Champion: "I would encourage all businesses to support our young people."

I am Julie Richards OBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Chesterfield College Group since 2017. Since then, I have also served on the board at Destination Chesterfield, helping to champion the town’s economic growth and community initiatives

What was the greatest achievement for your business or organisation over the past year?

Supporting over 6,000 students and apprentices to learn, grow and take their next steps has undoubtedly been our proudest achievement. As a college group, we’ve also continued to strengthen partnerships with hundreds of employers across the region, ensuring our curriculum genuinely reflects industry needs and future workforce demand.

How would you describe Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, using only three words?

Beautiful, proud, home.

What are your favourite places to visit in Chesterfield and why?

Chatsworth Road is one of my favourite spots. It’s full of wonderful independent shops, cafés and restaurants, each one run by passionate local people contributing to a vibrant community. Supporting small businesses is important to me; there’s a real sense of character there that you just can’t replicate.

How is your business or organisation becoming more sustainable?

We have embedded sustainability into each curriculum area to ensure all students and apprentices can adopt good practice within their chosen sector. We’ve also introduced greener campus initiatives, improved waste reduction, and invested in energy-efficient facilities to ensure that we lead by example.

Why do you love working or doing business in Chesterfield or North Derbyshire?

Our staff and students inspire me every single day. Their resilience, talent, and commitment to improving their lives and communities is incredibly motivating. Chesterfield is full of people who care deeply about this place, and that shared passion makes it a wonderful area to work in.

How are you supporting young people in your business through apprenticeships, traineeships or work experience, and how are young people contributing to the success of your business?

Well, hopefully that speaks for itself! However, I would encourage all businesses to support our young people to grow and develop. After all, they are our future workforce.

How are you, your business, or your team supporting local people?

The college, along with our students and apprentices, regularly supports hundreds of community initiatives, charity fundraisers, volunteering projects, skills workshops and local collaborations.

For example, just this year, we helped run the ‘Chesterfield Eats Well’ programme, inviting local school children to use our kitchens to cook healthy, low-cost meals. That effort not only taught valuable life and cooking skills but also strengthened community links and promoted sustainability. Through projects like this, we hope to help local people live healthier, happier lives while building a stronger, more inclusive community.

What support or advice has your business received recently, and how has it benefited your business?

Networking with other employers and key stakeholders provides a myriad of advice and guidance. These conversations help us shape our curriculum, respond to labour-market changes and ensure we remain connected to what the economy and community need.

Which upcoming development do you think will have the greatest impact on the town and why?

From a college perspective, our new £11 million Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences Academy will provide students and employers with cutting-edge new technologies to drive economic growth in these sectors.

What is your vision for Chesterfield and North Derbyshire in 2030?

I would love to see a refreshed, vibrant town centre, like the exciting transformation already underway in Chesterfield’s Market Place, where people can work, learn, live and enjoy themselves in a safe, inclusive environment.