JAN SENIOR
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014
Giant ambitions Interview - Page 3
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NICK GARTLAND Interesting times Column - Page 5
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
Kirklees employers have been given their say on plans to attract hundreds of millions of pounds of government investment to the Leeds City Region. Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), met Kirklees businesses during a visit to the district. Mr Marsh visited turbocharger manufacturer Cummins at Turnbridge, the Deighton-based Textile Centre of Excellence and multi award-winning fabrics exporter Camira in Mirfield. He also attended a meeting of Kirklees Business Champions at Huddersfield University’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, where he outlined the LEP’s ambitious proposals for a share of the government’s £2bn Local Growth Fund. The LEP is currently developing a Strategic Economic Plan in response to the government’s invitation to all 39 local enterprise partnerships nationally to negotiate a Local Growth Deal for their area. As well as providing vital government
■■ Roger Marsh (right), chairman of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, visits multi-award-winning Camira Fabrics in Mirfield
funding to boost the region’s economy – including potential investment in business support, skills, transport, energy infrastructure and housing and development sites – the Local Growth Deal could also help the LEP secure new freedoms
and flexibilities that would enable the region to take greater control of its economic destiny. Mr Marsh said: “I’m delighted to have the chance to meet with Kirklees companies and hear what they see as the key
opportunities for growth over the coming years. “As a major manufacturing cluster within Leeds City Region – itself the largest manufacturing centre in the UK – Kirklees firms, including Camira, Cummins and countless others, are driving the UK’s manufacturing innovation and have an important role to play in helping the LEP develop the Leeds City Region as an economic powerhouse nationally and globally.” Mr Marsh was formerly senior managing partner at PwC in Leeds. As the firm’s UK Northern Leader, Government and Public Sector, he worked with the Smith Institute to create the policy proposal, “Rebalancing the economy: prospects for the north” and was seconded to the Cabinet Office in 2007 as director-general of strategic finance and operations. Mr Marsh took up chairmanship of the LEP in July last year. He has been Deputy Chair of inward investment body Leeds and Partners since 2011, working to help constitute a new board while shaping strategy and priorities for Leeds as one of the UK’s most significant financial centres.
Company gets a real lift from securing export contracts A company manufacturing stairlifts is seeking new recruits after the success of its export efforts. Bespoke Stairlifts Ltd, based at Old Fieldhouse Lane in Huddersfield, embarked on its export drive when the recession threatened to hit domestic sales. The firm’s efforts paid off with a lucrative contract to a German-based reseller – prompting Bespoke Stairlifts to target other European resellers. And by recruiting a multilingual European sales manager, export sales have more than doubled. Operations manager Andy Gaughan said: “Bespoke Stairlifts was formed in 2004 by partners Dave Burns and Gavin Finn and evolved from a desire to create a cost-effective solution for ■■ Directors of Bespoke Stylists Gavin Finn (left) and David Burns customers with curved or complicated staircases, who only had very expensive options within the stairlift industry. Mr Gaughan said the company had set itself apart in “David had been involved in the sales side of the terms of what it offers its trade customers – and what business for 20 years or more and he joined together they in turn can offer theor opwn customers. with Gavin who had the engineering expertise. Sales and marketing manager Simon WaddingtonThe company has recruited and developed a highly said; “Some companies want us to provide a compreskilled work force that is now shipping their products hensive package, while others just want us to do part of to over 60 trade customers across the world.” the process.
“Bespoke Stairlifts’ flexible approach to their services is what sets us apart from other stairlift providers. “Other companies are a lot more rigid in terms of how they provide their products and are unwilling to work with their suppliers’ needs, whereas our team’s core belief is to work hand in hand with our customers to develop a great working relationship that optimises both our customers’ and our requirements which, hopefully, the end user benefits. While expanding its ecport efforts, the firm has continued to develop the UK market. The company continues to work with four of the UK’s leading disability charities and will continue to invest in these partnerships during 2014. The company is also working towards quality standards PAS 99 Integrated Management Systems – incorporating ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, BS OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management. Bespoke Stairlifts is also seeking recrtuits in a number of areas including finance and accounting, fabricating, chair/carriage engineers and installation engineers.
Website a winner A Huddersfield-based web design agency has been praised by staff and students at Trinity Academy in Halifax for its work on the academy’s innovative new website. The academy, which achieved “outstanding” status from Ofsted in 2013, approached Splitpixel Creative Ltd, based at the Media Centre in Northumberland Street, for an re-design of its website that would highlight its achievements and its vision of “excellence in all we do”. Academy principal Michael Gosling said: “It’s important to us that our website reflects the outstanding achievements of the academy.”
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Looking good An opticians business which began with three practices has now opened its seventh. ValliOpticians,launched in 2005 in Huddersfield, has acquired Barbara Watson Eyecare in Outwood, Wakefield. Moin Valli, managing director of the Valli Group, said: “We are delighted to announce our seventh practice. Barbara Watson Eyecare is a fantastic set up situated in the heart of a lovely community. Above all this practice has modern technology and delivers excellent patient care.”
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TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Help to Buy gives lift to house builders’ shares An extension in taxpayer support for the property sector helped Britain’s biggest house building firms add to share gains which have in some cases seen them double in value since the start of last year. The four biggest listed companies have increased in market value by 81%, or £7.2bn over the period, which saw the Government introduce the Help to Buy scheme to kick start the sector. Chancellor George Osborne will now extend an equity loan part of the initiative - which had been due to end in 2016 - until the end of the decade. It will mean another £6bn invested to help an estimated 120,000 more households purchase a new-build home. A separate element of Help to Buy introduced last year offers lenders £12bn of mortgage guarantees to lure them back into making high loan-tovalue ratio advances of up to 95% of the value of homes. The latest announcement saw FTSE 100 listed builder Persimmon climb nearly 7% as traders digested its implications. Its value has already surged by about £2bn, or 77%, to £4.3bn, since the start of 2013. Barratt, listed on the FTSE 250 Index, rose by 3% – with its market capitalisation having gone up by 105%, or £2.1bn, since the start of last
Mobile phone giant Vodafone stepped up its expansion in Europe today by unveiling a £6bn deal to buy Spanish cable operator Ono. The acquisition of Ono, which offers high-speed broadband and pay-TV to 1.9m customers in 13 regions of Spain, builds on Vodafone’s purchase of Kabel Deutschland for about £6.5bn last summer. Vodafone’s latest swoop comes as it looks to spend some of the proceeds of its $130bn (£78bn) sale of its stake in US mobile phone operator Verizon Wireless. Vodafone is growing strongly in emerging markets such as India, but its European business has been weighed down by economic conditions, competition, and regulatorimposed price changes. And the sector’s focus has been shifting towards “quad play”, which involves providing bundles of phone, broadband, mobile and pay-TV services. Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao said: “Demand for unified communications products and services has increased significantly over the last few years in Spain, and this transaction will accelerate our ability to offer best-in-class propositions in the Spanish market.” Ono has a current reach of 7.2m homes - about 41% of all homes in Spain - providing its customers with broadband speeds in excess of 200 Mbps and a pay-TV service through TiVo. Its network will complement Vodafone’s fibre-to-the-home build programme.
The warning weighed on shares but Mr Osborne’s latest intervention, as he prepares to deliver his Budget speech on Wednesday, was enough to provide a sharp boost. Mortgage lender Halifax reported earlier this month that house prices surged at their strongest annual rate since 2007 in February after rising by 7.9% on a year ago to £179,872, though average values are still 10% below their 2007 peak. Some fear it could mean Help to Buy backfiring, by pushing prices up beyond the means of some of those such as first-time buyers it is intended to assist. There are concerns in particular that the second phase of the scheme - the mortgage guarantee offered on new and existing homes worth up to £600,000 - is pushing prices too high in London and the South East. Bank of England governor Mark Carney has already said he is watching the housing market closely for signs that a bubble may be emerging and said policy makers stand ready to raise rates if needed to curb prices. The mortgage element of the staterun Funding for Lending scheme offering banks cheap access to finance in order to lend to home buyers was already ended at the beginning of the year to help rein in the burgeoning market.
■■ Chancellor George Osborne is set to extend the Help to Buy scheme
year to nearly £4.2bn. Taylor Wimpey climbed by 4%. Its value has risen by 84%, or £1.8bn to £3.9bn over the period. Berkeley, which lifted 2%, has grown in value by £1.3bn or 54% since the start of last year to reach £3.7bn. House builders’ shares have been steadily climbing over the past year or so, aided by improvements in the overall economy and a property market which has been buoyed by Government support.
Spanish takeover by Vodafone
They have stuttered in recent weeks amid question marks over the sustainability of the revival. The surge is being monitored by the Bank of England which has pledged to intervene should it threaten to overheat. Last week, deputy governor Charlie Bean said policy makers were keeping a “beady eye” on the market, warning that a lack of supply combined with excessive growth in mortgage lending could create future financial stability risks.
Primark in £5.4m disaster payout Market listing is on the menu Primark is to begin paying £5.4m in long-term compensation to victims of the Rana Plaza factory collapse that killed more than 1,100 people in Bangladesh last April. The clothing chain, which has a store at New Street in Huddersfield, will make the payments to 580 workers or
their families from the Primark supplier New Wave Bottoms who died or were injured as a result of the Rana Plaza building collapse. The firm occupied the second floor of the eight storey building. Primark is also making a further payment of £602,000 to workers in its competitors’ sup-
Online takeaway food service Just Eat has announced plans to float on the London stock market next month. The company, founded in Denmark in 2001, aims to raise £100m, in a move that is reportedly expected to value it at between £700m and £900m.
ply chain. This will be paid to the Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund and is in addition to the £1.2m it has already distributed to the workers or their families. Primark is one of the few brands to officially announce it has paid into the funding pot, coordinated by the International Labour Organisation.
It will become the latest business to make its stock market debut, after launches from Poundland, Pets at Home, online white goods retailer AO and fashion website boohoo.com. Chief executive David Buttress said: “I’m very pleased to be bringing Just Eat to mar-
ket following several years of strong growth and expansion. Just Eat brings together tens of thousands of local takeaway restaurants globally and processes millions of online orders monthly, which I believe makes us one of the most exciting global growth companies in Europe.”
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Taking care of those in need Giants fan Jan Senior is hoping for a successful 2104 – both for her favourite Super League team and in business. Her loyalty to the claret-andgold goes back some 35 years when she was in her late teens. “In the late 1970s I went to a match at the old Fartown ground,” she says. “And the rest is history! “I even realised an ambition by going to watch the Giants at Perpignan last season. I went with a friend who had never been to an away match before.” Jan is unstinting in her praise of Giants chairman Ken Davy in building up the club to be a formidable force in Super League. “When Danny Brough received the League Leaders’ Shield last season and handed it straight to Ken it gave me goosebumps,” she says. “It was such an emtional moment.” Jan is no less devoted to her new role – as social care and business development manager at Huddersfield-based Focus Care Services, where her main responsibility is to spearhead a recruitment drive. The company was formed in 1999 and initially worked extensively across the NHS , day care and children and families services within Kirklees and Bradford Councils prior to taking the decision to become more specialised following registration with the Care Quality Commission. The company, which occupies space at The Creative Lofts in Northumberland Street, now focuses its attention on providing supported living and community based support and enablement services specifically tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of people who choose to remain within their local communities with appropriate degrees of support. Within its supported living services, people who choose to receive their services from Focus Care Services will have varying degrees of learning and/or physical disabilities, while there are other people who may require a supported living service in support of their mental health care needs and /or autism.
The firm’s community-based support service covers a wide range of activities, ranging from attending social events, assistance within the home, paying bills and respite breaks for carers. Says Jan: “Providing short-term respite care of just a few hours would allow the carer chance to go out to attend a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment, have lunch with friends, go to a show or simply to use the time to get some well earned rest.” The company has embarked on an expansion strategy and Jan is now seeking new. “We are an equal opportunity employer and we want our workforce to reflect the diversity of the population of Huddersfield and the surrounding areas,” she says. “We are currently looking to increase our workforce of experienced staff and do recognise that there are many other people out there who have transferable skills, having worked within alternate care sectors. “This includes people who have attended appropriate college/ university courses. “We provide a comprehensive training package.” Jan comes to her new role with an extensive background in social welfare. Huddersfield-born and raised in Linthwaite, she attended Colne Valley High School and had early
ambitions to be a teacher. In 1987, she embarked on her career, working with people with mental illness. For seven years from 1996, she lived and worked in Cornwall – where she learned first-hand some of the issues facing people on the margins of society. “For a period, I became homeless,” she says. “I lived in temporary accommodation at the same time as I was working with homeless people. I disovered for myself how awful it is to have no home.” Jan also gained a degree in mathematics and social sciences through the Open University, admitting: “It took me a long time. When I see the picture of me in my graduation gown, I always remember being told when I was growing up that I didn’t have the intelligence to get a degree.” As well as working in the field of mental health and managing a hostel for the homeless, Jan has been a specialist adviser in social welfare law – helping pople with issues around welfare benefits, housing and debt. Latterly, she was a case worker with law firm Switalski’s, but decided to apply for the new role at Focus Care Services in the wake of changes to Legal Aid funding, which she says have “made life difficult” for many law firms. Says Jan: “Over the years, I have made a lot of contacts, which I will be able to draw on as we build and develop the business. “It is about raising the profile, knowing where to go and who to talk to. “I’m doing some work on our website and looking to make more use of Fabebook and Twitter as well as word-of-mouth. Existing staff are recommending us to their friends and associates to come and work here.” Jan says: “We are also looking at how we can help young unemployed people ■■ Jan Senior, of Focus Care Services. aged 18 to 24.
Jan Senior
“We want to have a workforce that is diverse and that includes young people. “We want to see people who have the potential to develop the skills we need. Two members of our office staff were both apprentices and are now valued members of the team. “It is also about having transferable skills. Some people have done health and social care courses at college or they may have been carers of elderly relatives or disabled siblings. “We have a mandatory induction where we can test out peoples’ potential. “We also encourage people to do voluntary work, in some circumstances to see if they have the values and attitudes needed for our type of service.” Jan recognises that working in social care can be extremely demanding – and that people can be judgemental about those struggling with issues such as alcoholism and mental illness. In Cornwall, she was in charge of a hostel housing six recovering alcoholics. She says: “They had to support each other to stay ‘dry’. Once, they trashed the place and a group of American servicemen based at a nearby RAF station were recruited to redecorate. “We bought new curtains and fabrics and the place looked fantastic. If you give people a nice environment to live in. they will keep it nice.” On the other side of the coin, Jan says: “There were people in Newquay who refused to believe Newquay had any homeless people at all! According to them, they were all in St Austell!” Jan retains a love of Cornwall and holidays there every year. “When I lived there, our Christmas Day used to be taking the dog for a walk on the beach before Christmas lunch at one of the hotels,” she says. “We have really good friends in Cornwall. Our dearest friends are a couple with whom we have an unusual connection. “We met 400 miles from Huddersfield to doscover that they were married the same day I was born!”
Role: Social care and business development manager Age: 54 Family: Son Gareth, 29 Car: Renault Scenic Holidays: Cornwall, Tenerife and Spain First job: Shampooing at a hairdresser’s in Cowlersley and doing a paper round Best thing about the job? Making a difference for the people we support Worst thing about the job? Nothing yet, but I don’t relish having to tell someone after their job interview that they don’t meet our standards and we can’t take them on Business tip: Treat people as you would want to be treated yourself, whether yo meet them socially or professionally
Focus Care Services Work: Supported living services Site: Creative Lofts, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield Phone: 01484 515332 Email: jsenior@focuscareservices.com Web: www. focuscareservices.com
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TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
KIRKLEES BUS
Sponsor named for awards night Freight business Expect Distribution has been confirmed as the title sponsor of the 2014 Huddersfield Town annual annual Awards ceremony. The Bradford-based business, led by managing director Neil Rushworth, is a club partner of Huddersfield Town and sponsored the Champagne Moment accolade at the 2013 awards. The company, which is celebrating 25 years in business, employs almost 200 staff, has a fleet of 78 vehicles and is regarded as a market leader in the UK haulage industry. Town events co-ordinator Katie Barraclough said: “We’re delighted to have a successful Yorkshirebased company associated with the annual awards. The event is all about celebrating success stories and it seems fitting to have Expect Distribution play such a key role as it flourishes in its 25th anniversary.” Mr Rushworth said: “We are delighted to offer our support to Huddersfield Town by sponsoring the annual awards night. Expect Distribution are now in our second year as an official partner of the club, but we have supported and sponsored Town in various formats for many years now.” The 2014 awards will take place on Sunday, May 4, at the Cedar Court Hotel at Ainley Top.
Alexandra House does the double A Huddersfield spa has been recognised for marketing success for the second year running. Alexandra House, which recently moved from Edgerton to owned premises in Birkby, was handed an An All Star Award from Constant Contact, a marketing adviser body working with more than half a million small organisations worldwide. Each year, Constant Contact bestows the All Star Award to a select group of businesses and non-profit organisations which have successfully used online marketing tools to engage with their customers and drive new business. Alexandra House’s results ranked among the top 10% of Constant Contact’s international customer base. Constant Contact said that the spa managing to achieve the award for two consecutive years was “quite an accomplishment”. Spa owner Maxine Stead, who launched the spa in 2007, said: “In a competitive market, keeping in touch with our clients is paramount and we’re delighted to be recognised by Constant Contact for achieving strong marketing results and connecting with our customers.
Consultancy ready to compete for one of PR’s premier prizes A fast-growing PR consultancy has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award in recognition of its work. Birstall-based Faith PR has been nominated for the Small PR Agency of the Year category in the Prolific North Awards. The fiercely-competitive annual industry awards aim to celebrate excellence and recognise exceptional talent in the creative and media industries across the North of England. The six-strong team at Faith PR works with a variety of brands across a spectrum of business-to-business and consumer sectors, providing PR, communications and design services. Faith PR has tripled its turnover in the past three years and is looking forward to expanding in the manufacturing industry. Earlier this year, Faith PR was nominated as Business of the Year in the 2014 Network She Foundation International Women’s Day Awards.
Founder and director Stefanie Hopkins has also been named one of Yorkshire Business Insider’s 42 under 42 this year with members of the elite club being described as rising stars of the future. Speaking about the nomination, Stefanie said: “I am thrilled that Faith PR has been shortlisted for this award. “Although Faith has been going for over seven years, we have stepped up our growth plans over the past 24 months and now have a fantastic team in place to help us achieve them. This nomination is testament to the team’s dedication and hard work, I am very proud of them.” The Prolific North awards winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on Thursday, May 1, at The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club.
■■ Peter Sargent, of Be
Credito to play
■■ Stefanie Hopkins, of Faith PR at Birstall
Taking forklifts out on the road? A common misconception among businesses is that forklift trucks (FLT) crossing public roads do not need to be taxed, registered or insured. It is true that FLTs which travel less than 1,000 yards have special dispensation from compliance with the Construction and Use Regulations, but this dispensation does not make FLTs exempt from Road Traffic Legislation. Even if the FLT travels less than a 1,000 yards, on public roads, between sites or for unloading vehicles outside the workplace, then it can be driven with little modification (lighting, excise duty, number plate etc). However. it must be registered and
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Weeks insured and the operator must hold a valid driving licence. If – on the task to be performed – the FLT travels more than 1,000 yards, then it must comply with the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations which can be very complex and would likely involve major modifications to the vehicle.
This is a misconception I’ve seen at many workplaces and I would suggest that each company reviews their use of fork lift trucks to ensure that they comply with the relevant legislation. Incidents involving fork lift trucks are all too common, so it’s important you look to reduce the risk of using them wherever possible.
Mark Weeks is a risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd
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Member firm of the London Stock Exchange. Member of NYSE Liffe. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Investec Wealth & Investment Limited is registered in England. Registered No. 2122340. Registered Office: 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP.
Businesses in Yorkshire continue to feel confident as the economic improvement gains moemntum, accoerding to a new report. The latest UK Business Confidence Monitor from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said confidence in the region has been on a general upward trend since mid-2012 and now stands at +46.6 – well above the UK national average of +37.2. In line with the continued rise in confidence in the region, businesses in Yorkshire have seen key performance indicators strengthen over recent quarters. Over the past year, turnover, gross profits and sales volumes increased by 3.9%, 3.4% and 3.2%, respectively. Encouragingly, this trend is
expected to continue over the next 12 months, with companies forecasting growth of 4.8% in turnover, 5.5% in gross profits and 4.8% in sales volumes. Chris Manners, ICAEW regional director, said: “As we have seen with the recent GDP figures and this quarter’s BCM, the recovery is accelerating. “ We need to continue to push to grow our exports, against a backdrop of a widening trade deficit, at the same time as ensuring that the momentum in the UK economy is maintained across all parts of the country. Currently, the region’s reliance on the domestic market could leave businesses exposed to risks in the UK economy such as low pay growth and public sector payroll reductions.”
Creditors should insolvency process – t dersfield man Peter recovery firm Begbies He said: “It is often tioner who gets the bl ure. This couldn’t be f Creditors have a righ meetings and ask qu just throw the notice i the debt. “It is vital that busi sentatives attend cred out what is going on a heard. “Contrary to comm have an influence on the main duty of the in is to look after the in creditors as a whole stances, creditors who the insolvency proce cant difference to how recover for them.” Mr Sargent said: “ businesses may have the inclination to g meetings or play an professional firms to pletely outsource thei cy process. “From the time they of insolvency, these fi see all of the docum creditor and speak on tors meetings.” “Unfortunately, ba domino effect, makin able if he is unable to pushing that busin towards insolvency. Th that creditors take fu rights and do all the quate representation process.”
Networ a new b
A networking group supporter to its next m MY Network, whic 11.30am on every th month at Cafe Ollo Northumberland Stre recruited the Charter ing as a partner. The networking gr wood-based Mid Yo Commerce, is suppo coms, CIM, Ramsde Media Centre. Meanwhile, the L meet from 12.30pm March 28, at Bar El
5
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014
SINESS NEWS
local
Ukraine, Scotland and equity markets
egbies Traynor
ors have a part
get involved in the that’s the view of HudSargent, of business s Traynor. the insolvency practilame for company failfurther from the truth. ht to attend creditors uestions, but too many in the bin and write off
inesses or their repreditors meetings to find and to make their views
mon belief, they can n the outcome. In fact, nsolvency practitioner nterests of the body of and in many circumo play an active role in ess can make a signifiw much the IP is able to
“While many smaller e neither the time nor go along to creditors active role, there are whom they can comir part in the insolven-
y are passed the notice firms are able to overmentation sent to the n their behalf at credi-
ad debt can have a ng the creditor vulnero recover his funds and ness down the road This is why it is crucial ull advantage of their ey can to ensure adeduring the insolvency
rks gets backer
p will welcome a new meeting. ch meets from 9am to hird Wednesday of the in the Media Centre, eet, Huddersfield, has red Institute of Market-
roup, led by the Lockorkshire Chamber of orted by Better Teleens Solicitors and The
Last Friday Club will to 1.30pm on Friday, leven, Harrison Road,
Equity investors enjoyed a profitable second half of 2013 as early summer concerns about the tapering of Quantitative Easing in the US gave way to renewed optimism. Many equity markets finished the year at or close to all-time highs, with the notable exception being emerging markets. However, 2014 began in less confident fashion, with equity markets taking fright at the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) gradual withdrawal of liquidity as it reduces its monthly bond purchases. The situation was exacerbated by weak data from the US and China and the need for several emerging economies to raise interest rates to defend their currencies, thus further lowering growth expectations. This came against a background of somewhat mixed corporate earnings, despite the fact that leading economic indicators for developed economies continue to point towards further growth. Markets ultimately decided to focus on this rosy outlook and regained all of January’s losses in February. Beyond financial markets, much of the focus has been on unrest in countries from Thailand to Ukraine, another factor unsettling investors in emerging economies. At the time of writing Russia has sent troops into the Crimean peninsular to defend its interests and there is no telling how the situation might escalate. Looking ahead, in May we have European parliamentary elections, and there is a great threat that right wing parties will garner a large share of the vote in countries such as the UK, the Netherlands and France. While this might not have a direct effect on domestic policies, it might well fragment the vote of mainstream parties and also force these parties to veer away from the centre to attract votes. The UK will also face the referendum on Scottish independence in September.
CITY TALK
of “animal spirits”. The same could be said of Microsoft’s purchase of Nokia’s mobile phone business, for example. Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp Although current polls suggest a rejection of for $16bn could also be independence, one can never be sure and the interpreted as a defensive move and the gains whole process will be an unwelcome distrac- have all accrued to private shareholders. tion for the coalition government. Suntory of Japan has made a bid for the The campaign ahead of next year’s UK gen- famous Jim Beam whisky brand in the US, but eral election (May 7, 2015) has already begun other than a few other smaller deals M&A in earnest. remains the “dog that has not barked” in this The Labour Party has threatened to freeze equity bull market. retail energy prices post-election (bad news Much as one doubts the economic value of for utilities Centrica and SSE) and also warned more aggrandising deals, they will be a truer that it will curtail the number of fixed-odds measure of reviving confidence if and when betting terminals in bookmakers’ shops (hit- they arrive. ting William Hill and Ladbrokes). 2013 was a highly satisfactory year for balIt also seems committed to raising the top anced investors. Equities and riskier corporate level of marginal income tax back to 50p. The bonds led the performance charts, sovereign better news for the Conservatives is evidence bonds were lacklustre and gold and emerging of recovery in the economy, but Labour still markets were the notable casualties, although leads in the polls and constituency boundaries gold has made a strong comeback so far in mean that the Conservatives will need a much 2014 in response to geopolitical uncertainties larger share of the vote than Labour to stand and stabilising demand in countries such as any chance of claiming a majority of seats. China and India. Last November’s withdrawal of the housing The January sell-off was not unexpected, but element of the Funding for Lending Scheme is our maintenance of a “risk-on” stance was indicative of the recovery, with new Bank of rewarded in February. Bonds continue to offer England governor Mark Carney signalling a minimal long-term returns and Equities are welcome degree of prudence in his tolerance preferred both for valuation and growth prosof a debt-fuelled recovery. pects. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have It is also worth noting that we have reached returned to the corporate agenda, although the point where Equities have outperformed remain well below historic levels. Bonds on a total return basis over 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, Vodafone shareholders have recently 20 and 25 periods in both the US and UK. received the fruit of the sale of the stake in VerEven though there has been some sign of izon Wireless, but this deal was more a case of more asset allocation into Equities, the net corporate housekeeping rather than a return position is still marginally negative over the last four years. Maybe it is time for the “Cult of Equity” Nick Gartland, Senior Financial Planning Director, to be rehabilitated.
Nick Gartland
Investec Wealth & Investment
Pledge to back the Living Wage A KIRKLEES company has become one of the first in the region to become an accredited Living Wage Employer. And Cleckheaton-based Howarths People and Safety Management has won praise for its commitment to the cause. The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, based on the cost living in the UK. The Living Wage campaign has been running for 10 years and has lifted more than 45,000 people out of poverty. An independent study of the business benefits of implementing a Living Wage policy found that more than 80% of employers believe that the Living Wage had enhanced the quality of the work of their staff. Some 70% of employers felt that the Living Wage had increased consumer awareness of their organisation’s commitment to be an ethical employer. Gavin Howarth, managing director, said “Becoming a Living Wage employer is something that we are very proud of and is in line with our core values and vision of being a responsible and sustainable employer in the region”. Rhys Moore, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said “The benefits the Living Wage brings to staff and business are clear. I welcome the leadership shown by Howarths on this important issue.”
‘Change of emphasis needed to help more women reach the top’ BUDGET BREAKFAST 2014 Government efforts to more women onto the boards of Britain’s bigegst companies are missing the mark, says a leading local businesswoman. Denby Dale-based Jo Haigh, senior partner at FDS Corporate Finance, said more effort should be made to increase female representation among small and medum-sized businesses where they could have the biggest impact. She said: “Promoting and supporting the development of other people, especially women, is important but convincing the people you want to support and develop that they can achieve what you know they can is more than
half the battle!” But she said Business Secretary Vince Cable’s call for 25% female representation at board level was missing the mark. “Too much publicity has been given to the pushing of women onto FTSE boards when the vast majority of boards in the UK are SME. Those are the boards where women could really make a difference. “ Jo, a multi-award winning businesswoman and author, said: “Women should have a greater presence in ownermanaged businesses businesses and bring with them balance as well as knowledge and experience. “
Making the most of it...
01484 538 351 www.revellward.co.uk
Are you a business owner? Would you like to make the most of this year’s Budget? Then why not come and listen to our Tax Director, Lesley Sutton present a summary of what is new, and what is not so new, with a focus on minimising tax costs and maximising shareholder value. Our Budget Breakfast will take place on Friday 21 March 2014 at the John Smith’s Stadium. Tickets are only £15 plus VAT. To book your ticket visit: www.revellward.co.uk/budget-breakfast-2014/
Revell Ward LLP, 7th Floor, 30 Market Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2HG. 01484 538 351 or enquiries@revellward.co.uk
6
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Magma opens new site in Vietnam A DEWSBURY company has commissioned a new factory in Vietnam. Magma Ceramics & Catalysts has opened the new 6,000sq metres facility between Hanoi and Noth Vietnam’s main international sea port, Haiphong.It is intended to strengthen the company’s capabilities in the manufacture of refractory ceramic products used in the glass, alloy and steel industries. The facility will also provide a platform for growth in the South East Asia market and is strategically located to take advantage of Vietnam’s burgeoning petrochemical industry.
A new general manager, David Collinge, has been appointed to oversee operations at the new facility. Mr Collinge, who brings with him significant experience in the industry, will take up the role from mid-April. Over the past four years, Magma Ceramics & Catalysts has focused on process improvement and customer-focused growth of at least 50% a year. In addition, Magma has expanded its ceramic production process knowledge into the area of catalyst technology, establishing a catalyst development facility in Sheffield
and manufacturing facilities in Brazil as well as rolling out both ceramic and catalyst production across all sites. Magma now has has a pipeline of new products and market opportunities supporting continued high growth in both areas of the business. The Vietnamese factory goes live shortly after Magma announced a joint venture with Morgan Advanced Materials further enable the rapid growth potential of the company. Magma managing director Mark Stuckey said: “I’d like to welcome David Collinge to Magma’s team.”
On Instructions of P Sargent, Liquidator of Newsome Workings Men’s Club and Institute Limited
FOR SALE
Newsome Working Men’s Club St John’s Avenue, Huddersfield HD4 6JP 1 Former Working Men’s Club including 2 Bed Flat 1 555.63m2 (5,981 sq.ft) on site of 0.77 acres 1 Suitable for a variety of alternative uses/ development (STP) OITRO £250,000
FOR SALE /TO LET
83 Fitzwilliam Street
Huddersfield HD1 5LG 1 Town centre office premises 1 159.64m2 (1,719 sq.ft) 1 Off road car parking 1 Suitable for alternative uses (STP) Rental/Price Freehold – £150,000 Leasehold – £12,500 per annum
Seventh site for opticians An opticians business which began with three practices has now opened its seventh. Valli Opticians, which was laucnhed in 2005 in Huddersfield, has acquired Barbara Watson Eyecare in Outwood, Wakefield. Moin Valli, managing director of the Valli Group, said: “We are delighted to announce our seventh practice. Barbara Watson Eyecare is a fantastic set up situated in the heart of a lovely community. Above all, this practice has modern technology and delivers excellent patient care – a perfect addition to our independent, family run, Valli Group of Opticians.” He said: “Barbara had a number of people interested in buying the business and we are delighted that she chose us. We are also thrilled that she has decided to stay practicing here for three days a week. We look forward to meeting all Barbara Watson Eyecare patients very soon. “The staff will all be staying on so patients can rest assured they will continue to see the same friendly faces each time
30 Huddersfield Road
Brighouse, West Yorkshire HD6 1HA 1 Refurbished office accommodation 1 185m2 (1,987 sq.ft) 1 Ease of access to Junc 25 M62 1 Designated car parking provision Rent £11,000 per annum exclusive
TO LET
Triangle Business Park
Allen Row, Huddersfield HD1 4RR 1 New build B1 Trade Counter/Workshop units 1 166 – 792m2 (1,787 – 8,526 sq.ft) 1 Prominent roadside frontage 1 Available for occupation May/June Rent £6 per square foot per annum
they visit.” Set up by Moin and his wife Rachel, award-winning Valli Opticians started as a chain of three optical practices with eight staff and in eight years has more than doubled in size to include nine businesses – seven of which are optical practices. The group owns the Valli Opticians practices in Lockwood, Honley, Meltham and Mytholmroyd alongside SD Haigh Opticians in Almondbury and Mamtora Opticians in Hebden Bridge. They expanded further in 2013
to include Valli Home Eye Care, a domiciliary service for elderly and disabled patients, and Valli Corporate Eye Care, which specialises in providing bespoke eye care services for medium to large companies.In the past 18 months, the company has won three awards. It was Company of the Year in the Association of Optometry Awards and won the Business Excellence category in the National Optician Awards. Mr Valli was Young Business Person of the Year in the Examiner Business Awards.
New home for forklift truck firm A forlikft truck company has taken delivery of new premises in Kirklees. Valmar Sideloaders Ltd has taken a 5,000sq ft unit at Access 26 Business Park, close to junction 26 of the M62 at Cleckheaton. The independent manufacturer and distributor has taken the whole of the Block C at Centurion Way, which was speculatively built by St Paul’s Invest-
TO LET
■■ Moin Valli and Barbara Watson premises
ments Ltd. Property consultancy Knight Frank and Leeds commercial property specialist Carter Towler advised on the letting. Block C is one of three new high-quality industrial/trade units together comprising a total about 20,000sq ft. Tom Lamb, associate and industrial property specialist with Knight
Frank in Leeds, said: “This is one of very few speculatively-built developments in the Yorkshire region during the past five years, so it is tremendous news that one of the three units has been let prior to practical completion.” Mr Lamb said: “There is good interest in the other two units – Block A, which is 10,000sq ft and Block B, which is 4,400sq ft.”
Changeover for safety law poster Companies have until April 5t o put up a new Health & Safety Law poster in their premises. The Health and Safety Executive first introduced the poster and leaflet in 1999. Employers are required to either display the poster in a prominent location or provide each employee with the leaflet. In 2009, the HSE introduced an updated, simpler version of the poster. The HSE provided a five-year transition period meaning that employers had until April
5, 2014, to replace the poster or leaflets with the new version. It is a legal requirement to display this new version from April 5. Graham Taylor, of safety equipment firm Louis France, based at Prospect Street, Huddersfield, said: “The new version includes a unique, serial numbered hologram to ensure its authenticity. It is easier to read and understand, providing benefits from increased awareness to both workers and employers.”
7
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 â€
TO LET
Retail
TO LET
Industrial Offices
Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, Huddersfield 56m 2 (600 sq ft) gross
Hare Park Mills, Hare Park Lane, Liversedge 123m 2 (1,327 sq ft)
Recently refurbished retail unit close to centre of Holmfirth. Planning consent to extend or separate unit adjacent
Good quality two storey offices in pleasant semi-rural location with on-site parking
TO LET
Industrial
Silkwood Park, J40 M1, Ossett, Wakefield
3,814m2 (41,049 sq ft)
High quality warehouse/factory with two storey offices strategically located just off J40, M1. Prestigious reception wth imposing glazed frontage, comfort cooled offices, space heaters to warehouse/factory, three loading bays to rear and ample on-site parking
www.michaelsteel.co.uk
All enquiries to Alec Michael alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
Commercial Residential, Commercial & Industrial Surveyors, Estate Agents, Auctioneers & Property Management Consultants UNIT 2, SPRINGFIELD MILLS, ROYD STREET, HUDDERSFIELD
To Let
SURPLUS UNIT HOLME MILLS, WEST SLAITHWAITE ROAD
To Let
Single Storey Industrial Unit
Light Industrial/Leisure Premises
218.46sqm (2,351sqft)
377.39sqm (4,062sqft)
Popular industrial location
Suitable for a variety of light industrial or leisure uses, subject to planning
Approximately 3 miles from Huddersfield town centre 3 Phase electricity
Flexible terms and incentives available
Good loading
EPC Asset Rating E
EPC Asset Rating: E
UNIT 15 CLIFFE END BUS PK, DALE STREET, HUDDERSFIELD
To Let
UNIT 9 COLNE VALE BUS PK, COLNE VALE ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD
Workshop/Office Building
Workshop
112.6sqm (1,212sqft)
61.9 sqm (666 sqft)
Situated within a popular industrial location
Flexible terms
3 Miles from Huddersfield town centre Double loading doors 3 Phase Electricity EPC Asset Rating D
14 St Georges Square, Huddersfield HD1 1JF
t: 01484 530361
e: commercial@bramleys1.co.uk
www.bramleys.com/commercial
To Let
2 Miles from Huddersfield town centre Good car parking EPC Asset Rating D
8
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS William Armitage
Chairman’s role for William Garden centres boss William Armitage has been elected chairman of the Garden Centre Association (GCA). Mr Armitage is managing director of the 172-year-old Huddersfield-based Armitage’s Home & Garden. He is the sixth generation of the family to run the business, which started in 1842 in thwe town centre as an agricultural feed and seed merchant – starting at New Street and later moving to Lord Street. It now runs two garden centres in Birchencliffe and Shelley. The company has been a member of the GCA since 1983 when it purchased Pennine Garden Centre at Shelley. Mr Armitage was elected chairman of the association at its two=day 2014 annual meeting and conference in Blackpool. His tweoyear tenure will see Mr Armitage lead the association which joins together more than 200 of the UK’s best garden centres. The association independently audits all its members every year, scoring them on their retail standards, levels of customer care and quality of catering on offer. In order to remain a member of the association, each garden centre
Design firm hailed as website wonders By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter
must achieve a consistently high score across all departments. Said Mr Armitage: “The competitive nature of the annual audit ensures all members continually strive to achieve better levels of customer care and high retail standards, which makes sure GCA garden centres are among the best in the country,” The association also organises regular regional meetings for owners and operators to exchange new ideas and discuss best business practice. Mr Armitage said his aims over the next two years were to increase membership, improve the regional meetings and develop the Association’s online staff training programme which currently has more than 4,000 regular users.
Mark Overfield
New director for audit team Mark Overfield has joined Grant Thornton’s growing Yorkshire audit team as director. Mr Overfield (pictured) began his career with Deloitte in 1996 in Newcastle before moving to Leeds in 2009, latterly working as an audit director and also leading Deloitte’s manufacturing practice across Yorkshire and the North East. With 18 years’ experience, Mark has led audit and related services for a portfolio of businesses across the region, with a particular focus on the manufacturing, consumer business and energy and waste sectors. His wider experience has included reporting accountant and dili-
movers and shakers
gence roles as well as the provision of accounting and other technical advice to both UK and overseas businesses. In his new role, Mark will be assurance director for Grant Thornton, applying his skills to build new relationships, strengthen existing ones and further develop the existing team.
A Huddersfield-based web design agency has been praised by staff and students at Trinity Academy in Halifax for its work on the academy’s innovative new website. Having achieved ‘“outstanding” status from Ofsted in 2013, the academy approached Splitpixel Creative Ltd, based at the Media Centre in Northumberland Street, for an inspiring re-design of its website that would highlight its achievements and its vision of “excellence in all we do”. Academy principal Michael Gosling said: “It’s important to us that our website reflects the outstanding achievements of the academy and our belief that what we do here is truly unique. We were looking to portray that individuality through an innovative, yet userfriendly website that would enable both students and parents to experience a true insight into life at the academy.” Splitpixel Creative designed the new website - www.trinityacademyhalifax.org - and a five-minute video was commissioned, alongside professional photography, to provide the basis for the aspirational design. Charlie Kemp, director at Splitpixel, said: “The website we built for Trinity Academy is fully responsive, which means that it works
■■ Teacher Caroline Hobson and pupils view the website designed by Splitpixel Creative
well on any size screen, from mobile up to desktop. “This was a challenge because of the size of the website, so our designers and developers had to work together closely throughout the project to create a website that is slick, attrac-
tive and user-friendly.” Splitpixel also built a secure and easy to use content management system for the website so that the academy, which opened in 2010, can update the site with new content in the future.
Claire makes the judgement call! ri AN awardw-inning Huddersfield businesswoman was lead judge in a Dragon’s Den-style competition. Claire Harper, of childrenswear retailer IndiaCoco, also hosted the Young Entrepreneur of the Year event at Wakefield Girls’ High School. Six teams of girls spent a day pitching their business ideas to a panel of judges to determine which of their innovations were the most marketable. In the evening, students, parents, teachers and the judges attended the awards ceremony to celebrate enterprise. Joining Claire on the panel were Kathryn Wood, owner of Mint Salons and The Beauty Rooms, and Dimple and Vikesh Patel, who run a nationwide coffee franchise and have recently acquired Harry
Ramsden’s (Yorkshire). The competition was designed to encourage Year 10 girls in a single sex educational environment to think like “business women” and gain enterprise skills and an awareness of the job market. The brief asked the girls to look for gaps in the market, to consider branding, target markets, consumer wants and needs and incorporate the four Ps of Product, Place, Price and Promotion. The audience also heard a motivational talk by Emily Cummins, a young inventor and entrepreneur who was named one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young People in the World 2010 and Barclays ■■ Claire Harper (third right) with fellow judges and winning students Woman of the Year 2009. The Dargon’s Den challenge was won by team Temperfect with Claire worked as marketing di- setting up her own business. a revolutionary thermostatic baby rector for nursery products firm She has also held senior roles at feeding bottle. Mamas and Papas for five before Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Argos.
Insurance broker launches an ambitious charity challenge INSURANCE broker and risk management specialist Wilby Ltd is celebrating its 30th anniversary by getting involved in 30 charity events over the next 12 months. The initiative kicked off with a charity football tournament at 3GI Soccer in Shaw Lodge Mills, which was organised and sponsored by Halifax-based Wilby in
conjunction with Overgate Hospice at Elland and saw 10 local businesses take to the field. Following three hours of football the tournament reached it’s finale with a team from Overgate and a team from ATM Operations taking to the field for the final match. The two had met in the opening
game of the tournament and having won the game 5-1 ATM Operations were clear favourites. However, as is often the case in football, the underdog put in a spirited performance and triumphed 2-1 in a tense match. Jo Sygrove, corporate fundraiser at Overgate Hospice, said “We’re thrilled that the tourna-
ment was so well supported and we’ve raised more than £1,000 for the hospice.” Richard Blackburn, managing director at Wilby, said: “Since the company’s foundation in 1984, we’ve always been proud to be part of the local community and have always looked to raise money for good causes. “