News: JCI launches business academy

The Sheffield Junior Chamber International (JCI Sheffield) is launching a new business academy this week, with successful Rotherham businesswoman, Julie Kenny CBE DL, as keynote speaker.

JCI is a global network for young people in their 20s and 30s with the aim to provide development opportunities through community work, training, business, social and international opportunities.

Bringing together promising students, entrepreneurs and those seeking careers inspiration, the business academy on September 10 and 11 is set to create a hub of innovative ideas and passionate pitches.

Advertisement

The academy will see key speakers from businesses and organisations in Yorkshire tell their story and give advice to attendees.

Julie Kenny, the founder and major share holder, led the growth of Rotherham manufacturer, Pyronix as chair and chief executive. A sale was announced for the Hellaby firm earlier this year to China's Hikvision, the world's largest supplier of video surveillance products and solutions.

Named as Private Business Woman of the Year 2014, Kenny is also a commissioner at Rotherham Council and a board member of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

Other speakers include Sheffield Chamber of Commerce's Richard Wright, Natalie Fletcher from Business Sheffield and Ben Hawley from Enterprising Barnsley.

Attendees will learn how to create and develop business concepts, culminating in a Dragons' Den style pitch. Except that the "dragons" are much less intimidating than their BBC counterparts.

Gareth Carson, president of JCI Sheffield President, said: "Business Academy is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to further their career, wanting to set up their own business or simple wanting a taste for the world of business.

"At JCI Sheffield we are all about empowering young people to achieve awesome and be the best they can be. With the skills provided by JCI, what seems the impossible can become the possible."

Sponsored by Inox, the venue for the business academy at Sheffield University, the event is also supported by the JCI UK Foundation.

JCI Sheffield

Images: UKCES

Read more...

News: JCI Rotherham wins first competition

Speaking of success, Charlotte Scothern, owner of Patchwork Pig, has been named as the most outstanding public speaker in the region after entering and competing in the JCI regional public speaking competition.

Charlotte, who runs the colourful gift shop on the High Street in Rotherham town centre, joined Junior Chamber International (JCI) Rotherham after its relaunch in February. Quickly seeing what good the chamber could do in Rotherham, she threw herself into making a difference and was voted in as deputy president in April.

The public speaking competition sees the best public speakers from all over Yorkshire compete and has been run in the region for over 65 years. With a number of set topics to choose from, the competition requires a special kind of public speaking, challenging participants to express creative ideas in a clear and captivating manner. The regional competition is made up from the winners of local competitions. The winner will then go on to compete at the national level.

Following the event, Charlotte (pictured) said: "After A-level drama you'd think I'd be ready for "performing" but the nerves still got to me. I'm used to talking. In fact most of the time I'm never quiet but I've never done a speech about a topic before and "performed" as me.

"I was up against brilliant competition which is why I still can't believe I won. I can't stop smiling."

Charlie Pearson, JCI Rotherham 2014 president, added: "For a chamber that relaunched only a few months ago to go on and make such a great impression on a regional level is just incredible. Charlotte is a fantastic public speaker and I could not have been more proud watching her speak. I know the whole region will be behind her when she competes in the national finals in November."

The public speaking competition is a big part of the training and opportunities that are offered by JCI Rotherham as well as other Junior Chambers all over the world. People wishing to develop their skills in Rotherham will have the chance to take part in the exciting projects which JCI offers for people aged between 18 – 40, joining existing opportunities already available in Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Barnsley, Harrogate and Doncaster as well as an exciting new monthly program held in Rotherham. Membership of JCI allows people to:

- network with other young professionals (Grow)

- increase your confidence in public speaking and debating (Shine)

-support your local community and charitable projects (Challenge)

-travel to events locally, nationally and internationally (Connect)

- develop your social network (Laugh)

JCI's membership is very diverse – from start-up entrepreneurs to people working in blue chip companies, non-profit organizations and charities, as well as people looking for work. JCI members come from all walks of life, and from all around the world. But they are united in one common aim: Be better buy being who you want to be.

JCI Rotherham website

Images: JCI Rotherham

Read more...

News: Pyronix founder shares stories of success

Julie Kenny's journey to becoming the 93% shareholder of a £22m turnover business will one day make an excellent book, but for now, the Sheffield council house girl turned High Sheriff just doesn't have time to sit down and write one.

Julie Kenny CBE DL is chair and chief executive of Rotherham-based Pyronix Limited and recently met with local members from Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Sheffield to talk about her intertwined business and personal life. Covering topics such as mental illness, personal development, boardroom battles and suing competitors, the talk could have lasted many more hours.

"I have so many stories," Kenny told the group of young professionals, "I've thought about writing a book for a while and I approached a very good ghost writer. But he wanted a month of my time and there's no way I can do that."

Based in Hellaby, Pyronix is an award-winning manufacturer with an extensive range of electronic security equipment for intruder alarms. I'll save the majority of the journey for the 56-year-old's forthcoming bestseller, but it involves Julie giving up a legal career to take a risk that ultimately led to the firm becoming the number one volume manufacturer in the UK.

Manufacturing security equipment including control panels, detectors and external sounds, the firm has grown 15% every year since 2010 and is now on course to top £20m of annual sales by the end of 2014, 50% of which is in international markets.

In recent years, Pyronix has managed its growth by bringing back production from China to Yorkshire and, currently, about 60% of manufacturing takes place here in Rotherham.

Kenny said: "Turnover at Pyronix is £22m and we're growing like stink, so watch this space."

Plans have been submitted for a 1,355 sq m extension at Hellaby, providing a clean, modern space for electronics manufacturing as well as improving and extending existing office, product testing and Research & Development facilities.

Innovation continues to play a big part in the growth of the business, as it did during the recession. "We had to remove £1.2m in overheads in a week and it was hard. But we knew that we had to keep the sales staff and keep innovating" said Kenny.

Sales in new products, such as the world-first fully two way wireless alarm system incorporating a transmitter and a receiver in each wireless device, have reached around £12m since the recession.

"The future is about exploitation. We sell around £11m worth of products to the UK market and we have identified new markets such as Italy, Russia and Poland, where we aim to replicate that.

"We are also planning to bring back more of the high end manufacturing from China and I'm involved in succession planning at the business."

That doesn't mean that there are plans for retirement ("I'm planning on living to 100"), and making the difficult move from MD to chair ("I was shocking at letting go"), has seen Julie take on even more roles in the region, a measure of the person and another reason why there's no time to write that book.

The roles range from helping to save Wentworth Woodhouse and chairing the governors at Maltby Academy to her place on the board of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and commissioner with UKCES, the partnership that aims to raise skill levels to help drive enterprise, create more and better jobs and economic growth.

Named Vitalise Business Woman of the Year 2013, Julie carried out over 300 engagements during her term as High Sheriff of South Yorkshire which finished in April 2013. She has been awarded a CBE and an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of her "outstanding contribution to industry and to life in the region."

JCI is a member-led organisation that provides development opportunities to help empower young people and improve local communities. With the recent relaunch of JCI Rotherham, the expanding worldwide network now has chambers in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.

Julie discussed how developing her own set of core values has helped her through the journey - honesty, integrity, doing right by people, determination.

Talking about setting herself 50 things that she wanted to do before she died, Julie said: "I'm a great believer in positivity and positive thinking. Set yourself goals, get involved, take opportunities, read books. But in the end only you can judge your own success."

Pyronix website
JCI website

Images: Pyronix

Read more...

News: JCI Rotherham getting ready to relaunch

An expanding worldwide network for young business leaders is increasing its presence in Yorkshire and relaunching in Rotherham.

Junior Chamber International (JCI), which currently has 200,000 members worldwide and 150 members in five existing chambers in the region, is launching a new chamber in Rotherham later this month.

People wishing to develop their skills in Rotherham will have the chance to take part in the exciting projects which JCI offers for people aged between 18 – 40, joining existing opportunities already available in Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Barnsley, Harrogate and Doncaster as well as an exciting new monthly program held in Rotherham.

Founded in 1915 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA by Henry Giessenbier as a constructive approach to civic problems, the movement spread, and Junior Chamber International was founded with eight other countries in 1944. JCI provides young people with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship and fellowship necessary to create positive change. Past members of JCI include Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton and Bill Gates.

The program includes networking for business and socially, developing confidence in public speaking and debating, taking part in local, national and international events and supporting the local community and charitable projects.

JCI's membership is diverse – from start-up entrepreneurs to people working in blue chip companies, non-profit organisations and charities, as well as people looking for work. JCI members come from all walks of life, and from all around the world. But they are united in one common aim: Be better by being who you want to be.

JCI Rotherham was originally founded in 1955 by DR Clarke and it spent 44 years making a difference in the local community. In 2001, JCI Rotherham and JCI Barnsley merged following the example of the chamber of commerce at that time but now the Rotherham branch is back.

Charlie Pearson, who was a President of JCI Barnsley last year and who is now the relaunching President of JCI Rotherham, said: "I have gained so much from JCI and when the opportunity came up to re-launch the organisation I wanted to give young people of Rotherham who just want the chance to better themselves or their community."

A relaunch event is being held at Rotherham College of Arts & Technology's (RCAT's) town centre campus on February 17 at 6:30pm.

JCI Rotherham

Images: JCI Rotherham

Read more...

News: Region's businesses rise to charity challenges

The Mistress Cutler's Challenge came to an end earlier this month and with more still to come in, the total raised so far is over an outstanding £167,000.

The new twist on the annual Master Cutler's Challenge; one of the biggest, most well-known and exciting fundraising events in the Sheffield City Region saw more than 70 businesses and community groups from across the region accept the challenge. Using a £50 loan and their talents, skills and entrepreneurial flair to grow this amount they raised as much money as possible in just a few months.

This year, the challenge is supporting the Make it Better appeal that aims to raise £20m in the next three years to support the £40m transformation of The Children's Hospital, Sheffield.

The top fundraising team was from global law firm DLA Piper who raised £8739.64 through their Monopoly Challenge and cookbook. Former Master Cutler Gordon Bridge, a director of AESSEAL, and wife Janet were runners up to the challenge.

Julie MacDonald, the Mistress Cutler, said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed by the fantastic total we have managed to raise to support such a wonderful cause."

Also taking place recently, Junior Chamber International (JCI) members took part in a national campaign to collect sub-standard bras that can be recycled to raise cash for Flamingo Foundation projects. Members of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber's Women in Business Group have handed over more than 80 bras to JCI Barnsley and a bra bank est up by Fiona Silvester, membership director at JCI and owner of Alexandra's Café in Rotherham, collected 1,050 bras in total.

Rotherham cycle importer and retailer, Planet X, sponsored the 65 Roses Holme Moss Classic last weekend that saw 300 cyclists embark on a sportive starting next to its premises at Magna (pictured, right). The 65 mile ride followed part of the route for the Tour de France's Grand Depart that takes place in Yorkshire next year to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Also getting on their bikes recently were 14 staff from JCT600 (pictured, below)who raised £2,342 for York & District Against Motor Neurone Disease (YAMND) in support of a colleague who was recently diagnosed with this debilitating condition.

The mammoth charity challenge entailed cycling past JCT600's 14 Volkswagen dealerships across Yorkshire, the Humber, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, covering 247 miles in just two days.

James Warne, head of business for JCT600 Volkswagen York, said: "It was a fantastic effort from the team which was made up of staff from our Volkswagen dealerships in York, Hull and Rotherham, as well as a director from our head office in Bradford.

"Our original aim was to raise £1,000 for the charity, but the generosity of our colleagues, customers and friends has meant that we've far exceeded this target."

Mistress Cutler's Challenge website
Planet X website
JCT600 website

Images: The Children’s Hospital Charity / Planet X / JCT600

Read more...

News: Charity fundraising plans laid bare

Junior Chamber International (JCI) members in Rotherham and Sheffield are calling on people to donate their unwanted undergarments in a massive show of support for a female charity campaign.

Leading by example, members will shedding their outgrown or unused bras and these will be distributed to women in developing countries. As well as being gifted to ladies who don't own their own bra, they'll also be used as stock, helping ladies start up their own market-stall businesses. Sub-standard bras will be recycled raising cash for Flamingo Foundation projects. 

Fiona Silvester, membership director at JCI and owner of Alexandra's Café in Rotherham (pictured, far right), said: "We hope local ladies will get involved and show their support for their female counterparts around the world. There are thousands of unwanted bras that women have outgrown or got bored of, and we want to put them to good use.

"By donating old bras, people can help communities across the world in many practical ways and know that after the important support the bra has given them, it can go on to help someone else."

The "Bra Bank" scheme is run by the Flamingo Foundation and each year around 20,000 bras are distributed. This includes to a community of ladies in Kisumu, Kenya – many of who are widowed having lost their husbands to HIV. Most work the land and care for their families without any physical support, so owning their own bra, or having the opportunity to set up a market stall using the bras as stock, is extremely welcome.

A spokesperson for the Flamingo Foundation, said: "Be they sexy lacy numbers or plain over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders, we can give any old bra a new lease of life."

To drop off your bra, please ask for Fiona at Alexandra's Café, Rail Mill Way, Parkgate.

Flamingo Foundation website

Images: JCI Sheffield / Flamingo Foundation

Read more...

News: JCI Barnsley wins European award

JCI Barnsley has been awarded the "Best Local Growth and Development Program in Europe" For the Diamond Challenge run in 2012.

Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a global network for young people and held its European award ceremony earlier this month.

The European award is the first to be won by JCI Barnsley in its 61 years of actively trying to make a difference in Barnsley. It was also the only European award to be won by any chamber in the UK this year on an international level.

The Diamond challenge was a program run as a last attempt to stop the chamber becoming non-existent. After a high of over 100 members and being the biggest chamber outside London in the 70's, at the beginning of 2012 membership numbers had dropped to just 12.

This challenge was put into place to find and engage young active citizens in Barnsley to make a real difference to the community. Membership numbers are now at 30 and growing with further support from 14 business patrons from across the Barnsley area.

It's a set up at that the organisers would love to see replicated in Rotherham.

With over £100 raised for Help 4 Heroes last year, this years chosen charity is The Barnsley Blind and Partly Sighted Association and over £300 has been raised so far with a swim challenge still to come.

After reforming the chamber, 2013 sees JCI Barnsley launch five full development programs to help members and visitors in Personal Development, Business, Social Skills, Support network and Charity projects.

Charlie Pearson, president of JCI Barnsley (picture above, centre), said: "Everything we do is to make a difference to the town and it's people by giving young people the skills they need to be a success. This has been done throughout our history and this award is for all our members, patrons and senators. I am incredibly proud of their efforts and honoured to be their President."

JCI Barnsley website

Images: JCI Barnsley

Read more...