NEIL WILSON Sickness repor t
SUSAN GILLESPIE Home for the holidays!
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Full inter view - Page 3
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Firm raises profile across the world
A PERSONAL branding website set u p b y t h e fo r m e r h e a d o f a Kirklees-based public company is p rov i n g a h i t w i t h ove r s e a s customers. Profiled.com, which helps business people manage their online presence, has signed up members from more than 30 countries during its first major marketing push. Among those eager to control what people will find when they are Googled on the web are a sales director from Nigeria, a film producer from the USA and a fund manager from Sweden. “We all know how important controlling your online presence is to your business life so we expected to get a good response, but membership ballooned to cover all five continents in less than three months,” said founder Steve Wainwright, who was chief executive of Birstall-based ICM Computer Group until 2007. “Our services are being particularly well received in the UK, the USA and India but, surprisingly, we have attracted members from non-English speaking countries too – as diverse as France, Bahrain and Indonesia.” The site has attracted a large
proportion of company directors and senior executives. The free-to-join website features a toolkit to help members control their online presence and a tracking system designed by its technical team to monitor what’s being published about them on the internet. Mr Wainwright said “Google is still the first source of information about a person, but up until now the tools to manage your own online presence simply haven’t been available to the ordinary business person. “I think everyone should profile themselves properly on the internet. “We’ve been told by personal brand experts that this is exactly what’s needed. We’re working on extending both our product and our market penetration and I’m confident of its success.” The toolkit helps users write their professional profile to be promoted to search engines while a media-monitoring tool reports what others are publishing about them. Members can also blog, display interesting articles, track who is viewing their profile and direct users to other relevant internet locations. The business was founded in 2009 by
The company is partnering BSC, the Chartered Institute for IT in a new initiative called The Graduate to foster and develop skills among IT graduates to ensure that when it comes to a job interview, their communication and presentation skills don’t let them down. The move comes at a time when graduate unemployment is at a 17-year high and the jobless rate for IT graduates is 16.3%. Research by BCS reveals that major employers believe IT graduates to be professionally competent, but lacking in important areas such as personal leadership, communication, presentation and team skills.
Applications for The Graduate are open until January 30. Selected candidates will attend an assessment centre on March 19 at Yorkshire Water’s Esholt Hall learning centre in Shipley where they will have their professional and personal skills tested through a series of individual and team exercises, before getting one-to-one feedback on their performance and how they can further improve it. The day will conclude with an awards event where the president of BCS The Chartered Institute for IT will deliver advice on how to ensure candidates give the best possible interview performance, provide hints and tips on everything from what to wear and how to sit through to how to
Unhappy new year EMPLOYERS will struggle to maintain morale among their workers in the year ahead, according to an assessment of prospects for 2012 by Peter McGee, regional head of employment relations service Acas. This year could see tensions where employees are looking to make up for the pay and other concessions made during the recession, he said, adding: “If inflation continues to rise, the mood for industrial action over pay claims is also likely to rise.
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■ WORLD VIEW: Steve Wainwright, of Profiled.com, has signed up members from more than 30 countries during its first major marketing push
Steve Wainwright. It now employs five people. Mr Wainwright, a trained chartered accountant, joined ICM Computer Group in Birstall in 1991 as finance director and became chief executive in
2005. He is credited with steering the ICM through a successful London Stock Market flotation in 1998 and with driving its growth until its sale for £108m to rival Phoenix in 2007, when he left the company.
IT graduates get help to key in to new skills YORKSHIRE Water is stepping in to help IT graduates get work.
INSIDE
build a good rapport with any interviewer. Alan Harrison, IT director at Yorkshire Water, said: “Graduate unemployment is a very current issue and one that The Graduate gives industry and academia the platform to work together to resolve within IT. “As an award-winning IT department within an organisation with a long history of nurturing graduates, Yorkshire Water are proud to be a founding partner of The Graduate.” Yorkshire Water chief technology officer James Lockwood said: “Yorkshire Water is not only a provider of clean water and the safe disposal of waste water to millions of customers, it is also one of the largest
employers within Yorkshire. “Our organisation thrives from having a workforce which generates new ideas and competitive advantages. University graduates help to create such diversity and capabilities. “The Graduate provides a win-win opportunity whereby university students gain valuable experience in preparing for life after graduation and Yorkshire Water is able to showcase our industry-leading graduate trainee programme.” The Graduate is open to all current and soon-to-be IT graduates. Go to www.thegraduate.bcs.org for an application form or email emma.davids@yorkshirewater.co.uk
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Let’s get sociable BOSSES have been urged to get to grips with the world of social media or miss out on new contract wins. Marcus Costello, of Wright Angle Marketing, said: “The invention of social media has meant that anyone can talk to anyone. If companies are not talking online they are missing out on a great deal of new business.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Winter warning!
MANY Yorkshire firms are ill-prepared for another big freeze this winter, it is claimed. A survey commissioned by Close Invoice Finance showed that 56% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the region were worried about the impact of arctic weather this winter. But more than a quarter don’t have a business continuity plan in place to deal with issues such as staff absenteeism and power failures. The British Chambers of Commerce estimated that last year the economy lost £1.2bn a day due to the cold snap. Ian Steward, of Close Invoice Finance, said SMEs were the most vulnerable – and those that are already struggling because of the economic conditions may find that several days out of business due to extreme weather is the final straw. Said Mr Steward: “All too often, people
think about massive disasters when they talk about business continuity, but in reality it’s the more mundane factors – like bad weather – that can impact us most of all. “If businesses aren’t prepared for the worst, it can have a serious effect on cash flow – which everyone knows is the lifeblood of all business. “Prevention really is better than cure and I would urge SME owners who aren’t already prepared to act now – checking that premises are winter-proof, insurance is up to date and flexible working plans are in place in case staff can’t make it to work.” Mr Steward said: “For certain sectors of the economy, such as transport and logistics, there is of course no escaping the financial impact of the harsh weather, but with careful planning any disruption can
be kept to a minimum. “Our study revealed that eight in 10 businesses operating in the transport and logistics industry are worried about the effects of another big freeze, substantially higher than the 58% average across all business sectors. “Transport grinding to a halt is probably the single biggest economic blow when heavy snow hits the UK. For owners of logistics and haulage companies the cost of late deliveries, extra fuel charges, and honouring strict contracts with clients can put a devastating strain on financial resources.” Said Mr Steward: “The key for getting through one of the worst winters we’ve seen for years is preparation. Failing to plan could have a serious impact on your ■ BE PREPARED: That’s business and result in it being unable to the message from Ian Steward, of Close Invoice Finance trade.”
Dealership gears up with Mitsubishi A BRIGHOUSE motor dealer today joins Mitsubishi’s nationwide dealer network. Dews Motor Group, which dates back to 1910, is now providing sales, service and parts for the Brighouse area operating from its Bradford Road premises. The business was founded by Ernest Dews, the grandfather of current chairman and managing director David Hamer. During this time Dews has remained independent and family-owned – and has remained loyal to its local area, having grown its presence in the area to five brands across four sites and building an enviable reputation with its customers for value, service and reliability. Mr Hamer said: “The team at Dews are excited to welcome customers, new and old, to our new Mitsubishi dealership. “We see the addition of Mitsubishi to
■ DRIVING FORCE: David Hamer, chairman and managing director of Brighouse-based Dews Motor Group, which has become the latest business to join Mitsubishi’s UK dealer network and plans to make inroads into the market for “all terrain” vehicles our brand portfolio as an opportunity to provide real choices for our customers – and to provide a thoroughbred alternative to the “all terrain” segment in Huddersfield and Halifax.” Lance Bradley, UK managing director for Mitsubishi Motors, said:
“We are delighted that Dews have chosen Mitsubishi to grow their portfolio in the West Yorkshire area. “Huddersfield and Halifax are strong territories for our product range and we are confident that Dews Motor Group will serve our customers well.” The business move is the latest in a
series of shrewd decisions which began when Ernest Dews bought his first car, a six-horsepower, single-cylinder De Dion, in the early 1900s. It was only the 13th car to be registered in Huddersfield. In 1910 Mr Dews returned to Brighouse after working in America and founded the Dews Garages Group. The venture was all the more spirited given that at that time there were only half a dozen drivers in Brighouse. Dews began as agents selling and repairing early cars such as the Argyle, De Dion, Corre Benz and Vulcan before adopting Vauxhall/Bedford in 1928. The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 curtailed expansion, but the group was back in the driving seat in 1945, when it opened a new dealership in Halifax.
Page 2 More jobs on offer JOB vacancies rose in December, according to figures today. The Reed Job Index showed vacancies were up by 17% during December against the same month in 2010 and more than 20% higher than two years ago. Seasonal falls in vacancies saw month-on-month Index figures down by 12 points or 9% in December compared with November – although hospitality and purchasing bucked the downward trend. This brought the December, 2011, Index back to September’s level, making it 21% higher than two years ago when the Index was set at 100 in December, 2009. Reed said the Index showed how sustained the growth in demand for new staff has been in 2011 when compared to 2010. Technical staff such as engineers, IT and telecommunications specialists were at the forefront of this trend, with an annual increase in job vacancies of more than 40%. Year-on-year demand for staff in job sectors as diverse as construction, qualified accountants, sales, leisure and tourism have all risen considerably higher than the average 17% growth. However, demand for public sector staff continues to collapse at 15% down on December last year and a third of its level two years ago. Demand for financial services staff levelled off in December to a little below its level of 12 months ago – although the sector’s Index reading of 104 is still above the 2009 level. Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, which compiled the survey, said: “The year-on-year increase in demand for new staff is particularly striking against the backdrop of economic turmoil of the last few months. “The traditional seasonal drop in recruitment activity in December has had its impact against the two-year highs recorded in November, but the fact that the number of new job vacancies on offer remains 17% higher than 12 months ago is significant.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS SUSAN Gillespie is always in holiday mood. Working from home as a franchisee with the Travel Counsellors network, she helps hundreds of customers get away to the sun, the sea or the ski slopes. And even in these tough times, she finds her services are in demand – although holiday-buying trends have changed. “People used to look for long-haul holidays in exotic locations,” she says, “That’s not typical this year – and probably won’t be next year, either. People who might have taken two or three breaks a year are trying to consolidate them into one big holiday. They are saving for something a bit special. “There is also a trend to leave things to the last minute when booking a holiday – not that there are tremendous bargains to be had because the suppliers have cut capacity. People want to get away to somewhere they are guaranteed a bit of sun.” Susan, who grew up in Meltham, found her way into the travel business after an enjoyable 14 years as a commercial photographer – and a big mistake in her first choice of career. As a student at Holme years before deciding it was Valley Grammar School, Susan decided she wanted to too limiting. “I was quite surprised by how many go into hotel management. people are not interested in “Why, I don’t know!” she admits. She reckoned without cruises – even though it was a fast-growing sector. the unsocial hours, modest “A friend who also had a pay and sheer hard work cruise franchise knew a involved. couple of people who were “I could only see the Travel Counsellors and told glamorous side of standing behind a reception desk,” she me how the business says.”I completed the course worked. It sounded so much better than what I was doing at Huddersfield Technical in terms of back-up and College and I did my work support, so I investigated experience at the George further and took it from there. Hotel, but I never worked in I had an interview and Travel the industry full-time.” Counsellors decided they After getting married and would be happy for me to join having children, Susan them.” began working for Tempest Susan now works from her Photography, training as a Netherthong home, saying: “I school photographer. “My have never looked back.” mum already worked for the Says Susan: “Everyone company and they travels at some point during encouraged people to take the year and holidays are on family members,” says Susan. “Although the what we all work for. Now I company is based in St Ives, organise all sorts of holidays Cornwall, the photographers – long-haul, package deals, worked from home.” ski holidays and business While the work sounds travel.” repetitive, Susan enjoyed her Susan also finds people spell behind the camera. like the reassurance of a “You went somewhere voice at the end of the different every day and the phone. “As the internet grew, kids were nice,” she says. “It people started to dabble in fitted in with school hours and there was always the chance to do wedding photography or other work. “It’s also when I realised how important it is to look after the customer. If you didn’t do a good job, parents didn’t buy the photos and that would be reflected in the commission you earned.” One day, Susan read a newspaper advert about a franchising opportunity selling cruise holidays. She says: “I was a photographer until my children grew up. It was also at the time that the photography industry was changing to digital – which I found very difficult to get to grips with after using film for ■ REWARDING: Susan so long!” Gillespie, who has her own Susan ran her cruise Travel Counsellors franchise holidays business for five
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Travel tales from Susan arranging their own holidays – booking flights and hotels themselves,” she says. “But it is not necessarily the cheapest way or the best way. During the volcanic ash cloud crisis, people were stranded and had no call on anyone because they were responsible for their holiday. If anything isn’t right, it’s your own fault. “It is all about customer service – giving your client the best advice you can from the initial inquiry until they get back home. It means there is someone to sort things out.” Although Susan works from home, she recognises the value of meeting other women in business – which is how she hit on the idea of setting up a networking group. Susan has launched Ladies Who Latté and Lunch to bring together businesswomen working in the Holme Valley once a month. About 20 people are expected to attend its first meeting at 11.30am tomorrow at the Huntsman, Holmfirth. Susan says the idea is to offer an alternative to networking groups with rigid rules where everyone has to provide referrals and give presentations on their businesses. “The idea is to have a group of businesswomen talking about what they do and promoting their own business, but in a less formal atmosphere. I think chatting to people is sometimes the best way to promote your business. ”I think many women feel more comfortable in the company of other women, especially if you have an opportunity to speak. I was surprised how many women there are running their own businesses. Other women who attend will be
Susan Gillespie
employees representing their companies.” Susan plans to hold the monthly lunch-time meetings at different venues and hopes to line up Woodsome Hall at Fixby for a future event. That’s not entirely unconnected to her relatively new-found love of golf. Susan and her husband Stephen started playing golf about two years ago – and the reason why takes her back to the subject of holidays. “We went to an auction at Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Stephen bid for a holiday to South Africa,” she says. “It wasn’t until after he got it that we discovered it was a golfing holiday – so we took some lessons and, surprisingly, we became hooked!” Susan joined Woodsome two years ago and plays
twice a week. “There is a ladies section which plays every Tuesday and I have made a couple of good friends as well,” she says. “When you work at home there are days when you might not see anyone. Golf is a good way to meet people and talk about what they do and their families. “I’m an ‘improving’ player. I have knocked two points off my handicap, but it is a nice social thing as well. “I used to drive past golf courses and think ‘why would anyone do that?’ But you can get out there and forget everything else that’s going on because you are concentrating so much. It is totally absorbing.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Have a Happy Tax Year!!
Role: Owner Age: 53 Family: Married to Stephen with children Sarah, 25, Chris 25, Philippa, 23, and Danielle, 19 Holidays: Cruise holidays – our latest was to the Eastern Mediterranean Car: Honda CRV First job: Serving pie and peas on a stall at Queensgate Market Best thing about job: Flexibility of working from home and contact with my customers Worst thing about job: Being at home on a wet January day when business is quiet! Business tip: Get advice and as much information as you can before taking the plunge in business
Travel Counsellors Work: Travel Site: Netherthong Phone: 01484 680091 Email: susan. gillespie@travel counsellors.com Web: www.travel counsellors.co.uk/ susan.gillespie
On the board with
Avoid nasty penalties & headaches - be prepared well in advance of any tax deadlines. Our summary below outlines some key dates for your diary:
31 January 2012 - Personal tax returns and payments due for 2010/11. 6 April 2012 – Start of 2012/13 tax year
19 May 2012 – Deadline for filing employer annual returns for 2011/12 – P35 and P14 6 July 2012 - Deadline for filing P11Ds for 2011/12
For a comprehensive list of dates see
www.revellward.co.uk
Lesley Sutton Tax Director 01484 538 351
theboard@revellward.co.uk Twitter@RevellWard
www.revellward.co.uk
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Tensions at work are set to worsen BOSSES will struggle to maintain morale among their workers in the year ahead, according to the regional head of employment relations service Acas. And the number of workplace disputes could escalate as economic tensions worsen. Peter McGee, director of Acas in Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Economic difficulties continue and tensions in the workplace in the form of the larger disputes have by no means disappeared. “While we have seen some high-profile strikes, we need to keep things in perspective. “The number of disputes and days lost to strikes remain at historically low levels. In fact, the number of work days lost to strikes is at its lowest for 20 years. “But in 2012 we could see tensions where employees are looking to make up for the pay and other concessions made during the recession. “If inflation continues to rise, the mood for industrial action over pay claims is also likely to rise. “We could still be in for a bumpy 12 months, although we should remember that the partnership approach to employment relations arose out of the recession in the 1990s. We may see a similar pragmatic approach to employment relations this time around.” Mr McGee said: “The outcome of the Government’s resolving workplace disputes consultation announced a number of changes with a wider role for Acas to resolve disputes before they reach a formal claim to an employment tribunal. “In the coming year, this is going to help focus minds on the principle of resolving disputes within the workplace before they can escalate, even before Acas’ wider role to achieve this comes into effect in 2014.”
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Expansion is key for 2012 HOUGH the current T economic environment in the UK is still proving
challenging to some, HSBC has continued to offer lending support to strong, viable enterprises that can demonstrate well-defined management in conjunction with a considered forwardthinking business plan. Throughout 2011, we have provided many businesses in our area with funding to expand their current business reach, targeting new markets and customers. And looking to the year ahead, the key for businesses will be to continue to demonstrate considerable planning and a strong strategy to capitalise on future growth opportunities. With competition fierce, HSBC understands that creating a strong, distinct business plan and a unique product offer can be a difficult task. But this area is home to a large number of energetic and diverse businesses that are already taking advantage of business growth opportunities on offer both in the area and overseas. I ’ve b e e n p ro u d t o s e e
BANKER’S BLOG Jill Hague
businesses in the area tackle the challenging economic environment head on – developing new ideas, products and partners, targeting new markets to spread their business risk, and positioning themselves to cope with the difficult market outlook. It’s interesting to note that whilst the domestic economy remains challenging, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of businesses trading overseas, and we have supported many companies to expand their outreach internationally. And, as the line between “domestic” and “international” business blurs, even those that consider themselves to be trading on a purely domestic level, often
s t i l l h ave a n i n t e r n at i o n a l element. When thinking about the year ahead, businesses should use all the tools at their disposal – whether it’s talking to UKTI when thinking about international trade or utilising the expertise on offer at their bank to develop a compelling business case. My team of relationship managers are well equipped to work with customers to understand their business model and identify its strengths and potential for the future. We’d encourage anyone interested in seeking funding for new expansion projects, whether at home or overseas, to come and talk to us whilst their plans are in a development.
Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield
Brewing up more sales
ONE of the most successful traditional ale breweries in the UK has been given a hand by a Huddersfield-based business. Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery can now offer its worldwide customers easy, online ordering thanks to a new bespoke website supplied by internet marketing firm WSI Yorkshire. Caledonian Brewery has been producing and supplying traditional ales since 1869 – and for the first time in it’s history can now offer customers the ability to order their favourite beers online. The new website, created by WSI Yorkshire and designed by York-based graphic design agency Creative Squeeze, offers
a number of impressive features – allowing customers to browse and purchase Caledonian Beers and merchandise in minutes. Steve Harvey-Franklin, owner of WSI Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted with the new website that we, together with Creative Squeeze, have created for Caledonian Brewery. “The site looks fantastic and we really enjoyed the challenges of building the website, integrating the visuals with our easy to use e-commerce CMS. “The new online shop enhances the brewery’s customer service offering and takes them forward into a new and improved digital era.”
■ DELIGHT: WSI Yorkshire owner Steve Harvey-Franklin Caledonian Brewery offers a wide selection of award winning traditional ales and beers such as the Flying Scotsman, Flying Dutchman and Nectar. It is the only surviving company from the city’s original 40 brewers. Holmfirth-based WSI Yorkshire, formed in 2004, provides Internet marketing services to clients across the UK.
Vital year for manufacturers
YORKSHIRE manufacturers are pinning their hopes for 2012 on innovation, exports and sustainability. The flow of bad news from key economies and markets and the lack of access to capital will make 2012 a very difficult year for the majority of Yorkshire manufacture said Jason Whitworth (pictured), partner and manufacturing specia for accountants and business advisers BDO. The balance of Yorkshire-based firms taking on new workers fell fr 29% in the third quarter of 2011 to just 2% in the fourth quarter. Mr Whitworth said he expected to see little positive recruitment throughout 2012 – and anticipated that manufacturers in certain sect may be forced to shed labour to balance the books in 2012. Yet Government initiatives to promote innovation and export opportunities in emerging markets provide some ray of hope. “After 30 years of decline, there is now widespread consensus that a strong and vibrant manufacturing sector is fundamental to the economy,” said Mr Whitworth. “The task of rebuilding the manufacturing sector will not be easy and we must accept that it m take years. However, a renewed foc on manufacturing is vital for grow “While funding options are availab for businesses with a robust business plan and those that acce the need to share equity upside, access to growth capital will continue to be very difficult, particularly for SMEs. “In 2012, we expect that the Government will continue to focus attention on the rebuilding of manufacturing. “But in order to emphasise the importance of this sector to economic recovery and to enable long term sustained growth, the Government must develop a clear and more explicit medium to long-term framework and strategy for the sector.” Mr Whitworth said sustainability w also a key area for manufacturers. demand and pricing for commodit and energy were expected to rema volatile, the importance of sustainability as a business tool would increase. BDO is forecasting slowed growth throughout 2012 due to a continue reduction in domestic demand, political and economic turmoil and lack of access to capital. It also said that investment and recruitment were unlikely, particularly among SME – but insisted that innovation and acces to government initiatives would be vital. Exports would provide a lifeline fo many firms – with the focus on the rapidly emerging giants of China, India and Brazil as well as the fast-developing new emerging markets.
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No holiday for the employers HERE have been a number of case T law decisions over the past couple of years dealing with the position
relating to holiday pay for sick workers. A recent decision in the Employment Appeals Tribunal will give some comfort to businesses and the position is outlined further below. Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, an employee has the right to take 5.6 weeks paid holiday in each leave year. There is no provision in the Regulations allowing leave to be carried over and a payment in lieu of unused holiday cannot be made except on ter mination of employment. Many businesses will therefore operate a ‘use it or lose it’ policy such that holiday cannot be carried over to subsequent years. Case law decisions in the European Courts have recently focused on whether employees on long-term sick leave are entitled to carry over their unused holiday entitlement to subsequent years. Take, for example, an employee who is off for two years. They accrue a certain entitlement in one year and if it is not taken, are they allowed to carry it over to further years and then be paid in lieu of that accrued leave on termination of their employment? The answer, according to the European Court, was “yes”. This could leave many employers with a significant holiday pay bill to pick up on termination of employment because it
EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Neil Wilson
meant that any leave accrued over a significant period of time when an employee was absent had to be paid in one lump sum when they left. The employer’s argument is that if the leave has not been used at the end of the year, the regulations kick in and it cannot be carried over. The European Courts took a different view arguing that employees on sick leave do not have the opportunity to take holiday so it should be allowed to be carried over. A recent case in the Employment Appeals Tribunal focused on whether a worker who neither took nor sought to take statutory holiday during a number of years of sickness absence was entitled, on the termination of their employment, to pay in respect of that untaken entitlement. The employee was a nurse who went on long term sick leave in November, 2005, and did not return to work before her dismissal in October, 2008. She was paid in lieu of her final year of holiday entitlement as the regulations quite rightly require. However, the employer argued that the previous two years untaken entitlement did not need to be paid. The employee subsequently brought a claim before the
Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Study period for IT KIRKLEES businesses have been urged to take part in the UK’s largest IT and telecoms study. The state-of-the-nation report commissioned by TalkTalk Business is being conducted with independent research body and IT publisher IDG Global Solutions and aims to provide a unique insight into the state of local firms’ IT and broadband infrastructure. Businesses of all sizes are being invited to take part in the study via the Talk Talk Business website to help provide a measure on the impact a company’s IT and network service has on business performance and the growth of the wider UK economy. Once the survey is complete, companies will be able to assess their performance against a national “business broadband barometer”. They will also have exclusive access to an application that provides recommendations and strategic advice on how they can equip themselves with the technology to best future-proof their business, improve productivity and
generate growth. Andy Lockwood, transformation director at TalkTalk Business, said: “The study is the first of its kind and will provide us with a comprehensive view of the current state of the UK’s broadband and IT infrastructure. “Efficient business communication is key to increased productivity and improved performance. As the lifeblood of any organisation, the integration of business grade technology can help to support growth and stimulate the economy. “The report will enable us to really get under the skin of UK businesses and realise how technologically advanced they currently are – providing a national benchmark and identifying which regions and sectors are best equipped and connected. “It will also investigate how businesses can overcome their perceived IT barriers, by taking a closer look at issues such as awareness and access to hosted cloud solutions and the importance of IT strategy at Board level.” Go to www.talktalkbusiness.co.uk
Employment Tribunal. The Employment Appeals Tribunal considered the fact that under the regulations, an employee has to give notice to take leave in order to be entitled to leave. The employee in this case did not seek to take any leave in previous years of absence as the regulations suggested so there was no entitlement for that leave to be paid on termination of employment. The current position is therefore this; an employee on long term sick leave is not entitled to a payment in respect of untaken annual leave accrued historically (except in the last year of employment), if they do not request leave during the holiday year. However, it does mean that an employee is entitled to take annual leave and be paid for it, as long as they request leave.
Warning over tax clampdown plan BUSINESS owners planning to close their companies have been warned about a tax clampdown. HM Revenue & Customs has announced a clampdown on tax breaks available to company shareholders when they close their company on a voluntary basis. David Butterworth (pictured), of Huddersfield chartered accountants Wheawill & Sudworth, said it would be more difficult and expensive to extract remaining company monies once the new rules are in place. “At present, it is possible for shareholders to receive distributions from a company in wind-down either tax-free or at a very low tax rate without a great deal of hassle” he said. “Under the new regime, only total distributions up to £25,000 can be dealt with in this manner and larger amounts will require a more formal and costly procedure.” It is proposed that the new rules will be effective for distributions made on or after March 1, 2012. Mr Butterworth said companies in the process of winding up should proceed to make distributions to shareholders before this date where it will be more tax-efficient to do so.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Yorkshire firms take optimistic stance for 2012 YORKSHIRE businesses are gearing up for growth in the new year, says a survey. The survey of more than 90 finance executives across the North shows that respondents are cautiously optimistic for growth over the next three years. Almost 60% are confident that they will grow in the next year and more than 20% are very confident of growing their business over the next three years. The survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers showed that over the next year, almost 30% of respondents plan to target growth through increased market share and exporting to new geographic markets. Almost half said their biggest growth opportunity in the short term was to develop new products and services. Randal Casson, partner with PwC in West Yorkshire, said: “Growth will come from looking harder for opportunities, assessing and managing risk more effectively and having the right talent and capability to exploit these effectively.” He said: “There will be tough competition for the people with the right skills base and organisations will need to be intelligent and flexible in their approach to ensure opportunities are not missed for having a lack of
talent or succession plans in place.” Some 21% of respondents said access to talented people would be a challenging area. However, nearly half were expecting to see growth in the contingent workforce rather than full time staff. Nearly two-thirds of respondents expect some change to company strategy and the approach to managing risk, with more than half also expecting to see some change to their organisational structure. While longer term confidence for growth is evident, there are still concerns that the risks may be overlooked, said Mr Casson. “An established risk management agenda is critical to address risks arising from a change of strategy, such as growth in new markets or new product or service development,” he said. And he added: “As the short term outlook for 2012 is particularly uncertain, businesses will need to look for growth opportunities and this was evident in the results of the survey. “The sovereign debt crisis has had a significant impact on confidence levels so organisations should also be prepared for a potential period of weaker economic activity.”
Sorted! Health project wins two top awards A PROJECT running workshops in Kirklees and Calderdale has won two awards. Getting Sorted took silver and bronze at the Quality in Care Diabetes Awards. The Getting Sorted programme was shortlisted for two awards – winning bronze for best initiative supporting self-care and taking silver for partnership working. Director Liz Webster said: “This is a fantastic achievement considering the business has only been providing these products for the last three years. “We are honoured to have even been shortlisted for the awards and hope to return next year going for gold!”
Getting Sorted: Our Way is an award-winning enterprise created by engaging and working with young people with long-term health conditions at every stage of the research process, to enable them to deliver a self-care programme. The programme covers workshops engaging young people in a series of unique, informative and active workshops focusing on the impact of long term health conditions. Subjects covered include diabetes and asthma. Getting Sorted is also involved in research and enterprise, through training and consultancy services.
Page 6 Wired up to land contracts
■ TIME TO TWITTER: Marcus Costello, of Wright Angle Marketing
‘Social media is way forward’ BUSINESS bosses have been urged to get to grips with the world of social media – or miss out on new contract wins. The warning comes from Marcus Costello, who runs social media marketing courses at award-winning Barkisland-based company Wright Angle Marketing. Managing director Judith Wright said: “WAM is now into its 10th year and going from strength to strength with new arrivals to the team.” She added: “It’s like anything – if you stay still you will get left behind and that’s why we are always trying to take that next step in everything we do. Social media is a great new marketing tool and we wanted to make it accessible to the entire business community.” Mr Costello said: “The invention of social media has meant that anyone can talk to anyone and if companies are not talking online they are missing out on a great deal of new business. “Some 41% of UK companies now use social media to find new business and we feel everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from it.” Mr Costello said one in 13 people on the planet were now on Facebook, adding: “With that many people using just one of social
media platforms out there it seems a ‘no brainer’ that it is a great way of networking and generating new business. “Over the last few years, social media has really taken over the internet, In 2010, 110bn minutes were spent on social media sites – that’s 22% of all time spent online – and that is set to grow again in 2011. “In the beginning, social media was seen very much as something for individuals to connect with friends, but more recently businesses have seen the benefits and huge opportunities that social media brings. “If you look at most television adverts, billboards and packaging from large companies there will be some reference to their social media platforms and smaller businesses are starting to understand the benefits and rewards that social media can bring. “Creating a Facebook page for a business means that customers can find and contact businesses even if they don’t have a website. It means companies can let customers know about the latest deals and offers and it is a great way of improving customer service by interacting with users. “Once a company knows how to set up and use different social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, it is a great marketing tool that has relatively no cost to it.”
A SAFETY consultancy has helped an electrical services firm land vital new contracts. Bradley-based Safety Management and Monitoring Services came to the rescue when Coretech Electrical Services Ltd discovered it didn’t meet the compliancy needed to grow and develop its business. The company failed its Contractors’ Health and Safety Scheme assessment – leaving it unable to tender for work due to not meeting the buyer’s health and safety standards. Ready to tender for work and with a deadline of two weeks to submit a business pitch, the firm called in SM&MS to turn things around. Craig Brooker, managing director of Brockholes-based Coretech Electrical Services, said: “We found ourselves in an unexpected position. “We had a track record of working with public and private sector buyer organisations and had no reason to think we weren’t job ready.” SM&MS, turned the firm’s health and safety processes around in a matter of weeks, enabling Coretech to become CHAS approved and giving the company a working health and safety policy on a par with a company employing thousands of people. SM&MS director Richard Edwards said: “Coretech Electrical Services weren’t in the wrong, they just needed to demonstrate they were compliant and document what they were doing.”
Business success on menu A NEW company in Huddersfield is opening the door on people’s eating habits – to help them improve their diet and fitness. Nutritionist Gina Battye (left) started Quartz Services after a bout of irritable bowel syndrome led her to change her own lifestyle and eating habits. Now she aims to improve people’s health through better nutrition – to increase energy levels, improve eating habits and help with weight loss. She also offers a one-hour
“Fridge and Cupboard Weeding” service at the client’s home, during which she will go through their cupboards and examine the good, the bad and the unhealthy. Gina said: “People today have such busy lifestyles. It’s hard to find the time to prepare regular, healthy meals and it is all too easy to grab a chocolate bar or stick a ready meal in the microwave. Bad nutrition can lead to weight gain, tiredness and a wealth of health issues from digestive problems and
skin complaints to more serious, even life-threatening illnesses.” Quartz Services runs programmes for individuals or groups to explore eating habits and lifestyle, provide education on nutrition and encourages energy revival, shaping up and weight loss. “The issue of health and nutrition can be confusing, especially with the complexities of labelling and package design,” said Gina. “In some cases, it doesn’t do what it says on the tin.”
property
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Page 7
Power shifts to office tenants, claims report
A MAJOR shift is under way in the traditional relationship between West Yorkshire office landlords and their tenants, according to research by international property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle. More than three-quarters of property professionals believe occupiers are becoming more powerful and demanding more from their landlords, says the latest Offices 2020 research issued through the national office agency team at Jones Lang LaSalle in West Yorkshire. Jeff Pearey, office agency director for the region, said: “West Yorkshire office occupiers recognise that the economic climate means that they are in a stronger negotiating position than ever before and are revisiting their property strategies to ensure their workplace is working harder for their overall business. “This shift in the traditional balance of power between landlord and tenants will affect West Yorkshire’s property landscape, generating greater collaboration between landlords and occupiers. We expect the shift of power to occupiers will continue for a number
of years, ahead of cyclical trends.” Bill Page, director for research at Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “A steady shift is taking place in the office market, including in West Yorkshire, as it is now even more influenced by demand. “Occupiers have a tremendous negotiating position and can influence what gets built. Their brief can become far more detailed – from location, capacity, density, sustainability, security and air conditioning right down to the sprinklers. “Furthermore, flexible, long-term partnerships with developers and out-sourced service providers will lead to better outcomes for both parties, especially in the absence of debt funding. “With careful upfront investment, all sides can benefit. “The cutting edge lies in d eve l o p e r s ’ ab i l i t y t o bu i l d long-term partnerships with their clients and out-sourced service providers, anticipating their needs and locating and configuring space in a way which adds value. “Besides, funding for office development is unlikely to return to pre-2007 volumes, so inventive col-
laborations with corporate clients will be required to fill the gap.” Jones Lang LaSalle’s Offices 2020 research says that lease lengths are also declining as occupiers want more flexible workplace strategies which will increase occupier turnover as leases expire more quickly and more often – although the actual growth in occupied stock may fall as space is occupied more efficiently. Mr Pearey said: “Occupiers need efficient workplaces and are not shy in asking for what they want. Developers need high-quality occupiers. “Because property has risen up the corporate agenda, landlords and tenants need to foster a true partnership approach as this will benefit both parties.” Offices 2020 covers the main issues and challenges that occupiers, investors and developers will need to consider over the next decade, including sustainability, location, a s s e t m a n ag e m e n t , bu i l d i n g obsolescence, technology, working practices, fit-out and finance. The 12-month campaign addresses the industry’s most
significant issues and aims to help investors, developers and occupiers to better understand future trends and changes within the offices sector, consequently leading to better decision-making on future business opportunities. Among its findings, the report said that 83% of real estate professionals think sustainability is the highest priority strategic issue facing office real estate decision-makers over the next 10 years while a combination of sustainability, technology and workplace practice will create a huge demand for refurbishment. The report said future technological developments would have a significant impact on fit-out and space requirement – but not to the extent some think. Potential game changers are a shift to 12 volt rather than 240 volt electrical technology; cloud computing and an increasing use of mobile and collaborative technology. Funding and finance will remain constrained and creative partnerships and alternative funding sources will be increasingly ■ CLIMATE: Jeff Pearey, office agency director at Jones Lang LaSalle required, according to the report.
Scheme’s in the top three
■ WINNING LINES: Towngate Homes caught the attention of judges in the Northern Design Awards for its Broomfield Avenue scheme in Halifax
A HOUSEBUILDER has proved a hit with judges in a national competition. Brockholes-based Towngate Homes achieved a top-three spot in the category for best family new build at the Northern Design Awards. It follows the success of sister firm property developer Conroy Brook winning the award for most outstanding retirement development in the UK for its Holme Valley Court complex in Holmfirth. Judging for the Northern Design Awards was down to a respected panel of experts in their fields. Sir Terence Conran joined the panel this year for the first time along with designer Wayne Hemingway and Suzanne Imre, of Livingetc magazine. Towngate Homes was recognised for its residential development of 16 craftsman-built, spacious, natural stone detached homes and townhouses at Broomfield Avenue, Halifax. The development has previously received accolades at the Local Authority Building Control West Yorkshire Building Excellence Awards and the UK Residential Property Awards.
City office refurbishment complete A MAJOR office refurbishment in West Yorkshire is complete. A £1.6m refit for Elizabeth House in Queen Street, Leeds, provides 10,600sq ft of much-needed quality office space for the city. Sheffield-based building and development company J F Finnegan, which bought the 25,000sq ft Elizabeth House from Valad for an undisclosed price earlier this year,
has appointed the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank to jointly market the building with Bowcliffes. Law firm Clarion has already announced plans to move its headquarters to Elizabeth House from Oxford Place in Leeds. It has agreed a 15-year lease for 15,000sq ft on three floors and will move its 100-strong team in the spring.
Elizabeth Ridler, a partner at Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “The first and second floors of Elizabeth House offer Grade A refurbished office space with excellent natural light and are available to lease now at the competitive rent of £17.50 per sq ft. “The decision by Clarion to relocate here is a ringing endorsement of the quality and the location of the building.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Judges praise ice cream firm ■ READY TO TALK: 4Networking local group leader Jo Fox, of Autex UK
Batley network group ready for breakfast! BATLEY has been chosen as the home of a new regular networking breakfast meeting. National business networking group 4Networking is launching its latest group on January 13 at Batley Bulldogs RLFC. The group picked Batley as its location because of the number of independently-owned businesses in the town. 4Networking already has almost 300 busy breakfast groups taking place around the country attended by more than 50,000 members, “I’ve been doing business in and around Batley for years and know what a strong business community there is here, says 4Networking area leader Michelle Poole, of Virtual Hand PA. “It just made perfect sense for us to come to the town. “We know there’s a vast amount of privately-owned businesses here as well as in the villages and business parks around and this format gives the business owners the ideal opportunity to meet and promote themselves.” Over a relaxed and informal breakfast, members and visitors can meet each other, hear about each other’s businesses and have three short business appointments – all before 10am. Local group leader Jo Fox, of Autex UK, a business providing autism awareness training, said: “I wanted to promote my business, so I attended a 4Networking meeting in Wakefield. “I liked the format so much that I got in touch with Michelle to ask if I could run a meeting here – now we launch on January 13 and there are already local businesses booking in.” Contact Michelle Poole on 07789 174792; email jofox146@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.4networking.biz
ICE cream producer Yummy Yorkshire is celebrating after achieving national recognition in the 2011 Food & Farming Industry Awards. The Denby Dale-based producer was highly commended in the Family Business of the Year category at a prestigious award ceremony held at the House of Commons and hosted by Countryfile presenter Adam Henson. The annual awards, now in their 10th year, are held by Farm Business magazine and aim to seek out the country’s most innovative farmers, producers, processors and retailers. Some 200 businesses entered this year’s awards – with 40 making the final shortlist. Judging criteria included the ability to demonstrate real growth; use of assets in terms of people, products and skills to best effect; and reinvigorate the rural economy regionally or on a national scale. The judges praised Yummy Yorkshire for the level of family involvement in the ■ COMMONS COLD: Louise and Jeremy Holmes (centre), of Yummy Yorkshire, with business, which they felt gave it strength, as Countryfile’s Adam Henson (right) and Andrew Jackson, chief executive of category well as for the “obvious creative flair” in sponsor Mole Valley Farmers Kent the product and packaging. Jeremy Holmes, co-founder of Yummy Yummy Yorkshire scooped three awards ners due to be announced in early 2012. Yorkshire, said: “It’s fantastic to receive for its ice cream at the 2011 National Ice Regional winners will go forward to the such a prestigious award and one that Cream Competition run by the Ice Cream overall finals, which will be held at represents our business values and ethics. Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation Westminster on March 7, 2012. Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream was “We have worked hard to keep the family dedicated to supporting the production launched by Jeremy and his wife Louise in farm viable in such difficult economic and sale of premium ice cream. Yummy Yorkshire has also been named 2007 to drive added value into their times and awards like this are a nice pat on as a regional finalist in the 2011 existing dairy milk and cream production the back.” The commendation comes shortly after Countryside Alliance Awards, with win- business.
Festive fundraisers!
Blooming good show for customer service! TWO Kirklees businesses have been recognised for outstanding customer service. The Flower Shop at Lindley and The Potting Shed Spa in Batley were the first winners of the Customer at the Heart initiative run by Yorkshire Business Woman of the Year Kate Hardcastle, of business transformation company Insight with Passion. The Flower Shop was recognised for its “personable staff, incredible product offer and ability to deliver the “wow” factor to those visiting their store or receiving an arrangement”. Both businesses were selected following mystery shopper visits to their premises. They received window badges to display – showing their success in the initiative, which aims to encourage and reward small and medium-sized UK businesses in the retail and service sectors for their positive attitude towards their customers. Stephie Brook, co-owner of The Flower Shop, said: “It is a tremendous achievement for our team to receive such a special award as we always try to ensure we offer all our customers the best and it will help inspire us to perform to even higher levels.” Shoppers can nominate their favourite retailer by emailing nominate@customerattheheart.co.uk
■ FARE DEAL: Branch manager Julia Barrow (right) with colleagues (from left) Carolyne Joyce, Sue Riley, Sarah Boyes and Peter Jennings STAFF at a building society branch in Huddersfield raised cash for Kirkwood Hospice with a Christmas event. Branch manager Julia Barrow and her team at the Skipton Building Society in Ramsden Street invited shoppers to share festive treats of home-baked cakes, mince pies and a glass of sherry in exchange for a small donation to the hospice at Dalton. Said Julia: “Everyone loves a glass of sherry and a mince pie at this time of year, so we decided to hold a
special day for people to pop in and get in the festive mood!” In March, the building society’s charitable foundation donated £2,500 to Kirkwood Hospice. The money was used to purchase an interactive smart board to enable group participation in art classes in Kirkwood’s therapy centre. The board also doubles up as a valuable teaching aid for health care staff.
Home run for charity A COMPANY providing affordable housing has raised more than £5,000 to charity. Southdale, which partnered Kirklees Council on the redevelopment of housing at Brackenhall, raised the cash for Diamond Blackfan Anaemia UK, a charity supporting research into a rare blood disorder. Southdale staff took part in numerous fundraising activities to raise the money for DBA UK, including participating in the Great North Run and the Coast to Coast Bike Ride. A cheque for £3,672.54 has been handed over to the charity – with a further £1,774 raised through the Just Giving website as part of the Great North Run fundraising. Other fund raising activity included an internal football tournament, dress down days, coffee mornings and internal raffles. Southdale decided to support the charity upon learning that one of its site managers, Kevin Tovey, had a nephew who had been diagnosed with the condition, which is characterised by an inability to produce red blood cells which are vital to transport oxygen around the body. The condition is extremely rare, affecting approximately 125 people in the UK and only 600-700 worldwide. It requires intensive therapy and there is no known