This month Chesterfield based Global Brands, have launched a dynamic range of craft Alcoholic Sodas – aptly named the Crooked Beverage Co –  created to shake up the ‘Ready To Drink’ market with an exciting new innovation.

Crafted in the shadows of the Crooked Spire in Chesterfield, the drinks are a blend of its creators Yorkshire and Derbyshire heritage. The range makes references to niche Sheffield bands and artists through the names and designs, further grounding it in the locale. Crooked is available in 330ml cans with surreal character illustrations to bring the brand to life and catch consumer’s attention, created by local Sheffield artist Lisa O’Hara.

Global Brands have identified a sweet spot in a market calling for innovation that lies between RTD, fruit cider and craft beer. Aimed at 20-30 year olds, Crooked Beverage Co features a malted base to give an interesting flavoursome alcohol taste that underpins the liquid. The all natural fruity body of the liquid provides a sweet, but not sickly, alternative to cater for the growing demand from millennials for drinks that aren’t hugely sugary and synthetic, whilst the slightly hoppy notes also appeal to beer drinkers.

Charlie Leaver, Innovation Manager at Global Brands said:-

“Crooked Beverage Co is something completely and truly different and with that it opens up a new realm of possibility. We plan to drive value into the RTD category by innovating and premiumising. We’ve taken a combination of the best from different categories to make a drink that is the first of its kind. We saw that the target demographic of consumers were tiring of overly sweet drinks with questionable ingredients, and so have created a product that tastes great, looks great, and is essentially natural”.

Available in three different flavours Dayglo Skies (Raspberry & Lime) Mother Moon (Pomegranate & Peach) and Midnight Stage (Blood Orange & Passionfruit), Crooked offers an intriguingly developed and complex taste compared to existing RTDs. Lightly carbonated, each delivers a refreshing fruity flavour with a low sugar content (as little as 4.6g per 100ml), sourced from natural ingredients. The taste and aroma of the fruits burst through, without being masked by artificial flavours or sweeteners.

Charlie adds:-

“We’re excited to be bringing this to the market and introducing a whole new category of Alcoholic Soda to the UK. The dimensions that Crooked creates both in its artwork and taste is what make it a stand out product. We’ve crafted this brand by listening to the consumer and with that we’ve made something that’s going to completely change the market”.

Chesterfield FC have agreed a new three-year deal with local firm Jacksons The Bakers Ltd for them to remain as the pie suppliers to the club.

Ashley Carson, Chesterfield director & company secretary – after shaking hands on the agreement with managing director Trevor Jackson – said:-

“I am delighted that we are continuing our relationship with Jacksons, who have supplied the pies to the club since we have been at the Proact.

“The pies they supply are excellent and very popular with our supporters. It is also good to be able to support a local company. I would like to thank the two supporters – Phil Marsden and Alan Barnett – who volunteered to look at the pie deal, speak to Trevor and provide an independent view. They will both be treated to hospitality this coming season as a gesture of thanks.”

Trevor Jackson, whose great uncle founded the company, said:-

“As a lifelong fan, I am proud of our association with the Spireites and we are delighted to be continuing to supply the club.”

Jacksons The Bakers was formed in 1944 and now operates from purpose-built premises in Danesmoor. All their products are made using their own unique recipes, some of which have been handed down through generations, each having been developed and refined to give that contemporary twist to fit into today’s modern living.

Businesses are being urged to take part in a survey that will provide a last look at their main concerns ahead of the General Election.

The results will provide a snapshot of confidence levels in the fourth quarter since the EU-Referendum last June and set a benchmark against which the success of the new Government can be judged.

The East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for the second three months of 2017 asks businesses how they have fared in the three months to the end of May and expect to fare in the three months from the start of June, including whether they expect their prices to rise and are considering increasing wages.

There are additional questions this quarter to determine relationships between growth and recruitment, planned investment in staff training and what factors might influence investment in training.

Whether employers believe they will get good value from the apprenticeship levy also features.

Data collated from the East Midlands Chamber QES will update the regional State of the Economy Index – which last quarter was at its highest since Q2 2105 – and is fed into the British Chambers of Commerce QES, which builds a national picture of business confidence and shapes the BCC’s interactions with Government.

Chris Hobson, the Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“It takes only a few minutes to complete the survey and the information it gives us is vital to driving our policies and the issues on which we will campaign on behalf of businesses.

“You don’t have to be a Chamber member to take part, the important thing is that we get as many businesses as possible to complete the survey so that we build the most accurate picture possible and can make sure our lobbying activities properly reflect the concerns of regional businesses.”

To take part in the survey click here. The closing date is 12 June.

Simon Marsden has been appointed to lead NLT Training Services. The training provider, which has offices in Chesterfield and Scunthorpe, has appointed Simon as Chief Executive.

Simon has been involved with NLT since 2014 as the vice chairman of the training organisation’s board. He has since resigned the position to take up the role of Chief Executive.

Simon comes from a chemical engineering background and has had managing director roles with Oilgear in Leeds, KM Furniture in Chesterfield and, most recently, DarenthMJS in Sheffield.

He joins NLT at an exciting time in the charity’s 40-year history. Most recently it has rebranded, launching a new website which boasts online booking for NLT’s Health & Safety courses.

Simon, delighted to join NLT as Chief Executive, said:-

“The support, training and mentoring I had in the early years of my career enabled me to become a managing director of a multi-million-pound company at the age of 29. Having been the beneficiary of training and support I have always wanted to put something back. Becoming a board member with NLT allowed me to do this, however, taking up the Chief Executive role is where I hope to make a significant difference both in the organisation and with our young people and employers.”

He is a passionate believer in training and development to enhance workforce skills.  His key priorities in his new role include strengthening the delivery of engineering training, developing the popular pre Apprenticeship programme, Evolve, and reviewing NLT’s commercial courses delivered at NLT’s Chesterfield and Scunthorpe sites as well as in the workplace.

Simon explained:-

“The experience we give learners and employers is of paramount importance and I want to ensure that NLT earns the strongest possible reputation for helping the next generation acquire the skills, knowledge and qualifications that local businesses need. There is a real opportunity to build on our existing successes and long history. NLT has a committed and supportive team who are all focused on delivering the best possible outcome for individuals.”

He added:-

“I am hugely excited for the challenge ahead. Together, I know we can make NLT the go-to provider in north Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.”

Outside work Simon, who has two children in post 16 education, enjoys badminton and travelling. He has visited most parts of the world including recent trips to Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Later this year, he plans to return to Barcelona and cruise to the Azores and Madeira.

Pensions specialist Graeme Goodwin has joined Chesterfield-based Start Financial Planning as a Paraplanner.

He joins the growing independent financial advice firm from a leading national accountants and is Start’s second appointment this year. He also brings with him more than 10 years’ experience working on final salary pension schemes with a well-known international organisation to his new role at Start.

Within his new role, Graeme will ensure the firm is at the forefront of the changing financial planning landscape, supporting the firm’s directors in delivering independent financial advice.

Describing what attracted him to the role, Graeme said:-

“I was attracted by the family feel of the office and the opportunity to take a more hands-on, holistic approach with people planning their financial future. I am not only researching the various markets for our clients’ needs but also liaising with them to ensure a full understanding so that we can deliver the best solution both immediately and ongoing.”

Commenting on his appointment Steve, director of Start Financial Planning, said:-

“We’re delighted to welcome Graeme on board at Start. His appointment represents a significant step forward for the business. His technical knowledge is extensive, enabling us to deliver an enhanced service to our clients and grow the business in the right way.”

Outside work Graeme, who lives in Sheffield, enjoys running, football and mountain biking.

Start Financial Planning deals with pensions, tax planning, estate planning, investments, business and personal protection.