Three Chesterfield businesses have announced new hires and promotions in recent weeks.
Banner Jones Solicitors, Shorts Accountants and Pinelog Ltd. have all bolstered their teams, showcasing further growth of their respective organisations.
Read more about the new team members from across the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions below.
Pinelog welcomes new Production Manager
Steve Betts has joined Chesterfield-based timber lodge manufacturer Pinelog Limited as Production Manager.
He brings a wealth of experience in manufacturing, engineering and fabrication to his role at Pinelog, one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of luxury timber lodges and buildings.
Within his new role, Steve will support Pinelog’s detail driven process, from design conception, manufacture, delivery, installation, and customer handover.
Steve commented: “I’m a process driven person, with years of experience in fine tuning production and developing teams’ skillsets. I’m excited to see how I can support Pinelog’s vision.”
Steve’s employment background spans a number of blue-chip companies, including Toyota in both Derby and Japan for 17 years. Most recently, Steve worked in a consultancy role for a modular building manufacturer in the north of the UK.
He explained: “I first became aware of Pinelog when I visited Mercia Marina holiday park in Derby in my previous role and saw one of the company’s timber lodges. I was impressed by Pinelog’s quality.
“I am delighted to now be working for a company with such high standards of design and production. The attention to detail is unrivalled. Pinelog’s products stand apart in the timber lodge market.”
As well as the production of complete timber holiday lodges, in his new role Steve will also be overseeing the production of the commercial buildings designed and built by Pinelog which are also manufactured at the company’s Chesterfield site.
Steve’s appointment is just one of a number of new management appointments Pinelog has created following its move to a new, larger site in Chesterfield in 2023. Earlier this year Pinelog appointed Judy Barwell to the position of Sales Account Manager.
Welcoming Steve to the role, Nick Grayson, Chairman of Pinelog Group, said: “Steve’s comprehensive background in production and management within a number of industries provides us with a springboard for further developing our own best in class processes.”
New recruit bolsters Business Legal Services team at Banner Jones
Regional law firm Banner Jones has welcomed back Property Executive Tim Barley who returned to the firm in August.
Tim has commenced a 2-year Trainee Solicitor Apprenticeship with Banner Jones and begins studying for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), following which he will be a fully qualified solicitor.
Originally joining Banner Jones in 2018, Tim will now work alongside Head of Business Legal Services, Andrew Fielder, to support with both commercial property and corporate work.
Having previously specialised in residential property matters including leasehold enfranchisement claims for landlords and tenants, his return to the firm will see him further his expert knowledge in a range of Business Legal Services.
Andrew Fielder, Head of Business Legal Services at Banner Jones, said: “We are really pleased to be welcoming Tim back to the firm, and to be supporting him with his apprenticeship.
“He is an extremely passionate and capable trainee, and we know he will be a huge asset to both the team and our clients.”
Further commenting on Tim’s return to Banner Jones to complete his Trainee Solicitor Apprenticeship, Andrew said it was ‘indicative of the firm’s commitment to investing in talent’, adding: “As a firm, we see the huge value in company-funded training to enable our employees to achieve their ambitions.
“This is evidenced in the fact that we currently have nine Trainee Solicitors on the 2-year LPC route based across our offices in Chesterfield, Mansfield and Sheffield, as well as 2 Chesterfield-based Trainee Solicitor apprentices and various others undertaking CILEx and Licensed Conveyancing qualifications.
“We are delighted that not only are we helping our staff reach their potential, but also providing our clients with a high quality of service.”
Tim Barley added: “It feels great to be returning to such a great firm and to be assisting Andrew Fielder.
“The firm as a whole has an unrivalled reputation for delivering accessible, customer service-led legal services and that’s something I am equally passionate about.”
Shorts promotes Kirstie Wilson to Audit and Accounts Director
Shorts has announced the promotion of Kirstie Wilson to the position of Audit and Accounts Director with immediate effect.
Since joining Shorts in 2016 as an Audit and Accounts Senior, Kirstie has demonstrated exceptional dedication and aptitude, earning promotions to Manager in 2018 and then Senior Manager in 2021.
Her progression to Director is testament to her exemplary skills and continued commitment to excellence, and to the active role she has played in the development of our corporate team during that time.
On confirming her promotion, Audit and Accounts Partner Howard Freeman said: “Kirstie’s promotion is very much deserved, and she has worked hard to achieve it.
“As Director, Kirstie will take on the role of Engagement Leader on a portfolio of our clients, will hold Responsible Individual (RI) status, and in due course will be able to sign audit reports on behalf of the firm, in addition to leading non-audit work.
“A fantastic achievement, as Kirstie will be the first non-partner to hold this position in Shorts. She will also take on the role of engagement leader for most of our charity clients, having obtained the ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting earlier this year.”
Kirstie said: “I am delighted to have been promoted to Audit and Accounts Director at Shorts, and I’m proud to take the next step on my professional journey.
“Shorts provide an excellent environment for learning and development, and my promotion demonstrates the genuine commitment within the firm to support the team with structured career paths.
“I am very much looking forward to working with existing and future clients and helping to contribute to the continued success of the firm.”
Kirstie is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and holds a Diploma in Charity Accounting. She is a Xero certified adviser, proficient in many cloud-based accounting systems, such as Xero and Sage and has experience working with both incorporated and unincorporated businesses.
In December 2022 Kirstie was also appointed the youngest ever Trustee at Ashgate Hospice. She can be contacted by calling 0114 2671617 / 01244 559955 and more information can be found at shorts.uk.com.
Find out more about why Chesterfield is the ideal location to base your business here.
Pinelog, Banner Jones Solicitors and Shorts support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
