FTSE 100
ANDREW FIRTH From North to South
- 29.28 5841.74
Full inter view - Page 3
NEIL WILSON Catching up with Cable Column - Page 5
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Charity pays dues to good neighbour
A HOLME Valley charity has said a very public “thank you” to one of its biggest corporate supporters. Brockholes-based sheet metal fabrication firm Allsops Ltd has proved a really good neighbour by providing its expert services free of charge to DEMAND – Design and Manufacture for Disability – for the past seven years. DEMAND, which has its northern office at New Mill Road, helps people with disabilities who need bespoke equipment to help them with their everyday lives. Its products range from sprung crutches to help a disabled child play football and washing lines for wheelchair users to special ramps to enable disabled people to play Boccia, a paralympic ball game. The ramps are exported to countries including Australia, Sweden and Denmark. Allsops Ltd has helped out by fabricating and powder-coating items of equipment as required. Martin Brown, of the charity’s management team, said: “When I opened this facility in 2005, Allsops offered the use of its powder coating department and said that could continue indefinitely provided it did not hinder their business. That arrangement has con-
tinued for seven years – and I thought it was about time to say ‘thank you’. “We have relationships with a number of local businesses, but seven years is a long time. Our end-users get a very much better product because of this kind of support. Our charity could not afford to help as many disabled people as it does without it. “The help we get from Allsops and others enables us to supply things free of charge to people who need adaptations and bespoke equipment to go about their daily lives. The help we get is directly transferred to the end user.” Allsops production director Lyndon Tyas said helping DEMAND did not impinge on the firm’s commercial operations because items could be powder coated alongside the company’s own products. Allsops also cut and shaped metal components as required by the charity. He said: “They are on our doorstep and it is good to be able to help.” The recognition comes as Allsops Ltd, which has been in business since 1959, adopts a new look. The company, which has 120 staff and more than 700 UK and international clients, turned to Holmfirth-based marketing consultancy Circle Marketing to help
commissioning several leak detection systems in the main stadium, the white water canoe course and the Olympic village. Lord Newby found out about the company’s Floodline system, which has been installed by organisations including BAE Systems and West Yorkshire Police to monitor and detect leaks which could damage sensitive and expensive equipment. Mr Pogson, managing director, said: “Lord Newby is a hard-working life peer who has been very helpful to us over the past year by meeting and greeting our business contacts from Poland and China
Powerful partners AN Elland firm supplying solar panels has signed a partnership deal with one of the world’s largest solar technology companies. Waxman Energy, part of the independent Waxman Group, has teamed up with Conergy, to widen its reach among installers. Waxman Energy has more than 40,000sq ft of warehousing, enabling it to hold extensive stocks for delivery across the country.
● Full story - Page 7
■ HELPING HANDS: Matthew Carlon (left), engineering manager at DEMAND – Design and Manufacture Disability, with near-neighbour Chris Davidson, sales manager, of Allsops Ltd
them redefine their brand message and create a new image for their well-established business. Laura Pegg, managing director at
Circle, worked with the firm to devise a new strapline and brand message that could be used on its new website, brochure and e-marketing campaign.
Noble gesture from Colne Valley company A GOVERNMENT minister visited a Colne Valley company to find out about the challenges facing smaller firms – and share in its recent successes. Liberal Democrat peer Lord Newby of Rothwell, who is Treasury spokesman in the House of Lords, toured the Marsden premises of specialist electronics firm Andel Ltd as guest of directors Ian Pogson, Marshall Booth, Mark Harris andJulie Greenwood. Andel Ltd, a past winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, was one of the success stories of the London Olympics – installing and
INSIDE
and arranging visits to the Houses of Parliament for them. “We wanted him to visit us and meet or staff – and he wanted to see for himself how a small company operates and what kind of challenges we face in a tough economic climate. “One of the problems is that we don’t have much of a voice and we live in a very different world to many of the people in their ‘ivory towers’ in Bishopsgate.” Andel Ltd has operations in Poland and is eyeing up opportunities for further Olympic success at Rio 2016 by investigating the market in Brazil.
■ PEER PESSURE: Lord Newby (right) with Andel directors (from left) Ian Pogson, Marshall Booth, Julie Greenwood and Mark Harris
The most trusted news brand in the business
examiner.co.uk
9 , O c t o b e r, 2 0 1 2
Historic occasion A CLECKHEATON company is helping to commemorate the birthplace of Rugby League. Procast Foundry Ltd manufactured the blue plaque which will be placed on the railings at the entrance to Huddersfield’s George Hotel, where 21 clubs from Yorkshire and Lancashire met at on August 29, 1895, to form the Northern Rugby Union – forefunner to the Rugby League.
● Full story - Page 8
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Page 2
Shareholder worry over BAE merger BAE Systems’ merger plans are under more strain after the company’s biggest shareholder outlined “significant reservations” about the deal. Invesco Perpetual, which owns more than 13% of BAE, said it does not understand the strategic logic of the proposed £28bn tie-up with EADS. It fears that the merger will materially jeopardise BAE’s “unique and privileged position” in the US defence market – adding that the shareholdings of France and Germany will heavily impair its commercial prospects. The intervention of the leading fund manager is another blow to the merger proposal, which is still mired in political wrangling before tomorrow’s Takeover Panel deadline for a deal to be either agreed or abandoned. It is thought that the two companies will ask for an extension to the deadline. BAE and EADS face a number of
hurdles if the deal is to go through, with France and Germany keen to keep significant equity stakes in the merged group. Prime Minister David Cameron is facing a major Conservative rebellion after 45 MPs signed a letter calling on the Prime Minister to veto the deal. The German government may also block the move, it has been reported, after demanding that its stake is equal to France’s and that the newly merged company’s head office should be in Berlin. It is thought Germany is insisting on taking a 9% stake to match France’s holding. Britain holds a “golden share” in BAE, meaning it can veto deals that are seen to put the public interest at risk, but is not thought to have made any demands for a direct equity holding in the enlarged company. While Invesco has insufficient votes to block the deal, its decision to go
RETAIL giant Marks & Spencer is to recruit 20,000 extra staff for the busy Christmas period – 5,000 more than last year. The jobs will be based in the firm’s 500 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland – including its store at New Street in Huddersfield. Most of the contracts will end in December or January. Last year, more than one in five of the 15,000 seasonal staff were made permanent employees after finishing their contracts. Steve Rowe, M&S director of retail, said: “We want to make sure that our customer needs are met so we’re putting the call out for 20,000 passionate, service-centred recruits to come join the team and help make it a merry Christmas for millions of M&S shoppers.”
■ FLYING INTO TROUBLE?: BAE System’s proposed merger with EADS has come in for criticism from its major shareholder
Warning on profits
BP in deal to sell refinery
Tough times hit Michael Page MICHAEL Page International scaled back profit forecasts after admitting that trading conditions were likely to remain poor for the foreseeable future. The recruitment firm, which has 23% of its business in the UK, made profits of £126.5m for the third quarter, a drop of 8.3% on the previous quarter. Its division covering the beleaguered eurozone region saw profits drop by 15%, while in the UK the figure was 5% lower at £29.5m as trading conditions remained “tough” and the Olympics affected activity levels. Michael Page, which has been hit
public with its opposition comes at a time when other shareholders are reportedly unhappy at a lack of communication from the UK firm. The fund manager said BAE was a strong business with distinctive positions in the global defence market – especially in the US and UK – and good stand-alone prospects. It added: “Invesco believes the merger would materially jeopardise BAE’s unique and privileged position in the United States defence market, and has been unable to identify any corresponding benefits to offset this. “Invesco is very concerned that the level of state shareholding in the combined group will heavily impair its commercial prospects – especially in the US –-and result in governance arrangements driven more by political considerations than shareholder value creation.” Shares closed 1.8p at 326.3p or 1%.
20,000 shop jobs
by major cut backs in the banking sector over recent years, said it expected operating profits for the financial year to be slightly below current City forecasts of just under £68m. It said: “In most regions, activity levels improved towards the end of the third quarter. However, we do anticipate another challenging fourth quarter with economic conditions and market confidence likely to remain poor for the foreseeable future.” Michael Page axed 66 jobs in the quarter to 5,255, although the figure rose to 1,265 in the UK because of the annual graduate intake.
A REFINERY where 15 people were killed in an explosion in 2005 is to be sold by BP after the oil giant agreed a £1.5bn deal. The agreement with Marathon Petroleum Corporation, which covers the Texas City refinery, will bring BP closer to its target of £23.7bn of disposals by the end of 2013. BP has now agreed disposals worth more than £21.8bn, including the Texas deal, as part of its plan to raise cash to pay the costs of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. In addition to the deaths, more than 170 others were injured on March 23, 2005, in the fire and explosion at the
Texas City refinery, which BP acquired in 1998 as part of its merger with Amoco. It is the third largest refinery in the US, with a production capacity of more than 475,000 barrels of oil per day. BP has now paid out more than £62m in penalties for a series of violations exposed during inspections in the wake of the catastrophe. As well as the explosion in March, 2005, the refinery was the site of a gas leak in August 2005, a fire in July, 2005, caused by an incorrectly-installed pipe, and another fire in March 2004, caused by a corroded pipe.
ONE of the UK’s oldest industrial companies has warned its profits will be “materially” below hopes due to a slide in European steel production. Cookson, which is listed on the FTSE 250 and makes the pipes and valves for steel mills, said core markets in its engineered ceramics division were bearing the brunt of the global economic downturn.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £36.48 -0.04 Gannett 1139.45 -8.73 Hess Corp £33.51 +0.10 Microsoft 1853.56 -8.11 Motors Liquidation 46.78 Wal-Mart Stores £46.88 +0.02 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 305 +71/2 BAE Systems 3261/4 -13/4 Rolls-Royce 879 -3 AIM Brady Plc 103 -2 Man Brnze 101/4 -3/4 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2167/8 -93/8 BANKS Barclays 2223/8 -51/2 HSBC 5953/4 -4 Lloyds Banking Gp 37 -3/4 Ryl Scotland 258 -51/2 Stan Chart 14061/2 -18 BEVERAGES Diageo 1794 -3 SABMiller £273/8 -1/4 CHEMICALS Croda £227/8 -3/4 Elementis 98 234 -17/8 Johnsn Mat £227/8 -1/2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 3101/2 -31/4 Costain 2391/2 +31/2
ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 522 +31/2 SSE 1436 +1 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2273/4 -17/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3723/4 -17/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2267/8 -71/8 Cable & Wireless 353/4 -1/4 Comm 3 Colt Group 120 /4 +13/4 KCOM 781/2 -1/4 Talktalk Telecom 1841/8 -23/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2837/8 +53/4 Sainsbury 355 +13/4 Tesco 3173/8 +2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1323 -5 Tate Lyle 6881/2 Unilever £231/4 +1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3331/2 -1/2 National Grid 6971/2 -11/2 Pennon Grp 7331/2 +21/2 Severn 1681 -8 United Utils 726 -21/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 218 -47/8 ICAP 3273/4 -71/4 1 London StockExch 976 /2 -81/2
Man Group 881/8 -17/8 Provident Financial 1410 -4 Schroders 1532 -9 Schroders NV 1192 -9 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 539 -76 REXAM 4551/2 -1 Smiths Grp 1061 -13 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 273/4 +1/4 Carphone Whse 1651/2 -31/2 1 Dixons Retail 21 /2 +1/2 Home Retail 941/4 -23/4 Inchcape 365 -33/4 Kingfisher 2701/4 1 M&S 369 /2 -21/4 Mothercare 2161/4 -13/4 3 Next £35 /8 -1/4 WH Smith 658 -1 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 677 -3 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 59 -11/4 Barrat Dev 1803/8 +1/8 1 Persimmon 751 /2 -3 1 Reckitt Benckiser £36 /2 Taylor Wimpey 57 +1/2 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 948 -23 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2061/2 -5/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 208 -13/4
LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3253/4 Lgl & Gen 1341/4 Old Mutual 1691/2 Prudential 840 Resolution 2183/4 Standard Life 2811/2 MEDIA BSkyB 7631/2 D Mail Tst 4801/2 1 HIBU /2 ITV 913/4 Johnston Press 81/2 Pearson 1250 Reed Elsevier 604 STV Group 923/4 Trinity Mirror 623/4 Utd Business 7281/2 UTV 1341/4 WPP 868 MINING Anglo American 18021/2 Antofagasta 1315 BHP Billiton 1923 Eurasian Natural 3253/4 Res Fresnillo 1958 Kazakhmys 7261/2 Lonmin 5161/2 Rio Tinto £297/8 VEDANTA 1068 RESOURCES Xstrata 9501/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 5811/2
-41/4 -13/4 -27/8 -11 -37/8 -21/4 -3 -31/2 -3/4 -5 -51/2 -31/4 -41/2 -2 -10 -10 -7 -61/2 -75/8 -9 -111/2 -321/2 -33 -31/4 -61/2
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
358 87 6971/2 1806
-7 -1/2 -11/2 -46
closed at at FTSE closed
5841.74 Down 29.28 Vodafone Group 1803/8 -1/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1074 -6 RSA Insurance Gp 1131/8 -3/8 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1308 +71/2 BP 437 +1/4 1 Cairn Energy 280 /4 -1 Royal Dutch Shell A £213/4 Royal Dutch Shell B £221/4 Total £31 -3/8 Tullow Oil 1433 -6 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1113 -29 Petrofac 1595 -3
Wood Gp(J) 8331/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1017 -11 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £29 -1/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 9 Shire 1820 -5 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 516 -51/2 Captl Shop Cent 3367/8 -23/4 3 Hamrsn 467 /4 +1/4 Land Secs 7731/2 -11/2 1 SEGRO 228 /8 -11/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2371/4 -21/2 Sage Group 3123/4 -7/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 570 -1 Bunzl 1128 -9 -8 Capita 7681/2 De La Rue 1055 +10 1 Electrocomp 206 /4 -27/8 Experian 1074 +2 G4S 2687/8 +3/8 Hays 751/4 -31/2 Homeserve 2191/4 -101/4 Menzies J 646 1 Rentokil 87 /2 -1 Smiths News 1273/4 7 Wolseley £26 /8 -1/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 595 -31/2 Psion 873/4 -1/8
Spirent Comms
1453/4
-45/8 TOURIST RATES
TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
7
£32 /8 £231/8
1
- /4 -1/2
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
1171/8 £233/4 691 6191/2 621/4 1903/4 1337 6241/2 1653 1635/8
+3/4 +1/8 -21/2
179 3031/2 2101/2 1513/8 2893/4 245 £24
-17/8 -31/8 -3 +17/8 -11/8 -23/4
-3/4 -51/4 -2 -1/2 -13 -23/8
FTSE 100
INDEX 5841.74
-29.28
FTSE 250
INDEX 11974.63
-86.72
Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.50 dollars Bangladesh................. 123.41 taka Brazil.............................. 2.92 reals Canada....................... 1.50 dollars China ............................. 9.04 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.27 korunas Denmark....................... 8.79 krone Euro............................... 1.18 euro Hong Kong................ 11.84 dollars Hungary................... 313.26 forints India.......................... 73.90 rupees Japan........................... 120.28 yen Mexico ....................... 18.32 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.83 dollars Norway ......................... 8.73 krone Pakistan.................. 144.58 rupees Philippines ................. 57.15 pesos South Africa................. 13.24 rand South Korea.............. 1558.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 194.81 rupees Sweden....................... 10.18 krona Switzerland.................. 1.43 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.15 dollars Turkey....................... 2.74 new lira USA ............................ 1.54 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS ANDREW Firth is rarely late for his weekly business networking group. His time-keeping is all the more impressive when you discover that the Yorkshire-based managing director of web design and marketing company Ascensor Limited attends the weekly get-together at London’s Canary Wharf. The capital connection follows the opening of Ascensor’s London office last year. The company, formed in 2007, was already making a mark in the north providing digital services to other businesses – utilising the skills acquired from its existing sister operation, an internet retail business that now trades today from more than 30 websites and sells a wide range of mail order products. Says Andrew: “Opening an office in London was a challenge I relished. “We had a fairly solid start because we picked up three clients in a single month. We are now starting to work with other firms. “We have completed three websites for clients in the construction sector, a financial website and School. He was also another in property appointed CNC machine development. shop manager. “We are starting to get “I was 23 and managing some high quality clients – 27 people,” says Andrew. “I and correspondingly we are introduced a continental looking to work for bigger shift system and 24-hour businesses in the Yorkshire shifts, but the reason I left area as well. was that a friend of mind “Our USP in London is had a design and brand that our floorspace is a agency that he was trying sixth of our competitors’ to get off the ground. and our staff wages are “The engineering firm 60% of our competitors’. wasn’t interested in We can provide quality and marketing. They had paid value. It seems to work.” for me to learn something, Andrew says: “As far as but they weren’t interested our clients are concerned, in using it.” the fact that the production During his seven years house is in Yorkshire isn’t a with the agency, Andrew problem because as their helped build it up into a account manager I am in £1.4m turnover business. London every week. It was during those years “I generally spend three that Andrew’s interest in the days of the week in Birstall internet and how it could and two days in London. help businesses in terms of “There’s a different marketing really developed. atmosphere in London. “A website is a 24/7 sales People cut to the chase person,” says Andrew. “It more quickly and the never takes a holiday, never decision-making process is phones in sick and does much shorter. There’s a exactly what you want it to! buzz about the place. You It is the cheapest sales can go into the city on a person any business will Monday and the pubs are ever employ. Yet there are packed!” still people who say they Andrew’s still a don’t need a website northerner at heart. He was because they don’t sell born and brought up in Harrogate and following A-levels went to Sunderland University, initially to study environmental technology. “It was one of six degrees that had the same first year of study,” he says. “After the first year, I moved into product design management and I got really passionate about the business modules on the course. I also worked in computer-aided design and materials analysis and got a work placement with an engineering firm in Leeds which manufactured plastic components.” After graduating, he ■ KEY MOVE: Andrew Firth joined the company, which paid for him to study for an says recession provides an opportunity for growth MBA at Leeds Business
profile
Andrew Firth
Capital plan is bearing fruit! anything online.” At Ascensor, Andrew has been able to develop his interest in online marketing and consultancy for a wide range of clients. The business, based at Oakwell Business Park, now employs 16 people. “This year is Ascensor’s fifth year,” says Andrew. “We are in the process of recruiting a marketing manager who will be working to enhance our brand and helping to explain what it is we produce and how we can provide more services to existing and new clients. “The new marketing manager will also be the voice of Ascensor – as the first member of staff working for Ascensor rather than working for our clients.” Andrew is confident that the business can only go forward. He says: “We started out in the credit crunch and began trading in a recession, so we have only ever known what it is like to have to go out and work to win business. We have never had the opportunity to become complacent! “We have grown significantly since we started and we are now putting in plans to grow the business another 50% in terms of turnover in the next 12 months. “We have helped a lot of start-ups grow, which has helped us grow in turn. Now bigger businesses are seeking us out.” Says Andrew: “Businesses should be marketing their way out of the recession and the businesses that are doing that are looking to the internet to help them. “Many businesses think the internet is easy, but there are still businesses that let themselves down
online, like having a website with a really bad video. A website is an investment, not a cost. It can be an important part of a company’s overall strategy.” Andrew is happy to live in West Yorkshire and make his weekly commute to the capital. “I have lived in the Batley area since 2004 and before that in Leeds since 1996,” he says. “I think there’s a lot of life in Yorkshire-based businesses and a stubbornness to continue and try to grow in the face of economic difficulties. It is just nice to be able to help firms achieve that growth. “The current climate is an opportunity for firms to grow market share in whatever sector they operate. “As the economic climate changes, as it definitely will, they will be much further ahead than the competition. If people are not spending money, you need to spend your own money wisely.” Andrew admits that work is almost all-consuming. “I never really switch off,” he says. “I have always been an early starter because of the networking. “When I get chance, I try to play a bit more golf. I like to read – mainly psychology or business-based books – and spend time with my partner Kelly. I am an active gym-goer and play badminton every week. I also enjoy walking and ski-ing. “I try to keep myself fit. Keeping fit also keeps your mind active.” Ascensor – the word comes from the Spanish for “to lift” – is also playing a part in local life,
Page 3
Role: Managing director Age: 38 Family: Partner Kelly Holidays: Walking in Spain, ski-ing in Austria and France Car: E-Class Mercedes First job: Checkout worker at the local Co-op Best thing about job: Working with a great team that is passionate about quality and attention to detail Worst thing about job: The thought of letting other businesses down Business tip: Believe in yourself
Ascensor Limited
having undertaken projects for causes such as the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and One Community. It also provides work experience for youngsters who have struggled at school through a partnership with CMS Vocational Training.
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Work: Helping businesses grow and make money online Site: Birstall Employees: 16 Phone: 01924 284390 Email: andrew@ascensor. co.uk Web www.ascensor.co.uk
local
Page 4
BOSSES who need a hand with management matters have been invited to a free event. Old Versus New – Sales Technique – Which to Use? is the title of a Management Masterclass hosted by the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce from 8.30am to 10am on Thursday at its offices at Lockwood Park, Huddersfield. Contact Tracy Smith on 01924 311607
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Innovation on an international level
N the future, trading internaIonly tionally will be critical – not for the many Calderdale,
Kirklees and Wakefield companies who want to remain competitive, but also for the wider UK economy. SMEs make a substantial contribution to the total value of exports and at HSBC we’re in a unique position to support these businesses. With international trade being key to future UK growth, we launched a multi-billion fund specifically for SMEs that trade with other businesses across the globe. I’m delighted to advise businesses in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield that because of the success of this fund – reaching its initial lending of £4bn in the first nine months of 2012 – we’ve committed an additional £1bn of lending to support UK businesses seeking international growth. This announcement is in addition to our plans to lend at least £12bn to UK SMEs in 2012. The success of the International SME Fund highlights that UK businesses recognise the need to
BANKER’S BLOG Philip Stephenson
seize opportunities to trade with new markets. Our Global Connections report found that international businesses will recover more rapidly from the economic downturn and that the UK is set to increase its international business activity by more than 60% over the next 15 years. As mentioned previously in this column, British businesses excel at entrepreneurialism and embracing this region’s entrepreneurial spirit will be key for future business success; both as individual business people continue to start their own ventures but also for employees in larger corporations which the future necessitates will be required to change at a faster pace, spotting opportunities, adapting
It’s time you got more from your accountant Thinking… outside the books
added value services include…
Tailored programme to maximise profitability Tailored tax efficient solutions Regular updates & support to help your business FREE use of our facilities for your meeting Support all day, every day
Call Freephone: 08000 32 32 03 and quote KBN /1211 to give us the chance to help you achieve your goals, or contact us through our website at:-
www.walker-sutcliffe.co.uk
and innovating. British businesses have historically been known as a nation of innovators, with home-grown inventions, but our innovation skills are “not limited to inventions”. As times change, so too must business and economic difficulties can act as a wake-up call for businesses. In times of unprecedented technological change, traditional business and revenue streams will be continually disrupted and so smart business people will need to always have one eye on the future and adapt their businesses to capitalise on this change and this is likely to be good news for British businesses.
Philip Stephenson is HSBC deputy area commercial director for Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield
Society gives Town a boost YORKSHIRE Building Society is continuing its partnership with Huddersfield Town for an 11th year – after a successful season during which supporters and the mutual’s members raised £71,892 for the club’s academy. The society, which has its roots in Huddersfield, is one of the club’s key affinity partners. Cash earned through the Terriers Account provides vital income to the academy. Twice a year, the academy receives a donation of 1% of the total cash balances held in all Terriers accounts – a big contribution towards youth development at the club. Town first received a donation from the society in 2002, when £71,094 was given to the club's academy. Every season since, the club has received cash to help develop the academy – helping the likes of Jonathan Stead, Alex Smithies and Jack Hunt progress into the first team. Mark Lillis, Town’s academy manager, said: “The money that the academy receives through
the Terriers Account is invaluable to us. “Affinity relationships like these are key to the academy’s future as they allow us to provide excellent facilities for up and coming players.” Town business development manager Mark Davies said: “It’s fantastic to see such a large amount being donated once again this season. “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to every Town fan that has helped to support the academy financially by opening and saving in a Terriers Account.” Mike Helliwell, the building society’s savings product manager and a Town season ticket holder, said: “We're delighted to have supported Town for another year and are continuing to offer fans another way of supporting their favourite team through the Terriers Account. "It's great to see the contribution from the account aid the development of new talent through the academy.” Town fans can open a Terriers Account with as little as £1 for under-18s and with a minimum of £100 for over-18s.
Companies get chance to be the best
THE search is under way to find the best businesses in West Yorkshire. Kirklees firms have been urged to enter the FSB Streamline UK Business Awards, which aim to promote and celebrate innovation and success among small businesses across the UK. The Federation of Small Businesses and Streamline are inviting nominations in four categories – business innovation, online business of the year, micro business of the year and young entrepreneur of the year. Chris Glen (pictured), FSB West Yorkshire regional chairman, said: “As with everything that we do, these awards are designed to promote the interests of small businesses and entrepreneurs all over the UK. We are really looking forward to using this awards programme as an opportunity to identify and engage with some of the most innovative and successful small business in the UK.” Four businesses – one for each category – from the North East and Yorkshire area will be selected by a panel of independent judges to go through to the national final. One of the four finalists will also be selected as winner and receive a cash prize of £500. The regional winner and the three remaining category finalists will be entered into the national final for their category – with £4,500 up for grabs for each national category winner. The judges will then select one overall business as winner of the FSB Streamline UK Business of the Year Award. The winner of this award will get an additional £5,000 and a business consultancy package worth a further £5,000 to help them to grow their business. Full details of the entry criteria and how to enter are available at www.fsbstreamlineawards.co.uk The closing date for entries is December 31, 2012. Darren Wilson, managing director of Streamline, said: “We know from our work with tens of thousands of small businesses around the UK that there are so many incredible, innovative and ambitious small businesses out there making a massive contribution to their local economies. “We want these awards to highlight these businesses and to recognise and reward excellence and innovation within businesses and individuals.”
NESS NEWS
e o
l
o
– h
e
t
t k.
e f
n
local
Page 5
Employment law plan in the spotlight
USINESS Secretary Vince Cable B has recently made various announcements covering new employ-
ment law proposals and two consultation papers have now been published. One relates to the end of the employment relationship – focusing on unfair dismissal, compensation and the use of settlement agreements – and the second relates to the employment tribunal rules and practice. In relation to unfair dismissal compensation, the consultation paper seeks views on the cap which should be applied on unfair dismissal compensation. The Government appears to favour preventing a tribunal from awarding more than 52 weeks of loss, but there is also a proposal to limit awards to between one and three time average annual earnings and for the cap to differ depending on the type and size of employer. The Government has previously stated that it wishes to encourage the greater use of compromise agreements to settle disputes rather than litigate on them. The consultation seeks views on a proposal to simplify the use of settlement agreements
Print/Copy Solutions from
EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Neil Wilson
• Facsimile Printers
by using the following methods – an optional model settlement agreement and guidance notes, optional model letters which can be used by employers to propose terms and a “guideline tariff ” which would help to calculate a particular settlement amount. A comprehensive review of the employment tribunal system was undertaken in early 2012 and a number of matters arising from that review have been included in the consultation. Firstly, there is a proposal for a “paper sift” stage by a judge which would mean reviewing the papers and giving greater authority to strike out weak claims. There is also a proposal to combine pre-hearing reviews and case management discussions which are currently two separate forms of administrative hearings. This would save the parties cost and time
Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
and would hopefully speed up the litigation process. Finally, on the issue of costs, the consultation seeks views on whether or not the current £20,000 limit on any such award should be removed. In addition to the above, a further response has been given by the Government on “no fault” dismissals. This involves terminating an employee’s contract without a particular fair reason but compensating the employee and removing their right to bring a claim. It has been announced that this proposal will not be taken forwards, but instead the focus will be on developing the disciplinary and grievance guidance currently published by ACAS. Whilst we are no further on in terms of the drafting of new legislation, it is hoped that, once the consultation period is closed, the Government will act on the above matters.
• Full Colour Printers • Black and White Printers • Wide Format Printers • Production Machines Digital, Colour and Black and White • Software Solutions
Six reasons why you should choose Copymark 1.Value for money whilst improving quality and productivity 2.We can help you find out the TRUE cost of your current expenditure 3.We offer a wide range of printers and photocopiers to suit all your needs
4.We provide technical support and training 5.Reduce your carbon footprint and improve your environmental credentials 6.Help you develop a clear understanding of your prints and optimize your output
Contact us today for your no obligation FREE PRINT AUDIT:
01924 520199 Unit 8 & 9, Ponderosa Business Park, Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike WF16 0PR
Building up a bit of credit A CREDIT union based in Kirklees is urging firms to get behind a workplace savings scheme. Castle & Minster, which provides local, ethical, affordable finance for people who live or work in Kirklees, has 8,000 members – with about 1,000 of them saving direct from their pay through its free payroll deduction scheme. The credit union has introduced the scheme in several large organisations, including Kirklees Council, NHS Kirklees, Kirklees College and West Yorkshire Fire Service. Employees nominate an affordable amount to save each pay period and this is deducted direct from their pay and placed in a credit
union savings account. The credit union said it was looking to expand its payroll deduction scheme by inviting more large businesses and organisations with a social conscience and a desire to support the local economy and community to join. It said membership showed an employer’s commitment to its workers by providing access to savings and loans and taking the stress out of money management for employees. Membership could improve employee health and sickness absenteeism associated with money-related stress and sickness, help attract and keep quality staff, reinforce company community ethos, provide good PR
and encourage a co-operative spirit in the workplace. Benefits to the employees include protection through the Finance Services Compensation Scheme and Financial Ombudsman Service, instant access to savings, reduced dependency on pay-day loans and a secure and convenient online account access. Employees also benefit from lifetime membership regardless of job changes, retirement or relocation. Tony Hood, chairman at Castle & Minster, said: “By saving and borrowing from Castle & Minster Credit Union, your company and its employees will help us provide valuable financial services to local people on
■ SERVICE: Tony Hood, of Castle & Minster Credit Union low income.” Castle & Minster has offices in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley as well as satellite offices at Marsden and Deighton. Tel 01484 221294
Lawrence wins award for top director BATLEY-born businessman Lawrence Tomlinson has been named Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors for his success with the Leeds-based LNT Group. Mr Tomlinson, who also won the award for director of the year of a large company, said he was delighted to be recognised “in such
illustrious company”. Mr Tomlinson, who received his award from former Cabinet minister Michael Portillo, said: “The calibre of the other businesses makes me feel so humble. It is fantastic to be recognised for the hard work and the businesses that I have built up over the last 20 years
“When you are running so many businesses you are in your own little orbit and you don’t think that you are doing anything out of the ordinary.” LNT Group, based at Garforth, has interests in care homes construction, software and the Ginetta car manufacturing business.
Your first-hand experience of being in business could benefit someone who is about to set-up on their own. All we need is one hour every fortnight. It’s not a lot but you could make a huge difference to someone else’s life. MYMentor is a network of people from all backgrounds supporting jobseekers in Kirklees who want to be self-employed.
www.mycci.co.uk Connecting & Supporting Business
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Page 6
Expanding agency in move to new location
A RECRUITMENT firm which specialises in finding HGV drivers and industrial workers has made a move of its own after reporting four years of double-digit growth. Transline Resource Group has increased turnover from £25m three years ago to more than £54m in 2011 – a year-on-year increase of almost 23% – and the company is forecasting turnover of £65m this year. The company has also completed a deal to move its head office operation from Halifax to new premises at Halifax Road in Brighouse. And it is expanding overseas – having opened offices in Dublin, Budapest and Toronto. Transline Resource, which was formed in 1989 by directors Paul Beasley and Jon Taylor, comprises four divisions – driving, industrial, permanent and training. It specialises in providing and managing on-site trained supply chain staff, providing more than 6,000 driving and industrial staff every day through its network of more than 35 offices across the UK. Clients range from local manufacturers to household name retailers and ■ PROPERTY TEAM: Richard Hobson (second right), of Grant Thornton with (from left) Jon distributors. The company employs 30 staff at its West Taylor, Paul Beasley and Mark Elms, of Transline Resource Yorkshire head office – co-ordinating finances and the management of its on-site office net- logistics sector and working closely with our pletely accountable to our customers. “Our customers know that our entire workwork. It also has more than 95 full-time staff at customers. We have been able to develop a its Trafford Park operational headquarters and service which specifically meets their needs for force is trained to a level well beyond the training school who coordinate the develop- swift and cost-effective solutions to their staff- industry standard and we even have our own fleet of vehicles at our training centre in ment and supply of all temporary staff nation- ing issues,” said Mr Beasley. “The key to our success is reliable delivery. Manchester. wide. “We have also invested in state-of-the-art IT “We have built up a deep knowledge of the We contract manage staff and we are com-
support such as a bespoke access dashboard system that enables us and our customers to have live personnel data at our fingertips. “Having built up a blue chip client base which operates globally, we too are expanding overseas to support our customers’ operations and we are exploring opportunities in Europe, India, China and Australia.” Mr Beasley said: “Grant Thornton’s advisers have been invaluable in helping to change the face of the business. “From carrying out the statutory audit, devising innovative tax solutions for staff and providing tax planning advice for directors to giving invaluable local insight for our overseas operations via their global network of offices. “We have built our business based on the concept of investing in the best and that goes for our professional advisers as much as staff development and IT. We will continue to work closely with Grant Thornton to realise our ambitious acquisitions strategy as we seek to build on our impressive organic growth.” Richard Hobson, director at Grant Thornton in Yorkshire, said: “Over the last few years, we have worked closely with Resource Transline as the business has evolved and expanded. “We have helped the management team to develop a sound financial model and it is extremely satisfying to see the growth and success they have achieved in such a short space of time.”
Blue, white and green! Attention all new business owners !
Balance Accountants launch enhanced service for new businesses
Research shows that 4 out of 5 new businesses fail within their first 5 years of trading and that 57% fail within the first 12 months. The good news is that research also shows that careful financial planning and a good accountant are 2 of the things that really make a difference in helping new businesses to avoid becoming just another statistic. The Balance START-UP SERVICE is squarely aimed at new or fledgling businesses with the sense and foresight to learn the financial ropes, get their accounts in order and then prepare to prosper and grow. It’s our way of helping to tip the balance in favour of short term survival leading to long term success. So if you are about to start or have recently started a new business then it might be worth a call to Balance Accountants to see how the service that we offer can help your business to succeed!!!! Balance Accountants specialise in helping business owners to have better, more profitable and more enjoyable businesses. If your business is not performing as well as you want it to then you should contact us now. Balance Accountants,Victoria Court, 91 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth HD9 3JA Tel: 01484 685 413 Fax: 01484 682206 www.balanceonline.co.uk info@balanceonline.co.uk
HUDDERSFIELD Town’s Canalside sports complex has teamed up with local waste management firm and club partner Orchard Environmental to plan a more efficient and cost-effective way of disposing of waste and increasing recycling throughout the site. The Elland firm has been helping the home of Town’s first team and academy to develop a new waste strategy which will reduce running costs at the ground. Justin Holley, of Orchard Environmental, said: “Our involvement so far has been to negotiate contracts with suppliers and provide Canalside’s management with one point of contact for all their waste and recycling. “We will continue to monitor their waste management to ensure we have the most environmentally beneficial and economically sound solution in place and to look for ways to help Canalside reduce landfill waste and improve recycling rates.” Mr Holley said the waste management service would include on-going advice on compliance with waste legislation. Stuart Leach, operations manager at Canalside, said: “Huddersfield Town’s partnership with Orchard Environmental is already bringing tangible benefits to the complex. “We are making genuine savings thanks to the new systems they have helped us implement on site and we are continuing to work together to see how we can further improve things in
■ CLEAN SHEET: Stuart Leach (left) operations manager at Canalside sports complex, and Justin Holley, business manager at Orchard Environmental, share the goal of working to improve its environmental performance the future’s. He said: “Canalside sports complex is evolving on a daily basis as we push forward with new developments
and I’d like to thank Orchard Environmental for the part they are playing in this.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Sun shines on solar supplier AN Elland company supplying solar panels has signed a partnership deal with one of the world’s largest solar technology companies. Waxman Energy, part of the independent Waxman Group, has teamed up with Conergy, which has its UK base at Milton Keynes, to widen its reach among installers. Waxman Energy, which has more than 40,000sq ft of warehousing, enabling it to hold extensive stocks for delivery across the country. It also offers free design and quotation as well as in-house training on solar panel installation. Conergy managing director ■ POWER PLAY: Richard Robert Goss said: “The sun Waxman of Waxman Group has not set on major deals in solar and this is part of a installers from a UK warestrategy of close partnerships house.” To highlight their new with both distributors and c o - o p e r a t i o n , Wa x m a n installers. “Conergy and Waxman Energy will be demonstrating have similar views on quality Conergy modules at its stand at the UK’s leading solar trade and service. “By working together we show, Solar Power UK in can make Conergy modules Birmingham. Richard Waxman, of Waxquickly available to local
Land at Low Road
Dewsbury, WF12 8BS 1 Ripe for residential development STPP 1 Site area 345m2 (412 sq yds) 1 Secluded woodland setting 1 Private access road
man Group, said: “We are thrilled to become a key distribution channel for one of Europe’s most innovative solar technology leaders. “This further strengthens our solar portfolio and ensures we can offer our customers the widest variety and the best value.” Waxman Group specialises in distributing solar PV, biomass, air and ground source heat pumps as well as solar thermal. As well as renewable energy, the company has recently launched the Waxman Training Academy which provides comprehensive training from its Grove Mills complex. Conergy, based in Hamburg, Germany, employs more than 1,500 people in 14 countries and is a major supplier of solar panels for domestic and commercial properties. Since its formation in 1998, Conergy has sold, installed and manufactured solar power capacity totalling 1.6 GW – a third more than the UK's total installed base.
Guide Price: £75,000
Former Honley Council Offices
Eastgate, Honley, HD9 6PA 1 PP for residential conversion 1 Close to village centre 1 Waterside frontage 1 Prominent landmark building
Guide Price: In Excess of £125,000
Town Hall Hotel
52 Huddersfield Road, Elland, HX5 9AH 1 Prominent town centre location 1 Planning consent for hotel or office use 1 213m2 (2,293 sq ft) 1 Potential for residential conversion 1 Close to new Morrisons supermarket
Guide Price: £75,000 – £85,000
2-4 Southgate
Elland, HX5 0BW 1 Town centre building 1 Suitable for a variety of uses STPP 1 Car parking on site 1 Ripe for residential conversion
Guide Price: £110,000 – £120,000
Green Deal delay DELAYS to work beginning under the Green Deal will hinder growth in the construction industry and the wider economy, claims an industry body. The Government had pledged that work under its flagship Green Deal programme would start at the beginning of October – but ministers have now confirmed this will not be happening until February next year. However, households will be able to get their homes assessed from this month and companies that want to become certified Green Deal Installers can already apply for certification. Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “The FMB has long argued that for the Green Deal to succeed, Government must generate business confidence in the scheme by sending clear policy signals. “When agreed time frames are not adhered to, businesses lose faith in what the Government is saying. “This could mean that the next time such a scheme is announced, these businesses will be reluctant to invest in the areas of their
business that are essential to the Government delivering their policy objectives. “The Government predicts that the Green Deal programme could kick-start £14bn of investment over the next decade and support at least 65,000 new insulation and construction jobs by 2015. “However, with the construction industry continuing to falter, we need this stimulus right away which is why it is so disappointing that there will be a three-month delay to actual work commencing under the Green Deal.” Said Mr Berry: “It is now more important than ever that Government ensures the Green Deal is a success once it does eventually get going. “As part of this, Government must support the efforts of SMEs to forge a mutually beneficial relationship with one or more Green Deal provider. “Without certainty that small firms will have access to the Green Deal market, it will be much harder to drive the development of new skills needed to support the effective transition to a low-carbon built environment.”
Providing more Shelf space A FORMER carpet production and distribution plant is on the market. The industrial agency team at CBRE in Leeds has been instructed to sell the site at Shelf Mills, Shelf, near Halifax, on behalf of carpet tile manufacturer Interface. The property extends to about 166,000sq ft on a site area of almost 15 acres and is being marketed as suitable for owner occupation or redevelopment as a potential multi-let industrial estate.
The property has come to market following Interface’s decision to switch production to its sites in Northern Ireland and Holland. Interface will keep its office headquarters at Shelf. Dave Cato, associate director at CBRE, said: “The facility at Shelf Mills has great potential for existing use as industrial and warehousing or as a refurbishment programme to create a multi-let estate.
Land and Buildings at South Street
Paddock, Huddersfield, HD1 4UH 1 Workshop and offices 347m2 (3,735 sq ft) 1 Outline PP for residential development 1 0.31 Acres (0.126 Hectares) 1 Quiet backwater location 1 Close to local shops and amenities
Guide Price: £105,000 – £120,000
Development Land at Eastlawns
Thomas Street, Lindley, Huddersfield, HD3 3JJ 1 PP for 12 semi-detached houses 1 0.62 Acre site (0.25 Hectares) 1 Lindley village location 1 Close to shops and amenities
Guide Price: £300,000 – £350,000
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) Offers in the region of £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 Offers invited around £120,000
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
All-star casting! ■ PRIZE DAY: Michael Kennedy (left), partner at Switalskis, collects the award with Nicholas Lumley QC and Gaynor Barnes.
Hat-trick for law firm in regional contest A LAW firm with offices in Huddersfield and Dewsbury has secured a hat-trick. Switalskis Solicitors, which also has sites at Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax and Pontefract, was named Yorkshire Law Firm of the Year for the third time at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards in Leeds. The firm has previously won the title in 2006 and 2008. Switalskis was chosen from a shortlist of three firms in the running for the award. The success comes just days after Switalskis Solicitors and Huddersfield-based Parker Bird Gardner announced their merger. The award judges were particularly impressed by Switalskis’ efforts to diversify in response to legal aid cuts. In recent years, Switalskis has reduced overheads through close financial management and improved efficiency with investment in technology – limiting the impact of a recent 10% cut to its legal aid income. It has also succeeded in finding new income streams, including successfully establishing new departments in medical negligence, personal injury, employment and child abuse claims. Switalskis partner, Michael Kennedy, who collected the award on behalf of the firm, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award.”
Students keep their legal appointment STUDENTS from Huddersfield University’s Baroness Hale Law Society visited the offices of a law firm in Huddersfield to find out more about their chosen profession. Applebys, which specialises in personal injury, medical and professional negligence, hosted the solicitors to its offices at Westbourne Road, Marsh, where the students listened to a talk and took part in a question-and-answer session. The event was hosted by head of litigation Graham Balmforth assisted by fee earners Carol Cook and Nazia Khan. Mr Balmforth spoke about employability issues and how to make yourself more appealing to a law firm as a potential employee. Also covered were the routes into the profession and the importance of personality as well as academic achievement – as well as the changing nature of the legal market and how this might affect new applicants. Society president Kate Taylor said: “We were really grateful for the opportunity to see how a law firm views the application process. The event gave us an insight into the changing nature of the legal industry and how best to present yourself as a candidate.” Applebys, which also has offices in Bradford, covers areas including accidents at work, road traffic accidents, industrial deafness, medical and dental negligence, civil litigation, debt recovery and contract issues.
A CLECKHEATON company is helping to commemorate the birthplace of Rugby League. Procast Foundry Ltd manufactured the blue plaque which will be placed on the railings at the entrance to Huddersfield’s George Hotel, where 21 clubs from Yorkshire and Lancashire met on August 29, 1895, to form the Northern Rugby Union – forerunner to the Rugby League. Procast managing director Stephen Cliff handed the finished plaque to Mike Stephenson and Keith Burhouse ready for today’s ceremony. The hotel is home to a permanent exhibition celebrating the game’s fascinating history at The Rugby League Heritage Centre. The plaque was originally the idea of Mike and Keith, who have been supported by Kirklees Council in the venture. Keith is manager and head curator of the heritage centre, a role he undertakes as a volunteer. He said: “I am delighted that the George Hotel will be recognised by the blue plaque for its historical importance as the place where Rugby League came about. “I am very proud of the Rugby League Heritage Centre which provides a record of the game and its history and is a place to recognise achievements of the past, present and future.” Mike added: “For several years now I have
■ HISTORY MEN: Stephen Cliff (left) with (from left) Martin Gonzalez , of Kirklees Council; Keith Burhouse; and Mike Stephenson
been campaigning for a plaque to be installed on the outside of the George Hotel to commemorate the birth of what we now call Rugby League and I am pleased that finally we can show the world how historic the George Hotel is to our game.”
Procast Foundry, which has been in business for more than 25 years, manufactures items ranging from nameplates for boats and railway engines to street signs, blue heritage plaques and castings for the engineering and automotive industries.
University rises to the challenge HUDDERSFIELD University has played key roles in two award-winning large-scale projects. YHMAN Ltd, a company which is owned by Yorkshire’s eight universities and is responsible for managing the IT network for education in the region, won the prize for Best Public Sector Case Study at the 2012 Cloud Computing World Series. YHMAN has been developing a shared data centre, which has the potential to reduce the need for individual universities to maintain centres of their own, leading to potential financial and environmental gains. Alan Radley, deputy director of computing and library services at Huddersfield University and a member of the YHMAN board of directors, said that among the YHMAN member universities, the Huddersfield had taken the single most active role in the trial of services on the shared data centre. He said: “We understand the
■ PRIZE GUYS: Alan Radley and Eileen Hiller, of Huddersfield University’s computing and library services business case for sharing data centres to reduce costs and environmental impact and are keen to engage with emerging and innovative technological solutions.” Judges at the Cloud
Computing World Series Awards stated that the YHMAN project “has the potential to be a real game changer for the public sector and beyond”. The second award went to a system named MyReading, which has earned plaudits from the major professional organisation for library management. At its annual conference, the National Acquisitions Group bestowed its Award for Excellence on the pioneering Huddersfield University software. “We were thrilled to receive the NAG award,” said Eileen Hiller, head of academic services for Huddersfield University’s computing and library services. She paid tribute to the team that developed MyReading and thanked Prof Tim Thornton, the university’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for teaching and learning, who was a “driving force” behind the project.
■ PANELLISTS: Kathryn and Howard Rushfirth (centre) with (from left) Sean Jarvis, Jeremy Garside, Gareth Boot and Paul Smith
‘Dragon’ taming A GROUP of 10-year-olds showed lots of enterprise when they took part in a Dragon’s Den-style event. Children from St Saviour’s CE Junior School in Batley were taking part in the STEPteam event – the enterprise education event enterprise education programme – developed by West Yorkshire creative agency Rushfirth Creative. The husband and wife team of Kathryn and Howard Rushfirth – who have worked on brand identities for everything from Charity Angels to Buy Yorkshire – created the programme as a way of inspiring young people to create a business. Along with business partners Jamie Tosh and Gareth Boot, they have spent the last two years developing the social enterprise whilst running their respective businesses. Four teams of children had to pitch to the “dragons” – Sean Jarvis, of Huddersfield Town; Jeremy Garside, of Chadwick Lawrence; and Paul Smith, of public sector procurement group YPO. Said Mr Smith: “The children did a great job and it came through loud and clear that they had learnt a lot.” The winning team, Speedy Stationery, will now go on to run a real business earning real profits for the school. As well as prizes for the winners, the whole class were awarded free tickets a Town home match and ice creams, courtesy of Yummy Yorkshire.