Kirklees Business News

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NEIL WILSON Stake in the business?

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ANDREW FIRTH Off day for Google Column - Page 5

An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Creative Bubble is bursting into life!

CREATIVE businesses in Kirklees have launched a pioneering online project.

Creative Bubble has been set up to help small creative companies in the area compete with the big boys – by pooling their talents to bid for larger projects.

The Creative Bubble website has been commissioned by Kirklees Council’s communities and leisure department – and it is already reaping rewards for the businesses getting involved.

Web designer Dan Booth, who has been an active member since its start, said he had many strands to his business that were especially helped by Creative Bubble.

“I'm in the process of setting up a ■ SITE PLAN: Kirklees councillor Jean Calvert (second right), who is backing the Creative Bubble project run by local new website to sell my screen prints business entrepreneurs including Claire Quartermaine (right) and backed by local businesswomen Pam Lonsdale (left) online,” he said. “I've been having and Julie Davies (second left) really big problems taking good qualuse Creative Bubble to publicise my ector of QT, said: “The site gives us project in that it is explicitly for ity photos of the prints.

“I was on Creative Bubble and projects and it has definitely generated access to so much creative talent. Kirklees-based creative businesses.

These days, we need a diverse range of stumbled across a local photographer interest for events and projects.”

“It is an ideal opportunity to get Pam also runs the West Yorkshire skills for our projects and so far we help and advice from others in the who provides photography tuition. So I got in touch and arranged the Print Workshop in Mirfield and has have found a talented graphic designer creative sector and for members to be been able to rent out workshop space in Julie as well as commissioning pho- able to share their knowledge and tuition. tographers, a web developer and illus- experience.

“It turned out that she was looking as a result of posting on the site.

Colne Valley graphic designer Julie trators.” for some advice on improving her “I hope creative businesses get Now the site has been opened up to involved and help to build a supportive website. I was able to give some advice Davies not only designed the site logo, which will lead to work for me in the but has acquired work through the site the whole of Kirklees and anyone who and well-connected creative comincluding a longer term relationship has a creative business or who is a munity in Kirklees.” future!”

Pam Lonsdale, a jewellery designer with local marketing agency QT Creat- creative professional can join.

Go to www.creativebubble.org to Kirklees councillor Jean Calvert register based in Mirfield, has been an active ive. user for several months. She said: “I Clare Quartermaine, managing dir- said: “Creative Bubble is a unique

Mentoring plan to boost start-ups in Kirklees A MAJOR bank is giving a helping hand to support new and growing enterprises across Kirklees.

L l oy d s B a n k i n g G ro u p h a s partnered with the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative to launch the High Five campaign.

The aim is to recruit and train thousands of mentors UK-wide small , medium and micro-businesses during November.

The scheme also aims to raise £10,000 for Britain’s largest enterprise charity, Young Enterprise, by making a

£5 donation for every aspiring business mentor that completes fully-funded mentor training with the Get Mentoring Initiative during the month.

Research from the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies which found that 70% of small businesses who received mentoring survived for five years or more – double the rate compared with non-mentored entrepreneurs. In addition, 20% of mentored businesses are more likely to grow and expand when compared to non-mentored companies.

Once trained, mentors will offer objective support and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs and growing businesses across the UK. By donating £5 to Young Enterprise for every person who completes the Get Mentoring online training, Lloyds aims to boost the number of volunteer mentors available for new and growing businesses in the UK and nurture new entrepreneurial talent.

Jackie Jenks, mentoring manager at Lloyds, said: “The UK is home to a real wealth of potential business ment-

ors who may not be aware that the skills they have developed throughout their own careers can easily be translated into valuable guidance for other aspiring business people.

“Our partnership with SFEDI aims to unearth this talent by encouraging as many volunteers as possible to train as mentors, equipping them with the skills needed to turn their own knowledge and insight into constructive guidance that can really benefit UK entrepreneurship.

Visit www.getmentoring.org

INSIDE Talking points RAISING money and awareness of the work done by local charity Kirkwood Hospice was one of the talking points at a Huddersfield business networking event. Marie Peacock, Capital Appeal manager for the rebuilding work at the Dalton hospice, attended the monthly Coffee & Cake Business Network meeting held at Café Society, Byram Street and outlined forthcoming fundraising events.

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Woeful workloads PROPERTY chiefs in Yorkshire have called for urgent government action to tackle “woefully low” levels of housebuilding in the region. Construction levels for both private and public housing in the region fell again during the three months to September, according to figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – with no tangible evidence of growth for the past five years.

● Full story - Page 7

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

national

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HSBC latest bank to set aside cash

THE rising tide of financial penalties among Britain’s banks continued to swell as HSBC revealed extra charges for money-laundering breaches and mis-sold PPI. The group said it had set aside an additional £500m to cover fines from US authorities, which accused the bank of inadvertently allowing rogue states and drug cartels to launder billions of pounds through its US arm.

The lender has now set aside £935m to cover the potential scandal, but warned no agreement has been made and the cost could be “higher, possibly significantly higher”.

Meanwhile, HSBC said it had taken an additional £220m to cover compensation, mainly for mis-selling payment protection insurance, pushing its total PPI bill to more than £1.2bn.

The additional penalties, as well as the impact of the value of its own debt, triggered a 51% slide in the bank’s repor-

ted pre-tax profits for the three months to September 30 of £2.2bn.

The third-quarter results season has been dominated by the escalating provisions made by banks to cover mis-sold PPI and comes hot on the heels of the Libor-fixing scandal.

Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland all raised their charges for PPI, while RBS said it hoped to follow Barclays and settle its own Libor investigation soon.

The US Senate findings against HSBC, which accused the bank of ignoring warnings and breaching safeguards that should have stopped the laundering of money from Mexico, Iran and Syria, led to the resignation of head of compliance David Bagley.

The revelations heaped pressure on Business Minister Lord Green, who was chairman of HSBC at the time the failings took place.

Group chief executive Stuart Gulliver

■ TALKS: HSBC is seeking a resolution to its US problems

Weir’s great expectations

Ryanair raises profit forecasts RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary increased forecast for annual profits after a better-than-expected summer for the low-cost airline.

With passenger numbers up by 7% to 48m in the six months to September 30 and a 6% rise in average fares accompanied by a lower than expected fuel bill, half-year profits rose by 10% to £478m.

Mr O’Leary said there was very little visibility on winter bookings, but ad ded tha t Dublin-based Ryanair would now make full-year profits of between £392m to £416m.

The airline will ground up to 80 aircraft this winter as a result of high oil prices, airport fees at Stansted

warned: “We are actively engaged in discussions with US authorities to try to reach a resolution, but there is not yet an agreement.

“The US authorities have substantial discretion in deciding exactly how to resolve this matter. Indeed, the final amount of the financial penalties could be higher, possibly significantly higher, than the amount accrued.”

Like Barclays, Lloyds and RBS before it, the mounting charges threatened to overshadow stronger underlying progress, with HSBC’s pre-tax profits, excluding one-off provisions, more than doubling to £3.1bn in the third quarter.

The improvement was driven by a strong performance in investment banking arm Global Banking and Markets as conditions in the eurozone stabilised.

HSBC cut bad-debt charges in the quarter to £1.1bn from 2.4 £1.5bn. Total exposure to troubled eurozone economies was up to £23.3bn from £23.1bn.

Market beaters

and Dublin airports and seasonally weaker demand.

It expects traffic will be broadly flat over the current half year, leading to growth in full-year passenger numbers of 4% to 79m. Summer bookings exceeded expectations, partly due to a post Olympics surge in demand.

The airline said: “We expect market conditions to remain tough as recession, austerity, high fuel costs and excessive Government taxes dampen air travel demand. Further airline failures and consolidations are inevitable.”

The carrier plans to add nine new routes to its UK airports.

ENGINEERING group Weir said it expects to report full-year profits of £440m to £450m – in line with market expectations.

The group, has a valves operation at Elland and focuses on power, oil and gas markets, said revenue and profits growth slowed in the third quarter due to a lower opening order book.

But it said group revenue and profits were ahead of the prior year quarter – benefiting from the impact of acquisitions which continue to perform satisfactorily. Group operating margins for the quarter were in line with the prior year and expectations.

Reported order input for the group

in the third quarter was 8% down on the prior year and 15% lower on a like for like basis.

Third quarter order input for the Glasgow-based group’s minerals division was in line with revenues and increased by 2% over the prior year.

For oil and gas, reported divisional order input for the third quarter was down by 28% on the prior year and fell by 47% on a like for like basis – within the range of expectations.

But the power and industrial division saw good progress with order input for the quarter up by 16% on the prior year quarter and 12% higher on a like for like basis.

MID-SIZED businesses in the UK are beating the market and achieving growth despite economic stagnation, according to research.

The study by business advice firm Grant Thornton and the Centre for Economics and Business Research revealed that medium-sized businesses (MSBs), which typically employ 50 to 499 people, have managed to thrive throughout the downturn.

They have seen no significant decline and in the last year have reported turnover growth at 4.1% against a 3.2% UK average.

The figures for Yorkshire show that the region is among those with the highest turnover from MSBs – in excess of £40bn – and is also one of the most productive, ranking fifth out of the 12 UK regions in the research.

With an estimated annual turnover of £628bn in 2011, the total contribution to the UK GDP by MSBs is £285bn.

UK MSBs also employ about 4.1m people – 20.8% of the UK workforce – with 318,000 of them located in Yorkshire. In the last year, MSBs have created 52,000 jobs throughout the UK, increasing head count in the sector by 1.4%, compared to the national average of 0.4%.

Yorkshire also benefits from its manufacturing base. MSBs in manufacturing UK-wide employ more people than any other sector and support a third of total manufacturing employment.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £35.20 -0.29 Gannett 1069.53 -3.75 Hess Corp £33.84 +0.43 Microsoft 1841.48 -4.68 Motors Liquidation 46.94 Wal-Mart Stores £45.74 +0.20 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 3181/2 -1 BAE Systems 3173/8 Rolls-Royce 873 -71/2 AIM Brady Plc 1011/2 Man Brnze 9 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2131/2 -31/4 BANKS Barclays 2371/2 -35/8 HSBC 618 -81/8 7 Lloyds Banking Gp 42 /8 -5/8 Ryl Scotland 2761/2 -43/4 Stan Chart 1483 -14 BEVERAGES Diageo 17911/2 -131/2 SABMiller £265/8 CHEMICALS Croda £213/4 +1/8 Elementis 98 2161/8 -3/4 3 Johnsn Mat £22 /4 -3/8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 3111/4 -1/4 Costain 2311/2 -7

ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 556 -101/2 SSE 1443 -1 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 217 -1 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3721/8 -3/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2261/4 -11/4 Cable & Wireless 371/2 +1/8 Comm 5 Colt Group 104 /8 -33/8 KCOM 761/2 +1 Talktalk Telecom 1901/8 -15/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2653/4 +17/8 Sainsbury 3543/4 -1/2 Tesco 3261/2 +13/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1366 -4 Tate Lyle 738 -1/2 3 Unilever £23 /8 -1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3261/8 +1/2 National Grid 7051/2 -2 Pennon Grp 7031/2 +21/2 Severn 1553 -4 United Utils 661 -7 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2193/4 -3/4 ICAP 3263/4 -43/4 1 London StockExch 964 /2 +11/2

Man Group 837/8 -5/8 Provident Financial 1363 -10 Schroders 1567 -2 Schroders NV 1263 +1 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 5831/2 -51/2 REXAM 4447/8 -11/8 Smiths Grp 1069 -4 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 27 +1/4 Carphone Whse 175 +51/4 7 Dixons Retail 24 /8 -7/8 Home Retail 116 -13/8 Inchcape 4023/4 -23/4 Kingfisher 287 -35/8 7 M&S 387 /8 -31/2 1 Mothercare 287 /2 +4 Next £36 -3/8 WH Smith 6251/2 -4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6401/2 +21/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 583/8 +11/4 Barrat Dev 1935/8 -11/4 Persimmon 801 -31/2 3 Reckitt Benckiser £37 /4 -1/4 1 Taylor Wimpey 61 /2 -1 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 972 -13 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2153/4 -111/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2043/4 +1

LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3335/8 Lgl & Gen 1401/4 Old Mutual 1715/8 Prudential 856 Resolution 2211/4 Standard Life 298 MEDIA BSkyB 7511/2 D Mail Tst 485 3 HIBU /8 ITV 873/8 Johnston Press 127/8 Pearson 1240 Reed Elsevier 612 STV Group 102 Trinity Mirror 60 Utd Business 711 UTV 1321/2 WPP 8121/2 MINING Anglo American 1933 Antofagasta 1299 BHP Billiton 19911/2 Eurasian Natural 3211/4 Res Fresnillo 1909 Kazakhmys 7171/2 Lonmin 4991/2 Rio Tinto £311/2 VEDANTA 1118 RESOURCES Xstrata 9881/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 560

-5 -1/4 -11/4 -21/2 -21/4 -11/8 -61/2 +1 -21/8 -3/8 -4 -51/2 -1/2 +13/4 -51/2 +21/2 -3 -4 -16 -301/2 -121/4 -11 -171/2 -41/2 -3/4 -42 -61/4 -181/2

Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

3601/4 92 7051/2 1831

+21/2 -2 +80

closed at at FTSE closed

5839.06 Down 29.49 Vodafone Group 1671/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1067 RSA Insurance Gp 1121/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 10881/2 BP 4411/4 Cairn Energy 2881/8 Royal Dutch Shell A £215/8 Royal Dutch Shell B £223/8 Total £311/8 Tullow Oil 1439 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1062 Petrofac 1570

-3/4 -14 -5/8 -3 -4 -1/4 -1/8 -1/8 -1/2 -6 -20 -29

Wood Gp(J) 8611/2 -10 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1240 -13 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £287/8 -1/8 GlaxoSmithK 221/2 Shire 1769 -8 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 534 -2 Captl Shop Cent 3363/8 -7/8 3 Hamrsn 473 /4 -15/8 Land Secs 8151/2 -11/2 SEGRO 2363/4 -1 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2343/8 -1/4 Sage Group 3135/8 +17/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 577 -4 Bunzl 1021 +6 Capita 735 -21/2 De La Rue 1052 +2 3 Electrocomp 213 /8 -35/8 Experian 1060 -19 G4S 2603/4 -33/4 Hays 82 -13/8 Homeserve 2271/4 -8 -15 Menzies J 6061/2 Rentokil 88 -3/8 Smiths News 152 Wolseley £273/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 695 -1 Spirent Comms 1437/8 +1/4

TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco

£311/4 £24

+1/4 +1/8

LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread

1191/2 £25 691 641 69 206 1306 601 1524 1703/4 1861/4 3273/4 1731/2 1483/4 2781/2 2551/8 £241/4

-43/4 -3/8 -3 +7 -11/4 -23/8 -14 -9 -18 +15/8 -2 -61/4 -31/8 -1/2 -33/4 -43/8 -1/4

FTSE 100

INDEX 5839.06

-29.49

FTSE 250

INDEX 12030.46

-90.37

TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.46 dollars Bangladesh................. 122.94 taka Brazil.............................. 2.91 reals Canada....................... 1.52 dollars China ............................. 8.94 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.97 korunas Denmark....................... 8.86 krone Euro............................... 1.19 euro Hong Kong................ 11.78 dollars Hungary................... 316.16 forints India.......................... 76.69 rupees Japan........................... 122.42 yen Mexico ....................... 18.60 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.80 dollars Norway ......................... 8.77 krone Pakistan.................. 144.61 rupees Philippines ................. 56.54 pesos South Africa................. 13.17 rand South Korea.............. 1522.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 196.95 rupees Sweden....................... 10.25 krona Switzerland.................. 1.44 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.88 dollars Turkey....................... 2.72 new lira USA ............................ 1.53 dollars

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

profile

Life with the lions is just right for Rob!

GORILLAS, elephants and zebra aren’t the kind of wildlife you normally expect to find in Holmfirth.

But that’s all changed since Rob Hart roared into town and set up shop in Victoria Street with his venture, Lionhart Boutique.

Life-size sculptures of jungle animals, sheep, cows and dogs are just part of his quirky collection of home accessories. There’s also unusual furniture, candles, mirrors, statues, clocks and ornaments of all kinds for sale as well as wallpaper and lighting.

It’s the animals “parked” outside his shop, though, that get heads turning with the locals and coach parties sampling a drop of Summer Wine.

Boutique occupies what in Hemel Hemsptead, “We had seven was once the Holmfirth Leeds and Bradford and I coachloads of visitors one branch of the Halifax. The covered the country. I sold day from as far away as shop boasts three floors to a lot of government Dorset,” says Rob. “One of contracts and went through packed with an Aladdin’s them was a farmer, who Cave-worth of wonders. saw my sheep and decided all the tender processes.

“When I started out, they Rob sources many of the to buy one. This man has hundreds of real sheep, but gave me 12 staff and within unusual objects from India, China and the Middle East, 18 months I had 104 staff he wanted another to put but is also supporting local and I became sales outside his front door!” artists by selling their director,” says Rob. “But I Since the shop opened left when Sir Philip sold the works. less than two months ago, “I have employed three business. Sometimes, it’s business has been more part-time staff and once than brisk. “We open seven not the business, but who they are into the swing of you work for that’s days a week and I work all things I will be able to have important.” seven days,” says Rob. a few weeks off,” he says. “I The experience left him “And from five-past-nine on have done a lot of with a talent for selling, a the day we opened, it has advertising and marketing. can-do attitude and a been phenomenal.

We had 15,000 people in willingness to work hard.

“I stock the shop with the town for the Holmfirth In fact, hard work was everything I like – it’s an Food Festival and I had extension of my personality nothing new to Rob. “I was born in a children’s home in people out there leafleting.

– and hoped that other “A lot of marketing has people might like it. Luckily, Derbyshire,” he says, quickly adding: “Only been directed at everyone else does! I because my parents ran it!

Lancashire and North wanted to set up a Later, they moved to Yorkshire and advertising in business and give real Lightcliffe and I went to the up-market magazines. old-fashioned customer Crossley Porter Grammar Holmfirth attracts people service. Because I’m School – now Crossley from Manchester and enthusiastic and love the Heath.

Saddleworth and I intend to products, people come in ■ HART TO HART: Rob Hart, owner of Holmfirth “My parents became go a little further afield to and ask to see me – and go self-employed bakers, Cheshire and Derbyshire.” busniess Lionhart Boutique, with his wife Kara out having bought running Harts of Halifax, so Rob’s business is already something that’s a little bit Wednesdays – but my simply slumped back in I was always around a keen participant in local exclusive.”

Wednesdays are as good the chair. I was too tired business.

I’m one of four life. He is main sponsor for Rob hails from as a Saturday.” to get up – even though boys and when we each Brass Factor, the brass Derbyshire, but made Says Rob: “I have had work is only half a mile turned 13 we had to work to band competition, and is Holmfirth his home after a really positive welcome. from home! earn our pocket money. We working on joint marketing marrying Kara Woodhead, Everyone has been “But I like doing family daughter of the late Hervey worked in the bakeries or initiatives with other complimentary.” stuff with the children, the bakery shops or took a Woodhead. Hervey was retailers.

His success may seem Grace and Xavier. We live something of a local legend paper round. It’s still a The demise of Last of the at odds with the general at Upperthong in a house family business.” who built the Old Bridge Summer Wine has left economic climate – built by my father-in-law Rob also worked for the Hotel and Hervey’s Wine some wondering how particularly the gloom with a coach house Halifax Building Society for Bar as well as hundreds of Holmfirth can continue to surrounding retailing. But annexe. We have a nice some time, so it’s only Holme Valley houses. attract the tourist trade, but Rob says people will big field to ride our quad Sadly, Hervey died some fitting – but entirely Rob says: “Holmfirth always seek out bikes in and we love coincidental – that Lionhart doesn’t need to reinvent years ago and Rob says: “I something different to walking with our dogs. wish he had been itself. It needs give their home a We have two border here to see what we people to take a distinctive touch – be it a colllies as well as a rabbit have achieved. I chance, like I have. chrome horse’s head on and six chickens. We hope he would have When I took this the living room wall, a also have a holiday home been proud of me. I shop five months lion’s head for the front on the Yorkshire coast. certainly want to ago, there were five door or a zebra-striped That’s our bolt hole by carry on in his empty shop units in sofa for the bedroom.. the sea.” tradition.”

Holmfirth. Now they “Most people are proud But you know Rob will Rob worked for 15 have all been taken of their homes and like remain committed to his years selling IT up, which is great.” living in houses with nice business – and keeping consumables, such He says: “The surroundings,” he says.

Holmfirth firmly on the as printer ink and shop took eight “You spend a lot of time map – because of the cartridges, for a weeks to refurbish. at home and when you buzz business gives him. business owned by It had been empty are tired after a hard “We have had people tycoon Sir Philip for quite a while. At day’s work it is nice to sit from Australia, Canada, Green, the man the open night, we back in a comfortable Scotland and Cornwall,” best-known for had 200 people. I environment.” he says. “We have sold heading the Arcadia opened on Friday, Rob is working long lamps to Canada and, of Group of retail September 14, and hours at present, so he course, sheep to Dorset. chains, including since then I haven’t could be forgiven for It’s all about supply lines Bhs, Dorothy Perkins stopped. I am mistaking home for the and customer service.” and Top Man. re-stocking three office in the basement of And he adds: “It’s When Sir Philip times a week and his shop! “I’m working people and the sold the IT concern, on Saturdays and from 8am to well after ‘busy-ness’ of business Rob decided to Sundays there are midnight sometimes,” he that keeps me going.” leave. “He was great three of us working. says. “I even found to work for,” he says. ■ LION’S DEN: Part of the shop’s Some traders still myself firing off e-mails to HENRYK ZIENTEK “The firm had offices unusual collection of home accessories close early on my suppliers at 1am and

Page 3

Rob Hart Role: Proprietor Age: 42 Family: Married to Kara with children Grace, eight, and Xavier, 22 months Holidays: A holiday home on the Yorkshire coast Car: Land Rover Discovery First job: Working in my parents’ bakery shops Best thing about job: Meeting new people Worst thing about job: Nothing! I am loving it. It is the perfect job for me. I’m my own boss with my own business. I even like working until one in the morning!

Business tip: Put the effort in if you want to make a success of it – and provide exceptional customer service

Lionhart Boutique Work: Unique home accessories retailer Site: Victoria Street, Holmfirth Employees: Four Phone: 01484 817520 Email: info@lionhart boutique.com Web: lionhartboutique.com

call us today for a free consultation

or visit www.ascensor.co.uk

local

Page 4

Clinic focuses on getting the cash BANKING giant Barclays is running a business clinic in Huddersfield to give owners of small firms advice on how to effectively manage their cash flow.

The event is one of many taking place across the Yorkshire region and aims to reach about 80 local businesses.

The clinic will be at 10am on Wednesday, November 14, at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top. To register, go to www.barclays.co.uk/businesshub or call 0845 124 6502.

Caroline Pullich, head of relationship banking for Barclays Business Banking North East said: “Barclays is fully committed to supporting small enterprises in the North East and we are very much open for business.

“We would like to encourage any small business owners looking for advice and support to help grow their business to get in touch and come along to one of the clinics.”

For further information on this and other clinics in the region visit www.barclays.co.uk/businesshub

Third trophy win A GROUP with operations in Huddersfield has won an award for customer service.

The general insurance team at Britannia Rescue parent LV= won the prize for best customer service in financial services at the European Call Centre and Customer Service Awards.

The team took the trophy for the third year in a row, beating competitors including Barclays, ING Direct and Lloyds.

The judges commended LV= for demonstrating excellent staff engagement, leading to high levels of customer service and for the company’s investment in customer forums.

KIRKLEES BUSIN

A proposal with unclear benefits N early October, Chancellor Iannounced George Osborne proposals for a

new type of employee ownership arrangement and a consultation paper has now been launched.

The proposal is to introduce a new type of employment status called the “employee owner”.

In summary, employees would give up some of their employment rights in return for being issued with shares in their employer worth between £2,000 and £50,000.

If the value of those shares increased, employees would not be liable to capital gains tax as is the case currently.

The proposals are part of the Government’s ongoing drive to “maximise flexibility for both parties while protecting fairness and providing the competitive environment required for enterprise to thrive”.

As employee owners, individuals would firstly not be entitled to a statutory redundancy payment if they were to be made redundant.

Only in limited circumstances (where discrimination is claimed or the dismissal is automatically unfair) would an employee owner have the right to claim unfair dismissal and there would be limited rights to request flexible working.

EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Neil Wilson

F i n a l ly, t h e re wo u l d b e enhanced notice requirements relating to early returns from maternity or adoption leave.

With regard to shares which the employee may be offered, it would be possible to issue all type of shares.

There would be no restriction on the rights attaching to those shares; it will be at the company’s discretion as to whether they carried the rights to dividend or voting rights, for example.

Employers would also be permitted to insert a term in the contract of employment requiring the purchase of the shares by the comp a ny o n t e r m i n at i o n o f employment for a reasonable value.

It is unclear what interest there would be from employees and businesses in this new arrangement.

The disadvantage to the employee is that tax is paid on the

original gift of the shares or, if the shares are bought at value, the cost of that purchase.

This will not be attractive to employees and not only will they be having to make a payment at the outset of the relationship, they will also be giving up employment rights so the benefit to the individual is deferred for some time.

It is not clear whether or not there would be a reduction in the charge to tax to take account of the fact the individual is giving up his employment rights.

There is also of course the risk that the shares decrease in value which will be unattractive to employees and many businesses will be reluctant to give up any control of the business by offering ownership to employees.

The consultation closes on November 8, 2012, and the results are expected to be published shortly.

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

Boomerang gets busy A RECRUITMENT firm in Huddersfield has made two key appointments as it gears up to help boost local employment figures.

Nicky Battye, who heads Fartown-based Boomerang Recruitment, has been joined by Rob Bamford as resourcer and recruiter and Liam Townsend, an apprentice IT administrator, who is helping the business develop its social media provision.

Mr Bamford was brought on board in the wake of Boomerang securing a contract to supply support workers to the Mirfield-based Hollybank Trust.

His appointment underlines the firm’s growing involvement in the health and social care sector.

Mr Townsend is working on Boomerang’s presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Boomerang continues to operate in commercial and engineering sectors.

Said Mr Bamford: “We are keen to help get people back into employment and help the local economy grow and climb out of

■ ON THE PAGE: John Shepherd with the full-page advert he won by entering a competition with the Examiner at the Kirklees Business Conference

Prizewinner is a page turner!

BUSINESSMAN John Shepherd is getting the word out – after winning a free full-page full-colour advert in the Examiner.

Mr Shepherd, who heads Honley-based John Shepherd Associates Ltd, was among scores of visitors who entered the competition by putting their business cards into the hat on the newspaper’s stand at the recent Kirklees Business Conference.

Mr Shepherd’s card was the lucky one drawn after the event – and his prize was a full-page, full-colour advert worth almost £3,000, which appears in today’s Examiner.

Said Mr Shepherd: “It was a lovely surprise to be told I’d won.”

John Shepherd Associates is a consultancy working on regeneration projects and with community and voluntary organisations.

It also focuses on interim management and through its associates offers training, HR, legal and management and organisational support.

Mr Shepherd set up the business two years ago after running a £22.5m regeneration scheme in Halifax, which attracted some £80m of investment.

Safety partners ■ JUST THE JOB: Nicky Battye and colleagues Rob Bamford and Liam Townsend, of Boomerang Recruitment recession.

“The health and social care sector offers opportunities for a substantial increase in business over the next decade or so as the ‘baby boomers’ approach their later years.”

Ms Battye added: “Despite the economic climate, our business is doing well.

“The health and social care sector offers opportunities for a substantial increase in business over the next decade or so.”

THE EEF manufacturer’s group and the Health and Safety Executive have renewed a longstanding strategic partnership.

The renewal of the partnership, first launched in 2006, recognises how HSE works with EEF to reach 6,000 member companies and more than 1m workers in the manufacturing sector with key messages and a forum for practical health and safety guidance.

NESS NEWS

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local

Google goes a little bit ga-ga!

O one can doubt Google’s influN ence in the digital world. More than any other brand they have changed

how we use the Internet.

Yet trouble has been brewing this month for the global mega-company.

Google’s mission is to “organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful” – so things went a little gaga at Google, when an unfinished press release was emailed to the financial markets before it was ready.

For the first time in 14 years, Google saw its share price plummet. Normally used to making close to $1bn in profit every month, the company lost a record-breaking $24bn from its share price in just eight minutes.

Just a few days earlier, Google were also under fire with EU’s data regulators. The firm were told to change the way it collects personal information to comply with privacy laws and protect their user’s data. This followed a nine month investigation into Google’s data gathering practices.

Last week saw Google launch their Nexus products; a Nexus 4 smartphone and Nexus 10 tablet, hoping to gain a slice of the Apple market.

Hurricane Sandy had other ideas and they

Page 5

DIGITAL DIRECTION

Andrew Firth were forced to cancel the launch event in New York, but it has not stopped Google from unleashing the products. Google want to maintain their influence in their market and won’t let anyone, or anything, stop them.

Google accounts for 90% of all desktop searches. Having a good Google position is essential, achieved through a well-designed and optimised website.

Google have made some gaffs, but they are still a digital mega-influencer and one that every business needs to be using to their advantage. Having a website alone is not enough. They have to perform.

So how can you ensure your business is taking advantage of the vast number of

people using Google search engines, sites and devices?

Start with making sure your website is built in a way that is Google-friendly. That includes getting your content right and your website professionally optimised. You also need to focus efforts on your off-site search engine optimisation – your digital PR footprint; social media, directory listing and blog posting.

Google have a presence in most digital arenas. They are only 14 years old, so maybe they are allowed to make some mistakes.

Google are still at the heart of the world’s digital direction, online, mobile and beyond.

Andrew Firth is managing director of Ascensor Website Design & Digital Marketing

Furniture firm is sitting pretty AN international designer and manufacturer of furniture is sitting comfortably after picking up a monthly award.

The YTM Group Ltd, was named winner of the Business of the Month Award run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith after impressing judges with its growth record over the past five years and in the face of a very challenging economic environment.

The Castleford-based business was started in 1981 in Pontefract to supply doors and kitchens to trade and retail customers. The company continued to expand into the manufacture of contract quality cabinet and upholstered furniture into the hotel, healthcare and student accommodation sectors.

The firm moved to new

premises in Pontefract during 2006 and set up an additional state of the art factory, studio and headquarters during 2010. This has enabled rapid but sustainable growth of the business which is now known as YTM Group to reflect its more diverse product offering.

Operating from two sites in Castleford and Pontefract, the company has increased staff numbers from 37 in 2006 to 120 and continues to invest in its facilities, equipment and employees.

The Business of the Month Award is run in association with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI. It is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389.

solutions that suit their individual needs.

The partnership, led by Phil Weston, sports partner at Yorkshire Bank, intends to increase players’ knowledge and awareness of financial concerns and encourage them to manage their money and make provisions for their future

KIRKLEES retailers, hotel and restaurant operators could get a share of a £10m fund to help build their businesses.

Cash advance provider BoostCapital.co.uk has launched a £10m fund to help businesses struggling to access finance from traditional sources.

The fund will support businesses in a variety of sectors, including hospitality, salon and spa, restaurant and pub, garage, dental and independent retailers and provide an affordable alternative to bank lending.

David Abbott, managing director of Boost Capital, said: “SMEs and their advisers in Yorkshire are in need of suitably-priced funding.

“We will work closely with our clients and their advisers in multiple sectors to raise awareness throughout these industries that there are other lending options out there.”

He said: “By establishing this fund, we have a great opportunity to make a real difference to many sectors in Yorkshire by supplying SMEs with cash injections that can be used for any business expense, from renovations to acquisitions.”

Boost Capital enables businesses to use future credit card sales to access the unsecured funding that they may need to invest in new equipment, stock, marketing staff or expansion.

Olympic winners In the wake of the summer’s London Olympics, law firm Clarion is hosting a breakfast seminar that will provide a rare insight into the procurement processes that went into making this year’s games a global success.

The event runs from 8.30am to 10am on Thursday, November 15, at Clarion’s Elizabeth House offices in Leeds city centre. Call 0113 222 3247.

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■ COMFORT ZONE: Deborah Melluish presents the award to Damien Duffy (second right) and Andrew Davies (right), of YTM Group Ltd, watched by Jason Metcalfe (left), of Hanson Chartered Surveyors, and Kirklees Business News editor Henryk Zientek

Rugby League tackles finance YORKSHIRE Bank has formed a partnership with the Rugby Football League – to provide professional players with advice to help them make the most of their financial arrangements.

The bank’s private banking team has been visiting Super League clubs across the country to talk to players to find financial

Funding set to provide a boost

financial security.

The bank said that with relatively short careers and the chance of injury, loss of form or the increasing risk of clubs encountering financial difficulties, the potential pitfalls for professional sports people were numerous.

Said Mr Weston: “Many

professional sports people aren't really clear about what they may qualify for if injury ended their careers. All too often, they don't know what cover they need to top up what’s available in their contracts.

Consequently, players are often stepping on to the pitch without the right levels of protections.”

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Page 6

Two-day northern property sale generates up lots of keen interest

■ CELEBRATIONS: Organisers Pat Earles and Robert Sugden (front) with friends at the Armitage and Norton reunion at the George Hotel

Firm holds reunion A WELL-KNOWN Huddersfield accountancy firm that “ceased to exist” after a merger 25 years ago held a reunion for more than 75 former staff.

Armitage & Norton joined the current firm of KPMG in October, 1987, but it was resolved by the partners and employees that an annual reunion should take place to maintain the memories of a firm that was founded in Huddersfield in 1878.

The 25th anniversary was marked with a special reunion at the George Hotel in Huddersfield. The occasion was – as always – organised by Pat Earles.

Robert Sugden, a former head of the office, said: “It is a real tribute to the loyalty and camaraderie that the firm engendered that so many people attended to reminisce in convivial style.”

The firm was founded by William Henry Armitage, of Banney Royd, in 1878. George

Pepler Norton became a partner in 1888 and his son Gilbert and grandson George continued in the firm until 1978 in the centenary year.

The firm was very well known for its knowledge of textile firms and was responsible for the audit of dozens of textile companies in West Yorkshire.

The firm expanded beyond its five offices in West Yorkshire into London, Edinburgh Lancashire and the Midlands, but Mr Sugden said the Huddersfield office was always the head office of the whole firm, which employees more than 500 people.

He said: “The site of Station Street Buildings was acquired in 1900 and was considered to be – and still is – one of the finest buildings in Huddersfield with its carving of ‘Station Street Buildings’ still present in the northerly corner.”

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LAND close to Huddersfield University – with planning consent for two buildings providing 38 student bedrooms – has been sold at auction for £75,000.

Elsewhere, a portfolio of three vacant units at Oats Royd Mill, Luddenden, near Halifax, sold for £106,000 off a guide of £60,000-plus at the property auction run

by Eddisons.

And a parcel of public open space woodland in the Thornhill district of Dewsbury sold for £500.

Eddisons reported that in total 71 or 65% of the 109 lots offered at the two-day sale in Leeds and Manchester found buyers,

generating proceeds of more than £5.2m.

Tony Webber (pictured), of Eddisons, said: “There was

strong demand for higher priced property offering good value for money, which contributed to the excellent overall performance.

‘Investors clearly had cash to spend and were particularly attracted to vacant property with long term potential and tenanted stock giving reasonable returns.’

Eddisons, who already hold 16 auctions annually in Leeds and Manchester, will stage their first Irish auction in Dublin on November 15, followed by a first-ever London auction on November 21.

Green Deal cash plan ‘not enough’ A PLAN by Government to provide £125m worth of cash back payments for households who take early advantage of the Green Deal does not go far enough, says a construction industry group.

The Federation of Master Builders said the move was a welcome incentive for helping the scheme get under way.

But with a cap of £1,000 cash back per household for energy efficiency improvements, this money may only cover as few as 125,000 homes – a fraction of the 14m homes the Government hopes will be upgraded under the Green Deal by 2020.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “It’s encouraging to see the Government committing to new ways of incentivising the general public to take advantage of the Green Deal.

“However, there is still more work to be done to help the scheme to realise its full potential. The scale of the task of upgrading the UK’s existing buildings is immense and so the Government must pull as many levers as

possible.”

He said: “Little has so far been done to encourage people to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes outside of the Green Deal.

“Ministers should take heed – the Green Deal scheme will not appeal to everyone, with some preferring to finance the work upfront.

“The Government must therefore also look at ways of encouraging these people to embark on energy efficiency improvements or else risk falling far short of its 80% carbon reduction targets by 2050.

“December’s Autumn Statement would be an ideal opportunity for the Chancellor to announce a range of fiscal incentives for energy efficiency measures.”

Mr Berry said: “In terms of the cash back scheme itself, its success will heavily depend on how the offer is promoted to consumers.

“Green Deal providers, local authorities and indeed Green Deal accredited local builders must all do their bit to help get the message out there.”

Confidence slumps FEWER than a third of business leaders in West Yorkshire are satisfied with Government attempts to stimulate the economy, a survey by workplace provider Regus has shown.

The firm’s latest Business Confidence Index showed sentiment among local businesses fell by 5 points over the past six months to stand at 87 – placing the area well behind the national average of 94 on the index.

Cash-flow was highlighted by 79% of small and start-up businesses as their biggest concern, followed by finding new customers (48%) and the cost of marketing and promotion (29%). Respondents also identified the key measures that would substantially help small businesses and start-ups – tax exemptions (74%), low interest loans (72%) and mentoring schemes (21%).

“Business leaders are sending a clear message to the Government,” said Steve Purdy, UK managing director of Regus.

“They clearly don’t have much faith in the

current policies to stimulate the economic growth which is so badly needed.”

Mr Purdy said confidence among local entrepreneurs and small businesses has slipped since the last BCI report in April, adding: “This is a worrying sign given the vital role that this sector of the business community plays in driving growth and creating jobs.

“The overall picture remains very challenging and nearly four-fifths of respondents pinpoint cash flow as the major issue preventing growth.

“I urge smaller companies to look in detail at all overheads to find savings that can improve their cash situation.

“Nationally, a third of respondents reported that one of the major burdens during the downturn were property leases. Moving to a flexible work model without a fixed property lease can allow businesses to be more agile and free-up cash for investment without relying on credit at a time when it is so difficult to secure.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Housing chiefs demand action over workloads PROPERTY chiefs in Yorkshire have called for urgent government action to tackle “woefully low” levels of housebuilding in the region.

Construction levels for both private and public housing in the region fell again during the three months to September, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

A net balance of 21% more chartered surveyors reported decreases in public sector housing workloads, while 4% more respondents stated that private sector projects had also fallen rather than risen.

Overall construction workloads across Yorkshire also fell. The RICS said the sector had seen no tangible growth ■ OPTIMISM: RICS chief for about five years – and was economic Simon Rubinsohn hoping that the government’s new £50bn stimulus package 2007 and suggests that a cauwould go some way to boost- tious optimism may be slowly ing badly needed develop- returning to the region’s market. ment.

Expectations for employBuilding firms in the region saw their margins continue to ment levels also improved – deteriorate last quarter – with 39% more surveyors in the revenue failing to keep pace region expecting an increase rather than a decrease in jobs with growing costs.

Despite this, a net balance for construction workers over of 19% more surveyors in the coming 12 months.

Spokesman Ian Tomlinson Yorkshire and Humber expect margins to stabilise on the said: “The headline that back of potentially growing lenders are open for business workloads. This is the first seems to be offset by the strict positive reading since late covenants and security they

require which is still prohibiting the majority of house building in the region. “ L e n d e r s ’ r i s k - av e r s e approach is understandable given the criticism they have had for previous decisions, but the cycle needs to be broken somehow.

“Many of our region’s cities are forecast to grow considerably over the next decade, but this many not happen if lenders do not back them.”

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: “The government’s £50bn stimulus package will hopefully deliver a much needed shot in the arm for the sector, but we would like to have seen a greater level of investment in housing.

“Not only would this provide relatively swift economic returns but it would also go some way to alleviating the pressure on the country’s worryingly low supply of homes.

“However, with the raft of measures recently put in place by the government, it appears that there is some optimism that things could improve over the next 12 months in terms of workloads, profits and jobs.

“If this comes to pass, it will be an extremely welcome lift for both the construction sector and the wider economy.”

Call for registration MORE than 90% of home buyers in Yorkshire are calling for compulsory regulation to better protect buyers from unscrupulous estate agents, says a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Among those who failed to check whether their agent was a regulated member of a professional body, almost a quarter in the region said they did not trust them to provide honest and truthful advice.

With no statutory regulation in place to ensure sales agents are suitably qualified to sell property – and with public confidence at such a low level – the overwhelming majority of respondents in Yorkshire and Humber (93%) believe that buyers would be better protected if compulsory regulation were introduced.

While all sales agents are legally bound to offer a customer redress scheme, those who are not members of a professional body are not obliged to meet minimum competency standards or subject to the scrutiny of regulatory monitoring.

This means that consumers are potentially dealing with an agent who, while technically abiding by existing legislation, could be

providing inaccurate advice.

Only agents who belong to a regulated professional body, such as RICS, are duty bound to a strict ethical code and obliged meet minimum competency levels.

If RICS agents fail to act in accordance with rules of conduct, they are subject to regulatory investigation and if found to have acted inappropriately are subject to sanctions.

In extreme cases, agents can potentially lose their chartered status.

Bruce Collinson, spokesman for the RICS, said the organisation wanted to see all estate agents forced to sign up to a professional regulation scheme that provided better safeguards for buyers and sellers and was clearer than the current regulatory regime which is unnecessarily complex.

“Concise, compulsory regulation would both improve consumer protection and minimise the burden on business by simplifying legislation, making it easier for agents to abide by,” he said.

“Its no surprise that when people are making the biggest purchase of their lives, they want to feel like they can trust their agent and the advice they’re given.”

FOR SALE

Highfield United Reformed Church

Earlsheaton, Dewsbury, WF12 8BB

1 Substantial detached church 1 GIA 384m2 (4,133 sq ft) 1 Large private car park 1 Alternative use potential (STP) Price: Offers around £275,000

FOR SALE

Former Bradley Mills Social Club

Leeds Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6PA

1 Substantial former club premises 1 Prominent frontage to Leeds Road 1 Adjoinng Leeds Road retail park 1 Suitable for a variety of uses STPP Price: Offers around £120,000

FOR SALE/TO LET

Concept House

Cowlersley Lane, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5TQ

1 High spec. designer offices with adjoining workshop 1 Pleasant working environment 1 Ample parking/expansion land 1 Potential for residential redevelopment Price: Offers around £325,000 Rent: £22,500 per annum exclusive

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24 Long Causeway

Princess of Wales Precinct, Dewsbury, WF13 1NH

1 Modern retail premises 1 119.19m2 (1,282 sq ft) 1 Prime town centre location Rent: On Application

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Modern Industrial Units

Fieldhouse Business Park, Old Fieldhouse Lane, Leeds Road, Huddersfield, HD2 1FA

1 Immediately available modern secure units 1 Leeds Road corridor 1 Unit 6 – 10,362 sq ft, Unit 9 – 10,322 sq ft Unit 10 – 13,706 sq ft Rents: from £4.50psf exclusive

TO LET

Industrial Unit

Unit 4c, Armytage Road, Brighouse, HD6 1QF 1 Modern single-storey workshop units 1 10,000 sq ft 1 To be refurbished 1 Self-contained with yard/loading 1 Adjacent to J25 of M62 motorway Rent: On Application

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS jim Fletcher, Mark Waddington & Ian Wood

Thorite A COMPANY supplying pneumatic equipment has made a series of appointments.

Barnsley man Jim Fletcher, 40, has been promoted to key accounts manager at Thorite’s Huddersfield sales and service centre, having previously worked as the centre’s supervisor for five years.

In his new role, Mr Fletcher top right) will focus on product and engineering service sales for Thorite’s local industrial, manufacturing and processing customers, as well as developing new business opportunities in the Huddersfield area.

Mark Waddington, 52, is promoted from sales administrator to centre supervisor.

Mr Waddington (centre right), who lives at Waterloo, will now be responsible for managing all resources at the centre, improving customer service, maintaining stock levels, training new and existing team members and co-ordinating telephone and online account management.

And Ian Wood, 34, of Milnsbridge, joins the centre at Barge Street, off St Thomas’ Road, as sales administrator, Mr Wood (also pictured) will provide face-to-face assistance at the centre's busy trade counter as well as helping to co-ordinate overall sales activities.

Ross Gowler, marketing and engineering services director, said: “The Huddersfield sales and service centre was our second to open back in 1971 and has always been an important outlet.

“I’m confident that the changes we’ve put in hand to strengthen the sales and administration operation will ensure Huddersfield’s continuing success as a leading player in our team of 10 centres throughout Yorkshire, Lancashire, the North East and West Midlands.”

Colin Meakin

Liquid Accounts COLIN Meakin has been appointed chief executive of Longwood-based accountancy software specialist Liquid Accounts.

Mr Meakin (pictured) was a founder of Birstall-based ICM, which was successfully floated on the Stock Exchange in the late 1990s before being acquired by Phoenix IT Group plc in 2007.

He left Phoenix and formed a private consortium, raising £1.8m to acquire Concorde Excel Holdings, which he successfully turned around and used as a vehicle for a “buy and build” strategy to create the £10m turnover Concorde IT Group.

Liquid Accounts chairman Richard Doyle said: “We have been looking for the right candidate to take this business forward and take advantage of the exponential growth opportunity for some nine months and I am delighted we have been able to recruit Colin.”

Mr Meakin takes over from Chris Eccles, who was recruited as sales and commercial director and latterly acted as interim chief executive. Mr Eccles remains a supportive shareholder in the business.

Movers and shakers

Page 8

Coffee, cakes and Christmas!

RAISING money and awareness of the work done by local charity Kirkwood Hospice was one of the talking points at a Huddersfield business networking event.

Marie Peacock, Capital Appeal manager for the rebuilding work at the Dalton hospice, attended the monthly Coffee & Cake Business Network meeting held at Café Society, Byram Street.

She talked about some of the forthcoming fundraising events, including the Santa Dash on Sunday, December 9. Marie brought out Santa hats and tinsel for a fun photo opportunity and a raffle was held with proceeds going to the appeal.

Networkers also heard from Jean Kent, of West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency, who shared advice on issues ranging from the pitfalls when starting a company to creative ideas for corporate fundraising.

Michelle Hodgson, of Key Words, who runs the Coffee & Cake Business Network, said: “Many people, including myself, have had first-hand experience of the amazing support Kirkwood Hospice gives local people.

“Even the smallest donation can help towards the costs of rebuilding and refur-

■ TASTE TEST: Michelle Hodgson (left), of Key Words, and Jean Kent, of West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency, sample cakes at the networking event

bishing the hospice and there are some To find out more about the Capital great fundraising events coming up over the Appeal go to www.capitalappeal.org or call next few months.”

01484 557911.

Events put the focus on exporting EXPORT opportunities come under the spotlight this autumn with a series of events to encourage more Yorkshire firms to go global.

UK trade & Investment has organised a programme of seminars, networking lunches and day-long insight events for Export Week, which runs from November 12 to 16.

Doncaster MPs Rosie Winterton and Caroline Flint will kick-off the week with an event on November 9 at Doncaster Racecourse, where they will be joined by local exporters to discuss “Growing Your Business Through Export”.

Other events include Are You Ready to Export? to be held on Monday, November 12, at Sheffield Enterprise Agency and a Russian market webinar with Steve Haynes.

Tuesday, November 13, sees a Middle East webinar with Brian Aungiers and a UK Export Finance seminar in Leeds.

The Hilton Hotel at Wharf Approach,

Leeds, is the venue for Explore Export on Wednesday, November 14.

The same day will see a webinar on international market research.

Thursday, 15 November, will see Thriving Through Exports at Leeds and a webinar on current trends.

On Friday, November 16, Exporting Made Easier takes place at Hull’s World Trade Centre while Are You Ready to Export? will be held at The Shay in Halifax and Winning International Business is the focus on an event in Harrogate.

Mark Robson, UKTI regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This is a challenging time for regional companies as the crisis in the eurozone deepens, but there are still huge opportunities in many overseas markets and there has never been a better time to consider exporting and going global.

Visit www.ukti.gov.uk/exportweek

■ EXPORT LEAD: Politicians Rosie Winterton (left) and Caroline Flint will kick-off a series of events in Yorkshire aimed at encouraging more of the region’s firms to become exporters

It’s no trouble at The Mill!

A NETWORKING group for local businesses has a new venue.

Batley 4 Networking Group is holding fortnightly breakfast meetings in Hannah’s Tea Rooms at The Mill outlet shopping centre in Bradford Road, Batley.

Sessions will be held at 8am every other Friday. The next meeting will be on November 16.

Jo Fox, owner of Batley-based Autex UK and group leader of 4Networking Batley, said: “Meeting over breakfast and the tea room’s informal, friendly environment

means that attendees from every industry can have fun and banter and gain motivation, as well as doing deals.”

She said the group was thriving, but new members were always welcome.

“We have a wide range of businesses represented each time,” said Jo. “The format means that 4Networking is open to all business types and we often find that people from the same industry do end up collaborating.

“It’s testament to the attitude of businesses in Batley and Dewsbury that

this has grown into such a buzzing meeting.

“My business, which raises awareness of autism in the community, cannot afford to be without it. I have found new business, new suppliers, made friends and have a wide network of support from people in many industries.”

4Networking has more than 300 groups and more than 50,000 members all over the UK. Visit www.4Networking.biz