MARK WILLIAMS
FTSE 100 +63.50 6804.08
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015
Fighting the fire Interview - Page 3
1
MARK WEEKS When the dust settles Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
The first phase of a major regeneration of the 13-acre Park Valley Mills site in Lockwood is now complete and fully let – providing more than 70 jobs. The site, which is owned by Holmfirth Dyers, is being transformed into a highquality business park featuring 18 brand-new industrial units with office and storage space. Park Valley Mills had previously been derelict for many years with buildings falling into disrepair. Now the revamped site off Meltham Road has attracted a clutch of companies providing more than 70 jopbs. The final two units in the first phase – accounting for 45,560sq ft – have been leased to Distinct Disposables. Founded in 1987, the family-owned company is a one-stop shop for the distribution of cleaning and janitorial products to customers across West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Manchester. Director Emma Wood said: “Our new units at Park Valley Mills are three times the size of our current premises in Meltham and are perfect for the future growth plans of the business. We feel at home already. It is perfect.” Holmfirth Dyers managing director
■■ Emma Wood (left) and Paul Storer (second right), of Distinct Disposables, with Mike Haigh (second left), of Dove Haigh Phillips, and Martin Duckett, of Holmfirth Dyers
Martin Duckett said work on phase two – which features 9,250sq ft of industrial space divided into units as required – had now been completed. Talks were well advanced with two potential occupiers to take more than 6,200 sq ft. He said: “There is a distinct lack of high-quality units in Huddersfield, so we have not been surprised by the
demand for our attractive and practical modern units, which start from 2,200 sq ft and can be adapted to suit. “Our aim, which is now being achieved, is to create opportunities for local businesses and to encourage them to come to a site in attractive peaceful surroundings, yet situated close to the centre of Huddersfield.” Tenants on site already are Holmfirth
Dyers itself, which has taken 9,700 sq ft of manufacturing and storage space; heating and air conditioning company Midland Jay, which has taken 2,200 sq ft; Process Imaging Equipment Services, with 2,200 sq ft; and Denby Dale Coffee Ltd, which has also taken 2,200 sq ft. Mike Haigh, partner with property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips, which is agent on the site, said: “This is a superb development for Huddersfield, which is already creating jobs and regenerating the area. “Holmfirth Dyers must be congratulated on building speculatively in a challenging commercial property market. “The company has tremendous faith in the Huddersfield area and is delighted to welcome new occupiers to this site, which has a proud history and a great future.” Paul Kemp, assistant director for investment and regeneration at Kirklees Council, said: “The council welcomes the fact that a successful local company is leading on a scheme to provide muchneeded expansion space for businesses to the Huddersfield area.” The site already houses a state-of-theart dyehouse – the first of its kind to be built in the UK for 20 years. The dyehouse, which is capable of handling 50 tonnes of material a week, has created five jobs with more expected as production increases.
Law firm on takeover trail following bank funding deal An award-winning law firm with offices in Huddersfield and Dewsbury is set for expansion. Switalskis Solicitors, which has nine offices across Yorkshire specialising in areas including family law, clinical negligence and probate as well as residential and commercial conveyancing, is set to increase staffing levels and seek out acquisition following a funding deal with Yorkshire Bank. Switalskis was founded in Wakefield in 1993 by the late Stephen Switalski, specialising in child care and criminal law. From one office the firm has grown into one of Yorkshire’s largest practices, with more than 220 staff – 120 of whom are
■■ John Durkan, of Switalskis
practicing and fee-earning lawyers and solicitors. The firm now commands a £10m annual turnover and has seen 15% to 20% year-on-year
income growth for the last three years. It has been named Yorkshire Legal Firm of the Year three times and at the 2014 Personal Injury Awards was awarded the Personal Injury Team of the Year, Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year and Case of the Year honours. Following changes to the Legal Aid system, the firm has worked to diversify and increase the number of specialist practice areas. A series of acquisitions and senior appointments has helped to balance its Legal Aid-funded work so that it now makes up less than half of all fee income. In April, 2013, Switalskis
acquired firm Burridge Bloss in York. This followed the 2012 acquisitions of Parker Bird Gardner Solicitors in Huddersfield and Green Williamson Solicitors in Wakefield, Pontefract and Leeds. Managing director John Durkan said recently-added practice areas such as conveyancing, clinical negligence, probate and supporting the victims of abuse were expected to grow by 30% over the next year – generating a combined turnover in excess of £4.5m. This growth is being supported by reinvestment of profits in the company and by Yorkshire Bank. The deal with Yorkshire Bank was completed by Pete Sumn-
ers, business development manager based at the bank’s business and private banking centre in Leeds. David Maybury, head of the business and private banking centre, said: “Switalskis’ breadth and depth of expertise has gained it an unrivalled reputation in a number of areas and we are looking forward to working with the management team to develop their services.” He added; “We fully expect that growth to continue as its expertise becomes more widely recognised. As economic conditions continue to improve, we are strengthening our support for growing legal firms across Yorkshire and the UK.”
PR prize for Anne Huddersfield University professor Anne Gregory has been honoured for her work on strategic communications. Anne, who is professor of corporate communications, strategy, marketing and economics, collaborated with Prof Robert Heath, of the University of Houston, to produce Strategic Communications, a four-volume anthology that is now regarded as the “bible” for this branch of public relations. it comes as Anne has been recognised for her key role in developing the standing of her profession in the UK by being made an honorary fellows of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
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Block booking A powerful tenant has taken space at a Kirklees business park. Northern Power Grid has taken the whole of Block A at Centurion Way on Access 26 business park at Cleckheaton. The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank and Leeds commercial property specialist Carter Towler advised on the letting of the 10,000 sq ft unit. Centurion Way was speculatively built by St Paul’s Street Investments Ltd. The rent is £6.50 per sq ft.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
WPP boss Sorrell scoops £36m under bonus plan WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell is to scoop £36m from the advertising company’s controversial executive bonus scheme, it has been revealed. Sir Martin will receive the maximum amount of shares under the long-term incentive plan after the value of the business jumped by £10bn in five years. The long-time WPP boss and 16 other executives all had to commit shares to participate in the scheme, which allowed them to receive up to five times as many shares dependent on performance. The scheme was scrapped by the company in 2012 amid a shareholder revolt, but executives are still able to participate based on the share purchases they made in the years prior to its replacement. The latest payout means Sir Martin, who is already regarded as the highest paid chief executive in the FTSE 100, is set to receive more than £40m in total pay and awards for 2014. His latest pay-out is likely to stoke anger over executive pay, with the Institute of Directors recently forecasting it was likely to be an issue in the run-up to the general election. WPP’s annual report is due at the end of April.
■■ Sir Martin Sorrell is set to provoke anger over his £36m bonus
Doubt over Lafarge deal The £5bn sale of the UK’s biggest cement maker to Ireland’s CRH has been thrown into doubt after a setback in the merger of Lafarge and Holcim. Dubling-based CRH has agreed to buy Lafarge Tarmac, which employs 6,600 staff at 330 sites in a deal seen as key to smoothing the regulatory path for the 42bn euro (£30bn) merger of France’s Lafarge and Swiss firm Holcim to create the world’s largest cement group. Last April, the pair agreed the mega-merger in a deal where Lafarge shareholders received one Holcim share for each Lafarge share. Since then Holcim’s shares have outperformed Lafarge’s stock. Now Holcim said it has “concluded that the combination agreement can no longer be pursued in its present form, and has proposed to enter into negotiations in good faith around the exchange ratio and governance issues.” Lafarge said it “remains committed to the project.” It said the board was willing to explore the possibility of a revision of the parity, in line with recent market conditions, but it will not accept any other modification of the terms of the existing agreements.” The move throws into jeopardy Dublin-based CRH’s acquisition which includes assets covering operations in Europe, North America and emerging markets.
Sir Martin joined WPP in 1986 and has turned the business into one of the world’s biggest advertising and marketing companies, with about 180,000 staff and UK agencies including Burson-Marsteller, Ogilvy and RLM Finsbury. He is also a non-executive director of Formula One. The company, which has its main management office in London and its executive office in Dublin, is currently worth more than £20bn and last year generated revenues of £11.5bn and pre-tax profits of £1.68bn. WPP pointed out that £1,000 invested in the company in January, 2010, increased to £2,207 by the end of 2014 compared with £1,213 if invested in the FTSE 100 Index. WPP chairman Philip Lader said “This senior management incentive compensation plan required substantial personal, long-term investment by the participants, exceptional corporate performance over five years and was approved by an 83% supporting vote of share owners.” Sir Martin has sold 48% of his shares award in order to cover tax liabilities on the plan.
Name change for travel business
Yorkshire outperforms the rest
A former part of the Co-operative Group has been rebranded in a decisive break with the troubled mutual. Co-operative Travel Management has been relaunched as Clarity Travel Management, with its new owners putting £500,000 into the firm to upgrade its technology and software. The firm, which employs 230 staff, was bought by Middle Eastern-based Mawasem Trav-
Yorkshire manufacturers are continuing to lead the way – once again putting in a stronger performance than any other region, according to research by insolvency trade body R3. The latest figures for March, 2015, reveal that only 20.9% of manufacturing firms in Yorkshire have a higher than normal risk of insolvency, the smallest proportion of any of the 12 regions surveyed
el & Tourism for £13.5m last May. The business was a joint venture, 33.5% owned by the Co-op and the Midlands Co-operative Group with the rest held by UK travel firm Thomas Cook. The Manchester-based firm, which counts construction firm AMEY, Macmillan Cancer Care and the NSPCC as clients, said its new “go2” software will allow it to track the business people who use its services.
Clarity chief executive Pat McDonagh said: “The world can be a dangerous place and if a problem does occur, like the Paris terrorist attacks, a chief executive needs to know instantly if he has any people in that location. That is what our go2 track tool provides.” The business, which turned over £130m last year, was launched in 2006 and has been run as a joint venture with Thomas Cook since 2011.
across the UK. This compares with a UK average of 23.4% – with London showing the most manufacturing firms at risk (30.4%), followed by the South East (24.5%) and Wales (24%). Yorkshire also saw a slight decrease in the proportion of high risk businesses in the sector since the previous month, with 874 firms identified as being at higher than normal risk in March out of
11,710 active manufacturing companies in the region. Chris Wood, Yorkshire R3 committee member and partner at Clough Corporate Solutions in Cleckheaton, said: “After a fairly strong recovery in 2014, British manufacturing suffered a year-end dip, but now seems to be back on track with output rising to a seven month high in February, fuelled by domestic demand.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN
American Express Chevron Du Pont Exxon Mobil Gannett Hess Corp Microsoft Motors Liquidation Wal-Mart Stores Wrigleys
£54.74 £68.95 £52.64 £56.61 £24.20 £46.34 £27.83 50.52 £55.99 £53.87
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
Avon Rbbr BAE Systems Chemring Cobham Meggitt Rolls-Royce Senior
AIM
600 Group API Grp Brady Plc Highland Gold Mining Johnson Service Grp London Security M”S Intl Nichols Redhall Group Scapa Grp Youngs GKN Barclays
7951/2 538 2163/4 3237/8 5871/2 9701/2 3337/8 18 59 951/2 35 72 £231/8 1381/2 1157 141/4 1401/4 1035
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS BANKS
3741/4 2517/8
+0.45 +0.51 -1.58 +0.12 +0.24 -0.13 -0.04 +0.82 -11/2 +51/2 -1/2 +31/2 +121/2 +1 +57/8
Bk Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Ryl Scotland Stan Chart Barr (AG) Diageo SABMiller Croda Elementis 98 Johnsn Mat
+18 -11/4 +171/2 +51/2 +17/8
-3/8 +3/4 +3/8 -43/4 +11/8
640 1893 £37
-4 +29 +5/8
BEVERAGES
CHEMICALS
£275/8 2813/4 £331/8
+1/4 +13/4 +5/8
2317/8 1731 3163/4 61 2651/4
+41/2 -80 -2 +1/4 +53/4
3601/2 1469
-163/4 +7
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
Balfour Beatty C”R”H Costain Low Bonar Marshalls Drax Gp SSE
-31/4
261/2 562 793/8 3511/2 9561/4
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Domino Ptg Laird Morgan Advanced Ox Instmts Volex
944 3481/4 3361/2 831 641/2
-3 +31/2 +91/2 -21/2
510 1351/2 3121/2 2601/2 1911/2
+131/4
EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
Alliance Trust Br Assets Candover Inv Dunedin Inv Dunedin Sml
-7 /2 +21/2 +3/4
Edin Invst Electra Private Equity Forgn & C Henderson Smllr Cos North American Inc Scot Am Scottish Mortgage Witan
6691/2 £311/8 4535/8 6031/2 868 2351/4 2593/4 787
+3 -1/4 +65/8 +61/2 +3 +21/4 +13
FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BT Grp Cable & Wireless Comm Colt Group KCOM Talktalk Telecom
451 /8 59 1441/8 921/4 3487/8 5
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS
Morrison W Sainsbury Tesco Thorntons AB Food Carrs Millg REA Hldgs Tate Lyle Unilever
205 /4 2685/8 2413/8 70 3
FOOD PRODUCERS
- /4 +5/8 -7/8 -1/2 +115/8 1
+1 /4 +91/2 +81/2 -2 3
£301/2 136 3211/2 6121/2 £287/8
+5/8 -15/8 +91/4 -1/2 +3/8
2391/4 8511/4 8031/2 1962 8961/2
+13/8 +1/2 +1/2 +15 +21/2
4843/4 1640
+33/4 +17
GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES
Centrica National Grid Pennon Grp Severn United Utils
1
3i Group Close Bros
GENERAL FINANCIAL
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
136 /4 2651/4 8511/4 1781 1
+ /4 +53/4 +1/2 -7 1
FTSE closed at up 63.50 548 £253/8 1973/4 £275/8 £325/8 £247/8
+2 +1/2 +27/8 +11/4 +5/8 +3/8
376 /8 1179
+4 /8 +16
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS
Smith DS Smiths Grp
7
GENERAL RETAILERS
Ashley L Dixons Carphone Home Retail Inchcape Kingfisher M & S Mothercare Next Signet Jewelers WH Smith
271/4 4305/8 176 787 367 506 1883/4 £751/2 £85 1295
7
-1/4 +37/8 -43/8 +8 +121/4 +123/8 -3/4 +2 +11/2 +7
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Smith Nph
1146
991/2 521 1936 1743 £59 1501/2
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
6804.08
ICAP London StockExch Man Group Provident Financial Schroders Schroders NV
Aga Rangemaster Barrat Dev Bellway Persimmon Reckitt Benckiser Taylor Wimpey
+13
Fenner I”M”I Molins Renold Spirax-Sarco Weir Grp Ferrexpo
-11/2 +31/2 +2 +5/8 +17/8
1911/4 1337 78 591/4 £34 1781
INDUSTRIAL METALS
-1/4 -2 +1/2 -7
60 /4
+2 /4
3383/4
+31/2
3
3
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION
BBA Aviation
LIFE INSURANCE
Aviva Friends Life Gp Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Standard Life
D Mail Tst ITV Johnston Press Pearson Reed Elsevier Sky STV Group Trinity Mirror
MEDIA
5481/2 +51/2 4191/8 +53/8 7 290 /8 +51/8 227 +45/8 17011/2 +311/2 1 468 /2 +121/2 881 2551/4 1611/2 1481 1145 1002 3721/2 188
+51/2 +41/2 +51/2 +27 +20 +6 -121/2 -1/4
Utd Business UTV WPP
546 1771/2 1558
MINING
Anglo American Antofagasta BHP Billiton Fresnillo Kaz Minerals Lonmin Rio Tinto VEDANTA RESOURCES
+4 -31/4 -6
10551/2 +1/2 707 +81/2 1416 +261/2 6481/2 +2 +23/8 2003/8 111 -13/8 £281/2 +3/8 4475/8 -391/8
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Inmarsat Vodafone Group
9401/2 2225/8
NONLIFE INSURANCE
Admiral Grp Jardine LloydThomson Marsh McL RSA Ins Gp
+171/2 +35/8
1509 1040 £383/8 4191/2
+6 -2 +1/2 -1
822 4175/8 1503/4 1201/4 19351/2 £201/4 £317/8 2811/4
+93/8 -5/8 -13/8 -93/4 +14 +1/4 -171/8
10553/8 825 6051/2
-1 +31/2
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS
BG BP Cairn Energy Premier Oil Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Total Tullow Oil
OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
AMEC Petrofac Wood Gp(J)
PERSONAL GOODS
Burberry Gp PZ Cussons
1890 3301/2
+46 +61/8
£46 /8 1577 £551/4
+ /4 +17
836 8101/2 664 3463/8 1233 427
+111/2 +9 +81/2 +43/8 +13 +51/4
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
Astrazeneca GlaxoSmithKline Shire
3
REAL ESTATE
Brit Land Gt Portland Hamrsn Intu Properties Land Secs SEGRO
3
SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICES
Sage Group
4741/4
+11/2
1123 1855 1172 1541/2 543 2433/4 2433/4 1115 2941/8 1553/4 3371/4 599 3811/2 605 1881/4 1407/8 1945 £411/2
-2 +11 -1 +21/2 +3 -3/4 -3/4 -15 +13/4 -13/4 +17/8 -1 +43/4 -10 -15/8 +23/4 +5 +1/2
SUPPORT SERVICES
Berendsen Bunzl Capita Connect Group De La Rue Elctro Com Electrocomp Experian G4S Hays Homeserve Interserve Menzies J Northgate Prem Farnell Rentokil Travis & P Wolseley
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT
ARM Hldgs IBM Spirent Comms
TOBACCO
Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
1205 £105 873/4
+19 +11/8 +31/4
£371/8 £313/4
+5/8 +3/4
821/4 £32 1177 1734 1033/4 95 £251/2 854 £263/4 580 111 152 461 2785/8 1021/2 1895/8 702 7805/8 3421/4 £537/8 3801/2
+1/8 +5/8 +10 +3 -2 -27/8 -3/8 -1/2 +3/8 +41/2 -2 +3/4 -13/4 -11/4 -1/2 -3/8 +4 +85/8 -3/8 +1/2 +33/8
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Marston’s Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Punch Taverns Rank Org Restaurant Grp Ryanair Stagecoach Group Whitbread William Hill FTSE 100 FTSE 250
INDEX
6804.08 17200.95
+63.50 +91.48
3
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Beating the drum for fire safety There’s no mistaking Mark Williams’ sporting allegiance. The managing director of Elland-based passive fire protection company Checkmate Fire Solutions has been watching his beloved Bradford City since the age of seven. His office features autographed team pictures and memorabilia from the club. At one stage, the company was a corporate sponsor, but now Mark prefers to watch as a fan in the stands rather than miss the match because he’s too busy dishing out the prawn sandwiches. “I have been a season ticket holder for many years,” he says. “I go to all the home games. The company had a box at the stadium for two years when Bradford were in League Two. Now, when I go there I’m just a fan. Corporate entertaining is alright, but I enjoy being a ‘proper’ fan.” The football ‘stuff’ competes for wall space in Mark’s office with framed posters and images reflecting his other great passion – playing drums with a band of like-minded musicians. “I started playing the drums eight years ago when I was 42,” he says. “I took it up and within a few months we were gigging. It was great. When I was a kid growing up in Bradford, another pupil brought his drum kit into school one day and I thought ‘wow’. Years later, I took lessons and now the band does gigs twice a month at pubs in Halifax, Bradford and Ilkley. “We play everything from The Beatles and The Who to The Jam, The Sex Pistols and Abba. “It requires a different kind of concentration to work. You have to give work your full attention because if you don’t you will lose out. It’s great to be up on stage playing and seeing peope enjoying it – and thinking ‘we’re making this happen.’ “My only regret is that I don’t have enough time to practice. We could be better musicians – but we all have jobs!” Checkmate, which launched in 1991, specialises in surveying and installing passive fire protec-
tion in buildings such as offices, student flats and sports arenas. Services include inspecting and fitting fire walls, fire doors and fire dampers as well as installing partitions and fire barriers in roofs, ceilings, raised floors and curtain wall voids. Among notable contracts, the company – which also has a site in Essex to serve London and the south-east and operates across the Arabian Gulf with agencies in Dubai and Bahrain – has installed products in such diverse locations as London’s Tower Bridge, the O2 Arena, Gatwick Airport, RAF Brize Norton and the Lincolnshire headquarters of Interflora. Mark joined Checkmate in 2000 as contracts manager, having previously been a supplier to the firm. He was made a shareholder in 2003 as part of a management buy-out of the business and became a director in 2007 before rising to managing director. Mark, who was born in Queensbury and still lives in Bradford, said: “I started as a bricklayer. I left school at 16 and left sixth form after three months because I wanted to get a job. I put myself through college to get City & Guilds in bricklaying, but I couldn’t see myself working on a building site for the rest of my days. I spent some time hiring tools to construction sites and then worked in sales with HILTY
Mark Williams
for nine-and-a-half years. “The customers we sold to included Checkmate. They approached me and asked if I would be interested in joining them. I was in my mid-30s and looking for a bit of a change. It was a massive shock to the system moving from sales to managing a team of people, having to organise men and equipment as contracts manager. I didn’t just have to look after myself, but also the people I was working with.” Being in charge of people proved a challenge in itself. “You expect people to work the same way as you,” says Mark. “Some people go to work and – with the best will in the world – they spend their time looking at the clock because they can’t wait to get away again. Others have gone to work elsewhere – and come back because they trust us as employers.” Says Mark: “We insist on high quality work. We ask people to ‘up their game’ because we are great believers in delivering high quality services. “We have accreditations that have helped us raise the bar. We joined the British Research Establishment Passive Fire Scheme in 1997 as a founder member and we have joined other schemes since. It’s a badge of honour for us. BRE audits our site work, processes and operations in the office.
■■ Mark Williams is all fired up about the future of Elland firm Checkmate
“After every job we do, we issue a certificate of conformity. We deliver training seminars on a national basis for people from various institutions and companies, which has also helped us gain orders. We have given presentations everywhere from West Yokshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters in Birkenshaw to a fire service HQ in Devon.” Sadly, not all buildings have adequate passive fire protection, says Mark – and some modern structures are the worst, he claims. “The biggest danger is smoke,” says Mark. “It’s getting people to understand that while their new building looks lovely, if you look beneath the surface things aren’t always so pretty. “Any buildings with sleeping accommodation are potentially at serious risk – hospitals, care homes and student flats, for example.” And there are always some who will cut corners. “They think they can seal walls and cavities with a bit of squirty foam or mastic,” says Mark. “Some people are willing to gamble. As a result, you see landlords prosecuted and NHS trusts served with enforcement notices.” Meanwhile, Checkmate is firing up for the future. The company moved from “shabby” premises in Brighouse to modern offices at Lowfields Business Park in November last year – while its London office is expanding into neighbouring premises as well as recruiting three additional staff. Now Mark is drumming up more business when he’s not drumming with the band – and he’s keen for Checkmate to top the charts! “Since we moved to Elland, we have got busier,” he says. “Now I am focusing on developing the company’s PR and strategy. “We are in a modern office building ideally located for our work along the M62 corridor. We have partnered with a company which makes fire resistant glass and we have the sole licence for Britain and Northern Ireland. We’re in a very competitive market, but we are in the top five companies in that market.”
Role: Managing director Age: 49 Family: Married to Sophie with son Tom, 20, and daughter Abbie, 17 Holidays: My wife and I have been studying Spanish for three years so we go to Spanish-speaking countries. I’m also going to New York for my 50th birthday Car: BMW 5 Series First job: I worked for a labourer filling skips and digging holes to put myself through college Best thing about the job? I like meeting different people. We take pride in what we do and we are respected in the industry Worst thing about the job? When people choose the cheapest option – because they don’t understand what they are getting for the price they pay Business tip: Go with your gut feeling, but listen to others and seek advice. No one has all the answers
Checkmate Fire Solutions Work: Passive fire protection installation services Site: Lowfields Business Park, Elland Phone: 01422 376436 Email: info@checkmatefire.com Web: www.checkmatefire.com
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4
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
■■ Andrew Firth (right), of Birstall-based Ascensor, with David Whitehead, director of Allied Ventura Ltd
Digital contract wins recognition A digital agency in Kirklees has been recognised in a new government study into small firms. Ascensor, based at Birstall, features in the Report on Small Firms 201-15 prepared by Lord Young, the Prime Minister’s adviser on enterprise. The report draws together recommendations and results from Lord Young’s papers on small firms and enterprise and some of the wider developments that have raised ambition about enterprise and enabled entrepreneurs to build successful businesses. Ascensor’s work with Halifax-based specialist vehicle leasing firm Allied Vehicle Contracts (Allied Ventura) has been recognised in the study. Ascensor helped the firm to benefit from a government Growth Voucher which provided £2,000 of match funding for digital marketing consultancy. Ascensor helped the company to generate significant growth in the online presence of its new website. In all Ascensor, has helped more than 30 Yorkshirebased businesses to access the government funding to contribute towards their services in the last six months. For businesses with fewer than 50 full-time staff support is available. The voucher scheme is set to run out on March 31. Applications take less than five minutes to complete and decisions are generally instant. Ascensor owner Andrew Firth, said: “The internet presents a huge opportunity for businesses to grow and when used properly can have a huge effect on their success. This means it is important for businesses to have an understanding of the online world. “Even in the UK today, many businesses don’t have a grasp of their online potential and people still refer to some practices as a ‘dark art’. “This is not the case – digital marketing is not only very effective but is also very measurable. It is important that businesses take advice to ensure that if they pay for services they understand what they are getting and when they have received a service they can properly evaluate it.”
Speaker’s corner Huddersfield woman Gina Battye has beaten hundreds of hopefuls to be shortlisted for the Speaker of the Year category at the Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers and Consultants (APCTC) Awards. Gina, of Quarmby-based Health By Gina Ltd, stood out from the hundreds that were nominated for the 12 categories of the APCTC awards, which will be held on March 27 in London. Judges selected her as one of only seven shortlisted for the category. Now she is relying on her promotional video, in which she addresses a room of 200 professional speakers on how to become healthier and happier, to secure votes from the public. Once voting has closed, it is then up to the APCTC judges to make the final decision on which of the top scoring shortlisted finalists receives the award for each category. Gina said: “Being a finalist for Speaker of the Year is such an honour. Awards like this give recognition to professionals for their contribution to the industry. I am proud to be representing the speaking industry when I stand for this award.”
KIRKLEES BUS
Dust storm facing construction firms Workers believe the construction industry needs to do more to face up to the challenge that dust created on the job poses to employees’ health, according to research. Over 500 UK construction workers a year die from lung cancer caused by silica, with construction dust also causing other serious lung diseases like asthma, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. A newly-published industry survey conducted jointly by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Construction Dust Partnership (CDP) has now found that workers feel the issue needs to be made more of a focus. When asked what priority they think the industry currently puts on the control of construction dust risks, a total of 44% of responders to the survey answered “very little”. Only 12.5% said they felt it was “a priority health issue”. The findings come after IOSH recently launched the “No Time to Lose” campaign, which aims to highlight occupational cancers and educate businesses in how to take preventative action. Around 8,000 deaths a year in the UK are caused by occupational cancer, with silica dust among the carcinogens being highlighted by No Time to Lose. The report clearly details that not only is the use of extraction and dust suppressant equipment not appropri-
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Weeks ately used, but the comments received also suggest that there is a confused picture about its availability, effectiveness and suitability for different tasks. There is a serious gap in information, instruction and training that we must rectify. The survey aimed to provide an insight into issues associated with onsite dust risks, and how they are controlled. More than 600 workers from throughout the construction industry responded to the survey, with 61% of responses coming from safety and health advisors working in the sector. The questionnaire was divided into seven sections covering construction dust risk awareness, control through design and alternative work methods, water suppression, dust extraction, respiratory protective equipment, other control issues and biographical data. It found that responders felt there was currently a lack of priority given to this issue by companies, poor aware-
ness of the risks among workers and little attempt to design out dust risks. Those surveyed also felt there existed a poor understanding and use of ontool extraction, an over-reliance on respiratory protective equipment as the main form of controlling the dust risk and inadequate management arrangements to control dust. However, it was also generally found that there is an improving picture of control through the use of water suppression and better compliance by those who are more informed about the risks and the controls needed. In conclusion, the report says: “This survey highlights the fact that the construction industry often poorly understands and controls dust risks. Given the serious health risks and the impact that this has on the lives of workers, the industry now has to face up to this challenge. The industry creates this risk. It now needs to acknowledge it, own it and deal with it.
Mark Weeks is a risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd
Recruitment agency is on the right road A recruitment company is gearing up for expansion. Driver Recruitment Agency, which supplies drivers for haulage companies and other clients across West Yorkshire, has set its sights on doubling its turnover and adding more drivers to its books over the next 12 months. It is also updating its website. The Honley-based firm was launched in July, 2013, by Andy Thorp and his father Peter. Andy has about 12 years experience in driver recruitment while Peter has a background in financial services, having run his own business for more than 30 year. Andy said: “I was working in Leeds for a big national recruitment company, but I
■■ Driver Recruitment Agency’s Peter and Andy Thorp
grew disillusioned and decided that given my experience I should have a go myself. “Basically, we started with no drivers and no customers, so we got on the road
knocking on doors and advertising for drivers. “We now have 15 to 20 drivers on the books – people who had been out of work or simply wanted a change.
“We provide cover for busy periods, holidays or lastminute absences as well as having several regular contracts where our drivers are in week after week.” Driver Recruitment has clients in Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield, Sheffield, Barnsley and surrounding areas. Andy said: “Speaking to our clients, the economy is picking up now, although it is slow progress. “We have doubled our turnover since starting and we aim to double it again in the next 12 months. We are also looking to recruit more drivers, although it is important to get the right people. We have clients who ask for drivers by name.”
Northern Gas Networks wins two national awards Gas distributor Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has won two national awards. The firm, which has a site at Liversedge, won two of the seven categories in which it was nominated at the Insti-
tute of Customer Service 2015 Customer Satisfaction Awards in London. NGN overcame competition from big names including Marks & Spencer, Sky, LV= and Volkswagen to take
the InMoment Customer Commitment Award and the Quality Service Provider Award – and build on the success of seven customer award wins in the final quarter of 2014.
The judges said: “NGN not only received a high score in the UK Customer Satisfaction Index, but also actively encourages other utilities to learn from its example.”
■■ James Howard, own director of Yorkshire Pa
Warning card pa
Small businesses ments have been aler transactions from pay The warning com payment provider based in Brighouse, w range of merchant se the region and beyon The company is hig from its previous “p fee to one that is now centage rate, plus a p charge based on com action volume and value. Yorkshire Payment increased costs for sm businesses processing actions. James Howard, o director at Yorkshire smaller businesses, w tion sizes and values is a possibility that th pence per transaction on Visa debit card t higher to cover Visa’s The changes were 1. They also see an end on “contactless” debi retailers who offer th ment option. Mr Howard said: “Th likely to affect the cos with offering paymen their customers. “I would encoura homework on how t be calculated and s required to avoid an es.”
Late pay
THE late payment pro an issue for almost t Yorkshire and Humbe as 29% of firms claimi than it was 12 months A further 68% of tho by late payments say improved in the last y The findings come Brothers Business Ba survey that canvasses owners and manager tors across the UK.
5
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015
SINESS NEWS
local
Conditions are right for renewed growth
owner and managing e Payments, said: “For where average transactend to be lower, there he percentage rate plus n that they are charged transactions could be fixed cost elements.” introduced on March d to separate discounts it card transactions for his “tap and go” pay-
Investors were shaken out of their complacency in the final quarter of 2014 as equity markets suffered two notable setbacks and bond yields fell sharply. But calm was quickly restored as growth fears abated and central banks continued to provide support. Bonds and equities made a strong start to 2015, although bond yields in the UK and US have risen sharply from their lows. There have been some extraordinary movements in certain markets. The Brent oil price, which was stable around $110 until the late summer, fell as low as $46 during January before recovering to around $60. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) surprised everyone by cutting the Franc’s peg to the Euro, thus allowing a near 20% appreciation in the currency. We had been predicting that markets would become more volatile, although at the same time remaining committed to equities as our preferred asset class based on long-term return projections. This thesis was tested, but remains intact. Another key trend to emerge has been the strength of the US Dollar as markets bet that the Federal Reserve will be the first major central bank to raise interest rates while many others remain committed to looser monetary policy. Global equities ended February very close to their all-time highs, while bond yields in many countries, notably Germany, closed at or near all-time lows. This appears to be sending very mixed messages about the health of the global economy, but also acknowledges the influence of continued unprecedented mone-
The recent changes are sts that SMEs associate nt by Visa debit card to
Take up tax break, firms are urged
ner and managing ayments in Brighouse
g over ayments
accepting card payrted to new debit card yment giant Visa. mes from independent Yorkshire Payments, which provides a wide ervices to businesses in nd. ghlighting Visa’s move pence-per-transaction” w calculated as a perpence per transaction mpany turnover, transd average transaction
ts said this could mean mall to medium sized g Visa debit card trans-
age them to do their their charges will now seek expert advice if ny unexpected surpris-
y persists
oblem continues to be two-fifths of SMEs in erside – with as many ing that it is worse now s ago. ose negatively affected y the situation hasn’t year. e from the latest Close arometer, a quarterly s the opinion of SME rs from a range of sec-
Kirklees employers have been urged not to miss out on a new tax breaks for employing young people. Nick Brook (right), who runs TaxAssist Accountants at Lockwood, said local business owners employing people aged 16 to 21 will not have to pay secondary National Insurance contributions for them after April 6 if they each earning below £815 a week. For young employees earning £12,000 a year, this would mean a £500 saving for the employer and for those earning £16,000 a year, more than £1,000. Mr Brook said: “That is a major incentive for many small businesses who are considering taking on more staff as the economic outlook improves.” The tax break, announced
CITY TALK Nick Gartland
■■ US interest rates matter as the dollar is the world’s reserve currency
tary intervention by central banks around the world. The main topics on investors’ agendas currently are the impending rise in US interest rates and the outlook for the Eurozone. US interest rates are important because the dollar remains the world’s reserve currency. Dollar interest rates have been effectively zero since 2009 in response to the financial crisis and it is not clear how raising the price of money will affect the global economy and financial markets. The Federal Reserve (the Fed) has “printed” more dollars than have been required to fund growth and the surplus liquidity has been channelled into financial and
physical assets. Unlike in previous cycles, the Fed will be starting from a position where interest rates are lower than core inflation – so-called negative real interest rates – so policy will hardly be tight by historical standards. However, markets are often more concerned with changes of direction and the trend of future movements, and it is this transition that promises to introduce uncertainty. Of course, we cannot dismiss the fact that at the beginning of 2014 the majority opinion was that the Fed would raise rates within the year and that did not happen. It is certainly not beyond the bounds of possibility that the situation is replayed in 2015 if growth disappoints or US inflation remains well below target. Another imponderable is the fact that for the first time in several years the world’s major central banks are pulling in opposing directions. While the Fed might raise rates the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will still be imposing extremely loose monetary conditions. The BOJ and the ECB are now
Nick Gartland, Senior Financial Planning Director, Investec Wealth & Investment
both committed to Quantitative Easing (QE). Europe and Japan are struggling to grow and inflation remains perilously close to zero (in fact the headline rate in Europe is now negative) as historic debt burdens and poor demographics (ageing populations) deter consumers from borrowing. It remains to be seen whether a newly printed Euro or Yen has the same stimulatory power as a newly printed dollar, but the differential in policies will continue to exert downward pressure on both the Euro and the Yen. 2014 turned out to be a tougher year than we anticipated. Although we were right to believe that equities would not become more highly valued, the earnings growth that we anticipated failed to materialise in the face of weak commodity prices and sluggish economies in Europe and China particularly. Meanwhile bond yields resumed their downward path as inflation fell and long-term trend growth estimates were trimmed. Bond investors who were brave enough to go against the consensus and invest in longer duration assets were the standout winners. We observe that it is very rare for bonds to present investors with consecutive years of such returns, and indeed the implications for global growth would be worryingly negative if 2014’s bond returns are replicated in 2015. We continue to believe that many of the necessary conditions are in place for renewed growth, including a much better capitalised banking system, highly accommodative monetary policy and now cheaper energy.
Hands-on export help for firms Almost 200 Yorkshire firms are getting hands-on government support to explore export markets, latest figures revealed. Nationally, more than 3,000 medium-sized businesses (MSBs) are receiving help to explore overseas markets from UK Trade & Investment. In Yorkshire, 186 companies are working with UKTI – including 66 which have signed up to programmes in the last 12 months. It means almost a third of all MSBs in the region are now working with UKTI Yorkshire & Humber. Mark Robson, UKTI regional director, said: “In Yorkshire, we have been quick out of the blocks to support MSBs and it is hugely encouraging that just under a third are now working with UKTI to grow their overseas business. “It is a healthy total, especially in the context that a substantial number of the remaining twothirds are less likely to require our support because of the nature of their business/operation. “That said, we are continuing to engage and are determined to work with even more local MSBs in the new financial year ahead. “In order to continue building our understanding of their business needs, we will be sitting down with groups of MSB clients in the next few weeks to better understand what support they need from us and our partners.” MSBs account for about a fifth of employment and 25% of turnover in the UK.
Wealth & Investment. A wealth of know-how in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, follows the introduction of the Employment Allowance in April, 2014, which cut up to £2,000 from NI contributions for qualifying employers. “National Insurance is a major, hidden cost for employers and this new relief is designed to encourage small businesses to take on new staff and boost job creation,” said Mr Brook. “It should open up opportunities across all sectors.”
With more than 150 years’ experience of serving clients by investing their money wisely, Investec Wealth & Investment have the knowledge and expertise you need regarding your investments, pensions or other financial matters. Please bear in mind that the value of investments and the income derived from them can go down as well as up and that you may not get back the amount that you have put in. For further information please visit our website, call Simon Kaye on 0113 245 4488 or email simon.kaye@investecwin.co.uk investecwin.co.uk Individuals
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6
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Company attains CCS accreditation North of England gas distributor Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has become the first energy distributor to register its sites with the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS). The CCS is a non-profit making, independent organisation founded in 1997 by the construction industry to improve its image. NGN, which has won seven national awards for customer experience, has registered its major projects and larger gas mains replacement sites where the duration of work is scheduled to last more than six weeks. Once registered, each site is given a detailed inspection by a CCS monitor, who will assess and
provide feedback on factors such as the appearance of the site and the environment as well as the welfare of the workforce and overall safety. To date, NGN has had 10 site monitor visits to replacement and major project sites. A further four sites have been registered and are awaiting inspection dates and there are six more sites in the pipeline for registration later this year. Ian Whitehead, programme manager at NGN, said: “”We’re committed to continually improving our customer experience for both members of the public and colleagues.
“The CCS is helping us to do just that through the delivery of consistently well managed, efficient work sites. “This year NGN plans to roll out the CCS to smaller gas mains replacement sites and register a new company department. ‘The Connections Operation’. “Our aim is to create an NGN standard site set up with on the ground site manager support, to ensure consistency across the board and shared learning. “We are very pleased with the progress that we have made with CCS to date and we look forward to hearing the results of the awards at the end of the month.”
■■ Hi-Spec Concrete has invested in a second volumetric concrete mixer
Concrete investment A company providing concrete for domestic and commercial projects has invested a six-figure sum in a new truck to double its capacity. Lockwood-based Hi-Spec Concrete UK has added a second volumetric mixer to its business following increased demand from builders and utility companies. The mixer is also used by Hi-Spec’s sister company, Spectacular Driveways UK, which installs patterned and coloured concrete driveways for homeowners and businesses. The truck ensures that ready mixed concrete can be delivered on site and the pour controlled to ensure there is no waste. Owner John Quinn said mixing too much concrete could prove costly for firms. Concrete suppliers typically charged £160 per cubic metre to transport unused concrete to landfill, he said. He said: “We have invested in another truck because we are getting busier.
“Concrete is a fantastically versatile product and the fact that people are only paying for what they need means there’s no waste.” Spectacular Driveways UK is celebrating 18 years of trading. Over the past nine months, Mr Quinn has invested in more staff, new equipment new techniques and a revamp on the brand – including the launch of a new website, which shows potential customers how a patterned concrete driveway is installed. Mr Quinn has also been spreading the word by delivering a seminar on the volumetric industry at the UK Concrete Show held at the NEC in Birmingham. Spectaculr Driveways UK now has hundreds of customers on the books and has completed projects for clients including Brockholes-based housebuilder Conroy Brook and schemes such as the paving and driveways at the Bradford headquarters of Yorkshire Building Society.
1 Commercial & Industrial Property Consultants 1 Business & Asset Valuers & Auctioneers 1 Property Managers 1 Residential Sales & Letting Agents 1 Registered Property Receivers
View all of our available properties at walkersingleton.co.uk
■■ Customer Sandra Durrans cuts the ribbon with Moin Valli to open his new opticians premises in the former Red Lion pub at Lockwood, with senior optometrist Russell Ramsden and manager Julie Philliskirk
Change of glasses at former pub A former pub has a whole new look. Valli Opticians Group, which will shortly celebrate its 10th anniversary, have moved its Lockwood premises to the former Red Lion pub on the corner of Lockwood Road and Swan Lane. Customer Sandra Durrans, who cut the ribbon to officially open the premises, said: “The building they have moved into holds a lot of dear memories. My late husband and I have had many a good night when it was the Red Lion pub.” Managing director Moin Valli said he made the decision to move to a larger premises to accommodate the continuing growth of the business. He said: “Whilst still in the Lockwood
area, the new premises has more than double the floor space of the previous practice. “This offers the opportunity to grow the business further and will allow us to continue to offer first class service to all our clients. The move also represents our commitment to invest in the infrastructure of the business as well as the latest technology.” The pub closed in 2008 and was latterly occupied by Richmond Kitchens. Said Mr Valli: “It is a beautiful building and it’s right at the heart of the Lockwood community. We look forward to welcoming our clients both old and new to our new premises.”
7
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property High-fives for housebuilder
Welcome for rate review A major review into business rates has been welcomed by employers’ body the CBI. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, has launched the most wide-ranging review of national business rates in a generation – paving the way for changes to how businesses across England pay the tax. The review, set to report back by Budget 2016, will examine the structure of the current system which is paid annually on 1.8m properties in England. The review will look at how businesses use property, what the UK can learn from other countries about local business taxes and how we could modernise the system so it better reflects changes in the value of property. CBI director-general John Cridland said: ““The current system of business rates is outmoded, clunky and regressive and it’s holding back the high street.” He said: “We’ll be making the case for removing the smallest firms from paying business rates completely, linking rates to CPI rather than RPI and introducing more frequent valuations. This would go a long way to achieving a more competitive business rates regime>”
Holme Valley-based housebuilder Conroy Brook has achieved record results for an exclusive development in Sheffield. All five homes at the Brockholes-based company’s Forge View were reserved or sold within weeks of being launched. Conroy Brook entrusted Territory Interior Design to fit out the initial show home. Manchester-based Territory specified all areas of the interior fit out and specified high-end kitchen and bathroom products to ensure a high standard throughout.
Bramleys Commercial Luke Lane, Thongsbridge, Holmfirth
It’s the new kid on the block A powerful tenant has taken space at a Kirklees business park. Northern Power Grid has taken the whole of Block A at Centurion Way on Access 26 business park at Cleckheaton. The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank and Leeds commercial property specialist Carter Towler advised on the letting of the 10,000 sq ft unit.
Industrial
Centurion way was speculatively built by St Paul’s Street Investments Ltd. The rent is £6.50 per sq ft. Block A is one of three new industrial/trade units, together accounting for about 20,000 sq ft, which have been developed by St Paul’s Street Investments Ltd. Tom Lamb, associate and industrial property specialist with Knight Frank, said: “This is one of
TO LET (MAY Industrial SPLIT)
Liversedge Business Park, Halifax Road, Liversedge, Heckmondwike Up to 5,160m2 (55,545 sq ft) on 2.6 acres Mainly single storey industrial complex with offices, on large self-contained site. May split.
Industrial
TO LET (MAY SELL)
Brook Mill, Hightown Road, Cleckheaton 2,357m2 (25,376 sq ft) Predominantly single-storey factory/ engineering premises with offices, on secure site with parking and loading. Located a short distance from Cleckheaton town centre and less than 2 miles from Jcn 26, M62. Available June 2015.
www.michaelsteel.co.uk
For Sale
All enquiries to Alec Michael alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
very few speculatively-built developments in the Yorkshire region during the past five years, so it is tremendous news that all three units have now been let. “These are high-class units, with an excellent BREAM rating, fully-fitted offices and generous loading and parking space, so it is not surprising they have been snapped up.”
• Residential Development with Planning Consent for the conversion of the existing buildings into three 3 Bedroom Dwellings • The site extends to 0.94 acres of largely green belt land • The site is positioned in one of Huddersfield’s most sought after residential locations within the Holme Valley and benefits from a pleasant aspect to the rear overlooking woodland • Planning Application Number 2014/62/92143/w
01484 530361
www.bramleys.com/commercial
8
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
movers and shakers
Anne opens lines of communication By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter
Cedar Court staff successes STAFF at a Huddersfield hotel have checked in with a hat-trick of awards. Employees at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top, were among the winners at the annual employee awards run for staff at the four Cedar Court hotels – the others being in Wakefield, Leeds/Bradford and Harrogate. The event, held at the Wakefield hotel, coincided with the company’s 30th anniversary. The hotels are all operated on behalf of the owners by Assured Hotels, a specialist hotel management company. The awards. which cover every aspect of hospitality, are regarded as the company’s “Oscars” and reward employees who have shown outstanding service throughout the year. The three Huddersfield winners were Dar-
ren Evans, who was named chef of the year; Michael Shepherd, who was newcomer of the year; and the aptlynamed Shaun Guest, food and beverage manager, who was named manager of the year. Shaun is pictured (above left, with Chris Lingrick, of Assured Hotels, at the awards. Mathew Griffing, chief operating officer at Assured Hotels, said: “We had the most difficult task picking winners from all the nominations – so many of the staff go the extra mile and it’s a pleasure to be involved with such a committed team. It’s important however to point out these awards are for all staff including recognising those who work hard behind the scenes.” Fourteen awards in total were shared between staff and departments at the four hotels.
Steve Harris
Lloyds Bank appointment Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has appointed Steve Harris as its new regional managing director of mid markets banking in the North of England. Mr Harris (pictured) assumes responsibility for an 80-strong strong team operating from commercial banking centres in Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle, that provide banking services, strategic advice, and funding solutions to businesses with a turnover of £25m to £750m. Lloyds Bank’s midmarket client base includes some of the North’s largest listed businesses such as Persimmon plc and Sage plc and also many family owned and private equity backed businesses which are fundamental
to the economic success of the region. Mr Harris brings more than 25 years banking experience to the role and was previously area director of the bank’s mid markets division in North, East and South Yorkshire. He joined Lloyds Bank three years ago from RBS, where he held several senior management roles in corporate banking. He is a board members of Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.
henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
A professor at Huddersfield University has been honoured for her work on strategic communications. Anne Gregory, the university’s professor of corporate communications, strategy, marketing and economics, collaborated with Prof Robert Heath, of the University of Houston, to produce Strategic Communications, a fourvolume anthology that is now regarded as the “bible” for this branch of public relations. The set of books – published as part of a series named Master Works – comes at a time when Prof Gregory has been recognised for her key role in developing the standing of her profession in the UK by being made an honorary fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). The accolade comes as the CIPR celebrates 10 years since being awarded its charter in 2005. Prof Gregory was president of the Institute of Public Relations – as it then was – in 2004, when she instigated the demanding process of achieving chartered status because she said the public relations profession had come of age. “The institute was representative of practitioners and had an enforced code of ethics,” said Prof Gregory. “There was a growing body
■■ Prof Anne Gregory (right), of Huddersfield University, receives the honorary fellowship from Sarah Finch, president of the CIPR
of knowledge about PR and there were professional and university courses – so all the hallmarks of a profession were in place. “But we had to go through many hoops to get chartered status! We had to go back and forth between ourselves and the Privy Council before they were satisfied.”
Her honorary fellowship was conferred at a meeting in London. Prof Gregory is already a holder of the institute’s Sir Steven Tallents Medal – named after a founding father of the PR profession in the UK – and is one of only six people to receive both distinctions. She became co-editor of the four-volume Strategic Communications – which is set to become a standard reference work – after an approach from Prof Heath, who is a renowned authority in the field. “Strategic Communications is about organisations using communications in a particular way to help it achieve its objectives,” said Prof Gregory. She said this approach to public relations was relatively new, but over the past 10 years it had accumulated a considerable body of published work, reflected in the 1,680-page book, which includes more than 80 key research articles from authors around the world. There are several contributions from Prof Gregory’s own body of work. Changes in technology combined with globalisation mean that good communication and transparency are increasingly important, said Prof Gregory. “Senior management within organisations find themselves constantly in the public gaze and new technologies have made them more accessible, so they have become much more accountable,” she added. “There was a time when they could hide behind a gatekeeper – but they can’t now.”
Recognition for Huddersfield duo Two high-flying Huddersfield businesswomen are among the winners of a new award. Beth Butterwick, chief executive of Grange Moor-based womenswear retailer Bonmarche Ltd, was named Yorkshire Woman of the Year in the category for larger businesses at the inaugural Celebrating Women in Business Awards run by Barclays. She was recognised for her long and distinguished career and for leading the company through massive change – including a successful stock market flotation in Novemer, 2013. And Victoria Woodings, global board director for Waterloobased Principle Group, was named Rising Star as “a businesswoman to watch for the future”. Principle Group, which provides signs and branding for bluechip companies around the world, created more than 40 jobs last year by expanding into the former Remploy factory at Tandem Industrial Estate. Judges praised Victoria’s impressive rise from junior to board-level director in less than six years, commending her exceptional achievements in the process. Speaking about her success, Victoria said: “It’s fantastic and humbling to be recognised as a Rising Star alongside some incredibly talented women who
■■ Alex Pryce (left), of Barclays, with (from left) Beth Butterwick, of Bonmarche; Victoria Woodings, Principle Holdings; Jennifer McDuff, Brathay Trust; Joanna Robinson, Mansfield Pollard; and Debbie Mullen, of Barclays
are contributing so much to help grow the Yorkshire economy. “Principle is an outstanding place to work and I’m very lucky to have such a great work environment and supportive peers.” Joanna Robinson, managing director of energy efficiency products firm Mansfield Pollard & Co Ltd, of Bradford, was named Woman of the Year for Medium
Business while Jenni Macduff, head of community provision for children’s charity the Brathay Trust in Yorkshire was named as Woman of the Year for her contribution to diversity. Other winners included Jennifer Hardy, of Brighouse recruitment firm Transline Group and Asma Iqbal, of law firm Chadwick Lawrence.
Debbie Mullen, of Barclays, said: “Women from all sectors across Yorkshire are securing key roles in larger companies and we wanted to recognise exceptional achievements for the contribution they are making. The applications were all exceptionally good and the judges had a tough job drawing up the short list and selecting the finalists.”