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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Young set to lead boom in business
YORKSHIRE could be on the brink of a youth business boom, according to a new report by The Prince’s Trust and RBS today. More than two fifths of young people in the region believe they will be self-employed in the future, while more than one in three expect to be their own boss within the next five years. More than a third have already made money from entrepreneurial activity – such as selling a product they have made or working on a freelance basis – and more than half hope to do so in the future. While only 5% of young people in the UK are currently self-employed, more than a quarter claim they are “increasingly” thinking of setting up in business. Jonathan Townsend, regional director of The Prince’s Trust in the north of England, said: “This research reveals an increasingly entrepreneurial mood among young people in York-
shire and the Humber. “Five years on from the start of the recession, youth unemployment remains high and many are seeing self-employment as a way to break the cycle of joblessness. “Setting up in business can be tough – but at The Prince’s Trust we have a 30-year track record of helping disadvantaged young people succeed in work and self-employment, no matter what their background. It is critical we nurture young people’s passion for business and invest in the next generation.” The survey found that 28% of young people would rather try to set up their own business than continue to job-seek in today’s competitive market. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of self-employed young people has already risen by 71,000 since the start of the economic crisis. While 42% of young people across
the UK have considered setting up in business, according to the Prince’s Trust research, many are being held back due to worries about funding or not having enough support. Almost two-thirds of young people in the region said that not having enough money would prevent them from setting up in business, while two-fifths claim that having a mentor would make them more likely to con-
sider self-employment. Chris Sullivan, chief executive of RBS Corporate Banking, said: “RBS has, for over a decade, actively supported efforts targeted towards young, unemployed people with a commercial idea and the drive and ambition to start-up their own business. “It is of particular importance in these tough economic times to provide support for some of the most disadvantaged young people in the country. Through our ongoing partnership with The Prince's Trust we’ve seen first-hand the life-changing results.” The Prince’s Trust is celebrating 30 years of setting up young people in business through its Enterprise programme. The scheme has helped 80,000 young entrepreneurs to date with support from funders such as RBS. Visit www.princes-trust.org.uk /30enterprise or call 0800 842842.
Start-up grant put Julie on road to success
■ ENTERPRISING: Juile Dedman, who started out with a £1,000 grant from the Prince's Trust, now oversees multi-milliion pound companies
MIRFIELD businesswoman Julie Dedman is a true Prince’s Trust success story. The 50-year-old launched a small milk testing business on a friend’s farm in 1985 with help from the Prince’s Trust. Since selling her first business to a large conglomerate, she now oversees nine multi-national companies turning over more than £250m a year and employing 5,000 people worldwide. Julie’s journey began when she was made redundant from her job at a local animal feed company. She said: “The job market was not great at the time, so being made redundant seemed like the worst thing that could have happened. “You go from having a full time job and thinking everything is fine to the next having nothing – but that’s life. There are many others who have been through exactly the same; you just have to make the best out of what you have. “Rather than sitting and feeling sorry for myself, I realised that there was an opportunity to open a business in an area that I was
experienced in, so I grabbed it with both hands. “1985 was a tough time for business, quite similar to how it is today, and I couldn’t find any funders who were interested in a girl of 22 asking for money to set up a milk testing company with no backing. The Prince’s Trust were the only ones who believed in me and they supported me all the way.” Julie enrolled onto The Prince’s Trust’s enterprise course and was awarded a £1,000 grant and a business mentor to get her business – West Riding Milk Testing started. She said: “Starting out was extremely hard and I had to make a lot of sacrifices to put everything I had into making the business work. I felt that the trust had given me a lifeline with that money and support and I owed it to them and myself to make it a success. “You do have to give up many things and it was years before I could even think about leaving to go on holiday, but you get out what you put in.” Julie used the grant to secure
premises for a laboratory and to buy testing equipment. With her background in agriculture and farming, Julie relied on her knowledge and saw the gap in the market for her services, which no one was offering in the area at the time. Now Julie spends her time deftly navigating the world of business, juggling nine multi-million pound companies. The varied sectors range from food manufacturing – which includes supplying sandwiches and snack foods to businesses producing airline meals and Halal meals for hospitals – to clean air facilities, facilities management and the manufacturing of surgical ophthalmology instruments for some of the leading eye hospitals and clinics across the world. Julie gives a lot of her time and money back to the trust, most recently setting up the Julie Dedman Enterprise Fund to support young women in Yorkshire and the Humber into business. She is passionate about giving others the chance that she was given all those years ago.
INSIDE Pulling together EFFORTS are under way to build links between businesses based in Huddersfield’s HD8 postcode area. Merewyn Sayers, who runs Denby Dale-based business support firm Sayers Solutions, is leading the drive to pull together firms in villages such as Denby Dale, Clayton West, Skelmanthorpe, Scissett, Shepley, High Flatts, Emley and Farnley Tyas. She has already set up a Facebook page, which has attracted 74 “likes” from businesses and individuals across the district.
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Counting the cost YORKSHIRE firms see rising fuel and utility costs as the biggest problems they face. A poll of more than 500 firms by insolvency trade body R3 showed that 38% of companies in the region cited fuel and utility costs as their biggest headache – compared with 32% of firms nationally. Some 34% firms were worried about reduced consumer spending, but only 7% were concerned about securing further credit or a bank loan.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Celebrations – and some timely advice
HUMAN resources consultant Julie Sykes is set to complete 10 years of running her own business. Now the Shepley-based HR specialist has drawn up 10 top tips – one for each of those years – to help bosses deal with the inevitable “people” issues that arise in the workplace. Julie has worked in the HR industry for more than 25 years, the last 10 at Shepley-based JCS HR, which provides services across Yorkshire and the Manchester area for clients in sectors such as manufacturing, government, media, financial services, medical and engineering. She said: “Over the years I have developed an extensive knowledge of all things HR-related and I have seen how both positive and negative decisions can sometimes dramatically effect a business. “So, as part of my 10th anniversary celebrations, I thought it would be opportune – and perhaps useful – to put together my top 10 HR tips!” ● Treat your investment in employ-
ees just like any other investment – research before you ‘buy’. Choose carefully to make sure you get exactly what you need, and ‘maintain’ to ensure continuing high performance. ● If you have an issue – always plan for the worst case scenario – it’s better to be more thorough than you need to be, than not thorough enough. ● Have a clear “Code of Conduct” covering what is important to you and your business and make sure that staff are aware of it. ● When recruiting or promoting never underestimate the importance of personal attributes. If an employee shows no initiative, is inflexible or has poor work standards, what value are his/her skills and knowledge? Conversely, someone who has less skill and experience but who is proactive, willing to try anything and has high standards, is likely to be a much bigger asset to your business. As a general rule, skills can be taught but changing behaviour is much more difficult. ● Don’t assume that pay is the only
■ GUIDANCE: Julie Sykes, of human resources consultancy JCS HR
thing that will attract and retain staff – it is definitely very important but it isn’t the only consideration. Flexible work-
ing hours, holidays and working environment are just a few of the other things that affect people’s decisions about where to work. ● Do some level of induction for all new employees. ● Don’t ignore problems and hope they’ll go away – they won’t; in all probability they will get worse. ● High performers get recognition and poor performers (hopefully) are dealt with; don’t forget to acknowledge the performance of the good, solid performers because without them you would struggle. ● Be proactive – put clear policy and processes into place and make sure staff know about them. That way you don’t have to ‘reinvent the wheel’ every time something employee-related needs to be done, you avoid knee-jerk reactions and you treat staff consistently. ● Don’t assume that only the big companies need HR support – companies of all sizes can benefit as long as the support is tailored to their specific needs.
New group rallies support for HD8 businesses EFFORTS are under way to build links between businesses based in Huddersfield’s HD8 postcode area. Merewyn Sayers (pictured), who runs Denby Dale-based business support firm Sayers Solutions, is leading the drive to pull together firms in villages such as Denby Dale, Clayton West, Skelmanthorpe, Scissett, Shepley, High Flatts, Emley and Farnley Tyas. She has already set up a Facebook page, which has attracted 74 “likes” from businesses and individuals across the district, including retailers, printers and a film facilities company which scouts locations for film-makers. Merewyn said she hoped that developing an HD8 business group would help promote local firms more effectively, enable them to share experiences and information, exchange business
tips, increase the level of inter-trading going on and draw more customers into the area. She said: “The aim is to promote local businesses that often ‘get missed’ because we are not part of the ‘central hubs’ of Huddersfield, Wakefield or Holmfirth. There are lots of businesses in the H8 area, which is a beautiful part of Yorkshire.” She added: “Things are in their early stages of finding out what people want from an H8 business group. Holding networking meetings may not be appropriate because many businesses are retailers who need to be in their shops!” Merewyn said she hoped to bring other organisations such as charities, nurseries and community organisations on board and encourage group members to join in fundraising or volunteering to help good causes.
Look out for the leisure pound LEISURE businesses across Kirklees are set to benefit from a new £150m fund launched by NatWest and RBS. The move comes as latest research shows that one in four leisure businesses in the UK feel they are losing out due to a lack of investment. The new fee-free loans aim to support investment for the leisure industry. Lending under the fund comes with two six-month capital repayment holidays to provide a breathing space for firms to invest and for contingency planning. The survey of small and medium-sized businesses in the leisure industry showed
30% of respondents don’t feel they invested sufficiently in 2012 to remain competitive, while 55% feel investment in refurbishment or new equipment would make a positive impact on their business. When asked how optimistic they felt about 2013, some 48% of those surveyed believed their business would grow in the next year, with 73% saying they were optimistic about 2013. Andrew Taylor, head of leisure for commercial banking at NatWest and RBS said: “Competition in this sector is fierce, so those putting off short term investment can quickly find they need to make larger
investments or face being left behind. “It’s great to see optimism returning to the leisure market, but it’s vital these firms are able to invest in the quality of their assets – more so than other industries.” VisitEngland worked closely with the bank to provide additional insight on the industry’s needs in the development of the leisure fund. Sharon Lowther, leisure sector specialist for NatWest in Yorkshire, said: “The leisure industry generates about £97bn of GDP and nearly 2m jobs – it is vital for our local economy and needs the right support from banks to grow.”
■ QUALITY: Andrew Taylor, of NatWest and RBS
Page 2 Service with a smile BUSINESS activity in the service sector improved over the three months to May, a survey revealed today. The latest quarterly service sector survey by the CBI said business and professional services saw weaker growth than expected – but consumer services experienced a sharp turnaround in business volumes. The business and professional service sector, which includes accountancy, legal and marketing firms, saw activity staying broadly flat over the quarter. But while overall profitability fell, optimism regarding the business situation rose at its fastest rate since February, 2010, as expectations for the next quarter are somewhat brighter. In contrast, consumer services, such as hotels, bars, restaurants and the travel and leisure industries, saw business volumes rise at their fastest pace since August, 2007. As a result, overall profitability of consumer businesses rose for the first time since November, 2007, despite employee costs continuing to increase. However, there are concerns among firms over a shortage of internal finance and an inability to access external funding. The survey of 170 companies revealed expectations of a firm quarter ahead, with business and professional services expecting solid growth in both the value and volume of business. Consumer services firms predict that growth in business will be sustained and profits in both sectors are expected to rise strongly. Stephen Gifford, CBI director of economics, said: “There appears to be a sense of growing confidence in the service sector. We’ve seen some turnaround in activity this quarter and a more positive outlook for the next. While activity has been pretty flat for business and professional firms, the outlook is much stronger. “What’s promising is that consumer services have seen growth in activity and expect this to continue, pointing to a greater willingness from people to go out and spend. But there is concern around getting access to finance, so it’s vital that growing firms look at the full range of funding options.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Martin Bown
Martin happy to count his blessings HE’S battled back from cancer to build a successful business. Now Martin Bown, who runs My Management Accountant with offices at Huddersfield Media Centre, is devoting much of his time to raising awareness about the condition which could have killed him. Martin 41, who lives at Kirkburton, says: “I had testicular cancer. I woke up one Saturday morning and there was nothing there. By 11am I had a lump.” Within days, he was at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for a scan and the following week was back for surgery to have the lump removed. But the cancer had spread, requiring Martin to undergo nine weeks of chemotherapy at St James’ Hospital in Leeds. “The biggest side effect of the chemo – apart from the hair loss – was feeling so tired,” says Martin. “It was just exhausting. I enjoy running and I stubbornly said I was going to continue running at least once a week. I did nine miles during the nine weeks!” Says Martin: “It was quite an aggressive form of cancer,. “The problem with testicular cancer is that it progressed to your spine and in its later stages spreads to the chest and brain. But it is a highly curable form of cancer. Even at stage three, there is a 95% cure rate. “The people who die from it are generally those who do not get it seen to promptly.” Martin recalls the case of a 16-year-old boy who died of the condition because he was too embarrassed to tell anyone he had a lump. Now Martin is a keen supporter of Check ‘Em Lads, a charity raising
John Moores University in awareness of testicular cancer, particularly among Liverpool and graduated in those most at risk in the 16 1993 when the country was to 45 age group. He has in recession and there was taken the message to no work about. politicians, including “I travelled for a year and Labour’s shadow health came back in 1994 with not secretary Andy Burnham. much idea what I planned Although Martin has to do, but I started looking beaten the cancer, which at taking professional struck two years ago, he qualifications.” will continue to have regular Martin, who wanted to checks to make sure it does work in business rather not return. He says: “I feel than an accountancy better now than I ever have. practice, gained But there is still an qualifications with the emotional battle. While you Chartered Institute of are going through the Management Accountants. treatment, everyone around His first job was with you is very emotional and Huddersfield Royal worried. Infirmary. “I didn’t realise the effect Later, Martin worked for a it was having on my wife company supplying fencing and parents because I was panels, where in addition to focused on getting through dealing with the company it. As soon as it finished, accounts, he became its everyone else gives a sigh “chief” salesman in Norway. of relief. But that’s when I “We had one client in started asking ‘why did it Norway and I had the job of happen?’ I was perfectly fit. filling in the forms,” he It suddenly brings it home recalls. “He effectively to you that anyone can get became my client – and he it. Cancer isn’t something was one of our best that just happens to other because he always paid people.” promptly!” The cancer struck just as Over the years, Martin Martin was building up the worked in sectors including business he launched in retail, construction and January, 2009, providing management accountancy services to small firms lacking their own in-house finance director. “During that time, my clients were great,” says Martin. “They kept me involved. They sent me information and kept me abreast of what was happening, but they said ‘don’t worry – deal with it when you can’.” Martin set up his business after spending more than 15 years working in industry. Grimsby-born Martin lived in Keighley from the age of 15. “At school, I was always fairly ■ BATTLING: Martin strong with maths and numbers,” he says. “I did an Brown, of My Management Accountant accountancy degree at
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manufacturing. “I quickly realised there are a lot of businesses that need more help with their finances,” he says. “They are too small to employ a full-time accountant, but need more of a service than the traditional accountancy practice provides. That’s when the seed was sown and I started to consider having my own business offering those services.” Martin began My Management Accountant from home, but moved to the Media Centre at Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, in February this year. Its first employee joined in March while its clients cover sectors including advertising, recruitment, software and construction. “At the moment, I am expanding the business through referrals,” says Martin. “The reason businesses are talking to me is because these are difficult times. Business owners realise they need more information about their businesses – information they are not getting from their current accountants. “A few of my clients are really bucking the trend and doing well, but the general feeling is that things are really tough and the government cuts of last year are only now beginning to bite. One company I know made the decision to go down to a four-day week and has continued to trade. Firms like that are still going because they are innovative and realised they have to do things differently in a difficult market to be competitive. The firms that are doing well are providing really good customer service. It seems basic commonsense, but you see firms time and again that
don’t.” When time allows, Martin is a keen runner. He is a member of the Stadium Runners in Huddersfield and has even tackled a marathon to raise cash for Cerebra, a charity working with children who have brain injuries. Martin and wife Tina’s five-year-old daughter Isabella has cerebral palsy and attends Paces School for Conductive Education, in Sheffield as well as school in Highburton. Conductive Education is an educational system that has been specifically developed for children who suffer from motor disorders. Martin says: “The charity helped us in the past and asked me to be an ambassador for them. I’m also a trustee of the charity that oversees Paces. When the honorary treasurer retired I got ‘volunteered’. They looked around the table and decided as I’m good with numbers I was the best qualified to take on the job!”
Role: Owner Age: 41 Family: Married to Tina with daughter Isabella, five Car: Seat Alhambra Holidays: My wife is American and our last holiday was to Florida to visit her parents. This summer we plan to go camping in the UK. First job: I earned about £2 a week with a paper round. When I got a pay rise to £2.20 I thought I’d made it Best thing about job: Working with other businesses and helping them grow Worst thing about job: I can’t think of anything I don’t like about what I do Business tip: Keep your existing clients and win new business by delivering excellent customer service. Don’t try to win business by simply beating your competitor’s quote
My Management Accountant Work: Accountancy services Site: Media Centre, Huddersfield Phone: 01484 600514 Email: martin-bown@my managementaccountant. co.uk Web: www.mymanagement accountant.co.uk
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Who will be the next Business of the Month? If you are proud of what your business has achieved; why not tell us about your success story and you could be a winner of our prestigious award. For further details please contact: Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors, 14 High Street, Huddersfield HD1 2HA T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995
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KIRKLEES BUSINE
Put your trust in the professionals THE BUSINESS BATTLEAXE Amanda Vigar
S the economy starts to A emerge from the downturn, the value of profes-
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sional contractors to the recovery is becoming more vital. Accountants, lawyers, web designers, IT professionals are making a vital contribution to the economy by providing flexible and expert service. It is these individuals and smaller firms that are helping to get UK business back on its feet. Over 21,000 of these are PCG members; PCG is the largest association of independent professionals in the EU and is showing year on year growth. My firm was awarded PCG Accredited Accountant status in 2007 and has retained that status ever since. As a result we are seeing more and more of our clients
winning contracts in both the public and private sectors. The numbers of the professional consultants and freelancers is growing year on year. The number of self-employed people – often involving those who’ve launched their own enterprise following redundancy – has soared by 367,000 between 2008 and 2012 with the number of employees falling by 434,000 over the same period, according to the latest research from the Office for National Statistics. Companies are engaging experts to take them through the minefield of new developments in technology, practice and legislation. Getting the right advice can be crucial to the survival of a company and the maintenance of its good reputation. Contractors look after their
own tax, National Insurance and pensions. They don’t get paid for the time they’re not working because of holiday, sickness or indeed quiet periods. They know they have to perform every single day of their working lives and bring specialist skills. All in all they are higher performing and don’t cost as much as an equivalent employee. Businesses that engage PCG members also have that added confidence that the contractors are not blinkered and working in their own silos. They share ideas and knowledge in forums and at regular events. The key lies in raising the profile of professional contractors as they become an even more vital part of the economy, particularly as we move towards a sustainable recovery.
Business Advisors and Chartered Accountants
Amanda Vigar is managing partner at Holmfirth-based accountants V&A Bell Brown LLP
• A firm led by people who have actually run businesses • Through the year support and advice delivering comfort and value • Management information and account specialists • VAT, payroll and tax support • Year end reporting and full compliance service • Planning and support for your business and you Contacts Phone: 01484 688 616 Email: enquiries@bellbrown.com Web address: www.bellbrown.com Part of the V&A Vigar Group
Firms fear fuel costs
MORE than a third of businesses in Yorkshire cite rising fuel and utility costs as the biggest problems they face. A survey of more than 500 firms carried out by insolvency trade body R3 showed that 38% of companies in the region cited fuel and utility costs as their biggest headache – compared with 32% of firms nationally. Reduced consumer spending
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was next on the list of worries – identified by 34% of respondents across Yorkshire and 26% of firms UK-wide. But only 7% of businesses in the region and 5% nationally saw an inability to secure further credit or a bank loan as a main problem. Chris Wood, Yorkshire R3 committee member and partner at Cleckheaton-based Clough Corporate Solutions, said: “Concerns over utility bills and revenue show that businesses still feel they are being squeezed on both sides. “Businesses depend on utilities to operate, making it hard to cut costs. With consumers unwilling to spend, businesses will be increasingly To find out how you could own concerned about your very own Go Go Gaggia their margin.” franchise call 07845 564812 or Mr Wood said the email info@gogogaggia.co.uk reason access to credit was slipped away as an issue could be down to firms seeking to www.gogogaggia.co.uk reduce their debts. However, the
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number of businesses in Yorkshire reporting that they regularly used their maximum overdraft rose from 3% in November to 6% in the latest survey. Among other findings, 36% of firms in the region have seen sales volumes fall – 17% up on the figure for the last survey in November, 2012. This contrasts with a national picture which fewer firms reporting falling sales. The number of businesses reporting growth indicators has also fallen. In Yorkshire, businesses reporting investment in new equipment fell from 47% last November to 22%. Mr Wood said: “Business growth is still very hesitant. Although so few businesses said that access to bank lending was a problem, this could also indicate that many businesses are not even bothering to go to banks for funding. While things aren’t getting worse, they aren’t improving either.” R3’s April 2013 Business Distress Index found that all key indicators of business distress across the UK fell from November, 2012, and are significantly down on March, 2012.
Public sector sets the pace KIRKLEES firms are being encouraged to follow the lead of the public sector – and apply for the national standard for customer service. The Customer Service Excellence Standard was launched five years ago, focusing mainly on public sector organisations. The new plan aims to take this experience and expertise and apply it to the private sector – and help improve customer service among UK businesses.in areas such as delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism and staff attitudes. Spokesman Gary Swarbrooke said: “Since Customer Service Excellence launched in March, 2008, we’ve worked mostly with public sector organisations. “We now want to take our proven experience and expertise to the private sector, encouraging them to achieve the high level of standards that are becoming commonplace and expected from customers.” The standard operates on three levels – by allowing businesses to self-assess themselves, by allowing individuals and teams within the business to explore and acquire new customer service skills and finally by allowing businesses to seek formal accreditation. Said Mr Swarbrooke: “The final element is the key really as this is what makes the standard really stand out. We have a very strict criteria when we assess businesses. Companies have to work really hard and prove that they are at the top of their game when it comes to customer service in order to be accredited. “We’re keen for CSE to grow as a recognised symbol of excellence, both by businesses themselves and more importantly by the customer.” Go to www.customerservice excellence.uk.com
Spotlight turns to franchisees FRANCHISEES have been given a chance to shine. The British Franchise Association has launched the bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards – with several new categories. The bfa is calling for franchisors to nominate their most accomplished franchisees for the awards – now in their 24th year – which showcase the UK’s most talented franchisees who have achieved exceptional results by promoting best business practice and values. Five new categories this year are for customer service, long-serving franchisee, young franchisee, micro-business and female franchisee. Franchisors have until July 12 to nominate their chosen franchisees and finalists will be invited for an interview with the judging panel on August 21 and 22. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on October 3 at the ICC in Birmingham.
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Export activities MORE than 300 businesses supported a dedicated week of activity across Yorkshire and the Humber to learn more about international business opportunities in high growth markets. Eight events were organised by UK Trade & Investment during Export Week to encourage more small and medium-sized businesses to go global. Now a campaign – Exporting is GREAT – has been launched to build momentum from Export Week by targeting more than 100,000 northern businesses that are primed for export with mailers offering access to grants and assistance and an opportunity to meet one-to-one with an expert trade adviser. The activity is part of a concerted push by Trade & Investment Minister Lord Green to increase the number of British companies that export by a quarter and double UK exports to a trillion pounds a year by 2020. Mark Robson (pictured) , UKTI regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber,
said: “The focus of Export Week was opportunities in high-growth markets like Brazil, Russia, India and China, where there is sustained year-on-year growth, as well as emerging markets like Colombia, Indonesia and Vietnam that are really coming to the fore.” “The whole week was a resounding success and it was fantastic to see so many businesses turning out. What really impressed the team was the fact we attracted so many novice exporters – newcomers to export and to
UKTI who are looking at South America, South East Asia, eastern Europe and beyond, and at how we can help them to compete. “That’s what it’s all about and I hope we can work together to ensure they fulfil their potential and turn aspirations into reality.” Commenting on the launch of the “Exporting is GREAT” pilot, Mr Robson said: “Supporting more businesses to export is crucial for Britain and helps to spread sustainable growth across the regions. We want to reach the many SMEs across Yorkshire and the Humber who are ready to sell offshore, but have yet to take the plunge.” Barclays branches across the region are supporting the GREAT campaign by encouraging their corporate clients and business banking customers to arrange an appointment with UKTI. Branches are also displaying campaign posters and have leaflets available to take away. Go to www.ukti.gov.uk or call 0800 0931655.
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Guide Price: £20,000 – £25,000 Flat 9, 23-25 Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL
1 Modern 1 bedroom apartment 1 Dewsbury town centre 1 Close to rail and bus stations 1 Modern kitchen and bathroom 1 Integral appliances
Guide Price: £25,000 – £30,000
Page 6
‘Bad news’ on rates A RATING expert has criticised the Government’s decision to postpone the next business rates revaluation from 2015 until 2017. Rod Edwards (pictured), rating director for chartered surveyors Eddisons, which has offices in Huddersfield, said the decision was bad news for business. ‘This is a badly thought out move by Government, which will prevent any hope of rateable value realignment which ratepayers so desperately need,” he said. “At the moment, they are based on rents in 2008, when the market was at its peak. With a 2.7% increase for rates bills confirmed from April 1 this year, the business rates burden will only continue to hit bottom line costs.”
The delay means that business rates liabilities will continue to increase in line with RPI through until the 2016/2017 rate year. The effect of the decision could be felt hardest in areas
such as Yorkshire where businesses have seen rents fall, but are still being charged business rates set prior to the recession. Mr Edwards said there was also a lack of clarity on the appeal regulations going forward, which the Government needs to address. “Under the current rating appeal legislation it would be possible to lodge an appeal against an April 1, 2010, rateable value up until March 31, 2015. ‘The two-year postponement could mean that current ratepayers would not be able to lodge a valid compiled list appeal between April1, 2015 and March 31, 2017, which could potentially lead to savings back to April 1, 2010.”
Flat 13, 23-25 Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL 1 Modern 1 bedroom apartment 1 Dewsbury town centre 1 Close to rail and bus stations 1 Modern kitchen and bathroom 1 Integral appliances
Guide Price: £25,000 – £30,000 Flat 14, 23-25 Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL 1 Modern 1 bedroom apartment 1 Dewsbury town centre 1 Close to rail and bus stations 1 Modern kitchen and bathroom 1 Integral appliances
Guide Price: £25,000 – £30,000 25 Harrison Road, Halifax, HX1 2AT
1 Character office building 1 Town centre location 1 215m2 (2,320 sq ft) 1 4 parking spaces
Guide Price: £90,000 – £100,000 29 Harrison Road, Halifax, HX1 2AT
1 Character office building 1 Town centre location 1 179m2 (1,931 sq ft) 1 6 parking spaces
Guide Price: £90,000 – £100,000 Residential Building Land, Industrial Street, Primrose Hill, Huddersfield, HD4 6AW
1 Planning consent for residential development 1 Popular residential area 1 0.11 Acres (0.045 Hectares)
Guide Price: £35,000 – £40,000
Former Post Office Public House, 11 Market Street, Milnsbridge, HD3 4ND
1 Substantial former public house 1 Prominent position 1 Close to Milnsbridge centre 1 Potential for a variety of uses subject to planning permission
Guide Price: £60,000 – £80,000
Former School House, Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton, BD19 3NU 1 Residential conversion opportunity 1 Requires refurbishment/upgrading 1 Good sized plot 1 Close to town centre
Guide Price: In Excess of: £95,000 The Herders Inn, Lancashire Moor Road, Wycoller, Colne, BB8 7EH
1 Derelict public house with paddock 1 Planning for residential conversion 1 Elevated rural position 1 Set in 2.66 Acres 1 Character Grade II Listed building
Guide Price: £150,000 – £175,000 4.9 Acres Pasture Land, Lancashire Moor Road, Wycoller, Colne, BB8 7EH 1 Potential equestrian facility 1 Elevated rural location 1 Stunning panoramic views
Guide Price: £30,000 – £50,000 Braeside Farm, South Cross Road, Cowcliffe, Huddersfield, HD2 2PH
1 Dilapidated detached farm house 1 Elevated semi rural location 1 Extensive panoramic views 1 7.19 Acre site (2.91 Hectares) 1 Potential for extension
Guide Price: £100,000 – £125,000 Fell Greave Farm, Fell Greave Road, Bradley, Huddersfield, HD2 1NH 1 Grade II Listed farmhouse 1 Pleasant backwater location 1 0.71 Acre paddock 1 Potential for extension/conversion of outbuildings
Property deals in favour LENDERS are increasingly keen to finance commercial property deals in Yorkshire, it is claimed. A report by property agency Jones Lang LaSalle said that main high street banks as well as some specialised lenders aimed to lend more this year than at any time in the current property cycle. Simon Cullimore, head of Jones Lang LaSalle’s valuation team in West Yorkshire, said some lenders were taking advantage of the Funding for Lending scheme which allows banks to offer more favourable rates of interest or reduce their
arrangement fees – thereby removing a major hurdle to investment. He said that the decision to extend the scheme for a further 12 months may help to further underpin the market recovery. Said Mr Cullimore: “The debt market continues to show signs of improvement, with an increasing number of lenders seeking to lend, albeit on a relatively narrow range of opportunities. “It is, however, now being constrained by a lack of investment transactions as opposed to earlier in the current cycle, when the opposite was true.”
Opening for Orchard A WASTE management consultancy has signed a deal with a major window firm. Orchard Environmental, based at Elland, has been appointed by Bradford-based Safestyle UK to oversee waste services at 30 of the firm’s sites nationwide. Part of Style Group UK, Safestyle was established in West Yorkshire in 1992 and has expanded to operate 30 sales offices and 10 installation sites throughout England and Wales, as well as an 18-acre manufacturing facility in Yorkshire. The business has seen growth of 10% year-on-year for the past two years. Peter Haigh, of Safestyle
UK, said the decision to outsource management of general waste had been taken to streamline
administration by creating a single point of contact. “The key benefit for us as a business is to be able to hand over the paperwork and receive one invoice instead of 30 separate ones, which significantly reduces the amount of time we spend on administration,” he said. Justin Holley (pictured), of Orchard Environmental, said: “Large companies with multiple sites see an immediate administrative benefit to having their waste managed under one roof. “We aim to manage their costs by assessing the market to ensure they are always receiving the best service at the most competitive rates.”
Guide Price: In Excess of: £175,000
Upper Floors over Former Bank, 6-8 Southgate, Elland, HX5 0DG
1 Town centre location 1 2,098 sq ft over 3 floors 1 Potential for residential conversion
Guide Price: In Excess of: £25,000 Scout Hall Farm, Lee Lane, Shibden, Halifax, HX3 6UJ 1 Grade II Listed farmhouse 1 4/5 bedrooms 1 Stunning valley location 1 1.28 Acre plot
Guide Price: £250,000 – £300,000
Training centre officially opened A FIRM providing air compressors and pneumatic products to industry has opened a new training centre. Thorite, which has a branch at Barge Street in Huddersfield, has launched the new training suite at its Bradford premises. The state-of-the-art centre for pneumatics engineering education was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Clr
Dale Smith. The company, which can trace its roots to 1850, said the training suite was an important part of Thorite’s current investment programme which also includes major refurbishments at its regional network of 10 specialist sales and service centres across the North and the West Midlands.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Cashflow vital for construction sector CONSTRUCTION companies have been urged to keep the cash flowing – to safeguard the UK’s sub-contractors and their employees. The call came from insolvency trade body R3 following figures showing a 2.4% decline in construction output during the first quarter of 2013 compared with the final three months of 2012. Additional research by R3 shows that almost 30% of construction and civil engineering firms across the UK and 29% in Yorkshire and the Humber are at risk of failure – almost 70,000 firms nationally and more than 4,600 in the region. That compares with 24% of businesses at risk overall both nationally and in Yorkshire and the Humber. Chris Wood, Yorkshire R3 committee member and partner at Cleckheaton-based Clough Corporate Solutions, said: “With the construction sector remaining in a delicate state, times are likely to become even tougher. Issues such as late payment will be critical. “In a flat market or recession where construction isn’t thriving – where there is effectively an oversupply of sub-contractors – pricing is very slim. “Therefore this ‘oxygen’ of payments must be kept flowing through the system. Any delay could push a sub-contractor into a downward spiral. They can’t pay their own employees who might walk off site, which then necessitates getting agency workers, costing even more or even withdrawing from site entirely. “At present there is currently a squeeze on margins, not just cash flow in the construction sector.”
INFORMED DEVELOPMENT
Martin Thompson HE Government’s flagship Help to T Buy scheme has come under attack twice within three days.
Under this scheme, you buy your house with at least 75% of the cost met by a mortgage and at least 5% of the price as a deposit. The rest is paid for by an equity loan from the Government. These loans are available to all buyers buying new build homes worth up to £600,000. Firstly, the outgoing governor of the Bank of England Sir Mervyn King expressed concerns that the scheme could leave taxpayers exposed to billions of pounds in private mortgage debt for years to come should the scheme become permanent. Then developers have been criticised for advertising homes to first-time buyers at four fifths of the actual property price to attract buyers onto the scheme. All this in the same week as new buyer enquiries are reported at their highest level for more than three years by the Royal Institute
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Page 7
Help to Buy initiative comes under attack
Industrial
To LeT
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All enquiries to Alec Michael at Michael Steel & Co on 0113 234 8999 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
of Chartered Surveyors. Sir Mervyn King said: “This scheme is a little too close to comfort to a general scheme to guarantee mortgages. “We had a very healthy mortgage market with competing lenders attracting borrowers before the crisis, and we need to get back to that healthy mortgage market.” But mortgage experts have expressed concern as it has emerged developers are marketing their properties at 20% below the real asking price; implying that the equity loan, which is part of the Help to Buy Scheme, is a discount or free gift and this practice will encourage people to take on debts they do not understand. Under the scheme, the buyer pays no interest on the Help to Buy equity loan for a period of five years, following which an
increasing annual interest is applied. The property website Rightmove disclosed that developers were using its portal to advertise properties 20% below the actual asking price, saying: “We are aware that some developers are making use of Rightmove to advertise an “indicative price” that takes into account the equity loan offered under Help to Buy. “We know from previous research that awareness of Government schemes among movers is low and this approach can help raise awareness.” Whether or not this initiate boosts home purchases will be known in the next 12 months; whether home owners with equity loans from the Help to Buy scheme can afford the additional interest will be known after the next election.
Martin Thompson, is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Entrepreneur’s Canadian visit Ben Creswick & Harvey Stead
FMG FLEET management specialist FMG has made two appointments to the board as the business continues to develop new and existing products and branches into new markets. The Huddersfield-based company has taken an industry-leading stance on incident reduction and risk management and earlier this year launched FMG Legal. Ben Creswick (above, left) joins as business development director, having previously worked at Zenith, while Harvey Stead (right) re-joins FMG as sales director, already having worked at the firm until 2008. Mr Creswick brings considerable industry knowledge and expertise to complement the existing board, having spent 10 years at Zenith. In his new role, he will support the business in key strategic areas and help to develop new and innovative products Mr Creswick said: “I welcome the chance to join such a strong team and help in moving FMG to the next level. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve already been impressed by the energy of our people, use of advanced technology and the full adoption of BSI / ISO standards. It’s clear that there are strong foundations for further growth, and it’s my aim to work with the board to drive us forward.” Mr Stead re-joins the business after a five-year absence, having held senior positions at Close Motor Finance and Lex Autolease during that time. He will be responsible for developing the customer base with a range of products aimed at risk reduction and incident prevention, coupled with market leading expertise in repair and recovery. He said: “FMG is a great business with a truly market leading service proposition. We have a genuinely unique culture, which drives all of our relationships – with colleagues, business partners and customers. Whilst the business has developed during the last five years, the core values and the people remain FMG’s point of difference, and greatest asset.” Company chief executive John Catling said: “This is an exciting time for FMG. As market leaders in incident prevention over recent years, these two appointments will help assist FMG’s continued growth. Ben and Harvey’s knowledge and expertise in the sector will prove invaluable as we look to drive the sector and develop new offerings in coming years.”
Warming to summer! FLAMING June is almost here – so what better way to celebrate summer than with a little informal networking? Huddersfield’s First Friday group will get together from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Friday, June 7, at the Head of Steam in St George’s Square. The regular meetings, co-ordinated by Huddersfield accountancy firm Revell Ward, provide a chance to socialise at the end of a busy week with no pressure and no formalities. Email firstfriday@revellward.co.uk
ENTREPRENEUR Graham Leslie has been building links between business and academia – in Canada. The founder of pharmaceuticals firm Galpharm, who is now resident professor of enterprise and entrepreneurship at Huddersfield University, has completed a five-day trip to Newfoundland. Prof Leslie was invited by the Memorial University to address senior personnel from the faculty of business administration and its key business partners. His breakfast lecture emphasised the importance of business-to-academia collaborations as well as supporting and mentoring young entrepreneurs. He highlighted how the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield is already an exemplar of this way of working. The centre at Firth Street, is a one-stop-shop for businesses wanting to accelerate their growth. As well as providing access to national and international markets, financial advice and the latest in technology, the centre acts as a gateway to the university’s key research centres and offers a platform for young entrepreneurs to start up their businesses. During his visit, Prof Leslie met Dr Wilfred Zerbe, dean of the faculty of business administration, to help build links between Huddersfield University and the Memorial University in Newfoundland. Prof Leslie also caught up with his younger sister, Annette, who is a professor in English literature at the University in
■ ATLANTIC CONENCTION: Prof Graham Leslie (left), of Huddersfield University, with Dr Wilfred Zerbe, of Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada
Newfoundland, and her husband, Michael, who is a retired dean of arts. Said Prof Leslie: “It was such an honour to speak at the Memorial University, especially as it is where my sister works. The arrangements and the welcome from the university over the five days were exceptional. I was made to feel very welcome by the faculty.” Carol Sullivan, of the faculty of business
54 Degrees of success
Five-figure send-off for society’s outgoing president THE president of West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants is concluding her year in office on a high. Wilma Teviotdale, who is head of accountancy at Huddersfield University, hosted the society’s annual dinner in Leeds – and was delighted that the event raised more than £3,000 for Young Enterprise, an organisation which offers schoolchildren a chance to get a taste for business. Said Wilma: “’UK plc has a real need for the next generation to understand business basics and want to be involved and YE does a fantastic job to bridge the gap between school and ‘real life’. “The YE experience also encourages and develops many wider skills – such as team-working,
administration at the Memorial University, said: “Entrepreneurship is an area of strategic importance in our faculty and an area that has become vital to the development of our province. “Having such an accomplished entrepreneur like Prof Leslie speak to our faculty reminds us that we need to continue to keep this as a priority and continue to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in our province.”
■ FIRST PRIZE: West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants president Wilma Teviotdale with winning student Alex Hird (centre) and ICAEW national president Mark Spofforth communication skills, self-confidence and initiative, time-management, social skills and much more.” Mark Spofforth, national president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, was the main speaker at the dinner, which was held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds. Prizes were presented to
West Yorkshire’s top-scoring accountancy students for their results in the ICAEW chartered accountancy advanced examination papers. The winners were Alex Hird, of Garbutt & Elliot in first place with Tom Baker, of Drax Power, and Katherine Rybinski, of KPMG in joint second place.
A PROJECT management expert is helping businesses improve their organisational and planning skills through a session based on peer group working. Sarah Wilson, of 54 Degrees, hosted an event at the Junction 25 Conference Centre in Brighouse, to help business owners focus on their action planning by drawing on the support and knowledge from other peers in the room. Those attending were encouraged to bring along a project or business problem to share to the rest of the group, who then provided feedback and encouragement to enable them to progress to the next stage. Said Sarah: “People frequently spend too much time on projects or come across an issue and put them to one side where they get forgotten about and lay unfinished.” She said: “As a group, we discussed each individual project or problem, broke down the issues, developed goals and turned them into actions, which enabled delegates to go away and move their projects forward.” Many of those attending were looking to improve their time management, their organisational skills and help in setting goals for their business. They have now set up a support group and arranged a follow-up meeting in June. Go to www.54-degrees.co.uk