KEVIN LAMB
FTSE 100 -43.22 6267.07
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014
Healing hands Interview - Page 3
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DANIEL KRIGERS Leave of absence? Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
Dozens of small and medium-sized firms across Kirklees have benefited from taking on an apprentice in the past year, according to new figures from the Kirklees Apprenticeship Hub. Some 174 SMEs from the area engaged with one of the Hub’s business brokers between September, 2013, and September, 2014 – resulting in an offer of 190 apprenticeships. Now more are being encouraged to sign up. The Apprenticeship Hub aims to break down the barriers that prevent small businesses from considering employing an apprentice by helping them work out what they are looking for, examining what financial support is available and assisting them to find a learning provider who will help them with the recruitment process. One business to benefit is Robin Hood Watersports, based near Heckmondwike. The company is one of the UK’s leading watersports specialists and the only business in the country to manufacture and sell watersports equipment to businesses, the public and emergency services. It also provides diving tuition in its purpose-built pool.
■■ Sally Findlow and apprentice Ben Parker in the shop at Robin Hood Watersports
The firm chose to boost its team of 28 with an apprentice and recruited 16-year old Ben Parker, of Huddersfield– working with the Kirklees Apprenticeship Hub to make it happen. Sally Findlow, a partners at the firm, said: “We decided that for our business, at this time, giving an opportunity to a young person and bringing skills into our business was vital. We were really pleased with the support on offer from the Kirklees Apprenticeship Hub and
delighted with how everything has turned out. “An apprenticeship is right for us because it means our apprentice, Ben, can learn a range of skills that will benefit his role at Robin Hood Watersports. He will end up with a qualification, which is great news for him and also for his long-term future with us. “I can’t think of anything on the negative side of the apprenticeship scheme at all.”
Ben has been a diving fan since he was a child and says when the opportunity of the apprenticeship came up, it was perfect for him. Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for Place at Kirklees Council, said: “Small businesses are key to the economy of Kirklees and we want to do all we can to support them develop and grow. “Apprenticeships are a great way of them doing this. Apprentices can contribute to the day-to-day running of the business whilst developing skills and experience to benefit both the business and the young person in the future. “The Apprenticeship Hub is here to provide support and information to businesses who are interested in an apprenticeship. Robin Hood Watersports are a great example of what can be achieved by investing in an apprentice.” Kirklees is one of eight Apprenticeship Hubs in the Leeds City Region promoting the benefits of being and taking on apprentices. Businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees and who have not taken on an apprentice in the last year can take advantage of a £1,500 grant to support their recruitment as part of the scheme. Call 01484 437075 or e-mail apphub@ kirklees.gov.uk or go to www.kirklees. gov.uk/apprenticeships
Prospects brighten for employers and young jobless Kirklees employers have been urged to join a new campaign to connect companies to talented young people. Prospects, the education, employment and training employee-owned-mutual com-
pany, has launched the campaign to reduce youth unemployment in Yorkshire and the Humber – where more than one in five young people aged 18 to 24 are unemployed, according to figures from the Office for
National Statistics. At the same time, almost 10% of vacancies in administration and just over 8% of caring roles in the region remained unfilled last year, according to the National Careers Service.
The campaign – 18 Works – is a free service linking employers who have vacancies with young people wanting work. Under the scheme, employers submit their vacancies to the 18 Works website.
We supply appropriately qualified & skilled people to any Workplace. For temporary & permanent jobs in West Yorkshire contact:
As things get better, continue to keep your labour costs down by using our reliable temp staff as and when you need them. We take on the admin burden - you pay us later!
Vacancies are are promoted via the website, social media and the 18 Works team’s network of schools, universities and other organisations working with young people. Go to www.skillsyh.co.uk
Hat-trick hopefuls An innovative course run by Huddersfield University in collaboration with some of the biggest names in the field of logistics has won two important industry awards and is now bidding for a third. The run of success means that after two years, the NOVUS partnership – which guarantees a careerboosting job to its graduates – is established as a major factor in developing a new generation of supply chain professionals, who are vital to modern industry.
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Green plea Brighouse energy-efficiency specialist Ploughcroft is urging private landlords to take advantage of a government decision to extend the Green Deal Fund and make an extra £100m available in subsidies insulate their properties.
www.stafflex.co.uk International House, Chapel Hill, Huddersfield HD1 3EE
Tel: 01484 351010
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Recruitment boost for BT’s broadband rollout Telecoms giant BT is to create 500 engineering jobs at its Openreach division amid increasing rollout of its fibre broadband programme. The recruitment drive includes 31 new full-time jobs in Yorkshire and Humber with the creation of another 31 full time jobs. It means that Openreach, BT’s local network business, has recruited 110 engineers in the region since the spring. Among the locations where the latest recruitment has taken place are Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Sheffield and Barnsley. This latest phase of recruitment, which has now been completed in Yorkshire and the Humber, builds on the success of Openreach’s recent campaign to hire 1,600 engineers across the UK, including 80 in Yorkshire and the Humber. Openreach said it was very pleased with the response it received to the original recruitment drive, receiving 26,000 UK applications – almost 16 per role - for the originally advertised posts. About half of the latest intake of 500 recruits across the UK will be specifically focused on Openreach’s commitment to continue to deliver improved levels of customer service.
■■ BT has now recruited 110 Openreach engineers in the Yorkshire region
Openreach said it had already made progress with this ambition, with the latest performance data for the second quarter of the year showing that it is ahead of service level targets for new installations and repairs set by the regulator, Ofcom. Openreach said the new engineering roles would help the company continuously improve service over time. The remainder of recruits will also focus on the needs of consumers and businesses by connecting new hous-
ing developments and installing Ethernet across the country, which offers a dedicated ultra-fast broadband service for medium to large businesses. Some engineers will also be responsible for maintaining the network, allowing Openreach to further enhance its customer service levels by reducing the number of faults. Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: “BT’s creation of 500 full time engineering jobs is tremendous news. Government is taking superfast
Self-storage firm expands A self-storage company has announced further expansion in its drive to have 75 sites by 2020. Store First, which has its head office in Burnley and self-storage outlets throughout the UK, opened its 11th and 12th centres in Derby and Glasgow last month. Now the company has announced that 10 new Store First sites are soon to be unveiled to the public. Centres are currently in varying stages of development in Birmingham, Bristol, Kidderminster, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Northampton, Peterborough, the Ribble Valley and Sunderland. Store First said it had increased its target from 50 Store First sites throughout the UK to a new total of 75 – with a target completion date of 2020. Toby Whittaker, managing director of Group First, parent company for Store First and its sister firms Business First, Park First and Residential First, said: “Moving the goalposts for expansion wasn’t part of our original plan, but we’ve really hit the ground running with the newest Store First centres in Glasgow and Derby, with our more established outlets performing way above expectations, too. “Hitting 75 centres in six years’ time may seem idealistic to some, but we love a challenge and we want to keep meeting demand. “Storage customers love our refreshingly different way of doing things and our network of 500 global agents are desperate for more units to sell to eager investors, so we want to keep giving everyone what they want.”
broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017 and it’s vital that a skilled workforce is in place to cope with the resulting increase in demand.” Tom Keeney, BT regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “For the second time in less than six months we are able to announce a boost to our engineering workforce in the region. “This latest recruitment provides further evidence of our commitment to the region and to our customers. “We are one of the largest investors in the Yorkshire and the Humber, both as a major employer and a provider of essential communications. “The economic prospects for the region are continuing to improve and superfast fibre broadband, which we are rolling our across the region, will play a vital role in its future success.” Said Mr Kenney: “Many thousands of households and businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber are already benefiting from the great opportunities offered by high-speed communications and this exciting technology will have an ever more important role in the years ahead as we continue to make a major investment in our network and the people who maintain and build it.”
Greene King close to sealing deal Backing for first-time exporters Chef & Brewer firm Spirit Pub Company is poised to accept an improved takeover proposal worth £725m from rival Greene King. Spirit, which has more than 1,200 pubs following its demerger from Punch Taverns in 2011, is in talks with the Hungry Horse owner in a bid to finalise the deal before an extended
Takeover Panel deadline of October 30. Greene King, which has about 1,900 outlets, approached its rival about a deal last month, but its offer of 100p a share or £661m was rejected by Spirit as undervaluing the business. Its latest cash and shares offer of about 109.5p a share, which will give Spirit shareholders a
Almost 50,000 firms have been given government help to export goods for the first time, it has been revealed. Export support arm UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) said companies exporting to the United States saw the biggest increase in support in the past year. The support was worth
29% stake in the combined Greene King, looks set to succeed. Spirit said: “The board of Spirit has indicated to Greene King that it would be willing to recommend an offer at the level of the revised proposal to Spirit shareholders subject to the satisfactory resolution of the other terms of the offer.”
£49.1bn to the UK economy in additional overseas sales which is expected to create or safeguard 220,000 jobs. Trade Minister Lord Livingston said: “Over the last four years, UKTI has more than doubled the number of companies it has helped. “It has found them distributors in new markets, helped
them sell online around the world, supported their first trade show, provided them with advice on over 100 markets around the world and much more. “As part of our long term economic plan, we want to increase the number of small and medium size companies that sell internationally.”
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN
American Express Chevron Du Pont Exxon Mobil Gannett +101.00 Hess Corp Microsoft Motors Liquidation Wal-Mart Stores Wrigleys
£51.62 +0.45 £69.40 +0.12 £41.89 +0.38 £56.68 +0.17 1816.72
£49.12 +0.41 £27.04 +0.01 46.47 £46.35 +0.44 £49.55
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
Avon Rbbr BAE Systems Chemring Cobham Meggitt Rolls-Royce Senior
AIM
600 Group API Grp Brady Plc Highland Gold Mining Johnson Service Grp London Security M”S Intl Nichols Redhall Group Scapa Grp Youngs GKN
6821/2 4403/4 236 2691/4 4385/8 818 263
+171/2 -31/8 +8 -13/4 -23/4 -14 -1/2
171/4 501/2 73 361/2 59 £231/4 182 9411/4 101/2 1233/4 980
+1/8 -1/2
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS 302
-3 /4 -1/2 1
-1 /2 +131/4 -1/2 -1/4 -11/2 1
-33/4
BANKS
Barclays Bk Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Ryl Scotland Stan Chart Barr (AG) Diageo SABMiller Croda Elementis 98 Johnsn Mat
2183/8 231/2 6171/4 743/4 3517/8 1076
BEVERAGES
5761/2 1749 £33
CHEMICALS
Drax Gp SSE
+7 -71/2 +1 +1/8
£201/2 2373/4 £283/8
+1/8 -3 -3/8
160 /4 1303 283 503/8 1871/4
-2 /8 -16 +7 -1/8
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
Balfour Beatty C”R”H Costain Low Bonar Marshalls
+51/4 +1/2 -61/2
3
ELECTRICITY
588 1512
3
+1 -16
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Domino Ptg Laird Morgan Advanced Ox Instmts Volex
580 2907/8 2823/4 1023 801/8
+1/2 -21/4 +21/8
4341/2 1241/4 5251/2
-11/4 -11/4 +71/2
EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
Alliance Trust Br Assets Candover Inv
Dunedin Inv Dunedin Sml Edin Invst Electra Private Equity Forgn & C Henderson Smllr Cos North American Inc Scot Am Scottish Mortgage Witan
2493/4 1781/4 5871/2 £24 379 4923/4 815 2271/2 2201/8 6701/2
-1/4 +3 -31/2 -1/8 -15/8 +91/4 +1 -21/4
363 /4 443/4 1225/8 891/2 275
+ /2 +3/8 -5/8 +1/2 -13/4
-11/2
FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BT Grp Cable & Wireless Comm Colt Group KCOM Talktalk Telecom
1
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS
Morrison W Sainsbury Tesco Thorntons AB Food Carrs Millg REA Hldgs Tate Lyle Unilever
1593/4 2423/4 1791/4 108
FOOD PRODUCERS
+7/8 -21/8 +43/4 +21/2
£26 /8 1582 3923/8 585 £247/8
+ /8 +47 -1/8 +51/2 -1/8
2921/2 8721/2 777 1916 8241/2
-3 -1/2 +2 +16 +4
3
GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES
Centrica National Grid Pennon Grp Severn United Utils
1
GENERAL FINANCIAL
5
Smith Nph
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
953/4 1871/4 8721/2 £22
+23/4 -1/2 -1/4
FTSE closed at
6267/07 3661/8 1343 3931/2 1856 118 £21 £221/4 1784
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS
Smith DS Smiths Grp
244 1185
+31/4 -4 +53/8 +8 +1/8 +1/4 -16 -45/8 -10
GENERAL RETAILERS
Ashley L Dixons Carphone Home Retail Inchcape Kingfisher M & S Mothercare Next Signet Jewelers WH Smith
27 3531/8 1653/4 6191/2 290 4071/4 1541/2 £643/4 £681/8 1058
-1
Aga Rangemaster Barrat Dev Bellway Persimmon Reckitt Benckiser Taylor Wimpey
141 405 1655 1358 £511/8 1151/4
+3 /4 +85/8 +46 +5 -1/4 +13/4
2913/8 1174 851/2 513/4 £27 £22
-21/4 -25 -11/2 +3/4 -1/4 -1/4
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
down 43.22
3i Group Close Bros ICAP London StockExch Man Group Provident Financial Schroders Schroders NV
9451/2
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
-23/4 -27/8 -6 -9 -3/4 -121/4 -7/8 -1/4 -13
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Fenner I”M”I Molins Renold Spirax-Sarco Weir Grp Ferrexpo
3
INDUSTRIAL METALS 91 /2
+5
3291/8
+61/4
4901/4 2933/8 2211/8 1723/4 1343 3783/4
-41/4 -25/8 +7/8 -17/8 -10 -51/8
8541/2 744 1991/2 31/4 1137 951 3321/2
+51/2 -11/2 -35/8
1
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION
BBA Aviation
LIFE INSURANCE
Aviva Friends Life Gp Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Standard Life
BSkyB D Mail Tst ITV Johnston Press Pearson Reed Elsevier STV Group
MEDIA
+6 -2 -13/8
Trinity Mirror Utd Business UTV WPP
1443/4 5151/2 1953/4 1126
MINING
Anglo American Antofagasta BHP Billiton Fresnillo Kazakhmys Lonmin Rio Tinto VEDANTA RESOURCES
13641/2 6801/2 1659 803 252 1841/4 £303/4 805
+5 +41/2 +33/4 -14 -1/2 -3 -231/2 +5 -3/8 +23/4 -1/4 +3
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Inmarsat Vodafone Group
6801/2 1891/2
NONLIFE INSURANCE
Admiral Grp Jardine LloydThomson Marsh McL RSA Ins Gp
+21/2
10241/2 4217/8 1561/2 2511/2 £21 £217/8 £34 5081/2
-401/2 -65/8 -61/2 -91/4 -1/2 -1/2 -1 -151/2
1000 1030 664
-30 -30 -21/2
OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
AMEC Petrofac Wood Gp(J)
1431 352
-1 -31/2
-2
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
Astrazeneca GlaxoSmithKline Shire
£413/4 1339 £371/2
-1/8 -151/2 -1/4
691 628 5671/2 3201/8 1045 3483/4
+4 +21/2 +1/2 -21/4 +12 +71/8
3561/8
-25/8
937 1638 1124 1751/4 515 2083/4 2083/4 9191/2 2497/8 1161/4 321 5871/2 502 4701/8 170 1145/8 1584
-3 -6 -3 +81/4 +71/2 -13/4 -13/4 -16 -1/4 -1/2 +5 -11/2
REAL ESTATE
Brit Land Gt Portland Hamrsn Intu Properties Land Secs SEGRO
SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICES
Sage Group
1221 925 £313/8 4581/8
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS
BG BP Cairn Energy Premier Oil Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Total Tullow Oil
-41/2
PERSONAL GOODS
Burberry Gp PZ Cussons
SUPPORT SERVICES
Berendsen Bunzl Capita Connect Group De La Rue Elctro Com Electrocomp Experian G4S Hays Homeserve Interserve Menzies J Northgate Prem Farnell Rentokil Travis & P
+51/8 -2 -5/8 -37
£311/8
Wolseley
-1/4
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT
ARM Hldgs IBM Spirent Comms
TOBACCO
Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
8511/2 £1051/8 741/8 £343/8 £251/2
-1/4 -1/8
927/8 £221/2 9501/2 1431 1155/8 111 £241/2 775 £221/2 3613/8 1221/2 1401/8 3323/8 2281/8 129 1611/4 6381/2 5621/8 3801/4 3491/4 £421/4 3633/8
+43/8 +3/8 -71/2 +22 +3/8 -3/8 +7/8 +7 +7/8 +11 +25/8 -3/8 -3/4 +11/8 +31/2 -33/4 +61/2 +11 +4 +101/8 +1/4 +97/8
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Marston’s Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Punch Taverns Rank Org Restaurant Grp Ryanair Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread William Hill FTSE 100 FTSE 250
INDEX
-231/2 -73/4 -7/8
6267.07 14755.97
-43.22 -1.65
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
It’s a real hands-on role for Kevin A sports injury put former soldier Kevin Lamb on course for a new career. Now he is helping people to tackle their aches and pains as self-employed resident masseur at Highfields-based Huddersfield Osteopathy Ltd. Kevin, 53, who hails from Derby, joined the army on his 16th birthday on leaving school. Serving in the Royal Engineers, his role took him on tours of duty to Germany, Iceland and Canada and his work included building “hides” for Harrier jump jets. After leaving the forces – just before the Falklands War broke out – Kevin had a number of jobs, including working for chocolates retailer Thorntons, and took up squash. He says: “As time went on, I got to quite a good level and I went into coaching. I’d also played a bit of football. In football, you can carry an injury, but not in squash and when I got injured, I tried to treat myself.” In the early 1990s, Kevin had a bike accident that kept him off work for 10 weeks while surgeons re-built a damaged hand. His experiences prompted him to take a training course in Nottinghamshire and qualify as a sports masseur treating injuries to knees, hips and ankles. “I also used to go into companies to provide de-stressing massages for the employees,” he says. “I was still working fulltime in a foundry in Derby, but when I was made redundant from that job I got the opportunity to work in a massage business for three years.” Kevin also worked abroad – taking his healing talents to exotic locations in Thailand, Australia and St Tropez before returning to the UK in 2002. He met his wife Vivian, who hails from Cleckheaton, before the couple went to live in Spain. After a while, they returned to Britain and Kevin got a job at Derby County FC, where he worked for two-and-a-half years doing sports massage and sports injury rehabilitation – and made lasting friendships among sev-
eral of the players. He later spent some time at Burton Albion FC before setting up Better Body Massage. At the football clubs, Kevin was on hand to provide pre-match and post-match massages and during training sessions and to aid rehabilitation following injury. Kevin has worked with Derbybased boxer Jack Perry as well as operating from Titanic Mill at Linthwaite, Clumber Park near Worksop, Nottinghamshire and at a clinic in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. He set up his sports massage clinic at Huddersfield Osteopathy’s premises in New North Road at the invitation of its clinical director, Tracy Lomax, but also travels to treat clients. “I love helping people,” says
Kevin Lamb
Kevin. “I always have done – whether it’s providing de-stressing head, neck and shoulder massages or treating sports injuries I endeavour to sort them out!” Kevin’s work has included providing half-hour calming massages to call centre staff, which helps them relax in a stressful job and is shown to improve their efficiency as well as reduce workplace absenteeism. He has carried out similar sessions for call-handling staff at West Yorkshire police stations in Huddersfield, Bradford and Leeds. Drawing on his experiences of Eastern meditation techniques encountered in Thailand as well as traditional Thai Massage, Kevin recognises that maintaining good health is partly a state of mind.
■■ Kevin Lamb says he loves helping people tackle their aches and pains
He says: “I help clients with advice about lifestyle, being aware of yourself and your surrounding, self-help – and commonsense! There’s also advice on posture.” Kevin says one of the biggest mistakes people make is to ignore pain. “People come into the clinic with one ailment and discover it’s not that ailment they need to worry about. They can be limping with an ankle injury, but leave it too late and find it affects their lower back. People think it will get better on its own, They get into the routine of ‘getting used to it’.” His own experiences have also given Kevin a sense of perspective. Says Kevin: “I have been to St Tropez where people did not appreciate the value of money. They would drive their Ferraris to the end of the pier and climb aboard their yachts. “I’ve also seen the other end of the scale in Thailand where people worry about where their next meal is coming from. “I have worked with millionaires and people who hadn’t got two halfpennies to rub together. In many ways, they are all the same people.” Kevin says: “It was a very simple life in Thailand. In the UK, you are always expected to live your life to someone else’s view of reality. You have to conform. But at the end of the day, what matters is what makes you happy.” Kevin commutes from his home in Ilkeston to Huddersfield each day, but says: “I have travelled all my life, so one-and-ahalf hours commuting is like the blink of an eye to me!” One of his intentions is to run early-morning chair massages for other commuters who find travel to work more stressful. Kevin also tries to practice what he preaches in terms of simple pleasures and a stressfree lifestyle. “I walk my four dogs and go mountain biking,” he says. “And if I can find four hours to take a longer walk, I might start playing golf again!”
Role: Sports masseur Age: 53 Family: Married to Vivian Holidays: I have travelled quite a bit, but in the past few years we have holidayed in Skegness Car: Fiat Qubo. It does 60 miles to the gallon! First job: My best friend’s dad had a company erecting fences along the side of railway lines, so I did some of that. I also picked potatoes and cabbages for the local farmers. Best thing about the job? Helping people Worst thing about the job? People who say ‘If it hurts, it must be doing you good’. That’s just untrue Business tip: Keep on top of the paperwork. Be aware of what’s coming in and what’s going out. Keep track of everything
Better Body Massage Work: Sports massage and rehabilitation Site: New North Road, HuddersfieldPhone: 07794 295891 Email: info@betterbodymassage.co.uk Web: www. betterbodymassage.co.uk
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
KIRKLEES BUS
Unpaid leave in a case of emergency ■■ Speaker Peter Ackroyd (left) with Stephen Sheard, president of Huddersfield Textile Society
Global demand rises for UK wool Demand for British wool products is rising, members of Huddersfield Textile society heard at the opening event of their new season. Peter Ackroyd, president of the International Wool Organisation – representing growers, traders and manufacturers of wool – was delivering the society’s White Rose Lecture at the Textile Centre of Excellence, Red Doles Lane, held in associaton with the Textile Institute’s Yorkshire section. Mr Ackroyd, who also heads the Campaign for Wool, gave an overview of wool and its uses in the global markets. He told how local and international textile manufacturers can get their origins, their skills and their own brand name onto garments and other products. Major retailers such as M&S and John Lewis Partnership as well as internet retailers like Boden now wanted products made in the UK with cloth-makers label to give them a point of difference from cheaper textiles made in the Far East. Mr Ackroyd said wool as a fibre was particularly sustainable. It could be recycled and had excellent “green” credentials. Huddersfield Textile Society represents 60 local companies employing more than 3000 people.
‘Make succession planning priority’ Only 13% of UK family firms have a succession plan that has been discussed and documented, says a new report. However, the PwC report, The Family Factor: Professionalising the UK Family Firm, found that 43% of UK family businesses want to pass the business on to the next generation wholesale, while 22% want to pass on ownership, but also bring in professional management. In addition, it said UK family firms needed to upgrade the processes, governance and skills within their business and their own families, to stay ahead of hungry new competitors and remain relevant in a rapidly changing business environment. Gemma Clark, PwC’s Yorkshire family and private business leader, said: “Family businesses are the backbone of the Yorkshire economy with a number who have a heritage that goes back generations. Yet the report highlights that while many across the UK seem to be reasonably well placed in terms of procedures to tackle family conflict, only 13% have a robust and documented succession plan in place. “The report also shows there is a worrying trend that as family businesses age, growth and innovation become a lower priority. “Often because of the family structure, family businesses can find it difficult to face up to make hard commercial choices and decisions. Making a capital commitment to foreign expansion or selling parts of the original business are emotional and divisive issues. They often get postponed.” She said: “Many businesses today need to survive on thinner margins, identify and address potential threats early and innovate and adapt faster. It’s tough for any business, but can be an even greater challenge for some families.”
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees have the right to take a reasonable amount of unpaid leave in circumstances where there is an unforeseeable situation affecting a dependant. This may apply where a dependant falls ill, where care arrangements break down or where there is an incident at a child’s school which needs attention. One requirement placed on employees seeking to take time off for dependants is to tell their employer both the reason for their absence – as soon as it is “reasonably practicable to do so” – and how long they expect to be away from work. Employees who comply with the rules are protected from dismissal as a result and any dismissal by reason of an employee seeking time off in accordance with these rights will be automatically unfair. In a rare case considering this protection, the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) was recently called upon to decide whether or not an employee had been automatically unfairly dismissed in circumstances where the notice requirements were not strictly complied with. In the instant case, an employee was already subject to a final written warning as a result of attendance issues. A few months later, he accompanied his heavily pregnant wife to the hospital during working hours. Rather than contacting the employer himself, how-
EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Daniel J Krigers ever, he arranged for his father to explain the situation to the company. The employee then returned home in the evening. The following day, the employee again attended the hospital as his wife gave birth. No contact was made on this day either. On his return to work, the employee was eventually dismissed with notice (following on from his live final written warning) for failing to make reasonable efforts to inform the company of his absence. Both the Employment Tribunal and EAT dismissed the employee’s claim that he had been automatically unfairly dismissed for taking dependant leave. His defence to the allegations centred around him having lost charge on his mobile phone, resulting in him contacting his father from the hospital payphone as he could not remember the employer’s number. However, the Tribunal suggested the phone could have been charged and
■■ Stephen Naylor, of W
contact made on his return home. On that basis, both the Tribunal and the EAT found that contact was not made “as soon as reasonably practicable”. They found that contact could have been made on the first day while the employee was going to and from the hospital, or before attending the hospital on the following day. The case highlights that there is some power available to employers in circumstances where an employee is exercising rights to take dependant leave. Companies are entitled to treat absence as a disciplinary matter where notice requirements are not complied with, although a detailed examination of the facts will always be necessary. It is also important that employers do not take into account its own operational needs in any decision (which can be tempting) as this is likely to impact on the Tribunal’s analysis of the reason for any subsequent dismissal.
Daniel J Krigers is an employment law solicitor at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Law firm survey detects ‘strong’ growth as employment and investment rises
■■ Stephen Newman, of Baxter Caulfield
A new report has detected “strong” growth in the Yorkshire economy. Huddersfield law firm Baxter Caulfield said its latest quarterly Yorkshire Economic Index – assessing key business data – showed positive signs for the region’s private sector firms. The report, which features business data on jobs creation, new investment and contract wins during the three months to October, shows a significant increase in economic activity among private sector companies in Yorkshire. The report reveals that at least 524 private sector jobs have been created in the region; an estimated £21m of new investment has been made by private sector businesses throughout Yorkshire and an estimated £50m of new contract wins have been secured by the region’s firms. Stephen Newman, senior partner at Baxter Caulfield Solicitors, said: “The findings from our latest Yorkshire Economic Index bode well with recent positive
data surrounding unemployment and GDP. “It is clear that business confidence is on the rise in the region as the economy strengthens, which is good for the local economies as the country gears up for further growth.” The UK economy grew by slightly more than previously thought in the second quarter of 2014, according to the Office for National Statistics, which has revised upwards its earlier estimate of 0.8% to 0.9%. The jobless rate is predicted to fall to 6.1% for the three months to August – down by 1.6% from a year ago and the sharpest fall since 1989. Mr Newman said: “There is a lot more work to be done as the country continues on the road to recovery, but the report is a positive indicator that our region is performing well and, in particular, is achieving growth through private sector investment and job creation, as well as significant contract wins.”
Net gai consult
A Brighouse-based c appointed by Yorksh ball team to boost is marketing. Waverley Consultan Yorkshire Jets to prom 2015 Superleague ca season and then dur away games of the s brand, media relatio ence. The Yorkshire Jets UK-based netball tea the Superleague Ne which is covered liv squad includes athl selected for England s Ian Smyth, franchis shire Jets, said: “We a pre-season fixtures under way for the 20 paign. “It promises to be son and we are dete people across Yorksh the Jets which is wh Waverley to support and marketing activit “We are looking for Stephen and his team out across the region all ages should com netball and women’s time when it is rightl and popularity.” Stephen Naylor, d Consultancy, said: “W be working with the mote their pre-seas league campaign. “After the Common with the competition Sports every week dur is growing interest in promoting the Jets ac on the passion shown ing the games to a wid
Chicken
A fast food outlet pledged to provide £5 tions every month to t Bank. Chickanos, which Street in Huddersfie and Batley, are keen bank for the foreseeab Najam Sheikh, ope “We have chosen to r Huddersfeld Food Ba want to give back to th
5
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014
SINESS NEWS
Waverley Consultancy
in for tancy
consultancy has been hire’s Superleague netcommunications and
ncy will work with the mote the launch of the ampaign through prering the 14 home and season, develop their ons and online pres-
are one of only eight ams selected to play in etball Championship, ve by Sky Sports. The letes who have been squads at every level. se director of the Yorkare about to begin our and training is well 015 Superleague cam-
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director of Waverley Waverley is delighted to Yorkshire Jets to proson and 2015 Super-
nwealth Games – and n broadcast live on Sky ring the season – there n netball. We will be cross Yorkshire to pass n on and off court durder audience.”
n run
in Huddersfield has 50 worth of food donathe Huddersfield Food
has outlets at Union eld and in Dewsbury n to support the food ble future. erations manager, said: regularly donate to the ank because we really he community.”
local
Taking the pain out of relocating Just like moving home, relocating your business to new premises can be a very stressful experience. Part of the process will include the relocation of your telephone and IT equipment to the new property and establishing whether or not the premises has the infrastructure in place to support them. Quite often, a move could involve up to 4 companies just for the data, telecommunications infrastructure, and other equipment which is all important for the day to day running of any company. Four companies means four different points of contact; you would almost certainly end up with the task of co-ordinating everything. Ensuring that your phone lines are installed in time for the phone system and your internet connection to go live is just one example of how the different parts of the jigsaw have to be put together in a certain order to
■■ Talking business at the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance stand at KBC14
WELL CONNECTED
Organisers hail support for Kirklees Business Week 2014
Kev Hall achieve a successful move. One way of reducing the stress is by reducing the number of companies you have to deal Select an experienced provider which offers a relocation service that includes project management; from carrying out a survey of your existing site and your new building right through to your go live day and beyond. Following the survey, you should receive a detailed project proposal and
costs, which will include all relevant requirements. Some essential elements to consider are voice and data cabling, telephone systems, network equipment (either new or existing), landlines and internet service provision. The result should be a seamless move, with minimum downtime and little if any disruption to your business’s operation.
Kev Hall is a director at Abzorb in Brighouse
Charity urges bosses to help sspread road safety message Employers are being urged to play their part in preventing road accidents. Huddersfield-based road safety charity Brake said many firms employing people who drive for work didn’t have good practice procedures to protect pedestrians and cyclists. Newly-released government figures show that six people are killed and 157 seriously injured every week while walking or cycling. At least 24% of road deaths and serious injuries involve a vehicle being driven for work. More than half of employers don’t provide driver education on protecting pedestrians and cyclists while two-
thirds don’t instruct drivers in slowing down to 20mph around schools, homes and shops and six in 10 don’t instruct drivers on looking twice and checking mirrors at junctions for cyclists or motorcyclists. Nine out of 10 employers don’t plan routes to avoid schools and residential areas while eight in 10 don’t use blind spot sensors and seven in 10 don’t use blind spot cameras on large commercial vehicles. Almost half don’t use telematics to monitor driver speed, so have no way of knowing if drivers are routinely endangering others by driving too fast.
Agency’s success at the double Birstall PR agency Faith PR has been appointed to support the PR for Farnley Tyas start-up The Bakehouse at Farnley Market and Huddersfield designer childrenswear store, Your Children’s Wardrobe. Faith PR won the first contract following a competitive pitch to manage the launch of Farnley Market’s Bakehouse and was brought in just two weeks before the grand opening on September 20. Simone Harrison, who cofounded Farnley Market with her husband Stephen, said: “We commissioned Faith PR to help us launch our Bakehouse and were delighted with the results. The opening was a huge success with around 200 attendees visiting across a VIP preview and public launch weekend.
“We were so impressed that we have retained Faith PR to provide ongoing PR and social media support.” In the same month that Farnley Market came on board, Your Children’s Wardrobe signed up to work with Faith PR. Former marketer Amanda Evans owns Denby Dalebased designer childrenswear boutique Your Children’s Wardrobe and also has an online boutique and second store in Honley. The business sells collections from sought-after brands including Oilily, ilovegorgeous and Maison Jean Bourget. Said Amanda: “We have appointed Faith PR to support the growth in our business and have high hopes for their impact on our brand.”
The survey covered 228 companies operating commercial vehicles, company cars or vans, or employees who drive their own vehicles to business appointments. Brake said employers with staff who drive for work could take a range of steps to protect the most vulnerable road users - pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists – who account for 59% of UK road deaths and serious injuries. These steps include thorough journey planning, driver education, making use of technology to minimise blindspots and monitoring speed and building a culture of always putting safety first.
Kirklees Business week 2014 has been hailed as the best yet. And Kirklees Business Conference (KBC14), which formed the centrepiece of last week’s activities, was adjudged the busiest ever. More than 600 delegates registered for the event, which was held at the John Smith’s Stadium, while almost 800 people were involved on the day. Most of the seminars drew capacity audiences. The business week was organised by the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshrie Chamber of Commerce with its partners putting in a sterling effort to make the week a success. Hot topics covered included pre-start and start-ups with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and Yorkshire’s Got Talent; business growth with Huddersfield Town Enterprise Academy and Kirklees College; opportunities at the BBC brought by Huddersfield’s Media Centre; linking business with education at the Mid Yorkshire Chamber annual dinner; trading with India
brought by the Yorkshire Asian Business Association; and a Grand Finale event staged with the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, Huddersfield University and Microsoft. Conferences manager Chrissie Slater said all the partners deserved a massive thank-you for their involvemenmt. More than 1,200 businesses were involved in the Business Week. Chrissie said: “Twitter has been going mad all week and there have been some amazing comments. Peter Jones favourited a few tweets from the week and Kirklees Business Week was mentioned in Parliament.” With Kirklees Business Week over for another year, the first ever Calderdale State of the District Summit will take place from 7.30am on Wednesday, November 19 with the chamber partnering Calderdale Council and Dean Clough. The event will bring together leaders from various sectors to debate the state of the Calderdale district and take part ain a Q&A session.
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There are numerous ways to exit a business but we focus on what is right for you and look at the necessary tax planning to maximise your return. Whether you are looking for a staged exit or an immediate retirement plan there are numerous things to think about and at Revell Ward we take great pride in “Adding to Business” and ensuring you get the maximum return and pay the least amount of tax along the way. “Revell Ward have been a key partner in our businesses continued growth and success...” We are running a series of seminars on the Wheel of Fortune. To register your interest email krishna.patel@revellward.co.uk or call 01484 538351. Revell Ward LLP, 7th Floor, 30 Market Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2HG. 01484 538351 or enquiries@revellward.co.uk
6
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
She’s going places to help footloose families Maternity nurse Kimberley Berry is taking the hassle out of travel for parents with young children. The Huddersfield woman has drawn on her own experiences working around the world to set up Travel Tots UK – an online service supplying everything from baby formula, baby food, nappies and wipes to sun lotions, armbands for swimming and night-time cough syrup to parents who are on holiday abroad with their young kids. Kimberley, who lives at Waterloo, set up the business four years ago after having a “light bulb moment”. The private maternity nurse said: “I work with families at emotional times and I have some highprofile mums among my clients. I travel around the world in my work and it is down to me to make sure the baby has what he or she needs. I have to think about what will be needed at various points as my clients go to different countries.” Kimberley realised that other families on holiday with young children could benefit from a service allowing them to order items they would otherwise have to carry around with them or send off for particular brands of goods they could not get abroad. By sending those items out by courier – typically to arrive in two to three days – Travel Tots spares parent the hassle and cost of taking extra baggage with them and the panic that sets in if they forget to take some essential item. Kimberley did her research before setting up the business. “I sent out 1,000 questionnaires to friends, current and previous clients asking what terrified them about taking children aged up to four on holiday,” she said. “It emerged that first-time parents didn’t know what to expect or what to take. Most parents said they took with them everything they thought they’d need while others were more selective.” Although Kimberley numbers celebrities among her clients, she said the service aimed to be costeffective for everyone. “It’s not just for the more affluent,” she said. “It’s aimed just as much at the family next door who are going short-haul or longhaul.”
■■ Kimberley Berry’s online baby provisions service Travel Tots UK is proving a success with footloose families
Kimberley said many parents wanted to use the familiar products they used in the UK – which were not always available overseas. In other cases, those items could cost a lot more to buy at their holiday destination – making it cheaper to order them to be dispatched from the UK. Kimberley runs Travel Tots alongside her work as a private maternity nurse, in which she qualified eight years ago. “I get families who go away for a week or two weeks to families who go away for several months,”
she said. “One of my clients goes for a week in New York and then straight on the road. Other clients ask me to ship items to them at UK locations such as Cornwall or the Isle of Wight. “Another asked me to ship some things out in bulk that she could not get where she was staying in Canada.” And Travel Tots is showing signs of growing further. “I have started to get enquiries from big companies running holiday flats and apartments that are interested in working with me,” said Kimberley.
Trainees rewarded with full-time jobs following apprenticeship scheme at Elland-based Reactiv Apprentices at an Elland firm have landed full-time jobs with the company after completing their training. The apprentices have gained NVQ level 2 in customer service after working at direct marketing group Reactiv’s call centre. The apprenticeship scheme was started by Calderdale Training and provides the trainees with work experience and a year of study to gain a nationally recognised qualification. Reactiv also promised the apprentices full-time jobs once they had successfully completed the course. The four successful apprentices are Jessica Dan, Ryan Wood, Hayley Wynn and Sarah Pickett. Their mentors were Stephanie Bell, head of insurance, and team leader Jade Franks. Said Stephanie: “All four have been committed, punctual, reliable and developed good time management skills. It has been a very positive experience for all of us. “The fact that they have got a qualification and paid work experience looks great on their CVs.” Jade said “I am really happy to welcome
Jessica, Ryan, Hayley and Sarah on board.” She said Reactiv had joined the scheme to give local young people who had left school and had no work experience the opportunity to learn and work in a real office environment. Reactiv managing director Tony Abbott said he was thrilled that the scheme had been so well received and that the company had been able to keep its promise and take on the four young people. “We hope now that they will continue to learn from us and enjoy being part of our happy team,” he said. Calderdale College received high praise for the initiative from Ofsted. The scheme provides opportunities in areas such as IT training and customer service as well as a host of other skills. Local employers who need a young staff member are welcome to join the scheme. Email CT@calderdale.ac.uk Reactiv is continuing their association with Calderdale College and any young ■■ Reactiv head of insurance Stephanie Bell (left) and insurance team people interested in the apprenticeship leader Jade Franks (right) with (from left) Jessica Dan, Sarah Pickett, Ryan Wood and Hayley Wynn scheme should email steph@reactiv.co.uk
Help for marketers Two organisations providing support for the marketing industry are preparing for a second joint event. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Professional Marketing Forum (PM Forum) are planning to stage a second joint event in November following the success of the first last month. The event, How to Boost Your Marketing Career, is a re-run of the September event and is designed to give practical help in moving your career to the next level with information and advice from are variety of sources: an experienced B2B practitioner and CIM Accredited Study Centre and specialist marketing recruitment agency, Elevation. Graham Munday, regional chairman for PM Forum in Yorkshire, said: “The event provides practical insights to marketers on how to move their career to the next level by seizing opportunities and maximising the knowledge and insight available from professional bodies such as the CIM and the PM Forum.” The event will feature Rob Cowling, business development manager for Irwin Mitchell, who joined from Leeds-based law firm Gordons in September. During a seven-year career at Gordons, Rob managed and coordinated the execution of multi-channel campaigns and was heavily involved in the firm’s new brand identity launched in 2012. The event, which takes place at 6pm on November 4 at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield, is free to attend. Go to www.cim.co. uk/66566 or call 01628 427340 during office hours.
Top title for David A Clayton West man has won the top accolade at the Yorkshire Legal Awards. David Wright, managing partner at MKB Solicitors in Barnsley, received the award at a ceremony attended by 500 people in Leeds hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern. Mr Wright was nominated in the category of Managing Partner of the Year – but his disappointment at not winning that category turned to delight when he was presented with the top award of the night for Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year. Mr Wright has worked at MKB Solicitors – formerly Mills, Kemp and Brown Solicitors – since 1971 and qualified as a solicitor in 19977. He has been managing partner since 1998. He has a wealth of experience in all things business and property-related. Away from work, his claim to fame is in trap shooting, in which he has represented Great Britain for several year and won the International Home Countries & British Championship. Said Mr Wright: “I am delighted to have received this award.”
7
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Don’t be ‘green’ about extra cash
A Brighouse energy-efficiency specialist is urging private landlords to take advantage of a government decision to extend the Green Deal Fund from November. The extension means an additional £100m is subsidies is available for those who want to insulate their properties. The additional cash in the fund is the second tranche offered as part of the government scheme to increase the energy efficiency capabilities of homes throughout the UK. Applications for the first £450m opened in May, but were scooped up in less than three months, with the fund running dry by the end of July. The second batch of government funding will open for applications in November and – following the success of the previous Green Deal funding – is expected to run out in record time. Ploughcroft said landlords should
act quickly to take advantage of the free cash and ensure their properties meet energy efficiency standards before government legislation changes in 2016. Managing director Chris Hopkins said: “As part of the government’s scheme to meet energy efficiency targets, from 2016 landlords across the UK will be unable to refuse any reasonable requests made by tenants for any energy efficient home improvements. “Additionally, by 2018, landlords will be forbidden from letting properties with a poor energy efficiency rating, meaning there’s nowhere for landlords to hide when it comes to making updates to their properties. “By tackling the issue now, landlords can take advantage of the money-saving scheme and ensure that they don’t take the hit all at once, as well as ensuring they are future proofing their properties.”
Small firms lead the way as construction sector grows House building is leading the growth in the SME construction sector – but the industry has a long way to go to recover to pre-recession levels, according to latest research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Results from the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for the third quarter of 2014 show SME workloads growing across most sectors, with the strongest growth coming from private house building. Brian Berry, FMB chief executive, said: “We are at last seeing strong, consistent growth in workloads for SME house builders, but the building industry is still a long way from being ‘home and dry’. “The private housing market is recovering from a very low base after a recession which saw house building fall to record lows. “Half of all SME house builders went to the wall or were forced to diversify into another area of construction.” Mr Berry said: “In the late 1980s, twothirds of all new homes were built by small local builders, but by 2010, this had
dropped to just one third. “Current statistics reveal that SME house builders now deliver only a quarter of all new homes. “Since the recession hit, a major factor in this has been the serious difficulties SME house builders experience in accessing bank finance, which show little sign of improving in the short term.” He said: “The threat of serious skills shortages is also becoming increasingly apparent. “Our latest research shows 41% of SME construction firms are now reporting difficulties in recruiting bricklayers – an increase of 7% when compared to three months ago. “Carpenters and joiners are also proving difficult to come by with 41% of firms reporting difficulties finding these tradesmen, an increase of 15% when compared to the second quarter of this year. “The construction industry has lost 350,000 people since its peak before the recession and this will have a knock-on effect for many years to come. “
■■ Landlords must tackle energy efficiency issues, says Chris Hopkins
Town favourites putting on the tile A company supplying wall and floor tiles has opened a new store to meet rising demand for its products. Former Huddersfield Town stars Andy Booth and Kieran O’Regan cut the ribbon to open the new Hot Tiles outlet at Hoyer Industrial Park, of Leeds Road, Huddersfield. The new cash-and-carry complements Hot Tiles’ existing premises at Wakefield Road, Brighouse, which opened last January. Director Dominic Strangeway said the company had traded easily through the recession “by selling at the right price” and added: “We have found trading levels to be five times better than they were a year ago.” He said the firm’s factory outlet-style store selling wall and floor tiles and
HUDDERSFIELD
£3,750 pa
NEW
l l l l
SHOP TO LET 2ND FLOOR APPROX: 450 sq ft 41 sq m Rateable Value: * Approx £2665
ries across the world,” he said. “We go out every year to visit factories to source new products.” Tiles are sourced from manufacturers in coun-
tries including Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, Vietnam and Poland while stock levels are kept high to enable customers to buy all they need in one visit.
l l l l l
■■ Former Town players Andy Booth (right) and Keiran O’Regan (second right) at Hot Tiles with store manager, Ken Frankland (left) and owners Gill and Dominic Strangeway
sundries such as adhesives and grouts was proving popular with DIY enthusiasts and tradespeople alike. “Everything we sell, we buy direct from facto-
l
A2 Planning Permission Arranged over 3 floors High Pedestrian Flow OFFERS INVITED Viewing a Must EPC G204
BYRAM ARCADE
Flooring. Plastavarian Ltd is now arranging for Bawn Flooring to help design and fit out its new 120,000sq ft showroom in Bristol and work with the company on future exhibitions. Nigel, who has been fitting flooring of all kinds for he past 10 years, set up his own company in December last year – and has seen business take off. Rising demand from
individual homeowners and other companies has seen him travel to Halifax, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield to carry out contracts. He also works for B&Q and local companies such as Aspley Carpets and Salendine Nook-based MGL Rugs. Nigel said: “This month is the busiest month so far. The recession is over and I have a really good website
which is driving business through recommendation and customer feedback.” Nigel is self-taught, but became one of the first flooring installers in the UK to achieve the prestigious title of Quick-Step Master Installer two years ago after completing a rigorous training and assessment programme at the Quick-Step Academy for Excellence in Flooring.
NEW STREET £15,000 pa
Greenhead
NEW
Flooring specialist stars at major show A flooring specialist has completed his first-ever commissions for exhibitors at a major industry show. Nigel Bawn, who runs Longwood-based Bawn Flooring was engaged to provide the flooring for two trade stands at the Harrogate Flooring Show – Bristol-based flooring firm Plastavarian Ltd and Cheshire-based trade publication Tomorrows
£22,500 pa
HUDDERSFIELD
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TRINITY STREET 54 John William Street, Huddersfield West Yorkshire, HD1 1ER
RESTAURANT TO LET 6 months' rent free over first 2 yrs FULLY EQUIPPED Approx 720 sq ft 66 sq m RV £4700 - 100% SBRR EPC C66
8
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS New directors appointed A company with operations in Dewsbury has appointed three new directors to its group board. Bradford-based Standard Wool, which has a production site at Eastfield Mills in Dewsbury, has promoted Paul Hughes Jr to group trading director and Mark Andrews to production director. Ian Marwood joins the board as non-executive director. Existing group finance director Nicholas Maddams completes the board line-up. Paul Hughes Jr is pictured with group managing director Paul Hughes Sr. The group, which has turnover exceeding £50m, is privately owned by the Hughes family following a management buyout in 2005. In addition to its trading and processing facilities in the UK, it has operations in Chile, New Zealand and China. The business has enjoyed strong growth in revenues, secured major financing packages and this year acquired the freehold of its main production facility in Dewsbury. Paul Hughes Snr said: “Standard Wool has a strong reputation around the world as an
Team on course for hat-trick of awards By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
independently owned and run business with unrivalled expertise in the sourcing, processing and blending of high quality wools. “We are proud of our customer service ethos throughout the business and these appointments reflect the development of our team over a number of years. “Our new board structure is part of our plans to further develop the business, including investment in our processing facilities and new technology, whilst retaining our independent status.” “Ian Marwood acted an adviser on the management buyout and since that time has continued to be a sounding board for me on a range of issues. His assistance to the wider board will be invaluable.”
Litigation team expands Huddersfield law firm firm Ridley & Hall has appointed newlyqualified solicitor Helen Dandridge to its litigation department. She will specialise in contentious probate and financial abuse claims, alongside partner Sarah Young. Ms Dandridge has joined the department to cope with the increase in inheritance disputes. Ms Young said: “Helen has been an exceptional trainee and I am delighted to have persuaded her to join my team. The work that I do is growing significantly. That’s because of a number of reasons, including the
movers and shakers
fact that we have an ageing population where dementia is unfortunately a factor.” Provisional figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that 344,000 patients had a recorded diagnosis of dementia in 2013-14 – a rise from 319,000 in 2012-13 and from 213,000 in 200607. Ms Dandridge, who has a first class degree in law from the University of Northumbria, joined the firm in March, 2010. At that point she was working as a paralegal in the family department before she began her training contract.
An innovative course run by Huddersfield University in collaboration with some of the biggest names in the field of logistics has won two important industry awards in rapid succession and is now bidding for a third. The run of success means that after two years, the partnership named NOVUS – which guarantees a career-boosting job to its graduates – has become established as a major factor in developing the next generation of supply chain professionals, who are vital to modern industry. First came a prize for the Wincanton Supply Chain Innovation Project of the Year at the 2014 Retail Week Supply Chain Awards. Just a week later, NOVUS won the Development of People prize at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Annual Awards for Excellence. Now the scheme has been shortlisted for the 18th European Supply Chain Excellence Awards, organised by Supply Chain Standard in association with PwC. NOVUS is competing in the Training and Professional Development category and is bracketed with major players including Vodaphone, DHL, Unilever and Sky. The ceremony takes place on November 5 at London’s Hilton Hotel. Senior lecturer David Leach, who is programme director for NOVUS, said he was delighted by the sequence of success at awards ceremonies. After the programme was shortlisted for the Supply Chain Standard awards, he travelled to London to give an hour-long presentation to judges. They expressed surprise that NOVUS had been under way for just two years. “The two awards we have won so far play to the strengths of the scheme,” said Mr Leach. “The first reflects the innovative nature of
■■ Huddersfield University and industry representatives with the Development of People prize won for their NOVUS course at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Annual Awards for Excellence
NOVUS and the fact that it is a collaborative project right across the industry. “The second award cuts right to the heart of the purpose of the scheme, which is to develop the next generation of supply chain leaders – identifying them, training them and developing them.” The NOVUS programme at the university is accredited by CILT and now has the backing of more than 30 companies. They have contributed to the curriculum and provide mentoring, work placements and other opportunities to students. And once students have successfully completed their degree courses, they are guaranteed graduate-level jobs in the supply chain sector. Representatives of several of the firms who are partners in the NOVUS project joined Mr Leach at the awards ceremonies.
Andy Kaye, chief executive of BiS Henderson and chairman of the NOVUS steering group said winning the Retail Week Supply Chain meant a great deal to all those in the industry who had supported the development of the NOVUS Trust, He said: “I’m delighted that this collaborative, industry-wide initiative to offer students a degree course in supply chain management with a guaranteed job at the end, has been acknowledged as innovative within the sector through such a prestigious award.” Mr Leach said the awards success showed how NOVUS was gaining increasing recognition and momentum within the industry. He thanked the companies which have supported the scheme so far and now said he believed that it would attract even more corporate sponsors.
Steve’s a WSI worldbeater Tax topics
■■ Steve Harvey Franklin and his award
A Holmfirth businessman has seen off tough competition to scoop an international award from one of the world’s leading digital marketing groups. Steve Harvey Franklin, who owns WSI Yorkshire, was awarded the Top Consultant Prize by global franchise WSI for his success in providing online marketing solutions to businesses across the UK. The award, which covers consultants based across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, was presented to Steve at a gala dinner in Florida during a yearly digital summit and is particularly prestigious due to the number of consultants working across these continents. Steve Harvey Franklin said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win the award. It’s a testament not only to the hard work that I’ve put in over the
past 12 months but also to the dedication and commitment of the fantastic team I have here at WSI Yorkshire. “WSI Yorkshire is doing incredibly well as we support more businesses across the UK, helping them to achieve success online. I can only hope that the next 12 months will continue to be as successful for us.” WSI Yorkshire was set up in 2004 and provides internet marketing services to clients across the UK in areas including web development, web design, social media marketing, training and consultancy online advertising and email marketing. In addition to the UK, WSI has master franchise offices across the world in countries such as Australia, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, France, Germany and Switzerland.
TAX avoidance schemes and HMRC amnesties will be covered at a free seminar next month. Gary Brothers, of Independent Taxation and Forensic Services, will give his expert opinion at a seminar to be held at 5.30pm on Tuesday, November 4, at the John Smith’s Stadium. The talk begins at 6pm and finishes at 7.45pm with a buffet and drinks. The former HMRC tax inspector who launched his business 18 months ago with former revenue colleague Stephen Outhwaite, is sharing the speaking platform with Broadstone pension expert David Pye. Mr Pye, who has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years, will be talking about new auto-enrolment pensions. To reserve a place email gary@independent-tax.co.uk