Kirklees Business News 28/12/10

MARTIN PAGE All systems go at Lockwood

JILL PEEL Terminal velocity

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An EXAMINER publication

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Gas detector wins international prize A KIRKLEES businessman has won a prestigious international award – after his firm developed a life-saving gas detection system.

Simon Simpson, commercial director of Flowtech Controls, collected the innovation award at the annual Institution of Engineering and Technology Awards in London.

The award was made for the c o m p a ny ’s n e w c a r b o n monoxide and combustible gas detection system for residential properties.

The system – which is the first of its kind – alerts residents and automatically shuts off the gas supply in the event of a leak, an area where traditional detection systems provide insufficient protection against poisonous gas fumes and explosions.

The innovation was primarily developed to focus on protecting vulnerable members of the community and those with

a duty of care over occupiers.

Mr Simpson who was instrumental in the development of the system, said: “As a fairly small company with our first product, we are really proud and flattered that an industry body as prestigious as the IET has recognised our innovation over and above the other shortlisted entries and we hope this will inspire others to enter in the years to come.

“We are now embarking on the next stage of our development to create a product that will cut off gas supply once smoke is detected as well as carbon monoxide.”

The company’s outstanding success for its product was against a record number of international entries – offering industry innovators worldwide a unique opportunity to demonstrate their innovations and imagination as they tackle local, economic

and social challenges.

Flowtech Control, which is part of the Peerless Controls Group, beat several major companies and organisations to win the award.

The system uses a new range of detectors which in addition to the required visual and audible alarms, also send a wireless signal to a control panel when pre-set levels of gas are reached. This in turn closes the gas supply to prevent further build up.

The IET Innovation Awards recognise the most innovative companies operating in a wide variety of engineering and technology disciplines.

Fifteen categories included asset management, transport, telecommunications and product design.

The awards ceremony at the Brewery, London, was hosted

by TV presenter Suzi Perry.

“There is also an increase in individuals looking to set up on a part-time basis over a six to 12-month period to test the water before committing to full time.”

Latest figures from the centre showed that more than 60% of all inquiries were from people thinking of starting a business.

Accessing funding remains a key need for these customers while help with business plans and cash flow forecasting, sales and marketing and web creation also remain popular.

There was a rise in calls from established businesses and inquiries about debt and insolvency.

Business Link offers a wide range of help and support about managing cash flow and debt – including inform-

Two more join panel TWO successful Huddersfield entrepreneurs have joined the line-up for a major business conference in the new year.

Ajaz Ahmed, founder of revolutionary internet provider Freeserve and James Sommerville, co-founder of creative agency ATTIK, have both agreed to join Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle on the Billion Pound Panel, which will take place at The Yorkshire Mafia Conference, which will be held in March.

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■ WINNER: Simon Simpson and TV presenter Suzi Perry

Home-based businesses are back in fashion INCREASING numbers of people in Yorkshire are looking to set up low overhead, small service sector businesses in the New Year, says a report.

Factors like the unprecedented bad weather, job losses, public spending cuts and January’s VAT rise are all combining to make aspiring businesses and entrepreneurs take a cautious approach.

As a result, Business Link said there had been a resurgence of interest in starting small businesses from home – such as accountants and virtual PAs. Karen Marsden, head of Business Link Yorkshire’s customer information centre, said: “We are seeing a trend in pre-starts wanting to set up service sector businesses, involving minimal overheads.

INSIDE

ation, advice workshops and accessing expert help from professionals such as accountants and lawyers when needed.

The service also has information about setting up and running a business from home.

Other trends reported by Business Link include more inquiries about putting together a business plan, followed by options for financing a new business or developing an existing one, finding training to increase skills among staff and help the business diversify into new markets, and drawing up contracts of employment.

Queries about sales and marketing remain popular – particularly in terms of finding new customers. Calls about websites and online shopping carts to

enable e-commerce have also risen.

Business Link Yorkshire is urging businesses to take advantage of the free help it offers, particularly through its customer information centre, which deals with a huge range of inquiries.

In the New Year, businesses will continue to have access to expertise from the service after the government extended its contract into 2011.

Helen West, chief executive, said: “Our staff have done fantastic work over the past two and a half years – and the quality and impact of the services delivered has increased steadily month on month – evidenced by a customer satisfaction rating of 90%.”

Call Business Link Yorkshire on 08456 048048 or visit the website on businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk

The most trusted news brand in the business

examiner.co.uk

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Stars on the stage BUSINESS transformation firm Insight with Passion has got a top rating after delivering its latest seminar.

Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall, partners at the Barkisland-based firm, were the star speakers at the Keeping Business Local Expo, held in Oxford.

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

national

Sales frenzy hits high street stores TWO high-profile retailers launched their in-store Christmas sales – hoping to enjoy the boost to trading seen by their rivals.

John Lewis and Harrods opened their doors after staying shut on Boxing Day, when most stores traditionally welcome bargain hunters off the streets.

Highlights at Harrods’ Knightsbridge store include a Marc Jacobs sequined evening bag reduced from £670 to £399 and a Sony 3D TV bundle package down from £3,549 to £2,828.

Shopping centres and high streets up and down Britain were packed on Boxing Day as stores slashed prices to lure back the crowds after freezing pre-Christmas temperatures and heavy snow hit sales.

Stores were restricted to six-hour Sunday trading, but some malls opened early to allow people to browse.

Many out of town centres reported car parks full to capacity as shops opened their doors.

The impending VAT increase from 17.5% to 20% on January 4 gave consumers a reason to splash out on pricier items such as electronic goods and furniture.

Shoppers in London had to contend with the Tube strike, but crowds still descended on the West End to pick up bargains slashed by up to 70%.

Other people opted to browse for items from the comfort of their homes to avoid the cold conditions.

The Interactive Media in Retail Group said Boxing Day spending online could have topped £300m

for the first time.

When Selfridges in Oxford Street opened its doors for trade at 11am yesterday, more than 8,000 people were waiting outside, compared to 2,000 last year, a spokeswoman said.

A Mulberry bag was the first transaction in the store’s accessories hall.

Women’s handbags and shoes were best selling categories, taking more than £1.2m in the first three hours.

At the Bullring in Birmingham, more than 25,000 visitors passed through the doors before 12pm.

Aberdeen’s Union Square shopping centre said iPads and HD televisions were among the most sought-after items.

By 1pm there were 70,000 shoppers swarming over ■ MORE IN STORE: Harrods in London is among the 200 shops at the Trafford Centre on the outskirts departmentr stores and shopping centres reorting a of Manchester. busy start to the post-Christmas sales Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at the centre, said the sales had “gone off like a rocket”.

Mr McKinnon said because of the struggling some significant offers on high-ticket merchandise, economy throughout the year, many stores had a lot plasma and flat screen TVs selling for under £400, of stock to clear at discount before the Spring range silly prices. of goods arrive.

“With VAT increasing in a few days time the A spokesman for Bluewater shopping centre in retailers are gearing themselves up to take advantage, Greenhithe, Kent, said more than 100,000 visitors were expected to pass through its doors, with over they have purchased in bulk and the public are 900,000 people forecast to visit the centre by January willing to buy.”

Trevor Pereira, commercial director at Capital 1.

The Arndale Centre in Manchester reported “phe- Shopping Centres, which manages malls including nomenal” trading, with in excess of 150,000 through Lakeside in Thurrock, Essex, and Metrocentre in Gateshead, said customers had been “flooding the doors.

Glen Barkworth, general manager, said: “There’s through” the doors of its 13 centres.

Workers miss out on holidays ONE in 10 workers will not have their full holiday entitlement this year – with some failing to take two weeks of their annual leave, new research has revealed.

A survey of 2,000 adults by the Post Office showed that one in four of those missing out on their full holidays will lose almost a week, while 6% will fail to take two weeks.

Workers who do not take all their holiday leave in 2010 will not be able to carry any days over to next year, the study found.

The Post Office calculated that the UK’s workers will lose 179m days of holiday this year.

The industries where employees were least likely to take all their holidays included construction, media and marketing, agriculture and leisure.

The research also showed that

more than one in four people will work over the festive period and a further one in six will work from home.

Some of those on duty over Christmas admitted they had not booked a holiday off in time or had to go to the office to cover for colleagues.

Post Of fice spokeswoman Sarah Munro said: “Booking a holiday can be stressful and busy lifestyles mean it often drops down the priority list, but if you forward plan you’re less likely to miss out on being able to take holidays at key times like Christmas.

“Employers often prioritise staff that had to work at Christmas the previous year so next year you could be in with a good chance of getting that time off.”

Banks get ‘tidy tax cuts’ BANKS could soon be paying a lower tax rate than consumers and small businesses as a result of increased VAT next month and corporation tax changes, the TUC claimed.

The union organisation said the 20% VAT rate – up from 17.5% – and 1% cut in corporation tax to 27% in April could mean shoppers paying a higher rate of tax than banks.

The TUC claimed that multinational companies in the UK could be paying as little as 19% corporation tax in 2011 because of various loop-

holes they were able to “exploit” to bring down their bills.

UK banks will be able to offset the forthcoming corporation tax rate cut against the government’s £2.5bn bank levy and actually cut their tax bill next year, the report claimed.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Shoppers looking for bargains in the January sales will soon be paying more to clear the debts racked up by the banks when they plunged the UK into recession and asked for a multi-trillion pound bailout.”

■ ANGER: The TUC’s Brendan Barber

Mr Barber also urged the Government to confirm that the VAT rise would only be a temporary measure.

Fewer insolvencies – but divide remains THE rate of business failures have fallen, latest figures reveal.

A survey by business information body Experian showed the rate of business insolvencies fell to 0.07% in November against 0.09% in the same month last year.

However, businesses in southern England faring better than their northern counterparts.

The South East, South West,

Greater London and Eastern England were the four regions with the lowest rates – 0.06% – while Yorkshire, the North East – both on 0.10% and the North West on 0.09% experienced the highest rates.

The average financial strength score for UK businesses rose from 81.26 in November, 2009, to 81.31 in November 2010, – with the South East and South West continuing to hold the highest

scores at 82.96 and 82.47 respectively.

Experian spokesman Max Firth said: “So far this year, the insolvency rate has enjoyed a period of relative stability.

“For the last five months it has drifted between the 0.07% and 0.08% mark, which is a more positive picture than last year.

“Despite the fall in business failures, there continues to be a north/south

divide in the overall level of insolvencies. Regardless of location, all organisations should ensure they understand the financial health of those they do businesses with.”

Businesses with 101 to 500 employees led the fall in the insolvency rate, going from 0.016% to 0.11%.

The spirits, wine and tobacco industry saw the biggest increase to its financial strength.

Page 2 ‘Public back Sky probe’ THERE is strong public support for an independent investigation into the takeover bid for broadcaster BSkyB by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, according to an opinion poll.

The survey carried out

by ICM for an alliance of media organisations, found that 63% believed there should be an independent investigation into the News Corp bid.

The alliance comprises BT, the Guardian Media Group, Associated Newspapers Ltd, Examiner publisher Trinity Mirror plc, Northcliffe Media, and the Telegraph Media Group.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is due to receive a report on the bid from the regulator, Ofcom, by December 31.

He will then have to decide whether to refer it to the Competition Commission.

The decision has passed to Mr Hunt after Business Secretary Vince Cable was stripped of his responsibilities for media regulation after he was recorded telling undercover reporters that he had “declared war” on Mr Murdoch’s media empire.

The poll commissioned by the media alliance found 84% believed that no single organisation should be allowed to control too much of the news media, while 75% said it was important that there should be competing, independent sources of news in the UK. Some 44% opposed the News Corp bid, as against 5% who said they supported it. The rest said that they neither supported nor opposed it or did not know.

A spokesman for the alliance said: “This deal marks a significant change of control and the public is clearly concerned. If anything, popular awareness of the issues at stake will now be substantially higher.

“A clear majority of the public wants a full and independent investigation into News Corporation’s bid to take over BSkyB. The Competition Commission provides that mechanism.

“The public’s concern that no one organisation should control too much of the news – as News Corporation would under the planned deal – is also very striking.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS TECHNOLOGY holds no fears for businessman Martin Page.

As a co-founder and director of Lockwood-based managed IT services provider P2 Technologies the 31-year-old can cope with concepts such as cloud computing and the latest Microsoft applications.

“I was always keen on going into a technology-related job,” he says. “I was always technically-minded.

“My father, Kevin, is an electrical engineer and my two brothers – Tim and Michael – both went into electrical contracting. When I was younger, I couldn’t even bang a nail into a piece of wood – although I have since been able to renovate my own Victorian house!”

Martin, who grew up in Fartown and attended Whitcliffe Mount School.

When he left in 1997, he did not know what career to pursue, although he did have a basic understanding of computers.

On a whim, he pushed a copy of his CV through the letterbox at the offices of Liversedge-based software supplier Videss Ltd. “I was attracted because there were some fantastic cars parked outside,” he says. “I got an interview and got the job.”

Within 10 years, he was a director of the managed services business in charge of a staff of 21 installing IT equipment across the UK, principally for law firms. “I had a small sales team, a workshop team and an engineering team looking after 225 customers,” Martin recalls.

In 2006, the company was bought out by a major plc “and the world turned upside down”.

Martin and colleague Roger Pearson had been thinking of setting up their own business – and the takeover helped them to make up their minds.

“We got going in May, 2007 in these offices at Lockwood Park. We bought a small business in Leeds and started trading in August, 2007. We employed two engineers straight away and we were shortly joined by Graham Moore, who had also been at Videss, as a co-director.

“We went straight into a recession – which is always quite a challenge! I had never experienced a recession. I had worked for 10 years in a successful business.”

P2 Technologies safely negotiated the downturn and since this summer has seen a big increase in sales as well as growing its client base. The company now has a client list of about 60.

The firm specialises in providing IT managed services for law practices, accountancy firms and financial services. Clients include Castle and Minster Credit Union, Huddersfield accountancy firm Sheards and B&H Associates at Bradley.

profile

Work ethic pays off Services include helping firms select and install systems, 24-hour monitoring of systems with guaranteed response times, network security, a choice of support options and internet telephone connections.

Says Martin: “We work very hard on being different to our competitors. We have an ultra-talented team who are Microsoft-trained. We also have our own software products, such as Smarteye, which helps law firms by giving them extra information on the performance of each fee earner.

“We are raising our

profile. We have all this expertise in Huddersfield, but we are winning business all over the country. Two of our clients, for example, are on the south coast.

“Clients like us because of our fixed costs, expertise and speed of response as well as the quality of service.

We can deliver things that software suppliers can not.”

Says Martin: “We try to understand what our client’s business is about. If you understand what they are trying to achieve, the IT system you provide becomes much more effective. Providing the right tailored system helps make

■ SYSTEM RUNNING: Martin Page, of P2 Technologies at Lockwood Park

Page 3 Martin Page

them more agile as a business.”

Martin has worked hard to build up P2 Technologies alongside Roger and Graham. He has helped the firm achieve Microsoft Gold Partner status as well as introducing an appraisal model for staff development to ensure service levels are consistent.

“My parents were responsible for my work ethic,” he says. “Their motto was that ‘nobody gets something for nothing’ They made us ‘graft’ from an early age! I had numerous paper rounds and I also worked at Batley’s Growers during the summer, growing cress, which was a fantastic job.

“When I was at Videss, they sponsored me to do an HNC course at Huddersfield University as well as a course to become a Microsoft certified systems engineer by the time I was 22.”

Martin doesn’t fit the usual image of a “techie” sitting for long hours at a computer.

“I joined Fitness First here at Lockwood two years ago,” he says. “ I have brought my weight down and I have run two Great North Runs to raise money for the Stroke Association.

“My father had four cerebral aneurysms and had to have a brain operation. He suffered a stroke-related illness after his operation and now walks with a stick. That’s the driver for it. I’ve raised £1,000 for the charity so far – and I’ve already signed up for the 2011 Great North Run.

“I try to run 30 miles a week – about a third in the gym and two-thirds on the road. I get in early to do some training before work. It’s a good way to kick-start the day.

“It’s the personal challenge that drive me – being able to say ‘I’ve run 10 miles today’. It is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. The first time I did the great north Run I clocked 1hr 56mins. This year, it was 1hr 46mins. My aim for next year is to complete it in under 1hr 40mins.”

Martin’s other interests include snowboarding, which takes him to the French mountains.

Although he drives an Audi A8, those big impressive cars in the Videss car park hold no great interest for him these days, adding: “My luxury might be to buy a new pair of trainers every six months!”

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Role: Director Age: 31 Holidays: Scotland, ideally the Isle of Skye for the landscapes and the sea fishing Car: Audi A8 First job: paper round and working in a nursery growing cress Best thing about job: Hearing customers say good things about our products, services and staff. You can’t beat the feeling you get when people are thanking you for a job well done Worst thing about job: Red tape, rules and regulations Business tip: Providing exceptional products and services ensure that a business will do well – although it’s easier said than done!

P2 Technologies Work: Managed IT services and software Site: Lockwood Employees: Eight Phone: 01484 779020 Email: info@p2tech.co.uk Website: www.p2tech.co.uk

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KIRKLEES BUSIN

Opportunities for export hopefuls THEY’RE cited as the growth markets of tomorrow – the ones to watch, the ones to explore and the ones to move into as the global economy continues to shift away from the traditional developed world.

But what are the realities for Kirklees businesses forging links in Brazil, Russia, India and China – the burgeoning BRIC powerhouses?

And what about the second-tier of emerging markets in Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa, the so-called CIVETS. Why are they important, and what opportunities can they offer business leaders and entrepreneurs across Kirklees and wider West Yorkshire?

A unique event at Aspire in Leeds next year will explore BRIC and CIVETS markets in detail, providing first-hand insight and intelligence from industry experts.

Building BRICs For International Growth is being organised by government export support arm UK Trade and Investment in association with the Economist Intelli-

gence Unit and EHS Consulting.

Futurologist Dr James Bellini and leading international trade academics Prof Peter Buckley and Adam Cross are among those giving keynote speeches.

“If you want to develop your business you cannot ignore the rapid growth in these markets,” said Mark Robson, UKTI regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber. “On the one hand there are opportunities to supply products and services to these markets, but what are the risks and the real opportunities in doing so? On the other hand there are businesses expanding in high growth markets that are looking to compete here in the UK. “Consider this for example – 10 years ago, who would have believed that a Chinese company would own major British car businesses, or that a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer would wipe the floor with major US and German competitors.

“That is the reality of the evolving global business marketplace, and to that end we are

planning a gritty event looking at the facts.”

Said Mr Robson: “Delegates at the BRIC event will have the opportunity to engage with industry experts who can help their business expand in these key overseas markets.

“It promises to be a hugely rewarding day for all involved, whether you are a first-time exporter or an experienced international trader looking to break into a new market or sector.”

Other key-note speakers at the event on February 18 will include Aidan Manktelow and Kilbinder Dosanjh from the Economist Intelligence Unit, lawyer James Love and Steve Carlyle from Clearly Consulting & Training.

Specialist seminars will focus on comparisons between India and China and opportunities in Brazil and Russia, Contact Marcelle Tisserant on 0845 607 6715, email marcelle@clearlytraining.co.uk or visit the events section of the UKTI website at www.ukti.gov.uk

■ MISSION TO MOSCOW: Russia is cited alongside Brazil, India and China as the next big markets for UK firms to target

Flying start for branding agency A YORKSHIRE airport has added new facilities for its passengers – following a link-up with a Huddersfield agency.

Leeds Bradford International Airport has launched its exclusive Premier Lounge – a brand and experience created by Bradley-based brand specialists 10 Associates.

The prestigious project saw the 10 team help to restyle the existing lounge facility – including renaming it Yorkshire Premier Lounge.

It also involved producing literature in the style of a passport explaining the facilities available.

The team also suggested the Lounge be used to showcase some of Yorkshire’s finest chefs, starting with Life and Fork.

Jill Peel, partner and creative director at 10 Associates, said: “We pride ourselves on brand achievement and how we can impact business through design.

“We are confident that the work we've done with Leeds Bradford Airport on the Premier Lounge will do just that.

“The new design is aspirational, sophisticated and appealing. The colour palette is aubergine and silver and incorporates ‘travel stamps’ which show the airport’s audiences.

■ PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS: 10 Associates' creative director Jill Peel (left) with airport financial controller Sophie Brown at the entrance to the new Yorkshire Premier Lounge at Leeds Bradford Airport

“One of the key things was incorporating ‘Yorkshire’ into the name so we could ‘own’ that special uniqueness of the county and its people. We even suggested that we showcase Yorkshire food companies

within the Lounge to drive even more people there.

“We expect to see a dramatic increase in awareness, and use of the Premier Lounge facilities over the coming months.”

All passengers can enjoy The Yorkshire Premier Lounge's comfortable surroundings and business facilities, irrespective of the airline they are travelling with or their class of ticket.

Trophy time for insurance group INSURANCE and investment group LV= has won two of the top titles in the National Customer Services Awards.

The group, which owns Huddersfield-based roadside recovery firm Britannia Rescue, was named Customer Service Centre of the Year and Financial Service Team of the Year.

It is the second year running that LV= has taken the customer service centre award, which recognised the work of its contact centres in Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Croydon and Bristol.

The group was also a finalist in the categories for Customer Service Back Office Team and The Institute of Customer Service Best Customer Service Employer.

The judges were impressed with the group’s “passion for its staff with its great induction programme and continuous development scheme”.

They felt that its strategy of giving power to frontline staff shone through and showed that the group truly cared about its customers.

Other shortlisted companies that LV= beat to win the accolades included American Express, Wonga.com, Natwest, Royal Mail and British Gas. Peter Sinden, sales and customer service director for the general insurance business, said: “This is a great achievement for everyone in the operations team at LV=.

“Since 2006 we have tripled the size of our business and our great service is a key driver of this success.”

Online nursery firm bought up AN award-winning online trader has announced a key acquisition.

Buy it Direct, based at Trident Business Park at Deighton, has bought online nursery company BambinoDirect.co.uk for an undisclosed sum.

Buy it Direct won the category for e-commerce business of the year in the Examiner Business Awards.

BambinoDirect.co.uk is one of the region's largest online retailers of nursery goods such as push chairs, nursery furniture and car seats.

Five jobs will be created over the next three months as the business moves to Buy It Direct’s Leeds Road headquarters. A new showroom will open there on February 1.

Nick Glynne, managing director of Buy it Direct, said: “The nursery market has been dominated by the likes of Mothercare for far too long.

The lack of competition has kept prices high and given customers less choice.

“With our winning combination of discounted prices and excellent service, we are confident that we will be the largest independent in the UK within three years.”

NESS NEWS

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Experts’ advice is worth billions!

TWO of the most successful entrepreneurs in Huddersfield have joined the high-powered line-up for a major business conference in the new year.

Ajaz Ahmed, founder of revolutionary internet provider Freeserve and James Sommerville, co-founder of award-winning creative agency ATTIK, have both agreed to feature on the Billion Pound Panel, which will take place at The Yorkshire Mafia Conference in March.

Ajaz and James will join Dean Hoyle, chairman of Huddersfield Town Football Club and co-founder of Card Factory, plus other leading business figures from the Yorkshire region, to offer advice, guidance and insights to delegates at the conference.

Mr Ahmed said: “The Yorkshire Mafia’s reach and influence has grown considerably and as such has become the voice for Yorkshire business. Its concept, application and execution of services are first class and this inaugural conference is a much-needed boost to the Yorkshire business environment.

“The landscape is still harsh for us all out there, but these guys are doing something about it and I’m proud to be part of the conference and the group as a whole..”

Mr Sommerville said: “For tomorrow’s successful businesses, it will not necessarily be about price, mpg, ram, speed, dpi, location, quantity, plant, tools, 24/7 or last year’s bottom line – nor will it be about the past, the size, the office decor, the client list, the bank, the PR or the advertising.

“It will be about ‘people’ – those people who are on the inside running the business and the people on the outside, buying, or assisting the business. The Yorkshire Mafia is all about people. That's why I think everyone in business in Yorkshire, should be involved in some way. I'm

■ MEET THE GANG: Joining the Billion Dollar Panel are James Sommerville (second left) and Ajaz Ahmed (second right) with (from left) Danny Matharu, managing director of Hillrich; Geoff Shepherd and Sat Mann, founders of The Yorkshire Mafia

certainly looking forward to the upcoming events.”

Danny Matharu of Birstall-based conference organiser Hillrich, said: “We are delighted to have Ajaz and James on the panel and their involvement is testament to the hotbed of elite business talent we have in Kirklees.

“Both men will offer our delegates an unbelievable opportunity to gain vital advice and tips on how to get to the very top.”

Mr Ahmed founded Freeserve, the first free internet service provider in the UK, in 1998.

Launching with only three employees, Freeserve grew to become the UK’s largest internet company and floated nine months later, eventually selling for £1.6bn to what is now Orange Broadband. Mr Ahmed now focuses on develop-

ments in science and technology and sits on the governing council at the University of Huddersfield and the board of Yorkshire Forward.

ATTIK was co-founded by Mr Sommerville during the economic downturn in 1987 in a cramped attic bedroom in Huddersfield.

Now it is one of the most influential creative agencies in the world with offices in Leeds, San Francisco and Santa Monica and a client list including Adidas, Sony, Virgin, Microsoft, Nike and eBay. Mr Sommeville has advised Coca-Cola on major campaigns such as the FIFA World Cup and London 2012 Olympics. He chairs the Yorkshire Leadership Group and is an active leader of The Prince’s Trust Enterprises.

Run in the style of BBC’s Question Time, the Billion Pound Panel is

just one element of the inaugural Yorkshire Mafia Conference, which takes place on March 15 at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

All delegate places are free and the Conference will see more than 1,000 decision makers from across Yorkshire and beyond come together to share best practice, network and pass referrals, leads and trade with each other.

The Yorkshire Mafia began as a LinkedIn group in November, 2008.

With more than 4,500 members and growing at about 120 members each week, it has grown far beyond its origins as an online regional business networking group to become a deal facilitator, relationship broker, regional business platform and opinion former.

Go to www.theyorkshiremafiaconference.com

Back to the land for Chem Resist A KIRKLEES company making specialist storage tanks is reaping rewards in the farming sector.

Ravensthorpe-based Chem Resist Ltd, which designs and builds thermoplastic chemical storage tanks, is supplying containers to farms for use as fertiliser mixing tanks.

Chem Resist has developed the product in co-operation with local farmers.

The thermoplastic mixing tank avoid corrosion issues associated

with more traditional mild steel mixing vessels.

Technical manager Dr Stephan Menzer said the tank design reflects many years experience in the field.

“Agricultural fertilisers such as iron sulphate, urea and ammonium nitrate will corrode any mild steel equipment. – of particular concern for horticultural farmers, as buyers from leading supermarkets don’t like “rusty” fertiliser being sprayed onto “their” fruits and produce.”

Chem Resist’s tanks routinely spend 20-plus years on industrial sites containing highly corrosive chemicals, including sodium hypochlorite and concentrated sulphuric acid without any leakage or breakdown.

The Chem Resist fertilizer mixing vessel is fitted with a sturdy self priming pump and a spurge pipe to mix the tank content water and solid fertiliser.

The Chem Resist team can even advise on “recipes” to use.

Other features include the fact the tank is rectangular rather than circular – making it easier to deliver the fertiliser right to the side of the tank and reduce spillage.

There is also a safety net to protect the operator from falling into the tank.

One happy customer has also discovered that he can clean out the Chem Resist tank and use it as a swimming pool in summer!

Six new awards up for grabs SIX new awards are now open to Kirklees businesses as part of the North of England Excellence Awards 2011.

The new awards will recognise excellence in customer service, innovation, leadership, lean performance, learning and development and sustainability.

They will run alongside the existing Excellence Awards, which cover all areas of an organisation’s performance and assess them against established principles of business excellence.

The awards, now in their 18th year, are open to private, public and voluntary organisations of all sizes throughout the North.

They are organised by North of England Excellence and supported by the British Quality Foundation and Chartered Quality Institute.

The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony next autumn.

North of England Excellence is also seeking volunteer assessors – typically managers or consultants with an understanding of business excellence.

Assessors undergo specialist training and have the opportunity to broaden their understanding of business improvement processes.

David Teale, chief executive of North of England Excellence, said: “The awards are different to other business awards.

“Not only is there the opportunity to win recognition, but all applicants get feedback and benchmarking data to promote further improvement.

“Given today’s challenges, organisations are increasingly looking for ways to improve service, increase efficiency and enhance performance.

“The awards are in line with these aims and are good for business.”

Contact Suzanne House at North of England Excellence on 01925 715242 or visit www.northofengland excellence.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Check out those company bosses

FIRMS in Kirklees have been urged to check out the owners and directors of companies with which they plan to do business.

The warning comes from business information group Equifax and follows reports that a number of travel firms which have failed in the past two years are allegedly linked to the same owners.

Nic Beishon, head of Equifax Commercial Information Solutions, said the economic downturn had seen a number of high profile business failures – with a particularly high proportion of travel firms going under this summer.

He said: “Many of these failures have seemingly come out of the blue with customers having no prior warning and – in the case of the travel companies – no time to make other arrangements.

“While the recent collapses have

been devastating for travellers’ holiday plans, the situation could be much more serious for any commercial organisation that had been supplying services to the companies in question – potentially leaving them with significant bad debts and little chance of recovery and maybe even causing their own business failure.”

Just one client defaulting on a large payment could have an extremely detrimental effect on the cash flow of a supplier, said Mr

Beishon.

“Through checking business credit reports, firms are able to quickly and easily check the credit status of a current or prospective customer or supplier,” he said.

“As importantly, they can also find out who is behind the business, which might provide some early warning signs that could influence the trading terms offered to the new customer.

“In cases where a director of a failed business has had a

track-record of unsuccessful businesses, having this knowledge upfront would enable a company looking to secure a contract with them to supply services, to offer payment terms that would provide the best protection in the long-term – perhaps upfront cash payments or payment on delivery.

“Unfortunately in these difficult times, there is more risk of falling foul of less scrupulous individuals.

“So a bit of simple research which can be done online in minutes can go a long way.

“And while we wait to see if we are in the grip of a double dip recession, it is vital that businesses keep up to date with how their customers are faring.

“The more notice a company has when a customer begins to have difficulties, the more chance it has of protecting itself.”

Link-up brings bigger benefits AN online accounting software supplier has launched a partnership with a leading national business support body.

Longwood-based Liquid Accounts has teamed up with the Forum of Private Business, a not-for-profit organisation working with thousands of small and medium-sixed firms around the UK. The partnership gives FPB members exclusive money-saving deals on top of the standard subscription to Liquid Accounts’ accredited and award-winning online accounting software, including free personalised invoice template and free import of existing accounting data.

Chris Eccles, commercial director for Liquid Accounts, said: “This

is a great opportunity for us and just the sort of partnership we are looking for.

“Statistics show that businesses that use some sort of bookkeeping software are more likely to survive, thrive and grow.

“We hope to help members of the FPB gain skills and expertise that

will help them succeed. Using Liquid Accounts will give them access to their business information whenever they need it to help them analyse sales and keep on top of how much money they have.

“They’ll also have information to hand for their bank manager or accountant or to get support from the FPB.” The launch has been timed to allow members to sign up before the VAT rate rises from 17.5% to 20% on January 4. It also coincides with the Government’s announcement of a commitment to provide universal superfast broadband by 2015 – giving all businesses access to the time and cost-saving benefits of cloud computing.

p ro f e s s i o n a l s o f t e n b e c o m e anonymous because they leave their online reputation to chance – yet the internet is the first place their contacts will look when deciding whether to do business with them.

“We’ve created a simple platform which allows users to control their online reputation with no more difficulty than writing an email. Our Reputation Toolkit watches your back and allows busy professionals to devote their time to other pressing priorities – namely running their business.”

Mr Wainwright said his own

experiences during and after his time in charge at ICM led him to believe that personal reputations at the top of business have to be pro-actively managed personally, rather than left to chance.

“Businessmen like Sir Richard Branson and Peter Jones both have exceptional online presence and will bring in business to their companies through their reputation.

“Profiled.com offers other senior business professionals the chance to develop their own online brand without the cost and precious time commitment.”

Keep Gift Aid on the record BUSINESS people who donate to charity using Gift Aid have been warned to keep records of these donations – or face possible penalties when it comes to filing their tax returns.

Steven Gash, practice chairman of Cleckheaton and Keighley-based Clough & Co, said: “If you have to file a tax return and you give to charity, be it a donation at a dinner function, through Comic Relief, or even when you are donating old clothes to a charity shop to sell on, if you sign a Gift Aid declaration then it has to be declared to the tax man.

“However when it comes to filing your tax return, unless you keep track of these donations it can be very difficult to complete them accurately and there are penalties for any such inaccuracies.”

Gift Aid increases the value of the donation by allowing the charity to reclaim basic rate tax on your gift which amounts to 25p for every pound.

There are also benefits to higher rate tax payers using Gift Aid because – depending on individual circumstances – they can claim up to a further 40% tax relief on the gross amount of the donation, meaning that the donation costs less.

Steven said: “By adding Gift Aid to a donation of £100, the total value of that donation to the charity is £125 – but an individual paying 40% tax can claim back 20% of this (£25) for themselves on their tax return.

“In addition the Government has removed the right to automatically receive a basic personal allowance when you earn more than £100,000, but donating via Gift Aid can be used to bring taxable incomes below the £100,000 threshold.”

Deadline approaches ■ SKILLS: Chris Eccles, of Liquid Accounts at Longwood

Guarding your online reputation A FORMER Yorkshire chief executive of a multi-million pound listed company has used his experience of the role to develop a ‘Reputation Toolkit’ designed to benefit fellow business professionals whose online reputation is often left to chance.

Steve Wainwright, a former chief executive of ICM Computer Group plc, has added the toolkit to his existing online site Profiled.com – to provide a personal PR platform for business professionals to manage their internet presence themselves.

Said Mr Wainwright: “Business

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The process starts with a personal web address linked to a promoted profile. These act as the definitive source of information about the individual on the web and offer an antidote to the common problem of wading through a multitude of incorrect and often bizarre results on search engines when searching for an individual.

“Used in conjunction with other business collateral such as business cards and email signatures, users can create their own space on the internet” said Mr Wainwright.

ALMOST 24,000 self-employed tax credit claimants in West Yorkshire have been reminded to meet a looming deadline.

The claimants, including about 5,000 across Kirklees, have been urged to let HM Revenue & Customs know their total income for 2009/10 as soon as possible to ensure payment is correct.

Failing to provide the correct details could lead to an overpayment – and supplying incorrect information could even lead to a penalty.

Letters have already gone out urging claimants to tell HMRC their final income figure for the previous tax year no later than January 31, 2011. The amount that tax credit claimants receive can change.

When they renew their claims, the self-employed can give HMRC an estimate of their income. In that case, they have until January 31 to inform HMRC of the actual figure.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Business parks getting together KIRKLEES companies have been urged to work with other firms across Yorkshire in areas such as energy efficiency and local trading.

Business Collaboration Networks have been launched on business and industrial parks across the region to address the problem that many businesses do not know what activities their neighbours pursue – despite having been located at the same park for many years.

Karen Harrison, senior project manager at Wakefield first, which is leading the campaign, said: “ There is huge potential for businesses located on business and industrial parks to work with their neighbours, for example by trading with each other or making efficiency savings by sharing deliveries or waste facilities.

“This project has put in place a template which will allow local authorities to apply the model to further business parks and make them more attractive places for companies to be located and invest.

“Solutions developed through the networks vary widely from

location to location.

“For example, at an industrial estate in Hull, an innovative ‘video vulture’ security system was installed to address burglaries in the area.

Another in South Kirkby the focus has been on energy with companies looking to bulk buy fuel and produce renewable energy.”

The networks are being coordinated by Remaking Competitive Places for 21st Century Businesses, a project designed to reinvigorate business and industrial parks as engines of growth.

Wakefield first, the Wakefield district development agency, is running the project on behalf of YoHr Space, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership.

Business and industrial parks of all sizes are involved in the project, with the smallest being Brunt Acres in Richmondshire which hosts seven businesses and the largest at Suttonfields in Hull with 193 resident businesses.

■ DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL: A new future beckons for Bar Vasco in Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, which has been sold by Christie + Co

New owner for bar A HUDDERSFIELD town centre venue has been sold.

Bar Vasco at Northumberland Street has been sold by the Leeds office of Christie + Co on behalf of a national pub operator.

The three-storey Grade II-Listed property is a former tenanted pub.

It includes an open-plan bar and restaurant, a former function room, nine former letting bedrooms, two-bedroom owner's accommodation and large cellars.

A spokesman for Christie +

Co said: “The sale attracted healthy interest from prospective purchasers from both the Huddersfield area and further afield.

“Many were interested in the property for both continued licensed use as well as from a development point of view.”

The spokesman said the new owner’ future plans included developing the upper floors into residential apartments.

Bar Vasco was sold for an undisclosed figure off an asking price of offers about £275,000 for the long leasehold interest.

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Inventors are on the level!

TWO inventive businessmen are set to help DIY enthusiasts and tradesmen alike with the tiling.

Martin Hemmingway, of Mirfield, and Lepton-based Mark Sykes worked on their inventions independently – but have now come together to promote their products through the Huddersfield branch of B&Q. And they hope that the retail giant will introduce their products to its stores across Yorkshire – and even further afield as spring approaches and the home improvement market takes off.

Martin’s product, the Tile Tracker, was developed predominantly for the building trade and arose from his own experiences in the industry in which he has been working for 25 years.

Martin began developing the Tile Tracker while working as a fitter for B&Q – and coming across problems fitting tiles in houses hit by flooding.

“The traditional way of doing it wasn’t working,” he said. “I already had a few ideas in my mind, so I developed a Tile Tracker for my own use. My colleagues were so impressed with it that they suggested I make some more.”

Martin said: “Tile Tracker provides a fast and efficient way in which to tile on an absolute level no matter what ability the operator may hold. The TileTracker has been trialled and tested with skilled users and the feedback has been undeniable, even where fixtures and fittings are in place.”

The system allows the user to set out any tiling project without the need for batons by setting the track unit against the wall to be tiled and setting the level and height using the adjustable legs.

The Tile Tracker takes the weight of the heaviest of tiles available to buy including slate, natural stone or even marble.

Mark’s product is the Multispacer, a multi-functional tool which allows users to avoid problems such as uneven tiles, raised tile edges and incorrectly spaced tiles.

Mark, a chartered surveyor, said: “Multispacer is designed to ensure that what can go wrong with any tiling job, doesn’t. It's tough, resilient and very easy to use and enables you to correct any errors before the adhesive sets.”

Mark said he came up with the idea after having some tiling done at home. “The ‘professional’ tiler who

■ TILE COUNSEL: Displaying the new products to make tiling easier are (from left) Mark Sykes, Steven Duncombe, of B&Q Huddersfield, and Martin Hemmingway

did the job was a very nice chap but the end result left a lot to be desired,” said Mark.

“Although most of his work was okay, there were some obvious, simple mistakes which a professional tiler just shouldn’t make. They were the type of errors that DIY tilers are always making and which I've seen

hundreds of times in my profession.

“So, the thought that every would-be inventor has sprang to mind – there must be a tool available to help tilers avoid making the most common mistakes. I decided to try and design one; and after a lengthy evolutionary process, I came up with the Multispacer.”

Adare secures marketing deal with Homeserve A MARKETING company in Huddersfield has secured a significant three-year contract.

Adare, based at Clayton West, will provide marketing services to HomeServe, the UK’s leading provider of home emergency services and insurance products.

Robert Whiteside, Adare’s chief

executive officer, said the firm would provide high quality digital and traditional print for HomeServe.

Karen Thorne, director of marketing operations with HomeServe Membership, said: “We are pleased to be working with Adare.

“The partnership enables

HomeServe to deliver more complex direct mail campaigns in an efficient and effective way, further enhancing our marketing strategy.”

Mr Whiteside said Adare created highly personalised communications which enable its clients to “speak in a timely and relevant manner” to their target audiences.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Ash Chopra & Mark Johnson

Finance Yorkshire TWO new members have joined the team managing the Finance Yorkshire equity linked fund.

Ash Chopra (above, left), from Leeds, has been appointed as investment director to assess and complete investments on behalf of the Finance Yorkshire equity fund alongside Craig Hopwood who was appointed earlier this year.

Mr Chopra joins the team from Barclays Bank where he worked in the Barclays Business Support team with a portfolio of small and medium sized companies.

He said: “It is increasingly difficult for SMEs to access finance. Many are genuinely good companies but they may not, for example, have sufficient security to obtain conventional bank finance. They are too risky for banks to loan to so funds such as Finance Yorkshire are a great way to offer additional support.

“Fundamentally, we are looking for a good management team with a strong product or service offering in growth sectors.”

Mark Johnson (right), from Castleford, joins the team on secondment from BDO, the fifth largest international accountancy firm to carry out due diligence on prospective ventures to ensure the team have a full understanding of the financial health of the business prior to investment.

The equity linked investment team invests between £100,000 and £2m through taking equity in the business or agreeing a mezzanine loan.

Helping a range of small and medium sized businesses to meet their funding requirements for growth and development, Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m.

The project is supported financially by the European Union.

It has attracted £30m investment from the European Regional Development Fund, £15m from Yorkshire Forward’s Single Programme and £45m match funding from the European Investment Bank.

Movers and shakers

Judges warm to Polar drive!

A CAR dealership in Huddersfield has been recognised for outstanding customer care at a prestigious awards event held recently in London.

Polar Ford, based at St Andrew’s Road, was a winner at the National Customer Service Awards – the Oscars of the customer service industry.

The company, as part of Ford Retail, won the award in recognition of its industry leading staff development programme called Moments of Truth.

Seven other firms were shortlisted against Ford Retail including O2, Lloyds TSB and Thames Water. Ford Retail was the first motor retailer in the UK to have won such an award.

John Leeman, regional director at Polar Ford, said: “We’re thrilled to have won and to be recognised as amongst the best in providing customer service.

“To win at a national level against other big brand retailers is a fantastic achievement for every one of our staff who all pull together with the aim of providing our customers with the best service possible.”

■ DRIVING AHEAD: Collecting the award from comedian Kevin Bridges (left) are (from left) Ford Retail customer relations director John Leathem, chairman and chief executive officer Chris Hayden and Brent Mitchell from award sponsor Balfour Beatty

An A-plus performance

Richard Sizer

BOGE Compressors BOGE Compressors has appointed Richard Sizer (pictured) as area sales manager.

BOGE, which has operations at Rastrick, is part of German-based BOGE International and manufactures piston compressors for a wide range of manufacturing processes.

Mr Sizer has spent more than 20 years in he engineering industry.

He will be responsible for developing the Boge business throughout East and South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Humber.

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■ TOP MARKS: Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall, of Insight With Passion A BUSINESS transformation company has been rated A-plus for a seminar entitled “Engaging the 2 Cs”.

Kate Hardcastle and Richard Gomersall, of Barkisland-based Insight with Passion, highlighted the link between customers and colleagues in their presentation at the Keeping Business Local Expo, held in Oxford.

Kate and Richard, who have worked for big-name brands including Silentnight and the Co-operative, took to the stage for the fifth time this year at a major business event to stress the crucial importance of the relationship between customers and colleagues.

customer satisfaction relies entirely on the quality of service provided by the colleague – and underlined the importance of having the right team in place to guarantee success.

The event was held in the same week that Kate was named Innovator of the Year at the Yorkshire Business Awards and Insight with Passion was highly commended in the category for new business.

Following on from a busy 2010, Insight with Passion is already lined up to attend Interiors 2011 – where Kate and Richard will present another seminar. It follows the success of their seminar delivered at

Gathering winter fuel A FUEL card provider has been dealt a winning hand by Huddersfield text messaging specialist SMileS. Be Fuelcards, based in Leeds, is trialling an SMS facility provided by SMileS, of Golcar, to capture new business.

Customers interested in applying for a BP card through Be Fuelcards can now apply by simply and quickly texting the word FUEL to 67777.

The SMileS SMS system automatically forwards each text enquiry to a member of the Be Fuelcards team who contacts the sender to confirm all their details and complete their application for a BP account card.

Be Fuelcards director Mark Kilvington said: “We wanted to make it as quick and easy as possible for customers to apply for a BP fuel card.

“Offering a text facility enables people to apply immediately, rather than waiting until they have time to fill in an application form or visit the website.

“It takes the hassle out of the application process, and means more people can take advantage of all the great benefits Be Fuelcards offers.”

Andy Earnshaw, business development manager at SMileS, said: “This is a great example of using a keyword on a short code to receive new sales enquiries.”

He added: “We are pleased to be working with Be Fuelcards to provide this service, which took us less than an hour to set up.”