Business

Apprentice reaps award number two for going above and beyond

Congratulations are in order for Jack Rigsby from AvantiGas, who has been honoured as an Apprentice of the Year by Chesterfield College for the second year running, this time being named Apprentice of the Year in BTEC Level 3 Mechanical Engineering.

Jack said that some of the work he’d done previously for A Level Maths had helped him in his BTEC studies, but parts of the syllabus were still challenging:-

“Thermodynamics was probably the most difficult. I’d never done anything like that before, but I still enjoyed it.”

Hydraulics and Pneumatics, another new subject, was also challenging but Jack clearly mastered these new disciplines to win Apprentice of the Year once again.

Neill Cordon, HR Director at Avantigas, said:-

“Jack is a great credit to AvantiGas and his success just confirms why we should continue our commitment to apprenticeships. We believe strongly that apprenticeships help us to meet the vital need to bring new talent into the LPG market to continue to serve off-grid homes and businesses.”

The college citation for Jack’s efforts was glowing:-

“Jack is an outstanding student.

“He is very capable across a range of subjects and he manages himself well. His work is always to a high standard and submitted ahead of deadlines.”

It goes on to say that Jack in fact completed his assignments for the year six weeks early but was happy to use the time he has gained to support his classmates, who value his advice and support.

Jack remains modest in the face of his award and the praise heaped on him:-

“I wasn’t expecting it. I just handed my work in when it was due and didn’t mess around.”

His advice to aspiring apprentices is:-

“Just to put the effort in and get your head down, and get yourself onto higher education if you can.”

“I have one more year to go on my BTEC then I hope to progress on to university after that. It would be studying one day a week, part-time, hopefully at Sheffield Hallam. But it will be worth it in the end.”

apprentice

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Mitchells welcomes new university placement undergraduate

Cementing its commitment to bringing on new talent in the accountancy sector, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers has appointed Brandon Wazirali as an undergraduate placement student.

Brandon (21) from Mosborough in Sheffield, is an Accounting and Finance student at Sheffield Hallam University. As part of the third year of his degree he has joined Mitchells Corporate Services team full-time, on a 12-month placement in order to gain experience ahead of his final year and graduation.

He explained: “Accountancy opens doors to so many different careers, however my personal aim is to become a Chartered Accountant and undertaking this placement with Mitchells is a great way to gain experience as well as confirm my career ambitions.”

He is one of a long line of undergraduates to join Mitchells as a placement student; the majority of which are offered permanent roles with the firm on completing their degree. Partner Tony Hornsby joined Mitchells originally as a placement student in 2001 and has remained with the firm since graduating.

Commenting on his appointment, Brandon said: “I’m really enjoying it at Mitchells. Every day is different. I have always been good with numbers, so being able to apply the theory from my course in a practical, hands-on environment is giving me invaluable experience which will provide a great platform on which to build my career once I graduate.”

Outside work, Brandon who is a keen half marathon runner, enjoys playing Sunday League football with The New Bohemians.

The firm is looking to make further appointments to add to its expanding team of tax professionals and Chartered Accountants. If you’re looking for a career at Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, get in touch with Andrew McDaid by calling 01246 274121, or send your CV and covering letter to andrewmcdaid@mitchellsaccountants.co.uk

Brandon Wazirali

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Women in Business Network group set to launch in Chesterfield

Capitalising on recent research – stating that nationally the proportion of women that went into business between 2013 and 2016 rose by 45% – the Women in Business Network (WIBN) are set to launch a new networking service for business women in Chesterfield.

The WIBN is a membership organisation for women who wish to gain new business opportunities through word of mouth. Whether employed or a business owner the network has a huge diversity of businesses involved.

Networking is widely seen as the most effective business tool to market any business or service. The WIBN has been offering businesses the chance to meet monthly to do business together, collaborate on projects and gain new leads for over 12 years. The Chesterfield group will be first group set up in Derbyshire after success of the group in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

The WIBN will meet for a two hour networking meeting held every month, starting from 5th October, where they will share lunch whilst allowing delegates the opportunity to increase business, brand and profile for their organisation.

Paula Grizzard, Director of WIBN North Derbyshire and Yorkshire,  said:-

“We are impressed with the drive for business in Chesterfield and keen to set up our newest WIBN Group here to be part of the growth and investment in the town.”

To find out more about the meetings please click here.

women in business network

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Community radio station expands ‘Team Spire’ with exciting new changes

Spire Radio, Chesterfield Champions and local community radio station, have recently announced a number of exciting new changes to ensure the survival of the stations legacy as they move forward after a successful first 2 years on air.

A focus on strengthening involvement in the local community has been a main priority for the station, with links now forged between the Derbyshire Times, Chesterfield Food Club Community Trust and the Chesterfield College Performing Arts and Media Departments. The station has also recently offered work experience to local schools and colleges.

To keep at the forefront of local business, Spire Radio have also recently joined the Chesterfield Champion network. Chesterfield Champions are a group of 170+ local businesses who work together to support the development of the local economy, shape the future of the town and showcase all that is good about it.

To showcase how vital the business community is in the development of the town, Destination Chesterfield, who run the Chesterfield Champion scheme, and Spire Radio have joined forces to showcase these local businesses with a new show to air from late August. The show, which will air on Tuesday afternoons, will see Champions interviewed about their business and their views on topics relevant to the town.

A number of new appointments have also been made to strengthen their Directorship and Management team.

Joining the Current Directors Chris Walters (Programme Director), Stephen Mahoney (Technical Director) and Amy Hartshorn (Director of Finance and Human Resources), Spire Radio are proud to announce the appointment of Andrew Payne, Presenter of the Generation Game, Local Business man and long standing supporter of Spire Radio as a Director.

Other appointments include Matthew Squires (Presenter of SquiresonSpire) as Training, Compliance & Development Director, Simon Barnett (Presenter of Anthems) as Media & Communications Director and Mark Judge as Technical & Web Development Director.

David Trickett, local legend and fundraiser will also join the team as Charity & Community Event Director to oversee that all of the stations operations are within the remit of not for profit and in the best interests of Local Community & support local charitable organisations.

Alongside the recruitment of the new directors the station are also looking to grow their listener-ship with the introduction of a host of new shows and presenters.

  • George Drummond will be the new host of Spire Breakfast (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday). George has years of experience of online radio to bring to Spire.
  • ‘Debs & Denise’ from LOL Laughter yoga have been announced as the presenters of the Wednesday Breakfast Show. Denise and Deborah from LOL are a dynamic duo bursting with energy to share the wonderful benefits of laughter and how it can be used to facilitate change.
  • Adrian Lings joins as presenter of the Weekend Wind Up Show (Fridays 10am – 1pm). Adrian is a well-known Sheffield DJ and compere and does swing work with Sheffield live, Hallam fm and many others.
  • Martyn Gillie will present the Community Slot on a Friday (2pm – 3pm). His show will focus around local heritage and history as well as playing music from the 50s.
  • Lee Brade will join as presenter of Friday Drive Time and Tracey Leeds will present a new show on Sundays (1pm – 4pm)

Spire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Region celebrates 73% increase in foreign investment

New figures from the Department for International Trade show that foreign investment into the Sheffield City Region (SCR) leapt by a massive 73% in the financial year to the end of March compared to previous 12 months.

The Government figures, produced annually, show that there were 46 investments by foreign businesses, creating 2308 new jobs and safeguarding another 217.

Chesterfield Champions, Ferdinand Bilstein, being amongst the top five project successes taking on 150 employees in the last year alone.

This makes it the most successful year for international investment in the region since the SCR was created.

Teams from the regeneration departments of the nine local authorities are supported by the region-wide SCR Trade and Investment team to work together to attract foreign companies from overseas, and others already based in the UK looking to relocate and expand.

Rachel Clark, Director of Trade and Investment for the SCR, said:-

“These excellent figures are the exciting result of collaborative work with our local authority and business partners and the Department for International Trade. It’s rewarding to see a team effort bringing in such fantastic returns in terms of jobs and economic growth.”

Further examples of other recent investments in the SCR include:

  • Peak Resort, the £400million tourism and leisure destination which is underway with £2.9million infrastructure funding from the SCR. The project will create 1,300 jobs.
  • A new 44,595 sq metre facility at the Markham Vale Enterprise Zone for Great Bear will create 400 new jobs serving the UK domestic market. A second distribution operation at Markham Vale is the largest development at Markham Vale to date.

foreign investment

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield Food Producer shortlisted as Pig Farmer of the Year

Chesterfield Food Producer, Moss Valley Fine Meats, have recently been announced as finalist in the ‘Pig Farmer of the Year’ category for the Farmers Weekly Awards 2017.

Top technical performance was the common theme across all three finalists this year, which ranged from the largest pig producer in the country to a family-run farrow-to finish farm marketing their own produce. They stand against GSK Pigs in Norfolk and British Quality Pigs in Suffolk.

Stephen and Karen Thompson of Moss Valley Fine Meats, produce pork, bacon, ham and sausages in their own butchery from pigs bred and reared on their farm in the beautiful Moss Valley on the edge of Sheffield.

A rare little gem is how you could describe the family-run Moss Valley Fine Meats, which is home to 200 sows and is producing about 6,000 pigs a year. They have also recently gain planning permission to triple the size of the butchery with a LEADER application being undertaken for EU funding. This will allow the farm to expand across the country and hopefully internationally.

Moss Valley have developed a brand that is well-known with top chefs and at farmers markets in the Sheffield area; supplying around 70 restaurants, delis and shops in the local area. They have also been approached to supply large volumes of sausage for a schools contract.

A representative from the Farmers Weekly said about the farm:-

“A smaller-scale, family-run pig operation makes Moss Valley Meats really quite rare in the industry today. They have built a brand that is well known in the Sheffield area, has excellent performance and is carbon neutral.”

The winner of the awards will be announced in a black tie awards ceremony held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Mayfair in October.

Alongside being shortlisted for such a prestigious national title, Moss Valley are also celebrating being shorlisted as finalists in the first ever English SME Business Awards 2017.

food producer

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Chesterfield business leaders sought after to drive forward the work of the Sheffield City Region

Dynamic individuals with an understanding of business and a taste for a challenge are being sought to help drive forward the work of the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

Four members of the Board of the Local Enterprise Partnership – or LEP – have reached the end of their three-year term and applications are invited for the vacancies.

Today Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the LEP Board, said:-

“I’m tremendously grateful to our retiring members. They have given us a huge breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding of this region and its strategic economic needs. They have given their time and expertise most generously and we all have a great deal to thank them for.”

Several Board members will be joining a booming region that is smashing its own targets. It aimed to see 70,000 new jobs in the decade from March 2015 – but just two years later 27,000 have already been created.

The Local Enterprise Partnership Board, founded six years ago, has built an enviable reputation as a business orientated and pragmatic private-public partnership. It leads a region now well placed to take advantage of greater localism – one of the key points of the Government’s Industrial Strategy – and to accelerate the rebirth of the economy.

The LEP drives trade and investment activities, transport improvements, housing developments, and skills and training. With LEP support two global giants, the supercar maker McLaren Automotive and aero manufacturer Boeing, voted with their feet and began building bases in the region this year, and another two such major announcements are confidently expected in the near future.

Now the SCR is looking for a three-year commitment from a new round of businesspeople prepared to sit on the LEP Board, giving their time and expertise to advise and guide the executive, working closely with the region’s local authorities.

The retiring members are Simon Carr, MD of Henry Boot Construction; Deborah Egan OBE, Arts Director; Paul Houghton, Partner at Grant Thornton; and Chris Scholey, former Chair of the Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust.

Nigel Brewster, Vice Chair of the LEP, added:-

“I can honestly say being a LEP Board member is one of the most rewarding things I do. You learn a tremendous amount, meet fascinating people, and at the end of the day you can feel you’ve done some practical good for the region.

“Members serve for three years and we are using this opportunity to look for people who are willing, unpaid, to represent the wealth of different businesses, geography and population we have in this region. We are working on a new Strategic Economic Plan which will be our road map for the next 10 years, and it brings a whole new set of exciting challenges – so we are looking for the brightest and the best from across the whole of the region.

“We’re a region that’s booming, and now is an amazing time to join us.”

For more information on how to apply please click here.

Sheffield City Region

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Consultation on Northern Gateway vision

A consultation is to seek the public’s views on both short and long term plans to redevelop Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway area to breathe extra life in to the town centre.

Chesterfield Borough Council appointed Chesterfield-based Whittam Cox Architects to produce a vision document which sets out how the area could develop in the short term through the previously announced first phase of the Northern Gateway project and, once that is complete, how it might develop in the future.

The first phase of the Northern Gateway scheme will see:

  • the former Co-op building redeveloped in a £10.5 million scheme by Central England Co-operative and Jomast Developments to house six ground floor restaurants, a Premier Inn hotel on the first and second floors and a health and fitness centre in the basement.
  • Chesterfield Borough Council demolish the existing Saltergate multi-storey car park and replace it with a new, higher quality car park in a £6.54 million scheme
  • An enterprise centre, incorporating a public space area, built on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park to house small and medium sized companies
  • Environmental street improvements around Elder Way and part of Knifesmithgate, to enhance this part of the town centre and make it more pedestrian friendly, will be funded using a £5.8 million grant from the Sheffield City Region.

This work will be completed over the next five years. Once that is delivered attention will turn to a second longer-term phase, which could see housing in the Newbold Road area.

The public will be able to see the plans, including visuals of how the area may look, and give their views at drop-in consultation sessions taking place in the entrance lobby to the Assembly Rooms in Chesterfield Market Hall between:

  • 11am and 4pm on Friday 28 July and
  • 10am and 2pm on Saturday 29 July.

Consultation information will then be displayed in the Tourist Information Centre in Rykneld Square from Monday 31 July to Friday 11 August. Residents can also complete the consultation online at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/northern-gateway.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said:-

“This public consultation will focus on the plans for the Enterprise Centre which the council is building and the environmental street improvements in Elder Way and Knifesmithgate.

“The key aim of the development at Northern Gateway is to attract more footfall for town centre shops and the market from the staff working in the Enterprise Centre and shoppers and visitors coming to a more attractive environment.

“We will also be seeking views on some of the longer term vision ideas about how the Northern Gateway can be better linked up to the historic core of the town centre, to the railway station and new developments like Waterside. This part of the vision is not something that will be happening soon but it is important that we plan for the future of the Newbold Road area too.”

The consultation will not include the Saltergate multi-storey car park or the Co-op redevelopment parts of the project.

Consultation has already taken place with Derbyshire County Council’s highways team, bus companies, taxi drivers, businesses and representatives of equalities groups to help produce the draft Northern Gateway vision document.

Andrew Dabbs, from Whittam Cox Architects, said:-

“Consultation with local people is an essential part of the design development process and we will look forward to presenting our plans and taking on board the feedback that will help us develop our scheme to the next level.

“We are pretty confident that with the work undertaken by our team in conjunction with the Chesterfield Borough Council will be welcomed and supported. We also hope through our consultation that people will understand the holistic benefit that this development could bring as a catalyst for wider regeneration around the Northern Gateway and the wider town centre.”

Following the public consultation a final version of the vision document will be produced which will then be used to attract inward investors to the Northern Gateway scheme.

Northern Gateway

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

HS2 train link for Chesterfield a ‘game changer’

A decision to bring the HS2 rail line through Chesterfield offers a once in a generation opportunity to create jobs and economic growth.

That was the message from Chesterfield Borough Council leader Councillor Tricia Gilby as she welcomed news that HS2 has decided to go ahead with plans for the main HS2 high speed rail link to follow a route through north Derbyshire and South Yorkshire that roughly follows the M1 and M18, with a spur coming off that would serve Chesterfield and Sheffield city centre.

It was also confirmed that Staveley will be home to a HS2 maintenance depot, creating jobs and helping to develop the former industrial sites in the area as part of a wider regeneration plan.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-

“This is a real game changer for Chesterfield because of the faster connections it will bring to London, Leeds, Manchester and other major cities and the extra capacity on those trains.

“Having high speed trains will benefit not only Chesterfield’s economy but also the wider area as Chesterfield is the link in to other parts of north Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park. It makes Chesterfield a destination to arrive at and that offers the opportunity to develop infrastructure around the station to bring wider economic benefits over time.”

The council is currently working with partners across the East Midlands and Sheffield City Region to maximise the potential opportunities to develop infrastructure that will enable the town to benefit from the rail link and to give local people the skills and training needed to get jobs created by HS2.

An East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy which sets out plans to achieve this is currently being developed and will be launched later this summer.

Councillor Gilby added: “We will be telling the Government that by investing in infrastructure we can maximise the economic benefits of the HS2 link sooner, bringing more jobs to Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.

“At Staveley we need to ensure that the maintenance depot plans link in with the pre-existing plans to redevelop the former industrial sites in that area. As that land has contamination on it we need to start work sooner rather than later to ensure that everything is ready to benefit from the HS2 rail link when it arrives.

“We do recognise that in addition to the positives of the HS2 link there will be disruption as well. We will be working with HS2 and the Government to ensure all possible mitigation measures are in place to minimise this as much as possible.”

The HS2 announcement has also been welcomed by business leaders.

Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Proposals for an HS2 stop in Chesterfield and the Staveley maintenance depot have already sparked a surge of interest in the town from all types of inward investor, including commercial developers and house-builders, thus reinforcing Chesterfield’s status on the national investment map.

“Chesterfield’s location and connectivity gives the town a unique appeal and this has already been recognised by many of those looking to invest. The HS2 announcements made to date have helped to raise the town’s profile even further, and promoted Chesterfield to a different league of investor.  

“Key developments like Peak Resort and Chesterfield Waterside are already well underway and HS2 will help make Chesterfield a destination in its own right- an HS2 stop in the town will be another massive step forward.”

hs2

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Exciting opportunity for budding chefs to work across the Chatsworth Estate

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s estate, which includes the famous local attraction of Chatsworth, is offering seven fantastic apprenticeships, to young people with a passion for food and a desire to train as a chef.

The successful apprentices will get the opportunity to work across the Devonshire Group’s three acclaimed restaurants on the Chatsworth Estate during the 13 month apprenticeship, where they will carry out work based learning with tutors from Learning Unlimited, part of the Chesterfield College Group. At the end of the apprenticeship programme successful learners will also be guaranteed positions at one of the restaurants and hotels within the group across Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

Clare Clifton, Group Training & Development Manager for the Devonshire Group at Chatsworth, said:

“We have an excellent track record of supporting apprentices and we are able to provide a range of career opportunities within the Group.  We encourage our chefs to continue their professional development with us and to undertake ongoing study.   In addition to the formal qualification and training, the apprenticeship will include the opportunity to gain experience across a range of restaurants – from fine dining to good pub food, working with our amazing chefs.”

Jordan Garratt, Chef de Partie with the Devonshire Group who trained at Chesterfield College and was a Young Chef of the Year finalist in 2014 told us:-

“The learning possibilities are endless here. The variety of things you get to work on is fantastic and there is a great team atmosphere. Working here is one of the best places to be if you want career progression.”

chefs

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Chesterfield businesses and jobseekers set to benefit from region-wide jobs board

The creation of a new dedicated jobs board is set to benefit Chesterfield businesses, who will find it easier to find and retain talented and locally-based employees.

The Sheffield City Region Jobs Board, created by Sheffield-based technology and recruitment solutions firm TribePad, aims to support employers within the city region – including Chesterfield – whether they are operating in the private, public or third sectors.

Using the latest algorithmic insight, the specialist online platform ensures that regional jobs rank higher within the principal internet search engines, thereby providing benefits to both local employers and job seekers.

It aims to boost local employment and retain talented people by showcasing some of the best jobs and people based on locality.

TribePad, which lists Tesco and the BBC among its clients, is offering this facility to Chesterfield businesses completely free of charge.

Dean Sadler from TribePad said:-

“Our aim is to support the local economy by making it easier for jobseekers and businesses to connect.

“Following a successful pilot, TribePad may look to replicate this initiative elsewhere, however it is our intention that it will remain a free service for the Sheffield City Region and its employers.”

For regional businesses, and incoming inward investors, this online platform will be free to use and is being pitched as a new recruitment resource.

McLaren Automotive, who will be creating more than 200 new jobs in the recently announced Composites Technology Centre in Sheffield is one of the first big names to have signed up to the Jobs Board and expects it to play an important part in their recruitment process.

Jonathan Clement from McLaren Automotive said:-

“Sheffield City Region has a long-standing reputation for excellence in research, advanced manufacturing and engineering; consolidated by the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the wider Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.

“We will be creating significant numbers of jobs over the next few years as we establish a manufacturing presence here.

“It is important to us that we tap into the specialist expertise that exists here.

“A regional jobs board is a fantastic way for us to achieve this and ensure that we raise awareness of employment opportunities with local residents.”

jobs board

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business