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JOHN DEAN Photographer in focus
+46.93 5758.41
Full inter view - Page 3
AMANDA VIGAR Ready to do battle! Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Tasty contract for sandwich makers
■ LUNCH TIME: Shaw and Lisle managing director Simon Shaw with the sandwich range the company will be supplying to Tesco
A SANDWICH supplier in Huddersfield has proved a cut above the competition by winning a prestigious contract. Aspley-based Shaw and Lisle is set to provide 1,000 sandwiches a day to Tesco stores across Yorkshire from today. The deal struck with Tesco’s buying team will see Shaw and Lisle delivering the sandwiches to distributor The Locally Sourced Food Company Ltd at Thirsk for onward delivery to the stores. The sandwiches – promoted under the firm’s Local Food Heroes range – will be stocked in 50 Tesco stores, including ones in Huddersfield, Brighouse, Halifax, Bradford and Wakefield. Shaw and Lisle director Simon Shaw said: “We wanted to create something using local ingredients, but a bit more upmarket than your run-of-the-mill sandwich.” Explaining the Local Heroes brand name, Mr Shaw said: “Local suppliers are working really hard to put their stamp on the market. “We use premium ingredients from local suppliers in the sandwiches and traditional-looking packaging.” The mouth-watering selection includes Harrogate smoked salmon with Longley Farm cream cheese and dill. The others are Yorkshire ham and Wensleydale cheese with a cider apple chutney; and Wensleydale cheese with plum and ginger chutney and rocket leaf. Mr Shaw said: “It is an opportunity for a small to medium-sized company to get into the big retailers.
“We can easily cope with this sort of volume and still have capacity in the business. “We have invested in machinery dedicated to the production of these three sandwich products and we are going to put these products out to some of the other multiples to see if they want to supply them.” The company, which employs about 100 people, continues to supply existing customers, including coffee shops and universities and colleges. It is also venturing into the leisure and hospitality sector by working with events company Leeds-based CGC Events to take Shaw and Lisle sandwiches to racecourses and regional country shows such as the Great Yorkshire Show. Shaw and Lisle was formed in 1994 in Halifax by Mr Shaw and sales director Richard Lisle. The company moved to Shaw Business Park at Silver Street in early 2000 as a two-man business. The business now makes hundreds of thousands of sandwiches a year at the site, which houses production, warehousing and offices. Said Mr Lisle: “Despite the recession, there is strong demand for premium products when it comes to food. “Many people will not think twice about paying £3 for a coffee and £5 for a sandwich in high street coffee shops.” And he added: “Business is proving good and we are still a growing company. We are very positive about the future.”
Date at the embassy for technology firm A COMPANY making scalp cooling equipment to help cancer patients combat hair loss has been showcased at a prestigious London event. Fenay Bridge-based Paxman Coolers was invited to show off its technology at the British Business Embassy, an event organised by Government export support arm UK Trade & Investment. The company, represented by operations director Richard Paxman, was one of only six businesses chosen from hundreds of applications to take part in the event, which was held at London’s Lancaster House.
More than 3,000 UK and international business leaders came together for a series of global, sector and country summits. The business exhibition was part of a series of initiatives expected to help generate more than £1bn in trade and investment for the UK. Paxman is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of scalp cooling equipment for the prevention of hair loss during chemotherapy. The award-winning scalp cooling system has been used in hundreds of hospitals and specialist cancer treatment centres around the world.
The system works by lowering the temperature of the head and scalp immediately before, after and during the administration of chemotherapy. This can prevent or minimise the damage caused to hair follicles, meaning that hair loss is not inevitable. Mr Paxman said: “It has been an honour to showcase our technology and product at such a prestigious event. “It was amazing to witness the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of fellow exhibitors. Events such as this one prove how exciting and creative UK business ■ EXPORT EFFORT: Director Richard Paxman really is.”
INSIDE Olympic spirit A MIRFIELD firm was among 200 Yorkshire companies to strike gold in the London Olympics. Actaccomm, part of construction sector business Actiform, won three contracts to deliver modular buildings to the Olympic Park as part of the Yorkshire Gold Business Club, which has hailed the “great success” of efforts to bring Olympics-related business to the region.
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Industrial strength THE Yorkshire Industrial market can reflect on a positive first six months of 2012, according to a survey. Figures from property firm CBRE showed that occupier confidence has improved across the region with an 88% rise in take-up of space. Although availability has now fallen to 3.97m sq ft – with 2.51m sq ft new – this still remains the highest proportion of available space in the country.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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UK manufacturing picture brightens THE downturn in UK manufacturing showed signs of easing after new figures revealed a rebound from July’s “disastrous” performance. The latest Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index (PMI) produced a headline reading of 49.5 for August – representing a four-month high and only slightly below the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. The survey contrasts with the findings of the EEF manufacturing organisation, which said firms were facing the toughest conditions in nearly three years as the sector struggles against headwinds from the eurozone. CIPS chief executive David Noble said a repeat of the previous month’s perfor mance would have been unthinkable, adding: “We can take consolation from August’s figures in that they were less bad than the disastrous month before.
■ FACTORY FEARS: Manufacturing is facing tough times, says the EEF
Cupid’s arrow misses its target continue to deliver value to shareholders as it pushes further into the US and other overseas markets. Cupid chief executive Bill Dobbie said: “We remain in a very strong position and are confident that we will continue to deliver value for shareholders in 2012 and beyond. “The market for our services is global and growing and we are well positioned to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that exist.” The group averaged 540,000 monthly subscribers in the first half, which compared to 410,000 in the same period last year. The group intends to increase advertising activity.
CUPID misfired its arrow as the dating agency business turned off investors with under-pressure profits and a slowdown in sales. The owner of Cupid.com and BeNaughty.com said revenues from established markets, such as the UK, Ireland and Australia, increased by 6% in the six months to June 30 to £16m compared to 38% in the whole of 2011. While revenues from new markets, such as the US, France, Italy and Spain, increased by 122% to £22.2m, pre-tax profits fell 5% to £3.7m – triggering a fall in the share price. However, the Edinburgh-based firm said it was confident it will
“We have witnessed a return to the status quo of flat growth in a fragile economy.” With the figure better than City expectations and other eurozone countries, ING economist James Knightley said one-off factors such as the Olympics and the delayed effects of the Diamond Jubilee may have influenced the result. He said: “The report is consistent with stagnation in the UK’s manufacturing sector rather than the deepening recession hinted at by official data.” The figure of 45.2 for July, which followed readings of 48.6 and 45.9 in June and May respectively, was blamed on a “perfect storm’’ of wet weather, weak confidence and the continuing eurozone crisis. In August, manufacturers were able to raise their average selling prices in a bid to recover some of the margins lost earlier in the year.
Iceland addition
However, the rate of inflation was only modest as strong competition and weak demand restricted the pricing power of a number of firms. Input costs also fell for the third month running during August, reflecting lower metal and plastic prices. Labour enterprise spokesman Iain Wright said the EEF report was a worrying indication of the impact of the recession on British manufacturing, adding: “George Osborne’s promise of a ’march of the makers’ rings hollow. “By cutting spending and raising taxes too far and too fast, the Tory-led Government has undermined the potential of UK manufacturers to lead the economy into recovery. “We need a long-term industrial strategy which helps British manufacturing achieve its potential as the most creative and innovative sectors anywhere in the world.”
Price hike alert by Fyffes TROPICAL fruit supplier Fyffes warned of higher prices for bananas and pineapples as it grapples with rising costs. T h e D u bl i n - b a s e d c o m p a ny blamed the relative strength of the US dollar, higher fruit costs and a further 20% hike in fuel prices for the “necessary” increases in selling prices in its key markets. The warning came as Fyffes announced a 30% jump in profits to £17.7m in the six months to June 30, driven by higher sales volumes of pineapples and bananas. With trading conditions in its key continental Europe markets holding
firm, Fyffes has increased its target for full-year earnings by at least £2.4m. Half-year revenues rose by a fifth to £436m. It said: “The group continues to pursue necessary increases in selling prices in all markets to offset the impact of adverse exchange rate movements and the higher cost of fuel and fruit.” The firm began trading in the 1880s when the first commercial delivery of bananas from the Canary Islands arrived in London for E W Fyffe Son & Co. The company sources its bananas from countries such as Costa Rica, Guatemala and Colombia.
RETAILER Iceland Foods has appointed Paul Foley to its operating board in the new role of international business director – to identify and exploit new opportunities to grow the Iceland brand throughout the world. Mr Foley will take responsibility for Iceland’s ITEX export business and its new retail operation in the Czech Republic. He will be based at the ITEX office in Vienna and report directly to Grange Moor-born chief executive Malcolm Walker. Mr Foley began his retail career in 1976 as a management trainee with Bejam, which was acquired by Iceland in 1989. He was involved in the integration as Iceland’s regional manager for the South East, but left the company in 1989 to join the start-up of Aldi in the UK as sales director. He became Aldi’s group managing director for the UK in 2000 and for the UK and Ireland in 2004. He was also a key member of Aldi’s international project team responsible for researching and establishing other Aldi businesses around the world. He played a key role in building Aldi in the UK and Ireland into a 500-store, £2bn turnover business. He left in 2009 to set up his own retail consultancy. Mr Foley has begun working for Iceland, but will also be fulfilling his remaining consultancy commitments before joining Iceland full-time next January.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £36.69 Gannett 960.29 Hess Corp £31.80 Microsoft 1939.46 Motors Liquidation 47.20 Wal-Mart Stores £45.69 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 308 +103/4 BAE Systems 3243/8 +57/8 Rolls-Royce 8351/2 +141/2 AIM Brady Plc 97 +1 3 Dawson Intl /8 Man Brnze 95/8 -5/8 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2143/4 +11/4 BANKS Barclays 1841/4 +1 HSBC 551 +37/8 3 Lloyds Banking Gp 33 /8 +1/8 Ryl Scotland 2261/2 +1/4 Stan Chart 1390 -11/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1751 +26 SABMiller £281/8 +3/8 CHEMICALS Croda £233/4 +1/4 Elementis 98 223 +23/4 Johnsn Mat £241/8 +1/8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS 7
1
243 +11/4 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 4791/4 +131/4 SSE 1377 +9 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 5 Laird 236 /8 +23/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3633/8 +3/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2221/2 +47/8 Cable & Wireless 34 +1/8 Comm Colt Group 1173/4 +1/2 KCOM 79 +1 3 Talktalk Telecom 194 /4 +3/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2781/4 -13/4 Sainsbury 3283/4 +11/8 1 Tesco 339 /2 +27/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1334 +10 Tate Lyle 6611/2 +51/2 7 Unilever £22 /8 +1/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3287/8 +21/4 National Grid 6871/2 +4 Pennon Grp 736 -1/2 Severn 1726 -5 United Utils 711 +2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2061/8 +3/8 Costain
7
3
London StockExch 9851/2 -8 Man Group 731/4 +2 Provident Financial 1321 +1 Schroders 1432 +11 Schroders NV 1160 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 602 +3 REXAM 427 +31/4 Smiths Grp 1048 +3 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 221/8 -3/8 Carphone Whse 1461/2 +11/2 1 Dixons Retail 18 /8 +1/2 Home Retail 97 +31/8 Inchcape 3671/2 -1 Kingfisher 2741/8 -11/2 1 M&S 357 /2 -1/4 Mothercare 2141/4 -4 +3/4 Next £361/2 WH Smith 5981/2 -2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6681/2 +11/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 61 -1 Barrat Dev 1585/8 +85/8 Persimmon 734 +36 Reckitt Benckiser £36 +3/8 Taylor Wimpey 531/4 +2 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 8601/2 +1/2 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1593/4 -2
BBA Aviation 191 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3275/8 Lgl & Gen 1287/8 Old Mutual 1671/4 Prudential 786 Resolution 2145/8 Standard Life 2663/4 MEDIA BSkyB 7671/2 D Mail Tst 4801/2 1 HIBU /2 ITV 837/8 Johnston Press 55/8 Pearson 1207 Reed Elsevier 599 STV Group 86 Trinity Mirror 411/4 Utd Business 678 UTV 1321/2 WPP 822 MINING Anglo American 1773 Antofagasta 1128 BHP Billiton 1855 Eurasian Natural 3017/8 Res Fresnillo 1627 Kazakhmys 610 Lonmin 581 Rio Tinto £28 VEDANTA 892 RESOURCES Xstrata 9471/4
+7/8 +11/2 +7/8 +7/8 -1 -11/4 +11/2 +61/2 +1 -3/4 +5/8 +1/8 +12 +81/2 +1/2 +11/2 +4 -21/4 +7 +23 +21 +19 +66 +17 +8 +5/8 +241/2 -5
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
485 87 6871/2 1639
+15 +21/4 +4 +6
closed at at FTSE closed
5758.41 Up 46.93 Inmarsat 577 Vodafone Group 1831/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1150 RSA Insurance Gp 1137/8 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 12991/2 BP 4433/4 Cairn Energy 2881/2 Royal Dutch Shell A £221/4 Royal Dutch Shell B £23 Total £313/4 Tullow Oil 1389 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
1
+4 /2 +13/4 -36 -1/8 +111/2 +23/8 +11/2 +1/4 +1/4 +1/4 +26
Petrofac 1516 +14 +10 Wood Gp(J) 8301/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1355 +2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £291/2 +1/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 12 Shire 1922 +6 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 5411/2 +2 Captl Shop Cent 3383/4 +1 3 Hamrsn 460 /8 +33/8 Land Secs 7931/2 +21/2 SEGRO 2341/2 +3 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2411/4 -1/4 Sage Group 3031/2 +71/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 554 +11 Bunzl 1129 +5 Capita 7231/2 +11/2 De La Rue 1046 +2 +41/4 Electrocomp 2265/8 Experian 1015 +11 G4S 2563/4 +33/4 1 Hays 68 /4 -1/2 Homeserve 2251/4 +41/4 Menzies J 6131/2 -161/2 Rentokil 773/4 +3/4 Smiths News 117 +1 Wolseley £26 +5/8 IT HARDWARE 1
1
873/4 1601/4
Psion Spirent Comms
-1/4 +13/4
TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
£333/8 £247/8
+3/8 +1/4
LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airlines Gp Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread FTSE 100
941/2 £211/2 709 5331/2 58 2451/4 1300 5631/2 1616 1421/8 1731/8 272 2161/4 1301/4 290 2123/4 £211/4
INDEX 5758.41 INDEX
+1/2
+21/2 +1 +1/4 +7 +11 +1/4 +33/8 +3 -11/8 -13/4 +33/8 +1
+46.93
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.46 dollars Bangladesh................. 121.54 taka Brazil.............................. 2.88 reals Canada....................... 1.49 dollars China ............................. 8.98 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.82 korunas Denmark....................... 8.94 krone Euro............................... 1.20 euro Hong Kong................ 11.67 dollars Hungary................... 322.15 forints India.......................... 77.52 rupees Japan........................... 118.18 yen Mexico ....................... 18.65 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.84 dollars Norway ......................... 8.78 krone Pakistan.................. 141.24 rupees Philippines ................. 57.05 pesos South Africa................. 12.48 rand South Korea.............. 1562.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 197.91 rupees Sweden....................... 10.11 krona Switzerland.................. 1.44 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.39 dollars Turkey....................... 2.71 new lira USA ............................ 1.51 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER John Dean is developing a successful business. And the 52-year-old director of Milnsbridge-based Imagemaker UK Ltd is enjoying every minute of it! After several years operating as a one-man band photographing family groups, weddings and company products for brochures, he now leads a seven-strong team making use of the latest in imaging technology. And he is still amazed at how rapidly the business has grown. “I started getting into photography when I was about 12,” says John. “And that interest has stayed with me for 40 years. I attended classes in Holmfirth and we created a dark room in the attic of the family home at Broad Lane, Dalton. “I would take landscape photos. It was the creativity of it that fascinated me – getting a good picture, developing it and watching the image appear on the paper in the tray.” John admits: “If you get a really good landscape picture it’s more good luck than judgement! It’s all about the light. “You can get a wonderful picture and go back to the same place every day for the next 10 years and never get that image again. It’s the unpredictability of it that excites.” progress from smelly who are studying at Barnsley Portrait photography can College. chemicals to Photoshop and be just the same. “It’s about Says John: “I was here four you have to keep up with the getting that glance or a child’s years on my own – but it had technology. You can’t carry cheeky smile that makes got to the point where I on doing things the way mum and dad say ‘that’s just couldn’t do any more than I you’ve always done them. him!’ Capturing the moment – was doing. You won’t get anywhere. that’s what interests me.” “We have assembled the “I believe in giving young John joined Huddersfield team over the summer to people a chance. Our Photographic Society and provide a range of skills apprentices are bringing new was its president for a covering portrait and family ideas into the business and number of years. He entered photography, weddings, providing us with new photography competitions commercial photography and capabilities. We are and won praise for his work. imagery for websites. We are developing a team with all the “Getting favourable moving to providing a skills to cover all aspects of comments from ‘my peers’ bespoke, individual service the work. For instance, Holly gave me more confidence that the big companies and Jen are doing a lot of and it was that which pushed cannot offer.” photography with local me to take up photography John says that having a nurseries and Scott is into professionally,” he says. sports photography.” Until then, photography had young team around him has been a tremendous John says the recession been a hobby. John had advantage. “I have to admit has actually helped the worked as a surveyor for that I don’t understand business – as commercial Marshalls Construction in Facebook or Twitter,” he says. clients look to make a better Elland – casting an eye over “But it’s second nature to impression with their industrial landscapes – and young people. When I customers. running his own painting and interviewed our trainees, I “We are expanding in a decorating business. asked if they knew how to go double-dip recession,” he John has now run his onto Facebook. They looked says. “Companies are trying photography business for 10 at me as if I was daft! to raise awareness and they years. He worked from small “I have seen photography are investing in their online premises above a shop in Slaithwaite until moving to the firm’s current premises four years ago. The three storey mill building at Savile Street, Milnsbridge, boasts a ground floor gallery, a spacious studio on the first floor and a second floor given over to offices and production. It retains plenty of character – including original flooring, stone walls and pulley system on the top floor. Freelance photographer Holly Andrews had been helping with the workload, but earlier this year the mill building has become even busier with the recruitment of Scott Harvey and Holly’s fiance Paul Quinn. Since then, the business has also ■ GROUP PHOTO: John Dean (front), managing director of , been joined by John’s son Image Maker UK, with colleagues (from left) Jen Fellowes, Sam and talented trainees Jen Fellows and Alex Young, Alex Young, Sam Dean and Paul Quinn
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Idea that just clicked
John Dean
presence. They want photos of their staff on their websites while retailers are putting their products online. The business is out there if you are prepared to work hard enough to get it.” John, who lives at Longwood, says he has “lost his hobby” since becoming a professional photographer. But he finds plenty of other things to fill his spare time. “I play golf with Sam at Willow Valley, which is great fun,” he says. “We also have two lurchers and take them for walks.” But the modern photographer still needs an expert eye, John insists. “A lot of people think you can use a camera phone and get a half-decent picture that will
be alright,” he says. “But you can have the best camera in the world, but if you cannot take ‘that’ picture it will be no use.” One lesson has always stuck with John. “I was on a landscape photography course in Tuscany and we were all standing in a line looking ahead of us. The tutor told us to turn 180 degrees to see what was behind us. The view was breathtaking and made a much better picture than the one we were going to take. So, the lesson is to look around you before you take the picture to see what else is out there.”
Role: Managing director Age: 52 Family: Married to Anne with daughter Lois, 23, and son Sam, 21 Holidays: Sri Lanka, where Anne and I were married Car: Mercedes A Class First job: Caddy at Outlane Golf Club Best thing about job: Capturing that fleeting moment – although moving the business forward is very exciting Worst thing about job: Trying to motivate myself when I was working alone Business tip: You cannot build a business and a reputation overnight. It takes patience
Imagemaker UK Ltd Work: Photography Site: Savile Street, Milnsbridge Phone: 01484 651500 Email: john@image maker.org.uk Website:www.image maker.org.uk
HENRYK ZIENTEK
On the board with Rules to cap income tax relief put on hold Last year HMRC announced that a cap on certain income tax reliefs would be introduced in an attempt to curb tax avoidance by the highest earners. If introduced the cap could catch some of the tax reliefs not usually associated with tax avoidance. HMRC have now announced that this will be put on hold whilst they monitor how other policy initiatives are tackling tax avoidance.
Revell Ward Tip: This gives a perfect opportunity to assess how your income is taxed and to see what reliefs can be maximised before any restrictions are introduced!
Lesley Sutton Tax Director
01484 538 351
theboard@revellward.co.uk Twitter@RevellWard
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Awards scheme goes to the heart INDEPENDENT businesses across the country are winning hearts and minds – thanks to an awards scheme spearheaded by a Huddersfield businesswoman. The Customer at the Hearts Awards – the brainchild of retail expert Kate Hardcastle, co-founder of Greetland-based business transformation company Insight with Passion – celebrates small businesses that put the interests of the customer first. On October 1, the organisers will be unveiling the place in the UK boasting the best customer service – as the Champion of Champions. Voting is open now at www.customerattheheart.co.uk or by emailing nominate@ customerattheheart.co.uk So far, Hebden Bridge has more votes than any other town with six winners – the latest being The Willow Garden, Heart Gallery and artist Heather Wilson. Said Heather: “Hebden Bridge has so many independent shops. How marvellous to go to a town where there isn't a Dorothy Perkins, Accessorize or WH Smith! “We pride ourselves – particularly since the dreadful floods – in sticking together and supporting each other in our small businesses.” Latest winners include Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop at Netherton. The firm has won numerous awards for its home-cooked pies, pasties and sausages.
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Put people back into the business THE BUSINESS BATTLEAXE Amanda Vigar
HE demise of the small T independent business against the larger national
chain has been a hot topic for some time. However, with the current tough economic conditions, we are finding that larger national companies are far from flourishing. In recent times, JJB Sports, Clintons Cards and Julian Graves have fallen into administration, while electrical retail conglomerate DSG, the owner of Currys and PC World, plunged £30m into the red. The issue is that people want to deal with people they know and trust. This is where the smaller businesses and independent traders can, and often do, come into their own. Ask yourselves – do you want to
deal with someone who you have a personal and engaging relationship with, or do you want to deal with representatives of a larger national, often faceless, organisation? Do you want to shop locally from retail outlets that have been fixtures on your high street for years? Do you want to have a bu s i n e s s r e l at i o n s h i p w i t h someone who prides themselves on personal recommendations? And do you want to deal with someone you might actually have the chance of meeting in person? I suspect that most people, whether they’re looking at making a high street purchase or want professional advice on anything from finance to marketing would prefer to deal with someone they know and trust. In my accountancy practice, we
like to put the people into business. In practice this means that we work with numerous people in all sorts of trades and occupations; we have built strong relationships based on trust with our clients; clients know they can meet with the same person every time and are not simply assigned to whoever is available; and we value each and every client, no matter how big or small. We are also more than happy to provide testimonials from clients who are more than happy to say when they think we’ve done a good job. I for one firmly believe that putting the people back into business should be the way forward for our high streets; it may well also have the knock-on effect of re-invigorating our town centres.
Amanda Vigar is managing partner at Holmfirth-based accountants V&A Bell Brown LLP
Ashley joins the judges CORPORATE law firm Walker Morris recruited Holmfirth artist Ashley Jackson to help find the region’s most talented young artists in the firm’s 2012 charity calendar competition. Children aged five to 11 were asked to paint pictures that depicted their favourite month of the year. Winning entries will be used to produce a charity calendar sold in aid of the Wetherby-based Martin House Children's Hospice. Earlier this year, the competition was awarded a Managing Partners' Forum Award for Best Community Engagement in recognition of its 17 years’ investment in arts and support in schools. The 18th annual award was judged by Ashley, Walker Morris partner David Smedley and Dean Poole, of West Yorkshire Printing. Thirteen winners – to be announced in September – will each receive a hamper of art materials and a cheque for their schools. Twenty-six runners-up will also each receive a prize. The awards will be presented at the Leeds offices of Walker Morris in November. Said Ashley: “I am always honoured to assist in judging the Walker Morris Calendar Competition. “Each year I look forward to seeing the talent and creativity of our young children and this year has been no exception. Alongside the pride I feel for fantastic artwork produced is a slight sadness that there can only be a limited number of winners. Those who have not won this year should take heart that they are like a piece in a jigsaw which without them the competition and the assistance provided to Martin House Children's Hospice through the production of the ■ COLOUR CHART: Ashley Jackson (centre) with fellow judges David Smedley (left) and Dean Poole calendar would not exist."
‘Tackle unfair tax demands’
SMALL firms in Kirklees should ensure they can fight unfair tax demands in the courts, says a Huddersfield-based tax specialis Nick Brook, who runs TaxAssist Accountants at Lockwood, said the latest ruling from a VAT tribunal – which saved a bed & breakfast owner from a potentiall crippling decision and set the ba rolling for similar cases – proved the value of having an HMRC fighting fund. “Costs cannot be recovered from HMRC, even after an appeal has been won, so fee protection insurance is vital,” said Mr Brook “Without it, it’s unlikely that this latest case would have been defended. With it, businesses can fight their corner, knowing that a the legal costs are met. “HMRC continues to target small stand-alone businesses, with special task forces targeting cash businesses across Huddersfield, including private taxi firms, pubs corner shops, takeaways and market traders for example. “Huddersfield small business owners need to protect their legitimate and hard-earned income and make sure their accountants provide fee protection.” In the latest VAT case, HMRC had demanded that under its rural diversification project, a small B&B run from a family farmhouse which was well below the VAT-registration threshold, shoul be aggregated with the farm itsel which was a separate, VAT-registered business. The tribunal found that the two businesses were separate, ensuring the B&B did not have to pay 20% of its income in VAT, increase its prices and become uncompetitive.
Co-op makes cool decision
ICE cream maker Yummy Yorkshire has landed contracts t supply three Holme Valley Co-op stores. The Denby Dale-based business will provide take-away tubs of chocolate, caramel fudge and strawberry and vanilla ice cream to the Wooldale Co-operative Society, which includes stores in Wooldale, Thongsbridge and New Mill. Yummy Yorkshire already supplies restaurants, gastro pubs, visitor attractions and farm shops across the region – including a number in the Holme Valley. The Wooldale co-op is independent and owned by members living in the local area and run by a voluntary board of directors. It employs 35 local people, many of whom are schoo leavers entering the world of work for the first time.
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Firms win gold at the Olympics
A MIRFIELD company is among firms across Yorkshire to strike gold with the London Olympics. Actaccomm, part of construction sector business Actiform, won three contracts to deliver modular office and welfare accommodation buildings to the Olympic Park. They were among 200 Yorkshire businesses to be awarded contracts related to the Games, according to officials at the Yorkshire Gold Business Club, which is reflecting on the “great success” of its efforts to bring Olympics-related business to the region. YGBC was launched in 2009 with its main objective to help Yorkshire and Humber companies compete for contracts linked to the London 2012 Games. However, the remit was expanded and YGBC started to work on other major public and private sector buying organisations projects, such as Crossrail and the Metropolitan Police. During its three-year duration, YGBC received funding from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and engaged with more than 2,000 businesses and delivered over 50 events. The project’s current funding ceases on the September 28. A highlight of the project was a trip to the Olympic Park in 2009 where Yorkshire businesses were given a tour and had the chance to meet key buyers, including Carillion and Balfour Beatty. YGBC events provided a platform to engage with businesses across the region – offering information on the procurement process and how companies could get involved. Key events included speakers such as Lord Sebastian Coe and Dame Kelly Holmes. YGBC also engaged with top athletes including US Olympic divers and the
■ GOLDEN GIRL: Dame Kelly Holmes at one of the many Yorkshire Gold events leading up to the London Olympics
Olympic Brazilian judo team. Yorkshire’s gold medal winning boxer Nicola Adams presented at a YGBC event last year – one of many which built on the relationship between sport and business in the lead up to the Games. Lauren Pigg, project manager for YGBC, said the legacy of the Games had given renewed hope for the future – and UK companies could use the contracts secured as a platform for winning national and international projects for years, to come.
Frank talk at event THEY’RE getting creative in Calderdale. Member of the Creative Calderdale group will hear a talk by Frank Boyd (pictured) on The Impact of Convergence on the Digital Economy at a meeting on Thursday, October 4, at the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre in Halifax., Mr Boyd, one of the UK pioneers of digital media for more than 20 years, is currently director of CI KTN, the Creative Industries Knowledge Transfer Network. His talk will discuss the impact of convergence on the digital economy, detailing the opportunities and challenges for creative businesses. He will also be announcing a new, government-funded £1.8m competition. Mr Boyd has been
bringing together leading experts from across the film, TV and interactive media sectors, to explore new ways to produce compelling, convergent and trans-media content. He has worked in both the public and private sector and has acted as producer,
funder and trainer on a series of innovative, creative and economic programmes across the arts, broadcast and education in the UK, Europe, the USA and Australia. He now supports the UK creative industries, particularly in the area of emerging technologies, through his leadership of CI KTN, which is funded by the Technology Strategy Board. Mr Boyd will be offering £1.8m to developers in a series of competitions and feasibility projects and his talk will include more information about this and offer guidance on how to access these funds. This event will run from 6pm to 9pm, including networking. It is free to creative, digital and cultural industry professionals.
Need for speed at IoD ceremony BATLEY-born businessman and racing driver Lawrence Tomlinson will introduce former land speed world record holder Richard Noble to the podium at tonight’s Yorkshire IoD Director of the Year Awards. Fresh from winning the Britcar MSA Endurance Championship at Snetterton, Mr Tomlinson, chairman of the LNT Group, will also promote the brand which has just wowed Chinese buyers who’ve signed up for 50 cars a year over three years. He raced to victory in the three hour endurance race leaving Porsche and Ferrari in his tracks. Mr Tomlinson, who employs 1,700 people, mainly in Yorkshire, is taking the G60 and G40R Ginetta cars to the York National Railway Museum, where the Institute of Directors will stage this year’s awards. He said: “Yorkshire IoD wanted to showcase Yorkshire talent at the awards dinner and invited us to take the newly-launched road cars. “Diners won’t be able to take a spin but they can have a good look before the attention switches to the business winners.” Last Year, Mr Lawrence was named Yorkshire Entrepreneur of the Year and Yorkshire Director of the Year and this year has been shortlisted for the national IoD Director of the Year awards to be announced.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Mill conversion work set to start next year WORK will begin next year to transform a disused mill site in the Holme Valley into a retirement complex. Kirklees councillors have approved the plan to turn the brownfield Prickleden Mill site in Holmfirth into a 46-apartment complex for the over 55s – complete with community facilities, gardens and restored mill dam. The scheme by Brockholes-based developer Conroy Brook will be set in a courtyard style – with the apartments centred on a landscaped garden and overlooking the restored landscaped mill dam. In addition there will be a residents’ pavilion, house manager, guest bedrooms, and an area set aside for the residents to do their own gardening, such as herbs, flowers or even vegetables! Richard Conroy, chief executive of Conroy Brook,
said: “We have an ageing population with the number of retired persons set to more than double within 25 years – and this trend is reflected in Kirklees. “Many people have talked to me of the difficulty of finding suitable retirement homes in the Holme Valley, which is why we are delighted to receive planning approval, to allow us to bring this scheme forward.” Said Mr Conroy: “We have a track record of award winning retirement developments and believe the Prickleden Mill site will make a positive contribution to the community – including an estimated 350 construction jobs – and deliver much-needed, modern retirement units. “We have also already had an astounding level of interest, with over 80 people registering to receive more information.”
Grade II building on market A FORMER mill site in West Yorkshire is on the market. Eddisons, which has an office in Huddersfield, has been instructed to dispose of the Ebor Mills site on Ebor Lane, Mytholmes, Haworth. The property occupies an area of almost three acres and
contains three Grade II listed buildings, including offices and a boiler house. Offers for the site are being invited from developers interested in working up a new planning consent, including conversion of the three listed buildings.
property
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Demand for industry sites THE Yorkshire Industrial market can reflect on a positive six months of 2012, according to a survey. Figures from property firm CBRE showed that occupier confidence has improved across the region with 1.25m sq ft of space taken up in the first half of 2012 – up by 88% on the same period last year. Although availability has now fallen to 3.97m sq ft – with 2.51m sq ft new – this still remains the highest proportion of available space in the country. However, the report said that Yorkshire is now one of the few parts of the UK with a sufficient choice of good quality buildings – offering the best choice for occupiers who may be finding it hard to find space in neighbouring regions. Toby Vernon, senior director of industrial agency at CBRE’s Yorkshire offices, said; “Occupier confidence is improving and take-up for the first half of 2012 is already way ahead of the 2011 year total. “The take-up figures do include the 856,000 sq ft commitment by Aldi on a new site in the Dearne Valley and although the imminent start on site for this project shows confidence, generally the underlying demand picture for the region remains subdued. “There were some encouraging signs of a resurgence in occupier interest at the start of the year, with requirements from some large retail
■ OPPORTUNITY: Toby Vernon, of CBRE in Yorkshire
names. “However, as economic uncertainties grew and concerns about the strength of the eurozone returned, occupiers once again retreated. “Interest has emerged from high street and online retailers, particularly discounters who continue to expand. “Nevertheless the region, particularly South and West Yorkshire, has the potential to benefit once confidence returns and since the start of the summer there has been an upturn of interest.” Mr Vernon said: “The availability
of stock within this region has created an opportunity for occupiers and the larger schemes in particular are now unique across the UK. “Yorkshire has three schemes that could accommodate a requirement of over 400,000 sq ft – SIRFT Sheffield, Logistics Property Partnership Sheffield and Sherburn 550 near Leeds.” Mr Vernon said the statistics show that investment volumes have rebounded with the year to date total significantly boosted by the sale of B&Q’s 800,000 sq ft logistics facility at Redhouse Interchange in Doncaster for £36.2m, an initial yield of 9.5%. In addition, also at Redhouse Interchange, a new 264,000 sq ft warehouse recently let to Next was purchased by NFU for £16.8m, a yield of 6.65%. Both deals were typical of the current trend among investors in commercial property to seek safe havens for their money. Robin Bullas, associate director at CBRE in West Yorkshire, said: “The fundamentals we saw in 2011 have continued into 2012, with prime logistics units highly sought after and a number of wealthy individuals continuing to seek opportunities where pricing has moved sufficiently. “Investors are either looking for secure single let income of 15 years and beyond, with guaranteed uplift or multi-let short term asset management opportunities.”
Better news for planners INFORMED DEVELOPMENT
Martin Thompson HILE July 3, 2012, was W another rainy day in this prolonged monsoon season that
is replacing summer it did offer a notable ray of hope for developers. The Communities and Local Government Department issued its consultation on “New Opportunities for S u s t a i n abl e D eve l o p m e n t a n d Growth” the aim of which is to make it easier to reuse existing empty and redundant buildings without the need for an application for planning permission. The consultation outlines four key areas: ● Agricultural buildings. Currently such buildings require planning permission for any change of use. The paper outlines changes that would permit relatively low impact business uses such as workshops, offices, food
processing and cafes, although there are provisions to prevent buildings being developed to be subsequently converted ● Commercial and general industry buildings, has deregulation proposals, including permitted development to increase from 253sq metres to 470sq metres ● Temporary use of buildings would allow new business and enterprise not to have to seek full planning permission for two-year temporary use for certain types of existing buildings. This would allow redundant buildings to be brought back into use, although a local authority notification will be a requirement and check on temporary uses ● Hotels to houses would allow for suitable conversion to residential accommodation from a number of
categories e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, military barracks as well has hotels and guest houses. Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark told the Commons that if agreed the proposals “would provide new opportunities for development and sustainable economic growth through the re-use of existing buildings, without the need to apply formally for planning permission. The consultation period ends on September 11 and is asking for views from developers and farmers. The consultation can be found at deregulate.planning@communities .gsi.gov.uk should you wish to respond. The Government also announced a flat rate increase in all planning fees of 15% to come into effect in the autumn. Giving with one and taking away...
Martin Thompson is a partner in commercial property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Trades get recognition KIRKLEES tradesmen and women have been challenged to prove they’re the best. Screwfix, which has a store at Leeds Road, Huddersfield, has launched its annual search to find Britain’s Top Tradesman – recognising the brilliant builders, helpful handymen, exceptional electricians and perfect plumbers that keep the UK’s homes and businesses in top condition. The winner may have retrained this year to gain a new qualification, invested in new technology to kick-start their business, nurtured an apprentice into their trade, or carried out an unusual job. Tradesmen from across the region are invited to enter the award – with finalists from around the country going head to head to be named the best in Britain. This year’s winner will get the keys to a Renault van worth up to £27,000 on the road and will be named Britain’s number one tradesmen. Entries are open until October 5, 2012. The national final will be in November, with the overall winner being named Britain’s Top Tradesman 2012. Enter in-store or go to www.screwfix.com/btt
www.michaelsteel.co.uk
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Fast route to tackle housing shortage A CONSTRUCTION and development business is challenging the way homes are built by launching a new trial programme to reduce build times by 40%. Southdale, which has worked with Kirklees Council on several regeneration schemes, is planning the first of three schemes under its Fastbuild programme – aiming to build homes in 12 weeks on sites in Yorkshire, the North East and North West. If the scheme is successful, Southdale believes it will develop best practice and highlight how the industry is in a strong position to increase the number of homes it can deliver – at a time when housing demand is outstripping the numbers of homes being built. The trial will also help to identify how construction costs can be reduced and efficiencies improved – in line with Government targets. Southdale managing director Paul Moore said: “The average time taken to build a home is 20 weeks, but by challenging that norm and thinking
■ FAST TRACK: Paul Moore, managing director of Southdale
differently we have been able to develop this new trial programme with the potential of bringing that down to 12 weeks. “It is simply a matter of organisa-
tion and scheduling as well as considering off-site works can be brought in to reduce such issues as waste. “The concept has been very well
embraced by everyone at Southdale – especially with three projects all set to begin around the same time – as well as by clients. “The teams have been looking forward to the challenge throughout the summer and it will be seen as a huge opportunity to learn new methods and to show that such a timescale can be successful in the delivery of high quality homes for our clients.” Mr Moore said: “I believe these projects have the potential to develop best practice and show that there is capacity to increase the industry’s ability to meet the UK’s housing demand, without compromising on quality. “This can mean that, if the right conditions are in place, such as more land being made available and greater support for the industry, the industry can create a huge boost to the economy, not only meeting demand, but also creating employment and boosting supply chain firms.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
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Tycoon makes the call with O2
Zola Ezzati & Steve Garbus
Commsprovider A HUDDERSFIELD woman is among six new recruits to a communications company based in Halifax. Zola Ezzati, a graduate with a Masters in E Business, has been appointed marketing co-ordinator at Mytholmroyd-based Commsprovider. The team also includes Steve Garbus, of Keighley, who heads up the mobile phone division. Zola and Steve are pictured above Zola is one of six new appointments, including three apprentices, at the company, based at Moderna Business Park. The company also offers a 200-seat disaster recovery centre and hires out conference, training and meeting suites to businesses in the region. Chairman Mike Bower said: “We are delighted to create these new jobs and anticipate at least six further appointments before the end of the year.” Commsprovider, which is a Samsung Platinum Service Partner for Yorkshire and Humber, maintains more than £2m of business telephone systems.
Luke Howell & Lia Stothart
fds cfs
TWO apprentices have been engaged as full-time employees by a company headed by a Denby Dale-based businesswoman. Jo Haigh, partner in Wakefield-based corporate finance house fds cfs, said the appointment of Luke Howell and Lia Stothart took the number of employees in the business to seven. Mr Howell and Ms Stothart joined the business in December last year and January, 2012, respectively as office assistants on temporary contracts as part of a government-funded apprentice scheme. They joined the business to complete their NVQ qualifications in business and administration via on-the-job training.
Thomas Downes
ITWiser IT consultancy firm ITWiser has appointed Thomas Downes as an IT apprentice. ITWiser, which is a division of Cleckheaton-based accountancy firm Clough & Company, provides IT services including cloud computing, system audits, risk assessments, support programmes, network services, testing and security services. Mr Downes (pictured), 23, of Leeds, will support the team in helping clients to solve technical-related problems that come through the firm’s helpdesk. He will also spend one day a week at Shipley College completing an IT administrator course.
BATLEY-born tycoon Lawrence Tomlinson has been ringing the changes. The chairman of construction-to care home business LNT Group has signed the UK’s biggest i-phone deal with O2 – and bought every member of staff a new Apple iPhone handset. The Leeds-based company has bought 1,700 phones – in what has been called one of the most innovative and exciting deals in mobile networks – to improve internal communications and boost business. Mr Tomlinson drove the deal through – seeing it as a chance to future-proof communications around the group. He said the move had been driven by his passion to harness technology yet retain a family business feel in touch with everyone. To make the iPhones relevant and effective, the group has developed its own iLNT App to send messages to every member of the team or specific groups within businesses. Staff will be able to use them to check their hours and holidays as well as get ■ SIGNALS: Ben Kitto (left) and Lawrence Tomlinson at O2’s headquarters important corporate communications. Announcing the three-year tie up with team to have access to a lot of information O2, Mr Tomlinson said he felt certain the specific groups. “That will be particularly useful when we and do a lot of things with the iPhones.” investment would reap dividends. Ben Kitto, business development man“Some of the team don’t have internet or need to communicate with team members mobile phone access,” he said. “Digital in sensitive areas of the business such as ager for O2 at the White Rose Business communication is faster and more efficient. care homes where it can be critical we get Centre in Leeds, said the deal marked a new It’s a fast, efficient and a user-friendly way messages out promptly,” he said. “This deal era for all corporate mobile phones deals. “LNT were determined to use the techof communicating with so many people. We is all about commitment; to our staff, who can send out one message, such as the will get free texts and calls as part of the nology to benefit the business not just keep company newsletter, to everyone or target deal, to O2 and to Apple. It empowers our in touch with staff,” he said.
IoD breakfast briefing for business KIRKLEES company bosses will get the inside facts on business banking at the first in a new series of Breakfast Briefings by the Institute of Directors in West Yorkshire. Peter Sumners, of the Co-operative Bank, will reveal the issues facing banks and why their hands are often tied when it comes to lending to businesses. He will also offer practical guidance so businesses can access funding to boost their chances of success. The event takes place on
Tuesday, September 13, at the offices of Lee & Priestley in East Parade, Leeds. Mr Sumners will be joined by Phil Revill, of insolvency practitioner the P&A Partnership, who will outline how directors can avoid personal liability in the event of corporate failure. Jonathan Oxley (pictured), chairman of West Yorkshire IoD, said: “Pete can give a very frank insight into what is and isn’t achievable for businesses looking to raise money while Phil will offer practical guidance to
directors under constant scrutiny. “This is the first in a series of events for IoD members and guests looking at issues of real relevance to directors of companies in the current challenging business climate. Today’s business leaders are struggling to run their organisations. “They turn to us for support, advice and information that will benefit them.” Email beverley. whyte@leepriestley.com
Get set for a Bollywood party! BOLLYWOOD comes to Cleckheaton this month – when local businesses get together to raise cash for charity. Employment law specialist Howarths has joined forces with Halifax-based Prego Events Ltd and HSBC to stage a night of Bollywood at Europe’s largest Asian restaurant, the Aakash in Cleckheaton. The event on Monday, September 24, will include Indian cuisine, Bollywood dancers, dhol drums, a raffle and an auction to raise funds for the Bradley-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. The hospice is now over a year into delivering a Hospice at Home service, working with more than 50 families and is
close to realising the dream of opening the children’s hospice. Peter Branson, hospice chief executive, said: “It’s been a long journey and the hard work really begins now, both in terms of delivering care for some very special families and also looking at the sustained fundraising challenge that lies ahead.” The Forget Me Not Childrens Hospice has been chosen as the local charity supported by HSBC Bank plc in the Bradford area for 2012. Howarths has supported the hospice since its inception. Now they are urging other businesses to back the charity by supporting the evening. Tracey Craven, of Howarths, said: “This
promises to be a superb event, quite different from the usual black tie fundraiser and for a brilliant cause. “The hospice needs to raise a significant amount of money each year so they can continue to provide such an extraordinary service and they need more sponsors. “So why not do your bit for charity with a fun night of a Bollywood experience. Our team at Howarths are entering fully into the spirit of the evening by wearing traditional Asian dress!” Contact Lindsey at Howarths on 01274 864 999 or call at the firm’s offices at Newbury Court, St John’s Place, Brooke Street, Cleckheaton.