WILL MORRIS Health and safety myths Column - Page 4
FTSE 100
-39.33 -106.58 5665.57 5737.78
SIMON KAYE The strain in Spain! Column - Page 5
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Skilled staff keep contracts coming
SKILLED staff are playing a vital role in the success of a Huddersfield manufacturing firm. Honley-based precision metalworking company Allsops Ltd has reported business almost back to pre-credit crunch levels with a series of contract wins for clients in the UK and overseas. Technical director Stephane Lericolais said: “We are getting busier because out customers are getting busier, which is a positive sign for manufacturing.” And he was also quick to credit the efforts of the firm’s 110-strong workforce as a factor in the firm finding favour with clients.. “Twenty per cent of the staff have been with the company more than 20 years and 5% have at least 30 years’ service,” he said. “We have been able to retain the skilled personnel necessary to successfully bid for contracts. “All our customers can see that the products are world-class and that is down to the experience of the workforce.” Allsops Ltd, formed in 1959, provides steel and aluminium components for customers in a wide range of industries, including global names in sectors such as food processing, retailing, electronics, logistics, utilities, defence, transport, pharmaceuticals and waste water treatment. Major end-users have included Nike, KP, Cadburys, Tesco, Argos and Cisco.
Recent contracts have included supplying ovens to a company based in Limerick, which specialises in supplying equipment such as ovens and cooling systems to the catering and food industries. The company is also set to embark on a contract to provide conveyors used as part of the security systems at Dubai Airport. Sales and marketing director Robert Machon said the firm was winning export business in the highly competitive markets of Germany and China thanks to the quality of its products. But he added: “We have not lost sight of the needs of local companies and remain committed to them. No contract is too small for us.” Previous contracts have included ones to supply all the metal components for a new generation of mail sorting machine, metal enclosures for telecoms and cable companies and self-serve kiosks for a number of leading retailers. Allsops also built a range of stand-alone videoconferencing rooms for a top US-based computer systems company’s offices in the USA, Singapore, Egypt and Lithuania. The firm is reaping the benefit of long-term investment in the latest computer-controlled machines and laser cutting kit to increase speed, accuracy and flexibility – and to help reduce waste at a time of rising costs for raw materials. It also has high speed com-
for Orchard to negotiate with European suppliers for its manufacturing operations on the continent. “We may be a big player in the soft drinks sector, but ours is a tough industry with tight margins and efficiency in all areas is vital,” said Mr Hall. “Raw materials make up 82% of the cost of each container and with an annual energy spend in the UK alone of £3.6m we can’t afford to make mistakes when buying electricity.
Perfect match BUSINESSWOMAN Jo Haigh has been playing matchmaker. The Denby Dale-based partner in fds Corporate Finance Services teamed up with colleague Charlotte Mason to launch a non-executive director matchmaking programme to introduce 10 company chief executives to 20 talented females who might turn out to be their ideal non-executive or board appointment.
● Full story - Page 8
■ BUSIER: Stephane Lericolais, technical director for Allsops Ltd, said business was close to matching pre-credit crunch levels
puter-controlled metal punching equipment and robotic welders. Allsops’ investment at its 85,000sq ft Hope Bank Works site also includes two powder-coating plants with zinc phosphate pre-treatment lines – one of only two such installations in the north of England – and an assembly plant. Together, the investments underline Allsops’ reputation as a one-stop shop for design and assembly of metal products ranging from metal fur-
niture, lighting fixtures and conveyors to industrial ovens, video game machines and accessories for fitted kitchens. Allsops, led by managing director Paul Goodwin, was founded by the late Bob Allsop with just three employees in 1959. From being a traditional sheet metal sub-contractor using conventional tools, it has become a leading name in the industry.
Orchard seals three-year European energy deal A PLASTIC products manufacturer has teamed up with Elland-based energy advice company Orchard Energy to increase efficiency across its entire European operations. Constar, with its UK headquarters at Sherburn-in-Elmet, is one of the largest manufacturers of plastic bottles in Europe and the USA. Purchasing manager Graham Hall said Constar had worked with Orchard for a number of years. It has now sealed a three-year deal
INSIDE
“We rely on specialist advice, not only to tell us when to buy and at what price but to help us plan our budgets over the year and forecast business growth, providing us with detailed consumption and demand data that allows us to make accurate projections for the months ahead.” Constar began manufacturing plastic bottles in 1963 as Sewell Plastics and introduced the first two litre drinks bottle to the market in 1977.
The Yorkshire plant makes bottles for major brands including Cott Beverages, Britvic, CCE and Coors. Gareth Henderson, managing director of Elland-based Orchard Energy, said energy purchasing strategies in the UK and Europe had brought significant savings for the manufacturer, added that negotiating with suppliers on other costs associated with energy contracts had also played a key role in cutting costs.
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Answer is YES HUDDERSFIELD company Yorkshire Energy Services is to become one of the Government’s pioneer Green Deal providers. YES, based at New North Parade, will play an active role in the Green Deal in providing and managing the finance needed for householders and small businesses to access effective energy saving services.
● Full story - Page 7
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Economy blamed for ‘brutal’ job cuts THE owner of Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks blamed the UK’s faltering economy for a “brutal” shake-up that will axe more than 1,400 jobs. National Australia Bank’s two UK brands will cut about 17% of their workforce by 2015, as they mainly pull out of the south of England and concentrate on their heartlands in Scotland and the north of England. The banks, which have 337 branches, will close 29 of their 73 Financial Solution Centres, which offer services to businesses and better-off individual investors. Nine more will be merged with local retail branches, following a strategic review and six back office locations will be shut. Of the six back office locations to be closed, four have already been announced – in London, Leeds and two in Glasgow. The decision was blamed on a deterioration in the UK economy, which
recently slipped back into recession, with commercial property markets particularly badly hit. The announcement comes as the banks racked up a £25m loss in the six months to the end of March, compared with a £77m profit in the previous year – reflecting a higher charge on bad debts and higher funding costs. The results reveal a £141m write-down to the value of Clydesdale and an additional £120m set aside to cover mis-sold payment protection insurance. David Fleming, national officer for union Unite, said the announcement was “nothing short of brutal” for the ■ CUTS: Clydesdale and Yorkshire UK workforce. He said: “Unite finds it disgusting Banks will axe more than 1,400 jobs that the company decided to release a statement from Australia in the middle through the morning news reports. of the night so UK staff across York- This is not the behaviour of a responsshire and Clydesdale banks would wake ible or credible organisation.” up to hear that their jobs are being cut The bulk of the job losses – 670 – will
Aviva boss waives pay increase THE boss of insurer Aviva bowed to shareholder pressure and waived a pay rise which would have taken his annual salary over the £1m mark. Chief executive Andrew Moss was awarded a 4.6% rise in March on his £960,000 annual salary, but has decided not to accept the increase following talks with major investors. The decision, which was accepted by the board, comes after investor group Pensions Investment Research Consultants called on shareholders to vote against Aviva’s executive pay report at its annual meeting on Thursday. Banking giant Barclays was stung
by its shareholders last Friday after nearly a third of their votes failed to back the bank’s bumper pay awards. Pirc has dubbed Aviva’s executive pay awards “excessive’’ while the Association of British Insurers has issued an “amber alert” warning over Aviva’s remuneration report. Mr Moss received a total pay and perks package worth up to £5m last year if certain targets were met. Aviva said its shareholders had expressed concerns over pay for new recruits as well as whether overall levels of remuneration reflected changes in shareholder value through the year.
come from the closure of the financial services centres in the south. Some 300 jobs are set to go in Yorkshire and 60 in Scotland on top of 200 that have already been announced. A further 200 will be moved to NAB. NAB chief executive Cameron Clyne said: “In the last half year, there has been a significant downgrade in the growth prospects of the UK economy, in part reflecting the drag on its recovery from heightened weakness in the eurozone. “In addition, the commercial property market, which had previously seen signs of recovery, has recently experienced a “double dip“ as the recovery stalls and other banks accelerate the reduction in their commercial real estate exposures.” The bank said restructuring will cost £195m, but will deliver cost savings of £74m by 2015.
Four Seasons to be sold A GROUP controlling 445 care homes with 20,000 residents has agreed to be sold to financier Guy Hands’ private equity firm for £825m. Four Seasons Health Care, the UK’s largest independent elderly and specialist care provider with 30,000 staff, which also owns 61 specialist care centres, will be sold to Terra Firma. Mr Hands, founder, chairman and chief investment officer at Terra Firma, is perhaps best known for his failed investment in British music company EMI. He said: “Our number one priority
is to ensure that Four Seasons delivers consistent high-quality care and peace of mind for residents, service users and their families.” The deal is expected to complete on or before July 16, at which point Four Seasons’ debt liabilities will be discharged in full. The £825m price tag is being financed through a mixture of equity and new debt, with the debt being arranged by Goldman Sachs and Barclays. Four Seasons has achieved a turnaround in quality of care and business performance and is trading profitably, Terra Firma said.
Page 2 New shift for factory AN extra shift has been introduced at the UK factory of car giant Honda – where hundreds more jobs have been created. The 500 new employees take the total number of workers at the Swindon plant to 3,500. The Japanese firm said the second shift coincided with growing demand for its new Civic hatchback models. Production at the Wiltshire plant is forecast to double to 180,000 this year. Speaking in December, Honda Motor Europe president Manabu Nishimae said Honda remained totally committed to building cars and engines in Europe, with Swindon at the heart of its European manufacturing activities. Honda director Andy Piatek said: “I am delighted to welcome our new associates. We are proud of the skills of our workforce and the quality and reliability of the products we build.”
In the net A LEADING five-a-side football pitch operator has won more time to allow a takeover bid from one of Canada’s biggest pension funds. Goals Soccer Centres, which has 42 UK sites, said it had received an approach from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan at the beginning of April, but said the interest was at an early stage and that there was no certainty an offer will be forthcoming.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £37.05 -0.02 Gannett 844.84 -19.72 Hess Corp £31.92 +0.16 Microsoft 1970.67 Motors Liquidation 46.22 Wal-Mart Stores £36.10 -0.27 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 282 +41/2 BAE Systems 2951/4 -73/4 1 Rolls-Royce 823 /2 -11 AIM Brady Plc 861/4 +3/4 Dawson Intl 13/8 1 Man Brnze 37 /8 +1/8 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2033/4 -41/8 BANKS Barclays 2181/4 -47/8 HSBC 5551/8 -41/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 31 -1/8 Ryl Scotland 241/4 -1/8 Stan Chart 1506 -17 BEVERAGES Diageo 1551 -231/2 SABMiller £257/8 -1/8 CHEMICALS Croda £223/8 -1/2 Elementis 98 2081/8 +3/4 Johnsn Mat £231/8 -1/2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 261 -41/2
2221/2 +3 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 543 -21/2 Intl Power 417 -3/8 SSE 1321 -14 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2161/4 -11/2 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 361 -21/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2103/4 -21/8 Cable & Wireless 33 +1/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 351/2 -1/4 Wwide 3 Colt Group 106 /8 -1/4 KCOM 71 -5/8 7 Talktalk Telecom 127 /8 -7/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2805/8 -25/8 Sainsbury 3077/8 +3/4 3 Tesco 317 /8 -5/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1219 -4 Tate Lyle 6901/2 +1 Unilever £21 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3067/8 -53/8 National Grid 6651/2 +21/2 Pennon Grp 736 +11/2 Severn 1690 -12 1 United Utils 618 /2 -11/2 Costain
GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 1911/8 -11/8 ICAP 3793/4 -31/4 London StockExch 1088 +6 Man Group 1031/2 -31/2 Provident Financial 1156 -1 Schroders 1418 -32 Schroders NV 1126 -22 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 7251/2 -15 REXAM 430 -1/2 Smiths Grp 1070 -8 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 23 -1/4 Carphone Whse 131 +3/4 3 Dixons Retail 17 /4 -1/4 Home Retail 1065/8 -7/8 Inchcape 3657/8 -23/4 1 Kingfisher 290 /2 -21/2 M&S 357 -41/8 Mothercare 1703/4 +4 Next £291/4 -1/4 WH Smith 527 -1/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6061/2 -5 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 80 -11/4 Barrat Dev 1333/4 -11/4 1 Persimmon 628 /2 -111/2 Reckitt Benckiser £357/8 1 Taylor Wimpey 50 /4 -3/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 9891/2 -261/2
INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2921/4 -1/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1971/2 -1/4 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3081/8 -85/8 Lgl & Gen 1175/8 -13/8 3 Old Mutual 147 /4 -21/4 1 Prudential 754 /2 -51/2 Resolution 2233/4 -23/4 5 Standard Life 223 /8 -31/4 MEDIA BSkyB 678 +101/2 D Mail Tst 4161/4 -81/8 3 ITV 83 /4 -21/2 3 Johnston Press 5 /4 -1/4 Pearson 1160 -7 Reed Elsevier 510 -31/2 1 STV Group 112 /2 +1/4 Trinity Mirror 321/2 -1/4 Utd Business 5891/2 -4 UTV 152 -13/4 1 WPP 833 /2 -101/2 Yell Group 37/8 +1/8 MINING Anglo American £235/8 -1/8 Antofagasta 1181 -24 BHP Billiton 19741/2 +81/2 Eurasian Natural 5591/2 -11/2 Res Fresnillo 1560 -53 Kazakhmys 861 -18 Lonmin 1042 -16 3 Rio Tinto £34 /8 -3/4
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
387 931/4 6651/2 1705
-61/2 +1/4 +21/2 -35
closed at at FTSE closed
5737.78 Down 39.33 VEDANTA 1217 RESOURCES Xstrata 11771/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 4393/4 Vodafone Group 1701/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1211 RSA Insurance Gp 105 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 14501/2 BP 445 Cairn Energy 3433/4 Royal Dutch Shell A £217/8 Royal Dutch Shell B £221/2
-24 -241/2 -33/4 -5/8 -9 +1/4 +61/2 -13/8 -1/4 -1/8
Total £293/8 -3/8 Tullow Oil 1534 -6 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1135 +5 Petrofac 1735 -4 Wood Gp(J) 781 -61/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1485 +16 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £27 +1/4 GlaxoSmithK 11/2 Shire £201/8 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4893/8 -75/8 Captl Shop Cent 325 -51/4 Hamrsn 4175/8 -51/4 1 Land Secs 727 /2 -12 SEGRO 2211/8 -73/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2221/8 +105/8 Logica 777/8 -17/8 3 Misys 348 /4 +1/8 Sage Group 2861/8 -17/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 515 -51/2 Bunzl 1023 -6 Capita 663 -22 De La Rue 9751/2 -9 Electrocomp 2273/4 -3/4 Experian 9721/2 -8 G4S 2795/8 -45/8 Hays 891/4 -13/4 Homeserve 2521/2 +13/8
Menzies J 652 Rentokil 861/2 Smiths News 991/2 Wolseley £233/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 524 Psion 56 Spirent Comms 170 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £315/8 Imperial Tobacco £245/8 LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital 154 Carnival £20 Compass Grp 644 easyJet 4957/8 Enterprise Inns 611/2 FirstGroup 1943/4 Go-Ahead Gp 1140 Greene King 5101/2 Intercontl Htls 1467 Intl Cons Airlines 1763/8 Gp Ladbrokes 1793/8 Mitchells & Butlers 2633/4 Natl Express 2163/4 Rank Org 117 Stagecoach Group 248 TUI Travel 191 Whitbread 1927 INDEX FTSE 100 5737.78 INDEX FTSE 250 11417.59
+19 -1 +11/2 -5/8 -13 +1/2 +17/8 -1/4 -3/8 -4 -1/2 -31/2 +7/8 +1/2 -61/8 -1 -2 -18 -3/4 -1 -51/4 -1/4 -2 -25/8 +7/8 +20 -39.33 -62.15
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.48 dollars Bangladesh................. 125.75 taka Brazil.............................. 2.74 reals Canada....................... 1.52 dollars China ............................. 9.19 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.95 korunas Denmark....................... 8.69 krone Euro............................... 1.17 euro Hong Kong................ 11.99 dollars Hungary................... 314.96 forints India.......................... 75.40 rupees Japan........................... 124.19 yen Mexico ....................... 18.81 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.84 dollars Norway ......................... 8.88 krone Pakistan.................. 139.54 rupees Philippines ................. 58.91 pesos South Africa.................. 11.81 rand South Korea.............. 1604.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 199.45 rupees Sweden....................... 10.45 krona Switzerland.................. 1.41 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.47 dollars Turkey....................... 2.70 new lira USA ............................ 1.56 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Page 3
Fishing for business in a competitive market THINGS couldn’t be going more swimmingly for Adam and Victoria Dyson. The husband and wife team behind up-and-coming agency The Clever Fish Recruitment are combining the demanding role of running a business with the equally important job of bringing up their two-and-a-half year-old daughter Amelia. And the couple, who set up their business just two years ago, have already won a business award. They work from home, an arrangement that has several advantages. “We have to watch our costs like all businesses, so we don’t have the overheads of office premises,” says Adam, “And we are lucky to be able to spend more time with Amelia. “When we first set up the business and Amelia was born, we were always thankful for hands free phones so we could change a nappy and take a call at the same time!” Adam and Victoria met when they were both working for the same recruitment agency. Together, they have over 17 years’ experience recruiting in the industrial and commercial sectors across Kirklees and Calderdale. Victoria, who hails from Marsden and attended Colne Valley High School, says: “When I left education, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I started working as a receptionist for a recruitment agency in Huddersfield on a part-time basis. I trained as a consultant and after a lot of hard work I worked my way up to be a branch manager. “I started working in industrial recruitment, then moved into commercial and office recruitment. “I enjoy working closely with clients to understand their requirements and interviewing and coaching candidates throughout the whole process.” Adam, who grew up in Lepton and attended Kaye’s College, worked in casinos in Huddersfield and Bradford for a few years before becoming casino manager for Princess Cruise Lines – a job which took him to the Caribbean, North and South America. He also worked in London for five years as a casino inspector and trainer. However, after 12 years, the lure of the bright lights began to pall. “It was all about people losing their money, smoking and drinking,” he says. “It was interesting to work abroad, but it involved unsociable hours and long days. You had to think on your feet and work out complicated bets in your head. I did all right, considering maths was never my strongest subject!” While working in London, Adam got chatting to someone who worked in recruitment and became interested in the sector. He answered a newspaper advert for a trainee recruitment consultant in Huddersfield, and thanks in part to his management experience in casinos, he was offered a branch manager position and “fast-tracked” to become a branch manager. Adam quickly turned a struggling branch around and within 18 months
manager. Victoria and Adam married in 2007, but discovered on return from honeymoon that Victoria was being made redundant due to branches merging. Adam left a few months later to work for another local agency as a team and on-site manager. Victoria spent the next two years working for a local agency as commercial manager. In 2009, Victoria was made redundant when the company she was working for closed down, so with Victoria being seven months pregnant the couple decided to take a gamble and set up on their own. While the agency’s name inevitably makes would-be clients curious, The Clever Fish Recruitment had no problem “hooking” new clients. And companies, who had dealt with Adam and Victoria in the past, were getting in touch to recruit for them. “We have been thankful for their support,” says Adam. “They believed in us. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” Says Victoria: “We were forced into setting up our own business. Who was going to give me a job when I was seven months pregnant? But this is something we had always dreamed of doing.” Adam didn’t need to be a casino manager to know that the stakes were high. “We didn’t have any doubt that it would work,” he says. “It had to work because if it hadn’t, we would lose everything including our home. “Now, we want to be a really good ■ IN THE SWIM: Victoria and Adam Dyson, of Clever Fish Recruitment, are happy working from home with local agency that looks after its clients daughter Amelia and its candidates; that is honest, professional and reliable; we are not target driven, out to make a quick He believes recruitment agencies buck, we are looking for a long-term should treat their candidates as well future. as they treat their clients. “I am honest “We advertise for the best with the candidate,” he says. “I don’t candidates for the job; we undertake promise long-term work if I cannot telephone screening and face-to-face provide it. That saves them a lot of interviews. We look at personality as heartache and builds up trust. well as skills.” Candidates fully understand the type Says Adam: “When a client asks us of work they will be asked to do and Work: Recruitment agency to recruit for a role, we visit the on many occasions, the candidates Site: Huddersfield company and get a feel for the role so will visit the companies before starting that we can better understand what it Phone: 01484 513333 a contract. involves and find the correct “Communicating with candidates is Email: adam@the cleverfish.com candidates for the job.” key, but due to the volume of Website: www.theclever fish.com As well as general industrial and applications we receive, it is commercial posts, The Clever Fish impossible to reply and keep in touch Recruitment has provided people for a with everyone, we do what we can range of roles – from electrical and have even set an automatic polite estimators, lab technicians and response to job applicants so they engineers to web developers, know we have received their accounts and call centre staff. application and what the process will During the current uncertain be. economic climate, demand for “We ask candidates to keep in temporary staff has increased – as regular contact with us as new employers adopt a cautious approach. vacancies come through everyday.” Says Adam: “Some companies are so The Clever Fish Recruitment is a busy, they are taking on a lot of true family business. If you are proud of what your business has achieved; temporary staff, but it is Victoria’s mum Dale has over 15 week-by-week and month-by-month why not tell us about your success story years experience working in the because they aren’t sure what is recruitment industry and provides and you could be a winner of our happening.” support and handles the accounts prestigious award. Among its many contracts, one and payroll. manufacturing client requires 30 Victoria heads up the For further details please contact: temporary staff each day to work day commercial/office recruitment, Adam and night shifts. With Adam’s on-site Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors, looks after industrial and engineering recruitment knowledge, he has the recruitment as well as business 14 High Street, Huddersfield HD1 2HA experience and ability to handle large development. And Amelia – they hope volume accounts which includes – will soon be looking after reception! T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk on-site health and safety inductions and site visits once or twice a day to Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995 HENRYK ZIENTEK ensure things run smoothly.
The Clever Fish Recruitment
Who will be the next Business of the Month?
local
Page 4
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all become too conscious? The Health and Safety Executive has published a list of the top 10 health and safety myths – to clear their name and remind us that there are some very silly decisions that are blamed on health and safety. It’s hard to tell where some of these ridiculous and baffling myths originate, but they all have one crucial thing in common – they are not required by health and safety law. To mark the launch of the new Myth Busters Challenge Panel, HSE has published its top 10 worst myths, and stated: “We want people to work with us to challenge these myths – the time has come to end the madness!” ● Children being banned from playing conkers unless they are wearing goggles – Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that’s a discipline issue, not health and safety ● Office workers being banned from putting up Christmas decorations – Most organisations including HSE and local councils manage to put up their decorations, celebrating the spirit of Christmas without a fuss. They just sensibly provide their staff with suitable step ladders to put up decorations rather than expecting staff to balance on wheelie chairs ● Trapeze artists being ordered to wear hard hats – Hard hats do
RISKY BUSINESS Will Morris
an excellent job of protecting building workers from falling debris, but they have no place on a trapeze ● Pin the tail on the donkey games being deemed a health and safety risk – Not trusting children with drawing pins seems a little overprotective to the HSE. After all, millions of children have been playing traditional party games like this for years without any problems ● Candy floss on a stick being banned in case people trip and impale themselves – Is the traditional form of this sweet disappearing because it is easier to mass produce and store it in plastic bags? Who knows, but it certainly isn’t health and safety leaving anyone with a bad taste in their mouth ● Hanging baskets being banned in case people bump their heads on them – Back in 2004 a town did briefly take down its hanging baskets over fears that old lamp posts would collapse. This was an overly-cautious reaction to a low risk ● Schoolchildren being ordered to wear clip-on ties in case they are choked by traditional neckwear – Simple precautions such as removing the tie during laboratory work or around machinery make sense,
but if the concern is really about children fighting, while clip-on ties may help, the real issue is discipline ● Park benches must be replaced because they are three inches too low – It seems that the story originated from a decision by a facility manager and has no basis in health and safety law at all. There are no such bench height requirements and the HSE will definitely not be sending their inspectors around measuring the benches! ● Flip flops being banned from the workplace – However, slips, trips and falls do account for about 30% of all workplace accidents and what you wear on your feet can make a difference. So, if you work somewhere where the floor can’t be kept dry or clean, then wearing shoes that fit well and have a good grip would be a better choice than flip-flops ● Graduates ordered not to throw their mortar boards in the air – The chance of being injured by a flying mortar board is incredibly small and, when the concern is actually about the hats being returned in good condition, it’s time to stop blaming health and safety
Will Morris is risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd
Buyer event is a winner KIRKLEES companies have been urged to follow the example of a local firm – and secure new business by attending a Meet the Buyer event. Meltham-based Harold Fisher (Plastics) Ltd came up trumps after attending one such event organised by Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance. Managing director Jeff Monks said his firm landed “significant” new business from a new customer and was able to provide additional work for a tooling firm in Elland as a result of attending the event. Said Mr Monks: “Gaining a new customer is always good news. The fact that the customer is local to us brings other benefits to both parties. Local customers enable us to minimise transport costs, minimise stockholding and recycle packing materials in a manner not
Take a look at R&D tax relief
MANUFACTURERS in Kirklees are being encouraged to take a fresh look at research and development tax relief schemes – and be prepared to take full credit for their sustained investment in innovation. From April, 2013, the Government is planning to introduce a new “above the line” R&D tax credit that will be available to larger companies – those with more than 500 employees – regardless of whether they are making a profit or loss. The proposals are currently subject to a wider consultation and views from businesses are being sought by June 29, 2012. For some manufacturing businesses that have been used to making a loss, such as those investing in the research and development of emerging technologies that have not yet made it to market, R&D tax relief may not have been claimed previously. The fact that such businesses will soon be able to claim a repayable tax credit to help balance the books even before their innovation goes into production, will be very welcome. Gordon Singer, head of tax at PwC in Yorkshire, said: “Larger firms in the region are big spenders when it comes to R&D and they deserve to be able to take the credit for their investment. “From April next year, it is proposed that even if they are making a loss they will be able to claim a repayable tax credit calculated by placing the sum invested in R&D above the line. For tax purposes, this means their R&D spend can increase the company’s profits before tax.” Small and medium-sized businesses can benefit from tax relief of 125% on their R&D spend and the limit imposed on the level of relief payable, based on the company’s PAYE/NI contributions, has been removed altogether.
Getting better burdened with administration. “When customers are at a distance we go and see them when there are issues to discuss, but how often do we find time to go and see them to explore opportunities together? We look forward to building a long-term relationship with an important new customer thanks to CKMA and would recommend both suppliers and buyers to attend the next event.” CKMA is an independent organisation run by people actively involved in manufacturing. It aims to benefit its members through
holding regular informative events, providing details of relevant support and giving a voice representing the interests of this very important sector. Membership is open to any manufacturing company based in and around Calderdale and Kirklees for a nominal annual fee. The next Meet the Buyer event will be held at 5.30pm on May 16 at the Briar Court Hotel, Birchencliffe, when buyers looking for potential suppliers will be David Brown Gears Ltd and The Leo Group. Go to www.ckma.co.uk
CONSUMER confidence shows tentative signs of improving, according to a survey. The latest Consumer Tracker from business advisory form Deloitte said fewer people were pessimistic about job security and the ability to manage personal debt – but more people were downbeat about their household’s disposable income. It said consumers had reduced their focus on money-saving tactics, but saw no evidence that consumers are returning to more free spending habits.
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No need to fear the Spanish flu! INCE the beginning of the second S quarter, the mood in financial markets has darkened once again, prompt-
ing a retreat from equities – particularly from shares most directly exposed to the eurozone crisis. The causes of the increased nervousness are easy to see, being negative developments in all three key elements of the bullish prognosis for risk assets – namely a “muddle through” in Europe, a “soft take-off ” in America and a “soft landing” in China. Least worrying to us is America, where faith in the economic recovery has been shaken by recent employment data. Although this bears watching, a broad range of indicators still point to a run rate of 2-3% real GDP growth, including consumer confidence and housing, both previously sources of concern. Similarly, although we find China’s politics to be intriguing, we are highly un-alarmed by the deceleration of the economic growth to 8.1% in Q1 and the re-stating of the official target of 7.5% growth for the full year. Such a “landing” may feel hard to those used to double digit rates, but it should not cause global GDP forecasts to be meaningfully downgraded from current levels. Which brings us back to Europe. The eurozone is facing its first serious tests since the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) widely applauded Long Term Refinancing Operations injected over one trillion euros of funds into the banking system – averting a potentially catastrophic liquidity crunch. The tests are coming from both political and economic directions. On the political front, imminent elections in France and Greece both have the potential to force the existing Franco-German road-map for achieving a stability to be re-drawn. From the economic direction, Spain’s increasing borrowing costs following upon the new administrations’ repudiation of previous deficit reduction targets raises the spectre of another key European economy
Page 5 Conference call BUSINESS IT support specialist P2 Technologies has been appointed programme partner for the Yorkshire Business Conferences. Lockwood-based P2 will attend at all six conferences to be held across the region this year.
CITY TALK Simon Kaye
falling into a debt trap – where further austerity actually makes the problems worse rather than better. Our view is that judging the health of the eurozone project by movements in financial markets on a daily basis risks losing the proper perspective. Although politics could de-rail the process, significant forward strides have been taken over the past 12 months. Crucially, all members of the zone have been forced into accepting that stability can only be achieved through fiscal sustainability, which in itself can only be achieved through increasing competitiveness (employment) and unwinding unaffordable post-war social security models (reduced expenditures and disincentives to work). The nature of these tasks means that progress is not linear or steady – the mandate for progress is difficult to win against entrenched interests and the effects of measures taken are difficult to quantify. Bearing this in mind, we view the recent “pain in Spain” with less alarm than the Italian situation at the end of 2011. At that time, the overall European plan was less clear, the support of the ECB was less certain, safety nets less defined and the nature of the problem was not agreed (then by the Berlusconi government). With Spain, markets are simply debating the speed of progress and keeping pressure on the Rajoy administration to deliver, not threatening to abandon all faith – as was the message to Italy. On a more optimistic note, although Europe is currently enduring very high levels of stress as the price of an Austrian solution to the sovereign debt crisis, there are good reasons to expect a more forgiving environ-
Simon Kaye is divisional director at Investec Wealth & Investment
ment after the middle of the year. Aside from a clearer political picture, the most important of these is the passing of the July deadline for European banks to hit their required “stress tested” capital adequacy levels, set by the European Banking Authority . Once this hurdle has been jumped, European banks’ inclination to lend will increase and the credit crunch will ease. If this is accompanied by a more favourable external economic environment or (however unlikely it seems now) a more pro-growth policy mix within Europe (led by Germany) investors in European sovereign debt could quickly view the glass as half-full once more. In the meantime, we must expect volatility to continue, matching our commitments to the markets with our stomach to tolerate it and our inclination to look past it.
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A COACH company in Huddersfield has invested £750,000 in three new coaches to add to its 32-strong fleet for 2012. Milnsbridge-based Stotts Coaches has acquired a Portuguese-built Caetano Levante featuring full leather seating, wheelchair access and CCTV that was purchased for a new five-year contract awarded to Stotts in February. The new contract is the 335 service that operates between Halifax and Birmingham 363 days a year. Stotts has operated scheduled express services for National Express since 2010. At the recent National Express Operator Awards, Stotts won trophies for Best Fleet 2011 and Operator of the Year in the one to
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five vehicle category. The other two coaches are Scarborough-built Plaxton Elites, featuring 51reclining seats incorporating three-point all-age seat belts with cream leather piping and headrest inserts. The coaches also boast climate control and air conditioning together with strongly tinted windows, a toilet, a servery and an entertainment system with DVD player and monitor. Director Carl Stott said: “We like the Plaxton brand and choosing the Elites adds value to the business. We continue to re-invest in a modern fleet and the strikingly different look of the Elite clearly demonstrates this to our customers who say they have the ‘wow’ factor.”
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
■ PRIME TIME: Huddersfield-born architect Jonathan Wimpenny (right) with Prime Minister David Cameron at the launch of This is GREAT Britain in New York
UK architect flies the flag A HUDDERSFIELD-born architect is set to promote the best of British construction and design in the USA. Jonathan Wimpenny, who has his practice in New York, will be flying the flag at a reception to be held on May 17 at the British ambassador’s residence in Washington, where he will welcome Royal Institute of British Architects president Angela Brady. Mr Wimpenny, a member of the well-known Wimpenny family of builders in Huddersfield, is a member of RIBA and president of RIBA-USA, an organisation representing British architects working in the States. He said: “I will be welcoming the 74th RIBA president, Angela Brady, to promote British architects and all those connected with the UK building industry working in the United States.” Earlier the same day, Mr Wimpenny will be moderator for a series of talks given by prominent RIBA-USA members at the American Institute of Architects Convention in Washington. It is the first time that RIBA-USA has been included in the convention. Last September, Mr Wimpenny met Prime Minister David Cameron in New York during a reception at the Wall Street Banqueting Hall for the launch of “This is GREAT Britain” – a campaign to promote the country in the run up to the 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. RIBA-USA has chapters in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco and Boston.
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Construction ‘is key to recovery’ A BUILDING industry leader has urged the Government to introduce major reforms to stimulate the construction sector and get the economy growing. Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, made the call after disappointing figures for UK growth from the National Office of Statistics. Mr Berry said: “The Government will find it very difficult to get sustained growth in the economy while the construction industry remains depressed. “Construction is essential to the well-being of the wider economy because of the variety and quantity of jobs it creates – from apprentice bricklayers to world leading architects.” Said Mr Berry: “Every £1 spent on construction generates £2.84 in the wider economy, which makes it the best investment the Government can make to get Britain back on its feet.” Mr Berry called on the Government to abandon its plans to introduce VAT on heritage build-
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ing, cut VAT on property repairs, take action against banks that discriminate against construction firms and their clients, open up public sector procurement to small firms and introduce “meaningful incentives to drive private domestic retrofitting”. He added: “It’s a sad fact that the building industry has been in recession for four years with little hope of any immediate recovery. “Until we get builders building, again the economy is not going to recover.” Steven Housden, sector skills manager for training body CITB-ConstructionSkills in Yorkshire, said latest official figures showing a 3% decline in construction and a 0.2% contraction of the UK economy during the first quarter of the year had come as no surprise. He said: “Our Construction Skills Network forecast predicted that 2012 will be a difficult year for the industry with output in Yorkshire and Humber expected to fall by 6% and construction employment to fall by 6% as
■ ESSENTIAL: Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders
decreasing levels of demand and tough trading conditions mean the industry will need fewer skilled staff. “The huge cuts to public spending across the UK – 24% in public non-housing and 25% in public
sector housing with a further 10% cuts to both anticipated for 2013 – have left a hole too big for others to fill. “Although there will be some growth in 2013 in Yorkshire and Humber, there is no forecasted growth in output over the next five years in the region.” Mr Housden said: “Construction is fundamental to the health of the UK economy, contributing 8% to GDP, so its performance has a significant impact on overall growth. “The Government’s recent investment in infrastructure is welcome, but that takes a long time to convert to jobs. “We need greater investment in other areas of the industry – in refurbishment, homes, hospitals, schools.” The most recent CSN forecast in January highlighted that by 2016, output and employment in the UK construction industry will still be more than 5% below their respective 2007/2008 peaks – signalling a ‘lost decade’ for the sector.
Mutual’s office openings YORKSHIRE Building Society has revealed plans to open a new branch in Ilkley – as part of plans to set up 12 new branches over the next two years along with further expansion of its agency network. The society, which has its roots in Huddersfield, has already announced planned openings this summer in Pudsey and Bingley. The moves will see the total number of Yorkshire Building Society
Group branches rise to 227. Chief executive Chris Pilling (left) said: “It’s a very exciting time for the Yorkshire as our branch and agency network is truly at the heart of our business and I’m delighted to announce Ilkley as the latest location in our expansion plans. “We’re proud to be opening new offices at a time when many financial institutions have been closing theirs.” He added: “We are currently in the
planning stages for our three new branches, but expect doors to open in early summer.” The Yorkshire’s branch network has grown following its mergers with Barnsley, Chelsea and Norwich & Peterborough building societies – taking the total number of branches from 135 in 2008 to 224 today. The society has also expanded its agency network, with 16 new agencies opening over the last year.
Buy-to-let remains strong PROPERTY acquisition activity remained strong during the first quarter of 2012, according to latest research commissioned by specialist buy-to-let lender Paragon Mortgages. The report, produced by independent researchers BDRC Continental, showed that during the last three months, landlords increased their portfolio size by 1.8 properties. In the first quarter of 2012, the average portfolio size was 10.8 properties, accommodating 1.3 tenants per property. Of those landlords taking part in the survey, 20% said that they expect to purchase property in the next 12 months. However, among Paragon
Mortgages customers who took part in the survey, 35% said that they expect to add to their portfolio in 2012. Terraced houses continued to be the most popular property choice for investment at 64%, followed by flats – individual units – 57% and semi-detached houses 46%. Tenant profiles remained largely unchanged in the first quarter with young singles still the most prolific tenant type at53%, followed by young couples (51%) and families with children (51%). Attitudes around being a landlord remained positive and 89% of those surveyed said that they are satisfied with their current tenancies. Landlords were also asked to
comment on the level of communication they have with their tenants. The majority (39%) speak to their tenants every two to three months and 27% once a month. John Heron, director of Paragon Mortgages, said: “It has been a steady and progressive start to 2012.” But he said more needed to be done to stimulate demand. “Whilst landlords are still benefiting from attractive market conditions, there is still a long way to go to meet the increasingly high level of tenant demand,” said Mr Heron. . “More investment across the private rented sector is needed during the coming year to help to meet this demand.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
YES to Green Deal!
A HUDDERSFIELD-based company is to become one of the Government’s pioneer Green Deal providers. Yorkshire Energy Services, based at New North Parade, will play an active role in the Green Deal in providing and managing the finance needed for householders and small businesses to access effective energy saving services. The highly-anticipated Green Deal is set to launch in October and will help thousands of residents save energy through domestic installations such as insulation, central heating and renewable technologies with no upfront costs. Unlike other finance programmes, repayments on the Green Deal loan are linked to the participant’s energy bills and set at a lower rate than the money they saved on energy over a fixed period. Customers are therefore able to save money and improve their home’s efficiency without breaking the bank. YES chief executive William Edrich said: “It is an honour to work with the Department for Energy and Climate Change by representing the SMEs within the Green Deal Pilot. “We have over 11 years experience delivering innovative and ground breaking energy efficiency schemes like the Green Deal and look forward to demonstrating our expertise in order to shape and model an effective Green Deal process. “YES works within the local community and excels in the delivery of community-based work. Our ethos as a Community Interest Company is to invest profits made back into schemes to further assist communities and are
■ GREEN TEAM: Yorkshire Energy Services chief executive William Edrich (front, left) and office manager Emma Kovaleski (second left) at the signing of the Green Deal Memorandum of Understanding at the offices of the Department for Energy and Climate Change
committed to supporting the local economy.” YES is also undertaking Green Deal advisory accreditation and a number of staff are being trained to become qualified Green Deal assessors. Working with Stroma Certification, this accreditation will enable the organisation to offer customers an inclusive Green Deal service from assessment through to provision.
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The success of the Community Interest Company began with the pioneering Kirklees Warm Zone scheme. YES has since branched out to manage further insulation schemes on behalf of Hampshire County Council, enabling the development of a Southern office. Most recently, YES has been involved in Leeds City Council’s free insulation scheme, Wrap Up Leeds.
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MP helps out to support training COLNE Valley MP Jason McCartney spent a day learning the building trade the practical way to help celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. The Conservative MP became an “apprentice” for the day with Peter Armitage Ltd, a member company of the Federation of Master Builders. He joined FMB regional director Phil Parkinson to shadow Peter Armitage’s apprentice Luke Kowalski under the supervision of the company’s director John Armitage. Jason and Phil got stuck into laying bricks on a training wall at the company’s premises in Milnsbridge. Said the MP: “It was great to meet Luke, one of the 310 new apprentices in my constituency, and to see his bricklaying skills. “The apprenticeship scheme makes sense for local businesses and the apprentices themselves.” Mr Armitage said: “At Peter Armitage Ltd, it’s essential we have the right people with the right skills, which is why we make the effort to train apprentices. “However given the difficult economic climate, it’s hard to be confident enough to take on new trainees. “More attractive incentive payments for hiring an apprentice and an exemption from employer National Insurance contributions for all apprentices employed by small businesses would be a big help to companies like us.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Rory Ingham
Orchard Energy ENERGY management consultancy Orchard Energy has promoted Rory Ingham, 24, to take control of national business development for the firm. Mr Ingham (pictured) has worked as an energy consultant and regional manager for the business since joining in 2008, establishing Orchard’s Newcastle and Glasgow offices. The newly-created role will involve developing business with blue chip sector clients throughout the UK. Mr Ingham will work closely with the teams at each of the firm’s offices in Elland, Bradford, Bristol, Newcastle, Cardiff and Glasgow. “Orchard is currently working with businesses across a range of sectors from manufacturing and retail through to hotel groups and charities advising on purchasing, efficiency and compliance,” he said. “As national development manager I will be targeting organisations that are significant energy consumers with a view to helping them improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.”
Movers and shakers
Game, set and match for Jo!
Jonathan Thompson
Santander SANTANDER Corporate Banking has appointed Jonathan Thompson as regional director for business development in the north, covering Yorkshire. Mr Thompson has worked at Santander since 2009 and has 15 years experience in the corporate banking industry. In his new role, he will lead a team of business development directors across the north of England, including Yorkshire and Humber and Merseyside. Mr Thompson is one of several regional appointments to be made by Santander Corporate Banking across the country as it strives to expand its SME customer base.
Abigail Stahelin-Hall
Stafflex RECRUITMENT agency Stafflex has appointed Abigail Stahelin-Hall to its education team. The appointment is part of the Huddersfield-based firm’s continued expansion following its move from Aspley to larger premises at Chapel Hill. Ms Stahelin-Hall (pictured) is a qualified teacher and is looking forward to using her experience to augment the company’s growth in the education sector.
David Claybrook & Gemma Denny
Grant Thornton GRANT Thornton has appointed David Claybrook and Gemma Denny to its specialist business risk services teams in the north of England. Mr Claybrook has been working in internal audit for 12 years. He joins from Cumbria County Council, where he spent 18 months as an audit manager. Ms Denny joins as executive, having previously been a senior auditor with Wakefield Council for five years and a trainee auditor with Bradford Council. With seven years’ experience, she has specialist knowledge of local government and education.
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■ MATCH POINT: Jo Haigh aims to provide a boost to Britain’s boardrooms
BUSINESSWOMAN Jo Haigh has been playing matchmaker. The Denby Dale-based partner in fds Corporate Finance Services teamed up with colleague Charlotte Mason to launch a non-executive director matchmaking programme to introduce 10 company chief executives to 20 talented females who might turn out to be their ideal non-executive or board appointment. Jo and Charlotte organised the event under their business venture Cracking Boards, which develops boards and individuals who serve on them through training, advice, mentoring and information. The event was held in London at the offices of Coutts in The Strand. Jo, who has held more than 40 non-executive directorships, said: “The Davies Report highlighted the small number of female board appointments and its detrimental effect on company performance. “This event aimed to make it happen by putting real candidates with real businesses and taking the boring out of the boardroom.
Terriers go by the book HUDDERSFIELD TOWN is perfectly happy to get booked! The club has announced the addition of award-winning Igloo Books to its list of partners. The Northampton-based company is the latest in an extensive list of recent partners to get on board with the club. It follows the announcements of partnerships with Leeds-Bradford Airport-based private aviation company Multiflight; Batley-based customised Land Rover manufacturers Overfinch; local workwear specialists Xamax Clothing; and Huddersfield-based national food service specialists Total Foodservice. The partnership between Igloo Books and Huddersfield Town revolves around community literacy. An exciting new project involving schools and young children in Kirklees is in the pipeline and will be announced in due course. Formed in 2003, Igloo Books featured in the Sunday Times in 2010 as the 68th fastest growing private company in the UK over the past five years. The company also won the 2011 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category and was a finalist in the Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award at last year’s National Business Awards. Igloo Books publishes children and adult books and is licensed brand owners of children’s characters such as Humf, Humphrey’s Corner, Rachel Hale and Forever Friends. Sean Jarvis, Huddersfield Town’s commercial director, said: “Getting Igloo to become a partner is a coup of sorts as they are yet another big award-winning brand with an international presence which has joined forces with Huddersfield Town.” John Styring, managing director of Igloo Books, said: “I have been very impressed at the way that the football club is working to support the local communities and in particular the children. “It is great that Town are prepared to put significant effort, resource and time into supporting the education of their current and future fans. This initiative reflects a growing presence in the community with HTAFC that runs alongside the growing success of the football team.”
“With each would-be non-exec and business pitching for the best candidate, the event was entertaining and saw real positions being filled.” Also speaking at the event was Oliver Rothschild, who has sat on numerous boards. His talk focused on the benefits of board level diversity. As well as her involvement with Cracking Boards and fds Corporate Finance Services, Jo is a partner in the fds Group, a specialist training and development business. An experienced dealmaker, she has bought and sold more than 300 companies in the last 20 years, specialising in owner-managed businesses. Charlotte advises high growth businesses. Her experience includes being director of an angel investment network and mentoring at several organisations, including the Astia Entrepreneur Programme, Atlantic Accelerator, Rockstar Mentoring Group and the Cherie Blair Foundation.
Sporting greats!
■ LINE-UP: Miles Thorp (left) and Paul Whitcroft (right), of Fantastic Media, with Manchester City and England footballer James Milner at the launch of the James Milner Foundation A BIRSTALL-based marketing agency has helped launch a new charity to encourage more youngsters to take part in sport. Fantastic Media was asked to provide brand development and design and build a website for the James Milner Foundation, which has been set up by Manchester City and England footballer James Milner. The launch event, which was held at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, was also backed by sports stars lan Shearer, Faye White, Kevin Sinfield, James Anderson, Mark Cueto, Steve Harmison, Patrick Vieira and Gordon Taylor, who have all agreed to be patrons. The launch was attended by a host of businesses which have
pledged to support the foundation such as BMW, Nike, EA Sports, PFA, Corum Timepieces and Fantastic Media. Andy Hobson, managing director of Fantastic Media, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the James Milner Foundation. “Fantastic has a proven track record in sports marketing and as a company which recognises the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle, we fully understood the needs of the charity immediately. “The result is an attractive, user friendly website which is a key building block for the JMF brand.”