CHRIS HENRY
DANIEL KRIGERS
Life-changing moment
Worth investigating?
Interview - Page 3
Column - Page 4
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015
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An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
Business leaders today reported a “brighter outlook” for companies across Kirklees and said there was clear evidence that the economic recovery was being sustained. But the Huddersfield-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said it was hoping for “a more settled political landscape” after next month’s general election to provide a boost to business confidence and give renewed impetus to economic activity. The chamber’s latest quarterly survey of member firms across Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield reported “steady progress” on UK sales and orders. It said employment was growing steadily and business confidence was stabilising while investment by companies was bouncing back. But it also warned that exporters continues to face difficulties and exchange rates were now “a major concern”.
Steven Leigh, chamber head of policy, said: “It is pleasing to report that this survey for the first quarter of the year presents a brighter outlook than we have seen for some time. “Clearly, the UK’s economic recovery is being sustained, although admittedly at lower levels than we would prefer. “The only difficulties being reported come from our exporters as economic conditions throughout the world remain challenging and exchange rates in particular are making it difficult to be competitive in overseas markets. “Still, the general outlook at the start of the year is encouraging.” Mr Leigh said: “Home sales and orders are making steady forward progress and it is good to see that levels of employment are rising – as so too are forward employment expectations. “There is more good news to report regarding levels of investment – in particular the increase in investment in training. “During the final months of last year, cashflow had been reported as a serious concern, so it is also good to see that it
■■ Steven Leigh said the chamber survey showed the recovery was being sustained
has become slightly less of a worry during this first quarter of the year.” But he said: “Against all this better news, it should not be overlooked there are still a number of issues which have not gone away and which are likely to
present big challenges to our economic recovery. “In addition to unfavourable exchange rates, there is still generally depressed market demand in Europe as well as reduced levels of economic activity in other important world markets. And closer to home, worries about the future of the euro remain a serious concern.” Mr Leigh said: “It is hoped that after the general election in May there will be a more settled political landscape which will give a boost to business confidence and provide renewed impetus to economic activity.” And he added: “Taken together, all these positive and negative influences mean that the relevance and importance of chambers of commerce, such as ours in Mid Yorkshire, are greater than ever. “We will therefore continue unstintingly to lobby for our members – and for the wider business community in our region – for the best possible business conditions. “Only by creating genuine economic growth can the UK achieve sustainable recovery and long-term prosperity.”
Website means help for creditors now just a click away
■■ Chris Wood, of R3
A website designed to guide creditors through the insolvency process has been launched as part of a national initiative by the Yorkshire branch of insolvency trade body R3. The site – www.creditorinsolvencyguide.co.uk – explains in simple terms how creditors can increase their chances of having money returned to them, approve insolvency fees and see
action taken against fraudulent or negligent directors or bankrupts. Built by insolvency experts, the site is also supported by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and the British Property Federation. Chris Wood, Yorkshire R3 committee member and partner at Clough Corporate Solutions in Cleckheaton, said: “The new website contains step-by-step
explanations of how different insolvency processes work, a guide to insolvency terminology and tips on how to help oversee the running of the insolvency process. “The aim is to make it easier for creditors to feel part of the insolvency process and to understand how it can help them. Encouraging such engagement can also help the profession as creditors
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can provide key information about directors’ and individuals’ behaviour and help locate hidden assets.” Philip King, of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management said: “Understanding how insolvency procedures work and the terminology used is key to successful engagement and the CICM is pleased to support this initiative by R3. “
Getting together A new network for professional service providers has been launched at Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre. The 3M BIC Professional Service Membership official launch event was attended by more than 30 professional service providers and representatives of small and mediumsized enterprises. It followed feedback from focus groups which highlighted that support businesses wanted more interaction with SMEs.
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Charity choice Officials at the John Smith’s Stadium have named the Bradley-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice as one of its official charities. The stadium has worked closely with the hospice over the years – hosting its sporting dinners and backing a number of its campaigns.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Process apprenticeship course hailed a success Kirklees College is celebrating the success of a new course instigated by local employers. The Process Manufacturing Apprenticeship was launched after the need for the qualification was highlighted through discussion with companies in Kirklees and beyond. The first 10 students to take the course have completed their Level 2 qualification and are now working towards Level 3. They all work for BASF, NuFarm or Syngenta. The course, which encompasses both science and engineering, covers technical, operational and maintenance roles in the chemical, petrol chemical, pharmaceutical, refinery and other related process industries. Alison Richards, science curriculum team leader, who has been leading the course, said: “It has been great getting back to chemical engineering because that is my background. “The apprentices have been a real asset to the department – they’re a really bright bunch.” Kirklees College will be increasing its provision to process manufacturing in the area with the building of a new Process Manufacturing Centre next to its engineering centre in Huddersfield.
■■ Process manufacturing apprentices at Kirklees College in Huddersfield
The college has received £3.1m in funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to invest in the specialist centre to train apprentices and provide higher skills training for process manufacturing industries.
The project will see 440 new apprenticeships and 26 new jobs including construction workers, technicians, teaching and admin staff. It will take 800 additional new learners over a period of four years. The site will provide a close link
between Kirklees College and the companies who will recruit apprentices trained at the facility. Building work is due to start soon. The college has also just launched a Laboratory Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship. Go to www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk
Economy ‘gathering momentum’ The UK economy is set to gather momentum during the second quarter of 2015, said a survey today. The latest Growth Indicator from employers’ body the CBI showed UK economic growth held steady in the first three months of the year. There was stronger growth for the retail, wholesale, motor trades and consumer services sectors in March compared with the previous month. That compensated for a weaker performance in manufacturing, where 11 of the 18 sub-sectors reported slowing growth since February, and in business and professional services where firms have felt the effect of stronger competition. The overall reading of plus 18% for the three months to March shows private sector growth almost unchanged from the figure of plus 19% in the three months to February. However, businesses expect growth to strengthen, driven in particular by a pick-up in business and professional, consumer services and in the manufacturing sector. The balance of expectations for business growth over the three months to June stands at plus 25%. Katja Hall, CBI deputy director general, said: “The outlook for 2015 looks encouraging. “Our surveys show it’s been a solid start to the year with the prospect of stronger growth to come. The benefits of lower oil prices should be increasingly felt.”
Quality time suffering due to smartphone ‘addiction’ More than a third of business people admit that their quality family time invaded by work. A survey of 1,000 UK families by leading call answering service alldayPA, reveals that 12% of working parents expect to carry out at least four hours of unpaid work when away on holiday with their families. Some 32% admit that they would take work calls while on holiday, while 36% planned to check and respond to emails. Just under a quarter, 23%, said that their children and/or partner regularly complained about them
carrying out work while they are supposed to be “off-duty”. The survey showed that smartphones are the major cause of disruption, with 86% of holiday working being carried out in the devices. Sue Ratcliffe, of alldayPA, said: “Smart phones are an incredibly useful tool, but they blur the boundaries of work and home. “Recent studies indicate that as a nation we’re becoming more and more addicted to our smartphones and perhaps need to make a conscious effort to put them to one side, especially dur-
ing holidays with our families.” Recent research by Derby University found that smartphones were psychologically addictive, with the average smartphone user spending 3.6 hours per day on their device. Participants admitted the excessive use of mobile devices caused distraction from their jobs and hobbies, with 35% of those surveyed admitting to using their devices in situations where they were banned. Smartphone addicts are actively looking at ways to reduce their “habit” – by spending time away
from their phone or by seeking professional help from services such as Digital Detox. Sue said alldayPA was seeing increasing enquiries about the service, which help smartphone users take a Digital Detox. “A Digital Detox does exactly what the name implies,” she said. “It will break the cycle of dependency, allowing even the busiest person to leave the mobile behind and focus on their holiday enjoying a restful, communication-free break without worrying about missing calls or messages.” ■■ Smartphone s are blurring the boundary between work
and home, says a survey by call answering service alldayPA
‘Better leadership the key to boosting UK economic productivity’ Small firms across Kirklees could be in line for a productivity boost. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has launched a competitive fund, part of the UK Futures Programme, to find ways of meeting the productivity gap in Yorkshire and Humberside by developing better leadership and entrepreneurial skills among the region’s small businesses. UK productivity levels are nearly 20% lower than the average for other advanced economies, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics – meaning the UK has the
lowest level of labour productivity in all of the G7, with the exception of Japan. UKCES said this was affecting UK competitiveness, earnings and potential to generate higher economic growth. The productivity challenge was even greater in Yorkshire and Humberside – with the average yearly output for each worker 20% lower than the UK average. UKCES is looking for bids from “anchor” institutions in specific UK regions where productivity outputs are below average. Anchor institutions are ones that
has a strong local presence and makes a strategic contribution to the local economy – such as universities, local enterprise networks, colleges, chambers of commerce, banks and major employers. The fund is looking for proposals that demonstrate innovative ways anchor institutions can support small firms to develop leadership and entrepreneurship skills. The UK Futures Programme is centred on trialling new techniques and projects that address long-standing skills issues. Each project will run for a maxi-
mum of 12 months, starting in August 2015. Proposals must be joint investments, with organisations investing in cash, in-kind, or both, alongside a maximum government contribution of £200,000 per project. The total fund available is £1.5m. Julie Kenny, commissioner at UKCES, said: “Britain is falling behind the rest of the world in terms of productivity, meaning we are working more but producing less. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but current figures indicate that only a third of small firms provide any
management training, compared to nearly three-quarters of larger firms. “This competitive fund has been designed to work with anchor institutions – those who can reach a wide number of small firms in their region and deliver insightful programmes. We are looking for innovative ideas that can be tested and trialled with small businesses to develop these essential skills that will help them to prosper and increase productivity in their local community.” Visit www.gov.uk/ukces or email enquiries.futuresprogramme@ukces. org.uk
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS It was truly a life-changing moment. Chris Henry and his family travelled to Madeira – all set to enjoy a relaxing holiday in the sun. Instead, he spent two weeks in the intensive care unit at a hospital on the Mediterranean island being treated for a lifethreatening blood clot – an embolism that had its origins in a seemingly innocuous footballing injury. “I had been playing five-a-side just before we went on holiday and I got a cut on my shin,” says Chris. “I ended up with a blood infection. I thought I had flu, but I ended up with deep vein thrombosis – a blood clot – in my leg. “We landed at the airport and got a taxi to the hotel and I was feeling increasingly unwell. It turned out I was very lucky to survive. The fact that I was fit and had never smoked were the things that saved me.” That experience back in 2006 was a watershed for the Yorkshire-born marketing graduate and qualified accountant – and led to him leaving his successful career in banking to become a self-employed business coach. “Being stuck in hospital gave me plenty of thinking time,” he says. “I started to ask myself what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I was in my mid-40s. “I was getting messages from people saying they were hoping I’d pull through and from that moment I looked at life very differently. “That was the spark for change. I had always wanted to work for myself and help other people – so I decided that’s what I’d do.” Chris was born in Leeds, but attended primary school in Heckmondwike and a Catholic grammar school in Bradford. “It was an all-boys’ school next door to an all-girls’ school,” he says, adding jokingly: “There was a fence between the two – and I think it was electrified! “At school I always liked numbers and I always liked sport. I played a lot of football at a local level. “I have a theory that you are driven down certain paths – go to school, do well at school; go to college, do well at college; then get a job. It took me decades to learn that there is another way of doing things. “The most successful people haven’t gone down the traditional path.” Chris gained a marketing degree at Lancaster University. He says: “It was the early 1980s and there weren’t many jobs in marketing – but there were lots of jobs in finance and accountancy. “I trained with a firm in Manchester and qualified, but working for a firm of accountants didn’t really excite me.” Chris returned to Yorkshire and joined Leeds Permanent Building Society – where he was to spend most of his career. “It was at the time when building societies could start selling other things besides mortgages,” he says. “I worked in a subsidiary in Pudsey which was setting up a credit card business, It was very exciting and very new. That
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Serious illness was ‘the spark for change’ became the theme for my career in banking.” Following the society’s merger with the Halifax, Chis moved from Leeds to the West Yorkshire town and worked in various areas of the business, including property and valuation. He remained with the business through the Halifax’s merger with Bank of Scotland to create HBOS – and its subsequent “rescue” acquisition by Lloyds Bank in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. “We were all watching our screens as the share price dropped,” he says. “It was a difficult time. “A lot of people in the bank had a big stake in it through their share schemes. People saw their wealth disappear very quickly.” Chris was involved in project work around the merger with Lloyds, particularly involving the branch network. When Lloyds was ordered to offload hundreds of branches, reviving the TSB name, he was involved in the project work to “carve out” a bank within a bank. He says: “It was as big a change
as ever happened in banking.” Chris left Lloyds in 2013 after more than 20 years in the financial sector. “I decided I would like to do something for me,” he says. “The bank was very supportive. I was pleasantly surprised by that.” His severance deal provided the financial foundation for his investment in an ActionCOACH franchise to work with small business owners across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire – although his main patch covers West Yorkshire. His new role brings together Chris’ facility with numbers and the team-leading skills and coaching techniques he honed during his banking career. “I’m a team player and ActionCOACH is the world’s biggest business coaching organisation,” he says. “I could probably have set something on my own, but the network you have got with ActionCOACH is fantastic. “We encourage our clients to plan personally and plan for the business. I like the ‘car’ analogy. You can’t drive a car without a
■■ Chris Henry says he has always had a facility with numbers
dashboard to tell you how fast you are going and how much petrol you have left. In the same way, you can’t plan your business without information about things like customer numbers, leads and prices. “When it comes to personal planning, you have to know what you want from the business in the long run. You wouldn’t set out on a car journey and not put your destination in the sat-nav.” Says Chris: “Too many business owners are tied up in the detail. They are working in the business rather than on the business. I say ‘let’s plan for the future, let’s plan where you want to be in 10 years’ time’. “A lot of business owners have forgotten why they went into business. We start by asking ‘what do you want out of the business? How does the business serve your personal goals?’” Chris horoughly enjoys working with his clients – typically small businesses with turnover starting at £300,000. “I have met so many people since I left Lloyds through networking and staging seminars,” he says. “There’s a place at Dean Clough which does 3D imagery – it’s like Disney, it’s fantastic. I have learned more in the past 15 to 18 months doing this than I learned in 24 years at the bank.” Chris is clear about his own plans. By the end of the third year, he aims to move into office accommodation rather than work from home as at present. And in 10 years’ time he plans to employ two other coaches to allow him to take more of a back seat. Meanwhile, his traumatic time in Madeira hasn’t affected his love for the island. Chris and wife Tracy – who works with him – have a time share there and have visited six or seven times since his time in hospital. “I feel very grateful to the people out there,” he says. “Also, it’s one of the few places in the world where I don’t feel too old because there are a lot of pensioners living there! It’s a lovely place to be.”
Chris Henry Role: Business coach Age: 53 Family: Married to Tracy with children Ben, 22, Alex, 20 and Owen 15 Car: Mercedes C220 Holidays: We have been to Australia twice and it’s somewhere we want to visit again First job: Working behind the bar at Zhivago’s in Dewsbury. It was great fun. It was like having a night out and being paid for it! Best thing about the job? Seeing the change in people that results from coaching. It changes people’s lives Worst thing about the job? I get frustrated when people let you down. If I say I’m going to do something, I do it Business tip: Business owners need to get the the point where the business works without them because it will be worth so much more and they will have a better life
ActionCOACH Work: Business coaching Site: Huddersfield and Halifax Phone: 07785 530074 Email: chrishenry@actioncoach.com Web: www.chrishenryactioncoach. com
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TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
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KIRKLEES BUS
Gift of the gab! It’s good to talk – just ask Huddersfield businesswoman Gina Battye. Gina (pictured), who runs Quarmby-based Health By Gina Ltd, has outshone some of the self-help industry’s best know speakers to be crowned Speaker of the Year by the Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers and Consultants. Gina, who is known for her work as an international business speaker, author and motivational guru, wowed the judges at the black-tie event in London with her downto-earth, witty and authentic approach. She speaks on subjects including leadership, life and business success, health and happiness strategies, reducing
stress and food and keeping active, The award is one of the industry’s most highly coveted and respected accolades, –and is set to Gina’s profile to even greater heights this year. Said Gina: “I feel so honoured and humbled to be awarded Speaker of the Year. “It is my mission to change the way people think so they can lead their life and master their potential. Being awarded Speaker of the Year demonstrates the impact my work is having around the globe.”
Fitness centre is included in MBO A fitness business with a site in Huddersfield has been bought by its management for an undisclosed sum. Cheshire-based Total Fitness, which has a branch at Waterloo, has been bought by a management team led by chief executive Richard Millman with funding from private equity firm NorthEdge Capital. The buy-out team also includes Warwick Ley and Brian Davidson, of RooGreen Ventures, who alongside a partial realisation of their equity have reinvested in the business as part of the buyout. The transaction will see the existing management team receive significant new investment to support their next stage growth plans, which begin with the re-opening of the Total Fitness club in Wrexham in early April after a £1m-plus refurbishment. The deal follows a turnaround of the business which saw Brian Davidson and Warwick Ley work with Richard Millman and the management team to increase membership by 14% since January, 2013, and taken the business back into profit.
Company pushes the right buttons A Huddersfield-based IT services firm has been named among the industry’s elite. Lockwood-based P2 Technologies has appeared on Penton Technology’s eighth-annual MSPmentor 501 Global Edition listing the world’s top 501 managed service providers (MSPs). Each year, MSPmentor gathers information for its annual rankings through the participation of managed service providers and IT service providers. Rankings are based on criteria including annual recurring revenues and total revenues. Marcia Parker, executive director of Penton technology, said: “We want to congratulate P2 Technologies and look forward to covering their growth strategies in the year ahead,. Martin Page, director at P2 Technologies, said; “We are extremely proud to be listed on the eighthannual MSPmentor 501 Global list. “It is a huge achievement for P2 and testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. We’re also excited to put Huddersfield on the map as a place to make it.”
Investigating the case for dismissal An Employment Tribunal’s examination of the fairness of a dismissal focuses largely on the extent to which the employer can show that it followed a fair procedure and acted reasonably in all the circumstances. Case law over time has developed a test which requires the employer to show that they had an honest belief in the employee’s guilt which is based on reasonable grounds having carried out as much investigation as is reasonable in the circumstances of the case. This means that an employer must have conducted an appropriate level of investigation and this is an objective test which the Tribunal must be satisfied has been passed in order for a dismissal to be potentially fair. In a recent case before the Employment Appeals Tribunal, this very test was applied to circumstances where an employee was alleged to have claimed excessive expenses for mileage travelled to see clients in their homes. The employer in this case undertook an audit over a three-month period, comparing the mileage claimed by the employee against the distances that he had travelled. It was shown that the mileage claimed was nearly twice as far as the distance travelled. An allegation was brought against the employee that he had committed an act of fraud in overclaiming mileage expenses. As part of the investigation, the employer relied on the AA website to show the correct distances travelled
EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Daniel J Krigers and a comparison was made with the previous year’s expenses claims which were much lower, but for the same journeys. At the disciplinary hearing, the employee sought to advance several reasons for the discrepancies such as difficulties in parking, having to take longer routes because of road works and an increase in one-way system roads. Importantly, the disciplinary hearing did not focus on each and every journey for which excessive expenses had been claimed. Once it had been established that every journey was above the expected mileage, the employer was satisfied that a feasible explanation could not be given for every single journey and therefore focused purely on two journeys by way of example. The case eventually reached the Court of Appeal, who ruled that it would be far too onerous to expect the employer to review every single journey to determine guilt. It also rejected the employee’s argu-
ments that the employer should have carried out further investigations such as contacting the local authority to see whether parking bays had been changed to residents only and that they should have gone to check the position of all parking spaces themselves. It also rejected that the employer should have been expected to contact the local authority to find out where all of the road works and diversions had been set up over the three-month audit period. The case is a useful reminder of the application of the test in unfair dismissal and the level of investigation to be carried out. An employer must carry out a “reasonable” investigation, but this does not mean having to exhaust every line of investigation and it does not have to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. In this case it may have been prudent to require the employee to make such enquiries of the local authority as he saw fit in order to be able to present a credible defence.
Daniel J Krigers is an employment law solicitor at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Stamp of approval for online retailer Online-only discount retailer Approved Food has proved a winner. The company is the first winner of the Shooting Star Award, which has returned for 2015. The award is run by Huddersfield Town and sponsored by chartered building surveyors Lucas Lee and Partners. Dan Cluderay founded Approved Food in 2008 after identifying a gap in the market for an online retailer specialising in short-dated and residual stock food and drink. Dan was joined by Town fan Andy Needham shortly afterwards and together they have built the UK’s largest online-only discount retailer. Last year, www.approvedfood.co.uk shipped about 115,000 orders containing more than 9m items to tens of thousands of people across the country, resulting in a combined saving of more than £8.1m for its customers.
■■ Dan Cluderay (centre) receives the Shooting Star Award for his firm Approved Food from Town commercial director Sean Jarvis (right) and Chris Lee, of Lucas Lee and Partners
From Dan’s original market stall, the business now occupies 60,000sq ft premises in Sheffield and employs more than 50 staff. Dan and Andy have featured on Dragons’ Den and
earlier this year were one of four businesses featured on Bargain Fever Britain on ITV1. Andy said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as a monthly winner of the
Shooting Star award. We were placed in the top 500 UK Internet Retailers for the first time and the first three months of this year so far has just been a whirlwind. “We are looking to push on and develop the Approved Group even further over the coming months.” Chris Lee, managing director of Lucas Lee, said: “Approved Food is a worthy winners of the first Shooting Star award of 2015. “Its business model is impressive and the company is well worthy of the award. We wish Approved Food every success.” Town commercial director Sean Jarvis said: “I’m thrilled to have presented the first of this year’s Shooting Star award to Approved Food. The business has come a long way in a short space of time and I’ve nothing but admiration for local businesses that identify that gap in the market and have the drive to succeed.”
■■ Lloyds Bank says som sized firms see digital a
1m SME digital s
One in four small an nesses in the UK lack claimed. The latest UK Busin Lloyds Bank – in assoc and digital skills char ures and tracks the among SMEs and cha Lloyds Bank said an Index score suggeste shift towards small to prises becoming more ever, more than a mi lacked basic digital sk some 58% of organisa sary skills – an increas Having basic digita ties such as running a merce or maintaining ence. Charities at th spectrum also repo doubts as to how web could help increase th Challenges also rem ceived benefits of bein ter of all organisation “irrelevant” to them w that they have already can to embrace the di The report said the SMEs were a third mo two times more likely ver or funding in the pared with the least d tions.
Pet sub Zoflora
A Huddersfield com stage at a top pet show Thornton and Ros Zoflora is taking a m 2015 London Pet Sho on May 9 and 10 at Ex The show attracts m mal lovers over the tw The Zoflora Super number of events, inc turing Channel 4 Sup Sarah Fozzard, Zo said: “Pet owners acc of our customer base kills 99.9% of bacter also eliminating na smells. “The London Pet S event for us and we major presence at the is a highly anticipate calendar and a great with our loyal custo Zoflora Super Theatr cant profile across the Linthwaite-based Th founded in 1922 and over-the-counter ph facturers in the UK.
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015
SINESS NEWS
me small and mediumas ‘irrelevant’ to them
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ness Digital Index from ciation with Accenture rity Go ON UK – measlevel of digital ability arities. n overall rise in the UK ed a slow but positive o medium-sized entere digitally active. Howillion SMEs – or 23% – kills. Among charities, sations lack the necesse of 3% from 2014. al skills includes activia website, using e-comg a social media preshe lowest end of the orted an increase in ebsites or social media heir funding. main around the perng digital, with a quarns believing digital is while 27% still believe y done everything they igital economy. e most digitally mature ore likely and charities y to see a rise in turnoe last two years comdigitally able organisa-
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Stadium teams up with hospice Officials at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield have named the Bradley-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice as one of its official charity partners. The stadium has worked closely with the hospice over the years – hosting its sporting dinners and backing a number of its campaigns. As a boost to this relationship, the stadium has placed Forget Me Not branding at both ends of the Revell Ward Stand. Stadium managing director Gareth Davies said: “We are delighted to be supporting Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice to raise awareness of their fantastic work in the local community making positive changes to the lives of these children and their families.” Peter Branson, chief executive of the hospice, said: “The John Smith’s Stadium is at the heart of our community and we are thrilled that our partnership continues to go from strength to strength. “Increasing our presence at the stadium helps us to reach out to more families who may need our care, as well as to more people who we hope will want to support Forget Me Not.” Meanwhile, roadside recovery business LV= Britannia Rescue has renewed its sponsorship with the stadium for three more years. The firm, which has operations at Folly Hall Mills in Huddersfield, first started sponsoring the east stand about six years ago and has continued to work closely with the stadium since then. LV= Britannia Rescue has updated the stand banners to incorporate its branding and logo. As part of the new sponsorship agreement the stand will now be named the LV= Britannia Res-
■■ John Smith’s Stadium managing director Gareth Williams (above right) with Peter Branson, of the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice; and (below) with Mags Roche, of LV= Britannia Rescue
cue Stand. John O’Roarke, LV= managing director, said: “We are always looking for ways to support organisations in the local area so we are really pleased to
renew our partnership with John Smith’s Stadium. I am delighted that the stand will now reflect our new branding and I’m sure our employees will enjoy seeing that on match days.”
Bike race could benefit economic cycle Town centre traders could be on to a money spinner when a cycle race comes to the streets of Huddersfield. Following the success of the inaugural town centre race event last year, Mirfield bike shop owner Dave Sowerby and local cycling enthusiast Martyn Bolt are again working together on delivering a bigger event this summer. The Huddersfield Criterium is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, with the races starting at 6pm. The year’s race involved an extended circuit to give the riders more opportunity to race and pass each other. Four races on the evening include one for women in recognition of the growth in interest in the sport among females. Said Martyn: “This style of racing holds the riders and
■■ Riders taking part in last year’s Huddersfield Criterium
spectators within the confines of the town centre, giving many more opportunities to see the racing than the Tour de France-style of event, it also offers a boost to the local economy by allowing shops to open for
an extra few hours with an almost captive clientele. “Whilst the main beneficiaries may be the food and drink retailers, I know from taking my family to events over many years there may be an opportunity for other
traders to benefit if they stay open.” Martyn said it was hoped the Huddersfield Criterium would become firmly establish on the professional race calendar. Last year’s inaugural event brought some of the top names in the domestic cycling scene – some of whom are now racing with world level teams. Dave said: “This area has a long heritage in cycling and I hope that in the next few years we can attract TV coverage to showcase Huddersfield and its surroundings.” The event relies totally on achieving commercial sponsorship. Any business or person who may wish to help the sporting spectacle to the area can contact Martyn on 0752 898 8817.
Sweet smell of success for gas distribution business North of England gas distributor Northern Gas Networks (NGN) fought off stiff competition to take home three awards at the UK Employee Experience Awards. NGN won awards for Employee Insight and Feedback and Employee Engagement — People at the Heart. Company chief executive Mark Horsley was triumphant in the category for Inspirational Leader or Manager. The inaugural UK Employee Experience Awards recognises companies that deliver an outstanding employee experience which results in a great service for the customer and the business as a whole. NGN’s latest achievement comes after it won two awards at the UK Customer Satisfaction Awards in February and a further seven customer award wins in the final quarter for 2014. Mr Horsley said: “Over the last few years, we have been working hard to transform our business so I’m thrilled that we have been recognised for
further awards. “Customer and employee satisfaction are issues that are intertwined. “By empowering our employees we have become an organisation that now not only outperforms every other UK utility company, but also many of the UK’s top retailers and financial institutions in terms of customer service and employee engagement.” Mr Horsley’s innovative approach to employee engagement allows colleagues the freedom to develop and implement their own solutions to problems faced within the business as well as open opportunities to discuss their ideas or concerns. The winners were announced at a gala luncheon at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London. NGN delivers gas to 2.7m homes and businesses across the North of England and provides the region’s rapid response service for customers who smell gas at home or work.
Speakers ready to rise to the occasion at marketing event Speakers from Google and bakery giant Warburtons will address delegates at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) northern conference and awards. The event, which takes place on June 24 at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, will be hosted by celebrity Andy Crane and is set to attract more than 200 marketing professionals from across the North of England. The awards are being held following a successful inaugural event in 2014. The deadline for submissions is April 24. In 2014, the CIM reported an increase in the number of new members across the North of England, with particular interest from graduates entering the industry. Diane Earles, network manager for CIM, said:
“Marketing, thanks to its ability to evolve and diversify, is one of the professional that has gone from strength to strength despite difficult economic times. “It is an exciting industry to be in, and we are continuing to see established practitioners and graduates are continuing to engage. “This conference, with the theme of ‘The Power of Marketing’, acts as an opportunity for some of marketing’s most respected thought leaders to come together to discuss developments in the industry.” The event is open to members and non-members of CIM. For more information or to book go to www. cim.co.uk or call 01628 427340 during office hours.
6
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Kitchen manufacturer has a winning recipe Kitchen manufacturer Rixonway Kitchens has been awarded a prestigious Supplier of the Year award for its efforts and achievements as a key supplier to a leading construction company. The award, the first ever of its kind made by the John Youngs building company, was in recognition of the levels of service delivered by Dewsbury-based Rixonway, in particular its ability to supply high quality products, deal with enquiries quickly, resolve queries and issues in a professional way and in ensuring on-time delivery. Although faced with some challenging requirements, Rixonway continued to provide outstanding service to John Youngs on its sites across the country. Rixonway’s team handling the John Youngs account, estimator Lee Burrows and trainee sales co-ordinator Amy Jackson, accepted the award on the company’s behalf. Founded in 1851, John Youngs is the oldest building company within the R G Carter Group. Based in Norwich, the company handles major construction projects as well as small works for all client sectors. This includes a full construction service, undertaking traditionally procured works in addition to design and build. Rixonway has worked with the group since 2006, supplying kitchens for a range of projects. David Gluckstein, John Youngs operations man-
■■ Tom Terry (left), sales development manager at Rixonway Kitchens, with David Gluckstein, operations manager at John Youngs
ager, said: “We have built great relationships with many suppliers over the years, but over the last 12 months, we feel Rixonway Kitchens have provided us with the best service and as such, have won our first materials supplier of the year award.
“Managing the supply chain is critical on the large housing developments we undertake. “Having suppliers that we can rely on to provide us with clear communication, competitive pricing, quality of product and reliable delivery is vital to us achieving our goals. Rixonway achieved all of these for us in 2014. The service from the estimating team through to delivery has been superb with zero quality issues in the year. “When we have amended layouts due to late design changes, Rixonway have provided us with quick solutions and speedy deliveries to site. They have been – and continue to be – a key supplier to John Youngs in 2015” David Anderson, Rixonway sales and marketing director, said: “It’s always a pleasure to work with the team at John Youngs and we are delighted that Rixonway has won their very first ‘Supplier of the Year’ award. “We pride ourselves in giving the best service possible and are really pleased to have our team recognised for their services and efforts. “Lee and Amy are brilliant examples of the entire Rixonway team who go above and beyond every single day to provide the best service to our clients.” Rixonway Kitchens works with social and affordable housing providers across the UK, designing and supplying kitchens for a range of new build and refurbishment programmes
Opticians focuses on expansion outside W Yorks An award-winning opticians has made its first foray outside West Yorkshire with the acquisition of a practice in Hull. Valli Opticians, which began in Huddersfield in 2005, has bought Henry J Rose Optometrist in Hull to bring the number of businesses under ownership to 10. Moin Valli, managing director of the Valli Group, said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Henry J Rose Optometrist. This is our first venture out of West Yorkshire and this practice in East Yorkshire is situated at the heart of a busy, bustling community close to Hull Royal Infirmary. “The practice is a perfect addi-
tion to our independent, familyrun Valli Group. As a company, it is our number one priority to provide our patients with the very best in the latest eye care technology and techniques whilst still retaining traditional values of excellent customer service.” Henry J Rose established the practice in 1960 and his son David, an optometrist, took over in 1965 following the death of his father. Along with his wife Sue, a qualified dispensing optician, they built it into a very successful practice. David’s son Steven joined them in 2007, later qualifying as a dispensing optician. Moin and his wife Rachel set
up Valli Opticians in 2005. Starting in Lockwood, the group now has 10 businesses – eight of them optical stores. They own Valli Opticians outlets in Lockwood, Honley, Meltham and Mytholmroyd, alongside SD Haigh Opticians in Almondbury, Mamtora Opticians in Hebden Bridge and Barbara Watson Eyecare in Wakefield. They expanded further in 2013 to include two other optical businesses – Valli Home Eye Care, a domiciliary service for elderly and disabled patients, and Valli Co-Optic, which specialises in providing bespoke eye care services on site for medium to large companies.
■■ Moin Valli (right), of Valli Group, with David Rose, of Henry J Rose Optomtrists, and Carol Plumb, also of the Hull practice
Tomlinson set to ramp up LNT care homes operation
■■ Lawrence Tomlinson, chairman of LNT Group
Batley-born Lawrence Tomlinson has launched a new brand identity for his businesses covering the care homes market. Mr Tomlinson’s LNT Group has set up LNT Carehome Developments, which brings together LNT’s Turn of Key and Turn of Key Plus products. Mr Tomlinson, who chairs LNT Group, said: “LNT Construction and the LNT Group are renowned in the care market for their excellent built environment and comprehensive Turn of Key offer. “We’ve built and filled over 100 homes since the millennium and in 2014 we launched our new Turn of
Key Plus package which includes everything needed to open a care home – like assistance with CQC registration and even trained staff. As we expand our offering, it makes sense to bring everything together under one simple brand name – LNT Carehome Developments.” Having secured a £30m committed facility from Omni Capital, the new finance will enable LNT Carehome Developments to ramp up activity. It is actively searching the UK with the intention of building on up to 20 sites per year. Andrew Long, director of development at LNT Group, said: “Having only been launched for a year,
our Turn of Key Plus package has proved exceedingly popular and we’ve sold six homes under this scheme already. “We know there is a strong demand in the market for our products. “We therefore wanted a brand name that shows what we offer as well as encouraging more potential sites for purchase to cross over our desks. LNT Construction, currently a Health Investor Property Developer of the Year finalist in 2015, will continue in its role as construction partner to LNT Carehome Developments.
Investors standard retained A housing support charity has regained its Investors in People standard. Horton Housing is a charitable organisation which provides a range of housing support services from several locations across Kirklees, Calderdale, Bradford and North Yorkshire. After an assessment in February, the Bradford-based company has been re-awarded the Investors in People status, an accreditation which it has maintained since 2000. Investors in People is the UK’s leading accreditation for business improvement through people management and provides a wealth of resources for businesses to innovate, improve and grow, with a focus on good people making great business. Chief executive officer Paul Gartland said: “I am proud that Horton Housing has been recognised for its continued commitment to helping staff achieve their potential. “We have an excellent training programme for employees and received positive feedback on our initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, such as our 30,000-mile challenge to celebrate our anniversary. “Ultimately we recognise that a happy workforce is one that will help our charity to succeed and as our organisation reaches its 30th year, we hope that will continue for many years to come.” Paul Devoy, head of Investors in People, said: “Achieving the Investors in People standard is something that any organisation should be truly proud of. “Working with Investors in People inspires and enables leaders, managers and employees at all levels to build their skills, improve their performance and achieve their potential. We’d like to congratulate Horton Housing on their achievement.”
Up a level for Strata housebuilder Strata posted a 6% rise in net profits to £9.50m from sales of £86m for 2014. Doncaster-based Strata sold 524 new homes in Yorkshire and East Midlands with an average selling price of £174,000. The company, which has previously built properties in Deighton and Brackenhall, said its pipeline of new sites underpinned future growth with estimated future gross margin of £130m with a development value of £633m. Chairman Irving Weaver said Strata expected a similar performance this year to 2014, adding: “The year has started well. In the first 13 weeks of trading, visitors and key conversation rates are ahead of the previous year.”
7
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
‘Start planning upgrades now’ Commercial property investors and occupiers in Kirklees should start planning energy efficiency upgrades to ensure their assets meet minimum band “E” standard – or potentially face being unable to lease them. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has clarified details of the regulations which will be imposed on the nondomestic property sector under the Energy Act 2011, which seeks to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock. About a quarter of all UK building stock falls into Energy Performance Certificate categories “F” and “G” and the clarity of DECC allows organisations – both landlords and tenants – to prepare for necessary changes which must be completed
■■ Stuart Hailey, of DTZ
by 2018. Failure to act could result in being unable to lease the asset and fines up to £150,000. Stuart Hailey, associate director at DTZ in West Yorkshire, said: “The absence of detail has caused uncertainty in the market so the clarity is very welcome. Owners of non-compliant buildings must act or face a twin burden of lost income from an asset they are unable to lease and diminishing capital value.
The effects are being felt already with occupiers stipulating minimum performance ratings for new buildings and this will only increase. “In essence, you are looking at an emerging two-tier market with poorer performing stock being marginalised even before the regulations come into force unless investors and occupiers take steps to prepare for implementation.” The Energy Act provides a framework for upgrading the UK’s worst performing buildings. DTZ says the clarification will have a number of knock-on effects. On the occupier side, energy performance of buildings is likely to become an issue at rent reviews while lease renewals and dilapidations will also be affected.
Award for Marshalls
■■ Fantastic Media managing director Andrew Hobson (left) with (from left) Mark Lee, James Lumb, Emma Cockroft and Kevin Drayton, of One17; Oliver Schofield, of Fantastic Media; and One17’s Stuart Beaumont
Building its profile An award-winning firm of architects has enlisted a marketing agency to increase its national and international profile. One17A Architects and Interior Designers, which specialises in creating bespoke individual homes and interiors and work with listed buildings around the world, has enlisted Fantastic Media to grow the business on a national and international stage. One17, based at Armitage Bridge,
has already launched a lifestyle magazine showcasing some of the best properties in Yorkshire. Now it aims to introduce the firm to a wider audience through its link-up with Birstall-based Fantastic Media. The architect firm was established more than 50 years ago and now employs more than 20 staff. Now the two firms have formed a new marketing strategy encompassing e-marketing, PR, social media and direct mail.
Elland-based landscaping manufacturer Marshalls plc has won a top industry award. The company was named Best Construction and Materials PLC at the 2015 UK Stock Market Awards. The awards ceremony, held in London’s Mayfair, celebrates the contriibution of publicly listed companies to the UK economy. The winners were chosen by a panel of experts from across the financial services community. Marshalls was selected ahead of other nominees Galliford Try, Polypipe Group, Breedon Aggregates Ltd and Michelmersh Brick Holdings. Marshalls chief executive Martyn Coffey, who accepted the award at the gala dinner, said: “Marshalls is proud to be recognised as the UK’s Best Construction and Materials PLC for 2015. “The group strives to maintain a strong market position and has achieved sustainable shareholder value by improving profitability and performance in all areas of the business. We continue to further strengthen the Marshalls brand in the key areas of innovation, customer service and new product development.” Marshalls has been supplying stone since the 1890s.
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WEST SLAITHWAITE ROAD, MARSDEN HD7 6LS
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commercial@bramleys1.co.uk
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EPC Asset Rating E
EPC Asset Rating
TO LET
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www.bramleys.com/commercial
8
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Nosheen Bukhari
Law firm appointment Law firm Chadwick Lawrence has appointed private client solicitor and elderly client specialist Nosheen Bukhari (pictured). Her appointment signals the continued growth of the firm and the increasing portfolio of clients working with the firm’s family law department. Nosheen, who specialises in working with elderly clients, brings with her a wealth of legal experience having worked for a number of firms across Yorkshire and the North West. As a private client solicitor, she specialises in securing lasting Powers of Attorney for her clients in order to provide them with protection should they lose mental or physical capacity. As well as being fluent in Urdu and Punjabi, Nosheen is also a Dementia Champion, which means she has a strong understanding of what it is like for an individual living with dementia. She said: “I have long established links with local organisations which support the work I do and therefore welcomed the opportunity
Collaboration is the name of the game! By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
of working at Chadwick Lawrence and assisting my local community” Sarah Crowther, partner at Chadwick Lawrence, which has its Huddersfield offices at Railway Street, said: “We firmly believe Nosheen will add to the wealth of experience and legal expertise within the wills and probate department.” She added: “The appointment of Nosheen is a testament to the growth we are experiencing, both as a department and the firm as a whole. “As a firm, we are continuing to recruit the very best legal experts in the region and add significant value to our clients across the board.”
Awards for apprentices Two apprentices from a Huddersfield firm have won top regional training awards. Nathan Austin and Thomas Bulloch won the category for refrigeration engineer level 3 in the awards run by the Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES) and its managing agency subsidiary Building Engineering Services Training (BEST). The awards were presented by BEST chief operations officer Steve Leighton at the organisation’s Yorkshire region annual ball at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. Tom, 21, of Longwood, and Nathan, 20, of Wakefield, have worked for refrigeration, air conditioning and mechanical services firm Crowther & Shaw, based at Queen’s Mill Road, since joining from school in 2010. Company managing director Mark Gledhill said: “They have attend-
movers and shakers
ed Grimsby College for four years to receive training in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning engineering and their exceptional progress led to them being joint winners of the B&ES Yorkshire individual achievement award level 2 in 2012. “This is an award presented by the trade’s national monitoring body for exceptional performance in college and the workplace by industry trainees.” He said: “These are the latest in a long line of Crowther & Shaw trainees to win this award with previous success coming in 2003, 2004, 2006 & 2007. “This is recognition that the company’s apprenticeship scheme works with the development of some top quality engineers. “The end result being that 13 of our current engineering staff having come through this route.”
A new network for professional service providers has been launched at Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre. The 3M BIC Professional Service Membership official launch event was attended by more than 30 professional service providers and representatives of small and mediumsized enterprises. It was created based on feedback from focus groups which highlighted that support businesses wanted more interaction with SMEs to build on their existing client portfolios – along with the opportunity to collaborate with other professional service providers. As well as providing access to more than 1,000 businesses of all sizes, members get the opportunity to market their business and services direct to SMEs and other service providers as well as take up collaborative opportunities with Huddersfield University. They can attend and host specialist events and seminars at the 3M BIC, get discounts on meeting and conference spaces equipped with the latest AV equipment, use hot desk facilities with free Wi-Fi available; and get access to state-of-the-art technology for measurement, design and prototyping. Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, chief executive at the 3M BIC, welcomed guests to the launch event and introduced the Professional Services Membership and its benefits. Richard Paxman, of Fenay Bridge-based Paxman Coolers, spoke about how his business has benefited from being a 3M BIC Corporate Network Member through its links with the university, access to Innovation Vouchers and the opportunity to link with professional support services. About 10 professional service members exhibited at the event, including banks, solicitors, intellectual property specialists, trade organisations and marketing experts. Exhibitors included KPMG, Santander, Bai-
■■ Prof Liz Towns-Andrews, chief executive of the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, with Luke Rowbotham (centre), relationship director at Santander Corporate Banking, and Richard Paxman, of Paxman Coolers, at the launch of the Professional Service Membership network at the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (pictured below).
ley Walsh & Co, 3volution LLP, Appleyard Lees, Business Doctors, the Manufacturing Advisory Service, Shark and Winning-Pitch. Prof Towns-Andrews said: “Through focus groups we realised there was a gap for professional service providers to access SMEs. “Many support businesses, especially larger corporates, don’t always get that link with smaller companies. “Even more so, there are limited opportunities to collaborate with other service providers. “With access to over 1,000 businesses though our other Network Membership levels and tenants, the 3M BIC’s Professional Service Membership provides a platform that enables support businesses to link with each other, but also puts them in front of start-ups and SMEs on a regular basis.”
Ross follows his father’s footsteps A family-run manufacturing company has seen the baton pass from father to son. Keith Ball has handed over the role of managing director at The Horizon Group to his son and long-serving employee, Ross. Keith assumes the post of chief executive with a view to approaching retirement over the next few years. The group, which specialises in engineering and metal fabrication to produce signs, furniture, fittings and equipment for sectors including transport, construction and, education sectors, has been operating in Milnsbridge for more than 30 years. Ross has gained experience in a large corporate organisation as well as running his own signage manufacture and supply business. He joined the company, then Horizon Signs, in 2007 as
operations director having bought a number of shares in the business. The company appointed Matthew Wilson to then board in 2013 as it made strides towards safeguarding and expanding the products and services offered. Keith said: “Ross has always shown a keen interest in Horizon but wanted to gain additional experience working in other industries. As well as this, his time running Fusion Display helped him to gain some valuable insights in to what it takes to run a company. “When the right role came about at Horizon, Ross was really able to get to grips with making improvements and his grasp of how business works is clear to see.” Ross will continue to undertake a number of operational duties, but will now play a greater role in
■■ Ross Ball (left) is congratulated by his father Keith on becoming MD
developing and adding to the company’s existing roster of clients. He is also working as part of the team charged with expanding Horizon’s product offering with a specific focus on specialist bespoke items. He said: “Horizon is a family
business with over 30 years of trading under its belt and it has always been a key part of my life. From an early age I’ve always had a keen interest in how every aspect of the company operates. “I started out as a teenager sweeping floors to earn some extra pocket money and since then I’ve pretty much had hands on experience with every role there is. “I never wanted to simply inherit the company as my dad was also keen for me to have a rounded understanding of what it takes to run a business and that has meant rolling my sleeves up and getting stuck in. “Over the years, we have built up a strong product and service offering and I’m really looking forward to driving things forward and building on the solid foundations already in place.”