Chesterfield business growth

SDL Minorfern celebrates 45 successful years

North Derbyshire based motor factors, SDL Minorfern has recently celebrated 45 years of successful trading and growth.

The business started in 1978 with only one small building in Clay Cross. Now, SDL Minorfern has grown organically into 12 branches from Leeds down to Derby.

While the firm is still headquartered in Clay Cross on Furnace Hill Road, it also has a branch in Chesterfield, based on the Foxwood Road trading estate in Sheepbridge.

Julie Salter, Human Resources Director at SDL Minorfern commented: “45 years is a massive achievement for any business, but given the way things have been over the last few years we are even more grateful to be celebrating this milestone.

“We are proud to still be based where it all started here in North Derbyshire, and it is even more special to be part of the community and creating employment for local people.

“We celebrated with all our people on the 18th of April, we had a cake for every branch, got everyone a special t-shirt and a small gift, and we all just took some time to celebrate what a great business we are. We are also having a special trade night on the 25th of May, an opportunity to spend some time with our fantastic customers and suppliers.

“We are very proud to be a Derbyshire based company, and wherever we can we want to be able to further support the local economy going forward.”

North Derbyshire is cost-effective, well located close to the M1 motorway, and full of potential with businesses from world-leading manufacturers to multinational communication companies.

Find out more about the great opportunities to locate your business in the area at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

SDL Minorfern supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

SDL Minorfern 45th anniversary

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Chesterfield’s Mortgage 1st reach the finals in two prestigious Industry Awards.

A Chesterfield-based mortgage broker is celebrating a double success, after being named as finalists in two major industry awards.

Established in Chesterfield in 2008, Mortgage 1st offers mortgage & protection advice to customers all over the UK. With Advisers both in Chesterfield and across the country their team have helped thousands of customers over the years to secure their first home, remortgage, become landlords and protect their family with the right insurance.

With no sign of the firm’s growth slowing down any time soon, welcoming new faces into their team on almost a monthly basis, Mortgage 1st have ambitious plans to become one of the UK’s largest Mortgage Brokers.

Alongside offering quality advice to their customers, the Mortgage 1st team are passionate about supporting young people and work closely with a number of schools across Derbyshire delivering mortgage lessons and raising awareness of careers in the financial services industry.

It’s a combination of the firm’s continuous growth, the quality advice they provide their customers, the career opportunities offered to their team and the support they give within the local community that’s lead them to the finals in two separate industry awards.

The firm has been named amongst the list of finalistsin the ‘Best Mortgage Broker (8 to 50 advisers) category at the Mortgage Strategy Award3 2023. The ceremony is regarded as the pinnacle of success for those in the UK mortgage industry. Winners will be announced at the Gala dinner in London on the 25th of May.

Furthermore, Mortgage 1st is also looking to scoop ‘Broker Firm of the Year (11-50 employees)’ at the Financial Reporter Awards. Winners will be announced at the awards event on the 11th of May.

Lisa Stones, Operations Director at Mortgage 1st (pictured above) commented: “To be named as finalists in both of these awards and listed alongside some fantastic businesses is absolutely amazing. Testament to our entire team, their passion, commitment and ongoing hard work. We would love nothing more than to bring home a winner’s trophy but regardless, we’ll have a fantastic time at the award events and will be celebrating our achievements.”

Mortgage 1st supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Mortgage 1st Office for social

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Matlock Farm Park announces exciting 20th anniversary celebrations

Matlock Farm Park, located between Matlock and Chesterfield, is looking forward to celebrating its 20th birthday in April with its visitors.

The attraction has come a long way since humble beginnings, recently winning for the second year running Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s Visitor Attraction of the Year, as well as their Accessible & Inclusive Tourism award and Best Event for their annual Peak District Highland Games from the National Farm Attractions Network.

Managing Director and founder Allan Finlay said: “We’ve really surpassed everything we set out to do. My background was hospitality and my wife Virginia has always been in farming – we started the park off just as a little something to do together. I look now at what we offer and feel immensely proud, especially of our team who work hard to deliver a great experience. Seeing children and adults happy when they’re with us is just wonderful.”

The farm park started off as a few outdoor pens, a small animal barn and a 15-seater tea room, but has more than doubled in size to be home to a wide range of animals such as goats, meerkats, donkeys, Highland cattle and wallabies. There are activities such as sheep racing, small animal handling and alpaca walking, as well as indoor and outdoor multi-zone play centres, a horse-riding school, function rooms, café and a Changing Places facility.

“There’ve certainly been some trying times over the years,” recalled Allan. “Obviously things were difficult during the pandemic, but back in 2013 we seriously thought about giving the farm park up altogether when things were quiet and we were juggling our young family with other full-time jobs. It was thanks to a small grant we managed to get to build a café and us starting social media posts when things started to change. Before we knew it, visitor numbers began rising and we were able to start re-investing in the park.”

Lotty Hawkins, Assistant Manager, said: “The positive feedback from visitors brings the most pride for the management and staff. Visitors really notice how much we’ve improved over the years and how much there is to do and see during a visit. Many people tell us how contact with our lovely animals helps their wellbeing too – animals can be so calming when there’s a special connection. Visitors with Autism and Dementia can also have such rewarding experiences with us.”

The farm park is now one of only a few attractions in the region to hold ‘Accessibility Champion’ status. “Our Changing Places facility has made such a difference to children and adults with additional needs,” added Lotty.

The team look forward to 20th anniversary celebrations with their visitors in April, including the park’s biggest ever social media prize giveaway and party event weekends.

Lotty said: “We really want to give thanks to all our visitors and to all those who’ve supported us over the years. With Easter and lots of Summer events coming up too, it’s an exciting time for Matlock Farm Park!”

Matlock Farm Park supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

matlock farm park sheep racing

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Three Chesterfield businesses boosted by new recruits

Three businesses in Chesterfield have recently bolstered their ranks with new recruits, adding further growth to their organisations.

Law firm CMP Legal, community-based charity Junction Arts and sustainable packaging firm Robinson PLC have all taken on new staff – showcasing growth and investment in the town across a number of sectors.

CMP Legal announces new Employment Director

Lauren Pickard - CMP Legal

The Chesterfield based law firm that delivers expert services to clients in Derbyshire, Sheffield and across the UK is thrilled to announce the appointment of Lauren Pickard as its new Employment Director.

Lauren is a specialist Employment Law Solicitor and joins CMP Legal from national law firm Knights plc where she worked as a Senior Associate, previously based in Sheffield. She has a wealth of knowledge and employment law experience from managing performance, disciplinary and grievance matters to redundancy and restructuring advice, delivering training, drafting contracts and much more.

Lauren Pickard, Employment Director at CMP Legal says: “I am delighted to join CMP Legal at such an exciting time for the firm in terms of growth. CMP Legal has swiftly established itself as a niche practice offering high quality advice. The lawyers at CMP Legal have a wealth of experience and this, combined with their desire to do things in a dynamic and progressive way, works strongly to the benefit of clients.”

Neil Brown, Co-Founder at CMP Legal says: “Lauren has an excellent reputation in the region and will be a fantastic asset to both our business and our clients. We are delighted to welcome her into our expanding team as we continue to deliver exceptional service to our clients.”

Robinson PLC invests in sales team with two senior appointments

Angela Doyle

Robinson – the manufacturer specialising in value-added custom packaging – has invested in its sales team with two new senior appointments in the UK.

Angela Doyle joins Robinson from Berry Plastics and previously Constantia Group where she worked in the flexibles sector in both the UK and Ireland in commercial sales, primarily in the food and beverage sector. Looking forward to her role as a New Business Development Manager at Robinson, Angela highlighted: “I have a strong technical and commercial skill set, working closely with customers and production on development, problem solving and meeting deadlines.  I have always enjoyed being part of a team, leading innovation and out of the box thinking.”

“Robinsons has a really strong collaborative, welcoming culture and I am looking forward to playing my part in the team, creating new business opportunities and building on the strong company foundations”.

Also joining the team as Business Development Manager is Nick Hudson. His background is in UK manufacture and outsourcing of premium packaging across many substrates.

Nick commented: “I am really looking forward to creating awareness of the company’s commitment to sustainable, innovative rigid box packaging and its high standards of quality and service leading to Robinsons being the first choice for customers”.

Junction Arts announces new Managing Director

Emily Junction Arts

Award-winning participatory arts charity, Junction Arts has appointed Emily Bowman, the current Deputy CEO for The Mighty Creatives, as its new Managing Director.

Emily will join the Chesterfield-based charity on the 1st of April and is tasked with helping the team to deliver an ambitious programme of creative events and initiatives throughout 2023. She will lead the charity to deliver its vision, support the Arts Council England’s ‘Let’s Create’ strategy and will be responsible to the Board on all matters of strategy, policy development and management.

Junction Arts has engaged communities across Bolsover District, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield and rural areas of the East Midlands for over 45 years.   Following an uplift in National Portfolio Funding (NPO) from the Arts Council until 2026, the charity has aspirations for significant growth and is hoping to embark on a number of exciting partnership projects over the next three years.

Emily is currently the Deputy CEO for The Mighty Creatives, a children and young people’s charity based in Leicester and Arts Council England’s Bridge organisation for the East Midlands.  She has worked in the creative sector for 20 years and at a senior leadership level since 2015. Through her background and training in performance and her work in arts leadership, she has a deep understanding and passion for arts, culture, and creativity, specifically focused on young audiences, with experience in co-producing high-quality programmes that are accessible to all.

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining Junction Arts. I am excited to be leading such a vibrant and dedicated team and will do all I can to continue to grow and develop the organisation, building on its current success and supporting more people to engage, and creativity to thrive across our communities.”

Lucie Maycock, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Junction Arts said: “Emily has all the right experience, skills, and strategic thinking to take on this exciting role. She is passionate about community arts and making a real difference. Our shared values and her experience working with children, young people and communities, developing programmes that support their cultural, personal and professional development, will enhance our new and existing programmes. Helping to make a real impact and take the organisation to the next level.”

CMP Legal, Robinson PLC and Junction Arts support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

spire view dusk chesterfield

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Chesterfield firm named as one of Europe’s fastest growing companies for the second year running

Chesterfield-based Superior Wellness has earnt a place on the FT 1000: the seventh annual list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies for the second year running.

On 1 March 2023, the latest FT-Statista report was released highlighting the fastest-growing European companies in the three years to 2021. Superior Wellness is delighted to have earnt a place on this list, ranking 323rd up from 348th last year. This also means the company has ranked in the top 60 across the UK.

Superior Wellness leads the market as the world’s fastest growing hot tub manufacturer, creating premium, high quality products focused on improving your health and well-being.

The ranking shows how many businesses thrived despite the pandemic — or, in many cases, because of it. Superior Wellness was in a fortunate position to experience a monumental level of growth during the pandemic.

The ranking lists those European companies that achieved the highest compound annual growth rate in revenue between 2018 and 2021. The minimum average growth rate required to be included on the list was 36.2 per cent — marginally less than the 36.5 per cent last time round.

Superior Wellness moved into its headquarters in Chesterfield in March 2021 and last year opened a 10,000 sq. ft showroom with training facilities. It now works with a global partner network of 250 hot tub retailers and is focusing on its growth across the United States of America with two dedicated sales managers based there.

Rob Carlin, Managing Director, said: “We were so proud when we heard the news that Superior Wellness had made it once again onto the fastest-growing companies in Europe list. We ranked 323rd in Europe for the fastest growing companies and also in the top 60 in the UK!

I would like to extend my thanks to all the Superior Wellness team and our partners for making this possible.”

Chesterfield is superbly located in the heart of the UK, with fantastic connectivity and a strong workforce to help businesses grow. Find out more about locating your business in the town at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Superior Wellness supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

superior wellness spatex

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Support on offer to scale up Chesterfield businesses

Chesterfield businesses are being encouraged to find out more about an extensive support programme on offer to help them scale up and grow.

ScaleUp 360 is a fully-funded exciting support programme providing tailored support to entrepreneurs, start-ups and trading businesses with the ambition and potential to scale up their activity. The scheme is on offer to a range of businesses, from pre or early start-up, to investment ready and ambitions of ‘high growth.’

ScaleUp 360 is a £3.2m, part-European funded project that brings together a group of business experts from East Midlands Chambers of Commerce, The Business Village @BarnsleyBIC and Sheffield Hallam University.

Each client has a dedicated account manager whose role it will be to ensure they have access to the scale-up expertise, knowledge and connections they need to grow a sustainable and investment-ready business. This includes one-to-one specialist business advice, mentor support and workshops with like-minded businesses.

A number of businesses in Chesterfield and surrounding areas have already received support from ScaleUp 360. Find out about how they have benefitted below:

Revamped Curtains

tania revamped curtains

Tania Holmes, owner of Revamped Curtains said: “I set up in Feb 2021 and have been now trading for two years, working from home in Bolsover, Derbyshire.

“I love textiles, enjoy sewing and am passionate about recycling and reducing waste. My aim is to try to keep some textiles from here in the Midlands in the UK rather than it being shipped abroad. Revamped Curtains has developed over the last 2 years into a large Ebay store offering over 250 listings of hand-picked textiles, perfect for the home or for creative craft projects.

“My business advisor has been on hand to answer questions and guide me in the right direction. Having someone to turn to during the initial stages of the business being established was invaluable.

“Lockdown was challenging for all of us but trying to set up a business in this climate, following redundancy, working isolated at home was really, really difficult and continues to be now with the recession. The role not only as specialist support, but also as a nurturing and encouraging support mechanism shouldn’t be overlooked. That confidence-building as I grew and having someone to bounce ideas off and learn from was essential.

“The relationship is important too – and I think the key to growth. For example – I’m not a traditional “planner” so couldn’t do all the business planning and take clear steps in a conventional way which is suggested to all new businesses – that made me panic until an advisor said – don’t worry, if you are making money – just carry on doing what you are doing and build on it.

“Sharing knowledge and networking together is priceless – having meetings face to face, talking about experiences, offering referrals, and brainstorming shared problems or goals is like gold dust. We are all interconnected and being a sole trader can feel like a lonely place. These projects help us feel connected, supported and part of the greater whole.

“The variety of courses accessed mainly online – now face to face – have helped me develop new skills and understanding about what is necessary but also about what is possible, and what isn’t. It is only by understanding this framework that you can you build your vision.

“Things are currently economically tough. But after 2 years of trading now I know where I want to be. I’m a creative business with ideas for new product ranges and am excited about the future. I’ve built a solid foundation to be proud of and looking to the future with great optimism.”

Aspire Export Solutions Ltd.

Jackie Smith - Aspire Export Solutions Ltd

Jacqueline Smith, owner of Aspire Export Solutions Ltd. commented: “From advice and knowledge, based on experience and intuition, Aspire’s core offer is to partner and support customers looking to enter into, or further develop international markets for both products and services.

“Knowledge, insight and awareness are essential for any business, especially those looking to export goods and services. Aspire can investigate the opportunities or pitfalls – from developing a customer base and expanding into new markets.

“Whilst the ideas and thoughts behind the business were plentiful, it was not easy to translate these ideas and experience into a viable brand. That is where the assistance provided by Scaleup 360 was very important. I was allocated a mentor who supported me and helped put together a brand framework, and also helped put together the vision of my business moving forward. This in turn allowed me to focus on my business offering and even gave me the basis of an idea for a website which has been launched recently.

“Assistance from Scaleup 360 has been priceless, in as far as it has helped put my business in a position that has a greater potential for growth. It has also enabled me to interact with other likeminded business owners and opened up a network of new potential business contacts.

“So, for those businesses looking to take their next steps in expanding their organisation I would highly recommend that you do not be hesitate to get in touch with Abi Phillips at Scaleup 360. I’m really excited about how my vision of Aspire Export Solutions is developing, and look forward to supporting other local businesses on their route to International growth.”

The English Cyclist

rob millington the english cyclist

Rob Millington, owner of The English Cyclist said: “I founded The English Cyclist in 2014 after the Tour de France passed through the area near my home in the Peak District.

“I wanted to create a piece of artwork to celebrate the event, I designed some prints and shared photos of them on Facebook. When a friend expressed interest in purchasing a similar piece, I decided to start selling my designs on Etsy, and The English Cyclist was born. A few years later I added a shopify store (englishcyclist.com) where I continue to create a variety of cycling posters.

“Fortunately, when lockdown hit, I found myself with a product that fit a few key criteria that made it incredibly popular. Being cycling-based, my product was perfectly suited for the surge in interest in the sport as people looked for ways to stay active. Additionally, as a homeware item, it was just what people needed while they were stuck at home – a chance to spruce up their living spaces.

“Before I knew it, my side business had taken off at an unprecedented pace, and I was struggling to keep up with the demand. That’s when I reached out to ScaleUp 360, and I’m so glad I did. Abi provided me with some invaluable advice on fundamentals like incorporating and registering for VAT, which helped me to navigate some of the trickier aspects of running a business.

“ScaleUp 360 also introduced me to some fantastic accountants and marketing specialists, which took a huge amount of pressure off me and allowed me to focus on what I love most about my business – designing and providing excellent customer service.

“The support I received has been absolutely crucial to my growth plans. When my business started growing rapidly during lockdown, I wasn’t sure how to keep up with the demand while maintaining the high standards of service that I pride myself on. But the expert advice and guidance I received helped me to navigate these challenges with confidence.

“As my business continued to grow, I found myself facing new obstacles and opportunities. But with the ongoing support of ScaleUp 360, I was able to not only survive the growth but also make the most of the opportunity. By tapping into the expertise of their network, I was able to develop and implement a comprehensive growth strategy that helped me to scale my business in a sustainable way.

“Based on my experience working with ScaleUp 360 and growing my own business, the advice I would give to other businesses looking to expand is to seek out expert support and guidance before you think you need it.

Whether it’s through a business accelerator, mentorship program, or other professional development opportunities, finding the right support can make all the difference in navigating the challenges of owning and running a business. In my case, the support I received was invaluable in helping me to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities as my business grew.

Find out more about the ScaleUp 360 initiative, and how it can help with the growth of your business, go to: https://www.scaleup360.co.uk/

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ChargedEV announces move to The HQ in Chesterfield

An award-winning EV charging infrastructure specialist has moved into a grade A office development in Chesterfield, as it strives to become the UK’s largest EV charging service provider.

ChargedEV works with a range of market-leading key partners in the lease, fleet, and property sectors to support them with the rollout of charging infrastructure.

The firm has installed over 35,000 domestic and 2000 commercial EV charge points nationwide and continues to win new flagship partnerships that drive the business forward.

Mark Pymm, Founder and Managing Director at ChargedEV commented: “We have been trading in Chesterfield for 9 years but have seen significant growth over the last 18 months and the new office space at The HQ will give us a solid foundation to continue our growth, recruit and develop local people, and ultimately take our business to the next level allowing us the space to create over 100 positions across a range of roles over the next two years.

“Chesterfield has been a great location for ChargedEV as a central hub for our Nationwide operations, with great connectivity and transport links.

“I personally look forward to becoming more integrated into Chesterfield’s business community which appears to be thriving and lend my support and experience to ensure Chesterfield can be a pioneering town in the electric revolution.”

Last year, The HQ underwent a £1.25 million refurbishment to modernise the office space and create an inspiring place for local businesses to thrive.

Rowland Hill House, formerly the Royal Mail offices on Boythorpe Road is now a vibrant, efficient and high-quality facility used and enjoyed by a number of businesses. FI Real Estate Management upgraded the existing building to Grade A office space, with the option to split the space to accommodate tenants’ requirements and the demand for new ways of working.

The HQ has been specifically designed as a solution to modern ways of working, offering flexible spaces from 400 sq ft up to 60,331 sq ft across four floors.

A spokesperson for FI Real Estate Management commented: “We’re looking forward to welcoming ChargedEV and introducing them to the diverse range of businesses working at The HQ.

“We provide bespoke packages so local and regional businesses can benefit from first-class office environments tailored to meet their specific needs and requirements, without compromising on efficiency.

“Offering tenants the opportunity to network with other businesses in the building creates a sense of community that we are extremely proud of and this is only growing with further demand for The HQ.”

“Chesterfield is an up-and-coming Northern business hub with many fantastic local businesses thriving in the area. It is a privilege to sit amongst other investments such as Waterside, Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre and the Glass Yard, bringing a new standard of living and working to the town.

“We enjoy working and doing business in Chesterfield as we can appreciate first-hand the benefit it provides to the local community.”

Further details, images and a downloadable brochure of the HQ can be found here.

Looking to grow your business? There are now several modern, flexible and affordable office options available across Chesterfield. Find your perfect office at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

The HQ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

The HQ Chesterfield

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Chesterfield is open for business as Council approves new growth strategy

An ambitious plan which sets out a long-term vision for economic growth – including a focus on quality jobs for local people, access to higher level skills, and environmental sustainability – has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The new four-year Growth strategy (2023 – 2027) represents a long-term commitment from the council to make Chesterfield a thriving borough by strengthening local skills provision, supporting local businesses and further cementing Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination.

It builds on the success of the last decade which has seen the creation of more than 2000 new jobs and more than 500 new businesses operating in the area, along with significant regeneration and investment across the borough.

The strategy – which was approved at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday 22 February – also has environmental sustainability at its heart, supporting the target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2050.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This strategy is vital to ensuring our borough remains a thriving place to live and work, where everyone has the opportunity to boost their skills, and has access to quality jobs.

“It’s also crucial that we build environmental considerations into our long-term plans, as part of our ongoing commitment to create a sustainable borough for future generations and ensuring we do all we can to reduce carbon emissions.

“The plan builds on our successes over the last ten years including the creation of more than 2000 jobs, and with over 500 new businesses operating in the area.”

The strategy includes five key objectives, which are:

  1. Help businesses to grow and secure new business investment in the borough.
  2. Build a competitive place infrastructure that accelerates employment and housing growth.
  3. Strengthen the distinctive character and vibrancy of our town centres
  4. Develop Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination and as a base for exploring the surrounding area.
  5. Ensure local people have the right skills to support progression in the labour market and benefit from future employment opportunities.

Councillor Gilby added: “Despite the ongoing economic challenges which are facing towns and cities across the country, Chesterfield is not standing still – we are an ambitious borough and this strategy reflects that. It focusses on higher value growth while balancing our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.”

Within each of the strategy’s objectives, several key activities have been developed. For example, to help encourage growth the current Innovation Support Programme will continue to run for the benefit of local businesses.

Projects like the Derbyshire Rail Investment Vehicle (DRIIVe) and Construction Skills Hub – both of which are being funded through the Staveley Town Deal – will help deliver new training facilities to ensure local people can develop the skills to access high quality careers.

Regeneration within Chesterfield town centre, including the Stephenson Memorial Hall renovation and Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project will continue to contribute to strengthening the town’s position as a visitor destination and to meet the needs of residents. These are complemented by the HS2 Station Master Plan, the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside scheme and the major PEAK resort development which promises to be a landmark tourist destination within the borough.

The full strategy is available to read on the council’s website here.

town hall drone shot

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Regional taxi firm joins forces with technology provider to improve customer experience

City Taxis has joined forces with Veezu, the UK’s leading data-driven tech-enabled mobility platform to the private hire sector.

The acquisition is an exciting opportunity for City to offer an improved private hire experience for driver-partners and their passengers. Passengers can still book rides with City Taxis on their free booking app or using the usual City Taxis’ phone numbers. The same friendly City driver-partners will continue to pick up passengers in a City Taxis branded vehicle and take them safely to their destination with the same fares paid as usual.

Launched in 2013, Veezu invest heavily in technology and infrastructure to ensure regional brands like City Taxis remain at the heart of the community, without needing to sacrifice anything in terms of the passenger experience.

Arnie Singh, Managing Director of City Taxis, said: “City Taxis has grown from a small family-run business with 34 cars to a business with access to more than 2,000 driver-partners. We help move millions of people each year, and I am humbled to have played a vital role in this growth.

“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey so far, from staff and driver-partners to businesses and riders.

“We are incredibly enthusiastic about what joining Veezu means for City Taxis moving forward. I am confident that joining a larger business with a hyper-local focus will help to keep local taxi companies in demand without compromising on technology or service levels.”

Nathan Bowles, CEO of Veezu, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Arnie and City Taxis into the Veezu Group. City Taxis is a high-quality business in Sheffield and the surrounding areas and we’re looking forward to continuing to provide #smarterlocalrides to the community. I’m really pleased that Arnie will join our management team at Veezu, playing a pivotal role in the next growth stage of our business.”

City Taxis supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

City Taxis Veezu

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Growth for Chesterfield businesses with new appointments and promotions

Several Chesterfield businesses have announced growth, strengthening their teams with new additions and promotions in recent months.

Companies in the digital, legal and professional services sectors have taken on new personnel or promoted from within, showing strong local development despite the tough economic climate nationally.

Hear from our businesses below on how they have bolstered their teams, which includes Central Technology, Bridge Help, Shorts and BRM Solicitors.

Central Technology announces new Managing Director and CEO

rob and ian announcement Central Technology

In order to support its continued growth plans and the development of its national branch network, Central Technology has announced a restructuring of the board team. Rob Longden is set to take over from Ian Snow as Managing Director, whilst Ian will move into a newly created CEO position.

Central Technology has achieved consistent year on year growth over the last 12 years and this change will enable that growth to further accelerate in line with current targets.

Rob has been with Central Technology for 6 years and has spent that time within the sales, operations and service delivery teams, most recently as Commercial Director. Rob has over 30 years of IT industry experience within both SME and corporate sectors developing, implementing and managing service delivery teams, ITIL frameworks and driving service excellence through process and operational controls.

Ian’s move to a full-time CEO role will see him focus on the strategic development of the business and ensuring the exceptionally high levels of customer service are maintained. This new role will draw on his past experience at Deloitte and as a Director at two high growth, market leading lift installation and maintenance businesses.

Ian commented: “Our goal was always to get CT into a position where Rob could take over as Managing Director and utilise his vast industry knowledge to help the business achieve its full potential. I am delighted we have reached the point where we can put this plan into action.”

Rob commented: “It is one of the proudest moments of my professional career to lead this tremendous company and the talented people within it, as well as being able to ensure successful outcomes for our valued customers.

“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and work alongside our team and customers for a number of years. I believe it is this business experience coupled with my industry knowledge that puts me in a unique position to drive Central Technology forward. I am truly excited to see what we can achieve together in the coming months and years.”

Bridge Help makes senior promotion

Kate Snodden Bridge Help

Chesterfield’s commercial finance specialist, Bridge Help has promoted Katie Snodden to the newly created role of Head of Sales.

The promotion recognises the significant contribution Katie has made to the business since she joined as a Business Development Manager in 2021.

In 2022 alone Katie, who lives in Chesterfield, secured more than £8million worth of loans for brokers throughout England and Wales. In her newly created role, she will now lead Bridge Help’s team of Business Development Managers in growing the company’s loan book which it aims to double in 2023.

Chris Sellars, CEO and General Counsel of Bridge Help said: “Katie has built some amazing relationships across the industry, all whilst taking on additional responsibilities within the company. Her appointment is integral to our growth plans for next year and she is absolutely the right person for this role.”

Katie added: “I am thrilled to take on this exciting role. One of the many reasons I joined Bridge Help was the opportunity to grow my career and skillset within the business.”

Katie joined the bridging finance sector from the transport and logistics sector having previously worked within financial services for a large, chartered accountancy firm in London. Her appointment at Bridge Help signalled her return to the financial services sector, which she describes as her ‘first love’.

To further support the firm’s ambitious growth plans, at the end of last year, Bridge Help joined NACFB, the largest trade association for commercial finance brokers in the UK.

BRM Real Estate team strengthened by appointment of new Director

BRM Shoots Chesterfield and Sheffield Employment team

Image Copyright Paul David Drabble

Regional law firm BRM Solicitors has appointed experienced Real Estate Director George Thomson and Paralegal Georgina Kassim to support its clients in Chesterfield and the surrounding area.

Newly appointed Director, George Thomson specialises in agricultural and commercial property and has previously worked with a range of clients from large public sector organisations to smaller owner-managed businesses.

A strong background in agricultural property work enables George to support farmers, agricultural land and property owners, and other rural businesses in all of their property and land transactions.

George said: “I am delighted to re-join BRM as a Director during an exciting period of growth and look forward to contributing to the firm’s continuing success and expansion in the region.”

The team has also welcomed paralegal Georgina Kassim. Georgina will be working alongside George in the Chesterfield office.

Georgina said: “This is an exciting new role with a forward-thinking law firm and I am looking forward to working with the current and new clients”

Sanjeev Batra, Head of Chesterfield Real Estate said: “These recent appointments will help support our growth strategy and ensure the continued high-quality service that we already provide to our clients. George is a highly-skilled lawyer, and I am happy to add his experience and knowledge to our team.”

Shannon Wilson joins Shorts’ Radius team

shannon-wilson-radius

The Shorts team says it is thrilled to have welcomed Shannon Wilson to the Radius R&D Tax Reliefs team. Shannon joins Radius as a Manager, adding further expertise and experience to our specialist R&D tax team.

Shannon joins Shorts after 4 years as a specialist R&D Tax Consultant at a major professional services consultancy firm. Prior to this, she achieved her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Chester, followed by a master’s degree in Financial Management from Sheffield Hallam University.

On joining the firm as part of the Radius team, Shannon said: “It’s always nerve-racking starting a new job, but I’ve had such a warm welcome from everyone I have met so far. In the short time I’ve been here, everyone has truly made me feel part of the team. I look forward to seeing how I can develop my career further with such a forward-thinking and well-established company as Shorts.

“Shorts has already offered me the opportunities to further expand my skills, knowledge, and capabilities through getting stuck into, not only the preparation of R&D claims but also the internal side of things – demonstrating a culture of openness and the acceptance of new ideas from employees to continually grow the business.”

Scott Burkinshaw, Tax Partner and Head of Radius, was delighted to welcome Shannon to the team: “Radius is built around deep expertise, a proactive ethos, and a passion for great client service. Shannon brings all of this to the Radius team, and I have no doubt she will excel at delivering great service and advice for our clients.”

Central Technology, Bridge Help, BRM 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.

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Chesterfield IT firm to undergo major office refurbishment

The offices of a Chesterfield IT company will undergo a major transformation in the near future, paving the way for further growth.

CCS Media has 13 offices across the UK with their headquarters being Old Birdholme House, just off Derby Road in Chesterfield. The company has been based in the town for 40 years.

Working with Matthew Montague architects, the company has secured planning permission from Chesterfield Borough Council to give the building a revamp.

The plans for the Grade II Listed commercial building include internal structural alterations and major refurbishment, helping to facilitate the growth plans of the successful technology business.

The refurbishment of the 330 square meter building was specifically developed by Matthew Montague for CCS Media, to enable them to create facilities that will carry the business forward for the foreseeable future and cement their position as a major employer in the Chesterfield area.

Parts of the building date back to the late 17th Century, in heritage reports it is described originally as a dwelling and later a mansion house. There is still evidence of this as the present-day offices are quite cellular in nature, with various small spaces, rooms and offices.

The proposals seek to strike a balance between functionality and form, creative design and fulfilling the needs of the business whilst retaining original architectural details and finishes.

The new facilities provided will enable the business to retain and strengthen the workforce; creating and sustaining employment in the town.

The refurbishment will see an increase in open plan working spaces, improved accessibility and diversity, provision of a new, large, flexible training space and more intelligent energy efficiency. Plus, retaining, exposing and displaying more of the historic features of the building.

A spokesperson for Matthew Montague Architects, based in Derbyshire commented: “The planning application was dealt with efficiently by Chesterfield Borough Council and we are delighted with the approval. Works will begin on site later in the year.”

Find out more about the benefits of locating your organisation in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

CCS Media plans

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