to address this important EXPO.”

The exhibition will feature over 120 hours of CPD accredited, free-to-attend seminar conference content, networking and the exhibition show floor will be filled with companies and associations like UKATA offering the most innovative products, solutions and expertise in cleaning up, or preventing contamination.

UKATA exists to set and verify standards and to emphasise the importance of best practice in training when it comes to the safe handling, removal and disposal of asbestos. Tasked by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2008 for taking-on, managing and developing the list of training providers for licensed asbestos work in the UK, UKATA is now the leading authority in all levels of asbestos training in the UK.

Posted in Business

Expansion at Markham Vale company

4th April 2016

Chesterfield distributor Industrial Ancillaries has unveiled its new, larger headquarters at Markham Vale.

After just under 4 months, Caddick Construction has completed a new extension across the front of the building, which has added 3500 sq ft of office space for the growing firm.

In line with the company’s continuous efforts to be energy efficient, the new build features rainwater harvesting and solar photo-voltaic panels; ensuring the firm keeps up with its low CO2 emission rate and company ethos.

The development also boasts an array of new facilities including:-

• Industrial Ancillaries’ brand new training academy – for the company to focus on delivering it’s BFPA Accredited courses;
• A re-vamped trade counter to offer customers a welcoming and more widely-stocked store;
• A re-vamped workshop;
• New canteen and welfare areas for staff;
• New meeting room facilities furnished with modern equipment, created for both staff and customer use;
• Additional car parking space to add to the already ample parking available on-site;
• Additional Kardex Remstar© vertical lift machines to provide enhanced storage facilities and increase product lines.

Jamie Dennis, managing director at Industrial Ancillaries comments:-

“The new ultra-modern facility undoubtedly brings more value to the company and an enhanced capability to provide more improved service to customers. Industrial Ancillaries looks forward to welcoming visitors to the new premises and continuing to build the business from strength to strength.”

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Young Spireites midfielder signs new deal

4th April 2016

Chesterfield-born Connor Dimaio has signed an extended contract with the Spireites, keeping the midfielder with the club until 2018.

The 20-year-old joined the club in January from Sheffield United and has shown his qualities in seven outings for the club – memorably scoring on his home debut against Crewe Alexandra.

Originally signing on at the Proact until the end of the season, Dimaio has already impressed sufficiently to be offered a longer deal at the club.

Dimaio’s form has also drawn attention internationally, with the player receiving his first ever selection by the Republic of Ireland under 21s last week and playing the full 90 minutes for his side away in Slovenia on Easter Monday.

After signing his new deal, Dimaio said: “It’s the best thing I could have dreamed of. I’m really happy to have signed and I’m so happy it’s worked out.

“I have a lot to thank the gaffer for as well as Chris Morgan and Ritchie Humphreys; they’ve helped me out and given me the opportunity to come here and play games. I’ve given what I can and I think I’ve done well.

“Now I’m really excited. Hopefully we can stay in League One this season, regroup and then push on next season with the plan to have a chance at getting to the Championship.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting