Acquisitions, nominations and competition wins for Chesterfield Champions – Destination Chesterfield

By Josh Marsh – July 16, 2024

Businesses in the city’s Chesterfield Champions network continue to grow.

Our latest roundup highlights several successes across our business community, including new hire announcements, acquisitions, competition wins and citywide sponsorship deals.

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Board Member of Destination Chesterfield commented: “We are delighted to see Champions continue to enjoy continued success in our city as our organisations continue to work together to support the local economy and raise the profile of Chesterfield. We would like to wish all businesses in Chesterfield continued growth and success in the future.”

Check out the latest news from the world of Chesterfield Champions below.

Shorts announce acquisition of Hewson & Howson

Accounting and tax specialist Shorts has announced the acquisition of South Yorkshire-based accountancy firm Hewson & Howson. As part of the deal, all Hewson & Howson staff will join Shorts.

Founded by Ian Hewson and Andrew Howson in 1995, Hewson & Howson has built a respected reputation over its 30 year history, specialising in providing partnership services to owner-managed businesses. Motivated by the decision of Ian Hewson and Andrew Howson to retire, the transfer of the business to an accountancy firm with a similar culture and service ethic was a key priority for both retiring partners.

Andy Irvine, Managing Partner at Shorts, said: “Hewson & Howson has a long-standing reputation for providing clients with high-quality tax and accountancy services and we are delighted to welcome their team and clients to Shorts. Their approach of providing a fully supportive and personal service and building long-term relationships with clients is very much in line with the culture at Shorts and we look forward to working with their clients and team in the years to come. Our best wishes to Ian and Andrew for a long and happy retirement.”

Ian Hewson added: “When Andrew and I considered retiring and selling the practice, finding the right firm, with the ideal synergy for our clients and team, was very important to us in that decision. Having built a solid reputation for success, it was important to us that our clients continued to be served with the same level of care and support following the move. We strongly believe that the culture at Shorts aligns with our own and we are confident that we will leave our clients in the safest of hands at Shorts going forward.”

Ashgate Hospice’s new chairman to lead charity’s work

Ashgate Hospice has announced the appointment of Chris Hallam as its new Chair of Trustees.

An eminent behavioural psychologist with extensive experience in the banking and consultancy sectors, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the North Derbyshire hospice.

The 58-year-old, who was formally appointed to the role at a board of trustees meeting in May, expressed his enthusiasm and commitment to building on the hospice’s remarkable achievements and achieving its mission.

Chris said: “I am incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity to lead such an important organisation as Ashgate Hospice.

“I am so grateful for everything our staff, volunteers, patrons, supporters and patients do to make the hospice what it is today.

“My personal values of kindness, honesty and community are closely aligned with Ashgate’s values of compassion, teamwork, respect, openness and inclusiveness.

“I have deep roots in the area, having been brought up in the communities of North Derbyshire. My role at Ashgate is a wonderful opportunity to give back to a community that has been a big part of my life.”

Chris decided to work with Ashgate Hospice after a school friend of his benefited from hospice care.

The care and support his friend received “made a huge difference to him and his family” and Chris wanted to do his bit to help other families in a similar situation.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the future of Ashgate Hospice, Chris added: “The wonderful leadership team is developing ambitious plans to ensure we continue to grow and spread the magic of Ashgate Hospice far and wide.

“Our priorities will focus on expanding our reach, improving our services and innovating the way we deliver care to the wider community.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of funding for palliative care. We need to raise our voices at a national level to address this issue.

“Despite these challenges, I am confident that we will be able to continue to provide exceptional care.”

Success in the competition for students of the Learning Curve group

Students from the Learning Curve group in Chesterfield have been praised after winning top prizes in a series of national competitions.

In Blackpool, at the Hairdressers and Therapists Association competition, Learning Curve won the following awards.

First place in the 60s Makeup category by our sophomore Emily Wharton
First place for creative nail art went to our Level 2 student, Cassie Swindell
Fourth Place in the Bridal Makeup category by Level 2 student Emily Wharton

The students competed against large community/public colleges, with several students entering each competition. However, through practice, skill, a high level of creativity, and persistence, Learning Curve managed to claim three wins.

At the World Skills Beauty Therapy competition, Learning Curve initially entered 10 media make-up students, a mix of Level 2 and Level 3, in the photography stage in May. The College managed to secure a place for all students to compete in the regional stage, which was a remarkable achievement, especially as only just over 1,000 students gained places in this stage in the UK.

The Learning Curve group also fielded 3 cosmetology students, another group consisting of level 2 and 3 students who participated in the cosmetology and practitioner competitions.

Following this success, in June, Learning Curve took the students to York City College to compete in the next stage of the competition. The students showed exceptional professionalism, courage and determination. Students and tutors are now awaiting the results of this competition. If the team is to succeed, the next stage will be the national competition, which will be held in Manchester in November.

Finally, another Learning Curve student, Naomi Morris, started her college journey at just 16 years old on a degree programme. Naomi completed 3 years at Chesterfield Academy where she studied a Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Therapy, a Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy and a Level 4 Diploma in Permanent Hair Removal and Skin Rejuvenation. She has since secured a place with Steiner Cruise Ships and is due to start her new job later this year.

Spireites sign new stand sponsorship agreement

A new sponsorship agreement has been signed which will see the West Stand at the SMH Group Stadium renamed the LMD Vacuum Excavation (West) Stand.

Commenting on the news, Mick Dysart, Managing Director of LMD Vacuum Excavation, said: “We are really proud to be sponsoring the West Stand.

“We are long-time supporters and it is a real honour to be able to give back to the community and sponsor the club.

“As a club we should be in the Football League and I think we have a team that can compete at the top of the table.”

Bridget Ball, Marketing Manager at Chesterfield, said: “I would like to thank LMD Vacuum Excavation for their valuable support.

“We look forward to working with Mick, Sandra and the team and establishing a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Based in Duckmanton, LMD Vacuum Excavation operates nationwide and works with leading construction companies and utilities.

The company is one of the largest vacuum excavation operators in the UK.

The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic development of the city through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and north Derbyshire.