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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Time to reflect for accountancy firm A CHARTERED accountancy firm in Kirklees – and its founder – have cause to celebrate. Clough & Company, based in Cleckheaton, marks 60 years in business this month – while founder Harry Clough celebrated his 90th birthday. The launch of a summer of jubilee celebrations saw the firm bury a time capsule, enjoy a fish and chip lunch and present Mr Clough with national newspapers from the day he was born. F u r t h e r eve n t s t a k i n g p l a c e throughout 2013 will include a charity ball, a Three Peaks Challenge, a triathlon, a trip to York races and a wide range of internal competitions to raise money for Bradford Cancer Support and Marie Curie. Steven Gash, practice chairman at Clough & Company, said: “Since Clough & Company was formed in 1953, a lot has changed in the industry, but the company’s core values, which have been key to our success, remain largely the same. “These are based around integrity, good customer service and an unrivalled level of consistency that results from our excellent employee retention record. So 2013 is an exciting year for us and it’s fantastic to be supporting two very deserving charities as well as celebrating this anniversary.” Mr Clough said: “It’s fantastic to see
■ MEMORY LANE: Harry Clough (left) and Steven Gash, of Clough & Company, which is celebrating 60 years while founder Mr Clough, is marking his 90th birthday. Above – the plaque marking the spot of the time capsule, which has been buried for the occasion
Clough & Company is going from strength to strength and I can’t believe 60 years has passed since I started the company from a small office in the Majestic Hotel in Manchester Road, Bradford at the age of 30. “The company has successfully
diversified and now has specialist departments offering all accountancy disciplines, as well as expanding into several other related areas, which should stand the firm in good stead for the next 60 years!” Clough & Company employs 88
people at Cleckheaton, Keighley and Manchester and offers business development, management services, corporate finance, audit services, taxation, corporate solutions and financial management, executive recruitment and IT evaluation.
Delegates fired up to forge China trade links
■ TRADE TRIP: Fired Up chief executive Richard Kaye
BUSINESSES keen to boost trading links with China are a step nearer their goal – thanks to a link-up between Huddersfield Town and a local manufacturing firm. Fired Up Corporation, based at Longroyd Bridge, has joined forces with the football club to lead a series of trade missions to China – and help local companies take advantage of the booming Asian market and an “insatiable” demand for UK goods and services. Fired Up Corporation has been working with the Government’s export support arm, UK Trade & Investment, to help British firms break into the massive Asian market. Earlier this year, Fired Up chief
executive Richard Kaye led a delegation of international trade advisers from UKTI headed by director Giles Blackburn – in conjunction with the China-British Business Council – on a knowledge and understanding trip to Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Fired Up has offices and a 300,000sq ft factory close to Zhongshan City in Guangdong province, which the delegation visited. More recently, Mr Kaye led a second delegation from the football club, including commercial director Sean Jarvis and international commercial manager Ajin Abraham ,to see four local businesses interested in trading in China visit Shanghai and the Guangdong province and meet Zhongshan
and Nantou government officials, UKTI, CBBC and HSBC. Huddersfield Town also laid the foundations for its involvement in the Fired Up Music and Sport Summer Camp, which will take place between July and September to offer free music and sport lessons to school children in Nantou. Mr Abraham said: “I have come back with so much insight and know that we have just scraped the tip of the iceberg. The trip was action-packed which meant that we were able to take in so much from our visit to South China. I have grown fond of Sanjiao, Nantou and Zhongshan and hope we can build on this visit and keep the momentum going.”
INSIDE On the money! A FIRM of independent financial advisers has won a business award. Shepley-based Robertson Baxter was named Business of the Month in the awards run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and government export support arm UKTI. Robertson Baxter focuses on advising high net worth individuals, the owners and families of SMEs and partners of professional services firms as well as charities and trustees.
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Preferred partner A HOLME Valley housebuilder has secured a link-up with Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Yorkshire Water’s owner Kelda Group. Conroy Brook, based at Brockholes, has been named Keyland’s preferred partner under its Small Sites Initiative. And the joint team’s first scheme has just secured planning approval.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
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Centrica puts lid on price increases BRITISH Gas owner Centrica said that it had made so much money from hard-pressed householders during the prolonged freeze at the start of the year that it was putting a lid on further price rises for the time being. The energy giant cashed in after raising its prices by 6% in December, just before the start of the harsh weather, a period that saw customers increase gas consumption by nearly a fifth compared with last year. But it said that because of the “economic pressures” facing many households it would not pocket the extra earnings and instead would use them to prevent any further tariff hikes “for as long as possible”. However, the pledge comes as cold comfort to many of its 8m customers, who are likely to be shocked by their next bills after cranking up their heating to keep out the bitter cold. Richard Lloyd, executive director of
consumer group Which?, said the announcement highlighted the lack of transparency in the energy market and that “radical action” was needed to provide simpler and fairer bills, more competition and easier switching between providers. He said: “With inflation-busting price hikes and eye-watering profits, it’s no wonder less than a quarter of people trust the industry and rising energy ■ WARMING UP: British Gas saw a prices consistently remain one of con- big rise in energy use over the winter sumers’ top financial worries. “With a big leap in gas use over the both the unforgiving economic climate winter, huge numbers of people will be and the weather. shocked by their next bill.” The announcement came on the day Centrica has faced sustained hostilof the company’s annual general meetity as it awarded multi-million pound pay packets to executives while house- ing in London. Earlier this year, it disclosed that five holds have struggled to pay rising bosses received £16.4m in pay and energy bills. Its pledge to curb future price rises is bonuses as British Gas made profits of an attempt to acknowledge publicly its £606m –equivalent to nearly £50 per customers’ difficulties in the face of household.
Bad luck hits Rank
In its trading update, Centrica said it had “performed well” so far in 2013, with its British Gas residential business on course to deliver full-year profits in line with expectations of £602m – slightly down on last year due to higher costs. Shares closed 3.3p to 380.8p. It said: “As a result of the unusual period of extended cold weather, average residential gas consumption was 18% higher in the first four months of 2013 than in the same period in 2012 and average residential electricity consumption was 3% higher. “Recognising the economic pressures facing many of our customers, the board has determined that any benefit arising from the exceptionally cold weather will be used to maintain our price competitiveness.” Ann Robinson, of price comparison website uSwitch, welcomed the announcement on “price competitiveness”.
Bank chairman to step down
Flybe mulls ‘slots’ sell-off
THE chairman of Lloyds Banking Group is to step aside within the next year after hailing “significant progress” in the bank’s recovery plan. Since becoming chairman in September 2009, Sir Win Bischoff has worked with management to stabilise the business and ready it for the potential sale of the Government’s 39% shareholding. He will retire no later than the shareholder meeting next May. The exact date is subject to the appointment of his successor. Sir Win said: “Lloyds Banking Group has, over the past four years, made significant progress in its goal to become a strong, efficient,
STRUGGLING regional airline Flybe is in talks to raise vital funds by selling runway slots at London Gatwick airport in a move which could hand a further boost to budget carrier easyjet. T h e p o t e n t i a l s e l l - o ff s e n t Exeter-based Flybe’s shares soaring more than 20% on hopes of a much-needed cash injection of up to £20m should it sell all its 25 take-off and landing slots at Gatwick. The airline confirmed it is in sale talks with a “number of parties” – reported to include easyjet. A successful deal would bolster easyjet’s presence in the London market.
UK-focused retail and commercial bank. “Whilst clearly some challenges remain, the performance of the group is well on track. Indeed, in many areas, it is ahead of plan. “This gives me every confidence in the future success of the group and it is therefore a good time to start the search for my successor.” Lloyds will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, having announced a big jump in profits for the first quarter of this year. The Government is expected to begin the process of re-privatising Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland before the general election in 2015.
Flybe has endured a torrid time since floating on the stock market at the end of 2010 – hammered by soaring fuel costs, falling passenger numbers and higher airport duty. It is shedding about 10% of its 3,000-strong UK workforce to cut costs by at least £35m and is reviewing its network of 13 UK bases, which include Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster, Edinburgh and East Midlands. Flybe said talks were ongoing and there could be no certainty that a transaction will be forthcoming. Analysts at Espirito Santo said selling its Gatwick slots could help Flybe reinforce its balance sheet.
GROSVENOR Casinos owner Rank warned annual results will dip below last year’s level. A day after completing a deal to make it the UK’s largest casino operator, the company said the success of “high roller” customers in London contributed to a 5% fall in like-for-like revenues in the last 18 weeks. Spend per visit at its Grosvenor chain, which has 54 casinos in Britain and two in Belgium, fell by 1% against a rise of 9% over the last 44 weeks. The Mecca Bingo division, which operates almost 100 bingo halls across the country, saw customer visits fall by 7% over the 18 weeks to May 5, with sales from venues down by 4%. Like-for-like group revenues rose by 4% during the 44-week period.
Reality cheque ITV has snapped up a controlling stake in US reality TV maker High Noon Entertainment as it seeks to bolster its worldwide production business. High Noon makes programmes including Cake Boss, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at a New Jersey bakery, and Tough Love, a dating “boot camp” show. ITV is buying a 60% stake for $25.65m with a top-up payment due in 2015 based on the performance of the company, and an option to buy the remainder of the business later. High Noon made a profit of $5.7m (£3.7m) in 2012.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £45.39 -0.44 Gannett 1424.18 -11.77 Hess Corp £45.39 +0.08 Microsoft £21.41 +0.03 Motors Liquidation 49.04 Wal-Mart Stores £51.23 -0.36 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 452 +7 +93/4 BAE Systems 3891/2 Rolls-Royce 1184 +16 AIM Brady Plc 811/2 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2873/4 -3 BANKS Barclays 3121/2 -17/8 HSBC 7395/8 -51/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 581/8 -7/8 3 Ryl Scotland 297 /8 -21/8 1 Stan Chart 1552 /2 -301/2 BEVERAGES Diageo £203/8 +1/8 SABMiller £357/8 +1/4 CHEMICALS Croda £25 +1/4 Elementis 98 2467/8 -73/8 1 Johnsn Mat £26 /4 +1/2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2161/4 +11/4 Costain 2701/2 -41/2 ELECTRICITY
Drax Gp 597 -91/2 SSE 1592 +15 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2041/8 -41/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 4523/4 -13/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 3053/4 -33/4 Cable & Wireless 43 +1/4 Comm Colt Group 120 +11/4 KCOM 863/4 +1/2 Talktalk Telecom 2141/2 -27/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2913/4 +3 +75/8 Sainsbury 3893/4 Tesco 3751/2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1993 +5 Tate Lyle 8641/2 +2 Unilever £277/8 +1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3803/4 +31/4 National Grid 8341/2 +111/2 1 Pennon Grp 665 /2 -1/2 Severn 1825 -2 +1 United Utils 7391/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3483/4 -1/4 ICAP 2973/8 -35/8 London StockExch 1339 -10 Man Group 1245/8 -11/8 Provident Financial 1559 +9
Schroders £243/8 Schroders NV 1927 +11 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 528 +2 Smiths Grp 1300 -3 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 281/2 +1/2 Carphone Whse 2481/4 +41/4 Dixons Retail 367/8 -1/8 Home Retail 1473/4 +1/4 Inchcape 527 +11/2 Kingfisher 3305/8 +11/8 M&S 4235/8 +33/8 Mothercare 325 +1/4 7 Next £45 /8 +1/4 WH Smith 738 -1/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 769 +3 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 841/4 -13/4 Barrat Dev 3141/8 -91/4 Persimmon 1080 -22 1 Reckitt Benckiser £47 /8 +1/2 Taylor Wimpey 931/2 -1 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1319 -3 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1903/4 -37/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 272 -1 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3197/8 -31/2
1811/8 -3/4 2161/4 +1/2 1162 -8 2791/8 +1/2 4013/8 -1/2 MEDIA BSkyB 815 +81/2 D Mail Tst 740 -41/2 3 HIBU /8 3 ITV 130 /8 -1/4 Johnston Press 181/4 -3/4 Pearson 1197 -9 1 Reed Elsevier 747 /2 -4 STV Group 132 -1/2 Trinity Mirror 901/2 -1/2 Utd Business 727 -2 3 UTV 166 /4 +21/2 WPP 1125 +1 MINING Anglo American 1577 -14 Antofagasta 9401/2 +271/2 BHP Billiton 19111/2 -6 Eurasian Natural 2931/2 -3/8 Res Fresnillo 1151 -1 +5/8 Kazakhmys 3693/4 Lonmin 286 +71/4 Rio Tinto £30 -3/8 VEDANTA 1280 -19 RESOURCES MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 700 -14 Vodafone Group 1931/2 -7/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1263 +1 Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
374 126 8341/2 £24
-11 +111/2 +1/2
FTSE closed at
6631.76 Up 6.76 RSA Insurance Gp 1121/2 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 11851/2 BP 4651/2 -1/8 Cairn Energy 2795/8 -1 1 Royal Dutch Shell A £22 /2 +1/8 3 Royal Dutch Shell B £23 /8 +1/8 Total £327/8 Tullow Oil 1023 +11 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1069 +1 Petrofac 1392 -2 Wood Gp(J) 8191/2 +91/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1408 +1
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £333/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 151/2 Shire £201/4 +1/8 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 621 -41/2 Hamrsn 547 -1/2 1 Intu Properties 344 /4 +1/2 Land Secs 925 +5 SEGRO 2853/4 +21/2 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 3961/8 -35/8 Sage Group 351 +3/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 762 +91/2 Bunzl 1304 +16 Capita 9421/2 +21 De La Rue 945 -1 3 Electrocomp 260 /8 +13/4 Experian 1247 +16 G4S 2561/8 +83/8 Hays 95 -11/4 Homeserve 2133/8 Menzies J 7881/2 -2 1 +1/2 Rentokil 92 /2 Smiths News 182 +1/2 Wolseley £333/8 +1/4 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 1068 -4 Spirent Comms 1373/4 -11/8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £373/8 +1/8 Imperial Tobacco £231/8 -1/8 LEISURE & HOTELS
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
1403/8 £235/8 860 1142 997/8 2183/4 1520 747 1949 2703/4 2061/2 3661/8 212 161 3131/8 3501/2 £27
+3/4 -3/8 +81/2 -11 +17/8 +21/4 -7 +21/2 +3 -51/4 +13/8 +101/2 -3 -5 +11/4 +35/8
FTSE 100
INDEX 6631.76
+6.78
FTSE 250
INDEX 14299.90
-15.76
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.46 dollars Bangladesh................. 112.89 taka Brazil.............................. 2.78 reals Canada....................... 1.48 dollars China ............................. 8.45 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.08 korunas Denmark....................... 8.40 krone Euro............................... 1.13 euro Hong Kong................ 11.32 dollars Hungary................... 310.96 forints India.......................... 74.38 rupees Japan........................... 148.74 yen Mexico ....................... 16.58 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.72 dollars Norway ......................... 8.50 krone Pakistan.................. 142.48 rupees Philippines ................. 54.15 pesos South Africa................. 13.15 rand South Korea.............. 1489.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 183.11 rupees Sweden......................... 9.71 krona Switzerland.................. 1.40 francs Taiwan ...................... 39.95 dollars Turkey....................... 2.62 new lira USA ............................ 1.47 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
From nursing to home visits AS New Year’s resolutions go, it was a big one! While many were making vows to get fit or lose weight, Clair Paxman decided to take the plunge and set up her own business. “It was a case of New Year – new start,” she says. Clair and husband Curtis discussed her options during a four-week camper van holiday in Australia. “I was going to be running a cleaning company or open a bistro or maybe go back to college and do interior design,” she says. “But it had to be something for which I have a real passion.” Clair’s final choice was just that – combining her enthusiasm for interior design and her experience working in the estate agency sector. The result was I Love Your House, a business helping people “present” their houses for sale. Says Clair: “It’s called ‘home staging’. I advise people on how to present their property for the purpose of making a sale. “I try to help them make the best of what they have. It could be a simple ‘de-cluttering’ or replacing the bathroom taps, re-decorating a room or changing the carpets.” Despite early signs that the housing market is picking up, Clair says: “It’s still a buyer’s market and there is a lot of choice out there. People wanting to sell their properties have to present them to their best potential. The reason a house is not selling is not always down to the economic climate. It may be down to the property itself.” Clair, who was brought up in Scholes, attended Honley High School before taking a course in health and social care at
Huddersfield Technical College. She says: “I applied to do my nurses’ training, but because there were so many people wanting to do the same, I needed to get some ‘life experience’ in the sector.” Clair worked as a dental nurse for three years before reaching a “crossroads” and asking herself “in which direction am I heading?” Says Clair: “I loved my job and the people I worked with, but I didn’t see myself doing it forever.” Clair spent the next 10 years working in the property sector, including several years as a business transfer agent and time with a local independent estate agent. Her role included appraising properties and valuing houses for sale – building up experience which has left her well-placed for her new business. In too many cases, when houses aren’t selling, the standard answer is to reduce the price, she says. But spending a little money on making the house more desirable can be the better option. “I visit the property and carry out a consultation to prepare a plan of action,” she says. “First impressions are important and if a potential buyer walks into a house and the first thing they see is a frayed hall carpet, it doesn’t create a good impression.” Clair also carries out de-cluttering and can organise for painters and decorators, plumbers or carpet fitters to carry out work which will make the property more saleable. “I have seen properties where drawers are left open and people’s underwear is left out,” she
says. “You walk into the kitchen to see dirty plates on the draining board or go into the living room to see an untidy bookcase. It doesn’t make a good impression and prevents people seeing the potential of a property. “In another case, one room of a house I was asked to visit had patio doors and looked out over the garden, but it was being used as a junk room. It was cluttered up with a computer, a broken chest of drawers, a cat basket and other rubbish. “It could have been presented as a real sanctuary away from the rest of the house. The owner cleared it to create a beautiful sun room with new flooring and paintwork. It looked completely different.” Clair says: “I know every single excuse a viewer comes up with for not buying a house – so
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Clair Paxman
the seller shouldn’t give them more reasons to look elsewhere.” Clair says the property sector is still a male-dominated profession, but remarks: “It is really the ladies who make the decision whether or not to buy the house! I suppose I’m providing the feminine touch.” In some cases, the house which has failed to sell suddenly becomes more appealing after a lick of paint on the window frames, a tidy-up in the garden or fresh flowers in the hall. One of Clair’s pet hates has to be net curtains. “I visited one house which had beautiful views of Castle Hill from the window – but the owners had net curtains and you couldn’t see the scenery. They took the view for granted because they had lived there for so long –
■ HOUSE PROUD: Clair Paxman, who has set up “home staging” business I Love Your House
but that view was one of the property’s biggest assets as far as a potential buyer is concerned.” Clair says: “I get a lot of support from local estate agents who recognise that home staging is something we need to do to encourage movement in the housing market.” Clair is positive about prospects for the local market, however. “We live in a very desirable area,” she says. “There are a lot of beautiful places in Huddersfield. The market has been stagnant, but there is always a desire to move into this area and people’s circumstances change. They get married, have kids or split up, which all means people have to buy and sell houses.” Clair, Curtis and their three-year-old son Jacob enjoy holidays and getting together with family. They were joined by “the whole Paxman clan” on a ski-ing holiday to Val d’Isere – as Huddersfield lay buried under the heaviest snowfall for decades. Says Clair: “People were tweeting us about the snow, but when we arrived at Manchester Airport we didn’t see anything. We thought they were having us on. Then we crossed into Yorkshire and realised what they meant! Luckily, we all have big Land Rovers and Range Rovers, so we were okay.” Clair, Curtis and Jacob live in a “lovely” house surrounded by countryside near Hepworth. Says Clair. “We have wonderful views. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the scenery – or hide it behind the curtains!”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: Owner Age: 35 Family: Married to Curtis with son Jacob, three Car: Land Rover Discovery Holidays: Favourite destinations include Hong Kong and Singapore, but our regular holiday spot is Ibiza First job: Working in a Holmfirth bridal shop Best thing about job: Doing something I am passionate about and following my passion Worst thing about job: Without being critical and offending people, convincing sellers to have an open mind by trying to detract themselves from seeing their house as their home and make the necessary changes to give the desired outcome – to sell their house! Business tip: Believe in what you are doing, but ensure there is a demand for what you are doing!
I Love Your House Work: Helping people present their properties for sale Site: Hepworth Phone: 07811 373499 Email: info@iloveyour house.co.uk Web: www.iloveyour house.co.uk
Can your business afford to ignore Health & Safety? With Competent Health and Safety advice from just £25 a month you don’t need to Wilby Risk Management offer a range of services including: Competent Advice Risk Assessments Assistance with CHAS applications contact us today on 01422 358525 or email healthandsafety@wilbyltd.co.uk
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Exports in focus
Agency s a square
EXPORT opportunities in high growth markets provide the focus for activities this week to encourage more of Yorkshire’s small and medium-sized businesses to go global. Visit www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk
■ MILL WORK: Richard Brown (front, owner of Spectrkum Yarns, with Julian Kynaston, of Propaganda
Go-ahead mill firm takes the next step
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COLNE Valley textile firm Spectrum Yarns has appointed strategic marketing consultancy Propaganda to advise on the next phase of its product and brand development. Slaithwaite-based Spectrum Yarns will be supported by the Propaganda team over the next year as part of a process to identify opportunities for further innovation and the launch of a new branded knitwear range. Spectrum Yarns spins yarns for cloth used in upholstery, transport interiors and knitwear. It is also the only worsted spinner of suiting yarns in the UK. Its products are highly regarded around the world and are used by brands including Holland &
Sherry, Dormeuil & Scabel. Richard Brown, owner of Spectrum Yarns, said: “We take great pride in our heritage and wanted to ensure we entrust the next stage of the company’s development to a partner that has a proven history as well. “Propaganda’s credentials with supporting businesses – in a wide range of industries – in new product and brand development speak for themselves so they were a natural choice for us to work with.” Leeds-based Propaganda, established 20 years ago by entrepreneur Julian Kynaston, has worked with many of its clients, including Huddersfield-based FMG, to transform brands and launch
new products and services. Mr Kynaston said: “Our role is to not just identify and meet market demands, but to anticipate them before they arrive. “This is exactly what we’ll be doing for Spectrum Yarns and I’m proud to be involved with them as our teams work together to ensure their continued success – and the continued reputation of Huddersfield as a ‘Mecca’ of the textiles industry.” Mr Brown said: “This is a really exciting time and we are looking forward to the next year and beyond supported by the commercial tenacity and creativity of the Propaganda team.”
Beware intervention fees THE Health & Safety Executive now operates a Fee for Intervention cost recovery scheme, which came into effect on October 1, 2012. Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action. Dutyholders who are compliant with the law, or where a breach is not material, will not be charged FFI for any work that HSE does with them. A material breach is when, in the opinion of the HSE inspector, there is or has been a contravention of health and safety law that requires them to issue notice in writing of that opinion to the dutyholder. Written notification from an HSE inspector may be by a notification of contravention, an improvement or
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Weeks
prohibition notice, or a prosecution and must include the following information – the law that the inspector’s opinion relates to, the reasons for their opinion and notification that a fee is payable to HSE. The inspector will record the time they have spent identifying the material breach, helping you to put it right, investigating and taking enforcement action.
This will include time spent carrying out visits (including all the time on site during which the material breach was identified); writing notifications of contravention, improvement or prohibition notices and reports; taking statements; and getting specialist support for complex issues. The fee payable by dutyholders found to be in material breach of the law is £124 per hour .
Mark Weeks is a risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd
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Back to equities? CITY TALK Nick Gartland
E
QUITY markets remain in “risk on” mode – largely thanks to continued policy accommodation from the major global central banks and stronger than expected US payroll figures. In recent weeks, however, markets have perhaps become slightly less complacent with many market analysts and investors alike now pondering whether the old market saying of “sell in May and go away” looks set to be repeated with a number of obstacles still to be overcome. Commodity markets have suffered steep falls in response to fears over slowing economic growth in China (growth slowed to an annualised 7.7% in the first quarter) as manufacturing and hence demand for such commodities disappointed. Moreover, gold, often viewed as a more stable safe-haven commodity, has also taken a somewhat surprising hit on the back of such data with the price tumbling below $1,400 an ounce, falling the most since 1980. This is partly amid concerns that central banks such as Cyprus might need to liquidate some of their gold holdings, and – conflictingly – partly as optimism that a US recovery will curb the need for stimulus and therefore reduce demand for what is seen as a hedge against economic uncertainty. Given the tepid economic performance in Europe and the US, central banks have continued to maintain an extremely accommodative policy stance. This, combined with markets feeling more comfortable with the political situation in Italy and comments from Mario Draghi supporting further monetary stimulus if needed, has led to continued improvement in the borrowing costs of many peripheral eurozone countries; Spanish and Italian 10-year bond yields have fallen to a smidge above 4% and 3.8% respectively; levels not seen since late 2010. Turning closer to home, the UK looks to have avoided a triple-drip recession with the ONS reporting a Q1 GDP figure of 0.3% with manufacturing remaining broadly flat, while the service sector is showing low but consistent expansion.
UK bond market also remains well supported with both the Gilt and Sterling corporate investment grade bond markets generating positive returns year to date despite the negative sentiment and credit rating downgrades by both Moody’s and Fitch. Investors search for yield shows no sign of abating, with commentary in the press suggesting the new governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, wanting to replicate the US Fed’s policy of pre-committing to not raising interest rates for a definite period of time to ensure interest rate expectations are embedded within the broad economy. A quite remarkable example of the lengths investors will go in their hunt for yield was highlighted last week when Rwanda successfully issued a 10-year bond at an interest rate of 6.6%. In our view, we are not at a maximum “risk on” stance for three reasons: Firstly, political/exogenous risk remains elevated (US politics, European elections, Middle East friction and North Korea to name a few). Secondly, the positive case for equities partly rests on the lack of attractions of the alternatives. In other words, our expectations for equity returns on an absolute basis are positive (high single digits / low double digits) but not exceptional. Finally, we are overdue a correction, as equity markets have risen strongly over the past nine months and recent developments in Europe and the US have pushed-out the likely acceleration in global economic growth from the second half of this year to the first half of 2014. Nevertheless, we remain optimistic that conditions will remain supportive for “risk assets” over the 12 to 18-month investment horizon as potential still exists for an “upside surprise” in risk markets once growth catches if corporations begin to deploy investment funds into real assets (machinery and M&A) at the same time as investors rediscover their animal spirits – redirecting fund flows into equities and away from fixed income.
Nick Gartland, Senior Financial Planning Director, Investec Wealth & Investment
Page 5
High-fliers sought for Stelios’ awards EASYJET founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is calling for talented disabled entrepreneurs to apply for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK. The winner of the award, now in its seventh year, will be presented with a £50,000 cash prize – the largest cash sum of its kind – at a special ceremony in London later this year. The award, jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Leonard Cheshire Disability, recognises the achievements
of disabled entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges to set up their own businesses. To download an application form visit www.lcdisability.org/stelios or call 0845 671 7173. Alternative formats are available on request and Leonard Cheshire Disability can also support applicants to fill in the form over the phone. The deadline is October 25, 2013. Sir Stelios (pictured) said: “Removing the barriers disabled people face in business is essential.”
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property
Page 6
THURSDAY 20 JUNE 2013 7pm
Cedar Court Hotel, Lindley Moor Road, Ainley Top, Huddersfield, HD3 3RH Braeside Farm, Cowcliffe, Huddersfield, HD2 2PH
1 Dilapidated detached farmhouse 1 Elevated rural position 1 7.19 Acres 1 Extensive panoramic views
Guide Price: £100,000 – £125,000 Fell Greave Farm, Bradley, Huddersfield, HD2 1NH 1 Grade II Listed farmhouse 1 Requiring renovation 1 Pleasant semi rural location
Guide Price: On Application 2 Carr Pitt Road, off Wakefield Road, Huddersfield, HD5 9AD 1 Workshop and land 1 Potential development site 1 Opposite Asda/Iceland 1 Close to University and town centre 1 Parking for 6 cars
Guide Price: £30,000 – £40,000
Former School House, Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton, BD19 3NU
1 Residential conversion opportunity 1 Planning permission for residential 1 Requires refurbishment/upgrading 1 Close to town centre
Guide Price: In Excess of £95,000
Residential Building Land, Industrial Street, Primrose Hill, Huddersfield, HD4 6AW 1 Building plot subject to planning permission 1 Potential for 2 houses 1 Popular residential area
Guide Price: £35,000 – £45,000
The Old Post Office Public House, Market Street, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield, HD3 4ND
1 Substantial building 1 Prominent location 1 Residential conversion potential 1 Suitable for a variety of uses
Guide Price: £60,000 – £80,000
6 Modern Flats, 23-25 Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL
1 Modern studio apartments 1 Town centre location 1 Close to bus and railway stations
Guide Price: £20,000 – £25,000 each! 25 Harrison Road, Halifax HX1 2AT
1 Character office building 1 Town centre location 1 215m2 (2,320 sq ft) 1 4 parking spaces 1 Suitable for owner occupation or investment
Guide Price: £90,000 – £100,000
29 Harrison Road, Halifax, HX1 2AT
1 Character office building 1 Town centre location 1 179m2 (1,931 sq ft) 1 6 parking spaces 1 Suitable for owner occupation or investment
Guide Price: £90,000 – £100,000
The Herders Inn, near Haworth, BD8 7EH
1 Derelict public house with paddock 1 Set in Brontë country 1 Stunning elevated position 1 Set in 2.66 Acres 1 Character Grade II Listed building
Guide Price: £150,000 – £175,000 4.9 Acres Pasture Land, near Haworth BD8 7EH 1 Potential equestrian facility 1 Heart of Brontë country 1 Elevated rural location 1 Stunning panoramic views
Guide Price: £30,000 – £50,000
Scout Hall Farm, Shibden Valley, Halifax, HX3 6UJ
1 Grade II Listed farmhouse 1 4/5 Bedrooms 1 Stunning valley location 1 Good sized plot
Guide Price: £250,000 – £300,000
■ LAND DEAL: Peter Garrett (left) managing director of Keyland Developments Ltd, and Conroy Brook chief executive Richard Conroy
Housebuilder in key contract A HOLME Valley housebuilder has secured a link-up with Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Yorkshire Water’s owner Kelda Group. Conroy Brook, based at Brockholes, has been named Keyland’s preferred partner under its Small Sites Initiative. And the joint team’s first scheme has just secured planning approval. Keyland undertakes the redevelopment and regeneration of surplus and redundant Yorkshire Water operational sites for business and community use. It regularly works in partnership with other organisations to identify the potential in sites, promote them through local development frameworks and obtain planning permission to undertake both commercial and residential schemes. Conroy Brook outperformed fierce competition for the position of SSI partner to work alongside Keyland in delivering small development projects across the Yorkshire region and the joint venture team’s first housing project has just been given the green light in Sheffield. Planning permission has been granted by Sheffield City Council for the development of five luxury homes in a Conservation Area within the leafy suburb of Carsick, west of Sheffield City Centre. The former service reservoir became redundant following Yorkshire Water’s investment in Sheffield’s water supply network and Keyland was given the task of regenerating the site for residential development due to its location. Sheffield-based Axis Architecture has designed the natural stone and slate homes which will be traditionally built with a contem-
porary twist. Work is scheduled to start in early Summer, 2013, creating the luxury four/five bedroomed homes with the first completions within a year. Peter Garrett, managing director of Keyland Developments Ltd, said; “When looking for a partner for this initiative, we undertook an extensive search from which Conroy Brook emerged head and shoulders above the competition. “We wanted an established local firm with an excellent reputation for the professional delivery of quality developments and the craftsman-built homes that Conroy Brook creates are of the high calibre that Keyland has become known for delivering. “We are looking forward to progressing with our first joint venture in Sheffield and are already looking at a number of opportunities to regenerate other redundant Yorkshire Water sites in line with the company’s strategic business objectives.” Conroy Brook has been awarded several major industry accolades in recent years and the established housebuilder credits the success of its award-winning portfolio of Yorkshire developments for securing the contract. Richard Conroy, chief executive at Conroy Brook, said: “This is a prestigious appointment for Conroy Brook and follows a strong operating period for us with our recent developments all receiving recognition within the industry. “We are delighted to have been selected for this exciting role and are confident that this will be a solid partnership which will result in a legacy of notable developments across the region.”
Business centre units are in demand A PROPERTY agency with offices in Huddersfield has completed a number of deals. Walker Singleton has let a 3,488sq ft unit at Bradford’s Towngate Business Centre to General All Purpose Plastics Ltd. The business park is a
popular trade counter location with other occupiers including Plumb Center. Elsewhere, the final unit of 1,750 sq ft at Wellington Business Park on Sticker Lane, Bradford, has been let to a new company providing plastic hoses for
the pharmaceutical industry. Walker Singleton, with offices at New North Road in Huddersfield and in Bradford and Halifax, said the lettings meant that both estates are now fully let – creating jobs and boosting economic activity.
Commercial Huddersfield Town Centre REDUCED
£22,500 pa
Edgerton
£950,000
NEW STREET
●
Huddersfield Town Centre
Prime Retail Location
●
Large freehold property
LINDLEY
£21,000 pa
QUEENS ROAD
●
900 sq ft
NEW
£14,500 pa BATON HOUSE HOLLY BANK ROAD ●
An iconic 3 storey office
building formerly used as ●
Overlooking Market Place
●
Coach house & Apt block
the Lindley Bandroom. ●
●
850 square Feet
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3 added elements to rear
●
Large Window Displays
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Provides multi student ●
●
●
Huddersfield Town Centre REDUCED
5 Year Lease
Great business potential
●
A2 permission
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Approx: 1641 sq ft
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Off Leeds Road ●
Ground + 1st floor space
Reduced Price ●
●
5 Year Lease
●
Flexible Terms Available
Could achieve £110K p.a
£26,000 pa
●
●
Prominent Position
lets
£22,500 pa
●
Ground Floor + Basement
●
535 sq m/ 5752 sq ft
Office/Warehouse
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Huddersfield Town Centre REDUCED
£12,000 pa ●
Flexible Terms Available
●
Prominent Shop To Let
●
Large Footfall
●
Return Frontage to Wood
Good quality modern industrial unit with offices and large self contained yard area on main Huddersfield Road
To LeT
immediately available
Industrial
Unit 10 Barncliffe Business Park, Shelley 292m2 (3,143 sq ft) Good quality single storey industrial unit in popular complex with good parking. Well located for M1
To LeT
only £240 per week exclusive
Commercial
16 Brewery Lane Thornhill Lees Dewsbury 20m2 (220 sq ft) Small self contained office/commercial property
FoR SALe www.michaelsteel.co.uk
only £25,000
All enquiries to Alec Michael at Michael Steel & Co on 0113 234 8999 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
or floor by floor
●
£14,500 p.a exc rates
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LGF £5000 pa exc rates
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GF £6500 pa exc rates
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FF £4500 pa exc rates
£15,000 pa HIGH STREET
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Corner Shop To Let
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Approx: 337 sq ft
●
Return frontage - Albion
Street
Street ●
REDUCED RENT
●
Stepped Rents
54 John William Street, Huddersfield HD1 1ER 01484 515029
Crown Green Warehouse, Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe 1,250 m2 (13,456 sq ft)
Available as a whole
●
Huddersfield Town Centre
www.boultonsestateagents.co.uk
Industrial
Recently used as offices.
●
KIRKGATE
Ample parking spaces
Just off Leeds Road
Other Floors Available
●
●
High Pedesrtian Flow
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Close To Bus Station
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Making way for the money men
Judges choose Mocks’ shoes A HUDDERSFIELD-based footwear firm has walked off with a top fashion award. Mocks, which has its trading base at John William Street, was named Young Footwear Brand of the Year at the Drapers Footwear and Accessories Award. The shoes, which take their inspiration from the traditional moccasin, are proving popular with celebrities including TV sports presenter Gaby Logan, Made in Chelsea stars Jamie Laing and actor Idris Elba. The company was among seven finalists shortlisted for the category at the awards, which were held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. The award was presented to business founders Jonathan Hirst and Cat Bardell (pictured above with Radio 1 DJ Jameelia Jamil, right). Judges were looking for a strong brand ethos throughout the business, innovative product, solid sales performance, prompt deliveries, customer service and inventive marketing activity – as well as that little bit extra that makes one brand stand out from the pack. Commenting on Mocks’ success, the judges said: “This brand has seen tremendous growth in such a short space of time. The innovative designs and style sets them apart from competitors. This marks a great achievement for the brand who continue to move from strength to strength.” The classic range, which uses rubber and leather, have proved a popular choice for festivals and outdoor activities. The shoes are easily washable and come with a unique insole hand-crafted to create a snug fit. Having started with the original range, Mocks has now expanded to other styles including loafers. The brand is also launching its online e-commerce site.
Reactiv boss speaks THE founder of an Elland-based firm has joined the list of speakers for the forthcoming Calderdale Business Conference. Tony Abbott, employs more than 200 staff at Reactiv Media, will expand on the lessons he has learned in business when he speaks at CBC ‘ 13 on Wednesday, May 22, at The Shay in Halifax. The event includes business-specific seminars, a business clinic, an exhibition with more than 40 local suppliers and unlimited networking. Mr Abbott founded Reactiv Media in 2007. Since then it has grown to one of the largest data suppliers in the country. For details of the event phone 01924 284524.
A FIRM of independent financial advisers has won a business award. Shepley-based Robertson Baxter was named Business of the Month in the awards run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and government export support arm UKTI. Robertson Baxter was formed in 2007 by directors Stephen Baxter and Greg Robertson, who previously worked together at HSBC. The firm focuses on advising high net worth individuals; the owners and families of small and medium sized businesses and partners of professional services firms, as well as charities and trustees. Its average client has £750,000 invested and managed by Robertson Baxter while the firm’s client base is predominantly in West and North Yorkshire, but with others as far afield as London and Cheshire. Clients include the One Community Foundation and Huddersfield University. From a standing start in April, 2007, the business now managed £100m of client funds and looks after 161 clients – considerably fewer than the thousands of clients that most IFA firms need to look after to achieve this level of funds under management. Judges in the competition were particularly impressed by the level of care and attention that Robertson Baxter put into its Business of the Month application, the planning Greg and Stephen put into their business even before it opened its doors to clients and how the firm has established itself as a well-respected business that con-
■ SOUND FINANCES: Chris Taylor (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the award to Stephen Baxter (second right) and Michael Woodhead (right), of Robertson Baxter, with (from left) Ellie Lyon, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Carl France, of Sanderson Associates; and Jo McBeath, of UKTI
tinues to adapt and thrive in the changing financial services market. Director Stephen Baxter said: “We are genuinely thrilled to have received this award which we view as further recognition of the strength of our brand and reputation in Huddersfield and further afield. “This award is for the whole team at
Robertson Baxter who work every day to ensure that our clients receive first class, honest and transparent financial planning.” The awards are open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389 for more information.
Alastair Redfern
Ramsdens Solicitors
Exams figured out ACCOUNTANTS Michelle Pashley and Claire Robinson proved they know their numbers by passing key industry exams. Michelle (above, right) achieved the Association of Accounting Technicians qualification after two years of study which involved exams every two months. Michelle, who lives at Holmfirth, works as a case administrator in the insolvency department at Cleckheaton-based Clough & Company. Claire (also pictured), of Bradford, is celebrating after passing the ACA qualification to become a qualified chartered accountant. The ACA
qualification is one of the most advanced learning and professional development programmes in the UK. Claire works in Clough and Company’s audit department. She spent three years studying and sat 15 exams. As part of the ACA qualification, Claire is now a fully fledged member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Clough & Company’s practice chairman Steven Gash said: “Both Michelle and Claire have worked hard to gain these qualifications and we are proud to have financed their studies in order to help them grow and develop their skills.”
A LAW firm based in Huddersfield has strengthened its commercial litigation team with the appointment of a new solicitor. Alastair Redfern has joined Edgerton-based Ramsdens from Ozon Solicitors in Manchester and is based at Ramsdens’ Wakefield office. Mr Redfern has acted for a wide range of individual and private clients on both a national and international basis. He has extensive litigation experience dealing with cases from county court level through to the Court of Appeal He deals with many different kinds of disputes, including commercial and personal disputes and professional negligence and has particular experience in reputation management, privacy, media and intellectual property matters, with a particular emphasis on internet-related matters for which he was recommended by the UK Legal 500. Steven Singh, head of commercial litigation at Ramsdens, said: “Alastair will make a great addition to the litigation team and his appointment will add greater breadth and depth to our litigation offering.” Mr Redfern said: “Joining Ramsdens will give me the opportunity to work as part of a team that has a reputation built on the quality of its people and its positive approach to managing disputes.”