Kirklees Business News 15/01/13 by Huddersfield

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NEIL WILSON Things just aren’t fair!

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Company sets its sights even higher

BOSSES at a Holme Valley manufacturing firm have set a seven-figure turnover target for the new year – after a busy end to 2012. Allsops Ltd aims to boost revenues by a further £1m during 2013 as part of its “clear strategic vision” to be the best sheet metal working business in the UK. Sales and marketing director Robert Machon said: “The strategy relies on identifying new market opportunities in industries such as pharmaceuticals, defence and marine. “We are focused on acquiring new customers whilst also retaining our existing 700-strong customer base. We have a strong customer service culture and focus heavily on building repeat business.” Mr Machon said: “Our growth strategy has included a period of rapid expansion of our Honley site and investment in new machinery. We continue to recruit the best people for our

business and offer an apprenticeship programme giving us access to the Allsops leaders of the future.” Paul Goodwin, managing director, is supported by a leadership team comprising Ian Johnons as finance director, Stephane Lericolais, as technical director, Lyndon Tyas as production director and Mr Machon – who is spearheading the roll-out of the new sales and marketing strategy, which includes a new website, brochure and e-marketing. The company embarks on its new strategy having completed a raft of contracts for high-profile clients, including BT and the Ministry of Defence. Allsops was asked to refit the data centre at BT's global innovation and development centre in Ipswich. The centre at Adastral Park is recognised as one of the leading centres of technical innovation in the communication world. ■ ON TRACK: Chris Davison, of Allsops, with youngsters at Holmbridge Pre-School, treasurer Samantha Clegg, manager Emma Townend, deputy manager Karen Short and a metal train made for free by the firm

The brief was to create a cold aisle containment system. The system contains servers which need to be kept cool at all times. BT needed new units that would keep the back of the servers cool while keeping the front of the units at room temperature. Mr Machon said: “We performed a full site survey, designed a prototype and built a custom modular system which was fitted at the site. The new cold aisle containment system has surpassed their expectations and allowed BT to save a great deal of energy and money.” Among other recent contracts, Allsops was asked to help develop futuristic display cabinets for a showcase of the work of the Helen Hamlyn Centre at the Royal College of Art. Allsops also won the contract to produce four naval landing pontoons for the MOD – taking precision sheet metal applications to new heights. The main pontoon fabrications weigh in at 45 tonnes each – with a tonne of paint required to coat the combined length of the 65 metres by 6 metre structure. Said Mr Machon: “This contract has been a wonderful challenge for the Allsops workforce, enabling them to apply a wealth of their sheet metal experience and knowledge in a new uncharted working arena.” The MoD requested the pontoons be fabricated to aid the loading of its surface fleet in one of its naval dockyards. Due to the shallow depths of water, large vessels are unable to berth, so the pontoons will allow smaller naval vessels to load up and replenish the large ships at sea. Allsops is one of the UK’s leading sheet metal workers in the UK, operating from 84,000sq ft premises at Hon-

INSIDE Sporting greats A HUDDERSFIELD company helped keep guests well-fed at one of the biggest celebrations in the world of sport. AR Events Ltd, based at Railway Street in the town centre and headed by directors Andrew Roebuck and Charles Webb, was appointed “nominated agency” responsible for sales of corporate hospitality packages for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which was held at London’s ExCel Arena.

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■ COOL CONTRACT: Allsops Ltd was asked to refit the data centre at BT’s global innovation and development centre – one of a string of orders completed by the Honley firm during 2012, which the company believes will provide a springboard for further success this year

ley. The company, launched in 1959 by Bob Allsop, was a traditional sheet metal subcontractor until the early 1990s when the firm embarked on a period of rapid expansion under managing director Mr Goodwin. Allsops, which employs 130 people, now works with industries as diverse as defence, travel, retail, energy, communications and manufacturing to produce items including shop shelving, signs, lighting, point-of-sale equipment, cabinets and kiosks.

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All change A TRAINING and development group is joining forces with Huddersfield Town to inspire businesses by giving them team talks – in the club’s home changing room.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Smart look boosts menswear retailer MENSWEAR retailer Moss B ro s h a s r e p o r t e d b e tter-than-expected Christmas trading – after seeing younger customers smarten up for the party season. A trend towards black-tie outfits, as seen on talent show X-Factor, has benefited the chain, which saw like-for-like sales grow by 2.7% in the 24 weeks to January 12. Its shares have doubled in the past year and closed up 5.5p to 72p or 8% yesterday after the company said profits for the year to the end of January were now expected to exceed City forecasts. Moss, which has a store at New Street in Huddersfield, has also benefited from careful management of discounts over Christmas and tight control of costs. Chief executive Brian Brick

highlighted particularly strong demand from younger customers, who are buying more dress wear outfits in order to keep up with changing fashions in music culture. “We are definitely benefiting from bands dressing smarter,” he noted. Mr Brick said: “We are encouraged by trading throughout the business over the key Christmas trading period “Close control over discounting to clear stocks, coupled with continued strong cost management, means we will finish 2012/13 ahead of expectations. “We remain conscious of the fragile trading environment but continue to rigorously implement our strategic plan to turnaround and grow the business.”

■ FASHIONABLE: Black-tie trend is a winner for Moss Bros

Cheaper raw materials have also alleviated pressure on the group, which is part way through a strategic plan to turnaround and grow the business. The upbeat outlook goes against the trend of high street retailers struggling to keep

afloat under difficult economic conditions, with camera specialist Jessops the first major brand to collapse in 2013. To help tempt hard-pressed consumers, Moss expects to refit a further 25 stores this year under a five-year plan

that will see it transform 90 of its 136 outlets. Plans to focus more on its core business saw the company sell its Cecil Gee and Hugo Boss stores in 2011. Fo l l ow i n g t h e t ra d i n g u p d at e, S e y m o u r P i e rc e Research analyst Freddie George raised the company’s full-year pre-tax profit forecast to £2m from £1.8m. Moss is a leading formal menswear specialist selling men’s suits, shirts, coats, formal and casual jackets, ties, shoes and accessories including cufflinks, socks, underw e a r, u m b r e l l a s , a n d handkerchiefs. Moss has more than 135 retail stores, including two in Eire and an internet site. Moss Bros is due to post full-year results on March 22.

Festive record for Greene King

Turning to asset finance

GREENE King has toasted record Christmas Day takings after more families chose to eat out on the big day. The group behind pub and restaurant brands Hungry Horse and Loch Fyne, sold 448,000 Christmas meals during December, with takings up by 6.8% to £2.7m on December 25 – after setting a record last year. It opened 85% of its managed pubs, restaurants and hotels on Christmas Day, helping it deliver a 2.8% jump in like-for-like sales in the six weeks to January 6.

UK companies are using asset finance to support more investment in the plant and machinery, vehicles and IT equipment they need to stimulate growth. Figures from the Finance & Leasing Association show a large increase in finance for plant and machinery and – continuing a long-term trend – a significant increase in finance for IT equipment. Finance leasing and hire purchase remain popular choices with businesses, growing by 9% and 12% respectively in the 11-month period to

It came up against strong comparatives after sales grew by 8% in the same period last year. Chief executive Rooney Anand said: “Pubs continue to play a vital role for customers, families and communities across the UK during the festive period, especially in this difficult financial environment.” But he warned that he did not expect conditions for consumers to improve in 2013. The group, which has 2,300 pubs, restaurants and hotels, said its retail business lifted like-for-like sales by 3.7% in the 36 weeks to January 6.

Ready for REACH?

November 2012. Geraldine Kilkelly, head of research and chief economist at the Finance & Leasing Association said: “The figures show growth in finance for key asset sectors as companies invest in the tools they need to grow their businesses. IT equipment finance showed the highest growth in November, leading to new business growth in this market of 25% in the 11 months to November 2012.” In 2011, FLA members provided £20.9bn of finance to businesses and the public sector.

UK manufacturers are being urged to get to grips with a European Directive restricting or banning certain hazardous substances – or face the prospect of unlimited fines or even prison through a failure to comply. The call was made by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, after a survey showed a “worryingly low” awareness of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulations. The regulations are gradually restricting the use of hazardous chemicals in certain areas or implementing widespread bans, including substances which have been commonly used in manufacturing processes for many years under controlled conditions. The EEF said: “This has major implications for all companies – from requirements for worker safety to controls on how substances are used, through to the need to potentially modify processes and substitute other materials. “There are also major implications for companies in the supply chain who must be in a position to advise their customers if such substances are present in the products they sell.” Firms have six months to make themselves aware of the implications of the next major deadline for registration of chemicals in June, 2013. EEF said this could see certain substances being withdrawn from the market.

SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £37.94 -0.14 Gannett 1181.87 +3.94 Hess Corp £35.14 +0.16 Microsoft 1668.95 +0.31 Motors Liquidation 46.64 Wal-Mart Stores £42.52 -0.16 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 404 -6 BAE Systems 3485/8 -11/8 Rolls-Royce 898 +71/2 AIM Brady Plc 94 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2411/8 +13/4 BANKS Barclays 2987/8 -3/4 HSBC 6753/4 -17/8 7 Lloyds Banking Gp 54 /8 +7/8 Ryl Scotland 3641/2 +41/8 Stan Chart 1683 +21/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1788 -1/2 SABMiller £291/8 -1/8 CHEMICALS Croda £23 -1/8 Elementis 98 226 -13/4 Johnsn Mat £223/8 -1/8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2891/8 -7/8 Costain 254 -61/2 ELECTRICITY

Drax Gp 5601/2 -2 SSE 1436 -14 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2341/2 -51/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3921/4 +17/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2431/4 -23/4 Cable & Wireless 373/4 -15/8 Comm Colt Group 1033/8 -1/8 KCOM 751/2 +1/4 Talktalk Telecom 240 +1/2 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 252 -1/2 Sainsbury 3255/8 +15/8 1 Tesco 351 /4 -2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1500 -30 Tate Lyle 759 -10 3 Unilever £23 /4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3327/8 -3 National Grid 6871/2 +1/2 Pennon Grp 6501/2 +11/2 Severn 1550 -23 United Utils 685 -10 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2411/2 -1/2 ICAP 3231/2 +3 London StockExch 1143 -13 Man Group 931/8 +3/8 Provident Financial 1404 -7

Schroders 1868 +49 Schroders NV 1476 +26 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 4571/4 -25/8 Smiths Grp 1218 +5 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 29 +1/4 Carphone Whse 220 +1/4 Dixons Retail 28 +1/4 Home Retail 123 -3/4 3 Inchcape 449 /8 +11/2 Kingfisher 2867/8 +17/8 M&S 3671/4 -51/4 1 Mothercare 315 /2 +21/2 Next £395/8 -3/8 WH Smith 620 -5 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6911/2 +5 HOUSEHOLD GOODS 1 Aga Rangemaster 83 /4 +1/4 Barrat Dev 2251/8 -21/4 Persimmon 863 -71/2 Reckitt Benckiser £391/2 -1/2 Taylor Wimpey 73 -11/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1117 -13 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2673/8 -8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2211/4 -23/4 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3763/4 -31/4

1493/4 -11/4 1851/4 +1/8 926 +41/2 2665/8 +53/4 3523/4 -1/4 MEDIA BSkyB 775 -51/2 D Mail Tst 5821/2 +3 3 HIBU /8 3 ITV 111 /4 +13/4 Johnston Press 12 -1/2 Pearson 1182 -17 Reed Elsevier 659 -1 STV Group 1201/2 Trinity Mirror 100 +11/4 Utd Business 709 -31/2 UTV 1353/4 +23/4 WPP 945 +51/2 MINING Anglo American £203/8 Antofagasta 1297 -6 BHP Billiton £203/4 Eurasian Natural 334 +113/8 Res Fresnillo 1749 +6 Kazakhmys 7851/2 -23 5 Lonmin 332 /8 +135/8 Rio Tinto £343/4 VEDANTA 1201 -9 RESOURCES Xstrata 1175 -1/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 6171/2 -21/2 Vodafone Group 1637/8 -13/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life

Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp

4833/4 105 6871/2 1936

+63/4 -11/4 +1/2 -5

closed at at FTSE closed

6107.86 Down 13.72 Admiral Grp 1183 RSA Insurance Gp 1261/2 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1048 BP 4591/4 Cairn Energy 2813/4 Royal Dutch Shell A £211/2 Royal Dutch Shell B £221/8 Total £327/8 Tullow Oil 1172 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1081 Petrofac 1696 Wood Gp(J) 7831/2 PERSONAL GOODS

-9 -11/8 -51/2 -25/8 -7/8 1

+ /8 -14 -4 +18 -171/2

Burberry Gp 1325 +20 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £301/4 +1/8 GlaxoSmithK 10 +1/8 Shire £203/8 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 567 -21/2 Captl Shop Cent 3643/4 -11/4 Hamrsn 486 +3/4 Land Secs 827 -41/2 5 SEGRO 245 /8 +3/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 3515/8 +8 Sage Group 310 -35/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 616 -31/2 Bunzl 1064 +4 1 Capita 779 /2 +5 De La Rue 929 +2 Electrocomp 2421/2 -33/8 Experian 1027 -3 G4S 2701/4 +25/8 1 Hays 90 /2 -1/4 Homeserve 243 -2 Menzies J 635 +2 1 Rentokil 91 /4 +1/4 Smiths News 151 -8 3 Wolseley £30 /8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 873 +3 Spirent Comms 1491/4 -63/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £313/8

Imperial Tobacco

£243/4

+1/4 TOURIST RATES

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

108 /8 £241/2 7451/2 845 995/8 1927/8 1290 651 1768 2103/8 2021/4 3155/8 2137/8 1461/2 2983/4 2821/4 £241/8

-1 /8 +1/4 -2 -3 -1/2 -21/4 -2 +21/2 -6 +23/4 -3/4 -41/8 -31/2 -11/2 -43/4 -3/4 -1/2

FTSE 100

INDEX 6107.86

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FTSE 250

INDEX 12759.14

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Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.45 dollars Bangladesh................. 121.22 taka Brazil.............................. 2.92 reals Canada....................... 1.51 dollars China ............................. 8.96 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.41 korunas Denmark....................... 8.56 krone Euro............................... 1.15 euro Hong Kong................ 11.86 dollars Hungary................... 321.02 forints India.......................... 77.49 rupees Japan........................... 137.21 yen Mexico ....................... 18.16 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.79 dollars Norway ......................... 8.48 krone Pakistan.................. 147.79 rupees Philippines ................. 56.14 pesos South Africa................. 13.19 rand South Korea.............. 1484.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 192.09 rupees Sweden......................... 9.95 krona Switzerland.................. 1.40 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.78 dollars Turkey....................... 2.70 new lira USA ............................ 1.54 dollars

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS THESE are testing time for town centre retailers. So it may seem surprising that David Heathcote-Smith, manager of Huddersfield’s Packhorse Shopping Centre is looking forward to 2013 with some relish. It’s going to be a busy year for David and his team – with a raft of initiatives in the pipeline to reinvigorate what was Huddersfield’s first modern covered shopping centre when it opened its doors in 1971. Centre owners New River Retail and Morgan Stanley are investing money and time into making “substantial improvements” to the mall – with the launch of a new logo, possible alterations to the entrances and a particular emphasis on attracting independent retailers to its vacant units. The centre is strengthening its community links with organisations such as Huddersfield University, Kirklees College, Huddersfield Giants and the Media Centre. It also aims to work with other retail interests in the town centre to widen Huddersfield’s appeal to shoppers. Electric doors and improved lighting have been installed in the centre while vacant space has been transformed into a gallery run by charity Support to Recovery to sell artwork and crafts from paintings to jewellery, sculptures to candles – mostly the work of local people. Panels have been put in place featuring facts and images of Huddersfield and the centre itself plans to open a “shop” to showcase new ideas that could be incorporated into the complex. The centre is working with college and university students on various projects. And as part of efforts to make shopping more of “an event”, local musicians and actors are being encouraged to help provide entertainment. David views these initiatives with evident enthusiasm. And he realises there’s much at stake. The changes come against a backdrop of difficult times for retailing in general. “It isn’t good for retailing at the moment,” he says. “In some ways, retailers are having to ‘re-learn’ how to retail because there is so much competition from online shopping. “It has to be all about the customer experience. Stores are having to go back to basics.” But he is confident that the strategy is the right one. “New River Retail is a very supportive landlord and is prepared to commit capital expenditure,” he says. “The Packhorse Centre is at the retail hub of the town and as well as being a shopping location provides a link between other parts of the town.” David has a wealth of retailing experience to call upon. As a student, his Saturday job was setting up and dismantling stalls at Leicester market, so it seemed destined that he would work in the sector. However, his first career choice was in hairdressing. “I didn’t go to college or university,” he says. “I wanted to earn some money straight away! “I worked in hairdressing for four years. Once I was used to dealing with people, retailing became a natural progression.” In 1987, David got a job with fashion chain Next in his home

profile

Shop talk with David city of Leicester and by 1990 had become a manager in charge of a 4,000sq ft store. When the recession of the early 1990s forced Next to close several of its stores, David found himself redundant. He moved to Fosters Menswear in the city before getting the offer of a promotion to manage its branch in Accrington and later

became an area manager. He later worked for Austin Reed, then moved to the Boundary Mill factory outlet at Colne in Lancashire before taking up his current post at the Packhorse Centre nine years ago. It was very much a case of “poacher turned gamekeeper”. Says David: “I had always been a tenant and now I was a retail

■ CENTRE POINT: David Heathcote-Smith says every day is different at Huddersfield’s Packhorse Centre

Page 3 David Heathcote-Smith

centre manager. I have been on both sides of the fence. That means I can empathise with the tenants here and work with them to achieve what they should be achieving. “The big thing is ‘people’ That’s the focus of what we do, whether we’re dealing with tenants or customers.” As centre manager, David heads a 10-strong team and has a whole host of responsibilities, including health and safety and security. “It’s everything from dealing with someone who has slipped on a discarded sausage roll to coping with unruly football supporters on a Saturday afternoon,” he says. But he has no regrets about the workload. “I applied for the job nine years ago because I had done so much in retailing,” says David. “I had been a store manager and an area manager. I wanted more than just running a shop unit. This was the ideal thing. “I enjoy working with the tenants. As this is a relatively small shopping centre, I get to know the tenants personally. “I also enjoy working with others in the town centre through organisations like the Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership and Kirklees Council.” Away from work, David enjoys golf and clay pigeon shooting as well as “good food and fine wines”. Holidays are also a must – with Greece, India and the Caribbean among favourite destinations. Meanwhile, 2013 will bring a new set of challenges for David as the Packhorse Centre begins a new phase. “There is never a dull moment,” he says. “And with exciting things going on at the centre this year, the ‘buzz’ is back again.”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Centre manager Age: 45 Family: Married to Donna with daughters Danielle, 24, and Rebecca, 22 Car: Suzuki Vitara Sport Holidays: Greece, India and the Caribbean First job: Saturday job setting up and dismantling stalls at Leicester market Best thing about job: Solving problems and the fact that every day is different Worst thing about job: When a retailer closes. I get to know the tenants personally and it is very sad when things don’t work out Business tip: Don’t give up. We have all felt like sticking our heads in the sand, but we should carry on “chipping away”!

Packhorse Shopping Centre Work: Retail Site: Huddersfield Phone: 01484 533898 Email: centremanager @packhorse-centre.co.uk Web: www.packhorseshoppingcentre.co.uk

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It’s all change for the Dale Carnegie team A TRAINING and development group is joining forces with Huddersfield Town to inspire businesses by giving them team talks – in the club’s home changing room. Dale Carnegie’s Team Talk sessions are aimed at business leaders looking to boost their leadership skills and improve their team’s success. The first two-hour session in the Terriers’ changing room at the John Smith’s Stadium takes place from 9am on Wednesday February 13. Juliette Dennett (pictured), Mirfield-based managing director of Dale Carnegie Northern England, said: “Football changing rooms are often the setting for inspirational team talks. By taking the teaching of Dale Carnegie’s key principles away from the traditional boardroom and into this environment, we will help business leaders take inspiration

KIRKLEES BUSIN

Surely, that’s just not fair? he Employment Appeals T Tribunal has ruled that the dismissal of a senior human

back to their own organisations. “During the session we’ll look at how to become a leader others want to follow by giving attendees a range of tools and techniques which will maximise colleagues’ productivity and performance.” Dale Carnegie, founded in 1912, has been associated with the Terriers since 2006 before becoming an official partner in the run-up to the 2010/11 season. Contact Linda Parkes on linda.parkes@ dalecarnegie.com or call 0845 6582288.

resources manager for redundancy was fair – despite the lack of any meaningful consultation with the employee prior to dismissal. The general position is that a redundancy dismissal will be unfair if no consultation has taken place. However, it has been recognised, in a number of limited cases in the past, that there may be exceptional circumstances which make consultation “utterly futile”. Whilst a finding of unfair dismissal would be made, it is then open to the Tribunal to make a reduction of compensation (sometimes to nil) reflecting the fact that consultation would not have made any difference to the outcome. This line of authority is not generally relied upon given the risk associated with not consulting with employees but this case does give a helpful demonstration of when a Tribunal will categorise consulta-

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EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Neil Wilson

tion as futile. The employee in question was employed for 10 years by the employer working as a human resources manager between 2007 and 2012. In March, 2010, when the business was performing extremely poorly, a restructure was implemented and four senior executive roles w e r e i n t ro d u c e d ab ov e t h e employee’s level. A human resources director was appointed to one of those positions without the employee being made aware of the vacancy. The employee’s existing duties were absorbed between the pay roll department and the new director and the extent of the consultation was simply that the employee was brought to a meeting and dismissed immediately for redundancy. At the Employment Appeals Tribunal, it was held that the company was right to take highly sensitive commercial decisions involving reorganisation at a higher level

without informing the employee. Another fundamental issue in the case was the issue of alternative employment and whether the employee should have been considered for this. However, it was clear to the Appeals Tribunal that the external candidate had qualifications which were “in a different league” to those of the employee and it was reasonable to come to the conclusion that he would not have been suitable for that role having assessed his capabilities over the previous 18 months. In all the circumstances, it was held that it was reasonable not to consult and the dismissal was fair. This case must not be interpreted as giving employers the right to rush through the redundancy procedures and it is very fact sensitive. Generally, businesses are required to demonstrate that a comprehensive and meaningful consultation process has been entered into prior to taking the decision to dismiss by reason of redundancy.

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

Career secured AN Elland teenager is among four apprentices to secure full-time jobs with a Halifax-based insurance firm. Jack Lumb, a former pupil of Brooksbank school, Elland, is one of the apprentices to gain NVQ level 2 in customer service and complete a 12-week training programme before joining the motor claims department’s customer support team at Covéa Insurance. The company launched the apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Calderdale College. Adrian Furness, claims director of Covéa Insurance, said: “Many young people are finding it tougher than ever to find their first job opportunity. “As a major employer in Calderdale, we recognised we could play a part in helping young people find an alternative to university, where qualifications and prospects were still a key feature. “From a business perspective, apprenticeships give employers access to a new pool of talent

whilst bringing young people a step closer to a rewarding career.” Matthew Metcalfe, a supervisor in the motor claims department at the firm, who worked closely with the apprentices, said: “They have each developed to a point where they are providing excellent customer service, have sound knowledge of the claims environment and have been deservingly rewarded with full-time roles.” Jack said: “After deciding I was more of a practical learner, I searched the National Apprenticeship website and found the opportunity with Covéa Insurance. “I liked the idea of gaining academic qualifications whilst building practical skills and earning money at the same time – it seemed like a win-win situation!” Just one month into the scheme, Jack set his sights on gaining a full-time role with the insurer. ‘I had a new found determination to do well and get the most out of the opportunity,” he said.

Facing u financial

MORE than a quart firms are keen to re assets – but almost don’t know how to survey. Mike Randall (pictu executive of Close B Finance, said: ““Ou Barometer gauges economy on a quar asks specific quest access to finance, a finance and refinan future financial nee “We see consistent companies want to they need finance t stumped when it co the first move. “This is especially t comes to realising assets have a value released in order to capital and investm Mr Randall said abo Yorkshire companie thought that refinan was a move of last insisted: “It’s hardly thing to realise the you’ve already paid work. “That’s not a measu it’s an incredibly sm with an asset that is in value. “The problem is ma owners and manag financial regime wh to rely on term loan “While these are no solutions, they sho mix that increasing finance, such as ref sale and HP back.” Mr Randall said“If m quarter of local bus know they need fina trade daily and grow today, then it’s time community as a wh appeal and began t meaningful way abo methods of putting hands of commerce

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Online sales set to expand

appy New Year! Always around H this time of year people make forecasts and resolutions for the

upcoming year. We’re asking if 2013 will be another happy new year of growth for online retailers? Now five years into the UK financial crisis, the light at the end of the tunnel is still very faint for most but one area of sustained growth during this period has been the e-commerce sector, now accounting for almost 10% of all UK retail sales. John Lewis reported online sales were up by more than 40% in the run-up to Christmas compared to the same period the previous year. Online now accounts for more than 25% of their total sales. Visa also reported increases, with spending on their cards up 2.5% and online purchases using Visa up 4.4% comparatively. In December, footfall in shopping centres dropped, the British Retail Consortium noted this was by almost 5%; as people clearly favoured the convenience of shopping at home. The trend towards online is growing, and as it does, the need for websites to o p e rat e a ro bu s t a n d e ff i c i e n t back-office is even more critical to cope with increasing order levels. Businesses focused on e-commerce need to have a good infrastructure – it’s essential, from sales generation and

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DIGITAL DIRECTION

Andrew Firth order-taking right through to warehouse management and after-sales care. Customers who buy online have a greater freedom to shop around. Their loyalty is vital to an online retailer looking to grow. Customers buying online have different expectations to those entering a physical store. When buying in a shop you have the obvious tactile benefit, but most importantly you interact with a sales person and leave with your purchase. Online is different, trust is critical and after-sales communication is key to a smooth transaction. There is no more crucial time for businesses selling online than getting it right at Christmas; managing customer expectations is vital. Christmas is a very testing time for

any business that relies on strong seasonal sales and failure to meet demand and delivery can have a negative reputational impact. According to IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group), failed online deliveries cost the UK retail sector over £850m last year and with parcel couriers busier than ever – UK Mail volumes rose by more than 20% in 2012 to cope with growing online demand – retail success in real terms is dependent upon the systems that online businesses have in place. 2013 looks set to be another prosperous year for the online retail sector. E-commerce presents an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to compete for the estimated £90bn that will be spent through websites this year. There has never been a greater opportunity for small businesses to grow.

Andrew Firth is managing director of Ascensor Website Design & Digital Marketing

HR contract helps IRIS to keep its eye on business A BIRSTALL-based human resources specialist has won a contract to provide HR support to clients of one of the UK’s respected accountancy software providers. Lamont Jones will work closely with IRIS, which provides business software and services to accountants and payroll professionals in the UK. Lamont Jones will support customers of IRIS with a dedicated HR helpline to ensure they receive a quick response and peace of mind. Involvement from the Lamont Jones team also allows

IRIS to focus on its core business. Lamont Jones has been helping businesses protect themselves collectively for 40 years and manages integrated HR services for a number of companies across the country. With its consultancy service Lamont Jones are specialists in protecting businesses against situations in the workplace that may otherwise lead to employment tribunals. IRIS said it chose to work with Lamont Jones rather than a large call

Window’s a winner EVERYTHING in the garden’s rosy for the owner of a Huddersfield soft furnishings business. Julie Gould, who runs Marsh-based Decor 80, has won a visit to the world famous Kew Gardens in London after entering a window dressing competition. The annual national competition is run by fabric and wallpaper brand Villa Nova. Competing shops were given items on a Japanese theme with which to dress their windows – with the best eight entries winning the prize trip.

centre environment as – despite being a large business – IRIS was striving to deliver a personalised service to its clients. Heather Jones, managing director at Lamont Jones, said: “I am delighted that Lamont Jones has been chosen to deliver HR to IRIS clients. “We share the same values towards customer care and quality of service and that delivery has to be practical, not stuffy but professional and knowledgeable.”

■ WORKLOAD: Fiona Rae, of Clough Corporate Solutions

Insolvencies – not it’s personal BUSINESS failures may have fallen to a five-year low – but one Kirklees and Manchester-based insolvency practitioner is expanding due to an increase in activity. Clough Corporate Solutions, which is part of Cleckheaton-based chartered accountancy firm Clough & Company, opened its Manchester city centre office just six months ago and recently appointed a new member of staff to help with a surge in new business. Fiona Rae, partner and head of the firm’s Manchester office, said: “Although the volume of companies entering administration, receivership or company voluntary arrangement has dropped the number of personal insolvencies is still rising. “We have seen a big increase in former business owners forced into bankruptcy by their creditors and have been appointed by several lending institutions keen to recover their debt. “This increase in workload has meant that we have taken on a new senior administration executive in order to support our team.” In addition to corporate and personal insolvency work, the practice specialises in guiding businesses through all types of financing paths. Chris Wood, partner and insolvency practitioner at Clough Corporate Solutions, said: “In recent years, Clough Corporate Solutions has helped to save a wide range of businesses and hundreds of jobs. “Although the figures from the Insolvency Service are encouraging, unfortunately the economic climate is still on a knife edge which means there are thousands of businesses and individuals requiring help with their finances. “Low interest rates and supportive lenders are helping but as our increase in workload indicates, some people are simply too much of a risk.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Birthday bonus for the workers CONSTRUCTION and development specialist Southdale is celebrating its 25th anniversary by giving each member of staff at its three UK offices their birthdays off. Southdale, which partnered Kirklees Council in a major scheme to demolish more than 500 council-owned properties and develop 520 new homes for private sale in Brackenhall and Deighton, has offices in Halifax, Warrington and Darlington. The firm, formed in 1988, said employees whose birthdays fall on a weekend or Bank Holiday can take their holiday on an adjacent day. Managing director Paul Moore (pictured) said: “Our continued success and stability is down to these people, so we wanted to make our anniversary about them.”

Three promoted PROPERTY agent Knight Frank has made three key promotions in West Yorkshire. Paul Hallam becomes a partner while Ed Harrowsmith and Dan Hyde become associates – all based at the firm’s Leeds office. Henrie Westlake, the partner in charge, said: “These three promotions were well-deserved and reflect the strength and direction of our business.”

Office location A REPORT in last week’s Kirklees Business News referred to the Slaithwaite office of Carter Jonas. We have been asked to point out that the property agency no longer has an office in the village and handles Huddersfield property issues from its Harrogate office.

property

Page 6

Shops losing a technology war TECHNOLOGY and out-of-town retailing are the two biggest threats facing high street shops, says a Huddersfield business leader. Camera retailer Jessops this week became the latest UK retailer to hit the buffers – with administrators from PricewaterhouseCoopers closing all 200 stores, including one at Queen Street in Huddersfield, with the loss of about 2,000 jobs. The loss of the Queen Street store means another “hole on the high street” in Huddersfield to join a list of vacant shop units in prominent sites such as New Street, Market Street and the Piazza and the Packhorse centres. Jessops’ woes have been blamed on competition from online retailers and the boom in camera phones, which has hit demand for digital cameras. Steven Leigh, head of policy at the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Jessops is all about selling cameras. “But in the modern world, people are using iPhones and sending pictures electronically. It is a business that no longer has anything going for it because technology has changed the market.” He said internet shopping threatened town centre stores at a time when local councils were “penalising” motorists with increasing car parking charges. “Motorists are not welcome in town centre,” he said. “In general terms, councils are increasing parking charges in town centres – which deter people from going into them. “As councils get more and more strapped for cash, they increasingly view parking charges as a revenue raiser, which is draining life from the town centres. “As retailers pull out of town centres, these centres become progressively less attractive to customers, who can drive to a one-stop shop out of town with free parking or shop online from the comfort of their own home and get it delivered.” Mr Leigh said there were increasing concerns about the long-term future of town centres. “It is jobs that are disappearing and it is very worrying, but these are developments of the modern world.”

■ ACTION NEEDED: Barry Sheerman (left) is calling for efforts to support Huddersfield town centre while Steven Leigh, fears more stores – and jobs – could go the way of Jessops

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, who has called for a Task Force to revive the town’s stricken George Hotel, said it was “too soon to sound the death knell” for town centre retailing and called for imaginative initiatives to promote the high street. Referring to the high-profile national campaign to revitalise town centres led by shopping guru Mary Portas, he said: “We don’t need her. We should do something ourselves. “How do we bring life back to retailing? I will be speaking to Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership and Kirklees Council about it.” The Labour MP repeated his call for efforts to attract “up-market” and “prime retailers” to the town. And he said: “We will get out of the recession eventually and when we do we need Huddersfield to be ready. We need to make retailing fun because people still like to go shopping.” However, the recent arrival of new businesses such as Department Forty Four and Creams tearooms suggest that independent

traders remain confident about the town centre. A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said a range of initiatives was under way to promote town centre traders and attract visitors. They included the launch of a new gallery space at the Packhorse Centre to showcase local artists and community groups. And a new click-and-collect website – yourhighstreet.com – was helping independent retailers compete with e-traders by allowing customers to order goods online for collection at a time convenient to them.

New office for law firm

■ ON THE RADAR: Paul Joyce (left), Ramsdens managing partner

A LAW firm with offices in Kirklees is expanding its presence across West Yorkshire. Ramsdens will open a new office – its ninth – in the heart of Wakefield’s legal quarter later this month. It already has offices at Ramsden Street in Huddersfield town centre and at Edgerton, Dewsbury, Mirfield, Slaithwaite, Holmfirth, Elland, and Halifax. Managing partner Paul Joyce said: “This is the next stage in our ongoing expansion programme and is a natural progression for the firm in our aim to provide specialist legal services to people across the whole region.

“An office in Wakefield has been on our radar for some time now and this new office will strengthen our presence across West Yorkshire. In the current economic climate, we feel it is important to continue to grow and invest in the future.” Ramsdens will offer a wide range of legal services from the new Wakefield office, including family law, private client, dispute resolution, employment, commercial property and residential conveyancing. It will also look to develop and provide additional services. Jeremy Cook, partner at the new office, said: “This is an exciting time for the firm as we

expand further across the region. “Our new office marks the next chapter in Ramsdens success story. “The new office is a fabulous environment and a great place to work and do business from.” The Wakefield team will attend the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s #MYnetworkWKF meetings, which are held from 12.30pm on the second Friday of every month at the Priory Bar. Ramsdens also takes part in the #MYnetworkHUD meetings at 9am on the third Wednesday of each month at The Media Centre in Huddersfield.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Amjad puts stamp on his new business venture A MAN who quit an IT job in his native Pakistan to buy a business in the UK has really put his stamp on things. Initially, Amjad Siddiqui was interested in operating a petrol station under a recognised brand. But after talking to Paul Williamson, of business transfer agents Ernest Wilson, he decided to investigate the sub post office market. The Post Office is going through a transformation programme – which has opened up opportunities as existing sub post offices come to the market. Mr Siddiqui was also introduced to Lloyds TSB Commercial’s Huddersfield

business centre to help fund his ambitions. Now he runs Stairfoot Post Office in Barnsley – having passed the Post Office’s selection process and raised the necessary finance. Wendy Hallas, of Lloyds TSB Commercial in Huddersfield, said: “At Lloyds, we are always looking for opportunities to support business customers to buy and develop a viable business. “I was delighted to meet Amjad and was impressed by not only his business plan, but by his energy and passion to succeed and we quickly put in place the facilities required to fulfil his plans.”

Strong interest predicted PROPERTY adviser Savills has been appointed as letting agency for an industrial unit in Huddersfield. Hartley Investment Trust has appointed Savills as the letting agent for the 148,000sq ft unit at Crossley Lane, Kirkheaton. The self-contained site includes a secure yard and parking. The building features seven

ground level loading doors with two existing docks. Dave Robinson, director of industrial agency at Savills, said: “Huddersfield currently has a very low level of good quality industrial and distribution stock so we anticipate that we will have a strong level of interest for Crossley Lane.”

factory premises

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

THE managing director of West Yorkshire Persimmon welcomed the group’s positive trading update – and said that 2013 looked like being another good year for the region. Wayne Gradwell’s comments came as the group – which also includes Charles Church, Westbury Partnerships and Hillreed Homes – said it completed 9,903 homes last year against 9,360 in 2011. The average selling price rose to £173,400 from £163,999 in 2011 while revenues rose to £1.72bn from £1.54bn before. “As a group, we have increased the volume of new homes legally completed by 6%, our average selling price has also gone up by 6% and our revenues have increased by some 12%,” said Mr Gradwell. “The year has started strongly for us in the region with developments ongoing in Barnsley, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Pontefract, Wakefield and Rotherham and new ones due for opening in Hipperholme, Thornton and Thurcroft.

TANYARD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4NB £65,000 p/a

● 2,032m2 (21,874sqft)

395m2 (4,250ft2) ● 0.13 3 Phase electricity Site Area Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Good yard space for for refurbishment ■ Suitable alternative occupational residential Renowned industrial location uses or ● possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● May split planning consent

DEWSBURY ROAD, BRIGHOUSE, HD6 3QB from £12,500 p/a ● 2,700ft² to 5,427ft²

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DLroadside location ● Prominent FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES 2) 395m2 (4,250ft ● Excellent yard space

Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ● Close proximity to Junctions ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential 24 and 25 of the M62 uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to motorway planning consent

garage premises

LUCK LANE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 4QT £16,000 p/a

● 274.78 sqm (2,957 sqft)

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL ● Good headroom FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

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Positive view for the region

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES ● Former Joiners workshop

industrial units

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

property

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area Hectares (0.33 ● 0.13 2 x inspection pits Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational ● Loading doors residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent Off road car parking available planning

“The response from prospective purchasers is extremely positive and we’re confident that government schemes including NewBuy and FirstBuy will support our sales even further.” Nationally, Persimmon has secured an additional allocation of about 3,000 new homes as part of the FirstBuy funding, which Mr Gradwell said would lead to further opportunities for first time buyers in the region. “As we look forward to the busy spring selling season, we’re sure that schemes like FirstBu y will offer many people that first vital step onto the housing ladder,” he said. Persimmon also announced several changes of key personnel. Group chief executive Mike Farley will retire on April 18 to be succeeded by Jeff Fairburn, currently group managing director and north division chief executive. Nigel Greenaway, south division chief executive, joins the board as an executive director with immediate effect. Dave Jenkinson, currently a regional chairman, is appointed north division chief ■ STRONG START: Wayne Gradwell, of Persimmon Homes executive with immediate effect.

town centre office suite

CLOTH HALL CHAMBERS, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 2EG To Let

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

● 100sqm (1,076sqft)

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL ● Good Quality FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

395m2 (4,250ft2) ● 0.13 OpenHectares Plan Site Area (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Self contained residential alternative occupational uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent INCENTIVES AVAILABLE planning

town centre offices

ST GEORGES SQUARE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1LA FROM £4,000 p/a

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

● * 87.6m² - 120.49m²

4 RANGE LANE - 1,297ft²) Halifax, (943ft² HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES ● Grade ll Listed Building

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area Hectares (0.33Station Acres) ● 0.13 Opposite Railway ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment forand ● Close to bus station alternative occupational residential multi-storey car park uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent Multi Occupied Building planning

office building

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES

■ industrial LAND

■ offices OFFICES

■ retail

INDUSTRIAL

■ investment

INVESTMENT

■ land JOHN STREET, ELLAND, HX5 0AW £115,000 ● 72.87 sqm [784 sqft]

4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES ● Excellent car parking

395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Freehold alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● consent Vacant Possession planning

T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com

RETAIL

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Movers and shakers

Page 8

They’re all such jolly good sports! Rob Kelly

Armitage Sykes HUDDERSFIELD-based law firm Armitage Sykes has promoted Rob Kelly to partner. Mr Kelly, pictured (above, right with senior partner Robert Turner) is part of the firm’s company and commercial team. He joined Armitage Sykes, based at New North Road, in 2010 and advises clients on a wide range of corporate matters, including business acquisitions and disposals, investor and shareholder arrangements and issues affecting owner-managed businesses. Mr Kelly graduated in law from Oxford University before embarking on a career as a chartered accountant. He has previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and a number of national firms advising on matters ranging from rights issues to multinational joint ventures. Mr Turner said “We are delighted to recognise Rob in this way. He has gained great results for clients and this promotion is well deserved.”

Neil Park

Chamber international CHAMBER International has strengthened its team of associates as it helps spearhead Yorkshire’s biggest export drive for a generation. The organisation has appointed export strategist and sales professional Neil Park (pictured) to head its export development service and persuade more firms to sell their goods and services overseas. With only a tiny minority of companies in the region involved in exporting, Chamber International has teamed up with UK Trade & Investment and the Leeds City Region Local Economic Partnership to deliver an element of the “We Are International” campaign. It includes the formation of the Export Network, a team of highly-experienced export champions, who will mentor and offer practical advice to novice or inexperienced exporters in a bid to add £2.6bn to Yorkshire’s coffers. The campaign, to be launched on March 12, will focus on dramatically increasing Yorkshire’s export sales to counteract a sluggish market at home. Despite its distinguished manufacturing pedigree, currently only 7% sell abroad. Mr Park’s career in export sales includes working for two large manufacturers in the automotive industry for the past 17 years, seeing year-on-year increases in sales, margin and market share. Since 2011 he has run his own company developing international sales for a number of manufacturers. He has also taught the Institute of Export Advanced Diploma Course.

A HUDDERSFIELD events company helped keep guests well-fed at one of the biggest celebrations in the world of sport. AR Events Ltd, based at Railway Street in the town centre, was appointed “nominated agency” responsible for sales of corporate hospitality packages for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which was staged before Christmas at the ExCel Arena in London. The company, headed by directors Andrew Roebuck and Charles Webb, specialises in corporate hospitality for many events, including the Cheltenham and Aintree horse racing festivals, Grand Prix motor racing at Silverstone and the Burghley Horse Trials among others. Andrew and Charles have more than 30 years experience in the hospitality and events industry. Their relationship with the BBC goes back 14 years where they are responsible for selling and managing hospitality at the BBC Proms in the Park and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park. Mr Webb said: “It was an honour to be part of the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, celebrating the success of our sports stars in such a memorable year. “The corporate guests enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience completed by rubbing shoulders with their sporting heroes at the post-show party.” Access to the VIP post-show party wasn’t the only thing included in the package

Give it the hard sell! MANUFACTURERS will get advice on boosting sales at a meeting in Huddersfield later this month. The Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance stages its first meeting of 2013 at 6pm on Thursday, January 31, at the Briar Court Hotel, Birchencliffe, when the topic will be Selling – Generating Leads and Converting to Sales. Speakers at the event will be Nick Hill (top right) and Nicky Pattinson (also pictured). For many years, Nick has worked with key personnel at companies like O2, DLA Piper and HSBC as well as many small business owners to help them improve their confidence, presentation style and sales effectiveness. Nicky has proved an inspirational speaker at events including the annual Kirklees Business Conference and argues: “The world got stuck on the phrase ‘customer service. That’s not the same as selling in the first place.” She says part of the reason for the UK’s economic malaise is because “nobody ever sells anything to anyone anymore”. For details of the event and CKMA emailBook now for this entertaining event by emailing Janet Sparkes at enquiry@ckma.info with your name (and those of colleagues also wanting to come) and company.

■ TEAM MATES: AR Events Ltd director Andrew Roebuck (above, left) with Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany at the reception for VIP guests attending the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and swimmer Ian Thorpe (right) with AR Events sales manager Tom McCreadie

enjoyed by the guests. They were treated to a drinks reception and a lavish three-course meal before sports presenter John Inverdale hosted a Q & A session with a panel of Olympic medal winners. Guests watched the show from premium seating in the front blocks along with a

16,000 crowd and an estimated TV audience of 14.5m. AR Events sold more than 600 packages at the event – one of the most hotly contested in recent memory – which saw cyclist Bradley Wiggins claim the prestigious trophy after his Olympic time trial gold medal and historic Tour de France victory.

Marketing experts are in the spotlight EXPERTS in marketing will answer questions at an event organised in Yorkshire by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. CIM South Yorkshire branch president David Chapman has organised the event, which takes place at 6pm tomorrow at Sheffield University. The panel will include Ian Brayford, a specialist in business-to-business marketing; Mike Self, who specialises in strategic marketing planning; Jackie Cook, a specialist in business-to-business, services marketing and relationship marketing; and Melanie Parker, a specialist in professional services marketing. Email cimevents@cim.co.uk

Academy is all set ORGANISERS of the Huddersfield Town Enterprise Academy have engineered a fitting venue for their first meeting of 2013. HTEA kicks off this year’s programme of events with a meeting at the new Kirklees College Engineering Centre at Turnbridge Road, off St Andrew’s Road. The centre opened its doors only last August. The theme for the meeting is Preparing Your Business for the Next Generation of Employees. The event, which takes place at noon on Thursday, February 21, is free and includes a light buffet, but each firm is restricted to a maximum of three tickets.