British fashion business David Nieper is supporting International Women’s Day 2018, through a photography campaign to mark the start of this year’s #pressforprogress movement championing the empowerment of women all over the world. The campaign captures some of the incredible women that have helped build the success story of the David Nieper fashion house.

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a key date in the calendar celebrating social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women globally.

For over 55 years, David Nieper has championed the achievements of its 87% female workforce, giving recognition to both individual and collective contributions made by staff. The company is predominantly female; the majority of key roles are secured by women who account for almost all of the senior management team, as well as skilled production work.

David Nieper has over the decades created a unique work environment which allows women to thrive. Staff are supported not only in their own professional capacity in the workplace but also within their community and family.

David Nieper prioritises the issues that matter most to female staff, for example the future of local children through the establishment of the David Nieper Academy.  The family company is the first private fashion business to form a Government approved ‘multi-academy-trust’ and has taken the unprecedented step of sponsoring a secondary school to help raise the level of education and skills in the area.

Additionally, the company appreciates its female workers’ family commitments and offers more flexible and part-time hours especially around school hours and term times for parents and carers.

Diane Marshall, is a good example of the company’s approach to promoting women. She started in the company’s call center 25 years ago and has been promoted from within several times, she is now Director of Manufacturing.

Diane commented:

“Here at David Nieper, since day one we have supported our female workforce by equipping them with skills and education, offering independence and the opportunity to follow a career of their choice from dressmaking to IT, finance, retail, logistics, HR and marketing.

Handing down specialist skills and ensuring a good education for both our staff and students at the David Nieper Academy is the best legacy we can leave to ensure economic and social freedom for generations of women to come.”

Christopher Nieper, Managing Director, David Nieper Ltd is truly a man in a woman’s world but welcomes the success of his team. 

Christopher commented:

“I feel privileged to work with so many inspiring and competent women. They are the magic ingredient that makes our family business the success that it is.  The well-being of staff is paramount and as such we strive to ensure our team has a healthy balance between work and home life.”

David Nieper rewards staff loyalty. The company enjoys very low staff turnover and more than half its 280 staff have service records of 10+ years.

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For further information contact:

David Nieper, Press Office

[email protected] 07904 257687

David Nieper  in Derbyshire has become the first ever British fashion manufacturer to break into Britain’s prestigious ‘Best 100 Companies to Work For’ list published for 2018 by The Sunday Times.

Decades of manufacturing overseas has decimated the UK fashion manufacturing industry, which has shrunk by over 90% percent since the seventies.  So for David Nieper, a family run fashion manufacturing firm this recognition is a truly remarkable achievement.

The independent and confidential survey which was conducted with David Nieper staff had one resounding message… ‘It’s great to work in British fashion!’  The company scored highly in the category of looking after staff wellbeing, with a consistently low staff turnover and 50% of the company holding long service awards of 10+ years.

In comparison to other businesses in the category, the company also scored very highly for ‘giving something back, indeed supporting staff and the local community is at the heart of everything the company does.  

The David Nieper approach is both altruistic and far reaching, not only creating jobs for local people, but also prioritising the educational welfare of local children. Within the last two years David Nieper has taken the unprecedented step of sponsoring the local secondary school to help raise the level of education and skills in the area.

Results from the survey reflected that staff are proud to work for the organisation and believe that it is run on sound moral principles and personal growth is encouraged. The survey also revealed that David Nieper staff are excited about their future prospects working for the company.

David Nieper Managing Director, Christopher Nieper commented:

“Our place in the Best 100 Companies list is credit to our wonderful staff.  We are one of the few fashion houses that have never taken production overseas and have always prioritised local people and local jobs, so we are incredibly proud to be the first ever British fashion manufacturer to be included.

I whole heartedly agree with our staff that this is a very exciting time to work in British fashion  and am excited about the future. Inclusion in the list goes a long way to marking the revival of the British fashion manufacturing and demonstrating that British fashion is a great place to work and build a career.”

Over the last 12 months, the David Nieper fashion house has had the most successful year in its 56 year history.  The company’s performance has been attributed to staff performance and an increased consumer appetite for British Made goods.  

The Sunday Times Best Companies programme started in 2001 and is based solely on the results of staff surveys. A broad cross section of the British workforce has been polled, with over a quarter of a million staff giving their opinions about their work environment and employers. 

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For more media information contact: David Nieper Press Office

Lauraine Jordan, [email protected]

Tel: 07904 257687

Kian Pearson, a Year 8 student from the David Nieper Academy in Alfreton is attempting to set a new record and become the youngest person in the UK to do the John O’Groats to Land’s End (JOGLE) cycle in less than 20 days.

The 998 mile journey stretching between Great Britain’s extremities in the south east and north west takes most adult cyclists between 10 -14 days, Kian who will be just 12 when he does the marathon cycle plans to complete the journey in 14 days with his dad and uncle this July, in a bid to raise £10,000 sponsorship money for Dementia UK.

Kian is enduring an intensive fitness regime in preparation for his cycle ride and is training at Demon Gym UK  in Somercotes 6 days a week, as well as swimming regularly and doing practise rides from his home to Skegness. Kian’s grandad recently passed away following a difficult battle with dementia, prompting Kian to raise money to help other people with the illness.

Kian’s Dad, Ian Pearson commented:

“Kian has been effected by what happened to his Grandad and is 100 percent committed to completing this cycle ride in his memory, we are really proud of the effort he is putting into his training, diet and fundraising activities. We urgently need more sponsors to get involved and help Kian reach his target.”

 Dr Kathryn Hobbs, Headteacher at the David Nieper Academy commented:

“This is a huge physical and mental challenge for someone of Kian’s age – he is incredibly courageous and totally focused on his goal. It is rare for someone so young to take on such an ambitious challenge, so it would be fantastic if the local community and businesses could get involved and visit Kian’s fundraising page.”

Kian said:

“I saw my Grandad when he was poorly and it was awful – I just want to help other people who have this disease.”

Kian’s journey will start on 22 July this year from Scotland, to support his fundraising campaign visit http://kianjoglebikeride.co.uk/

Kian’s Itinerary

Day 1 John O’Groats – The Crask (82 miles)

Day 2 The Crask – Inverness (66 miles)

Day 3 Inverness – Glencoe (83 miles)

Day 4 Glencoe – Loch Lomond (66 miles)

Day 5 Loch Lomond – Moffat (83 miles)

Day 6 Moffat – Keswick (72 miles)

Day 7 Keswick – Stainburn (75 miles)

Day 8 Stainburn – Runcorn (64 miles)

Day 9 Runcorn – Clun (80 miles)

Day 10 Clun – Monmouth (65 miles)

Day 11 Monmouth – Glastonbury (64 miles)

Day 12 Glastonbury – Moretonhampstead (60 miles)

Day 13 Moretonhampstead – Fowley (64 miles)

Day 14 Fowley – Land’s End (64 miles)

Day 15 Home! 

For further press information contact [email protected]

Tel: 07904 257687

Following a national television news interview with Channel 4’s Nick Scott Plummer, regarding the latest Gross Domestic Profit (GDP) figures from the Office of National Statistics, Christopher Nieper, Managing Director of luxury ladies clothing firm David Nieper has asked if the Chancellor is completely ‘out of touch’ with British SMEs.

The Channel 4 news programme filmed from the fashion studios at David Nieper in Derbyshire where the company has had the most successful year in its 55 year history.  Its performance was attributed to a more competitive pound boosting exports, and an increased consumer appetite for British Made goods.

The GDP figures showed a 0.5% increase in the UK’s service industry in the last quarter, but a much more significant 1.3% increase in the manufacturing sector. Export orderbooks are at a 30 year high and unemployment is at a 30 year low.

  Christopher Nieper, Managing Director of the clothing firm painted an upbeat and positive picture of what is happening at the coalface of British manufacturing, including a surge in sales, increased productivity and more jobs. However, this interview when aired on Channel 4’s news programme appeared in stark contrast to the Chancellor, Phillip Hammond’s comments from Davos.

A world away from British manufacturing, in the luxury Swiss ski resort, the Chancellor spoke from the World Economic Forum in the company of the world’s political elite, and set a much more gloomy tone for British business, promoting a climate of economic uncertainty.

The Chancellor talked about an uncertain future, business decisions being postponed and investment being put on hold, until the government provide greater clarity on the future relationship with the European Union.

Following the broadcast, Christopher Nieper commented:

“Uncertainty, what uncertainty?   Is the Chancellor out of touch with SMEs who make up 99 percent of British companies?  Growth comes from being competitive in a global market and the key to recovering Britain’s deficit and eliminating austerity is through productivity.  Making things is back in fashion and Brand Britain is sought after the world over. Please Chancellor, don’t talk the economy down when it’s growing all around you.

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For further media information contact

David Nieper Press Office

[email protected]

07904 257687

The David Nieper Academy in Alfreton, Derbyshire has announced plans to create a memorial in honour of former Headmaster Wilfred Dawes O.B.E. and Alderman William Mortimer Wilson, local businessman, lawyer and chairman of the county education committee, who founded the school in 1939.  As the first, and the School’s longest serving Headmaster, Mr Dawes was awarded the O.B.E. in 1959 for services to Education. He retired in 1974.

The David Nieper Academy, formerly Alfreton Grange Arts College and Mortimer Wilson School has been at the very heart of the Alfreton community for decades where often generations of the same family have attended.

David Nieper Academy governors, along with some of the school’s former pupils plan to create tributes within the new school campus to honour two of the individuals that have helped shape the school’s history, and contributed so much to the community and educating Alfreton’s school children over the years.

The final location and nature of the memorial is still to be confirmed, however plans so far include a Wilfred Dawes memorial garden to create a living remembrance, and the official naming of the new school’s sports hall as the ‘Mortimer Wilson Sport Hall’ with a commemorative plaque and an annual sports’ day fundraising event. 

Also under discussion is the provision of a cup or trophy, awarded to pupils annually and large enough for the names of the recipients to be engraved.

The school is keen to work with the local historical society to create a permanent exhibition within the school to provide information about the work and lives of Alderman Mortimer Wilson (1865–1941) and Wilfred Dawes O.B.E. (1909–1986).

Dr. Kathryn Hobbs, Headteacher at David Nieper Academy commented:

“Both Mortimer Wilson and Wilfred Dawes are held in highest esteem in the world of education and it is entirely fitting that we commemorate their achievements here at the school. They are an important part of the school’s history; we want to create a memorial that will be here for years to come to be enjoyed by Alfreton’s future generations.”

Stephen Beet, a former Mortimer Wilson pupil, now living in Novosibirsk, Russia said:

“The fact that both my father and I were taught by Wilfred Dawes is testament to the great influence he had on the people of Alfreton over the years.  He raised many of us from humble beginnings and enabled us to reach our goals.  For this we shall ever remember him and be grateful.”

I am delighted that governors of the David Nieper Academy are keen to commemorate these two great men who not only made an outstanding contribution to education but personally touched the lives of generations of children.”

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For further information about the David Nieper Academy visit call 01773 832331 or visit http://davidnieper.academy/  

For further media information contact [email protected]  07904 257687

Christmas has come early at David Nieper in Alfreton, as staff have been busy collecting goodies, packing and gift wrapping over 80 Christmas boxes to donate to the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child appeal.

The Samaritan’s Purse is an international relief and development organisation, every year they run an appeal to help brighten Christmas time for the children most in need around the world, by delivering shoe boxes full of toys and other gifts.

This is the 3rd year that David Nieper has donated to the charity through the staff collection of toys, school supplies, toiletries, confectionary and cards, and also funding the transport of the shoe boxes to children all around the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and closer to home.

David Nieper Managing Director, Christopher Nieper commented:

“A massive well done and thank you everyone that took part, the show box appeal is very close to our hearts and reflects the importance of giving at Christmas. It is fun to create the boxes and we know they have a huge impact on the lives of the children that receive them.”

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For further media information contact:

David Nieper Press Office

[email protected] or call 07904 257687

Derbyshire fashion house David Nieper has this season launched its first collection dedicated exclusively to luxury knitwear.

The company has been making knitwear in Derbyshire for over 6 years as part of their luxury day wear range. Growing popularity and demand for British knitwear has prompted them to create a brand new exclusive knitwear collection, offering more classic and contemporary styles and in a wider selection of colours – from soft neutrals to vibrant colour blocks.

In 2011, HRH Princess Anne officially switched on the first knitwear machines in Derbyshire, putting David Nieper at the forefront of the revival of the British knitwear industry.  The launch of David Nieper’s knitwear range coincided with the fashion industry’s move away from mass produced, synthetic products in favour of authentic knitwear in natural fibres.

This, combined with the famous ‘Sheep pasture in Saville Row’ campaign by UK Campaign for Wool, a movement championing and extolling the benefits of natural yarns, has significantly boosted the UK’s knitwear industry this decade, and as a designer making authentic knitwear from first sketch to final stitch in the UK, David Nieper has never looked back.

The current knitwear collection features over 70 different styles in sizes 10-24, all crafted by a team of 12 specialists. Luxury Lambswool, Merino and Cashmere sourced from sustainable stocks are the staple yarns of the knitwear collection, which are skillfully spun into a range of contemporary designs and classic styles.  Where possible the design team works with local suppliers including our Lambswool and Geelongora yarns which are sourced from Yorkshire.

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David Nieper fashion house in Derbyshire is celebrating the second anniversary of the opening of its cutting factory in Alfreton. In 2015, the company invested £750,000 in the new facility to help increase production through investment in state-of-the-art new technology.

Today, after being operational for just two years, the team has already cut over 325,000 luxury fashion garments using fabrics stretching over 400 miles – the distance between Alfreton and Paris – one of the company’s biggest export markets!

In 2015, a team of 16 launched the new cutting factory. Today the team has already doubled in size with additional skilled fabric cutters, skilled pre-production sewing machinists and a skirts and trousers sewing team all working to keep up with international demand for the exclusive David Nieper collections.

Excellent garment ‘fit’ is an essential element of fashion design and manufacture and David Nieper’s precision cutting technology cuts each piece of fabric meticulously to size, ensuring a perfect fit for customers.

Similarly, beautiful fabric is another reason why David Nieper has retained loyal customer for many years. The fabric and cutting teams are specialists in textile treatment techniques such as fabric relaxing, this ensures fabrics are in the optimum condition for sewing before they are passed to the company’s dressmakers.

The practices of fabric relaxation, painstaking examination and precision cutting all ensure that each component required for making a luxury fashion garment is perfectly finished before it is passed onto the sewing rooms, to undergo the next stage in the fashion production process.

Christopher Nieper, Managing Director, David Nieper Ltd commented:

“A very ‘Happy Birthday’ to our wonderful garment cutting team!  The quality is superb and appreciated by customers worldwide.  This large investment in new facilities has helped us to increase sales, create more skilled jobs and increase prosperity for Alfreton and our community.”

David Nieper’s new Autumn/Winter collection is available online from September; each garment is made from first sketch to final stitch in Derbyshire using the highest quality fabrics and always cut to perfection.

For more information visit www.davidnieper.co.uk or to request a catalogue please call 01773 836000 or email [email protected]

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For further media information contact:

[email protected]

Tel: 07904 257687

Derbyshire students have an exciting new opportunity to kick start their career by joining the new David Nieper Academy Sixth Form Business and Enterprise Centre opening in Alfreton this September.

This will be the only 16+ education facility of its kind dedicated to business studies in the area, and is an ideal option for young people wanting to pursue careers in the dynamic world of business. Students will experience a learning environment that encourages and develops independent thought, self-discipline, motivation and confidence.

The new sixth form will initially offer the intermediate BTEC Level 2 First Diploma in Business (equivalent to 4 GCSEs A*-C) along with GCSE Math’s and English, and will in the future offer the advanced BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business (equivalent to 3 A-Levels).

 Dr Kathryn Hobbs, Headteacher at David Nieper Academy commented:

“We are delighted to be able to offer our local young people the option to take a uniquely business focused qualification, which has the potential to open doors in a wide variety of career paths from marketing and HR, to banking, law, retail, insurance and logistics or careers outside of business.

The skills and attributes that will be developed through this course will benefit students in many ways, which could lead directly into apprenticeships, employment or indeed onto courses in preparation for university.”

The David Nieper Academy is privileged to have some of Derbyshire’s leading businesses developing the curriculum. Sixth form students will be matched with both the Academy’s employer partners and other local employers for work placements to enhance students’ future job prospects, as well as enabling them to move onto apprenticeships and further education.  

Christopher Nieper, Chair of Trustees, David Nieper Education Trust commented:

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to launch their careers.  A qualification in business and good interpersonal skills are a winning combination opening up multiple career options.  Our students benefit from an enviable connection with key local employers, brand new state-of-the-art teaching facilities and our sixth form even has the luxury of a top floor open air terrace!”

Take the first step to securing your future with a business qualification and contact us today on 01773 832331 or mail [email protected]  to arrange a visit and request your prospectus.

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For further media information contact:

David Nieper Press Office, Lauraine Jordan

[email protected]  07904 257687

A dream catching teddy bear was one of the show stealers at the David Nieper ‘Fashion for Free’ Primary school’s competition today in Derbyshire when over 70 local children, aged 5-11  took part in the annual ‘Fashion for Free’ design competition. The competition which is in its 7^th year has been established to help encourage children to use their imaginations, be resourceful and learn how to create and make things.

This year’s ‘Super Heroes’ theme certainly caught the imagination of the children, who were asked to create an item of clothing, bag or hat by re-using scraps of material, old clothes and even unwanted curtains to create a spectacular design. 

Ella Moore from the Mundy Church of England Junior School won first prize in the ‘New Superhero’ category for her Dream Catcher teddy bear, made from an old dressing gown and inspired by her mum for catching her bad dreams. In the same category a fellow ‘roller-skating’ bear designed by Jennifer Leung from Munday School took third prize and Kai Goodjohn from Shirland Primary took second place with his ‘Jet Monkey’ back pack.

In the ‘Existing Superhero’ category Kara Rabbit from Shirland Primary won first prize for her Suicide Squad cape, while Ruby Rose Hinnett from Woodbridge school came a close second with her Batgirl costume and Josh McDonald also from Woodbridge came third with his Batman design.

Copthorne Community Infant School scooped the award for most inventive group for their Captain Punctuation design and Woodbridge Primary won the award for the school submitting the best variety of designs.

As part of the day’s activities the children were given an interactive tour of the David Nieper fashion house. They visited the sewing rooms and design studio, where they were able to watch designers and dressmakers at work, and they learned about how clothes are made from start to finish.

The children also had the opportunity to join in fun, craft and sewing activities during the day including button and bow making as well as practicing their cross stich, before the presentation of prizes which were judged by Dr Kathryn Hobbs, Headteacher at the David Nieper Academy.

Kathryn commented:

 “I am so impressed! What fantastic imagination and creativity these children have shown…it is clear they have all worked very hard and put a lot of thought into their designs – today has been a fantastic display of young talent, imagination and skill.”  

Christopher Nieper, Managing Director David Nieper Ltd commented:

“We have been running this award for seven years and every year the entries keep getting better!

It is a great privilege for our company to work with the local primary school children – their enthusiasm and imagination is always a great source of inspiration. At David Nieper we work with young people of all ages to encourage the development of creativity and today we have had some very young children, aged only 5 and 6 enter this competition. 

Well done to all of our winners and everyone who took part – they have all shown fantastic creativity, imagination and a great sense of fun.”

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For further media information contact:

[email protected] / Tel: 07904 257687