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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Engineering fresh business in China A COMPANY providing expertise to the engineering industry has returned from a major trip to China – and is already reaping the rewards. Edgerton-based Doyle Consulting Engineers, part of the Parsons Group, travelled to China alongside its Newcastle head office, Patrick Parsons Consulting Engineers. The visit, which was backed by government export support arm UKTI and the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), saw Patrick Parsons managing director Peter Stienlet and Chin Joon Gan, of Doyle Consulting Engineers, spend 10 days in meetings across China and Hong Kong. Now both firms are set to benefit from the trip to forge long-term links. The trade mission included meetings with the Chinese Tourist Board in Guangzhou and visits to a water park in Hong Kong and a multi-million hotel development company in Wenzhou. And the trip has resulted in several new business opportunities for the engineering firm. The Patrick Parsons team was invited by the Chinese Tourist Board to discuss their specialism in engineering white water rafting courses which has resulted in Patrick Parsons being engaged to work on a number of projects later this year. At Ocean Park in Hong Kong, the
■ CHINA CHANCES: Peter Stienlet (right), managing director of Patrick Parsons, with colleagues Mark Turner (left) and Doyle Consulting Engineers director Patrick Parsons, who are set to benefit from a trade trip to China
Patrick Parsons team were received very positively – with the prospect of collaborating on the second phase of a vast project to construct a water park. Working on a project like this would allow Patrick Parsons to showcase the pioneering techniques they recently used in the UK on the Tees Barrage White Water Rafting course, where they used so-called Rapidbloc technology to create a near-infinite variety of course configurations. In addition, the CBBC is assisting in securing UK knowledge for use in a
range of heritage projects across China. Heritage is a major area of expertise for Patrick Parsons, which has worked on sites such as Durham Cathedral and the UNESCO World Heritage site Prebends Bridge. As a result of meetings organised through the CBBC, Patrick Parsons will host a visit to the UK from members of the Hainan provincial government next month, who are keen to harness Patrick Parsons’ expertise to work on current heritage projects in China.
The final leg of the trip involved a meeting with a multi-national luxury hotel development company in Wenzhou, where Patrick Parsons has been engaged to deliver projects across the North of England. This will help generate job opportunities, as well as the investment that will be poured into the region as a result. Contracts are currently in the process of being signed, with further announcements imminent. Chin Joon Gan, of Doyle Consulting Engineers, said: “Having recently become part of the Parsons Group, this was a great opportunity to become fully integrated into the work of the practice and work closely with Peter Stienlet. “It was also useful to discover more about the Chinese white water rafting and water park market, with a view to working on some exciting projects.” Mr Stienlet said: “This was a hugely productive trip, with several opportunities in the pipeline as a result. “Next month we’re very much looking forward to a visit from a delegation from the Hainan provincial government to inspect our heritage work, which could see us working to deliver heritage projects in China. “We’re also very keen to build on our successes with White Water Rafting courses across China in the near future.”
Innovation vouchers help six firms
■ PROJECTS: Kirklees cabinet member Peter McBride
MORE Kirklees firms are getting help to gain an edge over the competition. The second round of the Innovation Vouchers Scheme – run by Kirklees Council with Huddersfield University and Kirklees College – was launched last year to provide local businesses with another opportunity to buy knowledge and expertise from a leading expert. Vouchers were awarded to Simple Little Creations, based at Dalton; Briteair Systems Ltd, Batley; Able Partnerships Ltd, Heckmondwike; SW Partn e r s, M e l t h a m ; M o l l y O l i v e r,
Huddersfield; and Not Just A Trading Company, Netherton. The recipients work in business sectors including manufacturing, design, ICT, environmental technologies and education. It is expected that up to 30 jobs in the businesses could be created and a further 13 jobs safeguarded as a result. The vouchers enable companies to develop their products, services or business models to improve competitiveness and enhance wealth creation. The scheme is part of the council’s
Economic Recovery Programme designed to promote and create jobs and help individuals and businesses through the economic downturn. Cabinet member Clr Peter McBride said the projects supported would lead to the development of new jobs and job security for existing employees. Previous recipients of innovation vouchers include drinks dispense equipment manufacturer Brewfitt Ltd, of Fenay Bridge, and extraction systems specialist Westin Design, based at Leeds Road in Huddersfield
INSIDE Cash still the king KIRKLEES firms have been urged to put their efforts into preserving cash flow. Peter Sargent, of rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor, said the first few months of the new year often proved to be a critical financial struggle for businesses as pressure on cash flow builds to crisis point following the festive season. The first quarter of the year is traditionally a peak period for personal insolvency and business failure.
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Space to expand A FIRM offering design, digital services, print and display products has made a move to bigger premises in Elland. Portfolio Display has moved from its long-time premises to Marshall Hall Mills following continued growth of the business – allowing the company to stay in Elland while doubling its production and office space.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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RBS the ‘culprit’ as bank lending falls LENDING by Britain’s top five banks shrank every quarter last year, official figures have revealed. After taking loan repayments into account, the five – Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, Barclays and HSBC – saw combined net lending slide in 2011, the Bank of England said, including a 3% drop in the final quarter. The figures also confirmed that the five banks missed gross lending targets for small businesses in 2011 by more than £1bn, but beat the target for all businesses by £24.9bn. Royal Bank of Scotland, which is 83% owned by the taxpayer, is the culprit for the shortfall in small business lending after the other four lenders came forward and confirmed they had beaten their targets. Under the Project Merlin agreement with the Treasury, Britain’s top five
banks said they would increase lending available to SMEs to £76bn this year and boost lending available to all businesses to £190bn. The British Bankers’ Association said the overall lending figure demonstrated the banks’ commitment to help UK businesses and pointed to Bank of England data that showed SMEs’ demand for credit had fallen in three out of the last four quarters. A spokesman for the Merlin banks said: “The banks’ efforts to encourage customers to come forward with borrowing proposals are set against this overall challenging economic environment. The business demand for credit remains weak.” Chancellor George Osborne is likely to face questions over whether any penalties will be put in place for the banks’ failure to hit the SME targets. The Project Merlin agreement will not
Profits shine for jewellery group THE owner of jewellery businesses including Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb defied lacklustre conditions to unveil a 53% rise in profits. Aurum Holdings said the launch of exclusive brands such as Canadian Ice and Biba boosted Goldsmiths, while its Watches of Switzerland division benefited from the launch of its new transactional website. The group’s operating profits rose to £18.3m in the year to January 29, from £12m, while like-for-like sales were up by 10.2% to £300.6m. Aurum, which has about 150 stores in the UK and Ireland, said it continued to consider seeking potential new owners for the busi-
ness after advisers were hired to oversee the sale of the London-based company last year. It is controlled by the resolution committee of failed Icelandic bank Landsbanki, having acquired its stake after the collapse of Baugur in 2009, to which it loaned money. Aurum chairman Don McCarthy said: “I am extremely pleased with our performance over the year, despite the difficult trading environment.” Aurum claims to be the largest distributor of luxury brands such as Omega, Tag Heuer and Gucci, as well as the UK’s largest distributor for Rolex, Cartier and Breitling.
be repeated this year, although the Government plans to launch its credit easing programme, which will initially see £20bn made available over the next two years under a National Loan Guarantee Scheme. RBS chief executive Stephen Hester said his bank’s lending will not be far short of all the other banks combined. He said: “There is no bank in this country coming close to punching above their weight in the way we are. Forget Project Merlin and how it’s defined, that’s damn impressive. People have lost sight of that.” Barclays said it exceeded targets by 13% last year, handing out £43.6bn of new lending to businesses. Part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group also beat its target after lending £12.5bn to SMEs while Santander UK lent £8.7bn to businesses in 2011, a 25% increase on the previous year.
■ IMPRESSIVE: RBS chief executive Stephen Hester
Vodafone weighs up bid VODAFONE is mulling a potential takeover bid for struggling telecoms firm Cable & Wireless Worldwide, the mobile phone giant has confirmed. In a brief statement to the stock market, Newbury-based Vodafone said it was in the early stages of evaluating the merits of a deal for C&WW, which sells telecoms and internet services to major UK businesses. Newspaper reports suggested that Vodafone would need about £700m to buy C&WW, which is also thought to be in the sights of private equity firm Apax. Interest has been spurred by the
collapse in CWW’s share price since it split from Cable & Wireless’s Caribbean-based telecoms arm in 2010. It has been hit by the squeeze on Government spending and the weak economy, leading it to report heavy losses for the six months to September 30 and warn of no dividend payments in order to bolster its balance sheet. Former Vodafone executive Gavin Darby, who in November became the company’s third chief executive in around a year, is expected to provide early details of a turnaround plan alongside a trading update on Thursday.
Page 2 Increase for BAA AIRPORT operator BAA reported an increase in passenger numbers. BAA’s six airports served 7.5m passengers in January – an increase of 0.5% on the previous year. Heathrow handled 5.2m passengers last month – a record for January. The figure was 2.3% up on the previous year. Aberdeen recorded a 14% rise in numbers, but there were declines at Stansted, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Southampton. Stansted recorded a drop of 6.6% on last year, driven by a reduction in European traffic. Southampton posted a drop of 0.9%, largely as a result of a 1.5% drop in domestic traffic. Glasgow and Edinburgh reported a reduction in passenger traffic of 0.4% and 4.4% respectively – with an expected dip in the winter schedule at Edinburgh partially mitigated by the addition of several new routes.
£4m hit for dairy MILK and cheese supplier Dairy Crest is facing a one-off hit of up to £4m after one of its customers – Quadra Foods, of Plymouth – went into administration. Dairy Crest is looking at options to reduce the amount involved and said the collapse will have no bearing on its dividend or end-of-year borrowings.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £32.98 +0.15 Gannett 931.50 +5.70 Hess Corp £39.37 +0.20 Microsoft 1937.52 +5.13 Motors Liquidation 47.53 Wal-Mart Stores £39.27 +0.04 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 2981/2 -41/2 BAE Systems 320 +21/4 1 Rolls-Royce 779 /2 +7 AIM Brady Plc 811/2 Dawson Intl 11/2 Man Brnze 30 +1 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2191/4 +21/8 BANKS Barclays 237 +27/8 HSBC 5643/8 +63/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 351/4 +3/4 Ryl Scotland 281/8 +1/4 1 Stan Chart 1612 /2 +251/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1503 +191/2 SABMiller £253/8 +1/8 CHEMICALS Croda £201/2 +1/4 Elementis 98 1641/8 +31/4 Johnsn Mat £223/4 +1/2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 285 +13/8
2063/4 +13/4 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 5301/2 +141/2 Intl Power 3311/4 +15/8 SSE 1260 -1 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 167 +1/2 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3643/4 +13/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2153/4 +13/4 Cable & Wireless 38 +13/4 Comm Cable & Wireless 281/2 +83/4 Wwide 3 Colt Group 92 /4 +13/8 KCOM 731/4 -3/4 3 Talktalk Telecom 137 /4 +51/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 291 +1/4 Sainsbury 2911/8 +3/4 3 Tesco 319 /8 -11/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1199 +7 Tate Lyle 690 +5 Unilever £203/4 +1/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2911/2 +3 National Grid 639 +61/2 Pennon Grp 6861/2 +1 Severn 1526 +7 1 United Utils 597 /2 +1 Costain
GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 1991/2 +23/4 ICAP 3681/8 +11/2 London StockExch 940 +16 Man Group 1311/4 +7/8 Provident Financial 9891/2 +20 Schroders 1602 +6 Schroders NV 1282 +9 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 6211/2 +11 REXAM 3793/4 +11/8 Smiths Grp 1050 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 22 +1 Carphone Whse 1721/2 +1/2 3 Dixons Retail 14 /4 -1/4 Home Retail 1091/4 +21/4 Inchcape 3661/8 +21/8 Kingfisher 272 +5/8 3 M&S 348 /4 -13/8 Mothercare 216 +21/4 Next £273/8 +1/8 1 WH Smith 537 /2 +6 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6351/2 +1 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 813/4 +3/4 Barrat Dev 1213/4 +41/4 Persimmon 559 +8 Reckitt Benckiser £353/8 -1/8 Taylor Wimpey 441/2 +7/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 921 +12
INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 3441/8 +101/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 197 +37/8 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 368 +63/4 Lgl & Gen 1191/4 +3/4 1 Old Mutual 158 /4 +31/4 1 Prudential 716 /2 +21/2 Resolution 271 +11/4 7 Standard Life 227 /8 +23/4 MEDIA BSkyB 700 +6 D Mail Tst 4351/8 -17/8 ITV 793/4 +3/4 Johnston Press 61/4 Pearson 1197 +9 Reed Elsevier 534 +31/2 STV Group 111 +6 Trinity Mirror 481/2 +3/4 Utd Business 5791/2 +9 +3/4 UTV 1231/8 WPP 7931/2 +15 Yell Group 57/8 +1/8 MINING Anglo American £281/8 +3/4 Antofagasta 1348 +25 BHP Billiton £207/8 +1/4 Eurasian Natural 702 +171/2 Res Fresnillo 1773 +19 Kazakhmys 1139 +15 Lonmin 1035 +20 1 Rio Tinto £38 /2 +3/4
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
369 1015/8 639 1983
+221/2 -7/8 +61/2 -14
closed at FTSE closed at
5905.70 Up 53.31 VEDANTA 1282 RESOURCES Xstrata 1213 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 4677/8 Vodafone Group 1743/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 968 RSA Insurance Gp 1121/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1468 BP 496 Cairn Energy 348 Royal Dutch Shell A £23 Royal Dutch Shell B £231/4
+22 +15 +91/4 +13/4 +4 +2 -101/2 +53/4 -23/4 +1/8 +1/8
Total £343/8 +3/8 Tullow Oil 1523 -9 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1112 +17 Petrofac 1532 +20 Wood Gp(J) 695 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1393 -16 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/8 +3/8 GlaxoSmithK 22 Shire £221/2 +3/8 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4951/4 +33/8 Captl Shop Cent 3371/8 +41/8 Hamrsn 3911/4 +85/8 Land Secs 690 +111/2 1 SEGRO 234 /8 +33/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2121/4 -1/2 Logica 833/4 +21/2 1 Misys 290 /4 +1/4 Sage Group 299 +3/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 4563/4 +21/4 Bunzl 878 +6 Capita 6341/2 +2 De La Rue 9941/2 +61/2 Electrocomp 2373/8 +23/8 Experian 9291/2 +81/2 G4S 2793/4 +1/4 5 Hays 81 /8 +21/8 1 Homeserve 250 /8 -13/4
Menzies J 596 Rentokil 763/4 Smiths News 973/4 Wolseley £231/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 5751/2 Psion 493/4 Spirent Comms 1313/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £311/4 Imperial Tobacco £241/2 LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital 1711/4 Carnival 1913 Compass Grp 635 easyJet 4591/4 Enterprise Inns 501/4 FirstGroup 3047/8 Go-Ahead Gp 1312 Greene King 5201/2 Intercontl Htls 1402 Intl Cons Airlines 1751/4 Gp Ladbrokes 1473/8 Mitchells & Butlers 2711/8 Natl Express 2271/4 Rank Org 138 Stagecoach Group 2653/4 TUI Travel 2071/2 Whitbread 1714 INDEX FTSE 100 5905.70 INDEX FTSE 250 11275.60
-4 +11/4 -3/4 +1/4 +8 -3/4 +11/8 +1/4 +1/8 +3/8 -49 +3 +7/8 +1 +1 +34 +3 +5 -21/2 +3/4 +1/2 +25/8 -1/4 -41/8 +53/4 +16 +53.31 +107.99
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.39 dollars Bangladesh................. 124.83 taka Brazil.............................. 2.43 reals Canada....................... 1.50 dollars China ............................. 8.88 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.34 korunas Denmark....................... 8.41 krone Euro............................... 1.14 euro Hong Kong................ 11.61 dollars Hungary................... 312.45 forints India.......................... 68.39 rupees Japan........................... 116.64 yen Mexico ....................... 17.86 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.76 dollars Norway ......................... 8.62 krone Pakistan.................. 134.93 rupees Philippines ................. 57.36 pesos South Africa.................. 11.34 rand South Korea.............. 1541.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 172.79 rupees Sweden....................... 10.02 krona Switzerland.................. 1.37 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.68 dollars Turkey....................... 2.62 new lira USA ............................ 1.51 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS THESE are uncertain times for employers and employees alike. The economic climate has put the emphasis firmly on keeping costs under control – and often that means companies are having to look at restructuring and job losses. Human resources specialist Helen Casson is in the thick of it – as firms seek her advice and help. “Businesses are looking at changes terms and conditions so the business is flexible enough to carry on,” she says. “They are making sure their policies and procedures are fit for purpose. That can mean redundancies and transferring of businesses.” At the same time, Helen is also being called on more often to investigate employee grievance claims – another sign of the times, she believes. So, exciting times to set up your own business, then! Helen, 32, launched her firm, Vibrant HR, only last September from offices in Skelmanthorpe. But she can call on extensive experience in the industry, having worked with both public and private sector clients. Doncaster-born Helen went to Huddersfield University to take a degree in business studies. “Huddersfield was far enough to get away from home – and close enough to come back when I wanted!” she says. “I always knew I would work in some sort of commercial or corporate environment. There was an HR module in my first year and that’s what changed my career path for me. It was a bit of a ‘eureka’ moment. HR was something I was really good at and passionate about.” Helen also took the opportunity to gain qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development during her second year at Huddersfield. “I went to university during the year tuition fees were introduced,” she says. “Getting the CIPD qualification while I was at Huddersfield was an opportunity to get two qualifications for the price of one!” On graduation, Helen had a bachelor’s degree in business studies and her CIPD qualification. After a few years, she returned to Huddersfield University to gain a master’s degree in strategic human resource management. She also achieved the exacting standards needed to become a fellow of the CIPD. Helen’s first professional job after graduating was in the NHS, working on a project reforming junior doctors’ rotas to maximise the number of doctors available to hospital consultants. “I have been shaking things up ever since!” says Helen. “Every role since has been demanding and stressful, but I thrive on the opportunity to deal with people. I have worked with the public, private and third sectors. I have dealt with
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Busy times for Helen everything HR can throw at you.” It’s no surprise that Helen decided to step out on her own. “It’s always something I’ve wanted to do,” she says. “It has always been a goal.” Now she works with a wide range of clients across the north, including law firms, marketing agencies, charities and commercial businesses. “I have some regional companies where I provide support to their own in-house HR and I have some clients who are taking on employees for the first time and want to make sure they have the paperwork set up.” Says Helen: “Payroll is the biggest single investment for any business, but people management can be difficult. I use my expertise to help employers put the policies and procedures in place and into practice with the aim of helping to improve the business. Most businesses are differentiated by the people who work for them. People management is so much more than just
■ POSITIVE: Helen Casson, of Vibrant HR, based at Skelmanthorpe
employment law.” Helen covers issues as wide-ranging as managing employee absence and ill health, disciplinary and grievance procedures, discrimination claims and recruitment to redundancy and restructuring, terms and conditions of employment, project management and advising new business start-ups. While many bosses believe that employment law favours the employee over the employer, Helen points out that employers should feel reassured by changes the government is making to reduce the likelihood of vexatious and spurious claims coming before employment tribunals. “There is a misconception among some employers that employees have more rights than employers,” says Helen. “That’s not true. Where employers fall down if they end up in a tribunal is not because of a decision to dismiss an employee, but the way they handled the process.” Helen says businesses need to keep up with best practice, pointing out: “Some of my clients have had their fingers burnt in the past. I send clients regular updates so they know what to look out for. Employers cannot afford not to get good advice. “All my clients have come from recommendation and word-of-mouth and from my networking and contacts across the region. It’s also good to get positive feedback from the clients.” “I’m vice-chair of the West Yorkshire CIPD branch committee and we provide learning and development opportunities for 3,500 members in the area. It’s a voluntary role, but I do it because I am passionate about what I do.”
Helen Casson
Helen chose Vibrant HR as the name for her company to reflect her belief that it is people who make vibrant and profitable businesses, adding: “It also reflects my personality!” Helen finds rural Skelmanthorpe an ideal location for her business. “I live in the village, so I can walk to work when I know I’ll be spending the day in the office,” she says. “I have easy access to the motorways and the office is equally accessible for clients who want to come here to discuss matters confidentially.” Away from work, Helen goes to the gym regularly and enjoys trips to Scarborough and Whitby with husband Phil and three-year-old daughter Emma.
And she has no regrets about setting up her own business. “It has been like a practical business studies degree course.” she says. “It never felt like a risky thing to do. I have the experience behind me, I have the qualifications and I have the networks. I don’t feel a sense of isolation because I go to events and keep my knowledge up to date. “Setting up a business is challenging, but my mantra is you engage the talents and knowledge of experts who know – so I’ve worked with a good accountant, marketing agency and business advisor, I can’t stress enough how expert knowledge has enabled me to develop the business the way I want it to go.”
Role: HR consultant Age: 32 Family: Husband Phil and daughter Emma, three Holidays: The Yorkshire east coast and Spain Car: Hyundai Matrix First job: I was offered two jobs on the same day when I was at school – and took them both. One was serving in a fish and chip shop and the other was waitressing at a local pub Best thing about job: Variety in terms of the clients and businessesI Worst thing about job: There’s nothing I don’t like about it!! Business tip: Don’t try to do everything yourself. There are always some things for which you need specialist advice
Vibrant HR Work: HR consultancy Site: Skelmanthorpe Phone: 07840 112001 Email: helen@vibrant-hr.co.uk Web: www.vibrant-hr.co.uk
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Think Global, Act Local
On the board with
Date: Friday 23 March 2012 Location: Revell Ward Suite, Galpharm Stadium Coffee and registration: 11.00am Seminar Starts: 11.30am Presenters: Annie Bradley - International Trade Adviser from UKTI Andrew Burgess - Budget Update Rhona Graham & Lesley Sutton VAT & Tax Opportunities in 2012 Two course lunch served at: 1.00pm Close: 2.00pm onwards Tickets: Cost £15 each from http://revellwardbudget2012.eventbrite.co.uk
Revell Ward Budget 2012
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Public recognition for private firms PRIVATE sector businesses in Kirklees have been urged to take part in the Private Business Awards. Nominations are open for the 2012 award, which is backed by major names PricewaterhouseCoopers, HSBC and Dechert. This year’s awards include two new categories – the Rising Star Award, which will champion vision, strong leadership and growth strategies; and the Exporter of the Year Award, which will celebrate a strong and growing presence in overseas markets. Arif Ahmad, private business partner for PwC in West Yorkshire, said: “We know how important private businesses are to the region’s economic recovery and we are passionate about working with such inspirational leaders.” Go to www.privatebusinessawards.co.uk
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Home in on tax matters
HETHER a property is W inherited and is subsequently rented out or
whether an individual buys a property to let, the issue of tax on rental income and which expenses can be legitimately claimed to reduce a person’s tax bill will arise. Rental profits arise where i n c o m e e x c e e d s a l l ow ab l e expenses incurred in the year. Where expenses exceed rental income the loss arising is carried forward to set against future rental profits. If an individual has several properties, a loss on one property can, in most cases, be set against the profits on the other in the same year thereby reducing the rental profit for the year. For those buying a property, the most significant of expenses incurred will be loan interest. Interest payable on loans used to buy land or property used in the rental business or on loans to finance repairs, improvements or alterations is deductible when calculating the profit or losses of the business. It is the use of the funds which determines whether a tax deduction is given for the interest paid rather than what the loan is secured on. As long as the funds are used wholly for the purpose of the business, then the interest will be allowed for tax. But it is only the interest payable on the mortgage, not the
TAX TALK Colin Barratt
capital repayment that is deductible. It doesn’t matter if the interest is paid on a personal loan, a mortgage, or even an overdraft, as long as the borrowing was made to fund the letting business. Other expenses a landlord can deduct from rental income are council tax, water charges, gas and electricity, insurance for the property and its contents. Any other expenses directly relating to the letting of the property will be allowable, such as gardening. If you collect rents, then the costs of travel to do so will be deductible. Otherwise, the agent’s letting costs will be allowable. But professional fees for the first letting for more than one year are not deductible. The costs of renewing a letting will always be allowable. Repairs and decorations are also deductible, but improvement expenditure will not be. Improvements will be structural alterations or extensions. Renewing what was there
before will be regarded as a repair but putting something into the property that wasn’t there before will be a capital item and not deductible. If repair work is carried out on a property before it is let for the first time, the expense will not be allowable. The reason is that the repair does not arise from letting. It may be beneficial to leave non-essential work until after the property has been let, although this is not always practical. There is additional relief for fully furnished residential lettings only, which is a deduction of 10% of the gross rents, less Council Tax and water charges if paid by the landlord. Maintaining records of expenditure incurred is essential as otherwise deductions may be denied if HMRC enquiry into a landlord’s tax affairs, leading to further tax payable as well as interest charges and potential penalties being levied.
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
Searching for winners THE search is on to find Britain’s most pioneering women – and shrewd operators from Kirklees are invited to compete. The First Women Awards celebrate trailblazing women from the business, entrepreneurial, manufacturing, science and technology, and media sectors
who are leading the way for the next generation. The awards, created in 2005 by Real Business and the CBI and held in association with Lloyds Banking Group, has previously recognised “glass ceiling” breakers such as Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers;
Angela Strank, the most senior woman at oil giant BP; multi-million selling author Annabel Karmel; and Thea Green, founder of Nails Inc. Matthew Rock, co-founder of Real Business, said: “Over the past six years, the scale of the First Women programme has grown and grown. “An awards project has become a national network of pioneering women across a range of industries and professions.” This year’s First Women Awards launch event will take place on March 5. The closing date for entries is April 13, 2012. An awards ceremony will take place on June 28 in London. For details, go to fwa.realbusiness.co.uk/home
KIRKLEES BUSIN Cash flow is the top priority
KIRKLEES firms have been urged to put their efforts into preserving cash flow. The first few months of the new year have often proved to be a critical financial struggle for businesses as pressure on cash flow builds to crisis point following the festive season, according to Meltham ma Peter Sargent (pictured). Mr Sargent, a partner with rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor, said: “January is a notoriously difficult month and th first quarter of the year is traditionally a peak period for both personal insolvency and business failure. “The world doesn’t stop just because it’s been Christmas and problems experienced by busines during the winter months can soo escalate. There are still bills, wages and the quarterly rent to pay as well as PAYE and NIC in th middle of the month and VAT due at the end. “Combined with this, businesses have had to cope with a short trading month in December and often a dip in productivity and turnover in the run up to Christmas. “This is followed by a start-up lag in the New Year when orders tend to be poor and debtors slow to pay. The result is that many businesses will be facing a severe cash flow nick point that could prove fatal.” Mr Sargent said: “After tough economic conditions over the last few years, many businesses have no wool on their backs to get through more lean times. Our advice is to face up to the situatio and seek professional help as soon as possible.”
Excellent idea!
KIRKLEES firms excelling in all areas of their business are invited to apply for the 2012 North of England Excellence Awards. The awards are open to all private public and voluntary organisation and go to companies showing hig standards of performance all roun – in areas such as customer service, innovation, leadership, l learning and development, sustainability, and high growth. They are organised by North of England Excellence and supporte by the British Quality Foundation and Chartered Quality Institute. Th winners will be announced at the 18th annual awards ceremony in autumn. Contact Suzanne House at North England Excellence on 01925 715242 or go to www.noee.co.uk
NESS NEWS
local
The Engine Room gears up to help student website
Keep an eye on these key dates HE key package of regulaT tions for workplace pension reforms were published earlier
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this month by the Department for Work and Pensions. This will provide further clarity for employers who are preparing for the reforms and also for the advisers who are assisting them with their preparations! I will write more about the reforms and the key regulations in the coming months. After all, the reforms will launch from October this year. However, some of you will be aware that in November last year, Steve Webb, the Pensions Minister announced a delay to the implementation of the reforms for smaller firms. The revised dates were not clarified at that time but were promised for the end of January, 2012. For those employers that are keen to start their planning process or for those that are conscious that they must start giving this some thought, I am pleased to say that the revised
FINANCIAL FOCUS Karen Wynard
dates have now been published. According to the Pensions Regulator, the “likely” staging dates (the dates from which different employers will be required to comply) for employers with over 250 or more employees in a PAYE scheme are unaffected. For those employers with less than 250 employees in their PAYE scheme, the Government has published the staging time bands that these employers will fall into. With regard to the smallest employers (less than 50), they will not reach their staging date until
June, 2015, at the earliest and the individual staging dates of employers within these time bands will be confirmed later this year. Please remember that staging dates are determined by the size of an employer’s largest PAYE scheme on April 1, 2012, when it will become fixed. All staging dates are “likely” dates until then as PAYE schemes may change size before April 1, 2012. To view the likely staging date or time band for your largest PAYE scheme, view wwebsite www.the pensionsregulator.gov.uk
Karen Wynard is head of corporate services at Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd
supply chains. The programme is devised by SCALA, consultants in supply chain logistics, and used by world-leading organisations such as Mars, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever and Cadbury, SCALA’s Fresh Connection teaches essential skills for the world of work. Now in its third year at the university, the training programme has been built into the Supply Chain
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of ■ CHAIN GANG: Students at Huddersfield University take part in SCALA's Fresh Connection business game
NATIONAL digital and web video producer Campuslife has appointed a Huddersfield design and brand agency to create a fresh corporate identity and brand communications strategy. Campuslife creates dynamic video products designed to complement student experience at further and higher education centres in the UK. The Engine Room, based at Leeds Road, carried out a full brand audit and re-positioning strategy to strengthen
Campuslife’s reputation with its target audience. Simon Horniblow, managing director at Campuslife, said: “Working with The Engine Room was great – they are definitely light bulb-headed people.” The work included providing new marketing material and full website. A speech bubble within the brand represents the two sides to the company’s work – bridging the gap between the education authority and student life.
Who will be the next Business of the Month? If you are proud of what your business has achieved; why not tell us about your success story and you could be a winner of our prestigious award. For further details please contact: Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors, 14 High Street, Huddersfield HD1 2HA T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995
Supply chain game STUDENTS at Huddersfield University have been urged to spend, spend, spend! The final-year business undergraduates were taking part in a business programme devised by SCALA Consulting, based at the town’s Media Centre. SCALA’s Fresh Connection business “game” helps to equip the students for entry into work by testing them with real-life scenarios around
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Strategy module of the business course and the number of students involved has risen from 70 to 120. At a time when graduate jobs are scarce, SCALA’s Fresh Connection is proving an invaluable training tool, providing an imaginative way of allowing students to learn through experience and enhancing their employability. Jayne Hemmington, logistics and hospitality management lecturer, said: “The programme provides our students with the single most valuable opportunity to learn as part of their undergraduate degree programme. “The students have the chance to refine and develop key transferable skills such as team working, leadership, negotiation and influence, commercial awareness and analysis.” The industry-leading training programme is open to schools as well as universities, and businesses can sign up to the on-line competition or in-house training courses.
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property
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Buyer steps forward for landmark hotel A WEST Yorkshire hotel has been sold by property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. The 103-bedroom Ramada Hotel at Seacroft, north Leeds, was sold on behalf of Kirstie Provan and Mark Fry of BegbiesTraynor, the joint administrators of Millgreen View Securities Ltd. The hotel has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Britannia Hotels, a privately owned hotel chain, who already own 37 hotels across the country. The hotel is well-known in the area as it incorporates the shell of the old Seacroft Windmill, which has been a local landmark for many generations. The hotel includes a 78-cover restaurant and a range of conference and banqueting facilities for up to 340 people. Joint administrator, Kirstie Provan said: “I am delighted that we have achieved a sale of the hotel as a going
concern which will save 42 local jobs.” Alex Langsam, managing director of Britannia Hotels, said: “We are delighted to add this hotel to our portfolio. We have changed the name of the hotel to Britannia Leeds Hotel and will be carrying out a programme of refurbishment and adding extra bedrooms. We look forward to welcoming guests and feel sure they will appreciate the improvements taking place.” Chris Moore, director in Jones Lang LaSalle’s Hotels team, said: “We expected and received strong interest in this hotel which enabled contracts to be exchanged within two months of launching the sales campaign. “This underlines the considerable appetite in the market for corporate size properties and especially where there is clear potential to grow the existing business.”
Construction figures prompt VAT cut call FIGURES showing a fall in construction output have prompted fresh calls for action. The data from the Office for National Statistics show that construction output fell by 0.5% in the final quarter of 2011 compared to the previous three months – driven by volume reductions in five out of the nine sectors. Construction output for 2011 as a whole was 2.8% higher than 2010 – in part because of the increases in infrastructure work. New public housing also increased – with 2011 being its highest level since 1980. Julia Evans, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders, said: “Whilst output was higher generally in 2011
over the previous year, it is concerning that overall estimates show output dropped in the fourth quarter. “Conditions are still precarious across sectors and any growth is largely due to infrastructure and public housing orders. Whilst this is welcome, there is still a huge challenge for thousands of small and medium sized builders struggling with lower orders for new work and repairs. “It is essential that we look at the picture now rather than at trends – and the government urgently reviews lending availability. A cut in VAT to 5% for home improvements is becoming more compelling by the day.”
New development for award-winner AN award-winning property developer is embarking on a new residential scheme. Brockholes-based is building four detached family homes in the village of Ryhill, near Wakefield. The Mill Lane Gardens development – close to Wintersett Reservoir and Waterton Park – marks the company’s return to the Wakefield area. Family-owned and run Conroy Homes is part of the Conroy
Group of companies, which also includes Conroy Brook and Towngate Homes The company’s previous developments have won a number of prestigious industry awards, including House Builder of the Year and Best Design in the 2010 House Builder Awards. The first craftsman-built home at Mill Lane Gardens is due for completion this March/April The properties will be priced from £349,950.
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Growing firm makes a move A COMPANY offering design, digital services, print and display products has made a move to bigger premises in Elland. Portfolio Display has moved from its long-time premises to Marshall Hall Mills following continued growth of the business. The move means the company can stay in Elland, but has doubled its production and office space. The new premises provide more than 9,000sq ft of space on two floors. The ground floor houses all the manufacturing and printing equipment while upstairs houses a design studio and sales offices. Portfolio’s customer base is focused on car manufacturers, motor groups and councils, but the company attracts companies across all industries. The firm provides customers with a wide range creative design services, point of sale manufacture and large format print. The company can service a project from concept right through to manufacture all under one roof. Its main area of expertise is the design and print of display products for company promotion. Introducing a range of design and digital services has helped to attract high-profile clients. The company now employs 21 people, but is already planning to increase this with new positions. Brothers Garth and Robert Walker, who run the family business, have already scooped awards for their business success. Rob Walker, sales director, said: “We’ve all worked extremely hard over the last few years to be in this position.
■ MILL SITE: Portfolio Display's new premises at Marshall Hall Mills, Elland (above) and Rob and Garth Walker outside the building (right)
“We try to ignore all the negative press on the economy and just focus on what we do well. “We are currently developing a new section of the business, which will focus on project-based services for our larger clients. “We are very excited about this and are confident it will help our business to develop even further.” Products manufactured by Portfolio Display the company include PVC banners, roller banners, bunting, flags and flagpoles. Advertising products include tax disc holders, car window stickers, key rings, poster cases and brochure stands.
Positive results for 2011 REGENERATION specialist St Modwen reported a healthy rise in profits in the face of a “challenging” marketplace. St Modwen posted annual pre-tax profits of £50.4m, up by 34% on the figure of £37.5m in 2010. Realised property profits were up by 9% to £23.8m while net rents were 5% ahead at £35.5m. The company achieved valuation gains of £34m against £23m last time in a flat market and lifted dividends for the year by 10% to 3.3p per share. St Modwen said it had a “secure” development programme for 2012 with commercial developments already on site to deliver in excess of £15m profit. It also reported a positive outlook for residential land with good levels of housing sales already achieved and strong on-going demand. St Modwen said it enjoyed excellent relationships with principal partners Persimmon, Vinci and Salhia and was well-placed to deliver growing returns in 2012 and beyond.
Chief executive Bill Oliver said: “We have had a very successful year, despite the challenges posed by the market conditions, significantly growing profits and completing transactions across the portfolio and we have the foundations in place to deliver very good results in 2012. “Our commercial developments in progress together with our active housebuilding sites will deliver property profits to underpin our results for 2012 and beyond. “We can also see clear opportunities to add value to our assets through the planning process and our active management of our income producing portfolio is producing a resilient income stream. “Although the wider economic environment remains unpredictable and there may still be further challenges for the sector we are confident that our asset portfolio and development pipeline will provide us with many opportunities to add significant value for our shareholders.”
Stephen Prosser, Yorkshire regional director, for St. Modwen, commented: “It is encouraging that the company continues to perform well against the return of challenging economic conditions. “Across Yorkshire and the North East we continue to find development opportunities to generate value. “For example, we recently started construction of the new 140,000sqft Siemens facility at Teal Park in Lincoln. “We have also just obtained planning permission from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council for the £5m development of the former Tyco Electronics Factory on Wheatley Hall Road, Doncaster. “In addition to our development pipeline we have had continued success in finding occupiers for our existing industrial stock and have added a further £330,000 a year to our rental income in the last 12 months.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
TO LET
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
Waterside view up for sale A PROMINENT waterside property is being offered for sale at a forthcoming auction. Riverside House (above), which stands next to he canal at Aspley in Huddersfield, is among the lots on offer at the auction to be held by property agents Eddisons next week. The detached two-storey office building and car park, which is being
auctioned on the instructions of British Waterways, currently generates annual rent of £5,100 with rent reviews every five years. It has a guide price of £70,000-plus. The leasehold interest is being offered with 99 years left to run. Meanwhile, a parcel of development land in Slaithwaite is also set to go under the hammer. The land next to 99,
Manchester Road has planning consent for six, one-bedroom flats and one duplex flat. The guide price is £50,000-plus. Eddisons has attracted 166 lots for its first two day sale of the year, which takes place on February 21 at The Premier Inn, Trafford Park, Manchester and on February 23 at Leeds United Football Club, Elland Road, Leeds. Both sales start at 12.30pm.
Mixed results for industrial A SURVEY has reported an increase in the take-up of UK industrial property during the fourth quarter of last year – but said the total for the whole of 2011 was down in the previous 12 months. The Property Times UK Industrial report by property agency DTZ, showed take-up of industrial stock reached 7.45m sq ft in the fourth quarter – the highest quarterly total for over a year. But despite this, annual take-up for 2011 totalled 28m sq ft – down from the 31.6m sq ft recorded in 2010. Investment activity in the industrial sector rose in the final quarter of 2011 to nearly £1.4bn, which is the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2006 and more than 65% higher than the long-term average. The availability of stock continued to fall for the fifth successive quarter with most UK regions reporting a severe shortage of prime space, although this has been limited by a large number of secondary units coming on to the market. Mike Baugh, director for DTZ’s industrial agency in West Yorkshire, said: “In the last 12 months, we have seen the profile of occupiers shift, with manufacturing now accounting for 33% of all transactions which is up 13% from the previous year. “This shift is further emphasised by a reduction in deal size as manufacturers typically occupy smaller units than retail and supply chain providers. He continued: “Looking ahead, we anticipate that pre-lets, land sales and build-to-suit deals will be the overriding trend influencing 2012 take-up as speculative development
remains unlikely given the current economic climate. “The lack of available grade A space has impacted on the take-up figures, as there have been fewer opportunities available to occupiers.” In Yorkshire, fourth quarter take-up increased slightly to 460,000 sq ft, capping off a disappointing year. The 1.6m sq ft let in 2011 was well below the long-term average of 3.5m. The largest deal of the quarter was 160,000 sq ft taken by DHL in Doncaster. Up to 1.5m sq ft is expected to be returned to the market over the next two years. Said Mr Baugh: “Although the 2011 take-up figures for Yorkshire were disappointing, there is still a good level of enquiries, across all sectors, taking into account the region. “Although there are still excellent deals available to companies considering relocation to the region, as take-up continues and speculative development remains unlikely, the window of opportunity for occupiers is closing.” The report also revealed that rental levels remained flat in the fourth quarter, although agents expect incentives to harden on prime stock. Martin Davis, DTZ’s head of UK research, said: “Providing there are no further shocks to the economic recovery, we anticipate that the developing shortage of industrial space will increase the likelihood of rental growth in the near future.”
FOR SALE/MAY LET
Prominent Showroom/Office 2/4 Ruth Street, Newsome, HD4 6JF
1 305.37m2 (3,287 sq ft) 1 Potential redevelopment opportunity Price: £175,000 Rent: £15,000 per annum
TO LET Industrial
Units 4b, 4c & 4d, Armytage Road, Brighouse, HD6 1QF
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
TO LET
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 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
TO LET
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 Jennie Blagg
Ramsdens LAW firm Ramsdens has launched a specialist insolvency team. The team is headed by Steven Singh and includes Jennie Blagg (pictured), who is based at the firm’s Edgerton offices. Ms Blagg qualified as an insolvency solicitor in 2008 and worked at hlw Commercial Lawyers in Leeds before joining Ramsdens last month. She deals in a broad spectrum of corporate and personal Insolvency work including, administrations, liquidations, voluntary arrangements, bankruptcy and directors’ duties. He has experience in dealing with insolvency practitioners, individuals, directors and creditors. Paul Joyce, managing partner at Ramsdens, said: “The new team has the expertise to advise on a wide variety of rescue, recovery or restructure situations, whether on behalf of banks, lenders, insolvency practitioners, companies or worried creditors.”
Leigh Parsons
Colliers International PROPERTY agency Colliers International has appointed Leigh Parsons to head its licensed and leisure team for Yorkshire and the North East. Mr Parsons (pictured) joins the firm after a period running his own consultancy. Before that, he held senior roles with two other leading agents and is credited for handling a number of major deals. In his new role, Mr Parsons aims to expand the pub and restaurant agency team primarily through pub disposals for corporate clients in Yorkshire and the North East. He will also work closely with a strong national team that has been bolstered with the appointment of several senior people working to position Colliers International as the market leader in licensed and leisure property consultancy.
Movers and shakers
Client they can really count on
A CHARTERED accountancy firm in Kirklees is celebrating its successful working relationship with an award-winning businesswoman. Clough & Company, based in Cleckheaton, has been working with Jane Middlebrook, managing director of Kaleidoscope Day Nurseries Ltd, since 2002 – providing tax advice as well as helping raise finance for the entrepreneur. Jane, who recently won a prestigious Women in Enterprise award, formed Kaleidoscope in 1991 during the last recession with just one site in York. The company has steadily grown its business over the last 20 years and now provides high quality childcare and after school clubs across 11 sites in Yorkshire, employing 130 staff. Said Jane: “We have continued to expand our business over the last 20 years despite operating through two recessions. “Thanks to the dedication of my staff and the professional support I have received from firms like Clough & Company we are still expanding with a new nursery opening in 2012 in Drighlington.” Ann Brown, senior manager at Clough & Company, who has worked alongside managing partner Nigel Bullas for Kaleidoscope from day one, said: “When we started working with Jane 10 years ago she was operating as a sole trader with four sites, but we provided guidance that helped with the company’s profitability and aided the ambitious business plan that has seen Kaleidoscope become a real success story.”
■ TEAM WORK: Ann Brown (left) and Jane Middlebrook, of Clough & Company
Serving up a real treat
Gemma Price
Chamber International CHAMBER International has appointed Gemma Price to strengthen its activities in international trade documentation and other services. Ms Price, a financial services expert, joins the organisation to help co-ordinate its export office service and provide back-up to Chamber International’s advisers. She previously worked with a training company and as a sales executive before spending several years in banking with a division of HSBC in Leeds, working her way up to assistant manager. She said: “I’m very much looking forward to getting involved in this role and I hope to carve a long-term career in international trade.”
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■ SERVICE: Nick Kennett (left), of Lexus Bradford, with Andrew Colwill (centre), of Coddy’s Farm Shop, and Ian Sheveling, of Holmfirth Vineyard A HOLME Valley company has produced a taste of perfection for a West Yorkshire car dealership. Coddy’s Farm Shop at Holmbridge was asked by Lexus Bradford to come up with a limited edition sausage. The Lexus Bradford Wasabi Sausage is made from Coddy’s home-reared Aberdeen Angus beef and seasoned with traditional Japanese wasabi.
Diners can enjoy the tasty fare at Holmfirth eateries The Vineyard, The Hepworth or The Ford – and get a voucher for a free MOT on their Lexus car or £20 off their next MOT if they don’t drive a Lexus. The special sausages are also available to cook at The Deli in Hebden Bridge or at Coddy’s stalls at farmers’ markets across West Yorkshire.
Emma Semwayo
Appleby Solicitors APPLEBY Solicitors, which has offices at Marsh in Huddersfield, has appointed Emma Semwayo as assistant solicitor. Ms Semwayo (pictured) specialises in cases dealing with public and employers liability, including accidents in the workplace, which may include any accident that occurred due to unsafe or hazardous working conditions. She also deals with cases involving slips and trips in public. Before becoming a solicitor, Ms Semwayo, who lives at Skipton, took a degree in East European Studies at the University of London, where she specialised in Romanian. She came to the law after having raised a family and studied for her graduate diploma and the legal practice course at Manchester Metropolitan University. She previously worked at Curtis Law in Blackburn and prior to that Betesh Partnership in Manchester. Amin Ullah, the principal of Applebys Solicitors, said: “Emma will be a great addition to our well established accidents at work department and we are really excited that she has joined us.”