STEPHEN HARRISON
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015
Slice of village life Interview - Page 3
FTSE 100 +0.28 6501.42
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DANIEL KRIGERS Beware the parent trap Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Firm answers the call for high-tech fire appliances The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
INSIDE
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henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
It wouldn’t look out of place among International Rescue’s battery of hightech machines. But this Thunderbirds-style piece of heavy-duty equipment (pictured right) comes courtesy of a Holme Valley company. Brockholes-based fire fighting equipment supplier Rosenbauer UK this week delivered the advanced technology fire appliance to Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service. And it marks a strong start to 2015 for the firm, which is seeking bigger premises in the Holme Valley and confidently expects to double its 16-strong workforce. The futuristic fire engine features a 16.5 metres “Stinger” boom package able to deliver up to 6,000 litres of water a minute with a throw over 100 metres. And the tip of the Stinger also carries a piercing tool able to penetrate industrial buildings and windows to enable water and foam to be pumped into the structure at height or low down. The £500,000 machine is billed as a new and innovative concept in front line fire appliances which will help to increase the fleet ability and efficiency for Greater Manchester’s firefighters. The machine aims to answer issues raised by cutbacks in spending by fire authorities across the UK which mean crews are often attending incidents with fewer personnel than previously. The appliance will be the lightest combined unit in service in the UK, weighing about 16 tonnes fully laden. It will have cutting-edge infra red technology at the tip of the boom, plus a revolving staircase for the crew to mount and dismount
the crew cab as safely as possible. The contract is one of several recent gains for Rosenbauer UK, which is headed by managing director Oliver North. Others include a deal to supply Surrey Fire & Rescue Service with the biggest municipal fire truck in the UK, which has an extending ladder able to reach 40ft into the air. The firm is also providing a Metz B32 aerial ladder platform built on a Volvo chassis for Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service. Commenting on the AT deal, Rosenbauer Mr North said: “This increases the amount of technology on the front line.” He added: “This new concept of fire appliance has been created in conjunction with continuous calls from Greater Manchester’s front line firefighters who have requested an increase in front line technology following more demanding environments in the field. “The appliance also answers calls from Government with increased, innovative concepts being adopted in light of – at times – stretched crewing situations. I genuinely believe that the end result will produce the most technologically advanced front line fire appliance in the UK.” Mr North said: “Our big recent contract wins – with our current order book – already effectively doubles our turnover again for this year to £8m. We’re now doing more manufacturing and currently bidding on a site to build on in Holmfirth to expand further and build more manufacturing warehouses.” He said: “I want to keep the business ■■ Rosenbauer UK, led by managing director Oliver North (above left) has supplied in the Holme Valley where I grew up. a furistic advanced technology fire appliance (top) to Great Manchester Fire & Rescue When customers come from all over the Service and the biggest municipal fire truck in the UK to Surrey firefighters UK they believe it is a great place to base a professional company.” Rosenbauer UK was formed in April in Mr North’s North Fire plc. He said: “We are getting busier, but we last year when Austrian fire vehicle and Mr North retains a 25% holding in the still retain the same values that North equipment manufacturer Rosenbauer company and North Fire’s team trans- Fire had. We have great people and a International acquired a majority stake ferred across to the new organisation. great work ethic.”
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By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter
Bad weather is hitting the revenues of almost half of all UK small businesses every year – due to damage caused to property by winds, floods, snow and ice – and their inability to be “open for business”. Figures from Towergate Insurance said that each of the UK’s estimated 4.9m small to medium-sized businesses risks suffering on average £38,311 worth of damage due to the elements – costing the country’s economy as much as £86bn.
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Advice lines A leading banker will contribute to the development of Huddersfield University’s Business School. Sue Douthwaite, corporate banking director for Santander in the North and a former student at Huddersfield New College, has joined the advisory board of the university’s Business School.
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Tel: 01484 351010
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
LNT Group drives ahead after ‘positive’ 2013-14 Batley-born entrepreneur Lawrence Tomlinson reported strong growth for his Leedsbased LNT Group – with all group businesses meeting directors’ expectations. The group’s accounts for 201314 showed turnover up by 19% to £90.6m along with a 72% improvement in group operating performance. Fixed assets increased in value by £8.3m in 2013-14. The group, based at Garforth, has interests in care homes, construction, software, chemicals and sports car manufacture through its businesses Ideal Care Homes, LNT Construction, LNT Software, LNT Solutions and Ginetta. Commercial director Matt Lowe said: “The LNT Group is proud to be an award-winning business, creating local jobs in Yorkshire and expanding skills in the key sectors of construction, engineering and manufacturing. “Having secured a 10-year debt facility with Legal & General of £51m for our care homes business in 2014, we have a fantastic platform to keep growing the group.
■■ LNT Group chairman Lawrence Tomlinson welcomed “positive growth” for the group, which includes the Gineta sports car business among its diverse interests
“We’re very pleased with the performance post 2013-14 accounts and expect 2015 to be an exciting year for us.” Since the accounting year ended, group businesses continued to go from strength to strength, he said. Demand for LNT Construction’s Turn of Key care homes had escalated, securing “an impressive forward pipeline of development with both new and repeat purchasers”. Ideal Care Homes continued to invest in its business and now had more than 2,000 beds across the UK. Its care homes maintained market leading occupancy rates at an average of 96%, reflecting “the consistent quality of care provided”. LNT Solutions maintained investment in research and development – entering the market for providing de-icing for aircraft wings to expand on its products for de-icing runways and rail tracks. The business continued to take a greater share of the deicing market, winning new customers in Europe and North America.
Increased orders for new homes Housebuilding group Taylor Wimpey said the industry has entered into a period of “more balanced market conditions” marked by lower rates of price growth. The Buckinghamshire-based firm said in a trading update that the number of homes it completed last year rose by 6% to 12,454, compared to 12 months ago. Its overall selling price jumped by 12% to £213,000, while its order book also rose by 12% to £1.4bn in the same period. The Mortgage Market Review and new rules by the Bank of England introduced last year imposed tighter affordability checks on borrowers and more restrictions on lenders in a bid to cool the market and prevent a housing bubble. The earlier part of 2014 saw the housing market surge, aided by Government initiatives such as the Help to Buy programme. Chief executive Pete Redfern said: “As we enter 2015, we are encouraged by the more balanced market conditions, with a lower rate of price growth, which should create a healthy and more sustainable housing market.” “This is good news for homebuyers and underpins our confidence in developing and growing our business.” The housebuilder said its order book represented 6,601 homes, which it said was the “optimum size for the business at this point in the cycle.”
Similarly, LNT Software had also expanded its customer base and improved operating profit. LNT founder and chairman Mr Tomlinson said: “It is fantastic to see the Group continuing on a positive growth trajectory. “We have an excellent team at LNT who drive the business forward.” Last year also saw Ginetta announce that Olympic legend and now Nissan brand ambassador Sir Chris Hoy will race at Le Mans this year in a works Ginetta-Nissan car – competing in the LMP3 class. Said Mr Tomlinson: “Ginetta Cars currently has the biggest order book the business has ever seen. “With Sir Chris Hoy on board to drive our new LMP3 car next year, we can only imagine demand increasing further. “LNT Construction’s pipeline is also developing at an impressive rate and we are expanding ever further south. “This growth across the group is allowing us to employ more apprentices and develop the skills which are so desperately needed to regenerate the real economy and boost UK growth.”
Too few engineering apprentices Festive sales soar for AO World FIRMS will need 182,000 workers a year with engineering skills in the decade to 2022 – but there is an annual shortfall of 55,000, claims a new report. Meeting the demand for new engineering jobs would generate £27bn a year for the UK economy from 2022, according to EngineeringUK. The group, which promotes the industry, said that to meet
projected employer demand, the number of engineering apprentices and graduates entering the industry will need to double. Miranda Davies, a director of engineering company Thales, said: “Britain is great at engineering, but this will not continue if we don’t address the massive shortage of skills. “We need young people to
Appliances retailer AO World emerged as one of the retail winners over Christmas after sales jumped by more than a third in the final three months of 2014. The Bolton-based online business, which sells items such as washing machines and fridges, said its online sales leapt by 38% in the quarter to the end of December.
understand our industry better, to see the range of careers available and to be excited by where engineering could take them.” Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “A strong British engineering sector is vital to the long-term sustainability of our economic recovery and increasing the supply of engineers is at the heart of this.”
It said that sales of audio visual goods such as TVs, introduced in May, performed well. The company also saw a large spike in volumes on Black Friday, but was able to maintain response times and service levels. The firm, which was launched in 2000 by founder and chief executive John Roberts, floated on the stock mar-
ket last year and launched in Germany in October, six months ahead of expectations. It said the latest sales figures did not include its German operation, but added that “sales are building well, giving us confidence to explore wider marketing opportunities to drive growth.”
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN
American Express Chevron Du Pont Exxon Mobil Gannett Hess Corp Microsoft Motors Liquidation Wal-Mart Stores Wrigleys
£59.33 £70.16 £49.00 £59.46 1996.18 £45.25 £30.80 49.44 £59.28 £52.72
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
Avon Rbbr BAE Systems Chemring Cobham Meggitt Rolls-Royce Senior
AIM
600 Group API Grp Brady Plc Highland Gold Mining Johnson Service Grp London Security M”S Intl Nichols Redhall Group Scapa Grp Youngs GKN
797 4701/4 2371/2 331 519 8681/2 3085/8 171/2 481/2 81 37 673/4 £233/8 139 1001 121/2 129 1030
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS 348 /2 1
BANKS
-0.28 -1.17 +0.55 -1.26 -27.03 -1.63 -0.31 +0.37 +7 +21/2 +21/2 -3 +2 +61/2 +3/8
-1 -1 +13/4 +133/4 -5 /4 1
+10 /4 3
Barclays Bk Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Ryl Scotland Stan Chart Barr (AG) Diageo SABMiller Croda Elementis 98 Johnsn Mat
2313/8 225/8 6023/4 735/8 3681/2 9211/4
+3/8 -3/8 +3/4 -1/8 +3/4 -237/8
583 18431/2 £331/2
-11/2 +20 +3/8
£261/2 275 £347/8
+47/8 -1/8
2051/4 1527 2861/4 501/2 2411/2
+2 +4 -31/4 -11/2 -1/2
356 1503
-221/2 -92
BEVERAGES
CHEMICALS
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
Balfour Beatty C”R”H Costain Low Bonar Marshalls Drax Gp SSE
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Domino Ptg Laird Morgan Advanced Ox Instmts Volex
650 3173/8 3041/4 1133 661/4
+12 +153/4 -13/4 +3 -21/4
4773/4 1281/2 3743/4 256
-21/8 -1/2 -101/4 +1/2
EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
Alliance Trust Br Assets Candover Inv Dunedin Inv
Dunedin Sml Edin Invst Electra Private Equity Forgn & C Henderson Smllr Cos North American Inc Scot Am Scottish Mortgage Witan
187 652 £30 4321/8 566 8981/2 2435/8 2475/8 759
+1/2 -1/4 +2 +21/2 +5/8 -1/2
FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BT Grp Cable & Wireless Comm Colt Group KCOM Talktalk Telecom
3977/8 49 1291/8 861/4 3113/4
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS
Morrison W Sainsbury Tesco Thorntons AB Food Carrs Millg REA Hldgs Tate Lyle Unilever
+53/8 -1/8 +1/4 -1 +3/4
1767/8 2401/4 2041/2 82
FOOD PRODUCERS
+5/8 -11/2 +1/2 -1
£311/8 1597 340 643 £263/4
+1/4 -68 +5 +71/2 +1/2
261 9205/8 9121/2 £203/4 950
-73/4 -17/8 +1/2 +1/8 +12
GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES
Centrica National Grid Pennon Grp Severn United Utils 3i Group
GENERAL FINANCIAL 4293/4
-7/8
Smith Nph
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
961/2 2411/2 9205/8 1723
+5 -1/2 -17/8 -44
FTSE closed at
6501.42
1485 4391/2 £217/8 1613/4 £25 £261/4 2000
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS
Smith DS Smiths Grp
3357/8 1067
GENERAL RETAILERS
Ashley L Dixons Carphone Home Retail Inchcape Kingfisher M & S Mothercare Next Signet Jewelers WH Smith
305/8 450 2111/2 707 3243/8 4481/4 177 £691/2 £82 1342
-2
Aga Rangemaster Barrat Dev Bellway Persimmon Reckitt Benckiser Taylor Wimpey
1063/4 4235/8 1760 1468 £531/4 1241/4
-31/2 -73/4 -49 +9 +7/8 -11/2
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
up 0.28
Close Bros ICAP London StockExch Man Group Provident Financial Schroders Schroders NV
1180
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
-15 -91/2 -1/4 +1/4 -1/8 -1/8 -25 +61/2 -10 -3/8 -53/8 -1/8 -1 +3 +1/4 +2 +1/2 -1/2 +11
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Fenner I”M”I Molins Renold Spirax-Sarco Weir Grp Ferrexpo
202 1204 781/2 581/2 £281/2 1723
-43/4 -14 -11/2 +1/8 -44
INDUSTRIAL METALS 571/2
+2
355
+1
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION
BBA Aviation
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Aviva Friends Life Gp Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Standard Life
D Mail Tst ITV Johnston Press Pearson Reed Elsevier Sky STV Group
MEDIA
4841/8 365 2443/4 1903/4 14781/2 3893/8
-61/4 -63/4 +5/8 +13/4 +1/2 +11/8
8321/2 2121/2 172 1185 1100 890 3741/4
+71/2 -1 +61/2 +8 +10 +6 +111/4
Trinity Mirror Utd Business UTV WPP
1601/2 4831/2 1881/2 1380
MINING
Anglo American Antofagasta BHP Billiton Fresnillo Kaz Minerals Lonmin Rio Tinto VEDANTA RESOURCES
+1 +101/8 +33/4 +22
1140 7271/2 1351 8251/2 2525/8 170 £291/4 4981/2
-121/2 -221/2 -25 +91/2 -53/4 -57/8 -5/8 -12
817 2263/4
+8 +17/8
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Inmarsat Vodafone Group
NONLIFE INSURANCE
Admiral Grp Jardine LloydThomson Marsh McL RSA Ins Gp
1368 904 £371/4 436
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS
BG BP Cairn Energy Premier Oil Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Total Tullow Oil
800 3961/2 1605/8 1353/8 £203/4 £211/4 £321/4 3867/8
-301/8 -21/8 -71/4 -93/4 -1/4 -3/8 +1/8 -1/8
10553/8 608 539
-271/2 -28
OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
AMEC Petrofac Wood Gp(J)
+15 -22 -1/8 +41/4
PERSONAL GOODS
Burberry Gp PZ Cussons
1663 2977/8
+16 -15/8
£46 /4 14121/2 £47
+ /8 +3 -3/8
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
Astrazeneca GlaxoSmithKline Shire
3
REAL ESTATE
Brit Land Gt Portland Hamrsn Intu Properties Land Secs SEGRO
7
784 7401/2 624 3353/4 1193 3993/4
+10 /2 -7 +51/2 +11/2 +11 +33/4
465
+23/8
1
SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICES
Sage Group
SUPPORT SERVICES
Berendsen Bunzl Capita Connect Group De La Rue Elctro Com Electrocomp Experian G4S Hays Homeserve Interserve Menzies J Northgate Prem Farnell Rentokil Travis & P
10981/2 +181/2 1829 +17 1072 -5 1491/2 +1 5051/2 -5 209 -57/8 209 -57/8 1090 -3 275 +31/8 1483/4 +3/4 3373/4 -11/2 520 -61/2 353 +3 605 7 164 /8 -31/2 119 -1 1797 +16
Wolseley
£365/8
-3/8
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT
ARM Hldgs IBM Spirent Comms
TOBACCO
Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
998 +191/2 £1033/8 -11/2 1 82 /2 -13/4 £351/4 £295/8
+1/2 +3/8
1081/4 £305/8 1109 1631 110 1061/4 £247/8 768 £263/8 4691/4 1043/4 1421/2 4101/4 2571/8 1141/2 158 6821/2 7517/8 359 £473/4 3541/2
-13/8 +1/2 +28 +1 +2 +11/4 +3/8 +51/2 +3/8 +37/8 +15/8 +11/8 +1/4 +15/8 +1/4 -23/4 -191/2 +107/8 +71/4 +5/8 -11/4
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Marston’s Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Punch Taverns Rank Org Restaurant Grp Ryanair Stagecoach Group Whitbread William Hill FTSE 100 FTSE 250
INDEX
6501.42 15943.69
+0.28 -67.27
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS For many years, Stephen Harrison earned his crust working in manufacturing. Now he’s baking breads of all types, shapes and sizes as the boss of Farnley Market in the village of Farnley Tyas. The bakery and coffee shop at Field Lane only opened in September, but the business has already built up a loyal following both among villagers and people from across Huddersfield. while its wholesale customers include the Three Acres restaurant at Shelley and the Woodman Inn at Thunderbridge. Stephen is also keen to spread the word about artisan bread – after being converted to the cause by reading about the realities of the regular white sliced loaf! “I was working in the Ribble Valley and I was standing waiting for my sandwich in the village bakery,” he says. “There was a newspaper article in a frame on the wall talking about ‘real’ bread, which also referred to supermarket in-store bakeries and how bread was crammed full of chemicals. “Five years ago, I set about reading and researching and developed a keen interest in bread-making. “I read a book called Bread Matters by Andrew Whiteley, who founded the Real Bread Company. The book is about why you should make your own bread and how commercial bread is full of emulsifiers, preservatives and enzymes, which shocked me.” Stephen’s new-found passion for bread-making soon became a business opportunity – but represents a surprising departure for a man whose entire career had been involved in engineering. Stephen, who was raised in Kirkheaton but now lives at Farnley Hey, left school at 16 and followed his father into engineering, He joined Reliance Gears as an apprentice and gained a degree in manufacturing systems at Brunel University. Stephen left Reliance at the age of 30 to join Birkby’s Plastics at Liversedge, supplying components for the automotive industry. He rose to the post of operations director and was part of the management buy-out of the business from its Japanese owners. The company grew from £20m to £40m turnover before a secondary MBO in 2008 when Stephen left the business. Although running a bakery seems a far cry from his previous career, Stephen says his background in engineering helped when it came to setting up Farnley Market’s premises. “When it comes to floor layout, production flow and efficiency, you view the product as secondary,” he says. “It’s all about inputs and outputs.” Stephen presented his business plan to the directors of the 2,000-acre Farnley Estate, who are examining ways to open up more of their land to public access and provide attractions to ensure the estate’s long-term viability. Said Stephen: “They liked the idea and about two weeks after looking around, we found this building in Field Lane, which had been used to store and repair farm vehicles. It was a large,
profile
Stephen joins the upper crust! empty shed with a mechanic’s pit and roller shutters. “But it’s half a mile from where I live and I decided that if I was going to go with a ‘lifestyle’ business, it needed to be right on my doorstep. “We came up with the name Farnley Market because there are no shops in Farnley Tyas, Stocksmoor or Thurstonland. “If you want a pint of milk or some butter, you have to travel three miles in any direction to get to a shop. “So along with the bread and cakes, we decided to put on a limited range of other things like milk and preserves.” Members of the family have joined Stephen in getting the venture off the ground. including his siser Rachel Harrison, who makes the mouthwatering cakes on sale
in the coffee shop. Stephen says: “I started making bread at home and progressed from there. I went on a training course and that’s when I realsed I could turn this into a business. I had only worked business-tobusiness before, but now I am working buiness-to-consumer. “I wanted to see if this was a viable business proposition. I went on a course at Wellbeck Estate near Worksop and got an insight into the sector. “I went through all the food safety and hygiene certificates and then I went on an advanced baking course. “I knew how to make bread and I knew how to make bread in a commercial environment. That really joined the dots for me.” Having decided to go ahead, Stephen sought out bakery equip-
■■ Stephen Harrison, bread enthusiast and owner of Farnley Market
ment on eBay, but also built some of the kit himself. Now Stephen starts work at 5am – 3am on Saturdays – and finishes at 5.30 or 6pm. His days are made longer because everyone wants to talk to him! “People want to talk about bread-making,” he says. “It’s great to see the reaction on the faces of people who come in.” As well as attracting customers from the village and beyond, Stephen is supplying bread to the Three Acres at Shelley and the Wodman Inn at Thunderbridge. He’s also developed beer bread in conjunction with breweries Mallinsons at Lockwod and Small World Brewery at Shelley. The Star at Folly Hall takes Farnley Market bread and another local pub is set to follow suit. “It’s the hunter-gatherer theory,” says Stephen. “The husband comes home to his wife with a loaf under his arm, which justifies the extra pint on the way from work!” When he gets the chance, Stephen relaxes by riding his Irish draught horse Floyd. They have competed in showjumping classes at Honley Show and Emley Show as well as cross-country. “I have been riding for about 12 years,” says Stephen. “It’s fantastic living here because there’s a seven-and-a-half mile trail around the Farnley estate. “All the stresses of life just disappear when you are on horseback.” Stephen is also a member of Woodsome Golf Club, but has had little time to improve his handicap with the business to run. But he’s enjoying his new line of work. He says: “I am the owner of Farnley Market, but on my LinkedIn profile I’m ‘Enthusiast@Farnley Market’. “I’m enthusiastic about teaching people about real bread, about the problems of buying bread that sticks to the roof of your mouth and what goes into it. People deserve to know what goes into their bread. “I’m all for showing people how to make bread for themselves because that way they will have a real connection with us and spread the word.”
Stephen Harrison Role: Owner Age: 49 Family: Married to Simone with stepsons Jake, 24, Charlie, 21 and William, 17 Holidays: We love ski-ing in Italy. I also went to Tuscany just before setting up the business Car: Volkswagen Taureg, which we plan to “livery” up First job: Delivering newspapers. I have always worked. I finished my last paper round on a Sunday and started my engineering apprenticeship the next day! Best thing about the job? I get immense job satisfaction opening the oven to see what all my hard work has produced. When you take the bread out of the oven you can hear it crackle it’s a delight for the senses Worst thing about the job? Doing the accounts and being let down by big corporate providers. It took three months to get a postcode, get the phone line in and get a bank account! Business tip: Think seriously about the consequences of decisions taken in haste
Farnley Market Work: Bakery and coffee shop Site: Unit 3, Field Lane, Farnley Tyas Phone: W01484 506165 Email: steve@farnleymarket.co.uk Web: www. farnleymarket.co.uk
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
■■ Martin Bown, of My Management Accountant
Accountant joins voucher scheme A company providing accounting services is set to expand in 2015 after becoming approved deliverers of the government’s Growth Vouchers scheme. The programme helps small businesses get strategic business advice in such areas as finance and cash flow, recruiting and developing staff, improving leadership and management skills, marketing, attracting and keeping customers and making the most of digital technology. Now Huddersfield-based My Management Accountant (MMA) has joined a number of businesses in the district to offer the scheme to qualifying firms – and expects to expand its for-strong team as a result during 2015. MMA, based at The Media Centre in Northumberland Street, offers services covering management accounts, profit improvement, budgets and forecasts, business plans, key performance indicators, cash flow management and compliance. Managing director Martin Bown said the firm had tripled its turnover in the past three years and planned to double it again in the next 12 months – partly as a result of expanding its credit control services. “This is an important time of growth for us and we are confident that our current rate of growth can only increase throughout 2015,” he said. “We are very excited that we are now able to offer our services as part of the Growth Vouchers scheme and that will certainly mean that in the months ahead our current team of four will be growing to meet increased demand. “Although we are based in West Yorkshire, the very nature of our business means that we can work with companies throughout the UK – and this is an area that we will be developing and strengthening in the next 12 months.”
Pension changes come into focus Kirklees employers have been urged to get up to speed with new measures to help workers save for retirement. Employers have been handed responsibility by the government to ensure that employees are prepared for retirement with the introduction of Auto Enrolment – but businesses not ready for Auto Enrolment could be left facing hefty fines and penalties. Auto enrolment means that any UK employer who employs at least one person must register with the Pensions Regulator and provide details of their workforce and any pension scheme which they will use to satisfy the employer duties. They will also need to automatically enrol some workers into the scheme and arrange membership of a pension scheme for others. Huddersfield-based Sheard Wealth Management is staging information events on Auto Enrolment and workplace pensions during January and February. The first will be held from 8.30am to 10am on Thursday, January 29, at the offices of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce in Lockwood. The second will take place at the same time on Thursday, February 26, at Heritage Exchange in Lindley. Both events can be booked at vwww.eventbrite. co.uk/d/united-kingdom--huddersfield/autoenrolment The February event can also be booked by contacting Sheards Wealth Management on 01484 448019.
KIRKLEES BUS
Pay heed to rules for parental leave A new entitlement for employees who are parents to take shared parental leave (SPL) came into force on December 1, 2014, and will apply to cases where a child is expected to be born on or after April 5, 2015. As a starting point, mothers will still be entitled to take 52 weeks of maternity leave, with the first two weeks being compulsory leave and the first 39 weeks ordinarily being paid at statutory rates. Two weeks of ordinary paternity leave will continue to apply, but the additional paternity leave provisions have been abolished. If a mother wants to take advantage of the new SPL scheme, she must end the maternity leave period by giving a curtailment notice at least eight weeks before the date on which SPL will start. A parent who wishes to take SPL must also submit a notice of entitlement and intention to take SPL at least eight weeks before the date on which SPL will start, including a declaration from the other parent consenting to the proposal. The employer is entitled to ask for a copy of a birth certificate to confirm the entitlement. Then, at least eight weeks before the start of SPL, the employee must give the employer a period of leave notice, specifying (unsurprisingly) the period of leave which an employee wishes to take. If this is one continuous period, the notice must be accepted. If there is more than one period requested, the employer has two weeks to accept the request, propose alternatives or refuse it. If the request is refused, the employee may take the amount of leave requested continuously or withdraw the original notice. The employee is entitled to submit up to three notices in total. Terms and conditions of employment continue to apply during periods of SPL except those relating to remuneration, as is currently the case for different types of family leave. Employees may also undertake up to
EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Daniel J Krigers
■■ New parental leave entitlements are anything but child’s play for employers
20 days’ work without bringing any SPL period to an end. In addition to the above conditions, there are other eligibility requirements which apply relating to length of service, minimum earnings and relationship to the child. Both parents must agree the amount of SPL to be taken between them and it must be taken in multiples of complete weeks, within the period commencing with the date on which the child is born and ending up to 52 weeks later. This leaves various scenarios for parents in terms of what leave can be taken concurrently: Both parents can take SPL at the same time; existing unpaid parental leave can be taken at the same time as SPL; SPL can be taken at the
same time as the father takes two weeks’ paternity leave; SPL can be taken at the same time as the mother takes maternity leave, provided the mother has given notice to curtail her leave (as explored above). All periods of SPL are paid at the current statutory rate of £138.18 per week. However, the first six weeks of maternity leave continue to be paid at 90% of earnings. It remains to be seen whether or not the new system sees significant take up from fathers, given that just 0.6% of eligible fathers took additional paternity leave once the right came into force. What is clear is that the new rights are likely to cause a much greater workload for those administering the leave.
Daniel J Krigers is an employment law solicitor at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Rising costs hitting company cash flow More than half of small and medium-sized businesses across Yorkshire and Humberside are facing increased operating costs, a survey has revealed. And 62% of them say it is having an adverse effect on cash flow, according to findings from the the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer, a quarterly survey of UK SME owners and senior management from a range of sectors on economic and financial issues. Of the 58% of firms hit by increased operating costs, 46% said that the cost of raw materials and stock is creating the greatest problem for them, while 29% say that rising energy bills are causing the most pressure on their cash flow. Mike Randall, chief executive of Close Brothers Asset Finance, said: “Operating costs have increased significantly over the past few years and are arguably one of the most difficult things for small business own-
ers to manage in the current climate. “We work with businesses across a range of sectors and we can see that they are all concerned about operating costs, which is unsurprising given the energy requirements, raw materials and machinery that many require.” More than two-fifths of firms surveyed across Yorkshire and Humberside said that while their direct costs have increased, they feel unable to pass any of this on to their customers. “This is a situation that is leading to increased pressure on already-tight margins and it is entirely possible that operational costs will continue to rise for the foreseeable future,” said Mr Randall. “Our advice is that if you haven’t thought about your business finances for a while, then this is a good time to ensure your fund- ■■ Mike Randall, chief executive ing is structured to cope with this strain on of Close Brothers Asset Finance cash flow.”
■■ Stuart Watson, partn
On the r Monte C
The search is on to fi Of The Year 2015. Accountancy firm E nations from business and Humberside who entrepreneurial flair w ing around the fortun tion in the UK or overs The deadline for ent with finalists announc gramme starts at a reg winners then progress the overall UK winner for the title of World Year in Monte Carlo n In 2014, James La executive of Northalle Cream, attended the Of The Year finals in M crowned EY UK Entre in 2013. Now in its 29th ye year in the UK, EY’s Year programme rec and drive behind entre es whether private or tated, family-owned backed, across all industrial sectors. The in more than 60 count Stuart Watson, EY’s berside senior partne neur Of The Year lea neurs are at the hear Yorkshire and Humb Entrepreneur Of The Y the achievements of ers. “It is critical that we entrepreneurial succe nurture the next gene businesses. Their abi wealth and job creati the economy will be sustainable future for To register an entry, For more information email eoy@uk.ey.com
Winter w
The British Wool Mark has appointed Brighou manage its 2015 annu ing campaign. The Bradford-base organisation appoint tions agency to delive again following the su of this year’s campaign The BWMB was es operate a central mar fleece wool, with the best possible net retur The 2015 direct ma sent to more than 60 this spring. Each pac ised and includes tar sheep images specific ing the pack.
5
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015
SINESS NEWS
ner at EY in Yorkshire
road to Carlo!
find the Entrepreneur
EY is calling for nomis leaders in Yorkshire o have demonstrated while growing or turnnes of their organisaseas. ntries is March 6, 2015, ced in April. The progional level. Regional s to the UK finals and will go on to compete Entrepreneur Of The next year. ambert, former chief lerton-based R&R Ice World Entrepreneur Monte Carlo after being epreneur Of The Year
ear globally and 17th Entrepreneur Of The cognises the passion epreneurial businesslisted, socially-orienor private equityl commercial and e awards are now held tries worldwide. s Yorkshire and Humer and UK Entrepreader, said: “Entreprert of the economy in berside, and the EY Year Awards celebrate these dynamic lead-
e continue to celebrate ess and support and eration of high growth ility to deliver rapid ion to help rebalance critical in building a the UK. “ , go to www.eoy.co.uk. n call 0845 6041012 or m
woollens
keting Board (BWMB) use-based Faith PR to ual direct mail market-
ed sheep farmer-led ted the communicaer the mail pack once uccessful completion n. stablished in 1950 to rketing system for UK aim of achieving the rn for producers. ail campaign will be 0,000 British farmers ck is highly personalrgeted messages and c to the farmer receiv-
local
Danish deal for lathes company A Kirklees engineering firm is strengthening its hand in a key export market. Heckmondwike-based 600 UK, famed for its Harrison and Colchester lathes, has appointed its long-standing Danish Colchester lathes distributor, Herstad and Piper, to manage distribution arrangements in Denmark for all manual and computer-controlled (CNC) lathes, including the Harrison lathe range. Herstad and Piper has a long established history, spanning more than 20 years with Colchester lathes, which are universally popular in both the industrial and educational sectors. Denmark has been an important market for Colchester and Harrison with more than 3,000 manual and computer-controlled lathes sold in recent years. Niels Piper, managing director of Herstad and Piper, said: “Both Colchester and Harrison lathes have an excellent reputation for high quality manufactured machines, particularly the variable speed centre lathes. “One of the key selling points for customers in Denmark is the fact that Colchester and Harrison lathes have the CE mark, as it gives them the confidence that they are buying a highly accurate, great value European-built product. “Additionally, Colchester and Harrison have always been well known for their ability to supply spare parts for older machines with a service that other manufacturers struggle to match.” Howard Bamforth, 600 UK sales director, said: “Scandinavia has always seen strong demand for Colchester and Harrison lathes and we have always enjoyed a strong relationship with Niels and his excellent technical team at Herstad and Piper, so it seems the natural choice to extend our distribution agreement with them to cover
■■ Howard Bamforth, (left) 600 UK sales director, with Niels Piper, (centre) managing director of Danish distributor Herstad and Piper and Mike Berry, (right) 600 UK managing director
our Harrison lathe range in Denmark, too.” The 600 Group PLC is a diversified engineering group with three main areas of activity. In machine tools, the business has a strong reputation in the market for metal turning machines with products ranging from small conventional machines for education markets, CNC workshop machines and CNC production machines.
Challenge renewed A Huddersfield company is attracting international entrants for a business simulation competition. Supply chain specialist SCALA Consulting has launched the Fresh Connection – a professional challenge which sees teams drawn from major companies steer an imaginary juice manufacturing company through a series of business issues – such as dealing with the effects of earthquakes, staffing strikes, product defects and penalties for CO2 emissions. The annual global competition was won in 2014 by Dutch-based international brand giant Mondelez, which took the title from the pevious year’s winner, Kimberly-Clark
is a thrilling contest staged at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire. Major internatiomal companies already signed up for this year include KimberlyClark and Mondelez along with DHL, Collect+ and Norbert Dentressangle. SCALA Consulting, based at the Media Centre in Northumberland Street, was founded by managing director John Perry in 2001 and has grown to gain a strong reputation for providing high quality expertise in supply chain and logistics consulting. For information on the competition contact Alison Hobson or call the Fresh Connection team on 01484 437486.
Its precision engineered components business supplied machine spares to customers worldwide to help maintain the installed base of group machines which number in excess of 100,000. And its laser marking operation is proving successful as a technologically superior alternative to inkjet marking for customers ranging from telecommunications to pharmaceuticals.
Temporary cut in national insurance ‘could boost jobs’ More than 7,500 jobs could be created in Yorkshire if manufacturers were given a temporary cut in employers’ National Insurance (NI) when they take on new workers, it is claimed. Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO is calling on political parties to show their support for manufacturers in the run-up to May’s general election. BDO’s analysis found that 7,597 new jobs could be created in Yorkshire during the course of the next parliament if employers’ National Insurance – seen as a barrier for taking on workers – was temporarily reduced for manufacturers. BDO said the targeted relief would stimulate new jobs by offering employers 100% relief in 2015 for new workers, with this reducing by 20% each year until the relief reaches zero or the scheme ends. The recommendation forms part of the BDO Mid-Market Manifesto, which urges specific support for medium-sized businesses that are “currently under-valued and overlooked by government policy”. BDO said mediumsized manufacturers alone would create a third – 2,696 – of the new jobs if the policy was taken up by a potential government. Terry Jones (pictured), partner and head of BDO in Yorkshire, said: “Manufacturing is a vital sector for the region and the UK as a whole – and it is the medium-sized businesses that provide us with
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the biggest untapped potential in both domestic and international markets.” In Yorkshire, mid-sized manufacturers employ more than 192,000 people, generate £29.2bn in revenue and contribute £1.3bn to exports. BDO said helping those local firms most likely to be exporters or supply exporters and introducing a temporary reduction in employers’ NI for the manufacturing sector over the next four years would support the government’s target of doubling exports by 2020. It said the cost to the Exchequer – estimated at £2,600 a year per worker based on an average wage of £26,500 – when offset by the increased income tax and employees’ National Insurance, would result in a net Exchequer benefit. In the Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne announced the lifting of National Insurance for employers taking on apprentices under the age of 25. Mr Jones said: “The Chancellor has shown a willingness to use targeted national insurance reliefs as a way of stimulating employment.”
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6
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Companies count the cost of worst weather Bad weather is hitting the revenues of almost half of all UK small businesses every year – due to damage caused to property by winds, floods, snow and ice – and their inability to be “open for business”. The warning came in the wake of severe gales, which hit the Yorkshire region last week – with the prospects of further poor weather in the coming months. Figures from Towergate Insurance said that each of the UK’s estimated 4.9m small to medium-sized businesses risks suffering on average £38,311 worth of damage due to the elements – costing the country’s economy as much as £86bn. Weather chaos meant small businesses could also lose more than three working days of staff time a employees battled – and failed – to get to work. The survey showed that over the last five years, 51% of businesses experienced some form of damage through floods, wind and thunderstorms alone. The nationwide survey also reveals 43% of SMEs have no cover or do not know if they are covered for serious bad weather. In Yorkshire, more than 18% of firms have business insurance to cover damage caused by high winds, with 17% covered for thunder and lightning,. In addition, 12% said they were covered for damage caused by hail, more
than 23% were covered for flooding damage and almost 13% had cover for damage by snow and ice. But 16% were not covered for any of those eventualities and 44% simply didn’t know if they were covered or not. The situation is worst in the East Midlands, where 61% of firms did not know if they were covered. The survey said the threat of bad weather was compounded by the fact that more than 46% of SMEs had not considered a business continuity plan to carry on trading or mitigate losses. James Tugendhat of Towergate Direct said: “Small businesses are a vital part of the UK economy and can’t afford to lose money due to the unpredictable British weather. “Whilst the good old British weather has become a joke, losing large sums of money or business days due to damage is no laughing matter. “Fortunately, adequate flood insurance can mitigate the crippling costs of these interruptions and we need to make sure that when bad weather strikes, they can get back on their feet as soon and easily as possible. “Making sure businesses are aware of the risks bad weather poses and how to mitigate against it means SMEs can be guaranteed peace of mind and get back to the business of business.”
Additional showroom
■■ Clearing up at Longley’s shop in Holmfirth following December’s snowfall
Homeowners alerted to new Green Deal deadline Homeowners must be ready to act if they want to apply for the next round of cash from the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund. Brighouse-based energy efficiency specialist, Ploughcroft sounded the alert after news that the latest £24m in funding, which was launched on December 10, sold out in a record 30 hours. The scheme offers up to 67% cash back on the cost of installing solid wall insulation – the equivalent of £4,000. The next tranche of funding is expected in February. However, when it comes to applying for the government funding, each
applicant must have previously received a full Green Deal property assessment, carried out by a Green Deal assessor or provider, within the last two years. Failing to do this will mean homeowners cannot apply for the funding. Chris Hopkins, managing director of Ploughcroft, said: “The popularity of the scheme is extremely encouraging and indicates that UK homeowners are becoming increasingly educated towards the benefits of energy efficient home improvements. “However, this increased popularity means that homeowners need to move fast if they want to secure the funding.
With just weeks to go until the next tranche of funding – which is likely to get used up even quicker – we would urge homeowners to arrange a Green Deal assessment prior to February ready for the next application period.” The Green Deal assessment aims to identify whether a property could benefit from the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund and upon completion, will produce a Green Deal advice report which will include an Energy Performing Certificate (EPC) outlining the energy efficiency rating of a home, recommended improvements and an estimate of the money that could be saved on energy bills.
■■ Wayne Gradwell, of Persimmon
£180,941 to £190,500 and full year revenues increased by 23% to £2.6bn. Mr Gradwell said his team was gearing up to deliver even more in 2015 – with proposals including a development of 30 homes at Crosland Road, Huddersfield. He said: “Our focus is now on continuing to deliver new homes into the communities where they are
A family-run firm has created three jobs by extending its operations. CSW Retail Ltd, which has owned and run fireplace retail business Easy Fireplace for the past nine years, has opened an additional showroom, Envy Fires & Fireplaces just three doors away from its existing site at Morley Lane, Milnsbridge. The move has created three jobs and included the appointment of three new sub-contractors on the installation side. Easy Fireplace is well-known for its range of bespoke fireplaces. Envy Fires & Fireplaces is aimed at the high-end of the market. Envy also sponsors Huddersfield Giants in the 2015 season – with its logo appearing on the team shorts. CSW Retail Ltd is also expanding Easy Fireplace into the building next door and is creating a new main entrance and stove centre. Said Chris: “The new look Easy Fireplace will hopefully be fully up and running by the middle of February and will offer a great range of quality stoves along with the usual service and product you can expect from Easy Fireplace. “The family business is really trying to help the local economy along as well as making Milnsbridge the new destination for fires and fireplaces in Yorkshire!
Award win ■■ Chris Hopkins, of Ploughcroft
Persimmon makes strong start to 2015 A leading housebuilder has reported a strong start to 2015 in Yorkshire. Wayne Gradwell, managing director of Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, welcomed the company’s latest trading update which showed a 17% increase in legal completions across the UK to 13,509 in 2014. That compares with 11,528 in 2013. The average selling price rose by 5% from
■■ Giants players Michael Lawrence (left) and Leroy Cudjoe (right) with Chris Worsley, of CSW Retail Ltd
most needed. “2014 was extremely busy for us, with our teams selling right up to the end of the year. We’re expecting another strong start to 2015 with many properties already reserved and forward sold. “We have new developments launching throughout 2015 and will be working closely with local authorities to ensure plan-
ning issues don’t slow the pathway to delivering new communities.” He said: “2015 looks set to be another busy year for our team as we look forward to opening new developments in Castleford, Penistone, Morley, Lindley, Wakefield, Wilthorpe and Wombell. “Our focus will be on delivering homes into the communities that desperately need them.”
A Huddersfield firm of architects is building on its success with a major design award. One17AD, based at Armitage Bridge, won the category for Best New Build Home for a house at Delamere Gardens, Fixby, in the Northern Design Awards. Judges for the event in Buxton, Derbyshire, included TV architect George Clarke, fashion designer Wayne Hemingway and interior designer Linda Barker. Wayne Hemingway congratulated One17AD architects Emma Cockroft and Mark Lee. Mr Lee, a partner in One17AD, said: “There is much focus on London in the design and architectural press, but there’s some exciting work going on in the North. “Most of our work is based in Yorkshire and we’ve been involved in some fantastic projects, so it’s great to be recognised for it.”
7
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015
FOR SALE
Industrial
TO LET
Retail/Commercial Industrial
Spurn Point, Manchester Road, Linthwaite, Huddersfield 1,427m 2 (15,357 sq ft)
Pt Foldhead Mill, off Huddersfield Road, Mirfield 202m 2 (2,178 sq ft)
Highly prominent industrial and office premises on large site with redevelopment potential (subject to planning)
Lower ground floor showroom/former plumbers’ merchants with good on-site parking, just off main Huddersfield Road
TO LET
Industrial
TO LET/MAY SELL
Industrial/Yard
Thornhill Beck Lane, off Bradford Road, Brighouse 864m2 (9,350sq ft)
Calder Trading Estate, off Leeds Road, Huddersfield 483m2 (5,203 sq ft) on 1 acre
Good quality single storey warehouse/ industrial unit located just off main Bradford Road, making it easily accessible to M62 (J25)
Single storey workshop, stores and office with large yard area and redevelopment potential (subject to planning)
All enquiries to Alec Michael alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
www.michaelsteel.co.uk
Commercial Residential, Commercial & Industrial Surveyors, Estate Agents, Auctioneers & Property Management Consultants To Let
LYNDHURST ROAD, LINDLEY HD3 3HZ
QUAY STREET, HUDDERSFIELD HD1 6QX
High quality modern offices
Upper floor within multi storey mill
32.05 sqm (345 sqft) to 65.77 sqm (708 sqft)
591 sqm (6,361 sqft) Lift access from the ground floor
Recently refurbished to a high standard
Suitable for a variety of uses, including storage, light manufacturing or leisure uses
Good car parking Modern specification including category 2 lighting, cat 5 cabling
Additional space available if needed by separate negotiation
Disabled access
EPC asset Rating C
EPC Asset Rating D
To Let
COLNE VALE ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD HD3 4NY
To Let
PEEL STREET, MARSDEN HD7 6BW
Single Storey Industrial Unit
Double fronted retail premises
368 sqm (3,961 sqft)
67.98 sqm (731 sqft)
Flexible Terms/Rental Incentives
With large 3 bedroom flat to upper floors of the building which can also be let by separate negotiation
Excellent loading Craneage
Popular village centre
Secure yard space and car parking
Main shopping parade
3 miles from Huddersfield town centre
Rateable Value £6,500
EPC Asset Rating C
EPC Asset Rating D
14 St Georges Square, Huddersfield HD1 1JF
t: 01484 530361 e:
To Let
commercial@bramleys1.co.uk
www.bramleys.com/commercial
8
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
movers and shakers
Uni banking on Sue to offer good advice New directors for law firm
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
Law firm Armitage Sykes has promoted two key personned to director level. Ruth Miller, who deals with family law, and John Burnett, who specialises in dispute resolution (both pictured above) take up their posts with immediate effect. Ms Miller, who qualified as a solicitor in 1999, is a member of the Law Society’s Childrens Penal and the Family Law Accreditation Scheme. She is also a trained collaborative lawyer and a member of Resolution. Mr Burnett has spe-
cialised in civil and commercial litigation, including employment law for more than 15 years. In his early career, he worked for the Crown prosecution Service before specialising in litigation. Rob Kelly, managing director of the firm, which has offices at New North Road in Huddersfield, said: “We pride ourselves on our peoplefocused culture. “The appointment of Ruth and John is a testament to their achievements and sends a positive message that the firm values the contributions of its people.”
Shaheen Hussain
New legal appointment Applebys Solicitors has appointed Shaheen Hussain as head of its immigration department. Ms Hussain (pictured) joins the Bradford-based firm after having worked extensively providing immigration advice at other Leeds and Bradfordbased solicitors and at the Immigration Advice Service. She studied for a degree in law at Bradford University and completed her Legal Practice course at Huddersfield University. In her new role, she will head Applebys’ immigration depart-
■■ Huddersfield University Chancellor Sir Patrick Stewart (second left) and Santander divisional director Sue Douthwaite (second right) at the opening of the university’s Santander branch with Kiren Sirha, university relationship branch manager, and Simon Bray, who heads Santander’s university division
strategy, help to widen its national and international engagement, provide guidance on new opportunities and help to enhance its reputation and profile. Mrs Douthwaite has worked in both retail and corporate banking. She joined Santander in 2011 to lead a 75-strong team working closely with business throughout the North of England. She was recruited from RBS, where she was
regional director of corporate banking in Yorkshire and the North East. Before this, she held a number of senior posts in the banking sector and she is a council member of the North West CBI. Mrs Douthwaite is also actively involved in efforts to boost the numbers of women playing a key role in business and is a member of the Two Per Cent Club, one of the major campaigning organisations in this field.
It’s high time for some happiness! ment, which provides services including advising individuals regarding British nationality, settlement, indefinite leave to remain, fresh asylum applications and applications under the point based system among other things.
Networking for free A networking group has launched the new year by offering firms something for nothing! The HD8 Network is running a free session between 4.30pm to 5pm on Tuesday, January 20 at the 1315 Bar & Restaurant in Lepton, The usual Meet Up event will continue between 5pm and 7pm where businesses “speed network”, enjoy a meal and have plenty more opportunities for
One of Yorkshire’s leading bankers will contribute to the development of Huddersfield University’s Business School. Sue Douthwaite, corporate banking director for Santander in the North of England and a former student at Huddersfield New College, has joined the advisory board of the university’s Business School. During 2014, the university joined Santander’s global universities network, which links 72 institutions in the UK and more than 1,000 worldwide. When the Dean of the Business School, Prof Chris Cowton, decided to recruit another key figure from the financial services sector to join his advisory board, he discussed the matter with Santander when Steve Pateman, its head of UK banking, delivered a guest lecture at the university. Welcoming Sue’s decision to join the board, Prof Cowton said: “It means that the advisory board – which was established in 2010 – includes several members who come from the corporate sector, with major companies that include Syngenta, David Brown, Cummins and now Santander being among those represented.” The board meets three times a year and has a membership of up to 20 individuals who hold or have held senior positions in business, the public or voluntary sectors or the professions. They advise the Business School on
informal networking. The group, run by Denby Dale-based Merewyn Sayers also encourages businesses in the HD8 postcode area to network for free online via Facebook Twitter and Linkedin. The group also has a website for businesses to list themselves in the directory and promote events and offers. Contact Merewyn Sayers on 07790705223.
A speaker guaranteed to blow away the winter blues addresses a business audience tomorrow. Frederika Roberts (pictured right) will share a few ingredients in her recipe for happiness at the We Mean Business networking session to be held at 9.30am at Bailiff Bridge Community Centre. She will provide simple and practical tips for achieving and sustaining “fundamental happiness”. Said Frederika: “Having overcome adversity myself, and studied what makes us happy, I like to share tips which leave people feeling happier,
more in control of their lives and, consequently able to achieve more in their personal and business lives.” Networking group leader Rachel Gough said: “Frederika is a great speaker. “Her passion and happiness is infectious, so I thought she would be the ideal person to give the group a little lift in January.” Frederika was born in Italy but grew up in Luxembourg. She moved to the UK in 1990 to study business and management at Bradford University, where she met her husband.
The couple now live in Yorkshire. Frederika’s career has spanned from teaching to social media marketing via recruitment, from voiceover work and radio presenting to professional speaking. We Mean Business offers support for small firms, sole traders and those thinking of starting a business. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 9.30am to 11.30am at Bailiff Bridge Community Centre. For details, email info@wemeanbusiness.org. uk
Finance executive rises to be managing director
■■ Jo Haigh (left) and new managing director Poonam Kaur, of fds Director Services Ltd
Denby Dale businesswoman Jo Haigh has announced a key promotion at her company, fds Director Services Ltd. Qualified accountant Poonam Kaur, 32, has been appointed managing director of the Wakefield-based firm, which she joined in 2011 as senior corporate finance executive. The company, which specialises in SME business growth, development and disposals, has grown from just three employees in 2011 to 10
in 2015. The business recently incorporated to a limited company from a partnership to become fds Director Services Ltd. Said Jo: “I am thrilled and delighted that Poonam has accepted this much deserved position.” Poonam said: “I am so overwhelmed to have achieved this position at this age. Jo is an inspirational woman and I have learnt so much in this short space of time. I am
extremely proud she believed in me. “Working for fds has been challenging, but there is never a dull moment and we strive to exceed expectations. Jo said Poonam’s promotion signalled a new chapter for the company and the business would continue to grow and develop over the coming years with new investment initiatives, larger premises and greater national coverage.