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OLIVER NORTH Ex-boxer blazing a trail
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COLIN BARRATT Losses and gains Column - Page 5
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Budget ‘must give business a boost’
MINISTERS have been urged to “relaunch the economy with business-friendly measures” in the forthcoming Budget. The call comes from the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce in a letter to Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable. It calls for measures to speed the UK’s economic recovery by boosting help for business when Mr Osborne delivers his Budget speech on March 21. And it warns: “Stagnation is a major threat and could undermine both deficit reduction and efforts to reduce net debt.” The chamber urges the Government to scrap a planned hike in business rates, introduce a time-limited £1bn Capital Allowance scheme to encourage medium-sized companies to invest and provide “meaningful” incentives for firms to recruit young people. The letter demands extra help for exporters and immediate implementation of promised infrastructure projects. It also calls on ministers to make good a stated commitment to cut red
■ CALL: Steven Leigh (right), of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, has delivered a business wish-list for Chancellor George Osborne (left) and Business Secretary Vince Cable (centre) in the run-up to next week’s Budget
tape and regulation. The chamber wants the Government to scrap the 5.6% rise in business rates scheduled for April and demands the return of Empty Property Business Rates Relief at the old threshold of £18,000. Steven Leigh, head of policy for the
chamber, said: “The cost to business of the proposed rise in business rates could – in the present economic climate – have serious consequences for some businesses and runs contrary to efforts to promote growth in the economy.” At a time of record youth unemploy-
ment, the chamber argued that taxing jobs through Employers National Insurance Contributions was “illogical and a disincentive to job creation.” Said Mr Leigh: “This forthcoming budget should address this problem by abating this tax for the present time for all businesses recruiting unemployed 18 to 24 year olds. It is perverse that at a time of rising unemployment the Government should persist in levying a ‘jobs tax’.” The letter added; “For the purposes of the Budget, we strenuously urge you to avoid the creation of numerous new initiatives – which are all too often poorly communicated, not taken up, and frequently inordinately costly to deliver. Instead, we believe that existing mechanisms can more readily be used to simplify the help given to businesses.” Nick Brook, of TaxAssist Accountants in Huddersfield, said: “Small businesses are the backbone of local economies. “We do want the Government to maintain the momentum of growth incentives they’ve already started and add more vital lifelines to sole traders and small firms.”
Law firms looking to the future with merger TWO law firms are joining forces. Wilkinson Woodward & Norcliffe & Co will merge at the end of March to become Wilkinson Woodward Norcliffe, practising from offices at Queen Street in Huddersfield. The merged practice, which also incorporates Boococks Estate Agency, from Halifax, will have 30 lawyers and will be the third-largest legal practice in Kirklees and Calderdale. The announcement was made in a j o i n t s t at e m e n t by M a u re e n Cawthorn, who will be managing partner of the merged practice, and John Norcliffe. They said: “In the rapidly changing sphere of legal services, we see our merger as a positive statement of our intention to extend and develop
the provision of top quality, cost-effective legal advice within Kirklees and beyond to both existing and new clients.” Norcliffe & Co has an established reputation in the local business community, particularly in commercial property transactions and the buying and selling of businesses. Wilkinson Woodward is well known for across-the-board legal advice to individuals, with particular expertise in family and childcare law. As a practice Wilkinson Woodward has been at the forefront of changes in this field, offering collaborative law and also establishing the first mediation practice in Calderdale in 1996, led by Penny Manock. Said Ms Cawthorn: “The merged
practice will be greatly strengthened by John Norcliffe in commercial law, Roy Dunn in civil litigation and Clive Robinson in conveyancing, who together bring with them 80 years of legal experience. “This completes the project we began in 2000, when our Huddersfield practice opened. “We now have a full service legal practice in Huddersfield, which was our original aim and we are confident this can be developed and expanded further over the coming years.” John Norcliffe founded Norcliffe & Co in 1994 and Wilkinson Woodward began practising as long ago as 1886 in Halifax – from where it continues to play a leading role in the ■ POSITIVE MOVE: Maureen Cawthore provision of legal services in Calder- and John Norcliffe, who will spearhead the newly-merged law firm dale.
INSIDE Credit column A COMPANY supplying pneumatic products has received repeat accreditation to a scheme to help industry improve its safety record. Thorite, which has a base at Barge Street, Longroyd Bridge, has renewed its membership of SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises high standards of health and safety practise among UK contractors.
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Racing ahead BUSINESSMAN John Greenwood, who hails from Cleckheaton, has forged a new partnership with Huddersfield-based racer Daniel Lloyd. Mr Greenwood, chief executive at Creechurch Private Wealth, has become a key sponsor of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship racer as he looks forward to a successful season in 2012.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Retail chain Game ‘at risk of collapse’ RETAILER Game admitted it is in danger of collapse after several suppliers refused to provide it with new products. The group, which employs 10,000 people, confirmed the options in its battle for survival included the sale of its UK business, which has 600 stores. In Huddersfield, the retailer has a Game-branded store at the Kingsgate Shopping Centre and a Gamestation outlet at New Street. It is seeking access to alternative sources of funding and has asked suppliers for more generous trading terms. But so far, it has not been possible to source new products from a number of suppliers. Game admitted that it is uncertain whether its efforts will be successful or whether the company will be left with any value. The group’s quarterly rent bill is due
in a fortnight and failure to pay its landlords could push it into administration. Its woes have been made worse after it failed to stock new eagerly awaited titles such as Mass Effect 3 and Street Fighter X Tekken. Shares have slumped from more than 70p at the start of last year. They closed down 2.2p or 64% at 1.3p yesterday. The group agreed fresh lending facilities with banks last month, but the loan was not enough to reassure suppliers, who have balked at being asked to give the group better terms to help it stay afloat. The company, which has 1,300 stores worldwide, suffered a woeful Christmas, with like-for-like sales down by 12.9% in the eight weeks to January 7. Game blamed the sales slump on a lack of new consoles and a squeeze in consumer spending.
Premier Foods seals loan deal THE future of household favourites such as Hovis, Ambrosia and Mr Kipling was secured as Premier Foods landed a crucial deal to renew more than £1bn of loans. The UK’s largest food manufacturer has hammered out a deal with its banks – including part-nationalised lenders Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland – which will see its repayment deadline extended from December, 2013, to June, 2016. The re-financing package, to be formalised by the end of the month, will allow Premier Foods to execute its strategy, which involves focusing investment on eight “power” brands, including Oxo and Bisto.
The group was brought to the brink by debts built up on an expansion spree that saw it buy Hovis bread firm RHM for £1.2bn in 2007 and Campbell’s UK and Irish business – adding Batchelors, Homepride and Fray Bentos to its catalogue in 2006. Premier Foods said it expects its 2011 results to be at the lower end of market expectations as it looks to stabilise the business. The group is expected to sell off several brands as part of its new deal, with Sarson’s vinegar and Hartley’s jam reportedly on the list for potential sale. Shares closed up 0.5p at 12p.
■ END GAME?: the games retailer admitted it is in danger of collapse
It has already signalled that losses for the year to the end of January are likely to be about £18m. Since then, it has sunk deeper into the mire after it disappointed customers by failing to stock sci-fi game Mass
Effect 3 after a spat with games giant Electronic Arts and now other suppliers have followed suit. It has reportedly hired advisory firm Rothschild to help it sell all or parts of the business, but it is understood that securing a deal in such a short time-frame will prove difficult. The company is believed to have lined up accountancy firm Deloitte to handle any insolvency process, which could see Game’s UK operations put through a pre-pack administration for all or some of its estate to be sold on quickly. Peter Smedley, analyst at Charles Stanley Securities, said: “Imminent collapse into administration is now a real possibility.” He said US-based retailer Gamestop is best-placed to buy Game, but it could afford to take its time to pick and choose the assets it really wants.
Business improves PRIVATE sector firms in Yorkshire reported an increase in business activity during February. The latest Lloyds TSB Business Activity Index for the region, which measures the combined output of Yorkshire’s manufacturing and service sectors, stood at 54.3 in February – well above the 50 “no change” mark that separates growth from contraction. Panellists responding to the survey out today said new business grew for the third consecutive month in February – but the latest expansion was modest and the weakest in this sequence. Employment in Yorkshire rose for the fifth consecutive month in February – with job creation rising faster than for any other UK region. Both manufacturers and service providers hired additional staff on the back of new business wins.
Arena boosts attendance Subdued market ARENA Leisure, which owns seven racecourses in the UK, said attendances were on the up as the industry does more to attract new customers. Record numbers supported Arena’s 352 fixtures in 2011, with the average attendance rising by 7.8% to 1,941. The number of hospitality guests was 14% up on a year earlier at 51,500. Despite the improvement, revenues fell by £2.5m to £61.5m after a further reduction in the amounts received by the industry from the statutory Levy on bookmakers. Arena’s share fell £7.3m to £10.4m. Out of this, £5.5m was paid out in prize money, a £4.9m reduction on a
year earlier that prompted Arena to inject a further £500,000 into its prize fund in order to stem a recent decline in field sizes. Arena’s racecourses at Doncaster, Windsor, Lingfield Park, Southwell, Wolverhampton, Folkestone and Worcester account for 24% of UK racing fixtures. Announcing a 15% rise in pre-tax profits to £4.2m, chairman David Thorpe said: “Racing generally has made progress in broadening its appeal and attracting new customers to racecourses. “However, the financial side of the industry remains constrained.”
ADMINISTRATION specialist Begbies Traynor said activity levels in the insolvency market remained subdued in the three months to January 31, helped by record low interest rates. The Manchester-based firm said its insolvency division reduced its staffing numbers to 470 from 501 at the end of last year as it reduced its costs.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £33.72 -0.32 Gannett 934.22 +16.64 Hess Corp £39.65 -0.69 Microsoft £20.53 +0.06 Motors Liquidation 47.99 Wal-Mart Stores £38.83 +0.38 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 304 +1 BAE Systems 3131/8 +21/8 1 Rolls-Royce 823 /2 -111/2 AIM Brady Plc 90 +1 Dawson Intl 15/8 Man Brnze 28 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 211 -11/2 BANKS Barclays 2357/8 -47/8 HSBC 5561/8 -3/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 335/8 -5/8 Ryl Scotland 253/8 -7/8 1 Stan Chart 1563 /2 -91/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1553 +11 SABMiller £263/8 +1/4 CHEMICALS Croda £22 -1/8 Elementis 98 1891/2 +7/8 Johnsn Mat £233/4 +1/4 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 287 -1/8
2161/4 +111/4 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 5191/2 +1/2 Intl Power 3631/2 -21/2 SSE 1305 +4 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1937/8 -1/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3733/4 -3/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2165/8 -21/4 Cable & Wireless 325/8 -1/4 Comm Cable & Wireless 361/2 +1/4 Wwide 3 Colt Group 100 /8 -11/8 KCOM 693/8 -5/8 1 Talktalk Telecom 142 /8 -7/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 3015/8 +63/4 Sainsbury 2997/8 +23/8 Tesco 319 +3/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1212 +9 Tate Lyle 7111/2 +7 Unilever £211/8 +3/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3097/8 -11/4 National Grid 6541/2 +4 Pennon Grp 7271/2 Severn 1597 +1 United Utils 616 Costain
GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 1963/8 +23/4 ICAP 3947/8 -7/8 1 London StockExch 963 /2 +81/2 Man Group 1371/2 -21/4 Provident Financial 1134 -2 Schroders 1570 +10 Schroders NV 1258 +9 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 703 +7 REXAM 4163/4 -11/8 Smiths Grp 1074 -3 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 213/4 Carphone Whse 1693/4 -1/2 Dixons Retail 143/8 +1/8 Home Retail 1045/8 +21/4 Inchcape 3767/8 +25/8 3 Kingfisher 286 /4 +45/8 7 M&S 357 /8 +37/8 Mothercare 1961/2 -81/2 Next £275/8 +3/8 1 WH Smith 537 /2 +61/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 632 +3 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 851/2 -23/4 Barrat Dev 1413/4 +17/8 Persimmon 670 -1/2 Reckitt Benckiser £355/8 +1/8 Taylor Wimpey 50 +5/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 9891/2
INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 3187/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2081/8 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3561/2 Lgl & Gen 1211/4 Old Mutual 1625/8 Prudential 728 Resolution 265 Standard Life 2375/8 MEDIA BSkyB 6941/2 D Mail Tst 4327/8 ITV 87 Johnston Press 71/4 Pearson 1219 Reed Elsevier 5461/2 STV Group 1081/2 Trinity Mirror 391/4 Utd Business 609 UTV 141 WPP 8211/2 Yell Group 37/8 MINING Anglo American £253/4 Antofagasta 1270 BHP Billiton £201/8 Eurasian Natural 6741/2 Res Fresnillo 1811 Kazakhmys 9551/2 Lonmin 1065 Rio Tinto £341/2
-17/8 -7/8 -47/8 +1/2 -2 +71/2 -23/4 +3/4 -2 -1/8 -1/8 +3/8 +16 +1 -1/2 -11/2 +3 -1/8 -1/8 +7 -1/8 -21/2 +10 -21/2 -7 -5/8
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
3433/4 103 6541/2 1941
-61/4 -1/4 +4 -24
closed at at FTSE closed
5892.75 Up 5.26 VEDANTA 1369 RESOURCES Xstrata 1155 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 4777/8 Vodafone Group 1701/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1170 RSA Insurance Gp 1091/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1504 BP 4953/4 Cairn Energy 3297/8 Royal Dutch Shell A £223/4 Royal Dutch Shell B £23
-52 +6 -111/4 +17/8 +12 +3/8 +21/2 +13/4 -13/4 -1/8 -1/8
Total £353/8 -1/8 Tullow Oil 1438 -9 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1164 +15 Petrofac 1693 -18 Wood Gp(J) 717 -2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1555 +22 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £283/4 +1/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 8 Shire £221/2 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4961/4 +95/8 Captl Shop Cent 3453/8 +3 +61/4 Hamrsn 4237/8 Land Secs 728 +111/2 SEGRO 2501/4 +2 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2001/2 -13/4 Logica 911/2 +11/4 Misys 328 -13 -3/4 Sage Group 2977/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 524 -21/2 Bunzl 9991/2 +91/2 Capita 746 -7 De La Rue 9601/2 -8 1 Electrocomp 245 /8 -7/8 Experian 965 -3 G4S 2891/2 -25/8 Hays 847/8 -3/4 Homeserve 2297/8 +91/2
Menzies J 575 Rentokil 82 Smiths News 913/4 Wolseley £243/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 5721/2 Psion 62 Spirent Comms 1537/8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £321/4 Imperial Tobacco £253/4 LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital 1623/4 Carnival 1947 Compass Grp 6591/2 easyJet 4353/4 Enterprise Inns 531/2 FirstGroup 2851/2 Go-Ahead Gp 1295 Greene King 5051/2 Intercontl Htls 1448 Intl Cons Airlines 1631/4 Gp Ladbrokes 1603/8 Mitchells & Butlers 2613/4 Natl Express 2431/4 Rank Org 130 Stagecoach Group 2633/8 TUI Travel 192 Whitbread 1691 INDEX FTSE 100 5892.75 INDEX FTSE 250 11563.90
-21/2 +21/4 +1/4
+21/2 -25/8 +1/4 +1/8 +1/4 +28 +21/2 -13/4 -1/2 +15/8 +14 -15 +23/8 +23/4 -23/8 +5/8 +5/8 +3/8 +5/8 +5 +5.26 +35.94
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.41 dollars Bangladesh................. 120.90 taka Brazil.............................. 2.51 reals Canada....................... 1.48 dollars China ............................. 8.86 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.08 korunas Denmark....................... 8.46 krone Euro............................... 1.14 euro Hong Kong................ 11.54 dollars Hungary................... 313.73 forints India.......................... 69.03 rupees Japan........................... 122.71 yen Mexico ....................... 17.72 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.78 dollars Norway ......................... 8.53 krone Pakistan.................. 133.73 rupees Philippines ................. 57.27 pesos South Africa.................. 11.13 rand South Korea.............. 1535.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 179.79 rupees Sweden....................... 10.19 krona Switzerland.................. 1.37 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.41 dollars Turkey....................... 2.66 new lira USA ............................ 1.50 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS FORMER army PT instructor Oliver North is boxing clever in business. Now the Holmfirth man, who was welterweight boxing champion for his corps, is aiming to knock out the competition as managing director of North Fire, a company supplying firefighting equipment and vehicles to fire and rescue services across the UK. Oliver, who grew up in Netherton, attended Moor End High School and Huddersfield New College, where he studied sports science. “As a youngster, all I wanted to do was play football for Leeds United,” he says. “But the fact is that I wasn’t good enough.” Instead, at the age of 17 he joined the army. “I wanted to get into full-time employment and push myself,” says Oliver. “I did well, getting ‘best recruit’ in training. I joined the Royal Engineers to get a trade and that’s where my engineering abilities come from. “But I went on to be a PT instructor. I was also an army boxer for a couple of years and was corps welterweight champion. I got into boxing because the boxing coach wanted me to do it. Once I started, I liked the sport. It requires discipline and the training is as hard as you can get in sport. I retired undefeated and while I might have considered continuing, I don’t think I was good North Fire, the company is enough to turn now established as sole UK professional.” distributor of the His army experiences did internationally acclaimed serve to give him a Rosenbauer brand. It also grounding for running a supplies aerial ladders and business, he believes. turntable ladders Says Oliver: “As a PT manufactured by German instructor, I was mainly firm Metz. sitting in the gym in the The company has middle of Germany most of doubled its turnover from my time! Because I was £690,000 for the whole of its boxing, I became a bit of a last financial year to £1.4m tracksuit soldier – and that’s in the six months to March one of the reasons I gave this year. It supplies up. equipment ranging from “But being in charge of the boots, helmets and flash gym also meant a lot of hoods to firefighting vehicles paperwork, rules and costing £500,000 or regulations – which has £600,000 to almost every definitely helped me in fire and rescue service in business. Army life also the country. gave me a sense of North Fire started out in discipline and a willingness premises at Birstall, which to graft and get on with quickly became too small for things. A lot of people in its needs. The firm now business end up having to occupies two buildings on react to situations. I believe Brockholes Business Park. in getting up early and being pro-active.” Says Oliver: “Joining the army was my decision and I have never regretted not going to university. I don’t think gaining a degree would have stood me in any better stead. The army gave me an awful lot.” Back in civvie street, Oliver got a job with a company manufacturing and supplying firefighting vehicles – and was given responsibility for its distributorship with the Austrian-based manufacturer Rosenbauer. When it became clear the company was more interested in developing its own make of vehicles, Oliver left and set up North Fire to continue supplying the ■ BOXING CLEVER: Oliver Rosenbauer range. Just North of North Fire
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From boxer to fire fighter Oliver is ably backed by teams of engineers and technicians, but leads from the front and admits he would be reluctant to give up the reins. “The systems are running efficiently and the engineers and technicians. are highly skilled,” he says. “It is just a matter of me keeping the orders coming in! I put in lots of hours and I will keep myself stretched. I’m not in a position to hand over the sales role just yet!” Says Oliver: “Setting up the business was a risky move and I was looking for substantial orders from the start. We needed to compete with established companies, so progress couldn’t be too slow. Having Rosenbauer and Metz – two of the biggest names in the industry – strengthens our hand immediately. “To me, providing outstanding service to existing customers is more important than a new sale. If you look after your existing customers better than your competitor does, the business will return and referrals will follow.” He admits he has learned some hard lessons. “I underestimated the commitment that owning a company requires,” he says. “When you are an employer, you have big responsibilities. Setting up a business is like watching your child learn to ride a bike for the first time – you have to be watchful.” Oliver is getting some invaluable advice, however, from one of Huddersfield’s foremost businessmen. Ken Davy, chairman of Huddersfield Giants and
Oliver North Role: Managing director Age: 31 Family: Son Oscar, three Holidays: I like Gada, Italy; and Salzburg, Austria Car: Range Rover First job: Working behind the bar at The Fountain, Ingbirchworth Best thing about job: Playing with big fire trucks! Worst thing about job: The long hours! Business tip: Look after your existing customers and new customers will come as a result
financial services support group SimplyBiz, has taken a stake in North Fire and is now its chairman – after he and Oliver met when North Fire was named Business of the Year for 2011 in the competition run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith. “It’s great to have someone like Ken with a lot of business experience on board,” says Oliver.”– The link-up has also converted Oliver to the joys of rugby league. “I watch the Giants as often as I can,” he says. “I like the family atmosphere at the matches.”
Oliver, who lives at Holmfirth, has also retained a taste for the noble art. North Fire sponsors welterweight fighter Kell Brook, who is due to take on Matthew Hatton later this month at the Sheffield Arena and Oliver often spars with Kell in the ring as part of the boxer’s training routine. Oliver also plays golf at Bradley. The real highlight of Oliver’s golfing excursions was to play a round at historic St Andrew’s during a business trip to Tayside.
North Fire plc Work: Supplier of firefighting vehicles and equipment Site: Brockholes Phone: 01484 660108 Email: oliver@north-fire.com Website: www.north-fire.com
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Did you get a late filing penalty!
On the board with
Historically the penalty for submitting your personal tax return late was nil provided that you had paid all tax due. However for 2010/11 this is no longer the case and a £100 penalty will be payable if you did not file your tax return by 31 January 2012. We understand that HMRC have already started to issue late filing penalties.
Revell Ward Tip:
If you do receive a penalty it is worth remembering that HMRC will consider cancelling this if you had no need to file a tax return. However all company directors are required to file a self-assessment tax return regardless of the levels of their income.
Lesley Sutton Tax Director
01484 538 351
theboard@revellward.co.uk Twitter@RevellWard
www.revellward.co.uk
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS
Contracting out is not an option HE UK state pension sysT tem is made up of two elements – the Basic State
Pension and the Additional State Pension. The subject of state pensions as a whole could take up this and many future columns but for this month, I would like to cover the subject of the additional state pension and contracting out. Contracting out of the State Second Pension (S2P) and its predecessor, the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) has been around for many years. However, the Government has taken the decision to abolish contracting out on a defined contribution (money purchase) basis with effect from April 6, 2012. Anyone still contracted out on this date will be automatically brought back in to the additional state pension and will build up future entitlements through this. So why abolish contracting out after all these years? One of the main reasons for contracting out in the past was to potentially gain higher benefits from a private pension than you could from the state.
FINANCIAL FOCUS Karen Wynard
However, it is difficult to predict with any degree of certainty what you might get back at retirement. The level of uncertainty and the difficult decisions that individuals face with regard to whether or not they should be contracted out have both been contributing factors to the Government’s decision here. With regard to any funds built up as a result of contracting out, these remain with the pension provider but no further rebates will be made after the current tax year. These funds are known as Protected Rights and there are currently restrictions as to how these funds must be used on retirement or death.
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However, the abolition of contracting out does bring welcome changes to the treatment of Protected Rights. For example, with effect from April 6, 2012, it will no longer be compulsory for a Protective Rights fund to purchase a spouses pension at retirement or on earlier death if the individual is married. This is a very brief and basic overview of a relatively complicated subject. If this column has raised any questions for you or you wish to discuss the matter in more detail, please contact either ourselves or your own financial adviser.
Karen Wynard is head of corporate services at Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd
Exporters’ safety alert KIRKLEES firms are being urged to remember their duty of care to employees travelling abroad – as more companies seek to expand into overseas markets as part of the government’s export drive. More than 6.7m overseas business trips were made during the year to July, 2011 – with employees facing some of the most tumultuous travelling conditions in decades caused by political unrest and natural disasters. Despite this, insurance broker Bluefin, which has offices in Cleckheaton, said there is still a “worrying lack of awareness” among businesses about the employer’s duty of care to workers undertaking overseas travel – with as many as 86% of companies demonstrating a significant lack of awareness of the legal requirement to undertake pre-travel risk assessments.
One recent survey suggests that 95% of global companies have sent employees on business trips to high-risk locations. Bluefin said it was ever more important to carry out the right procedures – or businesses could find themselves being taken to court for negligence. Peter Castle, head of customer proposition at Bluefin, said: “With the government encouraging UK companies to export more and to countries beyond the eurozone, there is likely to be an upsurge in employees travelling abroad – making it essential that businesses understand their responsibilities for workers’ health and safety when taking overseas trips. “This issue has been compounded by political unrest in many parts of the world, including the Middle East and Greece, adding to the list of potentially dangerous destinations.”
Firm accredited for second time A SUPPLIER of pneumatic products has received repeat accreditation to a scheme to help industry improve its safety record. Thorite, which has a base at Barge ■ SAFE HANDS: Street, Thorite retains Longroyd SAFEcontractor Bridge, has re-accreditation renewed its membership of SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises high standards of health and safety practise among UK contractors. Thorite, which first gained the standard in 2007, employs more than 100 specialist sales, engineering and administrative staff. It supplies compressed air and processing systems to the engineering, food processing, packaging and pharmaceutical industries and has a turnover in excess of £11m. Ross Gowler, marketing and engineering services director, said: “It is crucial for companies installing mechanical products and systems in industry operate within stringent levels of health and safety procedures, for the benefit of their own staff, those employed by their clients – and the public at large. “I’m extremely proud that our standards of safe working have once again been demonstrated to be of the highest order.” Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users via website www.safecontractor.com
Flight of fancy A PRIVATE aviation company is flying high with Huddersfield Town. Multiflight, which is based at Leeds-Bradford International Airport, opened its doors in 1994 and provides facilities including a flight training centre and café bar, specialist engineering, charter, aircraft management and sales and executive handling departments. The company has joined a growing list of businesses which have signed up as Town partners. They include the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which also operates from the airport. Multiflight operates and maintains the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters.
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Spring sales bring issues with CGT
ITH the onset of spring, W many business owners may be looking to new horizons
and may decide to sell their business. In doing so, one of the main issues surrounding the sale of a business is the amount of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) payable on its disposal. Generally, gains are subject to CGT at 18% or 28% depending on whether the gains fall wholly or partly within or beyond the basic rate band. But for qualifying gains, Entrepreneurs’ Relief is available which taxes these gains at a lower rate of 10%. For disposals made on or after April 6, 2011, this rate is applicable to gains up to a total of £10m. Qualifying gains include the disposal of the whole or part of a business carried on by an individual or partnership member, or shares in an unquoted trading company. In the vast majority of cases most saleable businesses are carried on via a limited company and Entrepreneurs’ Relief will be available on the sale of the shares in an individual’s personal company – if throughout a
TAX TALK Colin Barratt
period of 12 months prior to the disposal the company carried on a qualifying trade and the individual owned at least 5% of the ordinary share capital and voting rights and they were an officer or employee of the company. Problems can arise where, for instance, the exercise of share options dilutes a shareholding below the 5% limit or where the shares issued under an option do not give an employee a 5% stake in the company. Where practical, action needs to be taken for those directors/employees affected to ensure that they have this minimum shareholding 12 months before disposal. In the case of husband and wife
shareholders this could be achieved by transferring ordinary shares to the minority shareholding spouse giving t h e m t h e re q u i re d 5 % . S u c h inter-spouse transfers are exempt from CGT. For shareholders letting property to their personal trading company or a partner to a trading partnership, Entrepreneurs’ Relief is restricted to the extent that any rent is paid. This restriction applies for those in receipt of rent on or after April 6, 2008. Consideration needs to be given as to whether rents should cease in order to secure some measure of Entrepreneurs’ Relief against the individual’s need for rental income to
pay interest on any mortgage taken out to buy the property. The entitlement to Entrepreneurs’ Relief could also be jeopardised if a trading company holds substantial investment assets or undertakes substantial non-business activities. Consideration and timely planning needs to be given to demerging non-business assets/activities in order to protect the company’s status as a trading company. If Entrepreneurs’ Relief is not secured and gains on the disposal of the shares are taxed at rates applying to non business assets the potential loss of tax could be as high as £1.8m (£10,000,000 x 28-10%), possibly rising to £3.6m for husband and wife shareholders. Whether the maximum relief is increased in the forthcoming Budget remains to be seen but in any event the current rate of Entrepreneurs’ Relief remains valuable in mitigating a business owner’s CGT liability and proactive steps may need to be taken at least 12 months before the business is sold to secure the relief.
Fresh for the fight A HUDDERSFIELD firm has signed up another leading name for a competition designed to improve the way supply chains work. Müller Dairy, a leading supplier of yoghurts and desserts has signed up for Fresh Connection, a contest devised by specialist consultancy SCALA, based at the town’s Media Centre. Müller Dairy entered a team in last year’s competition – and was so impressed with the key business lessons learned from taking part that the firm has signed up for 2012. Kevin Williams, supply chain director for Müller Dairy, said: “SCALA’s Fresh Connection demonstrated to our team the value of collaborative relationships in the supply chain to drive successful commercial performance.” The online competition involves several UK companies and more than 140 teams. A two-day contest also takes place on March 26 at Foodex at the NEC in Birmingham.
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
It’s lonely being a boss! COMPANY directors have been urged to make sure they don’t catch “lonely MD syndrome”. Neil Muffitt, managing partner of Finance Directors Yorkshire in Cleckheaton, said: “Few managing directors or chief executives would disagree that they occasionally find the business world a lonely place. “Given the need to balance the conflicting interests of stakeholders and maintain their confidence in difficult times, it’s not surprising that they are occasionally inclined towards a dangerous insularity – especially where the finances are concerned.” He said : “The concept of the ‘lonely MD’ is something that many executives recognise, but may be
reluctant to admit to. However, as relationships with funders come under increasing stress, it is vital that MDs have the most accurate and up to date information available to maintain the confidence of their bank. “The fear that they are being told what their staff believe they want to hear is just one of many dangerous symptoms the ‘Lonely MD’ may suffer.” Mr Muffitt said independence and objectivity were two of the crucial attributes a good part-time finance director could offer to isolated MDs. He said: “The part-time FD does not depend on one company for his career, and this allows him to tell it as it is.
■ DANGERS: Neil Muffitt, managing partner, Finance Directors Yorkshire
“Current economic conditions are placing the finance function at the heart of strategic decision-making. It is vital to improve confidence in the whole finance function, by providing the high level of independent strategic advice and direction often associated with a non-exec director.” Said Mr Muffitt: “Lonely MDs’ are often so concerned with operational matters and monthly profit and loss figures, that they neglect the balance sheet. There are frequently unexploited generators of cash on the balance sheet, if you know where to look. Additional positive impacts can be gained from training second tier managers to recognise the effects of their decisions on costs and margin.”
take control of your business in 2012 For business owners, the Christmas break is often a time to reflect on their business. For many there will be the realisation that their business could be much better than it is.They may be working long difficult hours for little or low profits: dealing with difficult customers and staff, struggling with cashflow and declining sales. And for many business owners, the prospect of returning at the start of the new year can be depressing and demoralising. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Remember when you first started in business.You were excited, motivated and looking forward to the freedom and wealth that business ownership could bring. Isn’t it time to regain control of your business and get back to those exciting times when you first started? The starting point has to be the creation of a working business plan which you can refer to on a regular basis and adapt as circumstances change. A plan which involves getting rid of poor customers and getting more of your ideal customer, creating a successful team that are as inspired as you, delegating unnecessary tasks, creating time to work on your business rather than in it, devising new marketing strategies, creating an exceptional customer care programme. In short, creating that business that you dreamed of when you first ventured into business ownership. Balance Accountants,Victoria Court, 91 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth HD9 3JA Tel: 01484 685 413 Fax: 01484 682206 www.balanceonline.co.uk
property
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Bank links with letting agents LLOYDS TSB Commercial has been chosen as the preferred banking industry supplier for the Association of Residential Letting Agents. ARLA, the professional membership and regulatory body for letting agents and agencies in the UK, announced the move at its annual conference in London. At the event, 500 professionals from the letting industry also heard expert opinion on a wide range of topical issues affecting the property sector, including an insightful review of recent legislation changes and a summary of trends in the letting markets. As part of the agreement, Lloyds TSB Commercial has created a client deposit account for ARLA members, which will provide competitive interest rates and enable them to make additional income from client rent deposits. A spokesman for Lloyds TSB Commercial said ARLA customers will be looked after by a specialist team of property relationship managers at the bank, each of whom has a sound understanding of banking needs in the residential lettings market.
Home loans key THE availability of mortgages is the single most crucial factor in ensuring the recovery of housebuilding in Yorkshire, a survey suggests. That is the view of 65% of Yorkshire developers questioned in the survey by law firm Clarion. Only 29% thought commercial funding was the prime consideration while just 6% believed the availability of land was the main factor. The Government’s new planning regime was welcomed, with over 90% of property professionals stating that prospects for the residential development sector had improved.
Page 6
Consultant wins excellence prize
A CONSULTANT working with clients in the construction sector has won a top regional award. Yvonne Castle, of Huddersfield based consultancy YCChange, won the excellence and quality category at the 2012 Committed to Construction in West Yorkshire Awards at the Royal Armouries. The category was sponsored by Dewsbury-based Rixonway Kitchens. YCChange worked with Derwentside Homes to undertake a comprehensive inspection of the whole of its business – including performance, service quality for customers, levels of staff motivation, benefits derived through partnership working and internal practices and measured them against best practice, highlighting gaps and weaknesses and actions required to make improvements. The result was a hard-hitting report that gave the company a reality check on the quality of their services compared to the best in the country. Whilst performance was reasonable for a newly established company, it was evident that improvements could be made across all areas if the company was to be the top performing company its board and staff aspired to be. Yvonne worked with managers and groups of staff to finalise an improvement plan containing clear actions, targets, timescales and identifying responsibility and accountability for its delivery. YCChange, based at Ainley Top, provided the role of “critical friend”
■ HOME SERVICE: Yvonne Castle (left), managing director of YCChange, with Geraldine Wilcox, chief executive of Derwentside Homes, and David Anderson, sales and marketing director of Rixonway at the awards ceremony
throughout a 12-month implementation period, advising and mentoring managers in the delivery of improvements and challenging progress and quality. This ensured momentum was maintained and focus didn’t drift away from the improvement plan. Within 12 months the company delivered the improvements set out in the plan and
greatly improved its performance across the whole of the company. Derwentside Homes chief executive Geraldine Wilcox said the work carried out by YCChange was a key turning point for the company. “We needed that external reality check to show us our weaknesses so we could begin with support from Yvonne to develop an improvement plan that covered the whole business,” she said. “Yvonne’s professionalism and patience was evident from the beginning and despite at times having to deliver a harsh message she made sure she acknowledged strengths and was supportive and encouraging of staff. “She is highly regarded within the organisation as an expert in her field and no-one wanted to let their colleagues or Yvonne down by not delivering the improvements! We are indebted to Yvonne and her team for helping set the foundations for a high performing, efficient and most of all customer-focused business.” Derwentside Homes is listed as one of the North East’s fastest-growing companies and a top 100 employer for apprenticeships. Its direct labour force was the first to be accredited by Housing Quality Network and the firm is billed in Social Housing Today as the most “profitable housing association in England”. Among other winners, Halifax-based Southdale landed the training award.
Salon shares print firm building A LONG-STANDING Huddersfield town centre business has made room for one more! Printing company Brook & Learoyd has moved out of part of its premises at Chancery Lane to make way for a new hair and beauty salon, Amelia Rose Coiffeur. The boutique salon is run by Helen Dawson, who is joined in the new venture by stylists Claire Shaw, Carmen Harriott-Brown and Aisha Lawrence. All four have moved from a nearby salon to the new business. Brook & Learoyd managing director Tim Parkin, who is Helen’s partner, has seen his former office transformed into the salon following a
three-month revamp. Many of the original features have been retained, however, to provide a unique setting for the new business. Said Helen: “The printing company is still going strong, but we are ‘keeping things in the family’ by expanding to have two businesses at Chancery Lane. We have pushed Tim next door! “I used to work in London and the new salon in its setting off the main street reminds me of that kind of environment. “We have kept the interior of the listed building in keeping with its age.” Helen, who hails from Kent, has also run a number of salons before launching the new business.
■ PRINT THIS: Helen Dawson (second left) with stylists (from left) Claire Shaw, Carmen Harriott-Brown and Aisha Lawrence, who have set up boutique salon Amelia Rose Coiffeur in premises which were formerly part of printing company Brook and Learoyd
Concrete advice for conference goers A BUSINESSMAN in Huddersfield was among speakers at the annual UK Concrete Show. John Quinn, of Lockwood-based Spectacular Driveways UK, attended both days of the two-day show at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry after being invited to deliver a presentation on laying pattern
imprinted concrete for driveways, patios and pathways. Mr Quinn demonstrated the methods involved at last year’s show. He is also a regular visitor to the World Concrete Show in Las Vegas. He explained that while concrete has been around since Roman times, it is still developing technically and has an
ever-increasing list of primary and secondary uses. Products that can be used to improve the use of concrete are also being developed at a rapid rate. Said Mr Quinn: “Events such as www.concreteshow.co.uk allow companies like Spectacular Driveways to learn about new techniques for laying, preserving and maintaining pattern imprinted
concrete driveways, patios and pathways in order to increase the lifetime value for it’s customers.” New products this year that caught his attention were fibres to add into the concrete before it is poured to add strength when it is set, new additives that extend the time before concrete sets and new sealants to preserve the finish and resist stains.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Modern Trade Counter Unit
Unit 3, Queens Mill, Old Fieldhouse Lane, Off Leeds Road
1 392.71m2 (4,227) 1 Leeds Road Corridor location 1 Shared secure yard area 1 CCTV security Rent: On Application
■ BUILDING UP: Director Michael Stancliffe (left) with (from left) office manager Steve Rowley, accounts manager Jane Hawkins, marketing manager Caroline Ward and managing director John Stancliffe. Below: new extension at Holmfirth swimming baths
Contract wins A BUILDING company in Huddersfield has made a splash with one of its latest contracts. Eurolink Construction Ltd, based at Meltham Mills, has completed a £350,000 project to build an extension to Holmfirth swimming baths. The work included providing a new 30-station fitness suite, a dance studio and additional male and female changing facilities. Managing director John Stancliffe said: “Our aim was to ensure that the new building matched in well with the original building – which is 33 years old – and a previous makeover in 2008. “This included the cedar fascia, texture rendered walls, aluminium curtain walling and a Yorkshire stone skirt to the underside of the building. “The building uses new air conditioning units, extraction throughout with heat regeneration built into the incoming ducting. New energy efficient LED lights were installed internally to reduce long-term costs. The fire alarms, TV and music system have a communication link back to the main reception which is located 102 metres away.” He said: “The building has a traditional look with the benefits and speed of modular construction. As the location is a potential flood plain, the building was raised off the ground 1.4 metres to match existing building floor levels. “We used a traditionally constructed link block to connect the two buildings providing a seamless join, incorporating the male and female changing rooms, showers and toilets. “The project has been a huge success, bringing in new members to the centre and enhancing an already great facility to the local community.” In a separate deal, Kirklees Council com-
missioned Eurolink to provide Rowley Lane School at Lepton with replacement temporary accommodation to house the whole school while the main school building undergoes essential remedial work. The brief called for 18 classrooms, a library, an IT suite, a 120-metre school hall, kitchens, staff and administration offices and toilets for pupils and staff. The buildings were required to accommodate almost 500 pupils and staff. Said Mr Stancliffe: “The temporary school had to be housed within the school grounds. We accomplished this with a two-storey design in order to maximise the use of the limited space on the school fields – also with a mind on creating the least disruption when the site is returned to fields. “All the necessary mains services had to be supplied to the new buildings – requiring the building of an electricity substation, the creation of a new access road and parking facilities, sewer services and data/telecoms services.” The project was completed within eight weeks of Eurolink moving on site. encountering a green field site. The new buildings, which incorporate facilities for the nursery, infants and juniors along with the breakfast and after-school clubs as well as a play area, fencing and gates, are proposed to be moved after six months and the site returned to its original condition – using all the excavated materials that have been stored on site. Said Mr Stancliffe: “Many people do not understand that with modern portable and modular buildings we are able to provide a structure, designed and built to client specifications that would rival any traditionally constructed building in a fraction of the time.”
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Spen Valley House Bradford Road, Cleckheaton
1 Modern office suite 1 41.7 – 83.40m2 (449 – 898 sq ft) Rent: From £5 psf
TO LET Industrial
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1 Modern single storey workshop units 1 5,000 & 10,000 sq ft 1 To be refurbished 1 Self-contained with yard/loading 1 Adjacent to J25 of M62 motorway Rent: On Application
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Modern Workshop Unit
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1 307m2 (3,308 sq ft) 1 Prominent location 1 Frontage to the A616 New Mill Road Rent: £5.25 per sq ft per annum exclusive
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Industrial Premises
Calder Trading Estate, Lower Quarry Road, HD5 ORR 1 800 – 10,000 sq ft 1 Leeds Road Corridor location 1 Generous yard and car parking Rent: From £1 psf
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Industrial Premises
Pine Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1SS
1 Workshop/Warehouse 1 473.64m2 (5,098 sq ft) 1 Edge of town centre location 1 Ease of access to A62 Leeds Road Corridor Rent: On Application
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Is there a doctor in the house? A FORMER member of the heart-lung transplant team at Papworth Hospital – renowned for his hilarious take on the world of medicine – is guest speaker at a business dinner in Huddersfield this month. Dr Kevin Jones (pictured) will entertain guests on Thursday, March 22, at the annual dinner of the Huddersfield & District Society of Chartered Accountants. Dr Jones qualified in medicine from Liverpool University in 1977 and during his career has worked on the heart-lung transplant team at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, and at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He is now a leading consultant chest physician. In 1988, he spent a year at The University of Colorado in Denver, USA. In his spare time, he has been medical officer to both Huyton and Salford rugby league clubs. Society president Roger Bryant said: “Dr Jones is known as the best medical after-dinner speaker available and I am sure will have us all – hopefully not literally – in stitches! “I am looking forward to the evening immensely to renew acquaintance with many friends and colleagues and also for the opportunities it will offer for professionals in the Huddersfield area to meet and discuss current issues in a relaxed and convivial environment.” The event will include a raffle in aid of two charities, West Yorkshire Forget-Me-Not Hospice and Music & the Deaf.
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Sponsor with a need for speed
YORKSHIRE-born businessman John Greenwood has returned to his roots by forging a new partnership with Huddersfield-based racer Daniel Lloyd. Mr Greenwood, who hails from Cleckheaton, is chief executive at Creechurch Private Wealth, part of the Creechurch Isle of Man-based investment boutique. Now the business will become a key sponsor of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship racer as he looks forward to a successful season in 2012. Daniel,19, of Scammonden, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have the support of Creechurch for my first season in Porsche Carrera Cup GB. “This is going to be the biggest year of my career so far, so to have the backing of John Greenwood and Creechurch really is fantastic. “Together, hopefully we’ll do Yorkshire proud!” Mr Greenwood said: “As a business, we’re really keen to work with up and coming talents, such as Daniel, particularly at the start of their career. “We’re delighted to have teamed up with him as he looks to progress towards a very exciting season.” He added: “Personally, I’m delighted to be able to offer this support to Daniel as he’s flying the flag for my home county.
■ SPEEDSTER: Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship racer Daniel Lloyd
“We felt this was a perfect opportunity for Creechurch, as we look to expand our presence in Yorkshire and across the UK.”
Daniel, who has vowed to raise funds for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice throughout 2012, begins his racing season at the end of this month.
Celebrities behind the wheel
Charity challengers! A PUBLIC relations company is marking 10 years in business by embarking on a charity challenge. Lindley-based point2pr has vowed to help 10 local charities and is “willing to get stuck into anything” from providing free PR to volunteering at events. Managing director Jenny Clayton, pictured (above, right) with PR executive Hannah Powley, said: “To celebrate our anniversary, we wanted to mark it with something really special – and helping 10 local charities seemed a fantastic idea.” Huddersfield-based charity Combating Obesity is the first to join the charity challenge. The organisation focuses on tackling the emotional and psychological effects of obesity and works with a wide variety of care givers to help improve the treatment and support that obese individuals receive. Jenny said point2pr had some other worthy candidates in mind to join the campaign, but added: “We also wanted suggestions from the Kirklees business community, so we posted a comment on the Mid Yorkshire Network Group on Linked In. “The feedback was amazing and we have received recommendations for some brilliant causes. “We really hope that we will be able to help them – however we get involved – and we will certainly keep everyone posted on what we get up to!”
BATLEY-born businessman Lawrence Tomlinson put a group of celebrities through their paces on the race track. Mirfield-born actor Sir Patrick Stewart was among those competing at Silverstone in a contest to find the fastest star in a reasonably-priced race car. The event took place during the annual media day hosted by car manufacturing business Ginetta, to mark the launch of its championship season. The celebrities, driving Ginetta G40s, were pitted against Lawrence – Ginetta company chairman and 2006 Le Mans GT2 winner– with the added pressure of former Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell watching from the pit lane. Sir Patrick was joined by
■ TRACK STAR: Nick Knowles (centre) with Lawrence Tomlinson (left), chairman of Ginetta, and Nigel Mansell Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole; Nick Knowles, of DIY SOS; Will Mellor, of 2 Pints of Lager; Radio 1’s
Comedy Dave; Hollyoaks actor Nick Pickard; and Emmerdale’s Chris Bisson and Kelvin Fletcher.
Lap times ranged from a respectable 1:17.60 through to a Sunday driver 1:58. Chris Bisson was revealed as the firm anchor at the bottom of the leader board, while Nick Knowles achieved the fastest lap – until Mr Tomlinson was slashed Nick’s time by seven seconds. Sir Patrick came sixth with a time of 1:19.26. Said Lawrence: “Today has been a lot of fun and certainly revealed everyone’s competitive streak. “It was great for these guys to experience first-hand driving a race car and something the Ginetta juniors at 14 years old make look so easy. I have a feeling this event will run again as I believe there are some scores to be settled!”
Business owners take to the stage BUSINESS owners took to the stage for a masterclass in rock performance techniques for business. Ricky’s School of Rock at Linthwaite hosted the event when a diverse group, including an IT and web specialist, a business coach and a masseur came along to learn how rock performance techniques could help their business presentations. Glenn Fox, of easiweb and easivideo,
said: “The event was great fun, lively and full of information about how to present your business better.” Janet Jones, of The Happiness Millionaire, said: “Ricky’s presentation skills evening was a great opportunity to learn new skills and ways to create a more interesting and fun presentation. Something happens when you are on a stage with lights, smoke machine and a guitar!”
Michelle Hodgson, of Key Words, said: “Partnering with Ricky's School of Rock was a great opportunity to mix business with pleasure. The delegates not only learned some useful presentation techniques but also had a really fun evening. For many it was their first time performing with a microphone, but they all got into the spirit of the event.” View the videos at www.youtube. com//keywordshudds