Kirklees Business News 140812 by Huddersfield

FTSE 100

RICHARD LAY Living with numbers

-15.23 5831.88

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PHILIP STEPHENSON Still going for gold Column - Page 5

An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Company proves it’s up for the cup!

A FIRM making kitchens has partnered with a social enterprise to promote ethically-sourced and fairly-traded tea. Dewsbury-based Rixonway has joined forces with Not Just a Trading Company to support the initiative which will provide a fair wage for producers overseas and supports skills and training in the UK. The link-up has seen the two companies work together to design a bespoke packet of tea which will be g ive n away at va r i o u s eve n t s throughout the year. NJATC is a social enterprise set up by the Huddersfield-based Lorna Young Foundation to offer young people and communities the chance to set up and run their own trading enterprises with ethical business principles being their driving force. Rixonway, which makes kitchens for affordable and social housing, said it chose to work with NJATC as its ethics mirrors its own corporate social responsibility policies. The ethically-sourced and sustainably produced tea bags guarantee that

everyone in the supply chain has been treated fairly. Rixonway Kitchens has developed strong links with local charities, organisations and employment agencies. Laura Smith, NJATC business and community initiatives manager, said: “We were delighted when Rixonway approached us regarding this partnership. “Our tea is sourced directly from a tea-producing cooperative in rural India with all the money from sales of the products being pumped back into supporting its UK enterprise groups with skills and training.” Nick Greenall, operations director at Rixonway Kitchens, said: “We are always happy to provide support to schemes which benefit all those involved in an ethical manner..” The partnership is the latest example of Rixonway’s involvement with community-based projects. NJATC, based at Netherton, is the latest innovative social enterprise set up by international ethical trading charity The Lorna Young Foundation. It helps disadvantaged groups in the

■ SCREEN SAVER: Peter Martin is using his accountancy skills with his new business Bookkeeping Aid

individuals and sole traders to small companies. “Following my stroke, I wanted to return to work just as soon as possible, but making the best recovery I could was my top priority,” said Peter.

Racing certainty A TEAM from employment law specialist Howarths took part in their first 10k race to raise more than £500 for charity. Now they have been bitten by the running bug and are planning to take part in a second race.They were sponsored for their efforts in the 10k Great Manchester Run and raised £521 for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice at Bradley.

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■ TEA AND TOAST: Rixonway’s Nick Greenall (left) has a cuppa with Hayden Stock and Daniel Woolnough, both 19, and members of the first Not Just a Community Enterprise, along with Laura Smith, of Not Just a Trading Company

UK to learn about ethical trading. Products include tea, coffee, chocolate and rice. The firm and its member groups are

looking for like-minded corporate partners to buy its products and help with mentoring, in-kind support and extending their ethical product range.

Helping hand means Peter’s fit for business A BUSINESSMAN has battled back from disability to open a new chapter in his career. When Huddersfield man Peter Martin suffered a stroke 10 years ago, it had a profound impact on his physical and emotional wellbeing – eventually bringing his job as a payroll clerk working in a hotel to an end. It also left him with several disabilities, in addition to the sight and hearing impairments he had acquired as a child. Now with support from Ingeus, which delivers the government’s Work Programme, he has formed his own company, called Bookkeeping Aid, which makes use of his considerable accountancy skills. Now he’s busy signing up new customers looking for assistance with their financial affairs – from private

INSIDE

“I then applied for dozens of jobs, but had to give an honest answer when the application forms asked about my ability to communicate – on a practical level, I have obvious barriers. However, I am determined to ensure this does not get in the way of me succeeding once again.” Ingeus, with offices in Huddersfield town centre, helped Peter develop his IT and social media skills, including learning how to tweet and blog, so that he could promote his new business in innovative ways. Ingeus also helped Peter develop his company by producing business cards, letterheads and other promotional items. Now that word is getting around, he is signing up customers and is financially self-sufficient. “Peter was referred to us by Job-

centre Plus, and our role was to explore with him the best way forward,” said Ingeus adviser Stephanie Pogson. “It was clear his numeracy skills were excellent and this was where his heart lay. We jointly agreed to investigate how he could become self-employed and from there it just snowballed. The result is that he’s not only doing the job he loves – he’s also running his own business.” Said Peter: “Ingeus encouraged me towards social networking and this opened a new world of communication to me. “I had been contemplating going solo for some time, but Stephanie and her team gave me the boost I needed. More than that, they also supported me in very practical ways – and that really made the difference.”

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Firm bags new site A KIRKLEES company has moved to bigger premises – to cope with an increase in sales. Duvalay owners Liz and Alan Colleran are moving their firm from Staincliffe Mills in Dewsbury to larger premises in Quarry Road, Gomersal. The company creates a range of memory foam mattresses and an innovative memory foam sleeping bag used by caravanners, holidaymakers and , truckers.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Travelodge seeks to cut £500m debt

ONE of Britain’s biggest budget hotel operators is considering walking away from up to 50 of its sites to help tackle its £500m debt mountain. Travelodge, which owns more than 500 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain and employs more than 6,000 staff, is considering asking landlords to accept a controversial company voluntary arrangement as part of a wider restructuring. The deal would effectively see Travelodge demand to end some of its uneconomical leases or renegotiate its debt to help it stave off administration. Newspaper reports suggested that no jobs would be at risk because the hotels involved were likely to be transferred to new operators over the next year. If accepted by landlords, the deal would form part of a wider financial restructuring that is expected to result in American hedge funds Avenue Cap-

ital and GoldenTree Asset Management joining US bank Goldman Sachs to take over ownership from Dubai International Capital. Travelodge, which has hotels at Spindlegate on Leeds Road, Huddersfield, and at Mirfield, is thought to be trading well, but is struggling to deal with £500m of debts, accrued during a buyout spree before the financial crisis set in. Travelodge, the UK’s second biggest budget hotel chain behind Whitbread’s Premier Inn, reported a 20% increase in profits last year to £55m. The two hedge funds, which specialise in taking over struggling businesses by taking ownership in return for writing off debts, are understood to have provided an emergency £60m lifeline to the firm ahead of an expected debt-for-equity swap. A spokesman for Travelodge said: “As part of the ongoing restructuring

Lloyds contract boost for MITIE OUTSOURCING group MITIE hailed a strong start to the year – powered by a lucrative contract with taxpayer-backed Lloyds Banking Group. The Bristol-based group, whose services include office cleaning and maintenance, airpor t baggage screening and shop design, said that as at June 30 it had secured 87% of budgeted revenues for the financial year to March 31 2013, compared to 85% at that point last year. MITIE said its five year, £775m deal to deliver facilities management services for Lloyds was “progressing well” after starting on August 1. The FTSE 250-group will provide

catering, reception, engineering maintenance, cleaning, security, waste management and office space management for Lloyds’ branch and office estate. In the private sector, MITIE said its sales pipeline remains “buoyant”. It recently secured a new contract to provide front of house services at Royal Bank of Scotland for five years with an expected value of £30m. In the public sector, it remains focused on the justice, health, local authority and social housing markets and has a steady flow of contract awards, including an expanded £30m-plus contract to provide services to the Scottish Government.

process, a number of options are being considered. “However, no decisions have been taken at this stage and we will update you in due course.” It is understood that accountancy firm KPMG has been appointed to steer the company through its restructuring process although a CVA is just one of the options under consideration. Earlier this year, KPMG led a CVA of gym chain Fitness First, which allowed it to transfer 67 of its 147 gyms to other operators over the next six months. T h e 6 2 - ro o m Tr av e l o d g e at Spindlegate opened last December. It represents a £2.2m investment and has created 13 jobs. The hotel was one of seven new Travelodge hotels to be opened in the run up to Christmas – together creating 150 jobs and representing almost £30m investment.

E.ON lifts earnings

■ PILLOW TALK: Travelodge is in discussions about how to tackle its £500m debt mountain

UK profits slide for Page RECRUITMENT firm Michael Page International reported a slide in profits at its UK arm as business with the country’s beleaguered banking sector continued to suffer. With Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland all having announced job cuts over the past two years, banking business at Michael Page in the UK was down by 50% year on year in the six months to June 30. The UK, which represents more than a fifth of the group’s total profits, saw revenues drop by 10% to £146m while gross profits fell 7% to £61.7m. The wider group, which employs 1,200 in the UK, saw broadly flat

profits of £273.9m in the period, propped up by a 17% increase in profits in the Asia-Pacific region. Europe, Middle East and Africa – the group’s largest region – contributing 43% of group gross profit, saw revenues rise by 0.9% to £211.5m and gross profit slip by 1.9% to £117.9m. Increasing austerity measures and levels of unemployment across Southern Europe hit market confidence, Michael Page said, while the weaker euro impacted the results of the eurozone countries. During the first half of the year, Michael Page opened new offices in Morocco and South Africa.

ONE of the UK’s big six energy suppliers will leave customers “questioning” their bills after it more than trebled its net profits, a consumer group warned. E.ON, which has more than 5m customers in the UK, reported underlying net income for the January to June period of £2.6bn compared to about £706m a year earlier. While the figures were flattered by a big hit taken by the company last year relating to Germany’s phasing out of nuclear energy, Consumer Focus said the haul would “reopen questions” over whether falling wholesale prices are being passed on. The results come shortly after British Gas came under pressure to drop its prices after revealing a 23% hike in profits in the six months to June 30. The profit surge at E.ON was also helped by a gas price settlement with Russia’s Gazprom. E.ON said it was sticking to its forecast for 2012 – with net profits at £3.2bn to £3.5bn. Chief executive Johannes Teyssen said: “Our solid first-half results demonstrate that we’re meeting our existing challenges decisively.” The German utility giant said first-half sales rose by 23% year on year to £51.4bn. E.ON in May reassured its customers after it pledged to keep residential energy prices on hold this year as part of a commitment to be fair and transparent.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £35.49 -0.10 Gannett 967.50 +6.37 Hess Corp £31.23 -0.43 Microsoft 1925.75 -13.07 Motors Liquidation 47.80 Wal-Mart Stores £46.65 -0.31 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 293 BAE Systems 3161/8 +13/4 Rolls-Royce 850 -11/2 AIM Brady Plc 92 3 Dawson Intl /8 Man Brnze 25 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2151/4 -25/8 BANKS Barclays 183 -3/8 HSBC 5653/4 -11/8 Lloyds Banking Gp 315/8 +1/4 Ryl Scotland 2223/8 -3/8 1 Stan Chart 1333 /2 +7 BEVERAGES Diageo 1698 -81/2 SABMiller £281/4 CHEMICALS Croda £241/8 -1/2 Elementis 98 2133/8 +7/8 1 Johnsn Mat £22 /2 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2891/4 -35/8

2153/4 -21/4 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 4737/8 -103/8 SSE 1323 +3 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2163/4 -11/2 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3653/4 -11/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2183/8 -3/8 Cable & Wireless 331/2 +1 Comm +47/8 Colt Group 1193/4 KCOM 771/4 -3/4 Talktalk Telecom 1847/8 +51/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2841/4 +15/8 Sainsbury 3253/4 +23/8 Tesco 3291/8 +13/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1278 -5 Tate Lyle 6641/2 -51/2 Unilever £227/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3191/4 -21/4 National Grid 6921/2 +41/2 1 Pennon Grp 735 /2 +1 Severn 1708 +2 United Utils 689 +11/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2137/8 -13/4 ICAP 3321/2 -43/4 Costain

London StockExch 1007 +3 Man Group 841/4 +3/8 Provident Financial 1300 +16 Schroders 1419 +12 Schroders NV 1128 +6 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 581 -18 REXAM 4327/8 -13/4 Smiths Grp 1038 -14 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 231/8 +1/2 Carphone Whse 1441/4 +21/2 5 Dixons Retail 16 /8 +3/8 Home Retail 847/8 +17/8 Inchcape 387 +33/8 Kingfisher 2887/8 +7/8 M&S 350 -5/8 1 Mothercare 207 /4 +3/4 5 Next £35 /8 WH Smith 572 -1 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES 1 Smith Nph 666 /2 +1/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 70 Barrat Dev 1407/8 -1/4 Persimmon 656 -3 7 Reckitt Benckiser £35 /8 Taylor Wimpey 497/8 -1/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 8841/2 -6 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1883/8 -23/4 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION

BBA Aviation 1841/2 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3227/8 Lgl & Gen 1315/8 Old Mutual 1671/8 Prudential 805 Resolution 2163/4 Standard Life 2563/4 MEDIA BSkyB 750 D Mail Tst 4741/4 HIBU 11/4 ITV 83 Johnston Press 55/8 Pearson 1232 Reed Elsevier 5631/2 STV Group 911/2 Trinity Mirror 403/4 Utd Business 681 UTV 133 WPP 853 MINING Anglo American £201/4 Antofagasta 1117 BHP Billiton 19791/2 Eurasian Natural 4223/8 Res Fresnillo 1564 Kazakhmys 7381/2 Lonmin 741 Rio Tinto £32 VEDANTA 977 RESOURCES Xstrata 9283/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES

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+2 /2 +2 -1/2 -1/8 -7 -1/2 +2 -1 -41/2 -3/8 -101/2 -1/4 -16 -12 -31/2 -17 -71/2 -12 -1/8 -20 +15/8

Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

4811/2 791/4 6921/2 1728

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5831.88 Down 15,23 Inmarsat 5521/2 -7 Vodafone Group 1901/4 -1/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1177 +2 RSA Insurance Gp 1133/4 +3/8 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 13201/2 +3 BP 4467/8 -13/4 Cairn Energy 3003/4 -31/8 Royal Dutch Shell A £221/2 -1/8 Royal Dutch Shell B £233/8 Total £311/4 -1/8 Tullow Oil 1363 -1 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1076 -15

Petrofac 1486 -81 -31/2 Wood Gp(J) 8161/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1347 -17 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £297/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 61/2 Shire 1985 -4 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 540 +1 Captl Shop Cent 3263/4 -1/8 Hamrsn 458 -27/8 Land Secs 8001/2 +21/2 SEGRO 2451/2 -7/8 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2463/8 -13/4 Logica 1043/4 +1/8 1 Sage Group 299 /4 +1 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 524 -2 Bunzl 1110 -3 Capita 7231/2 -81/2 De La Rue 1038 -7 Electrocomp 2181/4 -11/4 Experian 983 +41/2 G4S 2641/4 +13/4 Hays 793/4 +1 Homeserve 2251/8 +51/8 Menzies J 630 +5 Rentokil 783/4 -1/4 3 Smiths News 114 /4 +11/2 Wolseley £241/2 -3/8 IT HARDWARE

ARM Hldgs Psion Spirent Comms

5701/2 873/8 145

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TOBACCO Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco

£341/2 £251/4

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LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airlines Gp Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread

943/4 £213/4 703 553 581/2 2563/4 1286 5721/2 1662 1481/4 165 269 2171/8 120 285 2047/8 £211/8

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FTSE 100

INDEX 5831.88

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FTSE 250

INDEX 11436.81

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TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.41 dollars Bangladesh................. 120.39 taka Brazil.............................. 2.82 reals Canada....................... 1.48 dollars China ............................. 8.90 yuan Czech Republic ...... 29.42 korunas Denmark....................... 9.03 krone Euro............................... 1.22 euro Hong Kong................ 11.53 dollars Hungary................... 317.27 forints India.......................... 76.45 rupees Japan........................... 116.73 yen Mexico ....................... 18.28 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.80 dollars Norway ......................... 8.85 krone Pakistan.................. 139.76 rupees Philippines ................. 56.23 pesos South Africa.................. 11.90 rand South Korea.............. 1543.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 194.95 rupees Sweden......................... 9.98 krona Switzerland.................. 1.46 francs Taiwan ...................... 41.01 dollars Turkey....................... 2.63 new lira USA ............................ 1.50 dollars

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS IT’S been a busy 12 months for accountant Richard Lay. As the first anniversary of the launch of his company Paramount Accountancy approaches, Richard is able to take stock of what he’s achieve since swapping the relative safety of life in an established firm for running his own business. Paramount Accountancy, based in a Victorian mansion in leafy Edgerton, also includes accounting technician Ian Hoyle and Caroline Northrop as client manager. Richard launched the business with Ian on September 1. Both had previously been with accountancy firm Sheards in Huddersfield. Says Richard: “As part of the deal, I had the chance to take my clients with me when I launched Paramount, which gave me a great start. But I was still thinking ‘there’s only Ian and me. How are we going to get on?’ “In the first 12 months, we have been focusing on start-ups and small businesses. We get them into the office on ‘day one’ finding it difficult. They are insurance, banking, website and ask about their plans – getting tired of working design and IT.” whether they should be a harder for less money and Richard’s interest in limited company or a sole lack the confidence to accountancy started when trader. You get the basics invest. he was a pupil at Birkdale right for them and – “A lot of my clients are High School. “I liked hopefully – you have a client holding their own. Luckily, a numbers, I was good at for the next 10 or 20 years.” lot of them – particularly in maths – and I couldn’t Richard has no doubt Huddersfield – like to keep spell!” he jokes. “I wanted to what small businesses their borrowings low and pursue a professional want. “They want to be able have plenty of cash in the career in something like to speak to someone and bank! They’re opting to banking, accountancy or get the right answers,” he keep the money in the bank law,” he says. says. “If they have problems, for now and see how things In the early 1980s, he got they need someone to sort go. a job at Fred Sheard & them out. You have to make “There is business to be Sons in Huddersfield and it easy for people to find had. You just have to work completed his articles with you. Communication is half for it.” the firm before joining the battle.” Dewsbury-born Richard Jolliffe Cork in Wakefield. Since setting up points to another trait of He went on to work for a Paramount Accountancy, small business owners. number of accountancy Richard has seen a shift in firms, but says he was “too attitudes. “People see being “They try to do too much,” he says. “They do the work, enthusiastic” as far as some in employment as the safe of his employers were option and self-employment the administration, the concerned. “They wanted as risky,” he says. “But that’s selling and the marketing. By doing that, they miss me to be ‘steady away’ and changed round a bit. If you opportunities.” not rock the boat,” he says. are in a job, you don’t know Richard is seizing every “I didn’t want to work for a how long you will be in it. opportunity to generate new big firm because I don’t like Self-employment offers business. He attends early the politics involved with big more certainty in that you morning networking events organisations or the ‘them know you have to make it and us’ attitude between work. You have more control run by Kirklees BNI each Thursday at Ponderosa partners and employees. – especially if you set it up Business Park in The directors should be as the right way. Heckmondwike. “A lot of the answerable to the “And having just set up businesses there are really employees and the my own business I know switched-on and definitely employees are answerable firsthand some of the to the directors.” problems faced by start-ups have the right attitude,” he says. “The group also He returned to Sheards because I have gone provides a network of where he became a director. through them.” trusted people who are able While he values his time at Cash is still king and businesses have to keep the to offer help to our clients in the firm, he eventually terms of things like decided to strike out on his cash flowing. “People have to chase the money, but you can make it as easy as possible,” he says. “We have a software programme that helps clients chase debtors. It emails them and keeps track of what they have sent. Cash flow is always the big issue. Debtors are using the recession as an excuse for not paying promptly, but in many cases they do have the money.” Looking at the current economic climate, Richard says: “Companies were expecting this year to be easier, but it is probably the hardest year – especially for ■ OFFICE WORK: Richard Lay, director of Paramount Accountancy, at the firm’s imprerssive Edgerton premises retail. Companies are

profile

Richard has it figured out! own. Now he is clear about his business philosophy. “I wanted to run an accountancy firm as a collection of people working hard to the best of their abilities and getting well rewarded for their efforts,” he says. “If people are willing to work for you, make a commitment to you and do the best they can then the employer has a duty to do the best they can for the employee. “A lot of firms that are not doing well are the firms where the employees are not getting training, not getting motivated and not getting properly rewarded. How you reward people says how much you value them. And if you have a motivated team working hard you will produce enough income to reward everyone.” Richard’s aim is to make matters as easy as possible for small business clients. The firm’s online accounting system, KashFlow, makes it easier for customers to manage their book-keeping and accounts and to keep a better track of their finances. Clients also get free training on the system. Says Richard: “Online accounting software is considered by many to be the way the industry is heading as it allows businesses to constantly measure and evaluate their financial position.” Getting his business off the ground has left little time for leisure, but Richard says: “I spend a lot of time with my children, I’m able to work flexibly, so that if I take an afternoon off to be with the kids, I will work well into the evenings. Sometimes a client will come back to me asking why I sent him an email at one in the morning! It’s a lot more than a nine-to-five job!” When time allows,

Page 3 Richard Lay Role: Director Age: 46 Family: Children Rachel, 10, and Tom, six Holidays: Italy, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales Car: Landrover Discovery First job: Frying chips at a fish and chip shop in Dewsbury town centre Best thing about job: I enjoy working with the staff and clients. Worst thing about job: Long hours at the moment. Like any new start-up, you have to put the hours in Business tip: Look after your customers

Richard intends to do more cycling. He is a keen walker and plans to tackle The Three Peaks in the near future. The Yorkshire Dales and the Lake DIstrict are favourite haunts for walking holidays. “I have started trying to play golf,” says Richard. “I want to get fitter and I do a lot of cycling and mountain biking. Just don’t ask me to sprint!”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Paramount Accountancy Work: Chartered accountant Site: Edgerton Phone: 01484 818945 Email: richard.lay @paramount accountancy.co.uk Website: www.paramount accountancy.co.uk

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KIRKLEES BUSIN

Check out the changes EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Neil Wilson

HE Government has announced T new minimum wage rates which will apply from October 1, 2012.

Attention all new business owners !

Balance Accountants launch enhanced service for new businesses

Research shows that 4 out of 5 new businesses fail within their first 5 years of trading and that 57% fail within the first 12 months. The good news is that research also shows that careful financial planning and a good accountant are 2 of the things that really make a difference in helping new businesses to avoid becoming just another statistic. The Balance START-UP SERVICE is squarely aimed at new or fledgling businesses with the sense and foresight to learn the financial ropes, get their accounts in order and then prepare to prosper and grow. It’s our way of helping to tip the balance in favour of short term survival leading to long term success. So if you are about to start or have recently started a new business then it might be worth a call to Balance Accountants to see how the service that we offer can help your business to succeed!!!! Balance Accountants specialise in helping business owners to have better, more profitable and more enjoyable businesses. If your business is not performing as well as you want it to then you should contact us now. Balance Accountants,Victoria Court, 91 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth HD9 3JA Tel: 01484 685 413 Fax: 01484 682206 www.balanceonline.co.uk info@balanceonline.co.uk

For workers aged 21 and over, the rate will increase from £6.08 to £6.19 per hour; for workers aged between 18 and 20, the rate will remain at £4.98 per hour; for workers aged between 16 and 17 – who are not apprentices – the rate will remain at £3.68; and for those workers engaged on apprenticeships, the rate will increase from £2.60 to £2.65 per hour. The Government had considered whether or not to freeze all minimum wage rates, particularly given pressure exerted by employer groups during 2012. However, the Government has now accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission in increasing rates in certain categories. In other legislative developments, the Government recently closed a consultation on various proposed changes to the Employment Tribunal system and a response has now been published to that consultation. The Government has now announced that it is intending to introduce fees for the lodging and continuing of Tribunal claims in the second half of 2013. In summary, the proposed fee charging structure is as follows: ● Straightforward claims for defined sums such as redundancy payments, would be charged at £160.00 on issue and £230.00 if it reaches a Hearing ● More complex issues such as unfair dismissal and discrimination, will attract an issue fee of £250 and a Hearing fee of

£950 ● The fee for lodging an appeal with the Employment Appeals Tribunal is £400 with a Hearing fee of £1,200. In responding to the recent consultation, the Government has commented that Tribunals should be used as “the option of last resort to resolve employment disputes”. In response to concerns about accessibility, the Government is committing to consider a system for excusing payment for those on low incomes and it is also suggested that the Tribunal will have a discretionary power toward the losing party to pay the costs of the successful party. It is interesting to note that, in response to the consultation, the majority of both employee and employer respondents were dissatisfied with aspects of the proposals. Understandably, employee responses focused on the issue of a lack of access to justice and deterring workers from making valid claims. Business groups, conversely, thought that the fees system should explicitly seek to deter “vexatious” claims, whereas the Government’s stated purpose of the introduction of fees is to require users of the system to bear some of its cost. It is expected that there will be further opposition to the proposals, especially from trade unions and groups representing employee welfare and it remains to be seen whether or not the final legislation reflects the current bold proposals.

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

Home advantage MANY UK manufacturers still fear that the risks of global trade outweigh the opportunities, according to new research by Barclays. Findings from a survey of more than 200 manufacturers across the UK revealed an emphasis on quality and loyalty among UK manufacturers – with businesses looking to each other for support rather than going abroad. Almost two-thirds of those polled source commodities or components for their products from the UK rather than abroad – with more than half producing goods that are sold to the UK end user or used as components in UK production. For those that do source from overseas, 32% look to China as a key market followed by 19% who source from Germany.

Asked what the key deterrent is for trading outside of the UK, 36% said they simply prefer to source from the UK as a rule while 19% cite currency risk and 11% fear goods or payment may not be received. Chris Forrest, head of manufacturing in the north for Barclays Corporate Banking, said: “There is a clear sign of patriotism amongst UK manufacturers as values, loyalty and confidence hold firm with proximity being seen as a key driver. “Given the current economic climate, a focus on domestic strategies and procurement is understandable. However, manufacturers must not be afraid to play a lead role on the global supply chain stage.” When it comes to choosing suppliers and winning business, the findings show quality is a defining factor.

Diary filling for KBW events

EVERYONE wants to get in on th act... Events submissions for the inaugural Kirklees Business Week are flying in since launching a couple of weeks ago The first-ever Kirklees Business Week gets under way on Monday September 24. The week promises a number of free sector-specific seminars run by different businesses at various venues. Events already in the calendar include a schools enterprise Dragons’ Den with the Batley-based Schools Teaching Enterprise Programme Ltd; Huddersfield accountancy firm Revell Ward explaining how charities can think more commercially; and a Social Medi Round Table delivered by Birstall-based marketing agency Fantastic Media. The aim of Kirklees Business Week is to provide a platform for local firms to share their knowledge across the district in a manner that is convenient for all sectors of business in Kirklees. Venues available to those wanting to run an event in Kirklees include the newly-named John Smith’s Stadium and the state-of-the-art conference room at law firm Chadwick Lawrence’s Huddersfield premises. All venues will be supplied free t event organisers and all event delegate places will be free. All the events are promoted on the KBW website, by emails and PR and in the KBW supplement to be published in The Examiner prior to Kirklees Business Week Events will run from Monday, September 24, to Friday, September 28 – with the annual Kirklees Business Conference taking place on Thursday, September 27, at The John Smith’s Stadium. To submit your event for KBW, visit the website at www.kirkleesbusinessweek.co.u

Website gets into top gear

A FIRM providing commercial vehicles is aiming to win a bigge share of an expanding market with the launch of a new website Northgate Vehicle Sales, which has been selling vans to trade buyers and businesses since 1989 and includes customers in the Kirklees area, has introduced the site to back up its network of UK premises. The new site, which sells direct t the trade, was piloted in Darlington where it received over 5,000 visits. The site includes an auction area for online traders.

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We’re still after gold!

AVING seen a “feelH good factor” brought about by the Olympics

and the dazzling display by Team GB, there is more good news for business in our region. While the Olympians worked hard in the run-up to the Games to get the most out of their talents, HSBC has been working hard to help small and medium-sized enterprises achieve their dreams. Figures just out reveal that in the first six months of the year, HSBC provided over £770m of gross new lending to SMEs in the region. Our lending to SMEs in the region was up on the same period last year. We provided lending facilities to over 50,000 businesses in the region. At the beginning of the year, we made a clear commitment to lend more to UK

BANKER’S BLOG Philip Stephenson

SMEs than we did during 2011, with a focus on providing support for those companies that are trading or aspiring to trade internationally. And £6.3bn of gross new lending was provided to SMEs across the UK in the first six months, an 8% year-on-year increase. We remain committed to helping more small and medium-sized companies in and around Kirklees to achieve their ambitions. The increase in gross new lending during the first half of the year demonstrates that our doors are open for business and we urge businesses to come and talk to us about

their plans, as we are in a strong position to help. We have seen an increase in the number of customers trading internationally and we expect this to continue as UK businesses look to access growing markets around the world. With the amount of international activity carried out by UK companies set to increase by 66% over the next 15 years, we expect demand for a truly international banking partner to increase, and HSBC has the expertise, products and global footprint that businesses need to take advantage of future opportunities across the world.

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Widening the net in hunt for talented apprentices FREE practical advice to help attract under-represented groups into apprenticeships in science, engineering and technology is now available to Kirklees employers. The move has been made by West Yorkshire-based UKRC-WISE, an organisation working towards gender equality in science, engineering and technology and which was one of the partners in a National Apprenticeship Service project to widen diversity in apprenticeships. The project involved working with major organisations in the energy sector, including the National Grid, British Gas and E.ON UK, to increase numbers of female, black and ethnic minority applicants into apprenticeship programmes. Kevin Dowd, network operations

manager at The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies, said: “Skills shortages, an ageing workforce profile and a decline in the overall number of school leavers are all key drivers behind the need to create a more diverse workforce within the energy sector. “It also makes sound business sense to have a workforce that reflects its customer base – including women and ethnic minorities.” Helen Wollaston, director of UKRC-WISE, said: “We are seeing a lot of interest from organisations who want to recruit apprentices from more diverse backgrounds, but we need to get the message out to young people and their parents about the opportunities available.” Go to www.theukrc.org

MoD calls up Cleckheaton company A CLECKHEATON company’s reputation for quality training has impressed the Ministry of Defence. Brookhouse Training, which takes enquiries from armed forces personnel looking for resettlement options, was asked to take part in Career Transition Partnership events this summer in Harrogate and Peterborough – to show military personnel from the Army, Navy and RAF the benefits of re-training and

developing a career within the gas industry. David Dumeresq-Lucas, director at Brookhouse Training, said: “For most of our service men and women, the prospect of resettling into Civvy Street may not be as easy as we think it would be. “We have and do retrain candidates who previously had careers within the forces and we want to demonstrate there is a bright future for those leaving.”

Philip Stephenson is HSBC deputy area commercial director for Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield

Firms taste success THREE businesses in Kirklees are celebrating success in the Great Taste Awards. Moldgreen-based Shaws (Huddersfield) Ltd, Lockwood-based A J Pies and Pastries and Denby Dale ice cream maker Yummy Yorkshire were all winners in the annual competition run by the Guild of Fine Foods. Pickle manufacturer Shaws was awarded a Gold Star for its Premium range Apricot & Ginger Chutney, which is part of the company’s new Heritage range to be launched shortly. A J Pies and Pastries, which has won a string of awards, gained two Gold Stars – for its Steak and Ale Pie and its Pork and Stilton Pie. And Yummy Yorkshire secured a Gold Star for its White Chocolate & Cherry Ripple ice cream, which it launched earlier this year. The Great Taste Awards are acknowledged by producers, retailers and consumers as the definitive, independent benchmark for speciality food and drink. They have been described as the Oscars of the food world and the “epicurean equivalent of the Booker Prize”. The 2012 Great Taste Awards saw more than 2,500 companies enter a total of 8,807 products, which were blind tasted by 350 independent experts comprising key buyers, retailers, chefs and food writers. Foods are judged by at least three different judging panels at three different venues

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added value services include… Tailored programme to maximise profitability Tailored tax efficient solutions over a period of 45 days. It is the fourth consecutive year in which Yummy Yorkshire has won a Great Taste Award, bringing its total number of awards by the Guild of Fine Food to six. Jeremy Holmes, co-founder of Yummy Yorkshire, said: “Winning a Great Taste Award is a major achievement for a small, family run business like ours as it is one of the most trusted benchmarks for fine food and drink.” Laurel Gilbert, of Shaws (Huddersfield) Ltd, said: “We were really excited to find out that we received a Gold Star. We are really pleased as this is the new Heritage collection we are launching shortly and so to have an accolade at launch is fantastic!”

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS New director for retail agency arm PROPERTY agency Jones Lang LaSalle has appointed Steve Elrington (pictured) as an associate director with its retail agency team in West Yorkshire. Mr Elrington (pictured) joins the existing three-man team and has the remit to deliver retailer property services across Northern England, focusing on the high street and shopping centre sectors. His arrival bolsters the existing three man Leeds’ based retail team. Jeff Pearey, head of Jones Lang LaSalle’s Leeds office, said: “Retail is a key area of our business in Yorkshire and Steve’s appointment will enhance our already strong agency offering and reiterates our commitment to providing our clients across the region with high quality advice.”

Management role for Colliers RESTAURANTS and pubs operator Mitchells & Butlers has appointed Colliers International to manage its existing 1,600 strong estate. The appointment follows a review of Mitchells & Butlers’ current and future real estate requirements which concluded that outsourcing to a specialist provider would deliver the most effective service to support the company. Mitchells & Butlers’ properties include ones in Birkby, Ainley Top, Kirkburton, Shepley, Mirfield and Brighouse. Chris Brook, head of corporate solutions at Colliers International, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Mitchells & Butlers to manage their real estate portfolio across the UK. “By combining the expertise of the corporate solutions and specialist licensed and leisure teams at Colliers International we are able to provide Mitchells & Butlers with the complete and sophisticated estate management service that this progressive organisation seeks.” Gary John, group property director at Mitchells & Butlers, said: “We have ambitious plans for the future and we need the support of a highly professional and proactive service partner to help manage our existing diverse property portfolio.”

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Firm in move to bigger premises A KIRKLEES company has moved to bigger premises – to cope with an increase in sales. Duvalay owners Liz and Alan Colleran are moving their firm from Staincliffe Mills in Dewsbury to larger premises in Quarry Road, Gomersal. The company creates a range of memory foam mattresses and an innovative memory foam sleeping bag, which is popular with caravanners, holidaymakers, truckers and boat enthusiasts. The range shot to fame in 2011 after its appearance on hit BBC2 show Dragons’ Den, where Liz and Alan secured an £80,000 investment for their unique sleeping bag product from entrepreneur Hilary Devey. Liz said: “It’s been a fantastic year and with this is mind we realised we needed a much larger space to enable us to get a better production line in operation. “This makes our manufacturing much more cost effective. “We also wanted to open a larger showroom, so our customers feel like they can drop in and

■ MOVING: Alan and Liz Colleran, who have transferred their Duvalay business to offices at Gomersal

see us and really get a feel for the products we produce.” Despite the economic downturn, figures at Duvalay are up by 10% already this year and the firm now employs 15 staff. The new office is double the size

of the previous base in Dewsbury, measuring 9,500sq metres. Said Liz: “Its such a sense of achievement to see how far we’ve grown in the last few years. “At one point it was just me packing boxes on my kitchen table

and now we have a team behind us.” Duvalay will be celebrating the opening of the new premises with open days on the weekend of September 28 and 29.

Certification scheme launched

■ QUALITY: Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB

A NEW registration and certification service has been launched for Kirklees companies committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service and workmanship in the building industry. The Federation of Master Builders has linked up with NAPIT Group Ltd, a UKAS accredited certification body for Green Deal, microgeneration and Competent Person Schemes. FMB Certification will offer Green Deal Installer Certification for companies that want to be part of the growing energy saving refurbishment market. The Green Deal will allow the owners of homes and businesses to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties at no upfront cost

and will be supported by a new Energy Company Obligation to help deliver energy efficiency and heating measures across Great Britain, where they are most needed. In total, the Green Deal and ECO are expected to drive significant levels of spending on energy efficiency over the next decade creating new work for companies in the building industry. Brian Berry, FMB chief executive, said: “The Green Deal is an exciting prospect for the building industry and will create new business opportunities for a wide variety of trades. “But companies must be approved to carry out work under the Green Deal scheme and that’s where FMB Certification comes in.

“As the Green Deal takes off, we expect Green Deal certification to become a recognised mark of high quality service and workmanship among homeowners and other clients.” Mr Berry said the FMB had been providing information and training to its members to ensure they have the skills and knowledge required for Green Deal work. Now they could prove it by becoming an approved installer with FMB Certification.” FMB Certification will start to process applications from next month. Interested businesses can register to receive a priority application pack at www.fmb.org.uk/certification or by emailing certification@fmb.org.uk or calling 020 70923881.

Opening the door to more sales A WINDOW company in Huddersfield has achieved an industry first. Lockwood Windows, based at Lockwood Scar, installed a solid wood core composite door with a shaped top, manufactured by sister company Composite Doors Yorkshire. However the firm has now pushed the boundaries of what is possible with this material even further, by producing and installing a bespoke

round-topped composite door. Under normal circumstances, a customer with this shape of door entrance would not be able to have a composite door as it has not been possible to shape the door slab due to the nature of the material – solid hardwood timber core encapsulated within a highly durable plastic edge banding and two thermo plastic door skins. Lockwood Windows has used its extensive knowledge of the composite door industry and

on-site manufacturing through its sister company to overcome those issues. Lockwood Windows managing director Richard Pogson said: “We know that a composite door is a big investment for homeowners, so we wanted to be able to offer them the very best to fit whatever door surround they have.” He said: “Installing a composite door can be extremely beneficial for a number of reasons, not

least security and energy efficiency.” Lockwood Windows, has been manufacturing for more than 14 years and has more than 20 years experience in the UPVC window and conservatory industry. The family business installs for domestic, new build and commercial buildings. It also offers a “supply only” service to members of the public and trade.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Contractors get a chance CONTRACTORS across Kirklees have been invited to apply for the chance to become part of a major housing project. Construction group Wates Living Space is holding a series of “meet the buyer” informal one-to-one discussions over one day to give a variety of smaller local contractors the chance to offer their services and be part of the construction of 466 new council homes for rent across the district. The discussions will enable local suppliers to engage with Wates as the main contractor for the Excellent Homes for Life housing project, which requires a range of different trades, including metal work, tiling and scaffolding. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 11 at the Textile Centre of Excellence, Red Doles Lane, Huddersfield. Interested parties need to complete and return an expression of interest form by Friday to be considered for a discussion slot. The form is available at watesmtb.eventbrite.co.uk Specific times will be allocated and sent to interested contractors in advance. Wates Living Space began delivery of the Excellent Homes for Life project at the start of the year with work now under way on several of the 27 sites across the district. Wates forms part of a consortium, alongside Regenter and Pinnacle PSG, contracted by Kirklees Council to design, build, manage and maintain the properties for new and existing council tenants.

■ OPPORTUNITY: Clr Peter McBride, of Kirklees Council

Joanne Jamieson, regional managing director for Wates Living Space, said: “From the outset, it has been our aim to utilise our presence on this project to truly benefit local trades and the local workforce. “We are holding this event to specifically target local businesses across Kirklees and integrate them into our supply chain. “This will allow us to identify strengths in the market and deliver quality homes for Kirklees tenants.” In the weeks following the event, small and medium-sized firms will also have the chance to seek guidance from Wates’ supply chain manager on contractor supply chains and get advice

on how to secure work for other projects for contractors across the district. Clr Peter McBride, lead Cabinet member for regeneration at Kirklees Council, said: “Not only is Excellent Homes for Life delivering much needed housing in Kirklees, it is also providing opportunities for local businesses and our residents who work for them. “I hope that businesses take this opportunity to benefit and play a part in delivering such a huge project for the district.” Wates is one of the UK’s largest family-owned construction services and develo p m e n t c o m p a n i e s. E s t abl i s h e d i n 1 8 9 7 , i t employs more than 2,600 people and had a turnover of £1.11bn in 2011. Regenter is a leading i nv e s t o r, o p e r at o r a n d developer of housing-led, community-based regeneration schemes. Regenter is a 50/50 joint venture between John Laing and Pinnacle Regeneration Group. Pinnacle PSG is part of Pinnacle Regeneration Group L t d p rov i d i n g h o u s i n g , estates, energy and facilities management services to a wide range of local authorities, social housing providers and other public sector bodies. It employs more than 2,000 people across the UK, directly manages 22,000 social housing homes and provides complimentary service to a further 400,000 homes.

Care home deal complete A CARE home operator chaired by Batley-born businessman Lawrence Tomlinson has completed the sale of nine its care homes. The sale by Ideal LNT Group to Sanctuary Group comprises five fully operational care homes that were run by LNT’s Ideal Care Homes business and four new builds, which will be completed by LNT’s development arm, LNT Construction. The homes, which are in Telford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, will be managed by Sanctuary Care, a subsidiary of Sanctuary Group, and will take its portfolio of homes to 57 across the UK. Sanctuary Group chief executive David Bennett said: “This is an excellent investment and will allow us to expand our care provision in the Midlands to meet the needs of the region’s ageing population. “Our care business plays an important part in the continued success of Sanctuary Group

and this acquisition supports our aims for long term sustainable growth in the care sector. “We extend a warm welcome to the highly experienced employees running the five operational care homes. “Their skills will complement ours and we are looking forward to working with them to continue providing exceptional standards of care and support to residents.” LNT chairman Mr Tomlinson said: “We share Sanctuary’s values and commitment to providing well-designed, state-of-the-art facilities coupled with high quality, accessible care, so we are delighted that they are acquiring and managing these nine homes.” Sanctuary’s acquisition will be celebrated later this week when the first of the newly completed properties, Lime Tree Court Residential Care Home in Wolverhampton, opens to the public.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Mike Scowen, Gordon Forster & Nick Robson

Lloyds TSB Commercial LLOYDS TSB Commercial Finance has restructured its regional sales teams by appointing three heads for the North East – each with responsibility for different business turnover ranges – in a move designed to give customers even greater access to senior funding professionals. Mike Scowen, regional director, will look after businesses with a turnover of up to £15m. Gordon Forster, sales director, will head the sales team in the North East supporting companies with a turnover between £15m and £100m. The team looking after businesses with a turnover in excess of £100m will be headed by Nick Robson, working as part of a national team targeting this market segment. As well as allowing clients greater access to senior individuals with specialist knowledge of companies of varying sizes, the new structure will enable the bank’s asset-based finance division to work more closely with divisions across the wider banking group to provide integrated funding that most closely fit businesses’ individual requirements and growth strategies. Ian Larkin, managing director for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, said: “These strategic changes are a positive move, allowing us to increase our focus on origination and support our ambitions to grow the market. They also offer many benefits for our valued customers and introducers.”

Movers and shakers

Team is on the run for charity!

A TEAM from employment law specialist Howarths took part in their first 10k race to raise more than £500 for charity. Now they have been bitten by the running bug and are planning to take part in a second race. Helen Howarth, co-founder of the Cleckheaton-based business was joined by her sister-in-law Angela Tolson and Howarths colleagues Justine Egan, Lindsey Carr and Tracey Hopkins for the 10k Great Manchester Run. They were sponsored for their efforts and raised £521 for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not

Children’s Hospice at Bradley. Said Tracey: “It was the first time any of us had taken part in a race. It was quite a big ask! We kept together, so it was a team effort.We had a weekly training session at the running track in Cleckheaton for about two months before. We should have trained a bit more, to be honest. “But it has spurred us on to compete in the Great Yorkshire Run on September 2 in Sheffield. We’ll try to do a lot more training for the next one, which will be for the hospice again as it’s such a good cause.”

■ RUNNING TOTAL: Justine Egan (left) and Tracey Hopkins present the cheque to Michelle Surrell, of the hospice

Chairs are talk of the Town

Dale Alderson

LDC Yorkshire MID-MARKET private equity firm LDC has appointed Dale Alderson as an investment director in its Yorkshire office. Leeds-born Mr Alderson joins from Deloitte, where he spent more than six years in the business advisory firm’s corporate finance practice. During this time, he led and delivered a range of transactions including management buy-outs, corporate sales and acquisitions, and distressed re-financings. He also provided strategic advice relating to long-term growth plans, acquisition strategy and stakeholder management to a number of large corporate clients in the region. Before joining Deloitte, Mr Alderson began his career at Ernst & Young in 2001, where he qualified as a chartered accountant. In his new role, he will work with senior director John Swarbrick and fellow investment director Tony Norwood.

Lee Hayes

Close Brothers Invoice Finance CLOSE Brothers Invoice Finance has appointed Yorkshireman Lee Hayes as regional sales director. Mr Hayes (pictured) will be based in Leeds and work with companies across Yorkshire to provide tailor-made funding packages to SMEs and large businesses enabling them to access critical working capital. Before joining Close Brothers Invoice Finance, he worked for Bibby Financial Services and is keen to use his experience to drive forward Close Brothers’ growth in his home county. He said: “Businesses in Yorkshire are hungry for the right type of finance. I am looking forward to working with a variety of companies to assist them in finding the right funding as they work to pursue growth.”

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TOWN fans hope to see their club sitting pretty at the top of the Championship next season. Now a Huddersfield company has joined forces with other local firms to create a blue-and-white striped chair aimed at die-hard supporters. James Walsh (pictured) managing director of Honley-based Barrett Business Machines Ltd, said: “It was an idea of mine to celebrate Huddersfield Town being promoted into the Championship. “I thought that I'd have these chairs made as I think there's a market for them – aimed at the local football fan for use in the home/office environment. “Most people will have a PC at home for the whole family to use for internet and studies.” A Slaithwaite company has already

placed an order for the chairs, which have a range of features and options – including medium back or high back, arms fitted or without arms, height adjustable back, independent seat and back mechanism and seat slide. Said Mr Walsh: “All the material used to manufacture the fabric is from Huddersfield-based businesses. “The yarn was blended by Stork Bros at Birkby then woven by Bradbury Contract Fabrics at Crosland Moor and finished at H&C Whitehead Ltd, of Brighouse. “The material was then sent to a leading office furniture manufacturer with more than 100 years in business. “The chairs are manufactured by Verco Office Furniture, of High Wycombe, a company synonymous with the furniture industry in the UK.”

Dynamic idea wins top award INCIDENT management and roadside services company FMG has won a national award. The Huddersfield-based business took the Risk Management Award for its Ingenium Dynamics advanced driver behaviour management system at this year’s British Insurance Awards . Known as the “Oscars” for the insurance industry, the awards recognise firms that have made an outstanding contribution to their sector, either through their service provision or product innovation. FMG, based at St Andrew’s Road, Bradley Mills, is the UK’s only incident management and roadside services company committed to reducing the frequency and impact of incidents. The firm’s Ingenium Dynamics system has been hailed by transport safety experts as a highly effective way to manage driver risk. Winning the award provides further recognition of FMG’s commitment to bringing about a significant change in the fleet management sector. Ingenium Dynamics improves driver behaviour by making it easier to identify, manage and remove risk. As a result, FMG’s fleet clients are seeing a 25% to 80% reduction in incident claims. In a separate application of the technology, loss ratios for a young drivers’ insurance scheme with leading insurer Marmalade have been reduced to 40% from a typical industry average often in excess of 100%. FMG chief executive John Catling (pictured, above) said: “We believe that prevention is better than cure, so our team works hard to deliver services and products that make a real difference to the number of incidents and the way these are handled. “It’s a fantastic achievement to have this recognised by the insurance industry and we look forward to further successes with Ingenium Dynamics.”