Derek Carpenter – A True Entrepreneur

When its suggested to Derek Carpenter that he is Barnsley’s best known Business Solutions Specialist ,he says “that’s very flattering but fairly unrealistic” and then laughs.

He has a very disarming sense of humour but a close look at his career reveals a steely determination and outstanding success.

Born in Nottingham, brought up in Lancashire and settling in Yorkshire in 1992 it seems fair to wonder where he thinks his roots are?

“Business has seen me travel the world and settle in a number of places but if roots are where you feel at your best and at home then Barnsley has become that for me. I have come to love the town because of the people and because of their sense of hospitality, they have taken to me”.

As he expresses his love affair with Barnsley there is genuine warmth.

His background is in specialist sales with a chemical background. He was General Sales Manager for a chemical and polymer company based in Dewsbury for fifteen years and he went on to establish an American company from nothing to a European brand leader within three years in his role as a Director.

He qualified as a Chartered Marketer and served as the SME Ambassador for Yorkshire and the North East on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

It’s clear that he is a giver to the community, having served as a Governor for Barnsley College, Barnsley Hospital, been the elected Vice President of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and served as a Director of Barnsley Development Agency.

It’s obvious that he is an advocate of most things being possible and has been described as a “natural problem solver”.

Reflecting his Philosophy Derek says:

“It’s probably fair to say I am not conventional. Sales and Marketing often find themselves in “opposition” within Companies but they work best when adding both strengths within a business. Good listening skills and the ability to communicate effectively are at the heart of real success. Outward confidence is little use if we have poor Inner skills. All of us learn from each other and the best listeners, those who will try a new approach before rejecting it, are the ones who get the best success and enjoy what they do. I spend a lot of time encouraging people to “think” and adapt Ideas to their own personality. In the end things only happen for people if they are proactive as opposed to reactive. A transfer of knowledge is vital to any business for its future success and it often begins with an idea that springs from nothing. Knowledge is the best Investment because it produces the highest return for everyone”.

Interestingly one of His ideas is benefitting local Company Doyle Security of Dodworth and engaging Students in Schools and Colleges across the Borough.

Barnsley will soon have a SuperHero to enhance the Branding at Doyle.

“The best ideas often spring from nowhere and given the Security connection and the style of the Company Logo it immediately struck me that everyone could benefit from a SuperHero. Using Students to offer designs feels rewarding because they get engaged in using creative skills. All age groups have got involved. The main prize is an ipad and a special day behind the scenes at Barnsley FC on April 5^th 2014 when the Visitors are Brighton. The prizewinner is introduced to the crowd and then Doyle SuperHero is unveiled in full costume of the winning design. The judging is finalized at the end of February”.

There is no disputing a very clever idea and Derek describes it as “illustrating a different approach to Marketing”.

“The Branding and Fun value is limitless” He says with satisfaction.

Looking at His LinkedIn Business Profile reveals lists of great tributes to His skills and His unselfish approach to helping others.

LinkedIn confirm His Profile is in the top 10% viewed and that’s amazing given over 225 Million People use LinkedIn worldwide.

It’s not hard to see why people enjoy working with Him and His commitment to Barnsley and beyond could never be in doubt.

He is the ultimate “people person” who places the interests of others as one of His priorities.

Twitter is alive with such confirmations too.

Years of practical experience enable Derek to advise Companies on their strategy and implementation. He is a business coach, mentor and hugely advocates supporting staff to fulfill their potential.

How do companies take to independent advice?

“Largely, they see from the evidence that I have identified their strengths and weaknesses but of course a few find it hard to acknowledge any need for changes. The ones who accept advice are the ones who succeed”.

He is well known around Town, at locations like Holiday Inn and Ardsley House Hotel for talks to business and will shotly address Students at Hoizon Community College in a "Business Workshop" to help them prepare for the future.

Many Companies and individuals have testified to his willingness to offer an idea or encouragement for no other reason than feeling it contributes to the well being of Barnsley.

Of late, a number of local companies have encouraged him to think about joining them on a permanent basis to ensure growth and stability but not unexpectedly He says “It will need to be a challenge where I can make a difference and the people will need to have a positive approach to goals”.

Responding to the idea that his long career makes him well qualified to support local needs, he laughs again and says “Is that your way of telling me I am long in the tooth?”

It’s certainly fair to say that Derek is highly regarded for the skills he teaches and even if he is reluctant to agree, Barnsley can be grateful for his support and impact in adding to a local success story.

It’s a model that others might seek to follow.

Derek is reluctant to see himself as a Barnsley Best but there’s no doubting he wants the Best for Barnsley.