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JILL HAGUE Global ambitions
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Students make an impact with firms STUDENTS at Huddersfield University are making an impact in the jobs market. Latest figures from the annual Destination of Leaver in Higher Education survey show that 94.9% of the university’s students are in work or have moved onto further study within six months of graduation. And a new Huddersfield firm has shown its belief in the calibre of students at the university by offering work placements to five of them. Figures compiled in 2011 by the Higher Education Statistics Agency placed the university sixth in the UK for post-graduation employment levels. The new DLHE figures show a marginal fall of 0.3% in the rate of “positive outcomes” for Huddersfield graduates, compared with the previous year – but in the context of the weak economy, the latest findings are regarded as highly positive. Stephen Boyd, of the university’s careers and employability services, said: “These latest figures clearly demonstrate that yet again the university has maintained its position as one of the strongest performing universities in terms of employability. “Despite what is now a double-dip recession, our graduates have continued to shine in the labour market and
■ WORK PARTY: Huddersfield University business students (from left) Chris Nightingale, Erika Jaselaityte, Daniel Cole and Jamie Whiteley
these figures are still among the best in the sector.” “A number of factors are responsible for this strong showing, not least our multi award-winning careers and placement support, but also the selection of the courses on offer, our focus on integrated work experience, strong links to the professions and clear career-track pathways into graduate-level jobs.” Meanwhile, JAM Business Media, based at Lindley, has offered paid work placements to five Huddersfield University students. The company,
founded in May, 2010, offers expert advice and help on marketing via digital media, plus services such as website design. Company boss Matt Hill was a professional footballer with clubs including Sheffield United before making a career switch into sales and marketing. Keen to involve JAM with the local community and to offer employment opportunities, he met and interviewed a large number of business students at the university who were seeking work placements, which are an integral part
of their degree studies. “I was very impressed with all of them, for their mindset as well as their academic background,” said Mr Hill. But he was forced to whittle his final selection down to five. The five – Chris Nightingale, Erika Jaselaityte, Daniel Cole, Jamie Whiteley and James Shaw – will be principally managing online advertising campaigns for clients. Mr Hill said he hoped to be able to offer permanent posts to some of the students after they have completed their courses, saying: “I am really excited at the prospect of working alongside young people with fresh minds and new ideas and I think that they too will learn a lot over the next 12 months.” The five recruits are all students at the university’s business school, taking a range of degree courses, including marketing, accountancy and entrepreneurial skills. University work placement officer Andrew Stainton said it was unprecedented for one company to recruit such a large number of students. “For the students, it is about gaining experience, putting their knowledge into practice, developing skills and improving long-term employability,” he said. “The firm gains enthusiasm, ideas and new perspectives.”
Companies ‘well-placed’ to meet future shocks
■ UPTURN: Simon Manning, of Deloitte
YORKSHIRE manufacturing firms are showing signs of resilience, it is claimed. Latest official figures show that 102 manufacturing firms entered administration nationally in the first quarter of 2012, down by 17 on the same period in 2010. Business advisory firm Deloitte said the action taken by firms since the recession has made them better equipped to cope with future shocks. The improvement in the administration figures comes despite the latest Government statistics showing manufacturing output fell by 0.9% in March, 2012, compared with the year before. But even before the economy returned to
negative growth, manufacturers across Yorkshire – who employ 260,000 people – had been taking steps to preserve cash, manage costs and streamline their business in order to survive the prolonged period of weak demand in the wider economy. Ongoing uncertainty in the eurozone which accounts for more than £6bn of exports from Yorkshire, together with weak demand at home and a rise in energy and raw material costs have forced manufacturers to take defensive steps to protect their business, Deloitte said – by ending production of less profitable or loss-making lines in order to focus on higher margin products in order to survive.
Simon Manning, manufacturing partner at Deloitte in Yorkshire, said: “Manufacturing firms across Yorkshire have been faced with many hard decisions over recent years but in the absence of strong growth in the wider economy they have had little option other than to cut costs. “The latest manufacturing administration figures show the steps taken by the sector have made it better-placed to survive a downturn in the economy. “Although conditions are unlikely to improve in the near future these streamlined firms will be well placed to take advantage of the upturn when demand returns.”
INSIDE Exhibition space A PRESTIGIOUS design exhibition will visit Huddersfield University – after one of its lecturers took part in an international competition. Dr David Swann’s design for a super-efficient and super-safe treatment bag for mobile health workers was entered for the INDEX bi-annual design competition in Denmark. Now the INDEX exhibition’s world tour will include a stop-off at Huddersfield this summer.
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London calling TWO leading marketers from Huddersfield who launched their own creative design agency 10 years ago have sold the business to a London-based company for an undisclosed sum. Directors Steven Lucker and Paul Driver established Social UK Ltd in 2002 and have since built up an impressive portfolio of clients including Hilton Hotels, Capital Radio and Universal Music.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Ryanair in warning over fuel cost hike RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary unveiled record profits for the airline – but admitted it is unlikely there will be a repeat performance this year. The Dublin-based carrier flew 75.8m passengers in the year to March 31 – an increase of 5% on a year earlier – helping it to lift net profits by 25% to £405m. A 30% jump in fuel costs was offset by a 16% rise in average fares, partly due to the grounding of 80 aircraft over the winter, while ancillary revenues such as in-flight sales surged by 11% to £714.7m. Ryanair expects passenger numbers to rise by another 5% this year, but with its fuel bill increasing by another £258m it has warned that profits this year were likely to be in the range of £323m to £355m. Mr O’Leary said the combination of rising oil prices and EU-wide recession would continue to hurt the sector after
■ FLIGHT PATH: Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary unveiled record profits for the airline but admitted it is unlikely there will be a repeat performance this year
the failures over the last year of carriers Malev in Hungary, Spanair and Cimber Sterling in Denmark. He said: “We expect more European failures in 2012 as higher oil prices and
Soft drinks firm bucks the trend THE company behind fizzy drink Irn-Bru has defied the downturn with an increase in sales this year. AG Barr’s revenue increased by 4.3% between February and May against the same period in 2011. The firm, based in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, said it was a robust figure in the face of a wet April, which hit high street footfall and the “challenging soft drinks market in general”. The figures were published in an interim management statement before the firm’s annual meeting. The group, whose brands also include Rubicon fruit juices and Strathmore water, said it expected
costs to continue to go up – but that a strategy was in place to make sure profit margins were not hit too hard. Plans to create a production and warehousing facility in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, are also making “good progress”. The statement said: “We have started the new financial year with all of our core brands performing well in difficult market conditions. “During the course of the period the unseasonal weather for the time of year has impacted the market and a period of more normal conditions will now be required to bring the market back into growth.”
recession continues to expose failed airline models as well as sub-scale or peripheral carriers.” Mr O’Leary said that despite the rising number of airline failures, many
of Europe’s governments continued to treat the sector and airline passengers as a “cash cow” to fund taxation. He said: “UK air passenger duty has caused traffic to decline by 6% since 2007, while the UK Government’s “do nothing” policy about runway capacity in the South East is encouraging traffic and tourism to bypass high-cost London airports in favour of expanding airports in Spain, France and Holland.” Ryanair operates more than 1,500 flights a day from 51 bases across 28 countries. It has a fleet of 294 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a further 11 on order and employs 8,500 people. Staff costs increased by 12% to £334m during the financial year, reflecting an 11% rise in the number of hours flown and a company-wide pay hike of 2% in April last year.
Link-up goes by the book WATERSTONE’S unveiled a partnership with internet giant Amazon in a move that will see it offer Kindle e-reading devices through its shops. Amazon’s ultra-low prices have long been blamed for the demise of high street booksellers, but Waterstones boss James Daunt said he hoped the digital agreement will “complement and strengthen” the traditional attributes of the shops. The 30-year-old chain, which has stores at New Street and Kingsgate in Huddersfield, is undergoing a major refurbishment which includes dedicated digital areas, free wi-fi access and new coffee shops.
As well as selling Amazon’s e-reading device, Waterstones will offer other Kindle digital services. Mr Daunt said: “At Waterstones, we are committed to improving our bookshops quite radically to offer the best possible book-buying experience. It is a truly exciting prospect to harness also the respective strengths of Waterstones and Amazon to provide a dramatically better digital reading experience for our customers.” Waterstones, with 294 stores in the UK and Ireland, was sold last year by HMV to Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut for £53m.
Page 2 Pressure on M&S MARKS & Spencer boss Marc Bolland is set to come under increased pressure from investors today as the retail chain unveils its first fall in annual profits for three years. Despite efforts to pull in customers with celebrity-laden advertising campaigns, featuring actors Joanna Lumley and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, sales of general merchandise have fallen in the last year. Mr Bolland, who is reportedly set to pocket a combined pay package of about £6m this year, has been told by analysts that sales targets he set in November, 2010, may be too ambitious. The squeeze on household incomes in the UK, where M&S has 700 stores, is likely to take some of the blame for the weaker performance, but a failure to keep up with fashion rivals such as Next and Primark, is also at the root of its problems. Nick Bubb, independent retail analyst, said: “In all, he has not delivered the sales he needs with his three-year target. The focus is on whether he will admit that the year has started badly.” The group is forecast to report a 3% fall in pre-tax profits to £694m in the year to the end of March, while sales are likely to be about £9.9bn. Mr Bolland is expected to step back from his goal to boost sales to between £11.2bn and £12.2bn by 2014 as the economic climate shows no sign of improving.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £35.65 +0.58 Gannett 821.62 +1.27 Hess Corp £28.77 +0.53 Microsoft 1864.79 +12.03 Motors Liquidation 47.47 Wal-Mart Stores £39.69 +0.17 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 296 -11/2 BAE Systems 2713/4 -1/8 Rolls-Royce 801 -31/2 AIM Brady Plc 821/2 Dawson Intl 13/8 Man Brnze 225/8 -3/8 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1863/8 +37/8 BANKS Barclays 180 +37/8 HSBC 5133/8 +33/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 263/8 +1/2 3 Ryl Scotland 20 /4 +3/4 1 Stan Chart 1328 /2 +42 BEVERAGES Diageo 1508 +121/2 SABMiller £241/2 +3/8 CHEMICALS Croda £211/2 +1/2 Elementis 98 1983/4 -1/4 1 Johnsn Mat £21 /4 +3/8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2631/2 +33/4
Costain
202 +1 ELECTRICITY Drax Gp 5521/2 -151/2 Intl Power 4183/4 +1/8 SSE 1325 -8 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 1821/2 -27/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 337 -1/2 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2031/4 -3/4 Cable & Wireless 281/2 -1/2 Comm 7 Cable & Wireless 34 /8 +3/8 Wwide Colt Group 1121/2 +11/2 KCOM 69 +3/8 3 Talktalk Telecom 151 /4 -3 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2703/8 -3/4 Sainsbury 2921/2 -1/4 1 Tesco 311 /8 -21/2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1184 +11 Tate Lyle 6571/2 +1 Unilever £201/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3105/8 -43/8 National Grid 669 +21/2 Pennon Grp 718 Severn 1644 -11 United Utils 6171/2 -5
GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 1701/4 -23/4 ICAP 3435/8 +51/4 London StockExch 999 +7 Man Group 783/4 +31/2 Provident Financial 1070 -14 Schroders 1181 +7 Schroders NV 9861/2 +111/2 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 652 +61/2 REXAM 4027/8 +37/8 Smiths Grp 1011 +131/2 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 22 +7/8 Carphone Whse 131 5 Dixons Retail 13 /8 -1/8 Home Retail 765/8 +2 Inchcape 3231/4 +111/8 Kingfisher 2731/4 +21/8 1 M&S 338 /4 +11/4 Mothercare 1611/2 -2 Next £291/4 +1/4 1 WH Smith 499 /8 +21/8 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 5811/2 +11/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 681/8 +3/8 Barrat Dev 1181/4 +11/8 Persimmon 5481/2 -11/2 Reckitt Benckiser £34 +1/8 3 Taylor Wimpey 41 /8 +1/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 8811/2 +23
INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2181/8 +71/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1853/4 -33/4 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 2681/4 +33/8 Lgl & Gen 1087/8 +1/4 5 Old Mutual 139 /8 +1/4 Prudential 670 +41/2 Resolution 2005/8 +41/4 Standard Life 2043/8 +27/8 MEDIA BSkyB 6951/2 +10 D Mail Tst 4017/8 -15/8 ITV 791/2 +5/8 1 Johnston Press 6 /4 +1/4 Pearson 1141 +4 3 +3/8 Reed Elsevier 491 /4 STV Group 101 -6 Trinity Mirror 28 +13/4 Utd Business 524 -31/2 UTV 131 WPP 7751/2 +81/2 Yell Group 31/8 MINING Anglo American £201/4 Antofagasta 1030 -5 BHP Billiton 1717 +121/2 Eurasian Natural 4615/8 +33/4 Res Fresnillo 1319 -39 Kazakhmys 707 +131/2 1 Lonmin 776 /2 -11/2 Rio Tinto £281/4 +3/8
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
3453/4 851/2 669 1503
-41/4 +1/4 +21/2 +37
closed at at FTSE closed
5304.48 Up 36.86 VEDANTA 1008 +491/2 RESOURCES Xstrata 943 +281/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 3953/4 +47/8 Vodafone Group 165 +3/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1088 -2 RSA Insurance Gp 983/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1261 +151/2 BP 3955/8 +35/8 Cairn Energy 2943/8 +83/8 1 Royal Dutch Shell A 1983 /2 +11/2 1 Royal Dutch Shell B £20 /2
Total £28 Tullow Oil 1373 +37 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 970 +20 Petrofac 1520 +34 Wood Gp(J) 709 +231/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1394 +21 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £261/2 +3/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 3 Shire 1909 -6 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4955/8 +67/8 Captl Shop Cent 3113/8 +31/4 Hamrsn 4171/4 +73/8 Land Secs 721 +31/2 1 SEGRO 217 /8 +1/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 2121/4 +11/4 Logica 655/8 +1 Misys 349 +43/8 Sage Group 2533/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 4691/2 -1 Bunzl 9931/2 +31/2 Capita 6161/2 +10 De La Rue 1004 +2 Electrocomp 2081/4 +13/8 Experian 880 +10 G4S 2711/8 +1/8 Hays 731/8 -11/2 3 Homeserve 227 /8 +5/8
Menzies J 575 Rentokil 781/4 Smiths News 943/4 Wolseley £211/2 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 478 Psion 551/2 Spirent Comms 1511/8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £301/4 Imperial Tobacco £241/8 LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital 1251/8 Carnival 1992 Compass Grp 628 easyJet 4943/4 Enterprise Inns 671/2 FirstGroup 2021/2 Go-Ahead Gp 1104 Greene King 4753/4 Intercontl Htls 1410 Intl Cons Airlines 1443/4 Gp Ladbrokes 1615/8 Mitchells & Butlers 2341/4 Natl Express 1941/4 Rank Org 1211/2 Stagecoach Group 2341/4 TUI Travel 168 Whitbread 1794 INDEX FTSE 100 5304.48 INDEX FTSE 250 10435.51
-91/2 -1 +3/4 +1/4 +8 +1/2 +1/2 +1/8
+5/8 +23 +12 +7 +4 +13/4 -27 -1/4 +15 +21/8 +1/8 +31/4 -21/8 -1/2 -13/4 +11/2 +8 +36.86 +3.61
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.52 dollars Bangladesh................. 121.96 taka Brazil.............................. 2.86 reals Canada....................... 1.53 dollars China ............................. 8.94 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.66 korunas Denmark....................... 8.75 krone Euro............................... 1.18 euro Hong Kong................ 11.65 dollars Hungary................... 330.43 forints India.......................... 76.11 rupees Japan........................... 119.31 yen Mexico ....................... 19.40 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.94 dollars Norway ......................... 8.98 krone Pakistan.................. 135.64 rupees Philippines ................. 58.48 pesos South Africa................. 12.29 rand South Korea.............. 1611.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 193.33 rupees Sweden....................... 10.76 krona Switzerland.................. 1.42 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.82 dollars Turkey....................... 2.73 new lira USA ............................ 1.51 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS HELEN Straw admits to a fleeting feeling of panic when she decided to set up her own business after several years working in the public sector. That moment came after husband David had finished equipping Helen’s “office” at their Holmfirth home. She says: “I walked in and saw the empty desk and thought – what have I done? “But, in fact, I have never looked back. It has been absolutely fantastic. With a lot of hard work and determination, I have made The Personnel Partnership really successful.” Helen launched the business 11 years ago after working in human resources with Kirklees Council. With both her parents having their own businesses, it seemed perfectly natural to follow in their footsteps. “From my being little they have had their own businesses,” she says. “It has always been a case of juggling family life and business. “My first job was helping out in my parents’ newsagents. As soon as I could see over the counter I was helping fill the sweet trays and stack the magazines.” Helen has built up her business through recommendation and word-of-mouth as well as through connections with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the now-defunct Business Link. She works across all business sectors and with firms employing between three and 150 staff. Before the birth of son Charlie, who is now two, Helen’s work took her across the UK – to firms in Aberdeen, Cornwall and Northern Ireland. Now she strikes a sound work-life balance by focusing on clients in the Yorkshire and Greater Manchester areas. The recession brought a rash of redundancy-related assignments – as well as work surrounding short-time working and lay-offs – as companies looked to cut their staffing costs. “They are difficult circumstances for the employer and the employee,” says Helen. “I have also been doing a lot of work around performance management as companies try to make sure their team works to the best of their potential.” While fewer companies are now looking for HR advice on how to cut jobs, many are now focusing on issues such as sickness absence, intermittent absence, employee engagement and motivating the workforce. “Communication is the main thing,” says Helen. “It is about employers engaging with the workforce and keeping employees abreast of key business issues. “If employees are kept ‘in the loop’ they feel more valued and perform better.”
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Home win for busy Helen As employment law becomes ever more complicated, Helen says: “In terms of HR, companies need to get the basics in place such as contracts of employment, policies and procedures and use that as a foundation to build on.” Helen, who was born in Horbury and grew up in Wakefield first worked as a nanny and went to London when she was 18 to be a nanny for a wealthy Canadian family living in Chelsea. She says: “After A-levels at Wakefield College I decided I didn’t want to go to university at that point. “I had taken languages at school and thought I would go abroad and be a nanny. I went to London to get some experience.” She spent summer with the family at their home in Ontario and when they decided to return to their homeland permanently they asked Helen if she would joint them.
■ VALUE: Helen Straw of The Personnel Partnership says HR is more than just legal issues
“I had a whale of the time in London, but I wasn’t sure that going with them would be a good move,” she says. “Instead, I came back to Yorkshire and worked for a company, providing cover for staff in payroll – and that’s how I ‘fell’ into HR. I got my next job as an HR assistant and found that I really enjoyed it.” Helen took a degree at Huddersfield University and gained qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She graduated in 1994. She also met husband David at the age of 19 and the couple have been together ever since. They moved to Holmfirth 14 years ago. Asked what appeals about her job, Helen says: ““I am a real people person. I have always got on well with people and it seemed to be my real forte. “One of the best things about working in HR is that it is so varied. You don’t know who will ring up. I talk to training providers, legal contacts and clients. “One moment I’m dealing with maternity leave issues and the next I’m devising an HR strategy for a company. “Some businesses think that HR is just about legal compliance. It is much more than that. “HR consultancy can add value in so many ways by helping devise a strategy to help the business grow and realise its investment in its employees.” Away from work, Helen enjoys weekly pilates sessions, baking chocolate brownies with Charlie and taking the family’s chocolate Labrador Bliss on long walks around Cannon Hall. Says Helen: “I try to work on weekdays and save the
Helen Straw Role: Director Age: 43 Family: Married to David with son Charlie, two Holidays: Portugal, Northumberland and Centre Parcs Car: BMW X1 First job: Working for my parents’ newsagency business. Best thing about job: Making a difference in terms of HR and working with some lovely people Worst thing about job: I can’t think of anything! Business tip: Make sure HR is at the heart of your business weekends for the family – but it doesn’t always work that way! “I also meet up regularly with friends and the mothers I got to know through the National Childbirth Trust.” Helen is a member of networking group Brighouse Link and will deliver a performance management workshop to the group at its meeting on May 30. She is also a member of the Business Network in Wakefield and attends employment law updates delivered by her legal contacts as well as CIPD events when she has time. And she long ago got over her trepidation about working from home.
Says Helen: “It allows for flexible working around Charlie – and means I can do household stuff in between!. “When I first started working from home, people asked if I wasn’t tempted just to sit and watch television all day. “But I am very self-disciplined. I think I would find it incredibly difficult to work nine to five in an office because I love the flexibility. “There’s nothing better on a sunny day than sitting in the garden with my laptop and mobile – and with Bliss snoozing at my feet.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
HMRC Crackdown on Online Sales
The Personnel Partnership Work: Providing advice and support on HR issues Site: Holmfirth Phone: 01484 662536 Email: helen@the personnelpartnership .co.uk Website: www.thepersonnel partnership. co.uk
On the board with
HMRC issued compulsory notices to online auction sites (inc. eBay, Autotrader, Amazon & Gumtree) requiring them to provide detailed information about their members. Simultaneously, HMRC has also implemented a voluntary disclosure regime for online traders who, as of yet, have not been declaring their income. The regime invites online traders to register their intention to disclose by 14 June and to make full disclosure by 14 September 2012.
Revell Ward Tip: Make sure you are not caught out - what constitutes trading may not be as clear cut as you think. If you think that your online activities may constitute a trade, speak to a tax advisor now about making a voluntary disclosure.
Lesley Sutton Tax Director
01484 538 351
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Medical equipment firm’s starring role A CLECKHEATON company manufacturing medical equipment has had more than its 15 minutes of fame – thanks to numerous television appearances this year. Over the past few weeks, eagle-eyed viewers will have seen Ferno (UK) Ltd’s Ferno Pioneer Trolley and Model 71 stretcher in the latest advert for Mars chocolate bars as medics rush to the aid of England’s goalkeeper during a penalty shoot-out. Long-running medical dramas Holby City and Casualty also feature Ferno products while earlier this year the company featured in the Channel 5’s Big Body Squad, a fly-on-the wall documentary about the challenges faced by the medical profession with overweight patients. Ferno stretchers and other medical equipment appear on TV channels almost weekly at televised sporting events. The Ferno Model 71 basket stretcher is often used to carry injured footballers off the field of play and earlier this year a Ferno basket stretcher appeared at the Oxford and Cambridge boat race after bowman Alex Wood
collapsed from exhaustion. Ferno managing director Jon Ellis said: “When we see our stretchers and trolleys on television being used at sporting events around the country, it is a testament to Ferno being one of the most trusted manufacturers of safety and health equipment in the industry. “We regularly see our products being used in the hospital dramas, but it was a great surprise when we saw our stretcher and trolley pop up in the new Mars advert. It is always a boost when we see our products on the small screen.” Ferno, which has been trading for 40 years, is a global leader in the manufacture and distribution of emergency patient-handling equipment and mortuary products. It exports to more than 95 countries worldwide and employs 80 staff at its UK headquarters on West 26 Industrial Estate.
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Step out on global stage BANKER’S BLOG Jill Hague
SBC has announced further H support to UK business following on from its £4bn International
SME fund, with the launch of Global Connections, a global initiative from HSBC focused on highlighting the importance of international business in today’s global economy. In the UK, the top 10 international and innovative businesses could be awarded a share in £60m worth of funding – up to £6m lending each – linked to a financial reward of up to £120,000 for the 10 finalists and £240,000 for final winner. The finalists will also be invited to take part in International Exchanges for networking and business development. Through regular meetings with businesses, I am fortunate enough to see the huge entrepreneurial spirit that exists for business in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. They often talk to me about how international opportunities are critical to the future success of their businesses; however their key question is how to identify and fund them. Our Global Connections initiative seeks to help UK businesses compete at the forefront of international trade. Not only can we help through providing funding but also through introducing them to other entrepreneurial businesses both in the UK and around the world. Once you bring businesses together, you can tangibly see partnerships forming as they share challenges, insights, and find synergies to help each other grow. It is a privilege to facilitate these connections and to help local businesses achieve success on a global scale. At HSBC, we’ve previously taken busi-
nesses from across the UK to “Thought Exchange” trips in some of the world’s most dynamic areas of economic growth – Hong Kong, Brazil, New York, United Arab Emirates and Paris - allowing them to meet other businesses and investigate international trade opportunities. This year, it is linked into a global initiative allowing even more businesses to connect but the competition element will be unique for UK businesses. This is a great opportunity for businesses to learn from other companies involved in international trade and put together a network that offers the chance to expand and grow on the global stage. The funding on offer will also help enterprises build on their success by recognising where to concentrate their energies and which skills they need to develop. We’re inviting forward thinking, ambitious UK businesses to demonstrate the quality of their thinking and the ability to put that thought into action. We’ll then be selecting a shortlist of 10 finalists, chosen by a panel of judges, and inviting them to attend one of two high profile International Exchanges in either the USA or UAE. Back in the UK, all of the Global Connections finalists will be given the opportunity to build their business pitch, applying the insights gained on their International Exchange with the overall winner receiving a financial reward of up to £240,000 Businesses will be able to submit an application detailing their business plans and funding requirements online at www.hsbc.uk/globalconnections by closing day Friday, July 13, 2012.
Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield
It’s sweet success ICE cream producer Yummy Yorkshire has been appointed to supply York’s latest visitor attraction, Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story. The Denby Dale-based company has also landed a deal to supply award-winning independent gourmet food store Lewis & Cooper. Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story, which showcases the city’s confectionery-making heritage, will sell a selection of Yummy Yorkshire’s ice cream flavours on the cone including Midnight Mint, Double White Chocolate, Chocolate Wafer and Jaffa Cake. Beckie Senior, of Chocolate – York’s Sweet Story, said: “As we tell the story of the confectionery manufacturers of York, we felt it important to source quality products from supply partners in York
and the Yorkshire region and that we chose flavours that reflected the long history of chocolate in York. “Yummy Yorkshire’s ice cream passed our rigorous taste tests with flying colours and we are very proud to sell their products in the Chocolate Bar.” In a separate move, Yummy Yorkshire will be supplying take-away tubs of ice cream to the Harrogate branch of the award-winning independent gourmet food store Lewis & Cooper. Up to 15 different flavours will be available, including Yummy Yorkshire’s award-winning Liquorice, Salted Caramel, Blueberry and Beetroot ice cream. Jeremy Holmes, co-founder of Yummy Yorkshire, said: “We are thrilled to be supplying two such prestigious sites.”
Design firm finds a buyer
TWO leading marketers from Huddersfield who launched their own creative design agency 10 years ago have sold their business to London-based Zone Design and Marketing Ltd. Directors Steven Lucker and Paul Driver established Social UK Ltd in 2002 and have since built up an impressive portfolio of clients including Hilton Hotels, Capital Radio and Universal Music. The deal, which was advised by the Leeds office of law firm Irwin Mitchell and accountancy firm RSM Tenon, sees Zone Design and Marketing acquire Social UK’s share capital for an undisclosed sum. Led by managing director Robin Horrex, Zone Design was launched in 2006 and boasts a client list including Bayer, Carlsberg, PepsiCo and Kraft. Acting on behalf of Social UK, Paul Johnson, corporate partner at the Leeds office of Irwin Mitchell said: “Social UK has built up an impressive list of clients. Indeed over the last few years, it has been involved with some significant re-branding exercises for some well-known global organisations. “Social’s blue chip clients complements Zone’s existing customer base and I’m confiden that the combined organisation will be even stronger. “This deal is one of a number in the sector that we have worked on recently and is another example of consolidation in the sector.”
Clearing up a taxation issue
CONSULTANTS and contractors across Kirklees will see clearer guidelines to determine their tax liabilities from this month, says a local specialist. Nick Brook, who runs TaxAssist Accountants at Lockwood, said new HM Revenue & Customs guidelines on “disguised employment” were being piloted from this month. He said: “There are thousands of consultants and contractors across the district, particularly in the education, healthcare, IT, clerical, engineering, legal, accountancy and construction sectors, who are genuinely self-employed and have legitimately set up limited companies. “But for a long time they have lived in fear of being caught by IR35 legislation because there has always been so much confusion about the rules.” He said: “The new guidelines aim to bring long-overdue clarity for people who carry out genuine freelance work and will be welcome news for many businesses in Kirklees.”
NESS NEWS
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So, feeling harassed? EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Neil Wilson
HE Equality Act harmonised and T consolidated various anti-discrimination legislation into a single Act in
2010. Amongst the provisions included, the Government was keen to put into statute the right for an employee to make a claim for harassment in the employment tribunal in respect of treatment suffered from a third-party outside of their employer’s business. Currently, an employer is liable for the harassment of employees by third parties – such as customers and visitors – where it occurs in the course of their employment, where the employer failed to take reasonably practicable steps to prevent the harassment and where the employer had knowledge that the employee had been harassed on at least two other occasions by the third party. The Government has now launched a consultation on the proposal to remove the third-party harassment provisions. It is suggested that this is unnecessary regulation which does not serve any real need, given the potential for an employee to bring alternative claims if they feel they have been subjected to harassment. The focus of the consultation is to make it clear that employees will still have avenues open to them to challenge such acts of harassment. Firstly, the employer has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment. There is also a requirement to undertake risk assessments, which could relate to customers and external parties entering the business. If this duty is breached, an employee may be able to bring a claim for negligence as a result of a breach of the employer’s duty of care. However, the weakness to this claim is
that the employee must have suffered actual physical or psychological injury – currently in harassment claims there is no necessity to show injury. Alternatively, an employee may consider bringing a constructive dismissal claim on the basis that the harassment amounts to a breach of contract entitling them to treat the contract as at an end. However, the employee is disadvantaged here as they would have to leave their employment to present the claim, unlike if they were to challenge the harassment under the current provisions of the Equality Act. An employee is not permitted to claim compensation for injury to feelings or personal injury caused by the harassment in a constructive dismissal claim either. The employee may have a right of redress under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which is a civil and criminal offence. However, such a claim would have to be brought against the third party directly (and not the employer) so much would depend on the viability of running a claim against an individual rather than a corporate entity. Finally, the general harassment provisions under the Equality Act may still benefit an employee who is suffering third-party harassment. If an employee can show that they have suffered unwanted conduct on the basis of a relevant protected characteristic and this has the purpose of violating their dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them, they could bring a claim for harassment under the Equality Act 2010. On the basis of the drawbacks identified above, this is likely to be the route most employees attempt to take if the Government’s proposals go ahead and the third-party harassment provisions are removed.
Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Success for CKMA MEMBERS of the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance enjoyed a very successful evening when the organisation staged a Meet the Buyer event in Huddersfield. Buyers from more than 11 businesses from the area were introduced to 20 suppliers of various products and services during the event, which was held at the Briar Court Hotel, Birchencliffe. The event followed a “speed dating” format with each potential supplier having a 10-minute opportunity to get in front of the buyers of their choice. Organisers said the
format created a real buzz in the room with both buyers and suppliers taking away useful new contacts to follow up. Martin Booth, director of Witt UK Group, who came along as a buyer, said: “I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the suppliers who offered a good cross section of industries.” Philippa Coultish, steering group member for CKMA, said: “CKMA is an organisation run by manufacturers for manufacturers and is committed to help to strengthen the connections between local businesses for mutual benefit.”
local
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■ SPECTACULAR: Kirklees Music School business development officer Becky Coulthard (left) with (from left) graphic design teacher James Armitage; students Billy Fairclough and Mathew Gadd; and Nikki Taylor from the Engine Room
Students’ stadium project GRAPHIC design students in Huddersfield have created a brand identity for a summer spectacular at the Galpharm Stadium. The GCSE students from the Creative and Media Studio School at Rawthorpe’s Netherhall Learning Campus, created a logo and support materials for the Stadium Spectacular 2012 event with the guidance and direction of brand design agency The Engine Room. The work included posters,
advertising banners, tickets and a full event programme. Stadium Spectacular 2012 takes place on Friday, June 29, when more than 4,500 young people from more than 110 schools across Kirklees will take part in a music and dance showcase to an audience of 8,000-plus celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games. Year 11 students Billy Fairclough and Mathew
Gadd worked on the project, which was kicked off with a client meeting to discuss the brief and Kirklees Music School’s requirements. The students then visited The Engine Room’s studio at The Media Centre, Northumberland Street, to see the team in action and “brainstorm” further. They then designed the poster, banner and tickets with the guidance and direction of the Huddersfield agency.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
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Take-up slows for industry sites ■ CUP WINNERS: Business development executives Jim Olejnik and Sarah Dyson at the new premises of Coopers Coffee
New premises for coffee firm AN award-winning coffee roaster and supplier has moved to new premises. Coopers Coffee welcomed 40 customers and local residents at an event to officially open the new site at Linsit Court, Off Colliers Way, Clayton West. They were treated to a tour of the new modern facilities and were given an exclusive first look at the company’s brand new logo, which will be rolling out across all its products. Coopers has moved from its previous site at Bradley, where it had been based for 22 years. The company supplies more than 500 independently owned cafés and restaurants across Yorkshire and the North East. Coopers is owned by United Coffee UK & Ireland, which roasts more than 8,000 tonnes of coffee a year and works with some of the best-known and most successful retailers, food service providers and independent outlets.
PROPERTY experts have reported a slowdown in the take-up of industrial premises in Yorkshire. The latest survey by agency DTZ showed that take-up in the region reached just 40% of the quarterly average during the first quarter of 2012. Nationally, take-up fell by 1.9m sq ft to 5.9m sq ft during the final three months of 2011. The new figure is the lowest quarterly level since the second quarter of 2009 and almost 20% below the quarterly average. A fall in the number of transactions from 60 to 49 largely accounted for the reduction. Despite the fall in take-up, the lack of any sizeable space coming to the market resulted in availability falling by 1.5% to 165m sq ft – the sixth successive quarterly fall. Grade A stock fell by a massive 12.5% to 22m sq ft as prime take-up remained strong. Mike Baugh, director for DTZ’s industrial agency in West Yorkshire, said: “The amount of space transacted in the last quarter has reduced compared with the previous quarter, which saw slightly above average take-up. “However, the decreasing stock of Grade A buildings will have impacted on the take-up figures. Manufacturing companies continue to account for a significant proportion of take-up, even if reduced on a quarter by quarter basis.” Take-up in Yorkshire reached 360,000 sq ft, just 40% of the quarterly average. Take-up was
■ HOPEFUL: Mike Baugh, industrial director for DTZ
boosted by the 265,000 sq ft letting of Hurricane at Doncaster to Next. The region boasts the second largest amount of prime space in the UK after London, the South East and Eastern England, at 3.9m sq ft.
However, it is unevenly spread. The outlook for take-up is good with several requirements from manufacturers and distributors for space in excess of 600,000sq ft. Mr Baugh said: “Although performance in the last quarter was disappointing, there are a number of companies in the market progressing acquisitions and we are hopeful that Q2 will show an improvement in take-up. “There are, in certain size ranges, pockets of the region where supply is starting dry up and occupiers are having to consider design and build. As take-up continues against a lack of any speculative construction, we see interest in the design and build market increasing.” The rental outlook for the quarter was similar to Q4 2011 with levels remaining flat and agents reporting a hardening of incentives on smaller prime units. Rental growth forecasts have been revised down, largely due to downward revisions to the economic forecasts. Following a strong fourth quarter in 2011, investment activity across the UK fell by more than 60% to £620m in the first three months of this year. Martin Davis, head of UK research at DTZ, said: “Looking ahead, there is only 800,000 sq ft of speculative industrial development scheduled to complete in the next 12 months, which coupled with existing prime availability, means most regions only have one to two years of prime supply left at average take-up levels.”
Auction raises £6m A PROPERTY auction has realised almost £6m. Chartered surveyors Eddisons said that 67 of the 92 lots on offer found buyers at its latest two-day sale in Leeds and Manchester, representing a 73% success rate. A number of lots exceeded their original guide prices. Among the highlights was a vacant retail unit in Batley town centre. The four storey property on Commercial Street which extends to about 3,985 sq ft was sold for £114,000 off a guide price of £100,000-plus. The building had been previously marketed at £169,000. Elsewhere, a plot of land in Rastrick, which had contained a residential property prior to it
being demolished in a gas explosion, sold for more than £30,000, double its guide price. Residential stock included two tenanted properties in Linthwaite, each of which generate £4,620 a year and were sold individually for £40,000. A further property on Hoyle House Fold, which is currently vacant, sold for £45,000. Tony Webber, of Eddisons, which has offices in Huddersfield, said: “This was an excellent sale with a real cross section of lots selling. “Buyers were prepared to spend that little bit more on stock which they felt offered greater potential for realistic returns in the short, medium and long term compared to traditional investments and pension funds.”
■ CORNER PROPERTY: This four storey property on Commercial Street, Batley, was sold for £114,000 off a guide price of £100,000 plus at a property sale
NFB seeks ‘recipe’ for growth THE government must provide a recipe for growth, a building industry leader has warned. Julia Evans, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders, was speaking after figures from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills showed construction output for
the first quarter of 2012 had been revised downwards to minus 4.8% – contributing to a further fall of 0.1% in overall GDP. Ms Evans said: “With borrowing still increasing and government departments bracing themselves for another round of spending cuts, we are not looking at a
recipe for growth. “Traditional drivers for growth, such as construction, are being tantalised with schemes such as Project Merlin, the National Loans Guarantee Scheme and NewBuy which will do little to help the viable smaller companies that the government itself is looking
towards to provide growth. “The NFB has been warning of a double dip for the past two years and it is time now for the government to take serious action to help SMEs to help the economy. A cut in VAT to 5% for all home improvements would give a much-needed boost.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Housebuilding figures decline FIGURES showing an 11% fall in housebuilding starts in England since the end of last year underline the seriousness of the UK housing crisis and the need for government action to help small housebuilders, says a construction industry chief. Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said the latest figures showed the country was “nowhere near” delivering the quantity of housing needed to meet demand for affordable homes. And he added: “If the Government is serious about dealing with the housing crisis it is going to have to take bold and decisive action to get small house builders back into the market.” Mr Berry said: “In the past when we were delivering housing in significant quantities,
the smaller house builders provided around two-thirds of annual output, “But thanks to the ever-increasing burden on the house building industry and the much higher costs associated with building homes on
small and micro sites, this has fallen to just a third and the number of smaller house builders has fallen by around 69%. “SME house builders are essential to increasing build rates, but very difficult to reach even with targeted programmes such as the Government’s ‘Get Britain Building’ and ‘NewBuy’. “The Government needs to use its position to increase the supply of business and mortgage finance to the sector, demonstrate leadership on making the case for communities to accept new housing and prioritise increasing the supply of housing over the introduction of additional red tape on the sector. “Sadly, the housing crisis has been a long time in the making but now requires decisive action.”
Property prizewinner A CONSTRUCTION company which has been involved in several high-profile projects in Kirklees has been named Best Contractor of the Year at the 15th annual Yorkshire Property Awards. Leeds-based GMI Construction, which has been trading for 26 years, beat stiff competition from Morgan Sindall, which was also shortlisted for the coveted award in the category. The event was organised on behalf of Variety children’s charity and took place at Rudding Park in Harrogate. Judges were looking for Yorkshire construction companies who have made the biggest contribution to the property industry over the past 12 months. GMI has continued to strengthen its
business and look at new ways of adding value for clients, including the successful launch of a dedicated energy business as well as delivering a number of key schemes across Yorkshire. GMI successfully completed Rotherham Council's new civic offices earlier this year and is due to finish work on Rotherham United's new 12,500 seater community stadium. Among its recent construction projects, GMI is building Kirklees College’s new engineering centre at St Andrew’s Road, Huddersfield. It also developed a Travelodge and Costa Coffee outlet as part of the Spindlegate development at Leeds Road in the town. Managing director Jarrod Best was presented with the award.
Care homes contract A COMPANY which acquired 44 care homes with the collapse of Southern Cross has turned to its namesake to help integrate waste services at the new sites with its existing properties. Leeds-based Orchard Care Homes has appointed Elland-based Orchard Environmental to tackle the project. Orchard Environmental took over management of the care group’s original premises in April last year and will now looks after all 87 UK sites. Lindsay Normanton, of Orchard Care Homes, said new strategies for disposing of clinical and general waste introduced in the past 12 months had saved the group £20,000. “The care home industry as a whole has taken a hit from
■ DEAL: Justin Holley, of Orchard Environmental rising costs and increased legislation so we have made it a priority to introduce lean practices right across the business, particularly
following acquisition of premises that weren’t previously managed as efficiently as they could have been,” said Lindsay. “Waste disposal is heavily regulated and we’ve found that even small changes to the way we do things have led to significant cost savings.” Justin Holley, of Orchard Environmental, said he expected waste management to be fully integrated at all sites by the end of May. “The supplier network has been tailored to match the care group’s waste needs and is already in place for the existing sites,” he said. “The next stage is to integrate contracts and streamline invoice management and compliance procedures to improve efficiency across the board.”
TO LET
Unit 2, Trinity Street Huddersfield, HD1 4DA
1 Prominent retail showroom 1 765.4m2 (8,141 sq ft) – May divide 1 Adjacent to Iceland 1 Close to bus and train station 1 Car parking Rent: On Application
TO LET
Industrial
Unit 4c, Armytage Road, Brighouse, HD6 1QF
1 Modern single-storey workshop units 1 10,000 sq ft 1 To be refurbished 1 Self-contained with yard/loading 1 Adjacent to J25 of M62 motorway Rent: On Application
TO LET
Office Suites
Pennine House, Bradley Business Park, Longbow Close, Huddersfield, HD2 1RA
1 Office suites 1 117 – 362m2 (1,260 – 3,900 sq ft) 1 Good quality specification 1 Generous car parking provision Rent: From £8 psf per annum exclusive
AUCTION THURSDAY 19 JULY 2012
At The Cedar Court Hotel, Lindley Moor Road, Huddersfield, HD3 3RH Mix of Residential/ Commercial Lots including a Derelict Barn, Former Pub and Development Sites
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Wilma Teviotdale
WYSCA THE new president of West Yorkshire’s chartered accountants has pledged to build stronger links between Huddersfield University, accountancy practices and other businesses during her year in office. Wilma Teviotdale (pictured), head of the department of accountancy at the university, is the new president of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants. She is joined for her year in office by Charles Hartwell, finance director at Yorkshire County Cricket Club as deputy president and Matt Stroh, associate director at Grant Thornton as vice-president. Ms Teviotdale joined the university following a private sector career as a chartered accountant with a big international firm based in Leeds. She also has 10 years experience as an examiner for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wale and has held committee roles for local and district societies. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. The accountancy department operates a “Partners in Accountancy” initiative forging links with small and large firms of chartered accountants in Leeds and Huddersfield to the benefit of undergraduate students. Ms Teviotdale aims to support ICAEW initiatives such as “Partners in Learning” and to help further links between universities, ICAEW members and other firms in West Yorkshire.
Andrew Carter
James Spencer & Co
Movers and shakers
Exhibition deal now in the bag!
■ IN THE BAG: Dr David Swann and the nursing bag he designed
THE University of Huddersfield’s campus will be the sole UK stop-off during the 2012 global tour of one of the world’s most innovative and prestigious design exhibitions. INDEX is a Danish-based, not-for-profit organisation which holds a biennial design competition. Backed by the country’s royal family, the awards are bestowed at a glittering ceremony in Copenhagen that attracts an audience of thousands. Cash prizes are the largest in the world for a comparable contest. Afterwards, all of the nominated entries are exhibited in large numbers of acrylic spheres, or pods displayed in Copenhagen. Then follows a tour, in which the INDEX exhibition is displayed globally. This year, after visiting Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and Norway, it comes to Huddersfield between August 31 and September 29 – and that’s thanks to the fact that one of the university’s lecturers was an award nominee in 2011. Dr David Swann’s design for a
MORE than 650 delegates are set to attend a major conference focusing on women in business. Organisers of the Women’s Business Forum have reported record demand for tickets to the event, which takes place on October 2 and 3 at Rudding Park, Harrogate. Speakers will include economist Sylvia Ann Hewlett, who is flying in from New York especially for the event; Allan Leighton, chairman of Pace; Carrie Hindmarsh, chief executive of M&C Saatchi; and Emily Lawson, senior partner with McKinsey & Company. Holmfirth-based Heather Jackson, founder and chief executive of the Women’s Business Forum said: “With 80% of the tickets already reserved, we
Glen Whitaker
Office dynamics
GLEN Whitaker has been appointed bar manager at the new 1871 Bar & Lounge at the Marriott Leeds. Mr Whitaker (pictured) was previously bar manager at Revolution in Huddersfield. He has also managed bars Newcastle and Aberdeen and was formerly general manager at the Stonehaven Hotel in Aberdeenshire and operations manager at the Britannia Hotel, Aberdeen. Mr Whitaker is also a collector of rare and interesting vodka and has about 100 bottles at his Holmfirth home.
super-efficient and super-safe treatment bag for mobile health workers has attracted a great deal of praise and interest and was one of the 12 finalists in the “body” category of the INDEX Awards. In all of the categories, there were 60 finalists in total, selected from 966 global nominations. Dr Swann attended the ceremony and although he was pipped at the post in his category, as a nominee he was able to hold discussions with organisers that led to the university being added to the itinerary for the travelling exhibition. Now plans are being made for special events to be held on campus, linked to the presence of the INDEX exhibition. Dr Swann, who has lectured at the university since 1993, said that it was a great achievement to have been nominated for the awards and a coup for Huddersfield to have secured the travelling exhibition – its first time in the UK. “This event will be of national importance and attract visitors from around the country,” he said.
Forum places in big demand
A COMPANY making furniture and equipment for the healthcare sector has appointed Almondbury-born Andrew Carter as sales manager. Mr Carter (pictured) joins Bradford-based James Spencer & Co after a varied career. He began his working life as an insolvency assistant at Grant Thornton in Bradford, before joining his father’s firm of solicitors, Whitfields, in Batley, now part of the Ramsdens Group, where he oversaw bad debt accountancy. He later became credit control manager at Wilkinsons Furniture, in Pontefract, moving into sales. Mr Carter later moved to Birmingham as northern public sector sales manager with office furniture manufacturer Roc – helping boost sales to £1.4m – before joining Ness Furniture in Durham as national public sector sales manager.
Marriott Leeds
Page 8
A NEW networking group has been launched in Huddersfield – especially for the unsung heroes of the office. Lockwood-based businesswoman Nicola Heap has volunteered her services to run Office Dynamos. The new group held its first get-together at the Toby Carvery, Ainley Top. Said Nicola: “Quite often, office workers are the unsung heroes of the workplace with very little opportunity to get out of the office, develop their careers and network with
are confident that what we have built and are delivering is a forum that organisations, their women and their men not only want, but need to ensure a future where the best talent can lead, regardless of gender.” The conference will examine the business performance benefits that can be achieved from creating a better gender balance in senior corporate roles and effective strategies to achieve this goal. Mr Leighton said: “The issue for many companies is not why they should appoint women to the board, but how they go about doing this. “The Women’s Business Forum has an enviable reputation in providing companies with a road map on how to achieve this goal.
other administration professionals. “The aim of Office Dynamos is to encourage individuals to support and motivate each other to develop in their roles through networking, both online and at face to face networking meetings. “There is a clear need for a group such as this in the West Yorkshire area and it is my aim to make it a reality.” Contact Nicola on 01484 426004 or visit officedynamos. eventbrite.co.uk
“The event aims to enable companies and their women to work together to make some really simple changes to support more women into senior positions. There is clear evidence that shows better gender balanced companies are more successful.” The issue of gender-balanced management has become more important to large corporates in recent years with the publication of the Davies Report, which urged FTSE 350 companies to set out the percentage of women they aim to have on boards and in executive committees by 2013 and 2015. It recommends that FTSE 100 boards should aim for a minimum of 25% female representation by 2015
■ TALK SHOW: Heather Jackson, founder and chief executive of the Women's Business Forum
■ OUT OF OFFICE: Host Nicola Heap (front) and members at the launch of the Office Dynamos business networking group