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KEVIN BARRETT Blowing hot and cold
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Column - Page 4
NICK GARTLAND Making tax a hot topic Column - Page 5
An EXAMINER An EXAMINER publicationpublication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Companies facing more taxing times
KIRKLEES businesses have been urged to call in the experts to help them get the Self-Assessment tax returns in on time. The call from Holmfirth-based accountancy firm V&A Bell Brown – backed by Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney – comes after the firm scored a victory against the taxman on behalf of a client who encountered a series of over-payment cases and wrongly levied penalties. V&A Bell Brown recouped almost £1,000 in over-paid tax, which Max Earnshaw, director of West Yorkshire estate agency Earnshaw Kay Estates, had overpaid inadvertently. The victory comes at the end of a hard fought two-and-a-half year long battle to get their own money repaid. The successful challenge follows HM Revenue & Customs’ announcement that it plans to make taxpayers legally responsible for checking that the taxman is taking the correct amount of tax. HMRC is proposing to change current rules which waive underpayment of income tax if the root causes are delays and mistakes by HMRC officials. HMRC receives about 166,244 complaints each year in response to demands for underpaid tax. Jason McCartney said: “Amanda
■ TAXING: Amanda Vigar, managing partner at Bell Brown V&A, with Max Earnshaw, director of Earnshaw Kay Estates, have done battle with HMRC
Vigar and the team at V&A Bell Brown have secured a great victory against over-charging by the taxman. We all deserve to only pay the tax we owe – and businesses need to see the HMRC as fair and responsive to their needs.” Mr Earnshaw said: “I’m so pleased that we’ve been successful in winning back the money. It was the principal rather than the amount refunded.
However, it comes after a long battle, which we really shouldn’t have had to fight.” Amanda Vigar, managing partner at V&A Bell Brown, said: “This week we are celebrating a well-earned victory against HMRC. The taxman has seen reason in light of our completely rational case on behalf of a client who had accidentally overpaid their tax due to a miscalculation by HMRC. The
only problem was that the victory was a little hollow given that it took two-and-a-half long years to get the client’s money back!” She said: “Even once they’d admitted the overpayment, they refused to repay the money that was owed until the client proved why it had made the overpayment. We had to resort to getting Jason McCartney MP and David Gauke MP, the minister responsible for HMRC, involved.” The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants warned those submitting online self-assessment tax returns to make sure they are in by the end of January – or face a £100 fine. Chas Roy-Chowdhury, ACCA head of taxation, said: “There is no escaping the fact that if you do miss the deadline HMRC will fine you. “At a time when money is tight for the majority of people, the last thing you need is to pay for something that could be easily avoided. “HMRC will take seriously any errors in your returns, so I would urge anyone to make sure they seek the help of a professionally qualified accountant. HMRC will apply a £100 fine if you are just a day late in submitting your return. This applies whether you owe tax or not.”
Orchard expands with a fresh crop of clients A DRIVE to cut costs among businesses in the retail and leisure sectors has helped to create new jobs and n at i o n w i d e e x p a n s i o n fo r a n Elland-based group of companies. The Orchard Group, which comprises Orchard Energy, Orchard Environmental and Orchard Networks, saw a “significant” increase in business from tourism, heritage and sporting venues during 2012 – with new clients including the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Somerset County Cricket Club and Fife Ice Arena in Scotland. Group managing director Gareth Henderson said Orchard’s energy division had recently agreed deals with West Yorkshire Playhouse, Northern
Ballet and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. The group also work with retailers had expanded in the past 12 months to include efficiency planning as well as purchasing. Orchard has also been working with North East furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse throughout 2012 to protect its budgets from gas and electricity price fluctuations. Orchard, which now employs 80 people, also supported the firm with meter downgrades and planning for a new £4m store in Knaresborough. Other retail clients in 2012 include Cheque Centre, Costcutter and the Meadowhall and Ridings shopping
centres. Mr Henderson said Orchard Energy’s longstanding working relationship with stately homes such as Chatsworth, Harewood and Castle Howard had paved the way for a deal between the group’s networks division and the Duke of Devonshire Estates to provide managed IT services. Mr Henderson said: “In 2013 we will be developing a comprehensive telecoms service as part of our IT support including landline, mobile, broadband and VoIP installation and technical support.” Waste management division Orchard Environmental has seen a 30% increase in business leading to the
creation of new jobs at head office in Elland and the rolling out of its services to the group’s regional offices in Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Bradford and Newcastle. Said Mr Henderson: “Overall we have expanded in terms of head count and geographical reach in all areas of the group’s operations and moved our head office from Brighouse to larger premises in Elland in the first quarter of the year to facilitate growth.” “Recruitment is now underway to expand our teams in Newcastle, Bristol and Elland. “More new jobs will be created in all three businesses in 2013.”
INSIDE Sixteen join firm A VALVE maker has bucked the gloomy trend to recruit 16 new starters in three months. Koso Kent Introl said the new appointments came as the company recorded a strong end to 2012. KKI manufactures and exports standard service control valves, severe service control valves, high-technology surface choke valves and high-performance rotary valves to the oil and gas, petrochemical and power industries worldwide.
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Busiest year ever A FIRM specialising in external wall insulation has completed its busiest year with order levels more than double over the previous 12 months. Holmfirth-based Hanson Structherm now has its sights set on becoming the UK’s number one supplier in its field. Marketing manager Yvonne Coldwell said: “We’ve had an incredible year, but are not resting on our laurels.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Back to market for housebuilder Crest HOUSEBUILDER Crest Nicholson is to return to the stock market after a rollercoaster six years as a private company. The Surrey-based firm made the announcement as it revealed a return to profits in its latest results. Crest Nicholson, which is a residential developer focused on the southern half of England, was bought by HBOS and Sir Tom Hunter, the Scottish entrepreneur, in a £715m takeover at the peak of the housing market in 2007. It is now in the hands of American hedge fund Varde and Deutsche Bank after the downturn in the property market led to two debt restructurings in 2009 and 2011. The plan for a return to the London stock market, where it has traded for 39 years of its 50-year history, will see Varde and Deutsche sell some of their stakes, while £50m from new shares will go towards paying down existing debt. Stephen Stone, who has been Crest’s
chief executive since 2005, highlighted the company’s “robust” balance sheet and said its short-term land bank now boasted 17,000 plots on 72 sites. He added: “The housing market is entering a period of gradual recovery and with our emphasis on the South of England, including London, and the continued support for the new homes market from Government, we are well positioned to generate value for shareholders.” The company, which employs almost 600 people, announced results showing a 28% rise in revenues to £408m, while profits of £62.1m for the year to October 31 compared with a loss of £27m a tear earlier. Housing completions were up by 24% to 1,882 – but Crest hopes to return volumes to about 2,500 homes a year within three to four years. The average selling price was up 3% to £230,000 in the period. In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Crest said the group had a
highly experienced corer management team with a combined 100-years plus experience in the UK housebuilding sector. Stephen Stone, who was appointed chief executive since 2005, has more than 30 years experience in the sector group finance director Patrick Bergin has 18 years experience as a chartered accountant – the last six of which have been with the group. while directors , as well as Chris Tinker, Steve Evans and Robin Hoyles, who complete the core management team, have a combined 92 years experience in the sector. The share offer will comprise an offer of new and existing shares. Proceeds from the offer, about £50m, will be used to repay outstanding borrowings under the group’s financing arrangements. The group said the offer, which will include a sale of existing shares by certain institutional shareholders, would provide Crest Nicholson with “additional operational flexibility”.
■ RECOVERY: Crest Nicholson chief executive Stephen Stone says the housing marketing is picking up
Bankers fear for their bonuses
UK heading for skills gap
NEARLY a quarter of bankers fear they will not get a bonus this year – as regulatory pressures weigh on pay in the scandal-hit financial services sector. A poll of more than a thousand City workers by recruitment firm Astbury Marsden reveals the percentage expecting a “donought”, or zero bonus, in the current pay season has doubled to 22% compared with the same time last year. With reports suggesting that Royal Bank of Scotland will delve into its bonus pot as it becomes the third bank to pay fines connected
THE UK will be short of more than 3m skilled workers by 2050 unless a shortage of suitably-trained employees is not tackled, a new report has warned. Teachers will be in shortest supply, followed by construction workers and nurses, according to recruitment firm Randstad. The UK is already suffering skills shortages across many industries, while 70% of nuclear energy workers will be retired by 2025, the study said. About 60% of the population will
with the Libor scandal, half of the respondents believe government and regulatory pressure will have a detrimental impact on their pay. Some 48% of City workers would consider switching employers if landed with an unsatisfactor y bonus, bonuses being typically paid in February and March for the year before. A fifth would look to be promoted with their current employers to increase pay prospects by other means. The proportion who would consider moving abroad as a result of poor bonuses fell by 8%.
be of working age by 2050, compared with 66% today, said the research. Mark Bull, chief executive of Randstad, said: “If the UK economy is to grow and overcome the difficulties of the last few years, then it requires a strong workforce capable of meeting demand. “Our projections are conservative, but they still portray a worrying scenario for the country over the coming decades. With an ageing population, we need to ensure we are open for business and welcoming talent from around the world.”
Page 2 Home loans lift MORTGAGE lending increased by an estimated £2 bn to £143bn during 2012 amid signs of improved confidence in the property market, an industry body said. The Council of Mortgage Lenders expects the figure for this year will reach £156bn, despite a dip last month when £11.7bn was lent, compared with £12.7bn in November and £12.2bn for the same month a year earlier. CML chief economist Bob Pannell said: “We are more positive about the UK housing market and wider economy than a year ago, despite economic headwinds and downside risks.” He said that lenders now faced fewer funding pressures. That was partly due to the Funding for Lending scheme operated by the Bank of England and he Treasury.. The scheme, which was launched in August, has enabled several lenders to slash their rates. The CML said market activity was robust in the final quarter of 2012, helped by better mortgage availability and pricing - a trend it expects to continue in the coming months. For most months in 2012, house purchase lending was above year-earlier levels, while first-time buyer activity accounted for an unusually large 41% of all house purchase loans in December for the second month in a row.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £37.77 Gannett 1253.63 Hess Corp £36.43 Microsoft 1721.85 Motors Liquidation 47.39 Wal-Mart Stores £43.73 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 404 -11 BAE Systems 3451/2 +31/4 Rolls-Royce 9251/2 +31/2 AIM Brady Plc 94 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2481/8 +43/4 BANKS Barclays 2973/8 +3/8 HSBC 6951/2 +15/8 1 Lloyds Banking Gp 53 /4 -1/8 Ryl Scotland 3667/8 +81/8 Stan Chart 1664 +9 BEVERAGES Diageo 18191/2 -231/2 SABMiller £295/8 -1/4 CHEMICALS Croda £231/4 +1/4 Elementis 98 2211/4 +13/4 Johnsn Mat £233/8 +1/4 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2881/4 -13/4 Costain 255 +1 ELECTRICITY
Drax Gp 5801/2 +18 SSE 1435 +5 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2355/8 -1/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 4041/8 +47/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2483/4 +23/4 Cable & Wireless 39 +5/8 Comm Colt Group 1051/4 +1/4 KCOM 751/2 +5/8 1 Talktalk Telecom 246 /2 +1 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2553/8 +25/8 Sainsbury 3281/2 +23/8 5 Tesco 350 /8 +1/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1629 -6 Tate Lyle 800 +7 3 Unilever £24 /8 +1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3423/4 +41/4 National Grid 695 +111/2 Pennon Grp 675 +121/2 Severn 1587 +17 1 +91/2 United Utils 720 /2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2495/8 +5/8 ICAP 3291/2 +3/4 London StockExch 1181 +12 Man Group 971/4 +7/8 Provident Financial 1424 +2
Schroders 1893 +6 Schroders NV 1509 +12 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 4593/4 -41/4 Smiths Grp 1217 -4 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 273/4 +3/8 Carphone Whse 2153/4 -11/4 Dixons Retail 271/2 +1/4 Home Retail 1331/8 -11/4 7 Inchcape 456 /8 +41/8 Kingfisher 2687/8 -4 1 M&S 366 /2 +5/8 1 Mothercare 323 /2 -11/2 Next £393/4 WH Smith 646 +301/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 710 +121/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 861/4 +21/2 Barrat Dev 230 -11/8 Persimmon 8851/2 -3 Reckitt Benckiser £411/4 +1/8 Taylor Wimpey 74 -3/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1164 +14 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2711/4 +91/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2271/4 -7/8 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3747/8 +83/4
1513/4 +1/4 1865/8 +7/8 933 +2 2681/4 +41/4 3453/4 +3/8 MEDIA BSkyB 792 -6 D Mail Tst 588 +1 3 HIBU /8 ITV 1163/8 +11/4 Johnston Press 123/4 +5/8 Pearson 1202 -36 Reed Elsevier 688 -3 STV Group 119 +11/2 Trinity Mirror 100 Utd Business 728 -3 UTV 1381/2 -31/2 WPP 9731/2 -1/2 MINING Anglo American 18991/2 +14 Antofagasta 1264 -6 BHP Billiton £203/4 +1/4 7 Eurasian Natural 339 /8 +11/8 Res Fresnillo 1775 +25 Kazakhmys 780 +31/2 7 Lonmin 342 /8 +101/4 Rio Tinto £351/2 +1/2 VEDANTA 1173 +4 RESOURCES Xstrata 1154 +161/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 620 +3 Vodafone Group 1621/4 +3/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
501 107 695 1950
+123/4 +3/4 +111/2 +44
closed at at FTSE closed
6180.98 Up 26.57 Admiral Grp 1211 RSA Insurance Gp 1271/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 11191/2 BP 459 Cairn Energy 284 Royal Dutch Shell A £22 Royal Dutch Shell B £225/8 Total £331/8 Tullow Oil 1154 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1102 Petrofac 1670 Wood Gp(J) 8201/2 PERSONAL GOODS
+57 +1/8 +51/2 -13/8 +31/4 1
+ /8 +1/8 -11 +8 -6 -6
Burberry Gp 1367 -19 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £303/4 GlaxoSmithK 29 -1/4 Shire £203/4 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 5661/2 -11/2 Captl Shop Cent 3593/4 -3/8 Hamrsn 491 +27/8 1 Land Secs 812 /2 -31/2 SEGRO 246 +11/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 3403/8 +2 Sage Group 317 -1/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 634 +2 Bunzl 1105 +8 -1/2 Capita 7971/2 De La Rue 942 +41/2 Electrocomp 2421/2 -1/4 Experian 1085 -5 3 G4S 274 /8 +5/8 Hays 89 +11/4 Homeserve 2453/8 Menzies J 6541/2 -1 3 Rentokil 90 /4 +1/8 Smiths News 162 +2 Wolseley £293/8 +1/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 855 -6 Spirent Comms 150 -1 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £321/4 +1/2
Imperial Tobacco
£24
+1/8 TOURIST RATES
LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
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101 /4 £261/8 7581/2 8571/2 1031/8 1921/4 1287 6701/2 1814 2121/2 1981/8 3163/8 214 153 3051/4 2933/4 £247/8
3
-1 /4 +3/8 +3 -141/2 +1/2 -3/4 +3 -1/2 -1 +41/8 -11/4 +33/4 +13/8 +11/8 +13/8 +1/8
FTSE 100
INDEX 6180.98
+26.57
FTSE 250
INDEX 12994.94
+48.82
Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.43 dollars Bangladesh................. 119.03 taka Brazil.............................. 2.89 reals Canada....................... 1.50 dollars China ............................. 8.82 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.03 korunas Denmark....................... 8.46 krone Euro............................... 1.14 euro Hong Kong................ 11.68 dollars Hungary................... 312.73 forints India.......................... 75.35 rupees Japan........................... 135.40 yen Mexico ....................... 17.91 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.77 dollars Norway ......................... 8.47 krone Pakistan.................. 146.02 rupees Philippines ................. 55.32 pesos South Africa................. 13.23 rand South Korea.............. 1469.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 189.58 rupees Sweden......................... 9.87 krona Switzerland.................. 1.41 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.16 dollars Turkey....................... 2.65 new lira USA ............................ 1.52 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Just follow your dream
BUSINESS owners have been urged to “follow your dreams” to achieve success in 2013. The advice comes from businessman Tony Abbott, whose Elland-based direct marketing company, Reactiv, went from strength to strength during 2012. And he’s well-placed to dispense the advice. Tony had a dream to set up his own company, despite moving from London to Yorkshire with just £300 in his pocket in 1994. He didn’t let lack of funds hold him back and now he has a business that turns over more than £6m a year. Last year was the most successful to date. Despite the recession, Reactiv’s turnover went up by 36% while the company recruited 50 new staff and opened a £250,000 call centre. Tony was also named Britain’s Best Boss and won several awards. He even managed to set up his own charity, Heartbeat of Sport, which gained him widespread media attention. Tony says the secret to his success was aiming high, always having a goal to aspire to – and having a positive attitude. “I’ve lived my life following my dreams and it’s never let me down,” he says. “I’ve always had a list of around 10 dreams which take into account my business, my family, my health and my sporting hobbies. “One of them is to build something to be proud of and that’s Reactiv. We have come through tough times, but have got there in the end. It’s been hard work but well worth it.” The 41-year-old father of two set up Reactiv five years ago with just 12 staff at its headquarters in Gas Works Lane. The company now employs 250 staff at its
headquarters and a nearby call centre. Tony has plans to take on another 50 staff early this year. His ambition is to make Reactiv a market leader in direct marketing – and it is already on its way to achieving that goal. Reactiv has released more apps for the iStore than any other UK developer and a new direct marketing tool called Activ Responders is to be launched onto the market this year. It will be the first of its kind in the country and will provide firms with the most up-to-date data available. Tony believes in sharing his success with his colleagues and the local community. Last year, he decided to give something back and agreed to put a six-figure sum into Halifax Rugby League Football Club’s coffers for this season. He joined the club two years ago and is now a director. The deal is thought to be the biggest in the Co-operative Championship. He was named Britain’s Best Boss last year after inviting his staff to their annual summer conference and surprising 26 of them by making their dreams come true. Before the event they filled out a “wish list”
Page 3 Tony Abbott Role: Managing director Age: 41 Family: Married to Zoe with daughter Lara, 16, and son Harris, 14 Car: A8 and MP4-12C McLaren Holidays: Dubai First job: Bank clerk for NatWest Best thing about job: Being able to find solutions for clients. The other and equal thing is rewarding colleagues Worst thing about job: Some colleagues and customers want to cheat and beat the system Business tip: Think big – and never have cheats or thieves in your business
Reactiv Group Work: Direct marketing Site: Elland Phone: 0844 8330700 Email: info@reactiv media.co.uk Web: www.reactiv media.co.uk thinking it was a team-building exercise. Tony asked a panel of workers to help him decide which wishes to grant. He spent more than £20,000 of his own money on gifts for staff. Along with requests for helicopter lessons, UGG boots, a 3D TV, a diamond ring and driving fast cars around a track, was a plea from Adele Green, whose eldest son, Joe, 12, has an incurable heart condition. She and her husband, Matthew, dreamed of taking Joe and their four other children to Disney World in Florida while he was still healthy enough, and last summer they had their trip-of-a-lifetime holiday. Joe has a congenital heart defect
■ MODEL BOSS: Tony Abbott, managing director of Reactiv Group with some of the staff who won recognition
and diabetes and gets tired and short of breath. He has already had life-saving surgery and faces more in the future. Tony, a big sports fan, then set up Heartbeat of Sport – prompted by a near-tragedy on the football field. Tony had made the 500-mile round trip to watch his beloved football team, Tottenham Hotspur play Bolton at White Heart Lane – and witnessed Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapse on the pitch. The 24-year-old former footballer suffered a cardiac arrest and claims he owes his life to the quick actions of the medical team. Doctors said he was “in effect’” dead for 78 minutes. He was given 15 defibrillator shocks before his heart started beating again. Tony wanted to turn the tragedy into something positive and set up the charity to raise the profile of the life-threatening condition Sudden Cardiac Arrest, which claims the lives of 250 people a day in the UK. Heartbeat of Sport’s goal is to educate and
empower people to act during an emergency. It plans to work closely with both amateur and professional sports clubs and sporting organisations at a local level and then, in time, nationally. Not surprisingly, Tony’s sterling efforts have received recognition. He picked up two awards at the end of last year for Employer of the Year and Business Person of the Year at a local business awards. He says the awards were the culmination of an exciting and rewarding year and that he was overwhelmed to have been recognised. But rather than rest on his laurels, he’s going all out to make 2013 even more amazing than 2012, and – of course – his dreams come into it. They include Halifax RLFC winning Super League, Tottenham winning the league, spreading the word and raising money for Heartbeat of Sport and – of course – making Reactiv even more successful than it is today. “Watch this space”, says Tony.
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Off to a flyer –to help the hospice A HUDDERSFIELD business is doing its bit to help raise funds for Kirkwood Hospice. Design, print and distribution business Mr Flyer, based at Heritage Exchange in Lindley, has distributed 20,000 booklets for client Domino’s Pizza – and offered free space in the 12-page booklet to help the Dalton hospice promote its Capital Appeal. one of its clients, Andrew Robinson (pictured), managing director of Mr Flyer, said: “We enjoy doing our bit to help out local charities whenever we can. Kirkwood Hospice does so much for our community and I would encourage everyone who can help to do their bit too.” The Capital Appeal has so far raised £1.5m of the £3m target needed to rebuild and refurbish Kirkwood Hospice’s in-patient unit.
Can your business afford to ignore Health & Safety? With Competent Health and Safety advice from just £25 a month you don’t need to Wilby Risk Management offer a range of services including: Competent Advice Risk Assessments Assistance with CHAS applications contact us today on 01422 358525 or email healthandsafety@wilbyltd.co.uk
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Let’s take the temperature!
HAT temperature should it be W in your workplace? As widespread snow hits the country,
many employers experience complaints from staff about the temperature in the workplace. There is a common misconception that there is a “legal minimum temperature”. There is no such minimum specified by the law. However, it is recommended by the Health and Safety Executive that the temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16deg C – or 13deg C if much of the work is physical. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment. The seventh of these regulations deals specifically with the temperature indoor workplaces and states: “During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. “However, the application of the regulation differs depending on the nature of the workplace i.e. a bakery, a cold store, an office, a warehouse.” The associated Approved Code Of Practice goes on to explain: “The temperature in workrooms should provide reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing.
RISKY BUSINESS Kevin Barrett
“Where such a temperature is impractical because of hot or cold processes, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a temperature which is as close as possible to comfortable”. “Workroom” means a room where people normally work for more than short periods. The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16deg C unless much of the work involves severe physical effort, in which case the temperature should be at least 13deg C. These temperatures may not, however, ensure reasonable comfort, depending on other factors such as air movement and relative humidity. If the temperature in a workroom is uncomfortably high, for example due to hot processes or the design of the building, all reasonable steps should be taken to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature, such as by shading
windows; insulating hot plants or pipes, providing an air-cooling plant, locating workstations away from places subject to radiant heat. If a reasonably comfortable temperature is unable to be attained throughout a workroom, local cooling should be provided. And in extremely hot weather fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling. If, despite the provision of local cooling, workers are exposed to temperatures that still don’t give reasonable comfort, suitable protective clothing and rest facilities should be provided. Also, where practical, systems of work should be implemented such as task rotation. This would ensure that the length of time for which individual workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures is limited.
Kevin Barrett is risk management consultant at Wilby Ltd
Firm lands major contract A CLECKHEATON manufacturer has secured a major order from one of the UK’s largest independent funeral directors. Ferno (UK) Ltd is to supply bespoke-designed 50 stretchers for AW Lymn The Family Funeral Service for use at its funeral homes across Nottinghamshire and South Derbyshire. Chris King, business development manager at Ferno, said the company’s ability to meet the customer’s exact requirements was crucial in securing the order. He said: “An increasing concern for those operating in the funeral sector – and indeed all the sectors we deal with – is the health and safety of employees whilst lifting and carrying and the prevention of related injuries. “Ferno is responding to this by developing products which are innovative and ultimately make life easier and safer for workers.” AW Lymn The Family Funeral Service has 24 sites in the East Midlands. Managing director Nigel Lymn Rose said: “We were looking for a new range of stretchers which were kitted out with the latest technology and innovations and would also help protect our employees from injuries whilst lifting and carrying.
Young ty get their
THE search is unde Britain’s best unive graduate businesse Nominations for the Enterprise Awards entrants compete fo investment and me will close on Janua potential entrants ju weeks to complete applications. The awards, now in year, are part of Llo Group’s commitme and growth firms. T to support the estim student businesses that are striving to m The competition is students or those w graduated within th who have been run for at least one yea age of 18. To enter, go to www enterpriseawards. A be shortlisted and c judging panel in on across England, Sc Wales, during Marc will be held in April Birmingham. All entrants will be two titles – Best Sta be awarded to a bu stages, and Best En will be awarded to t judged to show rea grow over the next All winners of the in get cash prizes of £ Start Up and £5,000 Enterprise and will entered for the nati The overall winner will be awarded a c £10,000 and the win Enterprise will be a prize of £50,000. All 16 regional and will receive a comp two-year mentoring involving senior exe Lloyds Banking Gro designed to provide support on critical such as planning an
Legal for are impr
■ DONE DEAL: Nigel Lymn-Rose (left) and Matthew Lymn-Rose (right), of AW Lymn The Family Funeral Service, pictured with Chris King and Penelope North, of Ferno (UK) Ltd “Ferno were able to meet our specific requirements, even able to incorporate our company logo on to each stretcher. The quality of the product is outstanding and customer service has been excellent
throughout.” Ferno offers a range of stretchers, trolleys and refrigeration units for the funeral and mortuary sector as well as after-sales service with repair and maintenance.
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NESS NEWS
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n their second oyds Banking ent to start-ups The awards aims mated 55,000 s across Britain make their mark. open to current who have he past five years nning a business ar and are over the
w.lloydstsb.com/ Applications will considered by a ne of eight finals cotland and ch. The grand final l at Edgbaston,
considered for art Up, which will usiness in its early nterprise which the business al potential to five years. nitial heats will £1,000 for Best 0 for Best be automatically ional final. of Best Start up cash prize of nner of Best awarded a cash
local
It’s tax planning – not avoidance AX avoidance schemes are a relatT ively hot topic at the moment and HM Revenue & Customs have pro-
duced guidance on what they mean by tax avoidance. They state: “Tax avoidance is bending the rules of the tax system to gain a tax advantage that Parliament never intended. It often involves contrived, artificial transactions that serve little or no purpose other than to produce a tax advantage. It involves operating within the letter – but not the spirit – of the law.” They make it clear that tax avoidance is not the same at tax planning, which involves using tax reliefs for the purpose for which they were intended. For example, claiming tax relief on capital investments, saving in a tax exempt ISA or claiming tax relief on pension contributions are all legitimate forms of tax planning. While such actions may reduce the total amount of tax paid, they are certainly not tax avoidance because they involve using tax reliefs in the way that Parliament intended when it passed the relevant legislation. Higher rate taxpayers naturally have the most to gain from tax planning. However, the Government has significantly reduced
CITY TALK Nick Gartland
the availability of tax relief for pension contributions and the amount one can shelter from tax within ISAs is also limited. So, what other steps can higher rate taxpayers take? Offshore investment bonds should be a key consideration for higher rate taxpayers as an investment portfolio which is held within an offshore bond will not be subject to either Capital Gains Tax or Income Tax, which in turn equates to an uplift of up to 66% on investment income for higher rate taxpayers. An investment portfolio within the bond can also be managed on a bespoke, discretionary basis so one would not be tied to what could be a limited range of funds available through the provider of the offshore bond.
n Yorkshire improvement in ording to a survey y. ored by Lloyds showed that e for legal firms in 2012 t 1% the previous profit per equity by 2% to £114,853
ngs, the survey umber of support r remained steady 66 firms polled staff last year, ent costs of
One is also able to take regular monthly withdrawals from the Bond of up to 5% per annum of the initial amount invested without any tax implications until the full value of the initial investment has been returned. This type of planning allows one to benefit from tax efficient investment returns for a significant period of time. Costs for Offshore Bonds have also fallen significantly over recent years so, for higher rate taxpayers who are maximising pension contributions and ISA allowances, serious thought should be given to holding a portfolio of investments in this way. Tax legislation is, of course, subject to change, so professional advice should always be taken in the first instance.
Nick Gartland, Senior Financial Planning Director, Investec Wealth & Investment
Ask gets the right answers A MARKETING agency in Huddersfield comes highly recommended. Ask Marketing Ltd is starting 2013 on a high after being awarded Recommended Agency Register accreditation. The independent mark of quality in the agency world, is a result of Ask’s clients spending time positively rating Ask for its market research services based on the work the agency has produced for them. Ask director Susan Kenyon said: “We are absolutely delighted to have RAR status. “This is testament to the hard work and determination of the team, building strong relationships with clients and producing a high quality standard of work which goes beyond the clients expectations. “We hope to build on this by continuing to deliver first class market research and marketing to both existing and new clients over the coming year.”
It’s time you got more from your accountant Thinking… outside the books
national winners prehensive g programme, ecutives from oup. This is e coaching and business issues nd finance.
rtunes roving
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added value services include… Tailored programme to maximise profitability ■ HAPPY BAND: Pictured with the new machine are (back from left) Nigel Allen, Richard Porter, Marvin Wedderburn and Matthew Fisher with (front) Giovanni Vassallo and Peter Hansell.
Tailored tax efficient solutions
Top drawer move
Regular updates & support to help your business
A FAMILY firm in Huddersfield has completed a key investment. Abbeymill, which has 13 people at its premises in Lincoln Street, has been manufacturing modern, contemporary and traditional fitted kitchens, bedrooms and living space furniture in the town for more than 36 years. The company has also developed a wide range of bespoke fitted furniture specifications with new door ranges being introduced to meet the requirements of a very diverse
national market. The latest move was to invest in a state-of-the-art banding and milling machine, which is used to stick PVC edging materials to cabinets in all shapes and sizes. Director Mike McGee said: “Despite the downturn, we have continued to grow and invest in both labour and machinery. “Investment in new technology ensures that ever-changing demand of the industry can be achieved, but skilled and loyal staff will always be a key factor.”
FREE use of our facilities for your meeting Support all day, every day
Call Freephone: 08000 32 32 03 and quote KBN /1211 to give us the chance to help you achieve your goals, or contact us through our website at:-
www.walker-sutcliffe.co.uk
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Page 6
Sixty-acre site up for sale A 60-acre site in Huddersfield is up for sale. The land at Crosland Hill forms the remainder of property owned by Foray 1088 Ltd, formerly Standard Holdings Ltd, and is being sold by joint administrative receivers Keith Hinds and Joe McLean, of Grant Thornton. The largest part of the land frames the Black Cat Fireworks site with frontages to Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Hill Road and Felks Stile Road. Walker Singleton Chartered Surveyors have been appointed to handle the sale.
Paul Andrew, associate in the commercial property department, said: “The site presents an extensive tract of land, elements of which are perceived as holding significant future development potential. “There has been long-standing interest in various areas within the site for diverse uses. The marketing campaign being undertaken will ensure all the options and alternatives are explored before a final sale is agreed, as a whole or in component plots.”
Employees hit the right key TEN employees at clayware company Naylor Industries have received certificates after completing a computer course. The certificates were presented by Edward Naylor, chief executive of the Cawthorne-based business, which draw many of its workers from Kirklees. Mr Naylor said: “It is vital that we equip our employees with the IT skills they need to develop their careers at Naylor. “Our business is no different
to the wider world – our dependency on technology grows every year and appropriate training is vital to ensure that we can realise the opportunities that this affords the company and our employees”. The employees – operatives and supervisors who undertook the training are Dan Wigley, Ian Taylor, Mike Stelling, Sarah Robinson, Kevin Broadhead, Adam Martin, Mark Pashley, Nick Hilton and Jason Whiteley.
Upon Instructions of K Hinds and J P McLean as Joint Administrative Receivers of Foray 1088 Limited.
FOR SALE
Land at Crosland Hill Huddersfield, HD4 7AD 1 24.84 Hectares (61.38 Acres) approximately 1 Significant Development Potential 1 Substantial Agricultural Land Holding 1 Available as a Whole or as Smaller Lots
■ PICTURE PRIZE: The Oakes Care Centre, which was officially opened by former Town footballer Denis Law, has now been shortlisted for an award
Award hopes A CARE home constructed by a Huddersfield property developer has been shortlisted for a national award. Meridian Healthcare-owned Oakes Care Home – the work of Brockholes-based developer Conroy Brook – is in the running for honours in the annual Pinders Healthcare Design Awards, which recognise design excellence in care homes throughout the UK. The Oakes has been shortlisted in the New Care Homes (Small) category. Conroy Brook began work on the care home in 2011 and completed on schedule in April last year. Former Huddersfield Town footballer Denis Law officially opened the facility in August and it is already 80% full. The Oakes has been designed on the site of a former local authority home and makes use of existing mature trees to create a beautiful landscaped garden. Residents living on the ground floor have large single bedrooms, each with an en-suite shower room and many with patio doors opening out onto the delightful patio and gardens. Residents with residential and dementia care needs are also welcomed at the home. Facilities for those with dementia include a village store offering old-fashioned sweets, twine and other useful everyday objects and memory boxes are located at every bedroom
door. The layout, carpets and furniture have been specially selected to support the needs of those with dementia. Conroy Brook and Meridian Healthcare are no strangers to these design awards, having received Best New Development Award for White Rose House at Holmfirth in 2005. Meridian managing director Susan Firth said: “Our vision for the care of older people has always been the provision of excellent quality care and facilities. “Having the design of our care centres recognised in this way is a fantastic testament to the effort and thought put in by everyone involved with our facilities.” Conroy Brook chief executive Richard Conroy said: “We are delighted that The Oakes has been shortlisted for this prestigious award and that we had the opportunity to work with Meridian once again. “The development has brought back to life a redundant site and we are proud to know that we have helped to create a vital facility that contributes to the health and wellbeing of the people of Kirklees.” The competition judges will visit The Oakes in early 2013. Winners in each category will be announced on March 21, 2013, at an event to be held in London.
Delays ‘costing jobs’ ALMOST 400 jobs have been lost in the insulation industry in Yorkshire since December – and delays in the introduction of the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation are to blame, according to an industry body. The Insulation Industry Forum said 397 people had lost their jobs in the region since last month while 100 were on notice. Last year, the IIF warned that up to 16,000 jobs – 45% of the sector – would be lost in the insulation industry due to delays in the implementation of the Green Deal and ECO
It said the Coalition Government had failed to respond to its call for a transition scheme to bridge the gap between the end of an existing subsidy scheme and the start of the new Green Deal and ECO schemes. John Sinfield, managing director of Knauf Insulation, Europe said: “We believe that up to 60,000 homes will not now get the insulation they need at the coldest time of the year, with insulation ordered for 34,235 homes cancelled due to lack of funding and enquiries for insulation in another 27,284 homes having been placed on hold.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Page 7
Busiest year for insulation firm A FIRM specialising in external wall insulation has completed its busiest year with order levels more than doubling over the previous 12 months. Holmfirth-based manufacturer Hanson Structherm now has its sights set on becoming the number one EWI supplier in the UK. Yvonne Coldwell, Hanson Structherm’s marketing manager, said: “We’ve had an incredible year, but are not resting on our laurels. “Our vision is to become the number one EWI supplier in the UK and we are confident we can achieve this by providing the best systems and customer service in the industry. “We are also ready to deliver Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation projects, which are set to boost orders further and we have introduced a free service to help our customers with their ECO funding proposals.” Hanson Structherm’s EWI systems are approved by the British Board of Agrément – the UK’s major authority offering approval and certification services to manufacturers and installers supplying the construction industry. Approval by the BBA confirms Hanson Structherm’s products have a minimum design life of 30 years and that their use improves the thermal performance of buildings, reducing CO2 emissions and ongoing energy costs for residents. The products are used for both low and
high rise projects and for all types of construction including solid brick, concrete, steel or timber frame. Hanson Structherm, based at Bent Ley Road, Meltham, has been providing innovative building solutions to the construction industry for more than 25 years, including external wall insulation, structural external wall insulation and the Fastbrick brick slip cladding system.
Commercial
The Commercial Inn, 43 Church Street, Paddock , Huddersfield 287m2 (3,091 sq ft) gross Highly prominent public house with alternative use potential (STP)
FOR SALE Commercial
291 Wakefield Road, Lepton Gross income £24,240 pax Mainly occupied commercial property (on inclusive agreements) immediately adjacent A642 Wakefield Road
FOR SALE
Price reduced to only £295,000
Industrial
Brook Mill, Crimble, Slaithwaite 3,305 m2 (35,576 sq ft) Large former multi occupied mill complex close to centre of Slaithwaite Total site area 0.81 acres with redevelopment potential (stp)
FOR SALE www.michaelsteel.co.uk
Re-available following abortive negotiations
All enquiries to Alec Michael at Michael Steel & Co on 0113 234 8999 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
■ FRONT OF HOUSE: Above – Hanson Structherm’s EWI systems help to improve the thermal performance of buildings, reducing CO2 emissions and ongoing energy cost. Above left – Yvonne Coldwell, marketing manager for Hanson Structherm,
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Zak Suleman & Tim Fletcher
Brighter Connections TWO key appointments have been made by a Huddersfield-based IT practice. Edgerton-based Brighter Connections has recruited Zak Suleman as a sales specialist and Tim Fletcher as a technical consultant. Managing director Darren Stringer said the appointments had been made to help drive the company’s growth in the education sector. Mr Suleman has a proven track record as a sales professional in the education sector, working on virtualisation projects and network refresh opportunities in schools. He also has specialist knowledge of VDI solutions, wireless technologies and storage and backup solutions. Mr Fletcher is a skilled systems architect and integrator with extensive project management and team leadership experience. He has 13 years experience working in the education sector, including being part of Manchester Children's Services technical team. The appointments come as Brighter Connections develops its specialised education division to help schools, academies, colleges and universities get significant benefits from their IT investment.
Adrian Waring
Huddersfield Volkswagen A MOTOR dealer in Huddersfield has a new manager. Adrian Waring (pictured) has been recruited to lead the team at Huddersfield Volkswagen. His first job was to oversee a full refurbishment of the Leeds Road site – which included a major facelift for the showroom, after-sales area and workshop to create a brighter environment incorporating digital showroom technology. Mr Waring, 41, who is married with three daughters, joined Volkswagen from BMW where he worked for the parent brand and Mini. He said: “I’m looking to consolidate Huddersfield Volkswagen’s position in the local area. This is a long-established business with an excellent reputation. We believe the new-look showroom will be a big hit with customers.”
Movers and shakers
No pressure for valve company A VALVE manufacturer has bucked the gloomy trend to recruit 16 new starters in three months. Brighouse-based Koso Kent Introl said the new appointments came as the company recorded a strong end to 2012. KKI manufactures and exports standard service control valves, severe service control valves, high-technology surface choke valves and high-performance rotary valves to the oil and gas, petrochemical and power industries worldwide. Sales director David Limb said: “I am delighted to announce these latest appointments that reflect the company’s continuing investment in its people, processes and innovative manufacturing. “We are developing the engineering business from our roots right here in Brighouse and growing our presence overseas in countries like Brazil. We look forward to building on this investment during 2013 and beyond.” Last October, KKI opened a hi-tech £2m machining centre at one of its Brighouse factories, representing a significant milestone for the company. It forms part of its Continuous Improvement Programme to achieve world-class engineering and manufacturing excellence for its oil and gas customers across the world. The new employees are working across the company’s three factories in Brighouse and include James Hatton and Jason White, who start as new apprentices. Other new starters include Darren East-
■ READY FOR WORK: Some of the new starters at Koso Kent Introl in Brighouse
wood, Leigh Grayson and Nigel Richardson as trainee fitters; Stephen Magowan as regional sales manager; Craig Smith, CNC operator; Andrew Ellis, fitter; Simon Fairburn, machine operator; Darren Lloyd, design engineer; Amy Ockwell, quality assurance administrator and technician; Christopher Pickering, graduate trainee;
Andrew Cliffe, workshop supervisor; Philip Brunt, project engineer; Karl Prust, draughtsman; and Michael Bryan as external spares sales engineer. KKI is owned by Japanese firm Nihon KOSO Co Ltd, a global leader in the controls and process automation systems market.
Hotel achieves 3-star status
Jonathan Riley
Grant Thornton BUSINESS and financial advisory firm Grant Thornton has appointed Jonathan Riley as head of tax. Mr Riley (pictured) is currently practice leader for Yorkshire and will take up his new post from April 1, when he succeeds Francesca Lagerberg, who will become global head of tax at Grant Thornton International. Mr Riley worked in the Civil Service, mainly as an inspector of taxes in Yorkshire and London before taking up a two-year secondment to the Department of Trade & Industry as tax policy adviser to the President of the Board of Trade. He has a career in taxation spanning 20 years.
Page 8
Tandem charity pledge TWO partners at a Huddersfield accountancy firm are back on their tandem to raise cash for charity. Karen Borowski (above, right) and Jennifer Davies (left), of Revell Ward, based at Market Street, has set out their stall to complete 13 charity bike rides during 2013 after taking part in Huddersfield Town’s Pedal4Pounds charity bike ride last year, which raised thousands of pounds for the Elland-based Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Said Jennifer: “We enjoyed all the training for P4P3 last year, despite all
the bad weather. We raised a lot of money for the Keep It Up campaign and this year we would like to benefit even more charities.” The duo plan to set up a fund to benefit a number of local charities – so any charities wanting to be a part of the action are welcome to put their case forward for consideration. Said Karen: “Revell Ward is known for its charity specialism and we want to keep the fun in fundraising. “We will do our best to support up to 13 charities this year.”
A HUDDERSFIELD town centre hotel has been given three-star accreditation. The Huddersfield Central Lodge, Beast Market, has been upgraded from Guest Accommodation to 3-Star Metro Hotel following “incognito” overnight inspections from the AA and tourism body VisitEngland. The criteria which must be met for this award is the same as other officially accredited 3-star hotels. The only difference is that where a full restaurant facility is not available, there must be a wide and varied selection of restaurants within a 10-minute walk. Joe Marsden, who runs the hotel with his brother Johnny, said guests who didn’t wish to eat in town could choose from an extensive room service menu throughout the evening. To provide the service, two extra staff had been employed, one part-time and one full-time who worked at the George Hotel until its recent closure. Joe Marsden said: “We are delighted with our new accreditation.” The demise of the George Hotel means Huddersfield Central Lodge is the only 3-star hotel in the town centre.