ANGELA DYSON
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FTSE 100 MARTIN THOMPSON -44.98 Cracking the code Column - Page 7 6371.18
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015
Shall we dance? Interview - Page 3
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
England rugby union fans may be down in the dumps after the team failed to qualify for the World Cup quarter finals. But workers at a Colne Valley textile mill are more than pleased that archrivals Scotland have got through to the knock-out stages. For knitwear manufacturer Glenbrae has been appointed as the official knitwear licensee of Scottish Rugby. Slaithwaite-based Glenbrae will produce a range of garments featuring the Scottish Rugby emblem. The move comes as Glenbrae – which has a long association with the golfing market – expands its reach to new sports and corporate customers seeking quality performance knitwear. The deal with Scottish Rugby will run for an initial two years and will see Glenbrae knitwear bearing the official crest
made available for purchase through Scottish Rugby channels and a variety of other retailers. The brand already has pedigree in the world of elite sport, with brand ambassadors including former Scottish Rugby captain, Rory Lawson. Andrew Jones, general manager of Glenbrae, said: “This association with Scottish Rugby is something we’re immensely proud of. We’ve built up a reputation for quality and comfort and our unique processes mean that the finished product is smart, supple and long lasting – exactly the sort of thing that Scottish Rugby fans will appreciate. “The agreement forms an integral part of our strategy to widen the brand’s appeal across a range of sports and become the crested knitwear supplier of choice from the professional level to grass roots. “This deal opens up a new sales channel for Glenbrae and will undoubtedly be the one of many new tie-ins with professional sports outfits, as the brand continues to grow.”
Glenbrae produces a range of quality knitwear products and has a world leading process which allows superior 3D embroidery – a key requirement for the Scottish Rugby range. In addition to sports knitwear, it has a a number of corporate customers who use the brand for high quality garments. Glenbrae’s spinning mill in Slaithwaite is known for producing some of the finest British knitwear available, using a combination of the world’s most advanced machinery and generations of expertise.w
■■ A scarf (above) bearing the Scottish Rugby logo is one of the items being produced by Glenbrae at Spa Mills
Advice session Katrina Cliffe, of KC Communications at Lindley, and Janet Bebb, of Honley-based Social Progress, will mentor female entrepreneurs at the Ladies That Launch event, which is being hosted by Superfast West Yorkshire on Friday at the Google Garage in Leeds. They will be involved in a Meet the Mentors Panel as part of the Woman and Broadband initiative, where female entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to ask about a variety of business subjects.
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Adare Group among fastest-growing firms in Yorkshire Quality A HUDDERSFIELD company is among the fastest-growing mid-market businesses in Yorkshire, a survey has revealed. Adare Group, based at Clayton West, features in the 11th annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table ranking the UK’s private mid-market growth companies with the biggest sales. The group, which supplies marketing and secure communication products, is one of 25 firms based in Yorkshire to
make the list. Together, those firms employ almost 38,000 people and have increased their combined sales by 13% to £7bn and operating profits by 42% to £370m. Adare, which employs 837 people, is 17th on the regional list – and 196th UKwide – with sales of £170.8m and profits of £5.5m. Its subsidiaries include ones supplying secure documents such as election voting forms, visitor passes and hospital patient records as well as promotional goods and product packaging.
The biggest mid-market growth company in Yorkshire is Andrew Marr International, based at Hessle in East Yorkshire. The specialist in catching, trading, processing and distributing seafood and cold storage posted sales of £504m and profits of £16m. Normanton-based Poundworld Retail achieved the highest profit growth in Yorkshire – up 130% to £15m. In the next five years, the group plans to double its 290-strong network of stores. The companies in Yorkshire appear on
the list with nationally-recognised names, including Chelsea FC, Nando’s, Caffè Nero, Foster + Partners, Graff and Travelodge. The league table is sponsored by Grant Thornton and Barclays and compiled for the 11th year by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events company. Andy Wood, partner at Grant Thornton, said: “It’s inspiring to see such a diverse range of businesses creating growth opportunities both at home and abroad.”
drive
A PARTNERSHIP to promote quality builders has been launched by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and Local Authority Building Control (LABC). The FMB is the UK’s largest construction employers’ organisation and the LABC is the largest provider of building control services.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
YouGov raises revenues despite polling ‘failures’
Small shops in Sunday hours alert Devolving Sunday trading laws to local authorities will cost jobs and damage the economy, it is claimed. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has outlined its case for no change in Sunday trading laws ahead of a debate on the proposals in Parliament this week. The association has cited research by Oxford Economics which claims that extending Sunday trading hours across England and Wales, extended would cost small shops in excess of £870m while generating no extra revenue for the economy overall – leading to a net loss of 3,270 jobs across the retail industry. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The evidence shows that removing Sunday trading rules will serve only to displace trade from small shops to large shops and will result in job losses, investment being cancelled and some stores having to close. If this Government is committed to helping small businesses, it must abandon its plans to change the law on Sunday trading.” Under the proposals first outlined in Chancellor George Osborne’s summer budget, local authorities will be able to allow stores with a trading area of more than 280sq metres or 3,000sq ft to open for longer on Sundays than the six hours currently allowed. Smaller shops can already open all day. The current Sunday trading rules were established more than 20 years ago in the Sunday Trading Act 1994. Since then, the arrival of the internet means consumers can order goods online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An ACS survey of local authority chief executives showed that 52% would include out of town retail parks, out of town supermarkets and large shopping centres as their first or second preference for extending opening hours on a Sunday if the regulations come to pass. Mr Lowman said allowing local councils to make the decisions would lead to out of town superstores opening longer, to the detriment of high streets.
Polling and research agency dum and general election polling YouGov said its annual revenues stimulated the flow of inquiries from grew – despite failing to predict the a wide range of corporate and agency result of the UK general election. clients.” The firm, which collects consumer The firm added that its internationand political data in Europe, the US al business also had a strong year, and Asia, said sales jumped by 13% to with its US operation growing reve£76.1mn in the year to the end of July nue by 18% to £25.9 million. compared to a year ago, while its statIt also flagged encouraging growth utory pre-tax profit lifted almost four in the Asia-Pacific region after times to £2.7m. expanding into new offices in BangYouGov, in common with other kok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Sydpolling bodies, failed to predict the ney during the period. victory for the Conservative Party in Chief executive Stephan Shakethe May election. speare said: “We are pleased to report It said: “This was a reminder to the another year of strong organic reveentire industry that we must treat nue and profit growth reflecting clieach result as an opportunity to learn ents’ demand for our portfolio of gloand to adapt our methodology.” bal data products as well as for our The firm said it would compile a custom research services.” report on its UK general election cov- ■■ YouGov has returned “a strong set of figures” despite failures in political polling Edison Investment Research anaerage, to be published at its Camlyst Fiona Orford-Williams called the bridge annual conference in Novemresults “a strong set of figures.” ber. She added: “The company continIt said sales in the UK grew by 18% election and last year’s Scottish refer- the No vote. ues to produce healthy amounts of to £22.9m, helped by the media cov- endum, where again most pollsters The group said: “The widespread cash, which supports its investment erage of its polling at the UK general failed to predict the wide margin of media coverage of Scottish referen- into new products.”
Brewer hikes bid for rival Yodel delivers jobs boost Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev again sweetened its offer as it bids to takeover Peroni and Grolsch rival SABMiller, in a deal valued at £70bn. Belgium-based AB InBev now plans to offer £43.50 a share for the business – making it the largest takeover bid of a British firm in corporate history. It said its offer for SABMiller represents a premium of about 48% to SABMiller’s undis-
turbed closing share price last month. The SABMiller board previously turned down £42.15 a share and two other earlier offers for the firm, saying they all substantially undervalued the business. Under UK Takeover Panel rules, AB InBev must table a firm bid for SABMiller by tomorrow or walk away for six months. AB InBev last week urged SABMiller shareholders to force its
board into serious takeover talks, after the rival brewer rejected its latest offer for the business. Carlos Brito, chief executive of AB InBev, said last week: “Notwithstanding our good faith efforts, the board of SABMiller has refused to meaningfully engage with us.” SABMiller chairman Jan du Plessis has called his firm the “crown jewel of the global brewing industry”.
Parcel carrier Yodel is recruiting for 621 parttime and full-time roles across Yorkshireready for the peak Christmas period. The firm is set to recruit 124 directly employed drivers who will be provided with Yodel branded uniforms and a liveried van. It is also looking for 183 owner drivers, who will be required to provide their own vans. Both sets of drivers will be based at their
local service centres and provided with hand held computers to help plan their routes and scan parcels as they go on their delivery and collection rounds. A further 258 selfemployed couriers, will also be joining the company, using their own cars to deliver and collect smaller parcels from customers. Selfemployed couriers are based from home and carry out deliveries in their own neighbour-
hood, working flexible hours. Yodel is looking for over 7,000 people nationwide. The recruitment drive comes at the time when UK unemployment has risen for the second consecutive quarter – with the number of people out of work increasing by 25,000 to 1.85m. Many of the roles are expected to become permanent as more retailers join Yodel and parcel volumes rise.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN
American Express Chevron Du Pont Exxon Mobil Gannett Hess Corp Microsoft Motors Liquidation Wal-Mart Stores Wrigleys
£50.26 -0.11 £57.33 -1.02 £36.20 -0.40 £51.50 -0.13 993.42 +9.12 £38.89 -1.44 £30.50 -0.19 48.86 £43.58 +0.14 £52.09
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
Avon Rbbr BAE Systems Chemring Cobham Meggitt Rolls-Royce Senior
AIM
600 Group Brady Plc Highland Gold Mining Johnson Service Grp London Security M”S Intl Nichols Redhall Group Scapa Grp Youngs GKN
1034 4627/8 227 2953/4 4781/8 726 2667/8
-6 -61/8 -33/4 -105/8 -143/8 -291/2 -21/4
171/4 831/2 533/4 871/4 £21 1761/2 1400 63/8 1913/4 1225
-1/2
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS BANKS
2913/4
+ /2 +3/4 1
-7 +11/4 -1/2 -23/4
Barclays Bk Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Ryl Scotland Stan Chart Barr (AG) Diageo SABMiller Croda Elementis 98 Johnsn Mat
2561/2 253/8 5315/8 757/8 3281/4 7623/4
-1/2 +1/8 -5/8 -11/4 -6 -24
513 18271/2 £361/4
-91/2 -31/2 -1/2
£275/8 2441/8 £26
-1/2 -51/4 -1/2
BEVERAGES
CHEMICALS
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
Balfour Beatty C”R”H Costain Low Bonar Marshalls Drax Gp SSE
255 1766 376 671/2 3481/8
ELECTRICITY
2831/2 1546
-41/2 +3 -33/4 -11/8 -37/8 -13/4 -11
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Laird Morgan Advanced Ox Instmts Volex
371 /2 3041/4 682 571/2
-1 -43/4 +231/2 -11/2
487 136 2091/2 238
-1 -1/2 +21/2 -21/4
1
EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
Alliance Trust BlckRck Incm Stat Candover Inv Dunedin Inv
Dunedin Sml Edin Invst Electra Private Equity Forgn & C Henderson Smllr Cos North American Inc Scot Am Scottish Mortgage Witan
203 6991/2 £337/8 430 6581/2 800 250 2451/2 7661/2
Local shares -6 -1/8 Carclo 1441/4 3481/8 -31/4 Marshalls 1 9087/8 +1 /2 National Grid Weir Gp 1348 +1 FTSE closed at 3 -1 /4 +2
4353/8 583/4 91 3145/8
+13/8 -1/8 +1/4 -21/2
179 2711/4 2017/8
-17/8 -41/2 -3
FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BT Grp Cable & Wireless Comm KCOM Talktalk Telecom
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS
Morrison W Sainsbury Tesco AB Food Carrs Group REA Hldgs Tate Lyle Unilever
FOOD PRODUCERS
£333/4 1551/2 265 580 £281/8
+3/8 +4
2387/8 9087/8 8091/2 £221/4 9611/2
-41/4 -45/8 -31/2 -1/8 -31/2
4753/8 1485
-43/8 -8
GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES
Centrica National Grid Pennon Grp Severn United Utils 3i Group Close Bros
GENERAL FINANCIAL
+2 +1/4
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Barrat Dev Bellway Persimmon Reckitt Benckiser Taylor Wimpey
-2 /4 -37/8 -45/8 -49 1
6371.18
ICAP London StockExch Man Group Provident Financial Schroders Schroders NV
468 /4 £241/8 1547/8 £303/4 £283/8 £221/8
+1 /8 -1/8 +43/8
373 /4 1051
-1 +26
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS
Smith DS Smiths Grp
1
5
-1/4 +1/4
GENERAL RETAILERS
Ashley L Dixons Carphone Home Retail Inchcape Kingfisher M & S Mothercare Next Signet Jewelers WH Smith
27 4331/4 1501/4 7391/2 3533/4 4933/4 2251/4 £761/2 £941/2 1535
+3/8 +21/4 -1 +23/4 +13/8 -23/4 +1/4 +15/8 +2
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Smith Nph
1123
-61/2 -1/4 -11 +1/2 -13/4
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
down 44.98
3
626 £233/4 1936 £607/8 1903/4
-3
Fenner I”M”I Molins Renold Spirax-Sarco Weir Grp Ferrexpo
177 1056 701/2 723/4 £297/8 1348
-20 +1/8 -1/4 -49
INDUSTRIAL METALS 383/4
-11/4
192 /4
-85 /4
471 /8 2511/8 2103/4 1515 4221/4
-5 /8 +3/8 -1/4 +1/2 -23/8
7491/2 245 76 1206 1132 1072 420 1513/4 515
+51/2 -11/2 +1 -18 -2 -8 -5 +11/4 -4
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION
BBA Aviation
1
LIFE INSURANCE
Aviva Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Standard Life
D Mail Tst ITV Johnston Press Pearson Reed Elsevier Sky STV Group Trinity Mirror Utd Business
1
MEDIA
3
1
UTV WPP
MINING
Anglo American Antofagasta BHP Billiton Fresnillo Kaz Minerals Lonmin Rio Tinto VEDANTA RESOURCES
172 1408
+83/4 -20
Burberry Gp PZ Cussons
6913/4 5761/2 11771/2 7391/2 1441/2 353/4 £253/8 6031/2
-343/4 -191/2 -17 +5 -21/2 -51/2 -5/8 +9
Astrazeneca GlaxoSmithKline Shire
916 2103/4
-211/2 -11/8
1543 1025 £351/4 4071/4
-22 +7 +3/8 -73/4
10801/2 3843/4 1593/4 891/4 17911/2 1814 £333/8 2421/8
-121/2 -63/4 -27/8 -3 -191/2 -19 -1/8 -135/8
811 918 6791/2
-18 -231/2 -181/2
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Inmarsat Vodafone Group
NONLIFE INSURANCE
Admiral Grp Jardine LloydThomson Marsh McL RSA Ins Gp
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS
BG BP Cairn Energy Premier Oil Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Total Tullow Oil
OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Amec Foster Whl Petrofac Wood Gp(J)
PERSONAL GOODS
1475 303
-29 -5/8
Wolseley
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
ARM Hldgs IBM Spirent Comms
REAL ESTATE
Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
Brit Land Gt Portland Hamrsn Intu Properties Land Secs SEGRO
£413/4 1306 £437/8
-3/8 -4 -1/4
842 8371/2 6141/2 338 1280 4265/8
-3 -61/2 -21/2 +1 -2 -3
524
+4
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
1028 1837 1255 1531/4 4931/2 207 207 1104 2565/8 1363/8 4261/8 604 4201/2 4211/4 1103/4 1451/2 1969
+9 -19 +4 -11/4 -13/4 -77/8 -77/8 -2 -23/4 +1/2 +83/4 -21/2 +8 -123/4 -1/4 +1/8 -16
£371/4
+3/8
957 £99 751/2
-3 -1/4 -1
£375/8 £343/8
-1/8 -1/8
1113/4 £333/8 1075 1705 1091/4 1021/2 £243/4 785 £233/4 570 1057/8 1541/4 3291/8 279 119 2655/8 6971/2 9323/4 3483/8 £467/8 3445/8
+3/4 +1/4 +1 +10
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT
TOBACCO
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
6371.18 16986.95
+7/8 +1/8 -81/2 -1/2 +71/2 -11/8 -21/8 -27/8 +11/8 -17/8 +1/2 +3 -13/4 -3/8 -41/4 -44.98 -98.97
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS She has helped Kirkwood Hospice build up its chain of 20 charity shops. Now Angela Dyson is drawing on her 35 years experience in retailing – including roles with major high street names – to run a store of her own. Angela has set up Jazz Dancewear at Westbourne Road, Marsh, to sell tutus and leotards, pre-loved dresses, hair accessories, dance shoes and gifts. Its just a few hundred yards from the Kirkwood Hospice shop which Angela got up and running to great success in 2012. “I had been looking for somewhere suitable since the beginning of the year,” she says. ”This seemed to be a good choice. “I like Marsh. It’s a busy centre and the Kirkwood Hospice shop has really taken off and done very well.” Jazz Dancewear also hopes to benefit from the presence of children’s play gym and skating rink Playworld close by – and its proximity to schools in Lindley, Reinwood and Mount. Opening times have been carefully arranged to enable parents with children to come into the shop after school hours. But the shop is also winning fans from further afield. “The first tutu I sold was to some people in York,” says Angela. The success of the shop – and particularly the demand for ballerinas’ tutus – has taken Angela by surprise. “My seamstress cannot work quickly enough,” she says. “I have a waiting list because it takes two weeks to make each one.” It’s also a highly skilled job and seamstresses with the experience are in short supply. Says Angela: “The industry is going to vanish if we are not careful because there are not that many people doing it any more.” Retailing has been Angela’s life – and she is clearly in her element at Jazz Dancewear. Brought up in Newsome, she attended Newsome High School where art and design was her strongest suit. She gained a diploma in art and design at Huddersfield Technical College, but was unsuccessful in realising her ambition to study surface patterns at Nottingham University. “I went into retailing instead,” she says. “And retailing has been good for me.” She started working as an assistant selling men’s shoes at the Huddersfield branch of Saxone before spells with fashion retailer Concept Man and electrical retailer Comet at St John’s Road. Angela also worked at Boots before joining furniture store Thatcher’s. She was sales manager at catalogue store Index in Victoria Lane for 20 years before its takeover by Argos. Her career with Kirkwood Hospice started when Angela spotted a job advert for a retail co-ordinator. “It said the hospice wanted someone with a retail and merchandising background and opening new shops,” she says. Angela hadn’t worked for a charity before, but over the next
profile
Angela just enjoys talking shop! nine years, her efforts in marketing, merchandising and promotion helped accelerate the Dalton hospice’s retail expansion. By 2009, when Kirkwood opened its 14th outlet – at North Road Kirkburton – the charity was able to boast that it had more shops in Kirklees than bakery chain Greggs, which had nine. It also had more outlets in the town than fast food chains Subway and McDonald’s combined! The hospice opened its first shop in King Street, Huddersfield, in 1988, but relocated to Byram Street when Kingsgate came along. Now its 20 shops range from Marsden to Batley and include ones in Almondbury, Marsh, Lindley, Dalton, Denby Dale, Holmfirth, Honley, Marsden, Heckmondwike, and Dewsbury. During Angela’s time with the hospice, retail takings have risen from £900,000 to just under £2m. Angela takes quiet pride in the role she played and describes working at the hospice as a great
pleasure. “I certainly wish them well for the future and hope they keep it going,” she says. “The shops provide a big chunk of the hospice’s income.” But she says: “I moved on because I decided to do something for myself. I had been thinking about it for a couple of years. “Obviously, I have done shop openings before, so that was relatively easy. I have been working on the shop premises since April. “One of the key things is to get your suppliers sorted out and to make sure you have enough stock to keep the cash flow moving.” Angela has used her retail experience to ensure the shop is inviting – with regular changes to the window display to catch the eye of the passing pedestrian. There’s also room to expand the trading area to the first floor as the business grows. Buy why dancewear? “My daughter Charlotte is a dancer,” she says. “She started when she was six, so I’m part of the ‘dance
■■ Angela Dyson, of Jazz Dancewear, is enjoying life behind the counter
Angela Dyson Role: Owner Age: 46 Family: Married to Gary with daughter Charlotte Holidays: We went to Jamaica this year and we have been to Mexico, which was beautiful. I would love to go to Italy to sample the culture First job: Selling men’s shoes at Saxone in Huddersfield town centre Best thing about the job? Customer interaction – and the fact that I have 100% control. It’s my challenge to make the business succeed Worst thing about the job? The times when it’s occasionally quiet and there’s no one in the shop. The busy times – after school between 3 and 5pm – make up for that Business tip: Have a little bit of capital behind you. Don’t spend too much on stock to begin with until you know what people want. Keep it small and keep it moving world’. “It’s great to see your kids on stage. I understand what mums are talking about when they come into the shop and I can relate to that.” Says Angela: “It is quite fulfilling when you have a customer and you are serving them. “I’m also on Faccebook and the store has had a brilliant reponse. I even got someone from Melbourne contacting me for a tutu!” While online sales are likely to play a part in Angela’s business, she says there’s nothing to beat the personal touch – and that the death of high street retailing is greatly exaggerated! “The key is to make the shopping experience better,” she say. “Good customer service pays off because people will come back. “You have to make sure the customer gets exactly when they want. People still want to shop in person and try things out before they buy. “There is still a place for shops on the high street – but you have to get it right. “Some retailers don’t always seem to have the whole package – a nice shop and friendly staff who treat the customer right. “It makes me angry when you go into some shops and get the impression that the staff don’t really want to be there.” Meanwhile, Angela, who still lives in Newsome with husband Gary and daughter Charlotte, is too busy building up the business for hobbies. “It’s a bit 24-7 at the moment,” she says. “Work has taken over – but that’s because I enjoy it. “I have always wanted to do what I’m doing now and the experience I gained at Kirkwood has provided the spur. “Twenty years ago I was thinking ‘I could do this’. Now I’m living that dream.”
Jazz Dancewear Work: Dancewear shop Site: Westbourne Road, Marsh Phone: 01484 950405 Email: jazzdancewear@hotmail.com Website: www. facebook.com/Jazzdancewear
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
Engineers get a chance to shine The search is on to find the best in British engineering and advanced manufacturing. Nominations are now open for the Semta Skills Awards 2016, which highlight the champions of one of the UK’s most important sectors. Awards in eight categories are up for grabs, including a new prize for Technician of the Year. Others are Apprentice of the Year, Higher Apprentice of the Year, Graduate of the Year, Skills Champion of the Year, Skills Innovation of the Year, Training Partner of the Year and SME Investment in Skills. Nominations close on November 30 and the awards will be presented on February 10, 2016, at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel. The awards will be hosted by BBC journalist, presenter and engineering advocate Steph McGovern. The awards are backed by Semta, the not-for-profit employer-led organisation representing 145,800 engineering and advanced manufacturing organisations in the UK – and given the task of skilling engineering and manufacturing in the UK, Ann Watson, chief executive of Semta, said: “The Semta Skills Awards celebrate the very best of British engineering, recognising the achievements of talented people and businesses which make this such an inspiring sector to work in.” Visit www.semta.org.uk/skillsawards and complete the online form for the relevant category.
KIRKLEES BUS
Business rate plan makes good sense While some commentators have accused George Osborne of stealing ideas from the Labour Party, those of us in the know realise that actually, they’ve both just been reading the Battleaxe’s recommendations – in particular, my call for a major reform of the business rates system. For a long time, I have been an exponent of locally-raised money being spent locally. Why have two systems of raising taxes when the money goes into the same pot? In fact, our multiplicity of intertwined tax streams goes way beyond this – but that’s something for another Battleaxe barrage! The Chancellor has announced that local authorities will have the ability to set level of business rates and retain them for spending locally. For me, it’s the first part of this that is the most important because it enables local government to set business rates to attract businesses into their area and, most importantly, to stay there as they grow. There are plenty of reliefs for smaller businesses and wonders such as centrally-determined exemption zones, which have led to some very odd corporate structures to manipulate the system. We’ve seen companies moving from plush establishments in rates free zones to less salubrious premises as soon as full-scale rates kick in. This means revenue is actually being lost! The change will also mean that where spending decisions are made will be right next to the heart of the business community. So, there should be far more local engagement in what the money should be spent on – if not, then the councillors may rapidly find they lose their seats! With the drive towards the Northern Powerhouse, this move makes sense – otherwise it might turn out to be yet another pointless bit of Government spin.
THE BUSINESS BATTLEAXE Amanda Vigar
■■ Tim Mercer, of Vapo
■■ Chancellor George Osborne has been urged to look at business property values
Local businesses remote from London know the challenges of being heard when they’re outside the immediate range of vision of the Mandarins in Whitehall. I was, however, very disappointed that none of the major parties have seen fit to deem it time for a re-valuation exercise. The property values on which rates are based are now so woefully out of date that they’re not even close to reflecting the way that the
country has developed over the last few decades. The saving grace is that the ability to set rates locally means that, although the valuations are outdated, at least the pence per rateable value figures can be adjusted to smooth some of this effect. That said, what if one area of a town is out of sync with another area – e.g. a new prestigious business park against an old rundown area of industrial units that are not as easily accessible? George’s comment: “We will give councils extra power and responsibilities for running their communities” makes it fairly clear that (as ever!) there are likely more than a few devils in the detail. My concern is that the headline grabbing announcements may turn into the proverbial Paper Tiger – much as I fear the whole Northern Powerhouse concept may be doomed to do as well. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported and sponsored me as I took on the Last of the Summer Tri, my first ever triathlon. So far I’ve raised in excess of £1,500 with more donations still coming in. It was one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever faced, but I have to say I enjoyed every minute of it. The thought I was raising money for two very important causes, Motor Neurone Disease Association and One Good Turn, was a real motivator and helped drive me on.
Amanda Vigar is managing partner at Holmfirth-based accountants V&A Bell Brown LLP
Graduates in timely crowdfunding move Three Huddersfield University graduates have turned to Kickstarter for a second time to help launch a new product. A year ago, James Whitfield, Sean Sykes and Ryan Ward took the crowdfunding route to raise funds to launch the “next generation” of slim executive wallets. The result was Carbon, a lightweight and durable slim wallet made from carbon fibre weaves and used for storing business cards. Since its first crowdfunding success, James, Sean and Ryan have added a range of men’s accessories to its product list, including business card wallets, shaving
■■ Three graduates have launched a Kickstarter crowdfulding bid to develop a new product, a watch under the name Vanacci
travel cases. notebooks and mobile phone cases. Now the trio, whose company Vanacci, is based in Bingley, have turned to Kickstarter again to develop a
new wrist watch. The new watch will feature a carbon leather strap, a Swiss quartz movement and teams Yorkshire engineering with Italian design.
Ryan, who oversees sales, said the aim initially was to have a limited quantity of 350 watches available for delivery pre-Christmas. He said: ““We’re thrilled to be launching a crowdfunding campaign in order to put our next design into production. “Kickstarter is a platform that means a great deal to us all, having helped us to get our initial designs produced and brought to market, so it’s really exciting for us to be able to return to this fresh and dynamic platform with a new project.” Ryan said: “It’s going very well. It is proving to be quite popular so far.”
Converg technol
Two technology bus to form the first “con er”. Brighouse-based amalgamated with cl EveryCloud to offer c services to the UK rese wide network of IT d nology resellers. The combined bu under the Vapour Me Both organisations reseller channel. Wit ter-based Teledata, cloud services focusi back-up and storage. Vapour Media, bas ness Park in Brighou vider of cloud-based c tions – from netw generation cloud voi Service (SaaS) applica With the emergen and the decline in tra ices, voice, data storag as internet and inter-o now intertwined. The combined enti ryCloud is positioned and increasingly inter Both firms have exp built respective infr investment and are no growth via the indirec The enlarged organ six data centres as w network infrastructu based services such a network connectivity voice. Additional investm raised to support the combined business. B advised by Acceleris C Tim Mercer, of Vap the business enviro opportunity for a con lution that enables improvement throug market is incredibly resellers there is no si “Traditional IT co cloud start-ups are o array of solutions to worlds are colliding a the middle. There is a of provider, marking a cos dabbling in comp dabbling in comms. Th for an integrated clo credibly provide an al
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015
SINESS NEWS
our Media in Brighouse
rging logies
sinesses have merged nverged cloud provid-
Vapour Media has loud services provider cloud and connectivity eller channel, a nationdistributors and tech-
usinesses will operate edia brand. serve SMEs via the UK th offices at ManchesEveryCloud provides ing on hosted servers,
sed at Woodvale Busiuse, is a specialist procommunications soluwork access to next ice and Software as a ations. nce of cloud solutions aditional network servge and back-up, as well office connectivity, are
ity of Vapour and Eved to meet this changing rdependent market. perienced growth and rastructures following ow focusing on further ct reseller channel. nisation lays claim to well as its own private ure, delivering cloudas backup and storage, y and next generation
ment funds have been e development of the Both companies were Capital Ltd. pour Media, said: “In onment there is the nnectivity-driven revobusiness growth and gh cloud services. This y fragmented and for ingle ‘go to’ partner. ompanies, telcos and offering a bewildering o embrace this. These and SMEs are stuck in a place for a new breed a move away from telputing or IT businesses There is a requirement oud provider that can ll-in-one offering.”
local
Uni praised for driving equality Huddersfield University has been recognised for advancing the careers of women in science and engineering. The university has been granted an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of its progress in ensuring equality of opportunity for all employees. The Athena SWAN Charter – established in 2005 – is administered by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU), which is backed by several leading funding organisations in the field of higher education. The aim is to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine in higher education and research. To win the bronze award, the university drew up a 72-page submission that included a detailed action-plan. A 14-strong self-assessment group of male and female academic staff was convened – chaired by Dr Tracy Turner, deputy director of research and enterprise – to draft the submission and to monitor progress. She said: “We are delighted that the ECU has given us the Bronze Award. It is a testament to a lot of hard work and the progress that we have made. But there is no question of us resting on our laurels. Our academic schools will be following the university by preparing and submitting their own applications for discipline-specific bronze and potentially silver Awards.”
■■ Huddersfield University scientist Dr Tsitsi Chituku, who is conducting research into cervical cancer
The Institution Award is valid for three years from November and will need to be renewed through demonstration of continued progress with the action plan. University vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan said attached a personal letter to the application outlining the challenges in recruiting female staff in science and engineering subjects. He said he was delighted that the new
Dean of Applied Sciences is Prof Jane Owen Lynch, whose research background includes biochemistry, physics, psychology and biology. He said more work needed to be done to address imbalances, adding: “The Athena SWAN project will facilitate change and as such it is something I value greatly. As an engineer, I want to see my own profession attract and retain the very best of talents.”
Jaskaran takes the Subway to realise a dream of operating his own business He’s realised an ambition to run his own business. At the age of 24, Jaskaran Singh, who lives at Fenay Bridge, has opened a Subway franchise at Wakefield Road, Waterloo. That makes him one of the sandwich chain’s youngest franchisees anywheere in the UK. The opening of the store is the culmination of a six-month journey for Jaskaran – including three months of franchisee training. Jaskaranm, who gained a BA honours dgree in marketing. worked as as a sales consultant in Manchester, after graduating, but said: “I didn’t really enjoy it.” He said his ambition had always been to run his own business, adding: “The message I want to give is that you can come out of university and open a successful business.” The Waterloo Subway outlet, which was previously a furniture store, already employs four full-time staff and 10 part-time workers. Jaskaran said he was keen to provide opportunities for apprentices as well ■■ Subway franchisee Jas Singh and staff Chantelle Brown, Georgia Wilde and Sophie Lay at the shop in Wakefield Road, Waterloo as the business develops.
Children’s clothing store gets an online boost in Theo’s business initiative A DESIGNER childrenswear retailer is celebrating after gaining an online business boost from TV Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis. Your Children’s Wardrobe, which has a store in Denby Dale as well as trading online, was one of six lucky businesses to win Theo’s Small Business Sunday, a weekly social media initiative founded by the wellknown former Dragon. Every Sunday evening, small businesses across the UK tweet Theo with a short description about their business with the hashtag #SBS. The best tweets are then chosen as winners and retweeted by Theo to his 488,000 followers. Your Children’s Wardrobe owner Amanda Evans (pictured) used 140 characters to tell Mr Paphitis about the store’s excellent customer service, stylish childrenswear brands and personalised service in store and online. Her tweet was one of the six selected from hundreds of tweets sent to Theo.
Amanda said that as a result of the former Dragon’s backing, Your Children’s Wardrobe had seen a significant increase in traffic to its website as well as a sharp increase in Twitter followers, taking its total to 1,656. She said: “I have already taken several calls to the store from other Small Business Sunday winners across the country advising me on how to make the most of our profile being added to the SBS website. “I’ve even had a couple of product pitches from companies wanting us to stock their brands!”
Chamber briefing puts the focus on pension changes Pensions will come under the spotlight at a 60 Useful Minutes event in Huddersfield. Independent financial advisers from Sheards Wealth Management will speak at the event, which is hosted by the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and takes place on Wednesday, October 28, at the John Smith’s Stadium. It begins with networking at 8.30am for a 9am start. Following major pension changes in April, 2015, director Mark Stewart and independent financial adviser James Glasheen (pictured) will advise on the options available to accessing your pension pots. The team will also provide important informa-
tion to help people navigate the pensions minefield – covering areas including contribution levels, how to access your pension and auto enrolment. Go to www.mycci. co.uk
Called to order for FSB event Kirklees members of the Federation of Small Businesses will get their say on a range of topics at the branch’s annual meeting. The event, which is also open to non-members, will be held on Thursday, October 22, at the Canalside complex, Leeds Road, Huddersfield. It gets under way with networking from 6.30pm. The event finishes at 8.30pm. To attend, email westyorks@fsb.org.uk
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Timber firm renews link-up with Town A TIMBER and fencing firm has renewed its partnership with Huddersfield Town. Birkby-based Walker Timber and Fencing Centre is run by Mark and Michelle Walker. Town commercial manager for partnerships John Williams (far left) said: “Gaining the support of the local business community is absolutely vital to the sustainable success of Huddersfield Town, so it’s great that another company with proud roots and tradition from Huddersfield will be working with us during the coming season.” Said Mark (left): “We like to think we are good with wood! We stick to what we know, which is anything to do with timber, fencing and decking. “We must be doing something right as we have been going for nearly 100 years and the business is still in the Walker family.”
Rugby star opens new offices Former rugby league player Wilf George was on hand to officially open new offices for a growing property business. SW Property has opened offices at Wakefield Road, Hipperholme. Founder Sue Coates and sons Matthew and Jonathan were on hand for the ribbon cutting. Wilf – whose career included spells with Hudersfield and Halifax – also presented the family busniess with a framed signed rugby shirt. Wilf (centre) is pictured with Sue (left),
Jonathan and Matthew and staff members Leanne Davies and Philippa Lander. Sue launched the business as a lettings agency from her Lepton home following a career in estate agency. Now it handles property sales as well as lettings and has recruited two employees as well as opening the new premises. Sue said SW Property still managed properties in Huddersfield and aimed to open a branch in the town as its next big step.
Partners put quality first A PARTNERSHIP to promote quality builders has been launched by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and Local Authority Building Control (LABC). The FMB is the UK’s largest construction employers’ organisation and the LABC is the largest provider of building control services. They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set out a series of joint aims, including supporting quality builders and informing consumers of the importance of using competent, vetted builders for their work. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “The FMB and LABC have
always worked closely and this new agreement reinforces our already strong ties. “LABC’s recognition of the new rigorous membership criteria we have introduced is affirmation of our commitment to quality. It will help ensure the FMB is synonymous with quali-
ty workmanship which consumers can trust.” Paul Everall, LABC chief executive, said: “LABC is delighted to enter into a new partnership with the FMB, recognising that they now audit the quality and business practices of all of their members. “We see this as a major initiative for their customers and especially home owners seeking a contractor for an extension or conversion.”” He said helping consumers find a reputable builder made LABC’s task of ensuring Building Regulations compliance easier as they would know the homeowners were using recognised businesses.
Construction work ‘on hold’ The value of construction projects being put on hold has risen by almost 30% in the past 12 months – despite a resurgent building industry. Data compiled by Barbour ABI for Building magazine, shows that £12bn of construction projects were put on hold during the 12 months to August, 2015. That is 29% up on the figure of £8.6bn in the previous 12 months . Barbour ABI said one of the major rea-
sons for this was a reaction by clients to increased tender prices by contractors and specialists, which are thought to have risen by 15% to 20% in the last year alone. London and the South East experienced the biggest jump in projects being put on hold in the last 12 months– up by 49%. That was followed by the North England with an increase of 37%.
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Views sought on changes to code INFORMED DEVELOPMENT Martin Thompson Developing residential property within the UK usually means that as a home builder you are registered with one of the home warranties schemes, for example, NHBC or LABC New Home Warranty and are signed up to the Home Builders Consumer Code. The code now in its fifth year is again being reviewed and developers are being asked for their views on the proposals. One of the main proposals is if a home builder is found in serious breach of the code they will be excluded from all registers run by Home Warranty Bodies to prevent
home builders from “code of warranty hopping”. The proposed changes also cover home builders’ agents and estate agents. The code currently requires home builders to provide suitable training to all staff who deal with home buyers about their responsibilities to them, with online training being provided free. However, the mystery shopping conducted in this area showed that awareness of the code across site sales staff and estate agents is “materially inadequate”. The proposals are that the training
should become mandatory. In total, there are 15 areas that are being consulted on from pre-contract information, including fees, to handling complaints. It is anticipated that any changes to the Consumer Code will be implemented in 2016. The proposed changes to the code do look to be a move to a register of accredited home builders in the UK with a mandatory code of conduct, if introduced. The views of home builders, trade bodies and all other stakeholders are invited with the closing date for responses being October 31, 2015.
Martin Thompson is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield
■■ Sarah Wilcock (left) of Build-It, with (from left) Quickslide chairman Adrian Barraclough, sales director Tom Swallow, Francesca Coleman-Carr, of Sash Windows London; and presenter Hugh Dennis
Window firm is in the frame
A BRIGHOUSE window company was a clear winner at a national industry award. Quickslide Ltd, which employs more than 100 staff at its Bradford Road site, beat more than 160 other hopefuls to win the category for Best Window at the Build-It Awards in London with its traditionally-styled PVC-U sash window. It follows the company’s recent success in being named Training and Development Company of the Year at the glazing industry’s G Awards and its achievement in landing the title of Brighouse Business of the Year. The latest award was made by the
judges for Quickslide’s traditionallystyled vertical sliding window, which offers the owners of period homes the ability to maintain the appearance of their properties whilst enjoying all the benefits of modern windows, including substantial energy savings compared to the windows they replace. The company’s workforce has grown in the past 12 months with the addition of a further 10 staff and plans to expand again over the next year. Company chairman Adrian Barraclough said: “We are delighted with the Build It Best Window Award because it means so much to our fantastic team.”
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Anna Mitchell
New MD for Coats UK Crafts Industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business Coats Group plc has appointed Anna Mitchell (pictured) as managing director of its UK Crafts business. Based at the Coats UK Crafts head office in Holmfirth, Anna has been with Coats since 2012 and was previously group director of communications, which also included overseeing investor relations. Anna will be responsible for ensuring the profitable and successful operation of the UK Crafts business through developing and implementing its business strategy and activities, including financial and commercial matters, customer and supplier relations, sales, marketing and distribution. Earlier this year, the Coats Crafts business sold the EMEA Crafts business to the Aurelius Group. The deal, announced in February and completed in July, excluded UK Crafts, which remains part of Coats, as does the Amer-
Business mentoring skills in big demand By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
icas Crafts business. Anna, who continues to lead the diversity and inclusion initiative at Coats, has a background in business and financial management, brand, marketing, customer service and on and offline communications. Before joining Coats, she spent more than 11 years as head of global communications at international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. She has also previously worked at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and in consultancy.
Two businesswomen based in Huddersfield have been chosen to work with female-led established and start-up entrepreneurs across West Yorkshire. The project called Women and Broadband focuses on supporting female-led businesses in areas such as digital marketing and business know how as part of an initiative organised by Superfast West Yorkshire. The initiative gets under way with a Ladies That Launch event from 10am to 2.30pm on Friday, October 16, at Google’s Digital Garage in Leeds. Janet Bebb, of Honley-based Social Progress, and Katrina Cliffe, of K C Communications in Lindley, will sit on a panel of five female mentors from across the region. The other panellists are Carolyn Pearson from Maiden Voyage, Seeda Ahmed from Education Partnership and Anj Handa from People Help People. Janet who’s business offers social media training, digital mar-
Jessica Stansfield
Conveyancing specialist Huddersfield law firm Wilkinson Woodward Norcliffe and Co has appointed conveyancing specialist Jessica Stansfield (pictured) to the team. Jessica brings with her 11 years experience in conveyancing including sales, purchases, remortgages, transfer of equity and declarations of trust. Her appointment forms part of the firm’s continuing plans to expand in Kirklees and Calderdale. After graduating in English at Lancaster University, Jessica, 39, went on to complete legal studies at Huddersfield University before qualifying as a solicitor in 2007. Jessica, who previously worked at Smiths LLP in Halifax said, “I’m delighted to be joining Wilkinson Woodward Norcliffe and Co – a legal name I have admired for many years. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with home buyers and home owners in Kirklees, Calderdale and
further afield.” Managing director Maureen Cawthorn said: “Wilkinson Woodward Norcliffe and Co continues to attract legal professionals of the highest calibre and Jessica’s appointment forms part of our continuing plans to expand in West Yorkshire.” With offices in Huddersfield, Halifax and Brighouse, Wilkinson Woodward Norcliffe and Co provide a full range of legal services including conveyancing, employment law, commercial law, wills and probate, family law and mediation.
movers and shakers
keting, consultancy and social media account management, said: “I believe every business owner needs someone to talk to that’s on the outside looking in. I’m passionate about helping others to grow and develop their business. “We’ve all been on this journey at some point and I’m delighted to be able to give something back to help others along their way” Katrina worked in marketing for more than 10 years before setting up marketing consultancy KC Communications in August last year. Initially, she took an apprenticeship in business administration and worked for a marketing recruitment company in Leeds before working on key accounts for a well-renowned advertising agency. She moved to a tech company which took her overseas to manage and execute its global marketing programme. Speaking about her mentoring duties, she said: “It is an honour to have been approached to provide mentorship to other budding female entrepreneurs so soon after starting my own business.
■■ Janet Bebb (left) and Katrina Cliffe are set to offer their advice
“I am looking forward to using my skills and experience to support other women looking to establish or take their business to new heights.” The session will also feature expert insight from Google and other Superfast West Yorkshire trainers.
Following the event, there is an opportunity for interested delegates to take advantage of a further six months of business support and a chance to “buddy” up with their preferred business mentor. Go to www.superfastwy.co.uk
Gifts for long-serving employees Ten employees at Huddersfield engineering firm David Brown have celebrated 40 years’ service. Nine of them joined the Lockwood-based company in 1975 as apprentices and all have gone into diverse roles including production, production engineering, proposals engineering and sales. At a celebration dinner at The Woodman, Thunderbridge, David Brown’s UK finance director Ian Stephenson presented each employee with gifts, including a framed picture depicting David Brown’s 150 year history in engineering and manufacturing. Recipients Tony Gooding, Michael Rattigan, Steve Cawtheray, Andy Cracknell, David Lockwood, Paul Gant, Graham Hendy, David Emmett are pictured with Steve Watson (front right), managing director Europe.
Robert Moorhouse and Duncan Haigh were unable to attend the photocall. Mr Watson said: “We are immensely proud and thankful for each of their 40 years’ service. The fact that they have worked with David Brown so long has enabled 400 years of collective experience and know how. “That is such an achievement and a fantastic asset for the company and our customers worldwide.” David Brown’s current longest serving employee has been employed for 47 years. The company employs 224 people at its Park Works facility. Of those, 69 have served 25 years or more and 28 have more than 40 years’ service. Currently, the company is training 11 apprentices for roles in production and engineering.
■■ David Brown managing diector Steve Watson (front right) with award recipients Tony Gooding, Michael Rattigan, Steve Cawtheray, Andy Cracknell, David Lockwood, Paul Gant, Graham Hendy and, David Emmett
Personal injury lawyers sign new ethical charter Huddersfield-based YES Personal Injury Lawyers – part of Eaton Smith – has become one of the first signatories to the Ethical Marketing Charter. The charter is a new industryled initiative that aims to promote ethical and professional market-
ing practices in the personal injury sector, to stamp out bad practice by rogue operators and to provide better consumer protection. Signatories to the charter – developed by the National Accident Helpline – pledge to honour
three key principles and commit to stand firmly against nuisance marketing – such as cold calling – the unethical buying and selling of accident data and misleading advertising. Anne Pendlebury, head of YES Personal Injury Lawyers, based in
Market Street, said: “Our job is to support people who’ve been injured in accidents and get them the compensation they deserve and we are fed up with the bad name we get as a result of this irritating and upsetting nuisance.”