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An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Exports prove key to firm’s success
A KIRKLEES manufacturer is enjoying double digit growth and success overseas. Sewtec Automation is feeling in top of the world – with an order book boasting clients in France, Brazil, Morocco, Poland, Russia, Germany, China, America, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa and Dubai. The company, which specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of machinery in the process and packaging sectors, has recorded double digit growth year-on-year for the last five years and over the last year has trebled its turn over. Managing director Bernard Meehan said the firm’s success was down to exporting. About 80% of the business is focused on overseas sales – a strategy that has insulated the company from the recession which has hit many UK manufacturers hard. The company boasts a range of blue chip clients. Staying true to its Yorkshire roots, the firm continues to manufacture on-site at premises on Ravensthorpe Industrial Estate in Dewsbury and has expanded the business through the benefits of international trade. Mr Meehan said: “Sewtec Automa-
■ ON TRACK: Sewtec Automation is enjoying success in export markets
tion has gained an unrivalled reputation for developing innovative, dependable solutions chiefly for the fast moving consumer goods industry. We have always stayed true to our UK
and Yorkshire roots and never outsourced anything to China or India. “Many manufacturers are now coming back to the UK, but at Sewtec we never left. We have in-house mechanical and electrical design facilities both on-site in Dewsbury where we deliver bespoke, high quality machinery for our clients across the world. “Together with our in-house CNC manufacturing and design facilities we can keep control of the quality but also the lead times. This means we are never dependent on other suppliers. “The strength of our complete in-house service has helped us to secure global contracts with many of our UK clients who are operating overseas and has been instrumental in our continued success.” Mr Meehan said: “A key part of any international business is having the right people on board and this has been crucial in the current economic climate. “We have a highly trained, specialist team who travel around the globe to install and service equipment on-site. Their support is invaluable because many jobs have a quick turnaround and require the guys to travel overseas at short notice.”
He said: “I am delighted to have a fantastic team at Sewtec, but we also benefit from the support of our accountants Mazars who have an excellent international network which has been instrumental for us as the business has moved globally. “The added benefit of the Mazars international network works really well for us. For example, they are helping us with VAT in Morocco and have an office over there and advisors who are meeting with our guys. “This gives me great confidence. Working with reliable and professional people is really important to Sewtec.” Sewtec supplies and installs equipment such as simple conveyor systems to fully automatic, robotic product handling machinery, equipment for filling and capping bottles and electrical control equipment. It also provides project management and design-and-build services. The firm dates back to 1867 when the business was the design and development house for Singer the sewing machine manufacturer. Following a management buy-out in 1982, the company moved away from sewing manufacturing to become focused on the FMCG market.
Firm makes its continuity announcement A HUDDERSFIELD company has joined an elite band. Fleet management specialist FMG has been awarded an ISO certification for business continuity. The certification demonstrates the company’s organisational resilience and robust systems to cope with unexpected disruption. FMG is one of only 13 companies in the UK and about 50 companies worldwide to have achieved ISO22301. The certification, which was awarded after a rigorous auditing process, means that FMG is the first company in the automotive sector to hold it. The standard covers a wide range of business areas, which include people, premises, suppliers and assets. The process for attaining the standard encourages continual development of business continuity planning and regu-
lar reappraisal of procedures. FMG chief executive John Catling said: “With the business-critical work FMG carries out for companies, it is vital that we avoid disruption irrespective of unforeseen events. “Our customers depend on us to provide the right support at the right time, and this certification is another step towards demonstrating the quality of our services. “Achieving this standard demonstrates that we are taking our responsibilities seriously and underlines the commitment to our customers. “We’re delighted to be the first company in our industry to achieve the certification, as it shows that we have the resources and processes in place to mitigate potential disruption.” Mr Catling said: “It has always been our ambition to take a lead on securing
the right accreditations, which demons t r at e s o u r fo r w a r d t h i n k i n g approach. “We’ve secured a number of professional standards, which are relevant to our industry as they represent a clear business benefit for our customers.” FMG operates on a continual basis with contact centre staff available to help deal with incidents around the clock. The company also operates the National Vehicle Recovery Manager contract for the Highways Agency, monitoring and responding to incidents across England’s motorways. The certification addresses areas such as the strength of IT and data systems, as well as back up procedures, which helps lend confidence to partners and customers.
■ SOLID PERFORMER: FMG has proved its systems are resilient
INSIDE Call from town crier CUSTOMERS were sure of a noisy welcome when furniture company Shackletons opened its new larger premises at Batley. Visitors to the Bradford Road store were greeted by Batley and Dewsbury town crier Laurie Gilbert, who entertained members of the public with riddles and rhymes. Later, they were able to listen to summer sounds provided by the Byram Street Brass Band. The new showroom is part of Shackletons’ re-branding following a 50-year commitment to Batley.
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Standing the heat A BRIGHOUSE company has landed a top “green” award. Renewable energy installer Q-Gen Renewable Heat was highly commended in the category for Installer of The Year at the National Heat Pump Awards 2013. The company, based at Thornhill Beck Lane, was also nominated for Commercial Ground Source Installer of the Year in the awards, which were held at the ICC in Birmingham.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Bail-in rescue plan to save Co-op bank A RESCUE of the Co-operative’s troubled banking arm has been launched in a move that will see investors help fill a £1.5bn hole in its balance sheet. No taxpayers’ money will be involved in the plan, with bondholders forced to take losses on their investment as part of a “bail-in” due to happen in October. They will be offered shares in the banking arm, a move which will result in a stock market listing for the UK’s biggest mutual. The Co-op said that about 5% of the bondholders were smaller retail investors – a figure thought to number 7,000 – and whose average investment was about £1,000. The black hole in the Co-op’s capital reserves largely stems from commercial property loans acquired through the bank’s merger with Britannia Building Society in 2009.
Concerns over its financial position came to a head last month after credit ratings agency Moody’s downgraded the bank to junk status, just weeks after it had pulled out of a deal to buy more than 600 Lloyds branches. As a member-owned institution, the Co-op is hamstrung in its ability to raise fresh capital. The Co-op, which has about 4.7m banking customers, is also planning to raise funds through the disposal of its insurance business – although the largest part of the rescue is coming from bondholders. The shortfall was identified by the Prudential Regulation Authority, the new City watchdog. It is due to set out further details on the capital positions of all eight major banks and building societies in a briefing on Thursday. It launched its review after the Bank of England’s new Financial Policy Committee claimed that banks needed
■ MUTUAL FRIENDS: Bondholders will take losses as part of the “bail-in”
another £25bn of capital to prop up their balance sheets. However, Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland have already agreed with the PRA that their requirements will be met without having to raise funds through the issue of new shares or securities. Co-op chief executive Euan Sutherland, the former B&Q boss who joined
the group last month, said the long-term plan was to now focus on retail customers. He said the bank had installed a “very strong” management team and had a “very clear plan to drive a very successful future” for the bank. He said: “In effect this is the best solution for all concerned. It’s a very equitable solution and we believe that this will provide security, safety, stability for our customers and the bank going forward.” At least £1bn will be generated this year from the exchange offer, with the remaining £500m to be contributed during 2014. The rescue has allayed fears that the Co-op may have been forced to sell some of its prized assets, such as its pharmacy business. Analysts said the bail-in represented a profound change in the business model of the Co-op bank, which was likely to clash with its ethos.
Page 2 Tipped for new role THE long-serving boss of Guinness and Smirnoff firm Diageo is in line to claim one of the top leadership jobs currently up for grabs in the FTSE 100 Index. Paul Walsh, who steps down at Diageo this summer after 13 years at the helm, is set to become chairman of office and events catering giant Compass. The role, currently held by Sir Roy Gardner, is one of a number of top flight vacancies that also include Lloyds Banking Group, WPP, Centrica and GlaxoSmithKline. Newspaper reports said Mr Walsh’s expected appointment at Compass will boost its international expansion prospects as he has overseen acquisitions in Turkey, Brazil, India and China. Under his watch at Diageo, the company’s market value has grown by about £30bn, helped by deals such as the Seagram drinks empire.
Majestic toasts further progress
10-year wait for taxpayer
Tu sets a new trend
WINE merchant Majestic posted a small rise in profits after a year in which sales of English sparkling wine showed a significant increase. Majestic, which plans to grow its 193-strong store estate to about 330 sites in the UK, posted pre-tax profits of £23.7m for the year to April 1 – up by £500,000 on a year earlier. Sales of still wines from France, Argentina, Italy and Spain showed good growth. There was also a big jump in sales of sparkling wine from English vineyards. Total sales fell by 2.1% to £274.4m – partly due to last summer’s poor weather causing many outdoor events to be cancelled .
OUSTED boss Stephen Hester warned it could take up to 10 years for the taxpayer to be repaid its £45m stake in bailed-out Royal Bank of Scotland. Mr Hester, who is due to leave the 81% state-owned bank before the end of the year, said that privatising RBS was a long-term project. He said: “My observation is that if the ultimately desired proceeds are £45bn, then there has never been a privatisation that raises that much in one go. “So it is most likely that it would be, if you do it conventionally, four or five goes over 10 years.
SAINSBURY’S will look to boost its fashion credentials this week with the launch of a new look for its clothing brand Tu. The supermarket chain is currently the UK’s seventh largest clothing business by volume, having taken Tu from a standing start in 2004 to record sales of £680m last year. Tu’s 30-strong in-house design team has been given the task of adding new “seasonal must-have” items to its ranges every six weeks.
The number of customers who made purchases in the year still rose by 56,000 on a year earlier to 624,000, while the average spend per transaction remained level at £128. The average bottle price on still wine rose to £7.56. Chief executive Steve Lewis said: “Majestic is in excellent shape and has made good progress with the four key elements of our future growth strategy – new stores, business customers, ecommerce and fine wine.” Majestic, which has a store at Q u e e n s ga t e i n H u d d e rs f i e l d , opened 16 new stores during the year.
“That’s why I’ve always been confident that the state would get its £45bn back.” His comments come as Chancellor George Osborne prepares to signal the sale of the Government’s shares in Lloyds Banking Group. The first tranche of shares could be made available over the summer, with the preferred option thought to involve a sale to major financial institutions rather than to members of the public. It has been reported that Mr Hester could walk away from RBS having received as much as £14m from the bank he joined in 2008.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £47.10 +0.66 Gannett 1575.65 -14.96 Hess Corp £43.01 +1.02 Microsoft £22.28 +0.38 Motors Liquidation 47.74 Wal-Mart Stores £47.88 +0.23 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 4591/2 +31/4 BAE Systems 3871/4 +1/4 Rolls-Royce 1167 -2 AIM Brady Plc 721/2 -11/2 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 3031/4 +11/4 BANKS Barclays 2965/8 -1 HSBC 6811/2 +13/8 Lloyds Banking Gp 611/4 Ryl Scotland 316 Stan Chart 1444 -41/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1900 +161/2 SABMiller £321/4 CHEMICALS Croda £237/8 -1/4 Elementis 98 2361/8 -1/2 1 Johnsn Mat £26 /8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2233/8 +15/8 Costain 254 -21/2 ELECTRICITY
Drax Gp 550 +1/2 SSE 1512 -3 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1871/8 -3/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 4273/4 +23/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 312 -3/8 Cable & Wireless 411/8 +1 Comm Colt Group 1033/8 +27/8 KCOM 851/2 +2 Talktalk Telecom 2241/2 +13/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2681/8 +13/4 Sainsbury 3751/2 +53/4 1 Tesco 336 /2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1732 -50 Tate Lyle 8191/2 +11/2 Unilever £261/2 +1/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3717/8 -5/8 National Grid 7441/2 -11/2 Pennon Grp 659 -51/2 Severn 1755 -5 -5 United Utils 7241/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3317/8 +21/4 ICAP 364 +53/8 London StockExch 1371 +14 7 Man Group 89 /8 +15/8 Provident Financial 1462 +11
+1/8 Schroders £213/4 Schroders NV 1702 +37 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 4923/4 -21/2 Smiths Grp 1306 +7 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 261/4 +1/4 Carphone Whse 2423/4 +13/4 Dixons Retail 417/8 +1/8 Home Retail 132 -3/4 Inchcape 526 +1/2 3 Kingfisher 353 /4 +15/8 M&S 4493/8 +1 Mothercare 410 +8 7 +3/8 Next £45 /8 WH Smith 730 +14 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 758 +51/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 851/4 +1/4 Barrat Dev 3131/4 +31/4 Persimmon 1218 +14 Reckitt Benckiser £463/4 +1 Taylor Wimpey 951/2 +5/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1289 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1511/4 -2 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION 1 BBA Aviation 284 /2 -25/8 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3381/8 +4
1705/8 1851/2 1075 2831/8 3667/8 MEDIA BSkyB 784 D Mail Tst 770 3 HIBU /8 ITV 1371/2 Johnston Press 163/4 Pearson 1200 Reed Elsevier 7451/2 STV Group 1371/2 Trinity Mirror 1121/2 Utd Business 675 UTV 139 WPP 1125 MINING Anglo American 1407 Antofagasta 8961/2 BHP Billiton 18151/2 Eurasian Natural 2401/4 Res Fresnillo 1097 Kazakhmys 3041/4 Lonmin 2831/4 Rio Tinto £28 VEDANTA 1195 RESOURCES MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 654 Vodafone Group 1823/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1306 Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
-1/4 +3/4 +5 +8 +21/4 -31/2 +7 +3/4 -1/4 +18 +8 +2 +11/4 +4 +3 +5 -19 -71/2 -3 -13/4 -4 -31/4 -41/2 +1/8 -17
+9 +25/8
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
379 1361/2 7441/2 £22
+53/4 -21/4 -11/2 +1/2
FTSE closed at
6330.49 Up 22.23 RSA Insurance Gp 1173/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 11931/2 BP 4581/4 Cairn Energy 2643/4 Royal Dutch Shell A £21 Royal Dutch Shell B £213/4 Total £321/2 Tullow Oil 1030 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 997 Petrofac 1288 Wood Gp(J) 7941/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1399
+11/2 +31/2 +43/8 -1/8 +1/8 +1/8 +3/4 -18 -3 -36 -2 +29
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £321/2 +1/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 111/2 Shire £21 +1/8 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 597 +11/2 Hamrsn 503 -4 1 Intu Properties 327 /8 +11/2 Land Secs 900 -2 SEGRO 2791/8 +13/8 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 4101/4 +47/8 Sage Group 3377/8 -13/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 7691/2 +10 Bunzl 1271 +12 Capita 9581/2 +161/2 De La Rue 9491/2 +81/2 Electrocomp 2563/4 +23/4 Experian 1173 +26 3 G4S 244 /4 +3 5 Hays 90 /8 +21/2 Homeserve 2833/4 +67/8 Menzies J 718 +131/2 Rentokil 905/8 +15/8 Smiths News 1581/2 -51/4 3 Wolseley £31 /8 +3/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 830 -32 Spirent Comms 1271/4 -5/8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £345/8 Imperial Tobacco £235/8 +1/8 LEISURE & HOTELS
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
1171/2 £221/4 8381/2 1252 1081/2 92 1433 798 1818 262 1997/8 373 2141/2 153 3003/4 3461/8 £291/4
+11/4 -1 -13/4 -13/4 -9 +13 -9 -1 +21/4 -3 -21/8 +3 +2 -1/4
FTSE 100
INDEX 6330.49
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FTSE 250
INDEX 13907.35
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TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.55 dollars Bangladesh................. 115.06 taka Brazil.............................. 3.02 reals Canada....................... 1.52 dollars China ............................. 8.59 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.89 korunas Denmark....................... 8.36 krone Euro............................... 1.12 euro Hong Kong................ 11.56 dollars Hungary................... 306.76 forints India.......................... 79.73 rupees Japan........................... 141.86 yen Mexico ....................... 17.73 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.81 dollars Norway ......................... 8.56 krone Pakistan.................. 145.64 rupees Philippines ................. 57.67 pesos South Africa................. 14.61 rand South Korea.............. 1540.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 190.63 rupees Sweden......................... 9.67 krona Switzerland.................. 1.38 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.93 dollars Turkey....................... 2.74 new lira USA ............................ 1.50 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS A TALENT for IT has taken David Duffy to destinations across Europe and beyond. But now the director at Huddersfield-based online retailer Stores Direct is happy enough with the daily commute from his home town of Wigan to the company’s headquarters at Bradley. Says David: “I used to be a technical engineer for a US-based software company designing and installing digital systems for newspaper offices. I worked all over the world from Croatia to Nairobi and Helsinki. “I don’t fly anything like as much now – and it doesn’t bother me. It got to the stage where it was almost like getting on the bus, it was so much part of my routine. “I spent a lot of time in Helsinki, which is my favourite European city. I would get home on a Friday night, arrive at my local for a pint and everyone would be asking me where I was off to next. It sounds great, but after a while, everyone stopped asking! “Travelling on business can be very lonely. I also got married to my wife Lisa, which was another reason for ‘jumping ship’.” Says David: “When I left college, I was going to go into graphic design. I worked for an advertising agency in Manchester for a short time. They got in a lot of Apple Macs and the programme was one I had used at college. I had a better understanding of it than the person who was training us to use them! That made me wonder whether to be a designer or concentrate on the IT side.” David joined newspaper group Newsquest as part of a team overseeing its IT systems before being promoted to executive in charge of IT for the group’s Lancashire division. At the age of 24, he was headhunted by Digital Technology International, a worldwide business specialising in digital publishing. Says David: “They said they’d seen what I could do and how would I like a job working for the company and travelling the world?” David spent 10 years with DTI, saying: “They were great times. But in my final year with the company I totted it up and discovered I’d made almost 200 flights in a year. I had three months solid working in Zagreb and that took its toll. I came home one Friday night to find airline tickets for a flight to Sweden on Monday morning. That’s when I came to the end of the line!” David had known Stores Direct founder Mike Birtwhistle for many years. Mike had been a steward with British Airways before founding the firm in 2001
profile
Keeping his feet on the ground to sell wood-burning stoves – initially from the back of a Vauxhall Corsa. “Mike and I go back a few years,” says David. “We have the same friends and we socialised a lot. He knew I had a bit of an understanding about Google and so on and asked if I wanted to come and work for his company.” Stores Direct, based at Pennine Business Park, had two websites at the time. Now it has 24 selling products ranging from stoves, fireplaces, flue systems and associated heating products to bathrooms, furniture and soft furnishings. The company’s rapid expansion earned it a spot in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 – ranking the UK’s fastest-growing private companies. Stores Direct, which also has showrooms at Elland and in Chorley, Lancashire and Darlington, County
Durham, won the category for SME of the Year in the 2010 Examiner Business Awards. It also has impressive “green” credentials. Many of its customers are turning to wood-burning stoves as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to gas or oil – a trend which is increasing in the face of soaring heating costs. David has played a key part in the company’s success. He says: “Part of what I did on joining the company was to simplify the workflow. I have a dislike of complicated businesses. Most businesses are generally way too complicated. By making fundamental changes to simplify processes, you will make savings. “For the first time in my career I was given full rein to do what I wanted to do. For the volumes of products we move, there
■ ONLINE OPERATIONS: Dave Duffy says hard work is the secret to success for online retailer Stores Direct
are very few of us. We reduce paper and we keep our costs down. We have one printer and one fax machine for the entire office. We used to have seven people dealing solely with orders coming in online. We now have one person doing that full-time and two people trained to cover when necessary. Many of our systems are automated.” Stock control is another area for savings. “We try to hold as little as possible,” says David. “We have a warehouse at Halifax held by a distributor who ships nationwide. At peak times, we are shifting thousands and thousands of stoves.” Says David: “We got into the online shopping scene early and pushed it hard. But it has not been easy – there’s been a lot of hard work involved. A lot of people think it is easy. They set up an online shopping business – and they go by the by. “There is a lot you have to do to make an online business credible and get any kind of customer to part with their hard-earned cash. It’s about having a website that looks professional, it is about functionality and it’s about building up trust so that customers know their money is going where it should be going. “Small things matter – such as having a local phone number on the website. I have a personal aversion to 0800 numbers because I don’t know where they are based. If I get a phone call from an 0800 number, I’m not going to answer it!” There’s no doubting where Stores Direct is to be found – nor where it is heading. Says David: “We have expanded our showroom in Elland and last year we opened the showroom in Lancashire.
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David Duffy
We also took over a company in Darlington and have built up that business under the StovesAreUs brand to give us more coverage and give people the choice of viewing products in person as well as online. Having showrooms gives people the opportunity to touch and feel the products, see the quality.” Says David: “It also means we know what it takes to run a bricks-and-mortar outlet efficiently as well as how to sell successfully online. We sell to customers in person in the ‘triangle’ of Yorkshire, Lancashire and the North East, but we also sell online to London, Scotland and the South of England.” David still clocks up the miles, but this time its visiting the warehouse and showrooms on a regular basis. “During the peak eselling season it’s all hands to the pump,” he says. “There’s no job in this company that I haven’t done myself. I spent two months when I joined the company in the warehouse learning how to strap and pack stoves, so I know what’s involved in other aspects of the business.” Away from work, David is busy trying to rediscover his form on the golf courses at Bradley and Fixby. “I used to play as a youngster and I was junior captain at a local club for a couple of years,” he says. “I’m also a former Thai boxer. I started when I was 16 and I was an instructor for a while as well. I’m a black belt, but my last fight was back in 1996, although I was still training up to the age of 29. Now I keep in shape by doing a bit of boxing at the gym.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: Director Age: 40 Family: Lisa Car: BMW Holidays: Anywhere warm – our last holiday was to the South of France First job: I worked on a milk round as a lad but got into newspapers with a work placement from college at the Wigan Observer Best thing about job: The buzz I get being part of a team making sure everything works – and making sure the business has a sound, solid future Worst thing about job: Nothing I can think of! It’s a very pleasant thing to wake up every day wanting to go to work Business tip: Treat people the way you would like to be treated yourself. Be strong and forward-thinking, but listen to people. We don’t know it all!
Stores Direct Work: Online retailer Site: Huddersfield Employees: 14 Phone: 01484 434320 Email: online@storesdirect .co.uk Web: www.storesdirect.co.uk or www.stovesareus.co.uk
Independent financial planning services for companies and individuals Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd
Pennine House, Lowfields Close, Lowfields Business Park, Elland HX5 9DA 01422 377737 www.eastwoodfinancial.co.uk Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority
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Insight into the issues around IP SMALL firms will get an insight into issues surrounding Intellectual Property at a seminar in Huddersfield next week. Intellectual Property – IP – can often be the most valuable asset a business possesses. But many business people are unsure about what it is and how to go about protecting their rights. At the same time, many firms are unaware of the tax breaks available, including the new Patent Box tax relief – and how IP can be used to raise finance for the business. A practical review of the key issues is being hosted by European patent and trade mark attorneys Appleyard Lees along with Huddersfield chartered accountancy firm Wheawill & Sudworth at 10.30am next Tuesday at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top. Email sara.baines@appleyardlees.com or phone 0161 835 9655.
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
More targets for the taxman VER the past few years, HM O Revenue & Customs has been cracking down on those who have
not disclosed all of their income and capital gains and consequently have underpaid tax. Occasionally, they have offered opportunities for those affected to disclose their tax irregularities in return for a pre-determined penalty. The most recent HMRC campaign is targeted at those with undisclosed Capital Gains Tax liabilities arising from the sale of residential properties in the UK or abroad. Under the Property Sales Campaign, those with undeclared gains prior to April 6, 2012, have until August 9, 2013, to notify HMRC of their intention to make a disclosure which can be done either by telephone, online or by post. They then have until the September 6, 2013, to calculate and pay over the tax, interest and penalties on undisclosed gains. Gains covered by the PSC include those arising on the sale of buy-to-let properties. The gain on such a sale is determined simply as the difference between the sale proceeds net of any selling costs,
■ ON REFLECTION: the Business Enterpri
TAX TALK
£6m boo promising
Colin Barratt
less the original cost including stamp duty, legal fees and disbursements. A further deduction can be made for any capital costs incurred such as an extension. The PSC also enables those with a tax liability on the sale of a home where full CGT exemption is not available, for instance, because it has not been their only or main residence throughout the period of ownership. Those able to make a disclosure under the PSC also have an opportunity to bring their tax affairs up to date on undisclosed income such as rental income, earnings, savings income as well as CGT due on other gains for instance on the sale of shares. Normally, those with tax irregularities face penalties linked to their behaviour. For careless errors leading to unpaid tax, the maximum penalty will be 30% of the liability rising to 70% for
deliberate errors but not concealed. Errors which are both deliberate and concealed face a maximum penalty of 100% of tax unpaid. Penalties can be reduced if a person makes an unprompted disclosure to HMRC of their irregularity and co-operates in the course of the disclosure process. No penalty will be charged if a person has a reasonable excuse. Under the PSC the penalty rates are 0%, 10% and 20% depending on the person’s circumstances. HMRC will carry out certain checks against their own records before they accept a PSC disclosure. If the disclosure does not match the information which HMRC holds or if a disclosure is not made, a person could find themselves with a higher penalty than under the PSC or in the most serious of cases a criminal prosecution.
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
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E:david.butterworth@wheawills.co.uk W: www.wheawills.co.uk
More dealers for Wellhouse A COMPANY manufacturing camper vans has added to its growing list of UK dealers. Shepley-based Wellhouse Leisure Ltd’s Hyundai i800 campers are now being sold through Hyundai outlets Platts Hyundai in Hereford, Stirling Hyundai in Glasgow and Edinburgh and Phoenix Hyundai in High Wycombe. Wellhouse Leisure managing director David Elliott (pictured) said: “We are delighted these three new dealers have come on board as they are all in areas that we had not previously covered.” And he added: “Wellhouse will soon have the Hyundai campers in the South East and South Wales and then with these on board most of the UK population should be within easy reach of seeing a Hyundai camper.”
New awards call for firms to enter KIRKLEES companies employing postgraduate students have been invited to enter a national awards. The inaugural Prospects Postgraduate Awards aim to offer opportunities for competing companies to strengthen their position and relationships in the field. The Best Business Partner Award recognises and rewards successful collaborations between employers and universities to ensure that postgraduate courses meet the needs of business. It is one of eight categories, which span campaigns, agencies and businesses. Entries must be completed by September 6 at www.postgraduateawards.co.uk. The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on November 19 with a gala lunch and networking opportunities. The awards have been launched by the UK’s leading postgraduate education publisher, Graduate Prospects.
They are the only annual awards dedicated solely to celebrating excellence and innovation in the postgraduate arena. Mike Hill, chief executive of Manchester-based Graduate Prospects, said: “Many businesses in the region have established relationships with their local universities to support their talent pool and build for the future. “They are also working hard to educate institutions about their sector and skills requirements to better equip graduates for the world of work. “The Best Business Partner will demonstrate a cohesive and integrated approach to employability, bridging the gap between education and industry.” Graduate Prospects’ website prospects.ac.uk houses the official postgraduate course database. I t has become first choice for postgraduate advertisers, and students and graduates seeking further study information.
A YORKSHIRE inves has secured a furthe support small and m enterprises in the re Hundreds of busines and West Yorkshire access to finance af Enterprise Fund rec investment from the Fund to expand its w to SMEs unable to s finance. BEF, which has offic Bradford, has lent m across the region si eight years ago, prov lifeline to a host of d The £6m funding bo strong start to 2013 opened a second of expanded its team b and opened its £2m incubator office spa Germany, Bradford. part of a small cons that came fourth in t delivering new Start Young People. BEF director Stephe latest funding annou which has seen 75% 12 months and plans growth in 2014, prov businesses can flou region. “This is the first stag treble the size of our the next three years, has been instrumen further bid to the Bu national £120m who demand for our assi support from other s organisations – con despite bank SME le low. “While the need for to grow, the gap bet demand remains hu survey showing that and Humber region, £120m a year. “Our aim is to lend t businesses this yea determined to grow the latent demand.” Mr Waud said: “Ther out there which can but just need a helpi get them off the gro to the next level. Wh contradict some of t gloom mongers out believe business in N Yorkshire is making and we will continue in the best way we c
NESS NEWS
: Stephen Waud, of ise Fund
oster for g SMEs
stment company er £6m funding to medium-sized egion. sses across North will have greater fter the Business ceived £6m e Regional Growth work offering loans secure bank
ces in Leeds and millions of pounds ince its formation oviding a crucial different business. oost completes a for BEF, which has fice in Leeds, by 35% to 15 staff “City Hub” ace in Little The team was also sortium of lenders the UK for t Up Loans for
en Waud, said the uncement for BEF, % growth in the last s to double its ves that urish across the
ge in our plans to r business over ,” he said. “BEF ntal in submitting a usiness Bank for a olesale fund as istance – and similar ntinues to soar, ending remaining
finance continues tween lending and uge with a recent t in the Yorkshire , this is as much as
to and support 200 ar and we are ourselves to meet
re are businesses really succeed, ing hand to either ound or push them hile it may the doom and there, we strongly North and West positive strides e to support them can.”
local
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Budget losers and winners
ITH the dust still settling on W the Chancellor’s latest budget, some of the key changes
have an immediate impact from the start of the current 2013/14 tax year. They are: an increase in the standard personal allowance (which is the amount you can earn tax free before basic-rate income tax kicks in) from £8,105 to £9,440; a reduction in the additional rate of income tax from 50% to 45% (and from 42.5% to 37.5% for dividends); the removal of the higher age-related allowances for individuals born after April 5, 1948, (and who therefore attain age 65 after April 5, 2013); and the introduction of a £3,600 annual limit on total premiums that can be paid into qualifying life assurance policies. There is also good news for home buyers through the “Help to Buy” scheme, Equitable Life victims who will receive compensation if they bought a with-profits annuity before 1992 and drawdown pension users who will benefit from a 20% increase in the maximum amount of annual income they can draw each year. There were also a number of important future impacts, most notably the decision to further increase the standard personal allowance to £10,000 from April, 2014; further reductions in the pension’s lifetime allowance from £1.5m to £1.25m and the annual allowance from £50,000 to £40,000 also effective from April, 2014; the introduction of new child care tax breaks worth up to £1,200 per child to subsidise the cost of child care for every child under five, from April, 2015; a new single tier state
FINANCIAL FOCUS Karen Wynard
pension of £144 a week in today’s terms, for anyone reaching state pension age from April, 2016; and from 2016, a capping of social care costs for the elderly at £72,000. In this article though, we are going to focus on the new tax-free childcare initiative being introduced in 2015. Under the Government’s proposed tax-free children initiative, eligible families will be able to claim 20% tax relief on childcare costs of up to £6,000 per child from April, 2015. This could mean a benefit of up to £1,200 per child per year. The proposed system will replace the current system of childcare vouchers which allows individuals to receive up to £243 of tax-free vouchers per month if their employer operates a voucher scheme, although not all do. Typically employees can elect to exchange salary for an equivalent amount in vouchers and, as the vouchers are received free of income tax and national insurance, this represents a significant benefit. For example, for a couple who are both basic rate taxpayers and who each claims the full voucher entitlements this can represent a saving of £1,866 per year (£933 each). Whilst the proposed scheme will bring tax-free childcare to the wider audience not everyone will be better off. The winners will be self-employed indi-
Karen Wynard is head of corporate services at Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd
Advice session
A FREE event aimed at helping ambitious small and medium-sized businesses go for growth takes place in Huddersfield next week. The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre at Firth Street will host a seminar next Tuesday as part of Business Advice Month run by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The event, which runs from 8am to 10.30am, will include a talk on raising finance by Peter Beresford, of Yorkshire-based business support group Red Sky, and one on de-mystifying the
business plan by Michael Bell (pictured), president of the Huddersfield Society of Chartered Accountants. There will also be a chance to network with other business owners, meet local advisers and find out about other local business
organisations and what they can offer. The event is one of a series of seminars and workshops being held at more than 30 locations around the country as part of the ICAEW’s Business Advice Month. Mr Bell, of Holmfirth-based Michael Bell & Co, said: “If you are thinking of starting up a business, have recently set-up or just need to know more about how to run a successful enterprise, then this free event is for you.” Contact Samantha Hipkins@icaew.com or phone 0113 3220875.
viduals and employees who do not have access to a childcare voucher scheme as they will be eligible for the new scheme and higher and additional rate taxpayers who joined the voucher scheme after April 6, 2011. Under the current voucher system higher rate taxpayers can only receive up to £124 of vouchers per month (this reduces to £110 per month for additional rate taxpayers). The lowers are couples where only one individual works. These individuals are eligible for childcare voucher schemes, but not for the new tax-free childcare initiative and a family with two or more children, where both parents are working (and paying basic rate tax) but who spend less than £9,330 per annum on childcare (£777.50 per month) This is because the current voucher system gives both an income tax and national insurance saving. The proposed scheme will only give tax relief at 20% meaning that to make the same £933 saving total childcare costs would have to be at least £9,330. From Autumn, 2015, parents already claiming vouchers can continue to receive this support or switch to the new system. New parents will only have access to the latter scheme. The old scheme is more beneficial, specifically, for higher-rate taxpayers but only if they joined before April 6, 2011. Please note that the above list is not necessarily exhaustive as we can only give a brief summary in this article.
Mobile route for would-be recruits A PROJECT management recruitment firm with offices in Yorkshire has launched a new mobile version of its website for job seekers. The move by Navartis Ltd comes in response to the growing trend of accessing services and information on job hunting via mobile phone and smart devices. The new mobile website gives job seekers in the UK immediate and free access to employment opportunities throughout the country and abroad. Using a clever GPS tracking system, it can locate individuals and show the full range of jobs available within local proximity or the area searched. Recent statistics show that 86% of jobseekers who have a smartphone use it to search for job opportunities while 65% say they will search for available positions and 47% say they will apply for these positions via their mobile phones. However, fewer than 50% of job sites are optimised for mobile devices. Navartis director Jim Sloan said: “Our new advances in technology will allow candidates to find real-time information on job opportunities worldwide at the click of a button, ensuring that applications can be made immediately and therefore increasing job prospects for those tech savvy candidates, making job hunting via pages and pages of newspapers a thing of the past” Go to www.navartis.co.uk
That’s champion! KIRKLEES firms putting in a champion performance have been urged to enter the 2013 Growing Business Awards. The competition aims to recognise high-growth, mid-sized and entrepreneurial businesses in the UK. Previous winners have included Colin Stephens, of Better Bathrooms; John Caudwell, founder of Phones4U; and Simon Nixon, founder of Moneysupermarket.com.
BUSINESS ADVICE MONTH June 2013 The ICAEW Business Advice Month takes places in June 2013 with free events, seminars and workshops in more than 30 locations around the country. The event below will be followed by an opportunity to network with business owners, meet local advisers and other local business organisations
TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT’S HOLDING BACK YOUR BUSINESS
Aimed at small and medium sized businesses it has a focus on Business Growth. Business Topics will include: Peter Beresford of Red Sky on raising finance Michael Bell - President of Huddersfield Society of Chartered Accountants - de-mystifying the business plan. If you are thinking of starting up a business, have recently set-up or just need to know more about how to run a successful enterprise, then this free event is for you.
3M Buckley Innovation Centre, Firth Street, Huddersfield, HD1 3BD 25th June 08:00am - 10:30am A full list of events including how to book can be found at businessadviceservice.com
Contact
Samantha.Hipkins@icaew.com 0113 322 0875
BUSINESS WITHCONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE BUSINESS WITH
businessadviceservice.com businessadviceservice.com
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Sporting heroes! A MOBILE app aimed at sports clubs across the world has proved a winner. Fantastic Mobile, a division of Birstall-based full service marketing agency Fantastic Media, has received an award in recognition of the app it has developed for global club management network, Pitchero. Fantastic won the Sports Mobile Strategy category in the inaugural Marketing on Mobile Awards, which took place at the Emirates Stadium in London. The awards, hosted and organised by marketing and media industries publication The Drum, celebrate the wealth of talent that is growing in the mobile industry. The Pitchero app provides free websites and revenue tools for sports clubs across the world. The network hosts about 4m unique users a month with more than 10,000 live websites and over 500,000 registered users. Since its launch in January, the app has received 80,000 downloads and hosted more than 1.3m sessions. It has been placed second in the iTunes free sports downloads category, second only to BBC sport, but surpassing giants such as Sky, ESPN and Ladbrokes. It has been activated in over 60 countries, and increased registration with the Pitchero network by more than 18%. Award judges praised Fantastic’s campaign, saying the app stood out for its great results and provided added value to the Pitchero product. Fantastic Mobile was labelled “a great look into the future of mobile, and a great example of what mobile can do for a business.” Lead multimedia and mobile developer David Ford accepted the award along with Pitchero chief executive Mark Fletcher.
■ PRIZE GUYS: David Ford (left), lead multimedia and mobile developer for Fantastic Mobile, with Mark Fletcher (centre), of Pitchero, and Ilicco Elia, head of mobile at LBi, who was also one of the judges
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Franchisee prize for Zak HE’S upwardly mobile! O2 franchisee Zak Patel (pictured) scooped the prize for best franchisee at the Mobile industry Awards. Zak, 40, who was born and bred in Dewsbury, is founder and director of the Telefónica O2 franchise Talk Direct Leeds Ltd and runs 12 stores across Yorkshire, including one in his home town. He has steadily expanded his business over the past three years – most recently opening a new store at Castleford Junction 32 outlet shopping village last year and expanding his existing stores in Dewsbury and the Merrion Centre, Leeds. The judging panel was impressed with Zak’s ambition and his ability to make his company’s voice heard in the local community. The judges said: “Talk Direct clearly has great ambition. Opening a flagship store in Dewsbury was a bold move and it’s good to see the local community benefiting from free mobile training given by the store ‘guru’.” They added: “A good franchisee will work with the assets of the parent brand, but bring innovation, commitment and a strong local presence to the party. Talk Direct is certainly doing these things. It’s a good marriage.” More than 400 people attended the awards, which were held at The Brewery in central London. Industry Awards.
Presentation party! BUSINESS leaders are invited to learn more about the power of belief at a networking event in Huddersfield next week. Nick Hill (pictured), who bills himself as Mr Presenter, will talk about how beliefs are formed – and how to change negative beliefs for business success – when he addresses the 4N Huddersfield meeting to be held next Tuesday. He said: “In the current economy, there is a lack of confidence and that tends to drip down to those involved in buying and more specifically selling services and products. “Confidence is a state of mind, underpinned by personal belief. Many
business people don’t realise that their psychological make-up can be altered to install new behaviours and beliefs that allow people to have mental breakthroughs
and therefore perform to higher standards. “Having worked with many business owners in West Yorkshire on their mindset, very big shifts in thinking, feeling and behaviours have allowed people to make more sales calls, negotiate stronger and be more direct in asking for business – whilst maintaining integrity, personal values and most importantly the status of the relationship with the prospect.” The meeting takes place from 8am to 10am at the Table Table restaurant, Aspley. Contact Helen Tones on helen@theimplementer.co.uk or visit www.4networking.biz
Jelly Day serves up some HR advice BUSINESSES with staffing issues have been urged to attend a free drop-in clinic to get advice about their HR concerns. Julie Sykes, who runs Shepley-based JCS HR, will be on hand to help out when the Media Centre at Northumberland Street in Huddersfield stages its monthly Jelly Day between 9am and 11am tomorrow. Jelly Day takes place on the third Wednesday of each month when freelancers, homeworkers, entrepreneurs, consultants, laptop “nomads” and anyone
else can work from co-working space that hosts Jelly, free of charge. Julie said: “Not all businesses have or need an in-house HR department or require the services of an external resource on a continuous basis. “However, I do know that from time to time most companies will have a HR query or problem that they need advice about.” ” Contact Julie on 01484 602708 or email julie@jcs-hr.co.uk or call in to the Media Centre to see her.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Mortgage wins at the double YORKSHIRE Building Society provided a repeat performance when it came away with two prizes at the 2013 Moneyfacts Awards. The mutual, which has strong roots in Huddersfield, won the category for Best Short Term Fixed Rate Mortgage Provider and won the overall award for Best Building Society Mortgage Provider – both of which it claimed in the 2012 awards. The Bradford-based society was also highly commended for its Longer Term Fixed Rate Mortgages. In addition, it was highly commended in the Best Building Society Savings Provider category and also received a commendation for its fixed rate accounts. The Moneyfacts Awards are added to a growing haul of honours received by the society so far this year. They include the accolade for Best Fixed Rate Mortgage Lender at the Moneywise Mortgage Awards.
Near-£8m gain at property sale PROPERTY agency Eddisons, which has offices in Huddersfield, generated proceeds of almost £8m with a three-day sale in Leeds, Manchester and London. Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said: “This was our first combined national property auction catalogue which gave all the lots we were offering increased visibility. ‘Despite the challenging trading conditions, we are delighted to have sold nearly £8m of stock across all asset classes in just seven days.” The 64 lots sold included a building plot on Birkby Hall Road, Birkby. The site adjacent to Chellow Garth, which has lapsed planning consent for a detached dwelling, sold for £75,000 off a guide of £40,000-plus.
That’s a big tick TOOL hire firm Speedy has been given a Big Tick for its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The firm, which has a branch at Fartown, received the accolade in the Marketplace Sustainability Leadership category of the Responsible Business Awards run by Business in the Community. The awards champion UK businesses making a difference by tackling social and environmental issues through corporate responsibility programmes.
Initial success PROPERTY agency Colliers International has secured an exclusive mandate to represent Rentokil Initial plc on its portfolio of 190 properties in the UK – including 20 sites in Yorkshire and the north east. The agency has also appointed by Rentokil Initial plc as preferred real estate provider, acting on more than 1,000 property assets worldwide.
property
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Turning up the heat on their competitors A BRIGHOUSE company has landed a top “green” award. Renewable energy installer Q-Gen Renewable Heat was highly commended in the category for Installer of The Year at the National Heat Pump Awards 2013. The company, based at Thornhill Beck Lane, was also nominated for Commercial Ground Source Install of the Year. The awards, held at the ICC in Birmingham, attracted a record-breaking 108 entries in 11 categories. The aim is to reward the industry’s hardest working and most respectable installers, manufacturers and trainers for all their hard work. A heat pump is a renewable technology that can cut home owner bills considerably by using the natural heat in the air or ground. A home using oil as its primary heating source can cut heating bills by up to 70% using a heat pump. In addition, the recently increased Renewable Heat Premium Payment means there are now even bigger grants available to help homeowners and businesses take on the technology. Liz MacFarlane, Q-Gen managing director, said: “Being shortlisted for two awards is an honour. However, to get the opportunity to step up on stage and collect the highly commended award was fantastic. The Q-Gen team is the
■ ENERGY TEAM: Liz MacFarlane (above and second left), managing director of Q-Gen, receives the award with (from left) engineer Rhys Mayor, administrator Catherine Lister, Babek Daemi, of Everlasting Marketing & PR; and Red Dwarf actor Robert Llewellyn, who hosted the awards
hardest working I have ever known and I am proud to run such a caring and honest business.” The installer of the year award is for Q-Gen’s versatility in installing both commercial and domestic properties and customer care service. Liz is one of the most prominent women in
the UK renewables sector. As well as her role at Q-Gen, she is sales director of Zenex, a renewable technology distributor and wholesaler. Q-Gen’s boasts an office powered by 244 solar photovoltaic panels, a 14kW heat pump to provide heating and hot water and is insulated by a large bee-friendly green wall.
New partnership for legal firm A LAW firm with offices in Huddersfield has teamed up with a national conveyancing specialist. Chadwick Lawrence’s partnership with Homeward Legal will allow the local servicing of Homeward Legal’s clients based in Yorkshire and North East of England by Chadwick Lawrence through the law firm’s 15 regional offices. Homeward Legal provides conveyancing legal services to property buyers, sellers and investors. All solicitors on the Homeward Legal panel have achieved the Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation awarded by the Law Society and are industry regulated. Although both companies have invested heavily in technology to
allow the servicing of clients on a national basis, Chadwick Lawrence and Homeward Legal are firmly in agreement that conveyancing clients are often better served by a solicitor they can meet in person. Lorraine Imhoff, of Homeward Legal, said: “Chadwick Lawrence is the natural partners for this region. Their approach to conveyancing employs the latest time-saving developments in technology and a strong belief in traditional values of service, reliability, and communication. “Culturally speaking, there is a natural synergy with both companies seeing the future of conveyancing sitting at the junction between ‘good old fashioned’ local service, and technological
efficiency. “It is critical for us that we are able to offer Homeward Legal clients the confidence of a progressive and established player and we are excited to be partnering with ‘Yorkshire’s Legal People.” Jeremy Garside, managing partner at Chadwick Lawrence, said: “Chadwick Lawrence has served clients across the North of England for over 160 years, building a lasting reputation for trusted legal advice and exceptional levels of service. “We are delighted to have partnered with Homeward Legal who has a longstanding reputation as providers of residential property conveyancing.”
■ DELIGHTED: Jeremy Garside, managing partner at Chadwick Lawrence
‘SMEs miss out on Green Deal’ SMALL building companies need fairer access to the Green Deal market if the shortage of installers is to be addressed, warns the Federation of Master Builders. The FMB was commenting on figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change showing that almost 19,000 Green Deal GD assessments were carried out by the end of April – yet there are only 942 installer companies approved to carry out this work. The FMB said this was nowhere near enough to deliver energy-efficiency improvements to Britain’s 26m existing homes by 2050. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “There are more than 240,000 companies in
the construction industry employing fewer than 14 people. “These companies are often best placed to carry out Green Deal work, but because it is difficult to access the market, they are reluctant to train the number of approved installers needed to retro-fit Britain’s building stock.” The FMB has launched a campaign to encourage its members to participate in this rapidly growing market. Mr Berry said: “Our new strategy will help increase opportunities for SMEs in the low-carbon refurbishment market.” He said: “The Green Deal has now been open for business for almost four months and
demand for work under the initiative appears to be growing, but it still feels like a missed opportunity to the majority of SMEs in the industry who haven’t seen any sign of transformation in the energy-efficiency market. “As part of our strategy, the FMB will not only continue to call for the incentives needed to create consumer demand for energy-efficiency work, but will also ensure that FMB members have timely access to relevant high-quality training and certification services to enable them to develop their businesses to be able to respond to low-carbon work opportunities.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Kath Henderson, Ian Dickinson & Colette Costello
The Orchard Group ENVIRONMENTAL consultancy The Orchard Group has promoted three key staff to associate director roles as the Elland-based company continues to strengthen its senior management structure in line with business growth. Kath Henderson (top), who joined Orchard Energy as an account manager in 2006 and has since been involved in HR and training, takes on the role of associate HR director with responsibility for recruitment and staff development. Ian Dickinson, joined Orchard Energy four years ago and has played an integral part in developing Orchard’s client relationships. He becomes associate sales director on the renewals and retention side of the business and will support new and existing staff in client liaison and renewals management. And Colette Costello, who joined Orchard as part of the pricing team in 2010 and has helped to develop the company’s Bureau Services division handling energy supplier queries and invoice validation, has been appointed associate operations director. Gareth Henderson, Orchard Group managing director, said the appointments were the latest in a series of organisational changes designed to support growth and bolster the senior management team. “I’m delighted to be able to announce the promotion of three long serving members of our team, all of whom have played an important part in the firm’s success,” he said. “Further strategic changes will be announced over the coming year as we strengthen our regional teams and expand into new areas of the UK.”
Want to make a good impression? A NETWORKING event in hUddersfield next week is certain to have an impact. Deborah Ogden, who is billed as a “professional impact specialist” will make a presentation at the next Connection13 event organised by Huddersfield accountancy firm Sheards. Deborah, who had a career in marketing and communications with the British Heart Foundation, CIS, Lancashire County Cricket Club and CragRats before setting up her own business, will speak at the event to be held at 11.30am on Thursday, July 4, at Huddersfield RUFC, Lockwood Park. She will focus on executive presence, business image and non-verbal communication – exploring how vital tools can provide an edge when it comes to winning business. The event will also include a presentation by Sheards on topical tax matters relevant to small business owners. Those attending will also be making a small contribution to the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. Call 01484 541155 or email advice@sheards.co.uk
Movers and shakers
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Bells and whistles for showroom opening! CUSTOMERS were sure of a noisy welcome when furniture company Shackletons opened its new larger premises at Batley. Visitors to the Bradford Road store were greeted by Batley and Dewsbury town crier Laurie Gilbert, who entertained members of the public with riddles and rhymes. Later, they were able to listen to summer sounds provided by the Byram Street Brass Band. The new showroom is part of Shackletons’ re-branding following a 50-year commitment to Batley. The firm hopes to bring its range of Yorkshire-designed and manufactured furniture to a wider audience with a new range of quality and comfort-focused seating. Managing director Martyn Higgins said: “We are the same name with the same quality, still a brand you can trust but now in a brand new customer-friendly showroom. “We are happy to be part of Batley’s retail offering on the Mill Mile and look forward to sharing our design, craftsmanship and comfort with our future customers.” Shackletons is the UK’s leading manufacturers of specialist furniture, supplying the UK’s growing care sector market. The company employs 65 people at two sites – with manufacturing and operations based at Weaving Lane in Dewsbury and the showroom at Bradford Road in Batley.
■ OYEZ: Tracy Higgins, director of Shackletons, with Batley and Dewsbury town crier Laurie Gilbert at the opening of the new retail showroom in Batley
Kit sponsor takes Direct line A COMPANY supplying household appliances UK-wide will sponsor the home kit of Huddersfield Town’s Academy home kit next season as part of their renewed partnership with the club. Appliances Direct joined Town’s band of business partners last summer as official website sponsor and will carry that title into their second season of working with the club. The company will also continue advertising at Town’s Canalside sports complex and the John Smith’s Stadium as well as on the club’s fixture cards and season card wallets. Town advertising manager Mark Jacobs said: “We're proud to continue carrying the name of a Huddersfield-based business that is making a national impact on our new official club website.
“To have a strong local brand on the front of our Academy home kit is also very fitting. Forging strong and long lasting relationships with both businesses and community right across our heartland is central to our plans.” Nick Glynne, managing director of Appliances Direct, said: “We are especially pleased to be sponsoring the Academy as we also have strong values of investing in our team. “We have recently taken on 10 full-time apprentices and some of these youngsters will be our managers in the future. I believe the only way to successfully grow a company or team for the long term is to develop talent” Appliances Direct is part of Deighton-based BuyItDirect Group. The group has an annual turnover exceeding £100m and employs more than 200 staff.
■ KIT MEN: Huddersfield Town's Mark Jacobs (left) with Appliances Direct managing director Nick Glynne
A helping of health and safety A CATERING wholsesaler has been served with two awards for health and safety. Dalton-based Total Foodservice won the prestigious company trophy at the International Safety Awards 2013 while health and safety representative Radoslaw Kozlowski was awarded the individual title of International Health and Safety Champion. Radoslaw, who was shortlisted to the final five out of 500 nominations, was recognised for developing a nearly hazard-free working environment by focusing on safety features such as bailer checks, pallet truck checks and plant checks. The awards, now in their 55th year, were
presented at a gala dinner at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Paul Nowell, operations director at Total Foodservice, said: “Radoslaw is hugely deserving of this accolade. He constantly shows complete dedication to not only executing and promoting the stringent health and safety regulations the company has in place, but also suggesting sensible amendments to those policies and managing the change throughout the business.” Radoslaw said: “I couldn’t have done this without the absolute support of my colleagues. My motto is: See it, Own it, Do something about it! (Sod for short) – all my colleagues are ‘sodding it’ now, but there’s always room for improvement!.”
■ WINNER: Radoslaw Kozlowski receives his award from Lynda Armstrong of the British Safety Council