LAWRENCE TOMLINSON Tycoon at the wheel
FTSE 100
- 14.38 6378.38
Column - Page 4
COLIN BARRATT Chancellor’s choices Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Spot-on move set to boost business
HUDDERSFIELD University has reaffirmed its links with the National Physical Laboratory – possibly the world’s most-respected organisation in the science and business of precision measurement. The NPL established a base of operations in the university’s main technology building more than three years ago and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Now in a move set to benefit businesses even further it has moved to a specially-equipped laboratory in the university’s £12m 3M Buckley Innovation Centre – and NPL’s Huddersfield laboratory manager Andy Morris said it was absolutely the right move. “Here it is more of a lab, rather than a workshop environment,” he said. “We need temperature control, cleanliness, lack of vibration – everything that goes with having a good quality laboratory. And that is what we have got.” Now the move is almost complete, Mr Morris envisages new areas of collaboration with the university’s own experts in the science of measurement. The university is home to a world-class team of metrologists, based at its Centre for Precision Technologies and its EPSRC Centre for I n n ov at i v e M a nu f a c t u r i n g i n Advanced Metrology. The NPL’s national HQ is a long-established and world-famous laboratory at Teddington, Middlesex,
Winning recipe A CARIBBEAN restaurant in Huddersfield proved to the taste of judges in a monthly business award. Discovery Bay was named Business of the Month in the competition run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade & Industry. The restaurant, in Wood Street, was founded in 2006 by Barrington Douglas, after years of saving to fulfil his lifelong dream.
● Full story - Page 8 where much of the work deals with research and development, said Mr Morris. The Huddersfield base works commercially with companies and has particular expertise in measuring complex components such as blades for aero engines. The newly-kitted out NPL lab has some traditional measuring devices that enable staff to work from first principles – but it is also equipped with new co-ordinate measuring machines which can provide precise measurements of complex components at every stage of manufacture, either singly or in batches. Other services offered to industry by the NPL lab at Huddersfield include CMM programming for companies.
■ PRECISION: The National Physical Laboratory (above) has established a new base at Huddersfield University’s £12m Buckley Innovation Centre (right)
And there are plans to expand at the 3MBIC, so that extra specialist equipment can be installed. There are currently four permanent staff based in the laboratory – a number that will increase in the near future. Mr Morris, who began his career in metrology with the Post Office and then British Telecom, was operations director and co-owner of a calibration company before being recruited by
NPL five years ago. The advantages from being close to the university and its metrology expertise will continue to grow, said Mr Morris. “Now that we have made this commitment by moving to the 3MBIC, we will try and increase the level of collaboration, finding more and more areas in which we can work together.”
RTI reprieve ‘is no reason not to be ready’ SMALL employers in Kirklees have been given a temporary reprieve from the introduction of new rules for reporting pay information. Under HM Revenue & Customs’ Real Time Information system, which comes into force on April 6, employers must submit pay information to HMRC every time they pay employees. But employers with fewer than 50 staff have been given more time to prepare for the change. Kevin Winterburn, director at Huddersfield accountancy firm Sheards said: “We are speaking to businesses every day about RTI, many of which
INSIDE
didn’t fully understand the implications for their business. “Employers must ensure that their systems are ready for RTI and then ensure that they have sufficient knowledge to operate it correctly.” Commenting on the reprieve for smaller firms, he said: “It seems HMRC have listened to the concerns of some small employers. Until October, those businesses which employ less than 50 staff and pay those staff weekly will be able to report to HMRC on a monthly basis. “This only buys those businesses a little more time, though. Although HMRC will review the progress of RTI
over the summer, we have to assume that these small employers will be brought back into the full remit of RTI by October.” The new system of reporting payroll information means that every payroll must be operated using software. Businesses operating manual payroll records will no longer be able to do so. “Whilst businesses with up to nine employees may use HMRC’s own Basic PAYE Tools, larger employers will have to use purchased software, or use the services of a payroll professional. Mr Winterburn said some busi-
nesses may get caught out if they are not fully aware of the new rules. “From April 6, all casual staff must also be on the payroll, irrespective of their earnings,” he said. “This could mean that a business currently using HMRC Basic PAYE Tools with less than nine full-time staff may no longer be able to use that system if they employ casual staff. “We are therefore urging all employers to ensure that they are ‘RTI ready’ as a matter of priority.” Mr Winterburn also welcomed the new Employment Allowance, which effectively give all businesses an annual £2,000 NI discount from April, 2014.
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Braced for success STAFF at a dental practice have three reasons to smile. The team at Meltham Dental Care have been shortlisted in three categories at the prestigious Dental Awards 2013. The practice, based on Station Street, beat hundreds of rivals to become one a handful of dental practices shortlisted for best Practice Design and Interior, Dentist of the Year (North) and Practice Manager of the Year (North).
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
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Ukar returns £4bn of taxpayers’ cash THE state-owned firm responsible for winding down the mortgage books of failed lenders Bradford & Bingley and Northern Rock increased its repayments to the Treasury by £1.2bn in 2012. UK Asset Resolution (Ukar) said it paid £4bn to the taxpayer in 2012, up from £2.8bn a year earlier. The company, which has almost 615,000 customers, said the proportion of mortgages three or more months in arrears fell by 23%, helped by low interest rates and “proactive arrears management”. Ukar was formed in October, 2010, to manage the loan books of B&B and Northern Rock after the former building societies failed during the financial crisis. Chairman Richard Pym said Ukar’s debt to the Treasury has since fallen from £48.7bn to £43.4bn. “We still have a long way to go, but it remains our expectation and determination to repay that debt in full,” he
■ PROACTIVE: UK Asset Resolution chief executive Richard Banks (left) and chairman Richard Pym
said. Ukar set aside another £130m in 2012 to compensate customers mis-sold payment protection insurance by Northern Rock, taking its total bill
for PPI to £368m. It also said a paperwork mistake, uncovered last year, will cost it about £271m in repayments to customers. It was forced to admit the error in
December after documents and statements sent to customers of Northern Rock Asset Management, one of its predecessors, did not comply with the Consumer Credit Act. Combined with debt buy-backs, these charges hit Ukar’s bottom line, with pre-tax profits almost halving to £690.5m. The number of accounts three or more months in arrears fell to 25,581 in 2012 from 33,216 a year earlier, helping its bad debt charge fall from £390m to £241m. It repossessed 7,326 properties in 2012, down from 8,848 in 2011. Chief executive Richard Banks said the outlook for the UK economy is “somewhat more positive” than a year ago. “Nevertheless the recovery remains weak by historic standards and pressure on many households’ finances remains acute,” he said. Ukar has about 2,400 employees in West Yorkshire and the North East.
Eurostar profits leap to £52.3m
Centrica in US gas deal
A BOOST in the number of non-EU passengers helped Channel Tunnel high-speed train company Eurostar more than double operating profits last year. Carrying an increased number of American, Brazilian and Australian travellers, Eurostar saw its operating profit rise from £25.0m in 2011 to £52.3m in 2012. In total, the company carried 9.9m passengers last year compared with 9.7m in 2011. Sales revenue, though, was affected by exchange rate movements during the year and was frac-
GAS imported from the United States is to heat as many as 1.8m UK homes after Centrica unveiled a supply deal worth £10bn. The British Gas owner said the 20-year contract for commercial deliveries from the Sabine Pass liquefaction plant in Louisiana would play an important role in ensuring the UK’s energy security. However with gas reserves being stretched by Britain’s prolonged winter, the bad news is that the first shipments are not due until September, 2018.
tionally down – reaching £799m in 2012 compared with £803m in 2011. Passenger numbers were strong after the Olympics – with traffic up by 5% in the last three months of last year compared with the same period in 2011. While business passenger number remained flat last year, the leisure travel market rose by 3%. Non-EU passenger numbers grew 8% in 2012. Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: “Despite the challenging economic climate, we delivered a strong performance in 2012.”
Norway services
The deal with Cheniere Energy Partners for 89bn cubic feet of annual liquefied natural gas is the first time that the UK has entered into a formal gas import agreement with the US. In 2011, Centrica entered into a three-year supply agreement with Qatargas and a new 10-year contract to pipe gas to the UK from Norway from 2015. Centrica chief executive Sam Laidlaw said the landmark agreement was a significant step forward in strengthening its position and helping to secure the UK’s energy needs.
LOW-FARE airline easyJet is to start services to Norway. The budget carrier will begin flying daily between Gatwick and the Norwegian city of Bergen on May 20. Fares to the city known as the Gateway to the Fjords will start from £35.49 one way, including taxes. Norway will be the 33rd country easyJet will fly to and the airline expects to carry more than 100,000 passengers a year on the Bergen route. Speaking at Bergen airport, easyJet’s UK director Paul Simmons said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be announcing the launch of flights to Norway.” Bergen Mayor, Mrs Trude Drevland, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of tourists to our beautiful region.”
Boost for Travelex FOREIGN exchange firm Travelex said a third of its transactions were now online as more travellers use smartphones to order their cash. Announcing a 12% rise in earnings to £70.3m for 2012, Travelex said online orders rose by 37% after rolling out the platform to new markets and upgrading its website. Travelex rolled out its online platform to 13 new markets last year.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £43.50 -0.13 Gannett 1410.03 -16.47 Hess Corp £46.61 +0.31 Microsoft 1849.52 -11.85 Motors Liquidation 49.42 Wal-Mart Stores £49.07 +0.13 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 408 +11 BAE Systems 3851/4 -35/8 Rolls-Royce 1109 +12 AIM Brady Plc 871/2 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2651/4 -3/4 BANKS Barclays 2821/8 -97/8 HSBC 695 -43/4 7 Lloyds Banking Gp 47 /8 -7/8 Ryl Scotland 2871/4 -61/8 Stan Chart 17081/2 +7 BEVERAGES Diageo £203/8 SABMiller £343/8 +1/4 CHEMICALS Croda £27 +1/8 Elementis 98 2591/4 +3/4 Johnsn Mat £22 -1/4 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2381/8 -53/4 Costain 306 +41/2 ELECTRICITY
Drax Gp 615 -12 SSE 1483 -3 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2273/4 -3/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 4281/4 +1/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2803/4 +41/8 Cable & Wireless 42 +3/8 Comm Colt Group 132 +3/8 KCOM 82 3 Talktalk Telecom 270 /8 +61/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2663/4 -13/4 Sainsbury 375 -1/2 1 Tesco 371 /4 -5/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1873 +12 Tate Lyle 833 -111/2 5 Unilever £27 /8 +1/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3621/8 +41/2 National Grid 755 +11/2 Pennon Grp 629 -81/2 Severn 1669 -14 1 -51/2 United Utils 703 /2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3141/8 +13/4 ICAP 3243/4 -41/4 London StockExch 1292 -23 Man Group 933/8 -3/4 Provident Financial 1573 +11
Schroders £207/8 Schroders NV 1695 +36 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 5211/2 +21/2 Smiths Grp 1277 +6 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 27 -11/2 Carphone Whse 1991/2 -1 Dixons Retail 327/8 -1/8 7 Home Retail 158 /8 Inchcape 503 -1 Kingfisher 2831/4 -41/4 M&S 3923/8 -51/4 Mothercare 3091/2 +7 Next £431/4 -3/8 WH Smith 7271/2 -11 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 7481/2 -1/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 851/2 Barrat Dev 2641/2 +61/2 Persimmon 1027 -2 Reckitt Benckiser £475/8 +1/8 Taylor Wimpey 863/8 -27/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1285 +19 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 170 -3/4 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2651/4 +1/4 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 301 -81/8
1673/4 -13/8 2021/4 -21/4 1074 -27 2681/4 -43/4 3663/4 -1/2 MEDIA BSkyB 896 +2 D Mail Tst 705 +171/2 3 HIBU /8 ITV 1297/8 +11/4 Johnston Press 151/4 -1/4 Pearson 1185 +8 1 -11/2 Reed Elsevier 766 /2 STV Group 135 -3 Trinity Mirror 891/2 -53/4 Utd Business 696 -4 UTV 1421/2 -11/2 WPP 1050 -9 MINING Anglo American 17171/2 -12 Antofagasta 1008 -25 BHP Billiton 1924 -12 Eurasian Natural 2681/8 -171/4 Res Fresnillo 1371 -18 Kazakhmys 4435/8 -243/4 1 Lonmin 289 /2 -71/8 Rio Tinto £303/4 -3/8 VEDANTA 1039 -52 RESOURCES Xstrata 10791/2 -51/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 695 +51/2 Vodafone Group 1871/4 +33/4 NONLIFE INSURANCE Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
4151/2 1211/2 755 £217/8
-121/4 -4 +11/2 -3/8
closed at at FTSE closed
6378.38 Down 14.38 Admiral Grp 1319 -16 -7/8 RSA Insurance Gp 1163/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 11391/2 -19 BP 460 +21/4 1 Cairn Energy 280 /2 +2 Royal Dutch Shell A £213/8 -1/4 Royal Dutch Shell B £217/8 -1/4 Total £32 -1/4 Tullow Oil 1238 -2 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1051 -8 Petrofac 1412 -34 Wood Gp(J) 837 -31/2 PERSONAL GOODS
Burberry Gp 1317 -13 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £325/8 +1/4 GlaxoSmithK XD 1 Shire 1983 +5 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 547 -7 Hamrsn 4871/2 -57/8 Intu Properties 3273/4 -15/8 Land Secs 818 +41/2 SEGRO 250 -21/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 3503/8 +3/8 Sage Group 3371/8 -1/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 773 +10 Bunzl 1290 +2 +1/2 Capita 9021/2 De La Rue 965 Electrocomp 252 Experian 1148 +6 G4S 2933/8 +11/4 5 Hays 95 /8 +7/8 Homeserve 2051/4 -61/4 Menzies J 743 -7 Rentokil 993/8 +7/8 Smiths News 1811/4 +3/4 Wolseley £321/8 -1/4 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 916 +37 Spirent Comms 1493/4 +11/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £351/8 +1/4
Imperial Tobacco
£223/4
-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
5
147 /8 £221/2 835 1039 1101/4 1981/4 1445 7231/2 1947 2571/4 2211/4 3287/8 2115/8 176 3117/8 311 £253/8
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+4 /4 -1/4 +21/2 +8 -21/8 -13/8 -5 +3 +19 -13/4 +21/8 +13/4 -1/2 +21/4 +1/8
FTSE 100
INDEX 6378.38
-14.38
FTSE 250
INDEX 13961.33
+3.72
Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.38 dollars Bangladesh................. 112.46 taka Brazil.............................. 2.74 reals Canada....................... 1.48 dollars China ............................. 8.45 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.78 korunas Denmark....................... 8.31 krone Euro............................... 1.12 euro Hong Kong................ 11.22 dollars Hungary................... 322.48 forints India.......................... 72.65 rupees Japan........................... 137.18 yen Mexico ....................... 16.74 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.70 dollars Norway ......................... 8.43 krone Pakistan.................. 140.93 rupees Philippines ................. 53.24 pesos South Africa................. 13.23 rand South Korea.............. 1474.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 182.12 rupees Sweden......................... 9.43 krona Switzerland.................. 1.36 francs Taiwan ...................... 39.72 dollars Turkey....................... 2.61 new lira USA ............................ 1.45 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS THERE’S no doubt that motor racing is one of Lawrence Tomlinson’s great passions. The evidence is all around you when you walk into the office of the Batley-born chairman of Leeds-based LNT Group. There are stacks of motorsport magazines on the table and the shelves are heavy with silverware won driving racing cars on some of the UK’s best-known circuits. But for the real proof, look through the internal window down onto the factory floor. This is the home of Ginetta – the barely chugging-along car company Lawrence acquired in 2005 and turned into one of the UK’s most inspiring manufacturing success stories. “I started racing in 2002 – and that was in a Ginetta,” says Lawrence. “I also raced TVRs for a while. I drove for TVR at Le Mans in 2004.” Ginetta was established in 1958 but was building only one or two cars a week from a shed in Sheffield before Lawrence seized his opportunity to take over the business. Since 2005, Ginetta has built seven types of car, its own engine and sells road and race cars are sold all over the world, with Australia, Brazil and Japan among the key markets. With the new racing season only days away, the factory near Garforth has been busy preparing the vehicles, parts and spares for the race teams who will compete in four Ginetta championships at venues including Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Thruxton. And Lawrence will be among them. Four years ago, Lawrence drove as team-mate of former F1 champion Nigel Mansell, when he returned to top-rank racing in a Ginetta. And he has no intentions of vacating the grid just yet. Ginetta is just one part of Lawrence’s LNT empire, however. The group has interests in cars, construction, car homes, chemicals and computers – the five Cs as Lawrence puts it. LNT Group operates 35 car homes, including Greenacres at Meltham, under the Ideal Care Homes name, while LNT Construction builds care homes for that business and for other care home operators. LNT Software devises software for care home management while LNT Solutions makes products such as de-icers for airport runways, airplane wings and railway station platforms. His business may be based on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Leeds, but Lawrence – a regular on the Sunday Times Rich List – has
profile
Putting region in pole position strong connections with purpose-built offices at something for myself.” Garforth were opened by It’s a decision he has Huddersfield and retains former F1 champion never regretted. “Running an affection for the town. Damon Hill. Today, the your own business gives The former Batley you freedom. There are no group has 2,000 Grammar School pupil employees around the rules and there is no studied mechanical country, including structure. It is all up to engineering at hundreds in Yorkshire. you. New entrepreneurs Huddersfield Technical Lawrence’s loyalty to his find it difficult to cope College and gained a home county is degree in engineering. He without the corporate demonstrated by LNT’s structure. Suddenly, you worked at Holset, now don’t have to be up at 7am policy of using regional Cummins Turbo suppliers wherever to get to work by 8.30. Technologies and possible – and by singing “But, equally, you no undertook its graduate its praises when meeting longer have the support management programme politicians such as Vince structure around you – before a change in Cable and George direction and a new career someone to pay your wages, someone to do the Osborne. as “serial entrepreneur”. He says: “We work accounting, someone to Says Lawrence: “I left closely with Government make sue you have a school when I was 15 to try and give them some company car to drive and having done my O-levels, idea of what businesses someone to manage the but I ‘drifted’. I used to be need. There is a lack of interested in software and business generally. “Many people leave this funding available to computers and computer environment and set up in businesses. That’s the games – which in those biggest single issue I hear business when they have days wasn’t considered from everyone in a wife and kids and a quite ‘normal’. business. Regional bank mortgage and if it doesn’t “A friend of my father managers are unable to work you are running a said I should go into make a decision on engineering because there huge risk. lending to business. They “At 23, I was single and were so many people didn’t have these worries. I have to go to a central doing computer courses committee to get approval. borrowed £526,000 and there wouldn’t be enough got on with it. I haven’t got There are issues around jobs for everyone. He everything right, but I have red tape and other didn’t think computer barriers to growth in the had the opportunity to do games would take off! SME sector. what I want.” “Mechanical “But the SMEs provide Lawrence launched engineering gave me the engine for growth in some discipline in my life. I LNT in 1987. The did a diploma at the technical college. Part of the course was working in industry, so I learned all about industry – and I learned that I didn’t want to be doing that! I enjoyed learning about milling and turning, but I didn’t want to be working on a lathe for 40 hours a week. “My parents had set up a care home and they were going to sell it. I wrote some software to help run the home and at that point – at the age of 23 – I decided to buy it. It was a question of ■ RACE DAY: Lawrence Tomlinson retains a passion for continuing to climb the corporate ladder or doing fast cars and regularly races with Ginetta
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Lawrence Tomlinson Role: Chairman Age: 48 Family: Married with four children Car: Ginetta Holidays: Antigua First job: Removal van helper Best thing about job: Seeing people develop and grow within the organisation Worst thing about job: People who steal Business tip: Do something now, today and don't wait for that big idea that may never come
the UK.” Says Lawrence: “I try to help businesses in Yorkshire wherever I can because we seem to be one of the more high-profile businesses in Yorkshire. “There’s a real issues about skills shortages – which is another area where businesses seem to be struggling. “We have a strong relationship with Huddersfield University. I remember the university when I was a student and drinking at the College Arms. When I went back to get my doctorate the campus was unrecognisable – in a really good way! “We have had some really great students join us from the university and develop their careers. We have two ex-students who are designing a GInetta range of menswear.” Another former student is now LNT’s full-time videographer – fulfilling a role that reflects Lawrence’s continued interest in technology. Last year, all employees were presented with iPhones with an app enabling them to keep up with news about the LNT businesses, see videos of people and events in the group, check their hours worked, book their holidays – and contact Lawrence directly with any issues concerning them. It also enables messages to be send to specific people in the group. It’s a high-tech version of the company noticeboard that helps keep Lawrence’s team on track in a fast-moving business environment.
HENRYK ZIENTEK
LNT Group Work: Car manufacturing, care homes, construction, software and chemicals Site: Leeds Employees: 2,000 Phone: 0113 3853850 Email: info@lnt.group.co.uk Website: www.lntroup.co.uk
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Jo among the UK winners DENBY Dale businesswoman Jo Haigh has won a national award. Ms Haigh, a partner in fds Corporate Finance with offices in Wakefield, Birmingham and London, was among the winners in the 2012 Non-Executive Director Awards. The competition recognises non-execs who have “gone that extra mile” to be the independent voice on company boards – challenging business practices and adding value to company strategy and performance. Ms Haigh won the category for non-execs in privately-owned companies. She received her award at a ceremony at Claridge’s in London. She was recognised for her work with Manchester-based Imperative Training Ltd, a leading provider of instructor-led and online health and safety training. Said Ms Haigh: “To be selected as a finalist for the 2012 NED Awards was such an honour. To have won it is something I could never have imagined or hoped for.” Ms Haigh, a practising corporate financier, set up fds in 1989 and is a multi-award winning entrepreneur, trainer, speaker and author of several books on business issues. She has served as an expert panellist on The Business Class with Dragon’s Den tycoon James Caan and is a former Institute of Directors Business Adviser of the Year.
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Turning spotlight on 2013 Budget S
INCE the Coalition Government came to power there has been a significant reduction in the main rate of Corporation Tax for companies with taxable profits in excess of £1.5m. Successive reductions have seen the rate fall from 28% to what will be an across-the-board 20% rate on all company profits from April 1, 2015, and for shareholders in private limited companies, the payment of dividends instead of bonuses will be more attractive than ever. The Government is also to introduce an allowance of £2,000 per year for all businesses and charities to offset against their employer National Insurance Contribution liability from April ,2014. The allowance will be claimed as part of the normal payroll process and although exact details of the allowance are still to be published, it represents a welcome reduction in the job’s tax particularly for smaller businesses. The Coalition’s commitment to raising the income tax Personal Allowance to £10,000 will become a reality from April 6, 2014, a year earlier than expected, although there were no announced increases in the higher age related personal allowances for those born before April 6, 1948.
■ TECHNICAL TALK Pollock (left), preside with Prof Liz Towns-A executive of the 3M B Centre
TAX TALK Colin Barratt
The basic and higher rates of tax remain unchanged at 20% and 40%, but from 2014-15, the income level at which higher rate tax starts will be increased from £41,450 to £41,865. As previously announced, the 50p top rate of tax is reduced to 45p for individuals with taxable income above £150,000, with effect from April 6, 2013 (42.5% to 37.5% for dividend income). The reduction will start from April 6, 2013. Deferring the award of bonuses or dividends from your company until into the new tax year or delaying the encashment of investment bonds until after April 5, 2013, could secure tax benefits for higher earners. The threshold for employees taking loans from their employers without incurring a tax charge is doubled from April 6, 2014, to £10,000 which is likely to benefit those paying for travel season tickets, financing car purchases or even holidays! A new childcare scheme will be introduced to support working families with
their childcare costs. For childcare costs of up to £6,000 per year per child, basic rate tax relief of 20% will be available worth up to £1,200. From the first year of operation, all children under five will be eligible and the scheme will build up over time to include children under 12. The scheme will provide support for families where all parents are in work and not receiving other forms of support. The new scheme will benefit the self-employed who are unable to access the current Childcare Voucher system aimed at employees only. The income threshold to benefit from the proposed scheme is set at £150,000 per individual and will no doubt alleviate those higher earners affected by the taxation of Child Benefit where income exceeds £50,000. On the indirect taxation front, the annual VAT registration threshold is increased from £77,000 to £79,000 from April 1, 2013.
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
See you all later! A NETWORKING group is missing something this month! Members who attend the Last Friday Club run by Huddersfield-based law firm Ramsdens will forego their usual get-together this week due to the Good Friday bank holiday. Instead, the next meeting will be held from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Friday, April 26, at the usual venue of Bar Eleven in Halifax.
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Treble chance STAFF at a dental practice have three reasons to smile. The team at Meltham Dental Care have been shortlisted in three categories at the prestigious Dental Awards 2013. The practice, based on Station Street, beat hundreds of rivals to become one a handful of dental practices shortlisted for best Practice Design and Interior, Dentist of the Year (North) and Practice Manager of the Year (North). Principal dentist at the practice, Dr Bal Dhesi, who has been nominated for Dentist of the Year (North), said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted in three categories and we can’t wait to find out the final results in April. “It is recognition of a lot of hard work and to be able to rank yourself alongside the best practices in the country is a real honour.” Huddersfield-born Bal qualified from Leeds University in 2002 and became principal of Meltham Dental Care in December, 2006. Practice manager Joanne Holroyd has been selected as a finalist for Practice Manager of the Year (North) for her outstanding work and support in developing the practice.
■ SMILE, PLEASE: Principal dentist, Bal Bhesi and practice manager Joanne Holroyd She said: “I am thrilled to make it as a finalist and it is great for the practice to have been recognised in such a way.” The practice has been nominated for best Practice Design and Interior following the launch of its new purpose-built premises in July, 2012, located next-door to the original practice. The awards ceremony will be held in April at the Lancaster London Hotel.
Enginee to the ch
THE head of one of oldest and most re engineering organi Huddersfield as pa fact-finding visit to to see how the regi manufacturers are economic and tech challenges. Every year, the pre Institute of Mechan visits regions to se firms and universit engineering field. This year, Prof Isob 127th president of former chairman o Yorkshire branch, v College, internation engineering group specialist (Europe) Brighouse and Hud University. At the university, D a Fellow of the IMe leader of a thriving engineering degree to organise Profess visit. The university, whi major new innovati chosen as the venu range of regional in could meet Prof Po She also inspected facilities, including 3M Buckley Innova which provides offi research facilities f from start-ups to m corporations. She said: “I was de the chance to visit Huddersfield and s tremendous faciliti students have at th “Mechanical engin can lead to exciting careers in a variety ranging from medic to aerospace, rail a engineering. I wish and the university a for the future.” Prof Pollock, who r honorary doctorate in 2004, was welco university vice-cha Cryan. He called fo time when enginee were among the mo respected member said he admired th IMechE in attempti about.
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local
Page 5
Don’t get caught in age allowance trap rom April 6, 2013, the availability F of the age-related income tax personal allowance will be restricted.
However, with some careful financial planning, many people aged 65 or over before this date can take steps to ensure that they maintain their entitlement in full. Age allowance is an increase in the personal tax-free income allowance which is currently available to any individual in the UK who attains age 65 (or more) during the tax year and whose income does not exceed a certain amount (£25,400 in 2012/13, rising to £26,100 in 2013/14). When income exceeds the threshold, the age-related personal allowance is reduced by £1 for each £2 of additional income – although for individuals with total income below £100,000 the age allowance can never be reduced to less than the normal personal allowance (£8,105 in 2012/13, rising to £9,440 in 2013/14). So if someone aged 66 in 2012/13 has total income of £27,400, their age allowance will be cut back by £1,000 (£2,000/2) – bringing £1,000 more of their income into charge for income tax. Older taxpayers, where one party to a marriage or civil partnership was born before April 6, 1935, may also be entitled to married couple’s allowance (MCA) – although like the age-related personal allowance, the MCA is also reduced if income exceeds a certain amount. From 2013/14, anyone born after April 5, 1948 – and who therefore attains age 65 after April 5, 2013 – will only be entitled to
FINANCIAL FOCUS Karen Wynard
the standard personal allowance of £9,440. This means that only those people who had already attained age 65 before April 6, 2013, can continue to benefit from the higher age-related allowance. Furthermore, whilst the income threshold above which the age allowance is reduced will rise to £26,100, the amount of age allowance will remain frozen at £10,500 for those aged between 65 and 74, and £10,660 for those aged 75 or over. With the standard personal allowance continuing to increase each year, and the age related allowance having been frozen, it is therefore clear that the age allowance is gradually being phased-out. This doesn’t mean though that those who are currently aged 65 or over and who have income above the threshold, shouldn’t take steps to preserve it for as long as it continues to exist! To preserve these higher income tax allowances, taxpayers may wish to “manage” their income. Particularly helpful are ISAs because the income is tax-free, and investment bonds may also be of appeal
Karen Wynard is head of corporate services at Eastwood & Partners (Financial Services) Ltd
Club’s perfect fit THE sports science team at Huddersfield Town will get the latest in high-tech physiotherapy products – thanks to the club’s new commercial partnership with Fit4Sport Ltd. The Oldham-based physiotherapy professionals have a wealth of experience in the world of elite sports – having previously worked with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Now the Terriers are tapping into their expertise. As part of the deal, Town will receive state-of-the-art treatment couches, electrotherapy equipment, ice machines and “hot-packs” at the Canalside Sports Complex to aid the club’s injury prevention and treatment procedures. James Haycock, head of medical at the club, said: “The equipment that this new partnership has provided our department with will help us improve the standard of care we can provide our footballers with, so we are incredibly grateful to
Fit4Sport for its help. “In particular, the electrotherapy equipment is completely new to the club and will offer a new wing to our treatment facility at Canalside. “The company has an incredibly wide range of products available that perfectly fit our professional environment, but many of the items would also be of interest to individuals. “The staf at Fit4Sport has been very helpful at every turn and I’m looking forward to furthering our working relationship over the coming months and years.” Fit4Sport managing director Shelley Wildbore said: ““We look forward to our new partnership with the club and to the exciting times ahead for us and for the team. “We will endeavour to assist with the expansion of the exciting new facilities at Canalside Sports Complex and we look forward to using the facility to host a Sports Science evening with the medical team.”
because they allow tax-deferred withdrawals of 5% a year to be taken for 20 years which do not count as “income” either. It may also frequently be the case that one spouse or civil partner has total income that causes them to lose their own age allowance yet the other has income well below the threshold at which age allowance is cut back. If so, it may be advantageous for the higher earning spouse or civil partner to transfer investments producing taxable savings or dividend income from their own into the other person’s name so that after the transfer both are under the age allowance threshold and therefore able to each benefit from the full age allowance. Investing for capital growth, rather than income is also a simple strategy to reduce a taxpayer’s income, and deductions from
income for the purpose of testing if the age allowance income threshold has been exceeded are also allowed for the gross amount of any contributions made to a pension or charity. Making tax-relievable pension contributions is also a perfectly legitimate and extremely tax efficient means of reducing or eliminating what is, in effect, a high marginal rate of tax payable on any income which would otherwise exceed the age allowance income threshold – and even if an individual under 75 does not have any “relevant” UK earnings for pension contribution purposes, they can still benefit from full tax relief on a contribution of £2,880 into a personal pension or stakeholder plan that will then be grossed up to £3,600. In summary, if you already are or will be 65 before 6 April this year and you are worried that you might be caught in this trap and would like advice on how best to go about escaping it, the good news is that there are a number of valuable tax planning opportunities available that we would be more than happy to discuss with you.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Yorkshire’s new sites YORKSHIRE Building Society is continuing its high street expansion plan with two new branches. The society, which has its roots in Huddersfield, has opened four new branches in the past 12 months – at Pudsey, Bingley, Ilkley and Malton. The two new branches are set to open in Ripon and Wetherby at the end of April, creating eight jobs and taking the total number of branches in the Yorkshire group to 230. More new branch openings are planned before the end of the year. Chief executive Chris Pilling (pictured) said: “We are very pleased that we are moving into Ripon and Wetherby and hope that being a fixture on the local high street we will become an important part of both communities. “Our branches and agencies are at the heart of the Yorkshire and it’s encouraging that we are one financial organisation opening new offices and increasing our presence when other providers are reducing theirs. “We will continue to make real investment in our online and telephony channels. However, we will retain a strong focus on our branches and offering the face-to-face service that our customers value.” The branch network has grown considerably over the last few years following mergers with Barnsley, Chelsea and Norwich & Peterborough building societies. All branches of each society have remained open, taking the total number of branches from 135 in 2008 to 230.
property
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Demand high for prime locations TAKE-UP of top-grade industrial and logistics space across Yorkshire rose to 2.3m sq ft in 2012 – a l m o s t d o u bl e t h e a m o u n t acquired the previous year. Despite this, total take-up of available space fell to 7.4m sq ft in 2012, a drop of 27% on the previous year and its lowest level since 2007, according to Lambert Smith Hampton’s latest research report, Industrial and Logistics Market 2013. Demand across Yorkshire has focused heavily on grade A stock, with almost double the amount acquired than the previous year – 31% of overall take-up was focused on grade A. However, only 8% of the stock now available on the market is grade A, which is largely comprised of new build logistics units over 100,000 sq ft across South Yorkshire, where there is currently an oversupply.
Rob Whatmuff, LSH’s head of industrial and logistics in the North, said: “The lack of stock is holding back the market and occupiers of small and medium-sized units are struggling to find any suitable space to accommodate their future plans. “Occupiers now have very limited options, with no speculative development occurring over the last few years and the flight to prime mentality in terms of recent occupier requirements. “This has left us with less than one month’s supply of small to medium Grade A accommodation. In the larger size ranges, this is less of an issue as there remains a strong supply of Grade A units ■ OPTIONS: Rob Whatmuff, over 100,000 sq ft, particularly in regional head of industrial and logistics agency for LSH South Yorkshire. “We have witnessed an increase in design-and-build from those “However, for the smaller occuoccupiers with more bespoke pier this is generally not an option requirements. that is palatable or deliverable.”
Despite the 27% fall in take-up, every major centre across Yorkshire registered growth in prime rental values. Said Mr Whatmuff: “We expect to see this trend continue as the majority of markets see a reduction in quality stock, but demand still exists. He added: “There is already a shortage of choice for occupiers and – due to the lack of speculative development – occupiers will struggle to find suitable properties either in terms of location or specification. “ C o n s e q u e n t l y , design-and-build opportunities will need to be considered; the likes of which have already been seen at Woodhouse Link in Sheffield where Home Decor has recently taken occupation of its new 110,000 sq ft bespoke manufacturing and administrative facility.”
It’s in the round! A PIZZA restaurant has got a topping new table. The Pizza Express restaurant at Junction 27, Birstall, has been provided with a stunning 360deg circular bar made from marble. Manchester-based manufacturer and installer of high-quality hard surfaces, North West Marble & Granite was selected to supply and fit the bar as well as the venue’s tables and washroom vanity areas. It has also worked with designers and architects to complete the restaurant’s dining booth areas. The standout circular bar, which features a dark Nero Marquina marble face and gorgeous light Carrara marble top, is the centrepiece of the recently-opened
bright and modern restaurant. Mike Connell, managing director of North West Marble and Granite, said: “This was an extensive and challenging brief and an incredibly satisfying one to see completed. “The finished bar face features 550 individual pieces of Nero Marquina while the circular bar-top surface was made of stunning Carrara marble, built down to four centimetres. The bar surface was also top-honed and polished and was machined to accept a glass display area with invisible joints. Pizza Express has more than 400 restaurants across the UK and 40 overseas in Europe, Hong Kong, India and the Middle East.
■ ROUND TABLE: North West Marble & Granite has completed a stunning project to provide this stunning feature for the new Pizza Express restaurant in Birstall
Property review alert
New regional service
PROPERTY owners have been warned that HM Revenue & Customs is undertaking a wide-ranging review of residential property transactions back to 2007. David Butterworth, of Huddersfield-based chartered accountancy firm Wheawill & Sudworth, said that HMRC’s Property Sales Campaign will involve a review of all Stamp Duty Land Tax Returns between April, 2007, and April, 2012. “HMRC have access to every single one of these returns,” he said. “Details on these, such as NI
PROPERTY agency CBRE in Leeds has become the only CBRE office outside London to offer the expertise of a certified RICS Registered Property Receiver after Mike Jones achieved the qualification to undertake the role as part of the Loan and Corporate Recovery Group. RICS Registered Property Receivers are able to take control of real estate assets provided as security against defaulting loans. Once in control of the asset, the Receiver is able to utilise CBRE’s full service offering to undertake strategic reviews, appraisals, financial analysis and modelling, to determine how to maximise net proceeds. Richard Sunderland, managing
numbers will enable them to easily cross-refer to self-assessment tax returns to see what, if any, reporting has occurred.” The main objective of this review is to pick up previously unreported sales of second homes where a capital gains tax liability might be due. Mr Butterworth said that HMRC have announced an amnesty in this respect. “Anyone who realises they have overlooked disclosing a property sale can now do so by August 5, 2013, in order to benefit from a lower level of penalty.”
director at CBRE Leeds, said: “Mike recently qualification has allowed the Leeds office to really lead the way offering this new regional service line. “His expertise, built upon a previous position at Barclays Bank, will be of particular interest to our banking clients as well as continuing to promote and expand CBRE’s regional offer across the North.” CBRE recently announced that it will be moving into a new office in Toronto Square in Leeds this April. The new Receivership service line is in addition to several new departments the real estate firm has added to the growing office in the last year.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
■ STORES PLAN: Emergency medical equipment firm Ferno has supplied equipment to the new Trinity Leeds shopping centre (above)
Safe for shoppers A CLECKHEATON company is helping to keep shoppers safe at the UK’s newest shopping centre. Ferno, a leading manufacturer of emergency medical equipment, has supplied the new Trinity Leeds development with evacuation and emergency equipment . Trinity Leeds opened last week after a £378m investment. The scheme offers one million square feet of retail space and is the only major shopping centre to open in the UK this year. Ferno has supplied two EZ Glide chairs and a training programme to ensure staff can use and deploy the evacuation chairs correctly. The chairs are suitable for many
different environments and provides a safe, user-friendly, solution to manoeuvre disabled or injured visitors easily during emergency situations or following an accident. Jon Ellis, Ferno managing director, said: “Our work with Trinity Leeds is a perfect example of what we can offer to our customers in terms of service delivery – not only a great product but also high quality support training to ensure they get the very best out of their investment.” Ferno has previously supplied its EZ Glide chair to the National Gallery in Scotland and its Saver Safe Evacuation Chairs to Google’s HQ in Dublin and Trinity College in the city.
Take-up rates ‘encouraging’ A SURVEY has revealed a “really encouraging” take-up of industrial property in Yorkshire during the final quarter of last year. The latest Property Times UK Industrial survey by DTZ, covering properties over 50,000sq ft, reported a 56% rise across the UK in take-up to 8.5m sq ft in the three months to December, 2012. Grade A take-up was particularly strong at 4.25m sq ft, accounting for 50% of the total. UK take-up for 2012 as a whole reached 28.3m sq ft, this is 9% down on 2011 and 15% below the figure for 2010 – mainly due to a subdued third quarter. Regional proportions of grade A space remain at historically low levels – with the North West and North East retaining their status as the regions with the lowest amount of available grade A space. Mike Baugh, industrial director in DTZ in West Yorkshire, said: “Grade A availability fell nearly 8.5% in the fourth quarter to 14m sq ft as strong take-up of this grade eroded existing supply. “The availability of existing grade A stock is insufficient to satisfy an increasing number of requirements in the market, forcing many occupiers to turn to
freehold and leasehold build-to-suit deals particularly in the most popular locations. “While we noted an increased interest in bespoke deals in the second quarter, we have seen this demand translate into actual take-up in the third quarter and to a greater degree in the fourth quarter.” In Yorkshire, take-up in the fourth quarter reached its highest level since the third quarter of 2010 at 1.1m sq ft across five deals. Take up for 2012 as a whole was very similar to 2011 at 2.1m sq ft. The majority of take-up was made up by a significant deal for 750,000 sq ft of grade A space at Nimbus Park, Doncaster. Said Mr Baugh: “Take up in the fourth quarter of 2012 was really encouraging and this combined with a strong start to 2013, particularly in West Yorkshire, will hopefully lead to optimism within the industrial market. “Supply levels for existing stock in the region continue to decline and although there are signs of small scale speculative development, occupiers searching in certain locations and size ranges may have to start considering design-and-build options to satisfy their requirements.”
property
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Budget lift for builders
PROPERTY chiefs have welcomed measures in George Osborne’s Budget to kick-start the housing market. Initiatives announced by the Chancellor include providing £3.5bn in shared equity loans for a new Help to Buy scheme for those struggling to find mortgage deposits – plus an interest-free loan worth 20% of the value of a new-build house, available from 2014. The Budget also promised a new mortgage guarantee, which would be able to support £130m loans to help people who cannot afford a big deposit and interest-free loans for five years will be offered to those buying new-build homes. The buyer will need to find a 5% deposit with the loan worth up to 20% of the value of a home worth up to £600,000 and repayable when it is sold. Michael Eastwood, managing director of Holmfirth-based Eastwood Homes, said: “This budget is encouraging for housebuilders. “Generating the construction of new homes will be a good start for the whole industry as the benefits will pass down the chain to contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, appliances, furniture etc. “However, they must be available to all housebuilders. Previous funding, including Home Buy, was mainly accessible by the national builders. “We have a policy of working with local consultants, contractors and suppliers, so if these initiatives are accessible by smaller developers it will certainly assist in the wealth of the local economy.” Richard Conroy, chief executive of Brockholes-based property developer Conroy Brook, said: “It is positive to see that the government recognises the importance of getting Britain building, as the local authorities and planners don’t and there is a logjam. “The government is trying to force through these ‘top down’ measures to free things up, which is badly needed and very welcome.” Wayne Gradwell, managing director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “We obviously welcome the Help to Buy initiative announced by Chancellor George Osborne. “Since Christmas, we have already seen the market begin to improve with initiatives including FirstBuy and NewBuy. “From the information released to date, we are very pleased that the Government recognises the importance that the new homes industry plays in the much needed growth of the UK economy.” Said Mr Gradwell: “To meet demand, 2013 looks like being a busy year for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, with plans to open a
■ BOOST: Michael Eastwood (top), of Eastwood Homes; Wayne Gradwell (above, left), of Persimmon West Yorkshire; and Richard Conroy, of Conroy Brook
further six sites in Bradford, Halifax, Rotherham, Leeds, and Castleford. “The supply of new homes is an ongoing issue across the UK and our team is working hard to deliver a diverse range of local housing where it’s needed most through our brands Persimmon Homes, Charles Church, and Westbury Partnerships.”
New partner for property agency PROPERTY consultancy Knight Frank has appointed Sarah Hodgson as partner with its property management team in West Yorkshire. Ms Hodgson, pictured with Henrie Westlake, head of Knight Frank in the region, was previously an associate director with DTZ in Leeds and has also worked for King Sturge and St Quintin/CBRE. She gained a degree in urban land economics at Sheffield Hallam University. Mr Westlake said: “Sarah is an extremely important addition to our team. Her expertise, experience and contacts will prove invaluable and will help to drive forward the expansion of the property management department in Yorkshire.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Restaurant has winning recipe
Andy Davidson, Steve Stocker, Nick LeGrove, Laurence Richardson & James Smith
Yorkshire Bank YORKSHIRE Bank has appointed a new team to cover Kirklees and Calderdale. The new team, based at the bank’s West Yorkshire Business and Private Banking Centre, is led by Andy Davidson (front) and will have access to a new £1bn Business Expansion Fund, which was launched last autumn. Key figures in the team are commercial banking manager Steve Stocker, business development manager Nick LeGrove, private banking manager James Smith and small business banking manager Laurence Richardson. Mr Davidson said: “Yorkshire Bank has stayed open for business with money to lend throughout the economic difficulties and we have appointed a dynamic and experienced team to support Kirklees and Calderdale where there are many exciting enterprises with the potential to grow, create jobs and boost their local economies. “Our dedicated Kirklees and Calderdale Team will also spend more time out and about in Huddersfield and Halifax to provide better access to their expertise.”
Now that’s real food for thought A FIRM supplying pneumatic equipment for a range of industries has a real appetite for helping its customers. Thorite, which has a depot at Barge Street in Huddersfield, has launched Lunch & Learn to bring key customers up to speed with innovative products and services. Lunch & Learn takes place in customers’ premises and brings selected specialist manufacturers and customer decision-makers together to enjoy good food and tour a mini exhibition. Participating manufacturers are carefully selected to provide products that are closely aligned to the customer's present and future processing or manufacturing needs. The first Lunch & Learn took place at the Shipley premises of Carnaud Metal Box, a market leader in the design, development and manufacture of can making machinery. The informal two-and-a-half hour event was supported by some of Thorite's most respected manufacturers of compressed air, pneumatic, vacuum and process control equipment. The event attracted almost 100 of Carnaud Metal Box’s key production and management personnel. Thorite sales director Alan Donkersley said: “Our inaugural Lunch & Learn proved more successful than we dared hope, with an impressive queue of CMB staff waiting for the exhibition doors to open. “They were hungry for information as well as for the food, placing scores of sales enquiries – but just as importantly it has provided the ideal opportunity to create new relationships and strengthen existing friendships. Thorite has regional sales and service centres in Huddersfield, Blackburn, Bolton, Bradford, Doncaster, Leeds, Rochdale, Sheffield, North Shields and Brierley Hill in the West Midlands.
A CARIBBEAN restaurant in Huddersfield proved to the taste of judges in a monthly business award. Discovery Bay was named Business of the Month in the competition run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade & Industry. The restaurant, in Wood Street, was founded in 2006 by Barrington Douglas, after years of saving to fulfil his lifelong dream. From the age of 12, Barrington had a passion and flair for cooking. He would watch his mother cooking wonderful Caribbean meals using skills and family recipes passed down through the generations. At the age of 19, Barrington began working in the construction industry, saving £20 out of every £100 he earned. After 21 years of saving, he was finally ready to realise his lifelong dream of opening a Caribbean restaurant. Just one month after opening, the restaurant was runner-up in the contest to find Yorkshire’s Best Ethnic Restaurant 2006. He went on to be named Yorkshire Black Entrepreneur of the Year 2008. He was invited on a once-in-a-lifetime trip working alongside Gary Rhodes while he filmed his TV series Rhodes across the Caribbean. This involved touring eight Caribbean islands from Jamaica to Tobago and cooking with some of the Caribbean’s top chefs. On his travels, Barrington picked up more than 200 recipes which he now offers in Discovery Bay, with his own twist of course! In 2012, Barrington was invited to run cooking presentations by the Caribbean Export Development Agency and was
■ GOOD TASTE: Mike Webb (third left), of Eaton Smith, presents the award to Barrington Douglas, of Discovery Bay, with (from left) Morris Simpson and Richard Dennis, both of Discovery Bay; Ellie Lyon, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; and Simon Steer, of Royal Bank of Scotland
selected from thousands of chefs to cook at the Olympic Games. Barrington also made his ninth TV appearance on a popular cooking programme with Marco Pierre White – with Discovery Bay making it to the last 12 out of 5,000. Judges for the Eaton Smith award were impressed by Barrington’s enthusiasm, the reputation of his restaurant and the respect in which he is held by his peers. They also took into account the success of the restaurant in weathering the recession, its contribution to the local economy and its record in creating jobs.
Charity message received
A HUDDERSFIELD accountancy firm is backing a new charity supporting local children. Revell Ward has teamed up with Ethretec – Ethically Recycled Technologies – which raises cash for good causes by recycling hand-held electronic devices. Ethretec is headed by Ferndale woman Yvonne Hutchinson (left), who has chosen the Bradley-based West Yorkshire Forget Me Not
Children’s Hospice as the first beneficiary. Krishna Patel (right), of Revell Ward, met Yvonne at the accountancy firm’s First Friday networking club. Revell Ward now has a donor box for contributions at its offices at 30 Market Street. Said Krishna: “"I am so pleased that First Friday has proved to be a successful hub for connecting people.”
Barrington said: “Winning Business of the Month means a lot to me, my staff and my family. It is an honour to be recognised because Huddersfield has so many great and successful businesses. “I hope we are a good contender for business of the year as we have put Huddersfield on the map with our culinary skills. We have captured the nation through our experiences on national television.” The Business of the Month Award is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Contact Ian Greenwood at Eaton Smith on 01484 821389.
Jane Hanson & Rachel Court
Yorkshire Building Society YORKSHIRE Building Society has appointed a new general manager to be responsible for developing and supporting the mutual’s growing workforce. Jane Hanson will oversee human resources and internal communications for the 4,100 staff employed at offices and branches across the UK, including ones in Kirklees. Ms Hanson has almost 20 years’ experience in HR and financial services, having worked with Alliance & Leicester, HSBC and First Direct where she was head of HR when it was placed in the Sunday Times Top 100 Employers four times. She has an MBA from Leeds University Business School and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. In addition, Rachel Court has been made general manager responsible for providing market-leading service for new and existing members across all parts of the society. She has been with the Bradford-based society since 1991 and part of the general management team since 2006.