Kirklees Business News 04/10/11

FTSE 100

GARY LONNEN Back from the sun

- 52.98 5075.50

Full inter view - Page 3

JONATHAN JAMES Theirs to reason why Column - Page 4

An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Research facility looks to the future

■ CONFIDENT: Steve Woollven, joint managing director of Millers Oils

A COMPANY manufacturing motor oils for high-performance vehicles has made a six-figure investment.

Millers Oils, based at Brighouse, has pumped £500,000 into setting up a new research and development laboratory in a bid to continue its impressive record of year-on-year growth.

The new facility will help the firm develop new products and technology.

A focus of the laboratory will be on developing technology to help in the manufacture of products that reduce friction – a key growth area for oil and lubricant companies.

The new facility, based at the firm’s Brighouse headquarters, will also allow more in-house testing, analysis of used lubricants and quality control.

The company is confident the investment will pay off with superior products and higher sales.

Joint managing director Steve Woollven said: “It is unusual for a manufacturer to make this kind of investment at a time when the world

economy is struggling.

“However, we are confident that the new facility will boost our bottom line as we improve our technology, products and the service we can offer our customers.

“Despite the recession, we have grown year-on-year and we see that continuing.”

The new research and development centre, which took seven months to complete, will house staff including chemists and technicians.

Meanwhile, old offices elsewhere on the site will be demolished to make way for the expansion of the factory.

Earlier this year, Millers Oils announced another year of increased turnover.

The firm is continuing to invest in developments to assist further growth.

Earlier this year, the company reached a landmark as turnover passed the £25m mark.

The firm, which supplies the automotive, motor sport, classic car and truck sectors, has more than doubled turnover in just five years.

In the past 12 months, the firm has added oil filtration services – crucial for manufacturers using hydraulic systems – to its range of activities and has continued to increase sales of its automotive oils and lubricants in the UK and across Europe.

The specialist oil and lubricant manufacturer is based in Brighouse with depots in Glasgow and Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Companies miss out on financial opportunities MORE than a quarter of businesses in Yorkshire may be missing out on access to finance – simply because of fears about approaching their bank.

One in four respondents in the Business Finance Barometer, independently commissioned and published by Close Invoice Finance, said they hadn’t asked for increased credit from their bank for fear of being turned down or the bank deciding to increase the cost of their existing borrowing.

Ian Steward (right), of Close Invoice

Finance, said: “At a time when the country is struggling to get back on its feet, it’s astonishing that small businesses, the very engine room of our economy, find themselves in a situation where they not only feel unable to access funds to grow, but actually lack the confidence to even ask for it in the first place.”

He said: “The survey also demonstrated that a fifth of businesses in Yorkshire aren’t happy with the level of personal service they receive from their bank.

“Ironically, our last Barometer showed

that the majority of firms remain reluctant to change provider – perhaps a case of better the devil you know.”

The survey showed that a third of UK firms had plans to expand over the next 12 months, but Mr Steward said: “Given that so many appear to have somewhat broken relationships with their banks, it’s especially important that they realise there are other options open to them.”

A report for the Department for Business said invoice finance had a crucial role to play in private sector recovery.

INSIDE Expertise rewarded LAW firm Ridley & Hall has been recognised as national experts by a top legal publication.

The Huddersfield firm appears in The Legal 500 – widely regarded as offering the definitive judgement of law firm capabilities.

Ridley & Hall has been particularly recommended for it’s expertise in family law and trusts and probate.

● Full story - Page 8

The most trusted news brand in the business

examiner.co.uk

4 , O c t o b e r, 2 0 1 1

It’s simply topping!

WORK on a £4.75m care centre has reached a significant stage. VIP guests saw the official “topping out” ceremony at Meridian Healthcare’s new development, which is being built Oakes in Huddersfield.

● Full story - Page 6

Solicitors for business inYorkshire www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk Huddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

national

Markets still jittery amid debt worries PERSISTENT fears over the eurozone debt crisis ensured a gloomy start to the new quarter for embattled world markets.

Greece’s admission that it will miss its deficit targets and alarm bells over the health of Belgian bank Dexia spooked investors and saw further losses on markets on both sides of the Atlantic.

The FTSE 100 Index was 1% lower, while France’s Cac-40 and the Dax in Germany were more than 2% down.

Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average was also lower as the London market closed yesterday.

The weak performance in London follows the FTSE 100’s worst quarter in nine years, which saw about 14% wiped off its value in the three months to the end of September.

London’s leading shares index closed

■ SHARE SCARE: Stock market turmoil is showing no signs of easing

1% or 52.98 points lower at 5075.5 yesterday after Greece revealed it would not hit its deficit targets for the next two years – making the prospect of a debt default more likely.

The country will miss the targets – agreed with the so-called troika, who are in Athens to discuss releasing the country’s next bailout instalment – as

which was down against the pound at 1.16. However, sterling was off against a stronger dollar at 1.54.

The only note of encouragement came from the manufacturing sector after monthly purchasing manager surveys from both sides of the Atlantic came in better than expected.

While the UK report showed growth for the first time in three months, export orders hit a 28-month low as trade with the eurozone weakened.

The deepening sovereign debt crisis increased fears over a wider global recession and – following disappointing data on China last week – mining stocks continued to drop.

Luxury goods group Burberry was one of the heaviest fallers in the FTSE 100 Index, dropping by 82p to 1092p, amid fears about slowing demand in its key Asia market.

Fear over new recession

Broker braced for fall in profits Stanley’s private client and wealth management divisions had a “solid” half.

The firm said that group revenues were set to remain similar to the £59.7m seen in last year’s first half – but interim profits will be below the £7.3m seen then.

Stanley said it still sees opportunity for growth year-on-year, but added that current market conditions made it difficult to see very far ahead.

Shares in the stockbroker, which at the end of June had more than £15bn of investment funds under its management, fell by 11% on the update.

STOCKBROKER Charles Stanley warned that the impact of recent financial turbulence will hit its half-year profits.

The group, which has offices across the country, said its securities division in particular had been affected by the dire markets.

The FTSE 100 Index had its worst quarter for nine years in the three months to September, affecting commissions earned on share trading as big investors steered clear of the market.

Corporate finance and advisory fees have also been weak as uncertainty led to company deals and new listings drying up.

its floundering economy failed to deliver the tax income needed.

The weak session comes after the FTSE 100 closed its worst quarter since 2002 on Friday – falling by 14% and losing £212bn of its value.

The poor sentiment was further weighed down by claims that finance ministers from France and Belgium were meeting to discuss ways to bolster the balance sheet of Belgian lender Dexia.

The situation re-ignited fears of a second banking crisis and prompted more falls for UK banking stocks, including Standard Chartered, which was down by than 4% or 57.5p to 1229.5p; Royal Bank of Scotland, which was off 1p at 22.5p; and Lloyds Banking Group, which lost 1.4p to 33.4p.

The debt crisis weighed on the euro,

COMPANY managers are “very concerned” about the UK’s economic prospects – with most fearing another recession, says a report today.

A survey of more than 600 managers showed that just one in 12 believed the economy would grow over the next year, compared with one in six during a similar poll earlier this year.

More than two-thirds of those questioned by the Chartered Management Institute said it was likely the UK will go back into recession and three out of four believed business insolvencies will increase.

Half said their organisation had

frozen recruitment, while managers in private firms were most pessimistic about employment opportunities.

The CMI said its findings had “serious implications” for Government plans for the private sector to lead the UK back into growth and showed a “growing sense of impatience” with actions to reduce the deficit.

CMI director Petra Wilton said managers were very concerned about the immediate future of their firms and the economy, adding: “Given the pressure on the private sector to spearhead the recovery, the predictions of business leaders make particularly uncomfortable reading.”

Page 2 Camelot’s new MD FORMER Channel 4 boss Andy Duncan has quit the motor trade just a year after his surprise move to run luxury car dealer HR Owen.

He will take over next month as UK managing director at Camelot, taking responsibility for the National Lottery and its 700 staff.

Mr Duncan joined Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer HR Owen last October in a shock switch away from television, where he was head of Channel 4 for five years.

His departure from HR Owen was announced alongside a warning from the company that market conditions have worsened due to turmoil in financial markets.

However, HR Owen said trading overall was on track.

‘Cut top tax rates’ THE rate of tax for top earners and businesses must be cut if the UK is to return to strong growth, it is claimed.

Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors, urged that the 50% income tax rate for the highest earners be scrapped “to kill the perception that the UK is a high-tax country”.

He said corporation tax, which is already being reduced to from 26% to 23% by 2014, should be cut further to 15% by 2020 to encourage businesses to create more jobs.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £29.06 +0.03 Gannett 610.45 -5.82 Hess Corp £32.97 -0.95 Microsoft 1623.12 +13.58 Motors Liquidation 48.50 Wal-Mart Stores £34.13 +0.57 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 2763/4 -81/4 BAE Systems 260 -71/4 Rolls-Royce 598 +3 AIM Brady Plc 721/4 Dawson Intl 15/8 Man Brnze 34 -3 Uniq 957/8 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 168 -77/8 BANKS Barclays 1561/4 -51/8 HSBC 4875/8 -91/4 1 Lloyds Banking Gp 33 /2 -13/8 1 Ryl Scotland 22 /2 -1 Stan Chart 12291/2 -571/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 12341/2 +21/2 SABMiller £205/8 -3/8 CHEMICALS Croda 1663 +13 Elementis 98 1143/4 -83/4 Johnsn Mat 1581 -6 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2525/8 -3

ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 473 -67/8 Intl Power 3111/4 +43/8 Scottish & Sthrn 1312 +17 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1381/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 320 -2 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1705/8 -31/8 Cable & Wireless 37 -1/4 Comm 7 Cable & Wireless 29 /8 -11/8 Wwide Colt Group 100 -11/2 KCOM 70 -1/2 Talktalk Telecom 124 -21/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2867/8 -35/8 Sainsbury 2811/8 +61/4 1 Tesco 370 /2 -71/2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1103 -7 Tate Lyle 6321/2 +61/2 Unilever £20 -1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3001/8 +23/8 National Grid 640 +11/2 Pennon Grp 687 +111/2 Severn 1543 +2 United Utils 6251/2 +11/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 7

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ICAP 4041/4 -81/4 London StockExch 813 -2 Man Group 1603/4 -73/4 Provident Financial 9961/2 -71/2 Schroders 1275 -4 Schroders NV 1036 -8 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 4153/8 -175/8 REXAM 3073/4 -3 Smiths Grp 955 -441/2 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 211/4 -3/8 Carphone Whse 340 Dixons Retail 113/8 -1/4 Home Retail 1185/8 +61/4 7 Inchcape 284 /8 +51/2 Kingfisher 2483/4 +1/4 M&S 318 +33/8 Mothercare 325 +10 Next £253/8 +1/8 WH Smith 5021/2 +83/4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 560 -22 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 85 +1 -13/4 Barrat Dev 765/8 1 Persimmon 449 /2 -6 Reckitt Benckiser £331/4 +5/8 Taylor Wimpey 341/2 -1/2 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 858 -9 IMI 6851/2 -241/2 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2621/8 -31/8

BBA Aviation 1655/8 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 2885/8 Lgl & Gen 951/2 Old Mutual 1033/8 Prudential 5421/2 Resolution 2455/8 Standard Life 1961/4 MEDIA BSkyB 657 D Mail Tst 3573/4 ITV 583/4 Johnston Press 41/2 Pearson 1137 Reed Elsevier 4981/8 STV Group 1041/2 Trinity Mirror 401/2 Utd Business 442 UTV 1241/2 WPP 5941/2 Yell Group 4 MINING Anglo American £221/8 Antofagasta 921 BHP Billiton 1710 Eurasian Natural 5511/2 Res Fresnillo 1604 Kazakhmys 763 Lonmin 1029 Rio Tinto £281/4 VEDANTA 1010 RESOURCES Xstrata 7907/8 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 4911/8 1

-17/8 -163/4 -11/8 -15/8 -15 -13/4 -33/4 -7 -53/8 -5/8 -1/4 -2 +33/4 -1/2 -1/2 -63/4 +1 -61/2 -1/8 -1/8 -51/2 -28 -25 +18 -30 -22 -3/4 -91 -297/8 -1/2 1

Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

299 97 640 1479

-31/4 -11/2 +11/2 -70

FTSE closed at

5075.50 Down 52.98 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1258 RSA Insurance Gp 1091/8 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1234 BP 3867/8 Cairn Energy 265 Royal Dutch Shell A 1966 Royal Dutch Shell B 19781/2 Total £277/8 Tullow Oil 1300 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 7901/2 Petrofac 1165 Wood Gp(J) 5121/2 PERSONAL GOODS

-5 -21/8 -71/2 -15/8 -153/4 -34 -331/2 -5/8 -9 -25 -33 -171/2

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £285/8 Axis-Shield 456 +1/2 GlaxoSmithK XD 4 Shire 1972 -38 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4683/4 -71/4 Captl Shop Cent 3185/8 -83/4 DTZ Hldgs 283/4 -3/4 1 Hamrsn 366 /4 -117/8 Land Secs 628 -14 SEGRO 217 -31/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp £251/2 Invensys 2163/8 -91/8 Logica 791/2 +1/2 3 Misys 218 /4 +33/4 1 Sage Group 257 /8 +3/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 4283/8 -21/8 Bunzl 7721/2 +31/2 Capita 711 +41/2 De La Rue 8431/2 +71/2 Electrocomp 188 -21/8 Experian 707 -18 7 G4S 263 /8 -31/8 Hays 70 +3/4 Homeserve 4641/2 +51/4 Menzies J 498 +8 Rentokil 701/2 -11/8 Smiths News 851/4 -1/4 Wolseley 1536 -71 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 540 -24 Psion 551/4 +13/4 1

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TOURIST RATES

TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco

£275/8 £213/4

+3/8

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

1181/4 1967 5171/2 3441/8 33 3133/8 1318 4373/4 1017 1541/2

-51/4 -48 -31/2 +1/4 -1/4 -73/8 -7 +21/2 -34 +13/8

1201/4 2347/8 2291/8 116 2441/8 1483/4 1584

+11/8 -5/8 -37/8 +31/4 -13/8 -5/8

FTSE 100

INDEX 5075.50

-52.98

FTSE 250

INDEX 9750.56

-68.82

Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.53 dollars Bangladesh................. 110.31 taka Brazil.............................. 2.61 reals Canada....................... 1.55 dollars China ............................. 8.85 yuan Czech Republic ...... 26.51 korunas Denmark....................... 8.25 krone Euro................................ 1.11 euro Hong Kong................ 11.48 dollars Hungary................... 305.51 forints India.......................... 67.62 rupees Japan........................... 113.83 yen Mexico ....................... 19.25 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.90 dollars Norway ......................... 8.73 krone Pakistan.................. 127.87 rupees Philippines ................. 58.47 pesos South Africa.................. 11.77 rand South Korea.............. 1598.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 161.49 rupees Sweden....................... 10.22 krona Switzerland.................. 1.35 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.47 dollars Turkey....................... 2.73 new lira USA ............................ 1.48 dollars

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS IT sounds like the ultimate dream job.

For eight eventful years, painter and decorator Gary Lonnen lived and worked on Spain’s Costa del Sol, helping ex-pats keep their villas spick and span by running the country’s first Dulux Decorator Centre.

Gary had already worked as a painter and decorator for firms in Huddersfield.

But when his wife’s parents moved to sunny Spain in 2002 the family decided to join them.

“As a decorator by trade I decided to go out there and paint houses,” he says.

“In Spain I approached ICI, who owned Dulux at the time and within three months of arriving, I had opened the centre.”

Gary built up the business, adding a decorating company and a refurbishment company to his arsenal and shipping out a cherry-picker to rent to out.

He worked on refurbishment contracts for swimming pools, offices and even a bank.

However, working in sunny Spain was not without its problems – not least the growing competition from Spanish paint suppliers and the headache of delivery problems between Spain and the UK. By the end of eight years, Gary and the family were ready to return home.

Not that they hadn’t enjoyed the adventure.

“We have three children and my oldest daughter speaks fluent Spanish,” he says proudly.

“We took Bethanie over when she was five. Alice was six months old and Millie was born out in Spain. The children had a wonderful life out there.

“We had our own swimming pool and we had parties with 40 people attending.

“We probably had barbecues four times a week.

“But you don’t make lifelong friends out there.

You meet socially with people and have a drink or two. Family bonds are the strongest.

“One day I got back from work and decided that I’d had enough.

“The kids were asking when we were going home, so we settled our business affairs, sold up and came back to Huddersfield.

“Family and friends helped out by giving me work, so I had a few decorating jobs, but I was determined to grow my own business.

“I targeted companies, wrote letters and got some responses.”

Gary set up GML Maintenance and Refurbishment Ltd, providing a 24-hour reactive maintenance service.

Now is client list includes Batley-based PPG Architectural Coatings.

Gary’s company helps deal with maintenance issues at several of its 200 Leyland/Johnstone’s

profile

Back from the sun!

Decorator Centres across the UK. Although the work focuses mainly on centres in the north, the contract often takes him further afield.

The company offers a range of building and refurbishment services for properties ranging from domestic houses and shops to offices, schools and colleges.

GML also handles contracts for facilities management and energy services company Dalkia plc – applying specialist coatings to protect concrete “bunds” from damage by chemicals at sites including distilleries, food processing plants, and chemical works.

The company is accredited as a main contractor for Flowcrete, the corrosion protection business.

■ PAINT WORK: Gary Lonnen says he’s just as enthusiastic about his work as when he started as an apprentice

GML supplies a range of seamless coating systems based on shrink resistant resins which provide corrosion protection against concentrated acids, alkalines and solvents.

The work takes Gary and his sub-contractors all over the country – from Scotland to Wales and from Carlisle to Cambridge..

It means days and nights away from home, but Gary has never been afraid of hard work.

“I want to grow this business,” he says. “I want four or five vans and 20 people working for me!

“I have a number of sub-contractors who I know are good at the job, but my plan is to grow the business into a nice-sized company and employ a few guys regularly.

“I enjoy my job. I get a buzz from it – especially when we get some nice contracts and someone rings up wanting a job doing.

“I still get the same buzz as I did when I was a youngster starting out in the trade because I am still hungry for success.

“I don’t want to be a one-man band. I also want to make some brass!”

Gary, who was a pupil at Colne Valley High School, admits that painting and decorating was not his initial choice of career.

He recalls: “The school secretary lived across the road from us and she came over to say that someone had been looking for the careers teacher because he wanted to set on an apprentice.

“I left school on a Friday and started as an

Page 3 Gary Lonnen Role: Owner Age: 44 Family: Married to Kay with children Bethanie, 14, Alice, nine and four-year-old Millie Holidays: I love Devon, but we also have a holiday home in Spain Car: Renault Scenic First job: Apprentice decorator Best thing about job: The diversity of work. It’s something different every day that makes it brilliant Worst thing about job: Travelling long distances and being away from home overnight Business tip: Don’t give up. Give 100% in everything you do

indentured painter and decorator the following Monday with GA Foster and Son at Scapegoat Hill.

“At the interview I was asked how long I’d wanted to be a decorator.

I said ‘about half an hour’. I think they set me on because of my honesty!

During his time with the firm, Gary worked on several notable contracts, including the clean-up work following severe flooding in Keighley and Maltby.

Although he later worked for other companies, Gary only finally parted company with Foster and Son in 2003.

“I learned a lot from Foster’s,” says Gary. “I learnt the ‘behind the desk’ stuff, how to quote for a job and how to deal with customers.

“But I decided it was time I worked for myself.”

Now Gary has 25 years experience in the industry – as well as the invaluable lessons learned during his eight years in Spain.

And while he has ambitions for his business, he is old enough to know that quality time with is wife, Kay and the children is what counts.

“I try to keep my weekends free because I love my spending time with the children.

“We go swimming on Saturday or Sunday mornings and I like to watch Town when they’re at home as often as I

out with the lads.

“As a family, we do a lot of walking, but we also like a takeaway or two!

I used to play lots of sports. I was mainly an athlete – running with Longwood Harriers and Yorkshire. But I’ve also played football for local teams including Golcar and Marsden as well as a few Sunday sides.

“I played rugby and basketball, but these days I watch rather than play.

“I do a stint in the gym, but my time is mainly spent with the kids.

“We’ll got out for a family meal – and if not we’ve a fridge full of cracking food.”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

GML Maintenance & Refurbishment Ltd Work: Building and refurbishment services Site: Huddersfield Phone: 07854 240394 Email: info@gml maintenance.co.uk Website:www.gml maintenance.co.uk

local

Page 4

Netherton firm praised for a polished result JUDGES took a shine to a Huddersfield company during a custom bike show.

Family-run REV’DUP landed four trophies at the Stormin The Castle bike festival held at Wittan Castle in County Durham for its range of motorcycle cleaners and polishes.

The Netherton-based company, founded in June this year, has already secured 16 distributors in Yorkshire alone.

It also supplies a well-known national chain of motorcycle accessories shops.

REV’DUP director Paula Mallinson said the firm had been spending the summer months attending bike festivals across the UK to demonstrate its products.

Said Paula: “We only produce bike-friendly cleaners that are kind to paint work and metals – a point well-proven when we were offered two beautiful custom bikes to clean at Stormin The Castle.

“The bikes were entered into the bike show after receiving the REV’DUP cleaning treatment and returned from the show winning four awards.”

Said Paula: “This is the third time this year we have cleaned bikes for custom shows and on each and every occasion the bikes have come back with trophies!

“It definitely shows the quality of the motorcycle cleaners that we produce.”

creative marketing solutions 01484 483194 info@qtcreative.co.uk www.qtcreative.co.uk

One of Yorkshire’s leading commercial law firms based in Huddersfield and Leeds, delivering comprehensive legal advice in corporate and commercial matters, commercial property, litigation and intellectual property.

Tel: 01484 483 033 Fax: 01484 741 442 www.austinkemp.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSIN

Time to consider the reason why ILL the last word ever W spoken be “why”?

I hope Roger Whittaker will

excuse me ripping the words of one of his songs out of context and applying it to an article about property rights rather than pollution!

A couple have lived together for a good number of years. One of them has a business. Perhaps it was started before they got together, perhaps after. The business is owned by just one of them – as sole shareholder or as sole proprietor.

The other has worked for the business for years but has never been recorded as an owner.

For example, this might involve one of the parties actively trading and the other carrying out the business administration.

If they separate, is the non owning party entitled to a share in the business?

Well it’s all about why. Why did the non-owning party carry out work for the business?

The law takes a hard-headed, even callous approach to this.

If it was an exercise in helping out the person you love, there are no rewards for that. If it was because the household would be worse off if an outsider had to be paid to do the work, ditto. If it was for more mercenary reasons, there just might be a viable claim.

FAMILY BUSINESS

Jonathan James

The first question is, did the two of them ever discuss ownership of the business? If there were some offer, “however imperfectly remembered”, as one judge put it, then there may be a claim.

Did the owner say in some way that the business was now shared?

Then the court wants to know if the non-owner did something they wouldn’t otherwise have done because of the discussion.

So if the non-owner started working unpaid for the benefit of the business after the discussion, that would be the sort of thing which the court has in mind.

There are two potential pitfalls here. If the work started before any promise was made, then it wasn’t done in reliance on the promise and the argument fails.

The second is if payment was made for the work. If the non-owner was on the payroll and received a wage, no detriment was

suffered.

There is another way in which a claim could be made. If one party acted in such a way that the only rational explanation is that there was an agreement to share ownership, a court will find this to be the case.

By far the most likely basis for this sort of claim would be where the non-owner has put substantial money into the business.

However, this on its own will not necessarily be enough.

The court could find that this was simply a loan repayable on demand and only a return of the money is needed.

My advice? If your partner is working for your business, do the right thing – pay them a decent wage.

It’s fair and it may avoid serious complications and legal expense somewhere down the line.

Jonathan James is head of private client and family department at Austin Kemp Solicitors

Milestone for finances A GROUP providing funds for small and medium-sized firms in Yorkshire has reached a milestone.

Finance Yorkshire has made more than 100 investments with a total value of £10m in businesses across the region. The landmark milestones comes just 12-months after the venture capital and loan fund made its first investments in the region.

Finance Yorkshire offers seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m to help SMEs meet the gaps in funding they need for growth and development.

Investments have been made in a variety of sectors such as engineering, healthcare, digital and IT, manufacturing, energy and renewable.

During the first half of the year, investments have created and safeguarded hundreds of and generated about £27m in additional private sector backing.

Companies assisted have included Silsden-based cosmetics company Badgequo, which received funding made up of a £800,000 equity investment and a

Seminar advice on raising funds

BANKS and businesses will come face to face at an event in Huddersfield.

Business Link Yorkshire has team up with major high street banks to run a series of free seminars offer advice to firms on finding and rais finance.

Businesses in the Huddersfield ar are invited to attend a Raising Finance for SMEs seminar on Tuesday, November 1, at the Ceda Court Hotel, Ainley Top. The event runs from 9am to 12.15pm.

A panel of industry specialists wil cover a wide range of topics including business planning, financial forecasting and invoice finance. An independent expert wi also discuss alternative types of finance currently available, includ equity and angel finance.

Nick Greenwood, area business manager for Barclays Business in West Yorkshire, will speak about h bank’s attitude to lending – at a tim when banks have been criticised f failing to lend to business.

He said: “We hope this event will inspire confidence in SMEs to app for finance.

“Barclays Business is committed lending and making it easier for businesses to access finance. As small businesses play a major par driving both local and national economic growth, it is vitally important they feel confident to le from banks.”

Delegates to the seminar will hear about available funding – and how present their business case in ord to maximise the chance of succes Areas will include how to write a compelling business plan, produc and presenting credible financial forecasts, how factoring and invoi discounting can work for your business, alternative sources of funding, the bank’s approach to lending to business and how a mentor can help you achieve your business goals. Call 08456 048048

Town set for a training session

■ EXCELLENT FIRST YEAR: Alex McWhirter, of Finance Yorkshire £100,000 business loan to develop and grow the company in the UK and Europe.

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: “It has been an excellent first year of investing and laid the foundations for further development and growth.

“To provide more than £10m to small and medium-sized enterprises has really provided a boost to the regional economy at

a very difficult time for businesses.”

He added: “The environment we work in continues to be fragile.

“However, we have seen a great many number of applications for investment in so many different businesses that it provides us with great optimism that this region can steer itself towards a more positive future.”

Visit www.finance-yorkshire.com

A GLOBAL company providing training for all sizes of businesses has teamed up with Huddersfield Town for a second season.

Dale Carnegie Training, founded in 1912, has been associated with th club since 2006 before becoming a official partner before the 2010/11 season.

Last year, Dale Carnegie and Town launched the Executive Programm a training course for company executives and directors. The programme will also run this seas Juliette Dennett, managing directo of Dale Carnegie Training, said: “We’re delighted to continue our relationship with Huddersfield Tow The club continues to make waves both on the pitch and on the business side and we are proud to with them during this exciting period.”

Visit www.dalecarnegie.com

INESS NEWS

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Ways to make a great website HAT makes a great website? And W is this the same thing for businesses as it is for users?

After creating hundreds of website during my career, I now look back nostalgically at some of the early ones and how the technology has evolved so quickly.

We had huge restrictions in download speeds, resulting in using images in an obsessively sparing way. Screen size was limited to the lowest average – 640 x 480 – and colours were also restricted. E-commerce wasn’t really established and animation of any sort was in its infancy.

It really wasn’t long ago, but it seems like a distant memory.

Now we don’t need to worry about download speeds – enabling us to use a variety of multi media forms on our sites; streaming video, animation and sound.

We have other considerations now such as how well a site works on a smart phone and tablet computer.

We are much more concerned with how well a website is found on a search engine than how it might look.

However, there is one thing that hasn’t changed and that is the fact that a website is never finished.

Unlike a brochure, a successful website should always be seen as an evolving form.

Since the technology is ever changing, the website will look out of date very quickly if it is left alone.

If you want your users to keep coming back, there needs to be a reason for them to

MARKETING MATTERS Clare Quartermaine

do so whether that is information or product driven.

Look at well-known e-commerce website, Amazon.

It hasn’t really changed from a design point of view since its birth – but there has been a myriad of small changes, perhaps going unnoticed to us, but all designed to make the user experience easier and more directed to “buy” and of course using the latest technology.

Many of us could learn a lesson from that.

Design gives us recognition and comfort.

How many of us have been ‘turned off’ by a favourite website that has radically changed.

Many e-commerce sites find that sales dip massively after a total redesign, believed to be because users establish a relationship or loyalty with the design and its usability.

Like shopping aisles in supermarkets, we all get very cross when things have moved!

A website is a company’s “virtual” front

door, so they would be ill-advised to leave it to waste.

So what makes a website successful? I have been researching what others in my industry say.

Many talk about usability, purpose, adhering to web standards, good design, planning etc.

But I say the best rule of thumb is to remember who it is for and make it for them.

Many businesses get so bogged down in detail that they forget what their audience really want.

So my advice is to start with trying to establish what your user will want if they come to your website, then the rest will evolve from there.

You could actually ask your customers – never a bad thing as it will make them feel part of it.

And if they say it’s great the way it is, then asking why is a good start!

Clare Quartermaine is director of QT Creative

Award-winner is riding high!

A FAMILY firm providing high quality horse transport for some of the world’s top show jumpers has galloped away with an award.

Meltham-based Equi-Trek Ltd, founded in 1999, is the latest winner of the Business of the Month Award run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce at Business Link Yorkshire.

The company’s owners, who have themselves competed at major equestrian competitions, aimed to re-design and produce a range of trailers which offer safe, easy loading and comfortable travel for the horse and good facilities for the rider or owner.

Due to their unique side-loading trailers and patented designs, Equi-Trek trailers have proved hugely successful and the company has sold thousands worldwide.

The business developed from being a small manufacturer of side-loading horse trailers to introduce 3.5 tonne motorised horseboxes in the mid-2000s. Last year saw the launch of the 26 tonne Enterprise, which can carry up to nine horses in comfort.

Equi-Trek has also been among the winners in each of the past two Examiner Business Awards.

Managing director Tom Janion received the latest accolade at a presentation at Eaton Smith’s High Street offices.

He said: “This is an exciting award for

Page 5

■ CLEAR ROUND: Chris Taylor (centre) presents the award to Equi-Trek's Tom Janion (fourth right), Neil Jons (third right), Hilary Janion and Lucy Earnshaw (right) with (from left) Tim Hill, of Jolliffe Cork; Carl France, of Sanderson Associates; and Alan Lascelles, of Business Link Yorkshire Equi-Trek. As a proud, local employer we strive to provide the best value horse transport at the highest quality and recognition of our success is always rewarding.”

The Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award is open to all companies in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

Go to www.eatonsmith.co.uk or contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389.

Increase in fee income fails to mask concerns FEE income at the UK’s Top 100 law firms rose by 4% in the three months to the end of July, according to latest figures from accountancy firm Deloitte.

A report by the firm said the figures suggested that the industry was recovering, but stressed that a closer analysis revealed continuing weakness in the UK market and a stark variation in the performance of firms.

The survey revealed that while one in six firms enjoyed revenue growth above 12%, a similar proportion suffered a decline of 4% or more.

Generally, it was the larger firms with international presence which achieved higher growth – benefiting from more buoyant overseas markets.

These firms also benefited from Sterling’s weakness, resulting in overseas revenues contributing more in Sterling terms.

Those firms with a larger proportion of their business generated in the UK continue to find the markets tough.

Higher revenues were generated through a combination of increases in productivity and in the number of fee earners, which rose by 2.8% and 3.1% respectively.

Stephen Hall, tax partner for Deloitte in West Yorkshire, said: “The increase in fee income will be welcome, but should not mask the fact that conditions generally are challenging.

“Litigation has performed reasonably well, but low levels of M&A activity means that corporate revenues remain lacklustre.

“There is a general feeling of nervousness about the prospects for the months ahead with domestic demand expected to remain weak and continued pressure on rates.”

property

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Alarm sounds as orders fall THE building industry is heading towards a “nose dive” with workloads now falling for the 15th consecutive quarter, according to a survey today.

The state of trade survey from the Federation of Master Builders for the third quarter of 2011 reveals that workloads among small and medium-sized building firms have now been falling since 2008 and that one in three builders expect construction workloads to fall during the final three months of this year.

Richard Diment, director-general of the FMB, said the Government had to be mindful that the building industry “is in a dire state with little hope in the immediate future that things are going to get better”.

He said: “It is hard to think of another period in living memory when the building industry has been so badly hit by an economic crisis. The Chancellor needs to understand that a recovery in the construction sector is essential if it is to deliver economic growth in the wider economy.”

Mr Diment said that 44% of FMB members reported falling levels of enquiries and the number expecting to increase employment had now fallen to just 16%.

He said this was depressing news for young people wanting an apprenticeship or a job in the construction sector.

The rising cost of materials

was also a serious concern to builders with 88% expecting them to increase over the next six months.

Said Mr Diment: “The Government’s home energy efficiency improvement programme, the Green Deal, which will be launched next year offers a glimmer of hope. But without a reduced rate of VAT to help boost consumer demand it is difficult to see any real upturn in building work.

“A targeted reduced rate of VAT in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement would create tens of thousands of much needed jobs in the building industry as well as stimulating more job creation in the wider economy.”

Two deals for agency THE industrial team at property consultants Knight Frank in West Yorkshire has completed two significant deals in the region.

Knight Frank has sold a 137,000sq ft warehouse unit in Otley Road, Shipley. The unit was bought by greetings card firm Card Factory following the company’s recent purchase of printing business Printcraft.

Knight Frank were the sole agents, acting for owners Havells Sylvania.

Meanwhile Knight Frank has also let 20,000sq ft at Hartley Business Park in Bradford to Barrett Steel.

This is the first letting on the 120,000sq ft business park for client Hartley Property Trust.

The joint agents are Eddisons.

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Queens Mill, Queens Mill Road, Huddersfield Industrial Unit close to town centre.

The unit is a recent build and is fitted out accordingly.

Size 4,899 square feet.

Fieldhouse Park, Leeds Road, Huddersfield Ideally situated just off the main Huddersfield traffic network.

Unit is available for immediate occupation. Incentives available on application, size 13,706 square feet.

Contact: Paul Andrew Walker Singleton 01484 477600 Christine Eccleston MB Services 01484 557102

Page 6

Milestone moment at new care centre WORK on a £4.75m care centre has reached a significant stage.

VIP guests were on hand to see the official “topping out” ceremony at Meridian Healthcare’s new development, which is being built by developer Conroy Brook at Oakes in Huddersfield.

Kirklees Mayor Clr Eric Firth and Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney were joined by Kirklees councillors and residents for the event, which saw the final roof tile put into position.

Work now continues a pace on the interior, with completion expected next spring.

This latest development continues a successful working relationship between the two companies, with Brockholes-based Conroy Brook previously developing White Rose House in Holmfirth for Meridian Healthcare.

That scheme was named best new development at the Healthcare Design Awards.

The new 60-bed care centre at Oakes is being developed on the site of a former care centre, which was demolished to make way for the new building.

The modern development has been specially designed to provide superb living and bedroom accommodation for older people.

As well as a hairdressing salon, nail bar and cinema, the care centre will include hi-tech features including a free wi-fi service for its residents and visitors.

Susan Firth, managing director of Chershire-based Meridian Healthcare, said: “Meridian has long-standing experience of delivering high quality care to older people. I am

■ TOP SHOW: Pictured at the topping out ceremony are (from left) Debbie Thomson and Mark Birchenough of Meridian Health Care; Richard Conroy, of Conroy Booth; Kirklees mayor Clr Eric Firth, Clr. Christine Stanfield and Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney

delighted to be present at the topping out of what will be an amazing facility.

“This home is not just for the people of Oakes and Lindley. It will provide first class care and support for people across Huddersfield. We have built close working relationships with social services and the planning department here in Kirklees, which has helped to ensure that this first p h a s e o f t h e bu i l d h a s g o n e smoothly.

“We have reached an exciting milestone and we look forward to the next phase of this project, which will see us welcoming residents into the home in

spring, 2012.”

Richard Conroy, chief executive of Conroy Brook, said: “We are delighted to be working with Meridian once again to deliver an exceptionally high standard of care provision for the people of Kirklees.

“The development will also bring back to life a redundant site, contributing to the long-term regeneration of the area.

“Our construction programme is going extremely well and is, in fact slightly ahead of schedule, so we’re hoping that the centre will be able to welcome new residents earlier than anticipated!”

Lettings firm suited by its block booking A CAR dealership has secured a deal to provide vehicles to an Elland-based letting and property management company.

Colin Appleyard Cars, which has a site at Folly Hall in Huddersfield, has linked up with Dickinson Harrison to supply five new Suzuki Alto cars.

Motorcycle enthusiast and long standing Colin Appleyard customer Tim Dickinson was impressed with the Alto when he first saw one in a showroom.

The new fleet will be driven by the company’s block managers responsible for overseeing the management of the numerous residential apartment blocks the business services along the M62 corridor.

Director Andrew Egerton said: “As a company we like wherever possible to buy locally and from the outset Colin Appleyard staff have gone out of their way to

■ BUILD QUALITY: Tim Dickinson (left), of Dickinson Harrison, with (from left) Martin Mollitt, of Colin Appleyard Cars; Andrew Egerton, of Dickinson Harrison; abd Dave Scott, of Colin Appleyard Cars provide a professional and friendly service.”

As well as Suzuki car dealerships in Keighley, Huddersfield, Shipley and Ashton-under-Lyne, Colin Appleyard has multi-franchise

motorcycle showrooms in Keighley and Leeds.

Dickinson Harrison’s property management company is based in Elland with lettings agencies in Halifax and Bolton.

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Modern industrial unit incorporating substantial 2 storey internally built offices.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Louise Smith

The Agency (Recruitment) Limited A RECRUITMENT firm based in Cleckheaton has strengthened its team.

The Agency (Recruitment) Ltd has appointed Louise Smith (pictured) as recruitment consultant to work alongside managing director Kim Barnes-Evans in the day-to-day running of its temporary and permanent divisions.

Miss Smith (pictured) who lives in the town, brings with her a wealth of human resources and recruitment experience.

Her appointment comes as The Agency continues to grow and restructure its services towards the new processes that are demanded by the Agency Workers Regulations.

The Agency specialises in placing temporary and permanent commercial office staff with West Yorkshire employers.

Miss Smith said: “I’m really excited about joining The Agency and am looking forward to the new challenges it will bring as well as meeting their new and existing clients.”

Meet the buyers to boost sales KIRKLEES firms with an appetite for sales have been invited to a Meet the Buyer event.

Major food and drink buyers from across the world will attend the event tomorrow at the Derbyshire Hotel, South Normanton to investigate potential suppliers of branded products from Yorkshire.

Buyers in attendance represent markets as far afield as Singapore, Malaysia and Brazil.

Mark Robson, regional international trade director for event organiser UK Trade & Investment, said: “By exporting, businesses can reduce their risks while growing their business.

“This event gives local companies a real opportunity to secure new deals and drive that growth.

“Yorkshire is internationally renowned for quality food and drink – and the 20-strong team of buyers are especially keen to see what the white rose county has to offer.

“Companies can book one-to-one meetings with these buyers so the chances to clinch sales are huge. These are major distributors with links with supermarkets and big retailers in their home countries.”

UK exports of food and drink have risen for the sixth consecutive year to reach £10.83bn – up by 11.4% on the previous year. Including alcoholic drinks, the total value of food and drink exports is £16.1bn.

Government figures show that the UK’s top export markets are Ireland, France, Holland, Germany and Spain.

They also rate Russia, China, South Africa, Turkey and India as emerging key markets for the future.

Visit http://foodanddrink.brackenevents.co.uk

Movers and shakers

Page 8

Law firm gains top 500 rating A LAW firm in Huddersfield has been recognised as national experts by a legal publication.

The Legal 500, published for more than 20 years, provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage currently available on legal services providers in over 100 countries.

It is used as a yardstick to measure firms by commercial and private clients as well as professional advisers.

The Legal 500 is widely regarded as offering the definitive judgement of law firm capabilities.

The publication is updated every year and relies on reports not just from solicitors’ firms themselves but also interviews with clients.

Now Ridley and Hall, based at Market Street, has been particularly recommended for it’s expertise in family law and trusts and probate.

The family team headed by partner Meena Kumari deals with divorce and financial issues as well as domestic

violence and parents seeking contact with children.

The firm also has a specialist child care team which includes award-winning partners Nigel Priestley and Michael George.

Susan Cash who heads the wills, trusts and probate team, said: “We’ve recently launched a service for those nearing or at retirement age called ‘elderflower’ because we feel strongly that older clients need specialist advice.

“Membership of the Legal 500 provides further assurance of our expertise to offer this service.”

Business development partner Adam Fletcher said: “I’d like to thank our clients who were willing to recommend us.

“It’s their recognition that really means a lot. For a small firm in West Yorkshire this is quite an achievement.”

■ ACHIEVEMENT: Adam Fletcher, partner at law firm Ridley & Hall in Huddersfield

Project packs a punch

■ TROPHY TIME: Elena Selezneva (left), head of procurement at Neal Brothers, with colleague Elizabeth Todd at the CIPS Awards presentation ceremony in London AN export packaging company in Meltham has scooped a national award from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Neal Brothers Ltd, with operations at Bent Ley Road, won the category for best purchasing initiative by a small-medium enterprise at the CIPS 2011 Awards.

The firm gained recognition for a programme of cost savings coupled with a corporate social responsibility initiative.

Under the leadership of Elena Selezneva, head of procurement, Neal Brothers developed and installed a timber purchasing and tracking system to cut material costs and comply with international regulations over traceability of source materials.

The system has now been rolled out in

the company’ sites in the UK and Romania.

Said Elena: “The UK is recognised as one of the first EU nations to have a strong system and it is used as the bases now for several other EU and other European nations.

“Neal Brothers has introduced better control of waste and energy cost savings, coupled with a reduction in the company's carbon footprint.”

Judges recognised the innovative approach taken by the company with limited resources in a very demanding and challenging environment.

Other entrants included high-profile multi-nationals including AstraZeneca, DHL, Microsoft and Skanska.

Here’s a man with a plan...

WHEN it comes to tackling the economy, political opinion is divided.

Prime Minister David Cameron seems wedded to Plan A of cutting public spending while Labour is calling for the adoption of a Plan B to slow down the scale and speed of cuts.

So how about a Plan C? That’s the theme for the next Partners in Management Forum to be held at 9.15am on Friday, October 14, at the Media Centre in Huddersfield.

The forum is a think-tank comprising local business leaders who discuss topical items at their regular meetings – and have achieved a high success rate in forecasting economic and business trends.

Forum founder David Broadhead commented: “It will be interesting to see how different our suggestions will be to those we made back in February, 2009, when – for example – we floated the idea of commercial credit unions being necessary to support business lending and generating growth.

“Given that the forum has been incredibly accurate in its findings and anticipations to date, can its members be as equally forthcoming in suggesting how we might avoid entering the dreaded ‘zombie’ economy and re-ignite growth instead?”

Said Mr Broadhead: “While there is a wide representation of sectors among the membership, there are still some places available and attendees from the legal, financial advice and accountancy professions would be more than welcome.”

Contact david@partnersinmanagement.co.uk