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Serving the Business Community in Barnsley, Rotherham and beyond
Supporting Education in Barnsley
Derek Carpenter is now a Board Governor of Barnsley College.
Barnsley College's Vision
“To be an OUTSTANDING Tertiary College”
To achieve this they will provide:
• An inclusive learning environment for all young people from Barnsley and
the surrounding area
• Courses that will improve life chances and employment opportunities for our
adult learners
• Training and services to meet the needs of businesses from South Yorkshire
and beyond
• Excellent customer service and ethos which ensures the College is an accessible
community resource
Commenting on his additional role to serve the Barnsley Community Derek said " I spend a lot of my time talking about the ways that the Business Community can succeed in a challenging environment. A vital key to this is Education and as an Ofsted rated "Outstanding" College, Barnsley will harness the talent needed to provide entrepreneurs for the future. The Board of Governors are a remarkable Group of talented people and I am delighted to support them".
New Chamber Vice-Presidents to “Care for Membership"
Barnsley’s business community has strengthened its voice on the regional Chamber of Commerce after two businessmen were elected vice presidents. Marketing company boss Derek Carpenter and software designer Owen Gleadall were elected to the posts at a board meeting at the Civic.
Both said it was important for Barnsley to make the most of opportunities in what are challenging times.
Mr Gleadall, who runs Merlin Software, said: "There's real opportunity for growth in Barnsley because of our economic position, with a skilled and willing workforce, and the geographic position close to arterial routes and airports.”It is about how we raise the profile of Barnsley. Over the years we have all seen bad press for Barnsley, some justified, some totally unjustified. That's one of the things we need to come to terms with."
He said the challenge was to create jobs and wealth. "If you go back to the boom town days, the amount of wealth created was about £6.5m a week. I don't think we will get back to those heady days but we need to show Barnsley is a good place to do business."
Mr Carpenter said it was important the chamber, which covers Barnsley and Rotherham, was a strong voice so businesses in Barnsley could thrive. "Our joint feeling as vice presidents is we want to ensure we care for the membership we have in terms of the challenges we face.”
"We hope we will be a stronger voice and achieve greater success."
Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis, who has been appointed to the Business and Innovation and Skills Select Committee, met the pair and spoke to the chamber board. Beforehand he told the Chronicle: ''A key priority for me will be to work with the chamber and with the council and others so that together we can secure the best business environment for the town.”
''I'm in the process of looking at the detail of the government's recent announcement on the establishment of 21 local enterprise partnerships. I am not convinced they will be the best mechanism for growth in Barnsley."
*Article courtesy of the Barnsley Chronicle
Barnsley MP consults on Local Business Challenges
In a recent Business fact finding session Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis met with Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.
Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Vice Presidents Derek Carpenter and Owen Gleadall reported an excellent discussion in which Dan revealed a serious approach towards ensuring the Government understood the Towns serious challenges.
Derek Carpenter noted " Forgetting any Political element of Dans role He was genuinely interested in protecting the future of Barnsley people.He recognised that jobs would be diificult to create but wealth would,in part, come from encouraging people to create their own Business opportunity. In Barnsley College we have a wealth of talented people who can provide wide skills needed to succeed. Dan will use His role to make sure the message is not lost and His energy will be used to give best representation to those in His care. The meeting was excellent and I was pleased that Dan wanted to consult His local Chamber Of Commerce so early in His Parliamentary term. Partnership will be vital in understanding and dealing with local needs".
Photograph courtesy of Barnsley Chronicle
From Ambassador to Vice President
Derek Carpenter was privileged to serve the Chartered Institute of Marketing as SME Ambassador in Yorkshire and the North East.
As part of peoples fun, Family and Friends would call Him “Mr Ambassador”. They will now need to change it to “Mr Vice President”.
Following an Election process for Vice President of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, Members have placed their faith in Him. Derek said "I would hope to repay that trust. I guess my next step in life will be to live in a “White House”!
Collaboration will be the way forward for everyone over the next few years. None of us achieves anything without the help of others and those capable of co-operating best will succeed best. The Chamber of Commerce throughout South Yorkshire are already overlapping their skills and services for the benefit of everyone’s Members and pulling together, now more than ever, will prepare us best to make Companies better placed to protect their future.My role will be to ensure we are fully engaged in the task and prove to Members and partners "we say what we do and do what we say". We are realistic enough to know it is the Members we serve that ultimately judge our value to them. We in turn want them to make their voice heard to us. Barnsley and Rotherham can be sure they will see a very active role from us on their behalf We will be bold, visible and relevant"
Contributing to future Economic Development in Barnsley
Adding to his Board of Director roles Derek Carpenter is continuing to put economic development at the heart of his business life.
His appointment to serve as a Board Director with Barnsley Development Agency Limited shows further commitment to the regeneration of Barnsley.
Speaking of his additional role Derek says "Working with some highly talented people who are widely known for their dedication to Barnsleys Interests is an exciting prospect. A lot of hard work goes unseen and I hope to be a good partner to those who have already proven themselves to be self sacrificing for the people of Barnsley"
For more information visit http://www.barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk
Derek Carpenter has been elected to serve as a Board Director of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.
His appointment was greeted as further positive proof of the Boards desire to ensure Member Satisfaction and expands his earlier role of Area Councillor.
Derek is well known for his success in establishing leading brands in Europe as Managing Director of UK based, American owned Companies.
In recent years he has concentrated on supporting and developing business in South Yorkshire.
Formerly Secretary for South Yorkshire Institute of Directors and SME Ambassador for Yorkshire and the North East on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, he is no stranger to the needs of membership based organisations and the challenges of business today.
As a Committee Member of the Chemical Business Association he has served chemical Industry members to ensure a strong voice to Government and the promotion of best practice.
As an approved business coach for Barnsley Development Agency he is frequently engaged with local companies to enhance their skills and success. His approach is a proactive one, believing in the ability of the Individual and team alike to produce positive outcomes, where harmony, co-operation and support are created.
More than ever, he believes that Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber and local business are stronger together and that in spite of the clear challenges that 2011 will bring, a common purpose of shared skills and Initiative will develop and protect local Interests.
Derek Carpenter Marketing take very seriously the need to care for the community.
Derek is seen here with Barnsley Mayor Councillor Margaret Morgan at a fund raising dinner on behalf of the Walter Rhoden Cardiology Unit of Barnsley General Hospital.
Acting as host for the evening Derek Carpenter introduced popular Yorkshire singer Jane McDonald, The Grimethorpe Brass Band and celebrities from TV and Football.
An audience of 180 raised £3000.00 on behalf of the Unit.
