CHRISTINA LONGDEN
FTSE 100
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014
-3.48 6788.07
Community spirit Interview - Page 3
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DANIEL KRIGERS Obesity and disability Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Company flying high with Must do better? Eurofighter Typhoon deal INSIDE
henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
A Huddersfield firm is among Yorkshire suppliers to share of more than £12.5m of business from the team behind one of the world’s leading fighter aircraft. The figure for 2013 was revealed by the Eurofighter Typhoon programme – the four-nation consortium behind the jet flown by the RAF and air forces across the globe. The supply chain includes Huddersfield-based Wesco Aircraft, of Clayton West. A total of 13 companies from Yorkshire and Humber were among the nationwide supply chain which benefited from £650m of spending on the programme last year. Chris Boardman, managing director of BAE Systems Military Air and Information, said the figures underlined the importance of the Typhoon programme to the UK economy as well as supplying cutting-edge technology to the nation’s armed forces. He said: “When we see one of the RAF’s elite pilots take to the air in a Typhoon, it is the collective achievement of thousands of people across the country whose
■■ Wesco Aircraft is helping to keep the Eurofighter flying
day-to-day jobs make it happen.” Wesco supplied a range of bins and kitting for the production and final assembly of Typhoon and will continue to provide spares and in-service support throughout the life of the aircraft. Its partnership with BAE Systems extends beyond its base at Clayton West and into RAF bases across the UK
and overseas where it has dedicated teams working on bases in nations including Saudi Arabia. Customer programme manager Martin Rowland said its partnership with BAE Systems spanned many years during which it had worked with the company on a range of different aircraft. He said: “For the Typhoon programme specifically, we have invested in co-ordinate measuring machinery and state-of-the-art inventory management systems which allow us to meet BAE Systems’ requirements. “Through this and an investment in our people over the past 15 years, we believe we are able to deliver the right product at the right time with the best service and the highest levels of quality in the industry to our customer.” Wesco Aircraft is one of the world’s largest distributors and providers of supply chain management services to the global aerospace industry, employing more than 2,600 employees across 79 locations in 19 countries. The Eurofighter Typhoon is built by a four-nation consortium including BAE Systems in the UK, Airbus in Germany, Spanish firm Cassidian and Alenia Aermacchi in Italy.
examiner.co.uk
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter
Calls for a “better managed” Britain haver been welcomed by a Huddersfield businessman. David Broadhead, of Partners in Management, joined Huddersfield MP Barry Sheernman and 200 guests at the Houses of Parliament to mark the launch of the full report and findings of the AllParty Parliamentary Group on Management’s Commission on the Future of Management and Leadership.
The most trusted news brand in the business
Clean Dathan forges productive partnership with German firm sweep
■■ Simon Moorhouse (left), Robert Moorhouse (centre) and Greg Moorhouse, of Dathan
An engineering firm in Huddersfield has forged a partnership with a German company to develop a revolutionary new product. Meltham-based Dathan, an internationally renowned manufacturer of bespoke, made-to-measure gear cutting tools, has partnered gear cutting machine manufacturer Profilator GmbH, based at Wuppertal, to develop tools for a new machine. Profilator approached Dathan to help develop a new gear cutting tool for its new “scudding” machine. The new tool would be made from carbide – something which has not been done
before. The resulting combination of the tool and the machine allows for the high speed production of gears for the automotive and aerospace industries, without the use of lubricants. The benefits of the new technology include speed and efficiency, increased productivity and flexibility. The process is also environmentallyfriendly. Dathan commercial director Robert Moorhouse said: “As a market leader in our field we welcomed the opportunity to work with the Profilator team on this project.
“As two precision engineering companies we have a synergy that has led to a mutually beneficial relationship.” Dathan, a family business operating from a purpose-built 15,000sq ft factory at Mean Lane, was formed after the First World War to produce measuring instruments, but progressed to gear cutting tools in the 1940s. As well as being at the forefront of technology, the firm has a programme of reinvestment into research and development into production methods, edge preparation and design software with leading universities in the UK.
We supply appropriately qualified & skilled people to any Workplace. For temporary & permanent jobs in West Yorkshire contact:
As things get better, continue to keep your labour costs down by using our reliable temp staff as and when you need them. We take on the admin burden - you pay us later!
A company making pipe cleaners for a variety of specialist industries has landed a business award. Hewitt & Booth, based at Turnbridge in Huddersfield, was named Business of the Month in the competition run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and government export support arm UKTI.
www.stafflex.co.uk International House, Chapel Hill, Huddersfield HD1 3EE
Tel: 01484 351010
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TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Ryanair charts route to higher full-year profits Ryanair raised its full-year profits guidance after more than doubling first- quarter earnings and setting out aggressive plans for expansion in Europe. Chief executive Michael O’Leary said it was “overrun with growth offers” from airports on the continent as rivals scaled back operations. But he warned against “irrational exuberance” as the second half of the financial year was likely to see downward pressure on fares as a result of competition and Ryanair’s increased capacity. Profits after tax for the Dublinbased carrier in the first quarter to June 30 were up 152% to 197m euros (£156m) although Mr O’Leary said this was distorted by the absence of Easter in the same period last year. The carrier said more passengers, fuller flights and lower costs meant full-year earnings were now expected at 620m to 650m euros (£491m to £514m), up from 580m to 620m euros (£459 to £491m). For the first quarter, passenger numbers were up by by 4% to 24.3m and they travelled on planes that were 86% full after a 4% rise in load factor. Revenues were up by 11% to 1.34bn
■■ Ryanair is set to increase new rotes and frequencies “substantially” this year
euros (£1.06bn) as fares rose by 9%, boosted by a strong Easter period. The carrier lifted “ancillary” revenues by 4% as reductions in airport and baggage fees were offset by a rising uptake of allocated seating. Mr O’Leary said four new bases at Athens, Brussels, Lisbon and Rome
were “performing strongly” with new bases due to open this winter at Cologne, Gdansk, Warsaw and Glasgow. New routes and frequencies at Stansted and Dublin are due to increase “substantially” while there will be more investment to make
Reckitt to float drugs division RBP Cillit Bang-to-Vanish group Reckitt Benckiser is to spin off its drugs division in a move that could be worth at least £1bn. Slough-based Reckitt said its USbased RB Pharmaceuticals (RBP), which primarily makes the Suboxone heroin addiction treatment, would be floated on the London stock market within 12 months. The move was announced as Reckitt, which sells Durex condoms, Lysol disinfectant and Nurofen painkilling tablets, reported better-thanexpected half-year profits of £1.04bn, a rise of 16% on a year earlier. Reckitt posted a 4% rise in first-half like-for-like sales, excluding its RBP unit, and said it was on track to meet its full-year sales growth target of between 4% and 5%. New product launches during the year included Dettol Power and Pure, Harpic Power Plus toilet bowl cleaner, Vanish Gold stain remover and Air Wick Eternal Scents. The business said its Durex, Nurofen and Scholl footcare brands all performed well in the second quarter of its financial year. The demerger of the pharma business ends months of speculation about the unit after a review started last October stemming from the impact of competition on Suboxone due to the recent launch of two generic rivals.
routes attractive to business customers. Mr O’Leary said: “We are overrun with growth offers from primary European airports whose incumbent flag and regional carriers continue to cut capacity and traffic. “These new airports along with our existing 69 bases offer Ryanair significant growth opportunities as the first of our 180 new Boeing order delivers this September.” A new business service will be launched in September to include same-day flight changes, bigger bag allowances, premium seat allocation and fast-track through security at many airports. The carrier plans to return 520m euros (£411m) via a special dividend to shareholders in the fourth quarter. Mr O’Leary said that, based on the first quarter results and forward bookings, it was clear the firm is on track for a strong first half. “However we would strongly caution both analysts and investors against any irrational exuberance in what continues to be a difficult economic environment, with some company-specific challenges in H2,” he added.
Good progress for Trinity Mirror
Firms need to close skills gap
Media group Trinity Mirror posted first-half figures ahead of expectations with an improved revenue trend and further growth in its digital audience. The group, which publishes The Examiner, said those improvements, combined with the benefit of a fall in newsprint prices in the second half, gave the board confidence that performance for the full year will
Two-thirds of companies running apprenticeship schemes plan to give more young people in Yorkshire an opportunity to take their first steps into the job market. The 2014 CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey, which had 291 respondents – 87 with employees in Yorkshire – found that firms in the region have a growing need for higher skills.
be marginally ahead of expectations. Revenue fell by 2.3% year-onyear with a gradual improvement in trends as the group progressed through the first half – with May and June falling by only 1.4% year-on -ear. The figure for average monthly unique users grew by 91% year on year to 61.3m and average monthly page views rose by 132% year-on-year to 440.2m
across the group’s publishing operations with publishing digital revenue growing by almost 50%. Pre-tax profits of £48.2m were down by down 2.2% as Trinity Mirror increased investment and absorbed a rise in newsprint prices. Earnings per share rose by 0.6% to 15.5p, reflecting the fall in the rate of corporation tax. Strong cash flows enabling net debt to fall to £56m.
Some 84% expect demand to rise in the next three to five years. However, 62% were not confident they will be able to access enough highly skilled workers to meet their needs. Some 69% of firms in Yorkshire already running apprenticeships plan to increase them in the years ahead. But too many are still reluctant to get involved. The CBI identified reforms
which would make firms more likely to take on apprentices. These include creating programmes that are more relevant to business needs, cutting red tape and routing Government grants directly to employers. It said the region would face a shortage in skilled technicians unless more apprenticeships were created for young people.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN
American Express Chevron Du Pont Exxon Mobil Gannett Hess Corp Microsoft Motors Liquidation Wal-Mart Stores Wrigleys
£54.09 £78.47 £38.40 £61.08 1949.04 £58.67 £26.04 44.14 £44.67 £47.06
AEROSPACE & DEFENCE
Avon Rbbr BAE Systems Chemring Cobham Meggitt Rolls-Royce Senior
AIM
600 Group API Grp Brady Plc Highland Gold Mining Johnson Service Grp London Security M”S Intl Nichols Redhall Group Scapa Grp Youngs GKN Barclays
6521/2 4271/8 204 2993/4 5171/2 1054 2691/2
223/8 701/2 77 713/4 59 £233/4 1921/2 1011 27 1341/4 1010
AUTOMOBILES & PARTS BANKS
3431/8 2181/8
-0.01 -0.13 +0.19 +0.36 -5.30 -0.06 -0.15 -0.04 -11/2 -1/4 +1 -3/8 -81/2 +1 +1/4
Bk Ireland HSBC Lloyds Banking Gp Ryl Scotland Stan Chart Barr (AG) Diageo SABMiller Croda Elementis 98 Johnsn Mat
+5 +13/4 -15 -11/8 +1/8
BEVERAGES
6281/2 17891/2 £331/4
CHEMICALS
-5/8 +91/4 -121/4 +4 -31/2 -8 -1/8
£211/4 2573/8 £301/4
-1/4 -15/8 -1/8
253 1435 265 893/4 1681/2
-1/8 -6 +3 +13/4 -31/2
6861/2 1471
+18 +6
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS
Balfour Beatty C”R”H Costain Low Bonar Marshalls Drax Gp SSE
+1/4 -1/4
20 6307/8 747/8 352 12221/2
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Domino Ptg Laird Morgan Advanced Ox Instmts Volex
608 266 3091/4 1250 82
-19 -11/2 -3/4 -2
EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
Alliance Trust Br Assets Candover Inv Dunedin Inv Dunedin Sml
4473/4 1361/4 563 274 201
-13/8 -2 +6
Edin Invst Electra Private Equity Forgn & C Henderson Smllr Cos North American Inc Scot Am Scottish Mortgage Witan
612 £261/2 3811/8 516 820 2511/4 2111/4 7021/2
-1/4 +1/8 +5 +1 +3/8 -21/2
FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
BT Grp Cable & Wireless Comm Colt Group KCOM Talktalk Telecom
383 483/8 1391/4 931/2 319
FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS
Morrison W Sainsbury Tesco Thorntons AB Food Carrs Millg REA Hldgs Tate Lyle Unilever
+1/2 -11/4
172 /4 3193/4 2681/2 1117/8
+1 /4 -3/8 -17/8 -5/8
£281/2 1825 478 657 £261/4
-1/8
1
FOOD PRODUCERS
1
+1 +11/2 +1/8
GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES
Centrica National Grid Pennon Grp Severn United Utils 3i Group Close Bros
3151/4 879 811 1921 8951/2
+27/8 +8 +4
388 1298
-13/8 -4
GENERAL FINANCIAL
+11/2
Smith Nph
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
117 /4 1681/2 879 £271/8 1
+ /4 -31/2 +8 1
FTSE closed at
6788.07 3497/8 1938 1255/8 £21 £25 1923
GENERAL INDUSTRIALS
Smith DS Smiths Grp
267 /8 1261 5
GENERAL RETAILERS
Ashley L Carphone Whse Dixons Retail Home Retail Inchcape Kingfisher M & S Mothercare Next Signet Jewelers WH Smith
25 3381/8 523/8 1653/4 639 2953/4 4371/8 238 £651/4 £617/8 1129
Aga Rangemaster Barrat Dev Bellway Persimmon Reckitt Benckiser Taylor Wimpey
-31/2 +1 -1/8 -27 + /8 +2 3
- /4 -7/8 1
-41/2 -21/2 -83/4 -13/4 -201/4 -5/8 -3/4 -5
HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
Fenner I”M”I Molins Renold Spirax-Sarco Weir Grp Ferrexpo
-24 -1 -11/4 -30 -11 +13/8 -15/8
345 1412 1621/2 64 £275/8 £271/8
+1 -20 +1 +3/4 -1/8
139 /2
-1 /8
3181/4
-33/4
508 3327/8 235 2001/8 1397 3825/8
+1/2 -11/8 -7/8 -11/4
9041/2 8251/2 2053/4 41/8 1153 9661/2 366
+30 -5 +1/4
BG BP Cairn Energy Premier Oil Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Total Tullow Oil
+21 -2 -11/8
AMEC Petrofac Wood Gp(J)
INDUSTRIAL METALS 1
5
INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION
BBA Aviation
LIFE INSURANCE
Aviva Friends Life Gp Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Standard Life
BSkyB D Mail Tst ITV Johnston Press Pearson Reed Elsevier STV Group
MEDIA
Trinity Mirror Utd Business UTV WPP
155 /2 363 1516 1269 £52 1131/4 1
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
down 3.48 ICAP London StockExch Man Group Provident Financial Schroders Schroders NV
1033
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
-1/4
MINING
Anglo American Antofagasta BHP Billiton Fresnillo Kazakhmys Lonmin Rio Tinto VEDANTA RESOURCES
1883/4 6341/2 222 1211
+10 +1/2 +67/8 -15
1633 8451/2 £203/4 940 3433/8 2427/8 £341/4 1093
-61/2 -11/2 +191/2 +3/8 +17/8 -15
MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Inmarsat Vodafone Group
748 202
+2
1481 1056 £301/4 4583/4
+3/8
1212 4967/8 1767/8 3223/8 £241/8 £251/8 £41 7641/2
+13 -21/4 -3/8 -11/4 -1/8 -1/8 +1/2 +1/2
1146 1126 7451/2
-8 -1
OIL & GAS PRODUCERS
OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
+1 -21/8
ARM Hldgs IBM Spirent Comms
£435/8 14141/2 £493/8
-1/4 -81/2 -1/4
Br Am Tob Imperial Tobacco
7181/2 6431/2 5951/2 3193/4 1046 3603/4
+11/2 -51/2
3701/8
+1/8
1042 1607 1215 157 737 2331/8 2331/8 1029 2585/8 1241/8 3031/2 6341/2 652 5001/2 1813/4 1187/8 1620 £311/8
-6 -15 +4 +13/4 -10 -13/4 -13/4 -2 +11/4 -3/4 -5/8 -131/2 +13 -13 -33/4 +3/4 -6 -1/4
PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY
Astrazeneca GlaxoSmithKline Shire
REAL ESTATE
Brit Land Gt Portland Hamrsn Intu Properties Land Secs SEGRO
-4
+13/8 -5 -17/8
SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICES
Sage Group
Berendsen Bunzl Capita Connect Group De La Rue Elctro Com Electrocomp Experian G4S Hays Homeserve Interserve Menzies J Northgate Prem Farnell Rentokil Travis & P Wolseley
TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT
1421 3477/8
SUPPORT SERVICES
NONLIFE INSURANCE
Admiral Grp Jardine LloydThomson Marsh McL RSA Ins Gp
PERSONAL GOODS
Burberry Gp PZ Cussons
TOBACCO
846 £1143/4 991/4
-16 +3/8 -11/2
£351/2 £261/4
+1/8 +1/4
873/4 £211/4 1008 1344 125 1283/4 £221/4 827 £241/2 3375/8 1311/4 1431/4 3733/4 2583/4 91/4 161 610 556 3613/4 365 £431/4 3443/8
-11/4 -1/4 -7 +12 -1 -13/8 -1/2 -71/2 -1/8 -11/4 -3/4 +1/8 -31/4 -21/8 +1/4 +17/8 +121/2 +141/4 -37/8 -1/4 +1/4 +17/8
TRAVEL & LEISURE
Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Marston’s Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Punch Taverns Rank Org Restaurant Grp Ryanair Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread William Hill FTSE 100 FTSE 250
INDEX
6788.07 15616.53
-3.48 -75.28
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Books, Blair and a passion for making a fairer world Christina Longden admits it’s hard to stay focused! There’s so much happening for the 41-year-old Netherton mother-of-two who manages to combine family life with her role as director of registered charity The Lorna Young Foundation. She’s also embarking on a new business venture and is pursuing a love of writing which has resulted in the publication of her first novel. During a varied career, Christina has advised the Blair government on housing policy, worked among the impoverished Kalahari tribespeople in Namibia and helped train young people in this country to become entrepreneurs with a conscience – making “a decent” profits, but paying much more than lip service to the idea of ethical trading. Christina, who hails from Stalybridge, started out wanting to be a journalist, but after university ended up getting a sponsorship for a place on a course to fasttrack candidates into management roles in local government. She worked in social housing, seeing first hand the poverty and problems besetting people on housing estates in the Greater Manchester area, before becoming an adviser on housing policty to the Blair government. Christina moved into the field of international development after her husband-to-be, Ian, decided to go to Africa – and she decided to go too. “I left the UK in 2002 to go to Namibia, which was strangely very similar to the work I had been doing on council estates,” she says. “It was on a dramatically different level, but it also involved poverty, people struggling and facing neglect. “I worked with the Kalahari bushmen, who are the worstoppressed tribal people in the world. Like the native Americans and the Austalian aborigines, they have problems of poverty and alcohol dependency and are struggling to preserve their traditions.” One of Christina’s proudest achievememts was to bring together tribal elders from all over southern Africa to collect their
stories, translate them into Afrikaans and English and preserve their oral histories in two books – before they risk being lost for ever as the younger generation abandon their traditions and move into the towns. Christina and Ian’s daughter Ruby was born in Namibia and was able to say words in the Kalahari “click” language before she learned them in English. After four years in Africa, the family returned to the UK, where Christina went back to her former career, but found things had changed. “It wasn’t the same sort of civil service,” she says. “People had always been career-minded, but now they were more so. I had been working in a world where just to survive was an achievement and there was death on the doorstep every day. I didn’t feel motivated any more and I decided to look for a new challenge.” The challenge came with the Lorna Young Foundation, billed as the only ethical trading charity in the UK to operate internationally. Ian and Christina both got involved in the foundation, which aims to tackle poverty in developing countries by assisting smallholder producers through business education and support, access to markets and peer networking. Its programmes include a radio systemwhich provides smallholder farmers with the information they need to manage t h e i r c r o p s effectively. The system enables them to ■■ Christina Longden
put questions to the foundation, which provides them with access to answers from experts in the field. It is currently working with Kenyan and Ethiopian coffee farmers and women cocoa growers in the Congo. “We give business advice to the poorest producer groups,” says Christina. “We advise farmers on such things as how to apply for Fairtrade certification, the best way to manage a co-operative and how to get access to markets. “These are countries that are heavily reliant on imports. In Uganda, farmers are drinking tea that has been imported – even through the country grows tea itself. “Now for £100 they can buy packing equipment and drive around the villages selling tea.” The foundation also set up the Oromo Coffee Company, an ethical trading social enterprise launched in 2008 with a group of refugees from Ethiopia who had settled in Ashton-under-Lyne. The company is owned and run by members of the Oromo community as a not-for-profit business importing and selling highquality Ethiopian coffee. Other foundation programmes include Not Just a Trading Company, a community enterprise programme offering groups of y o u n g people opportunities to c re at e their own s o c i a l enterprises selling tea, coffee, chocolate, rice and beauty products – and allow them to make a decent p r o f i t while making sure producer groups also benefit. Christi-
na is passionate about “fairer trade” and is a firm believer that businesses can be both profitable and ethical – benefiting as many people as possible. She also believs in grasping opportunity when it comes. “Life is short and people should work doing something they love,” she says. “Work is such a big part of your life. “The more you think solely about the money, the more you worry about impressing the right people the less successful you become. We don’t need the philosphy of ‘what’s in it for me?’” While Christina is kept busy with her work for the foundation, she is also exercising her entrepreneurial spirit by setting up a business closer to home. Christina and Ian lead a small team running Dark Woods Coffee from spacious converted textile premises at West Slaithwaite Road, Marsden. The firm roasts coffee supplied by the same producers helped through the Lorna Young Foundation, while plans are well under way to introduce barista training and open a coffee shop which will also be a focal point for community groups, including artists and authors. “Dark Woods Coffee is complementary to what we are already doing,” she says. “The Colne Valley is really moving with things like the Marsden Jazz Festival, arts festivals and the Real Ale Trail. “We want the coffee shop to be a community hub – somewhere people feel it belongs to them.” There’ll also be space for a small book stall promoting loal authors. Christina’s first novel, Mind Games and Ministers – a darkly comic novel drawing on her experiences of the Westminster bubble, was published earlier this year by Bluemoose, based at Hebden Bridge. Hoping that she doesn’t comer across “all Hebden Bridge”, she says: “I love to write. I joined a writers’ group when I moved to Netherton and they have been so encouraging. I grew up believing that unless you could be a journalist, there’s no point in writing.” How Christina proved them wrong.
Christina Longden Role: Director Age: 41 Family: Married to Ian with daughter Ruby, nine, and Gregory, six Cars: A Fiat Panda and a Skoda Yeti Holidays: We have recently got back from a visit to Namibia. We love to go to Whitby and Bolton Abbey and we also have a canal boat First job: I worked in Burney’s Bakery in Ashton-under-Lyne Best thing about the job? Having the freedom to grow an idea that will benefit as many people as possible, including myself! Worst thing about the job? Trying to keep focused Business tip: You have to be open to learning and listening. The people I admire in business are the ones who are open to new ideas
Lorna Young Foundation Work: Registered charity helping smallholder producers in developing countries and communities in the UK Site: Netherton Phone: 07944 979721 Email: projectmanager@lyf.org Web: www.lyf.org.uk
4
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
local
Bluebird takes off with Paul A home care provider in Huddersfield is sponsoring a local cyclist wgho will raise funds for its chosen charity. Bluebird Care (Kirklees), based at Salendine Nook, is sponsoring Paul Terry (above) – brother of care manager Angela McGuinness – as he raised funds for Kirkwood Hospice at Dalton, by cycling around Kirklees. Said Paul: “It wasn’t until my mid-30s that I started cycling. I had just been diagnosed with Palindromic rheumatism and needed a way to become more active. “I started by riding to and from work every day and as I felt myself getting fitter, I wanted to try more difficult rides. Today, I am a member of Ravensthorpe Cycling Club and I enjoy travelling round Britain to take part in challenging events. “My family have collectively held and taken part in fundraising for the Kirkwood Hospice over the years. Sadly, we experienced firsthand the amazing work that the hospice does when my granddad, Jack Wedderburn, spent his final weeks there in 2010. “It was a great comfort to see him receiving the best care imaginable during his final weeks.” Paul said: “When I was approached by Graham Lewis, director of Bluebird Care (Kirklees), to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice on behalf of Bluebird Care, I jumped at the chance. “I am aware of the work that Bluebord does and the fantastic reputation that they have within my community. It makes me proud to wear their colours, whilst raising money for this great cause. In excess of £200 sponsorship for our first outing is a great start.” Bluebird Care is one of the UK’s leading national providers of care in the home. It has almost 200 offices across the UK and provides 20,000 visits to customers every day.
LV= secures another award Insurer LV= has landed another accolade. The company, which has operations at Folly Hall Mills in Huddersfield, has been voted the best insurer for customer satisfaction, according to the 2014 UK Institute of Customer Service Customer Satisfaction Index. The survey, involving about 10,000 consumers from across the UK, saw LV= receive the highest customer satisfaction score for an insurer with a score of 83 out of 100, compared with the average score of 77.6. The online survey asks consumers to choose a company and rate it based on a number of factors. It shows that LV= is the most trusted insurer and the one that consumers think is the easiest to do business with. LV= also received high scores for helpfulness of staff and how easy it is to find things on its website. Overall, the survey shows that LV= is now ranked 14th for customer satisfaction out of more than 200 organisations across a wide range of sectors.
KIRKLEES BUS
Obesity a bigger issue for bosses A case in the European courts has considered whether or not severe obesity may be protected under EU anti-discrimination legislation. The decision could have significant implications in the way the Equality Act 2010 is interpreted in the United Kingdom going forwards. In the instant case, a Danish employee worked as a childminder and had a Body Mass Index of 54, which classed him as “severely obese” under the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranking. He was dismissed after 15 years of service and claimed that he had been dismissed because of his obesity. On reference to the European Courts of Justice (ECJ), it was held that there is no general prohibition on discrimination on grounds of obesity in its own right. However, the Advocate General considered that severe obesity may be a disability. In particular, the ECJ made reference to the fact that employees can have long-term physical, mental or psychological impairments which make certain types of work more difficult and demanding. For example, obesity may impact significantly on mobility or an employee’s senses.
EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Daniel J Krigers It is not necessary to show that it has become impossible for an employee to carry out their role to satisfy the definition of disability. The ECJ did make the point that only those classified under the WHO ranking as severely, extremely or morbidly obese would likely be able to qualify as a disabled person, as at these stages problems with mobility, endurance and mood impact severely on the employee. What does this mean for the United Kingdom? The Equality Act defines an employee as disabled if they have a “physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal dayto-day activities”. The Employment Appeals Tribunal has already considered the matter previously, confirming that the
effects of obesity might make it more likely that an employee could show they are disabled, with reference to certain restrictions on their day-to-day activities which they may suffer from. For example, issues with mobility could be so significant that they amount to a physical impairment. Furthermore, obesity often triggers other conditions and illnesses such as diabetes, which can have an adverse impact on other capacities and bring employees within the scope of the Equality Act 2010. Employers must appreciate that the disability discrimination provisions do not simply protect individuals with defined illnesses and conditions. The effect of any impairment must be reviewed carefully in each case and any disadvantage an employee is put to should be alleviated wherever possible.
Daniel J Krigers is an employment law solicitor at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Backing for cyclist on road to success A Holme Valley butcher is sponsoring a talented young cyclist who is on the road to success. Brindon Addy, who has his shop at Hade Edge, is supporting 18-year-old Gabriel Cullaigh, of New Mill, as he sets his sights on a career in professional cycling – including the 2020 Olympics and a future Tour de France. Gabz Cullaigh is already well-known in his age group in cycling as an endurance specialist who also rides on the track and time trials. Gabz has been racing competitively for the past five years. In the past three years, he has been under-16 Yorkshire Champion, National Road Champion, National Road Series Champion and last year got silver in the National Junior Road Championships. He was invited to join the British Cycling Talent Team, which is the first phase of the Olympic Programme, and for the last
■■ Brindon Addy (left) with cyclist Gabriel Cullaigh
two years as an under-18 has been a member of the Olympic Development Programme, which is the second phase. In September, he is set to apply for the third stage, the Olympic Academy, a three-year phase that prepares athletes for the Olympic Podium Programme, the pinnacle of the performance pathway. Gabz has represented his country in races at home and abroad, including the classic Paris-Roubaix and Nations Cup in
Croatia and the Czech Republic. Three years ago, Gabz was headhunted by the RST Racing Team in South Normanton, Derbyshire, which was founded by exprofessional cyclist Chris Walker, Gabz was educated at Holmfirth High School, where his tutor Tim Stringer, an avid cyclist, also proved an excellent role model. Gabz has now completed a BTEC Diploma in Sports Science at Huddersfield New College.
He was also a keen cricketer with Thongsbridge Junior Cricket Club and made the Yorkshire trials. Gabz’ father, John, a regular customer at J Brindon Addy Butchers, thanked the shop for supporting Gabz. He said: “We are really grateful. While he is sponsored by RST, he has raced abroad off his own back, which can be a costly business, so every little bit helps. R A Berry Builders in Holmfirth have come on board and we are hoping to get other local sponsors.” Brindon said: “We are happy to support Gabz. He is a young man going places in the world of professional cycling – and we would like to think that our meat has helped beef him up for the long road ahead!” Mr Addy is national chairman of the Butchers Q Guild, which represents more than 100 elite butchers from the Scottish Highlands to the south coast.
■■ Nigel Westman says tradespeople must make sure their tax returns are correct
Warning over tax campaign
A campaign has been launched by HM Re enue & Customs that uses state of the new computer technology to check bu nesses in certain industries are paying t right amount of tax. Painters and decorators are one of t first groups of people to be targeted in t benchmarking campaign. Now Cleckheaton-based charter accountancy firm Clough & Company warning them to take prompt action ensure that their accounts are in order a their tax returns are correct. Partner Nigel Westman said: “HMRC launching a series of tax campaigns whi are targeting tradespeople working in t home improvement market, individu who make a living buying and selling goo direct to others or are paid commission a higher rate taxpayers who fail to submit t returns. “HMRC now has the capability to asse the data it holds about various business and industries to identify trends, anomal and behavioural changes. This has enabl HMRC to develop benchmarks, which a as a guide for businesses to see how th net profit compares to their competito and if it falls within the parameters expe ed by HMRC.” Mr Westman said: “Using informati and returns from the whole of the painti and decorating sector for the past thr years, HMRC has calculated that the majo ity of painters and decorators will have a n profit ratio in the range of 59% to 79%. Th have adopted a similar tactic in relation driving instructors, suggesting that t majority of driving instructors should ha a net profit ratio in the range of 31% to 67 “If the net profit ratio for a business fa outside the relevant range it could be a si that some of the figures on the busine owner’s tax return are incorrect, whi could prompt further investigation fro HMRC. “It’s also worth noting that these tra sectors are just the start of the campai and in due course it’s expected most bu nesses will be benchmarked against HMR statistics.” Said Mr Westman: “To avoid putti themselves in this situation, taxpayers ne to ensure that their tax return is correct keeping full and accurate accounti records identifying all business income a expenditure. “This should be done on a regular basis it is much harder to accurately recall incom and expenses incurred after a period of tim has elapsed.”
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HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014
SINESS NEWS
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UK management – fit for the future? Calls to create a “better managed” Britain haver been welcomed by a Huddersfield businessman. David Broadhead, of Partners in Management, based at the Media Centre, joined Huddersfield MP Barry Sheernman and 200 guests at the Houses of Parliament to mark the launch of the full report and findings of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Management’s Commission on the Future of Management and Leadership. The all-party group, which is chaired by Mr Sheerman, compiled the report with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Led by Mr Sheerman and CMI president Peter Ayliffe, the commission was made up of leading figures from business and parliament. It took evidence and written submissions in order to answer three key questions: How good are management and leadership in the UK today? What are the skills that managers need in the future? How can UK management be improved to deliver success by the year 2020? Mr Broadhead, a CMI ambassador, said: “The results are startling, but hardly surprising. Our UK output per hour is 21% lower than the G7 average, it’s estimated that poor management costs UK businesses nearly £20bn in lost working hours and UK managers are under qualified and under trained. “A recent UK Commission for Employment and Skills survey found a staggeringly low 34% of all employers provide management train-
ing and that management was the occupation in which skills gaps were the most likely to be attributed to low levels of training.” The commission recommends that organisations of all sizes and in all sectors focus on three critical areas: how they define their purpose, how they lead and develop their people and how they invest in their potential. Said Mr Broadhead: “For several years now we’ve been warning that traditional management, leadership and entrepreneurial behaviours will hold back organisations as the economy enters a new post-depression phase. “As such it is wonderful to see our 21st programme about to be nationally acknowledged for it’s innovative, pioneering approach to developing the attitudes, knowledge and skills we believe – and the commission’s report confirms – will be required in this decade.’ Local SMEs and micro-businesses from all private and third sectors are now also leading the way and taking advantage of the 90% funding currently available as financial support towards undertaking this innovative programme. Said Mr Broadhead: “We started our latest 21st century management programme this month over what is traditionally a very quiet holiday period, only to find it fully subscribed. “Our next seven-day programme delivered in one-day workshops spread over several months, is scheduled to start in early September and already over 25% of the places are taken.
Ramsdens Solicitors among finalists for national award LAW firm Ramsdens is in the running for a top award. The firm’s private client team is among the finalists in the category of Legal Team of the Year (midsize) at the STEP Private Client Awards 2014/15. More than 73 firms and 10 individuals have been shortlisted from a record number of entries – with 240 nominations received from more than 21 countries across the 19 award categories. The STEP Private Client Awards are billed as the premier international industry awards celebrating excellence across the private wealth sector. The awards, to be presented in September, include categories for private client lawyers, accountants, private bankers, financial advisors and trust managers worldwide. They offer an unri-
From Brighouse to Poland
■■ David Broadhead
“The success of the Grand Depart in Yorkshire has raised the standard expected for all future similar events. We aim to do likewise in inspiring Yorkshire organisations to develop their management capability, from which we can generate jobs and prosperity outside of the South East.
Network event aims to boost novice exporters The first in a new series of miniexport networking events get under way tomorrow. The event which brings into contact with some of the region’s top exporters in a bid to boost Leeds City Region’s overseas sales, will held at the offices of Deloitte at City Square, Leeds. The theme of the event will be
How Can I Export? A talk will be given by Mike Strawson, senior export adviser at Bradford-based Chamber International. The event is staged as part of a new contract from Leeds City College, using the European Social Fund. The event is the first in a new twice-monthly programme where novice exporters will be able to
get hands-on support from experienced international traders. Export professionals will also work closely with firms to identify what skills they need to help them to trade overseas successfully so a new training module can be devised. Contact Chamber International on 0845-034-7200.
valled opportunity for private wealth professionals to demonstrate excellence in their field and to their peer group. Chris Reynolds (pictured), head of the private client team at Ramsdens, said: ‘We are delighted to be finalists. The STEP Awards are the Oscars for our field of work and to have been recognised is a fantastic team achievement.” Ramsdens has offices at Edgerton and in Huddersfield town centre, Dewsbury, Elland, Mirfield, Slaithwaite, Holmfirth, Halifax, Wakefield and Leeds.
The We are International initiative is delivered by Leeds City Region’s Enterprise Partnership with international trade specialists Chamber International, UKTI Yorkshire and Humber, Enterprise Europe Yorkshire, MY Export Hub and Yorkshire Universities in a bid to add £1.6bn to the City Region economy .
Recruitment firm Transline Group has opened an office in the Polish city of Poznan to capitalise on an underserviced Eastern European market. Research by Brighousebased Transline has valued the Polish recruitment market at £1bn – with year-on-year growth of 15%. A permanent office has been established in the Old Market Square in the heart of Poznan with six permanent employees . Jon Taylor, joint chief executive officer at Transline Group, said:
“We view our expansion into Poland as a key milestone in the growth of our international business. There is a real hunger for our services amongst key sectors in Poland.” Paul Beasley, joint chief executive, said: “This is a tremendously exciting time for Transline. Our international business has grown significantly in the past few years. “It is a strategic priority that we not only expand across borders, but maintain our service levels for every business that engages Transline.”
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ENTER NOW Our Awards celebrate dynamic, engaging, inspirational businesses from across the region. The awards are free to enter and culminate in a celebratory awards ceremony and dinner. Deadline for entries: Friday 29th August 2014 For information and an entry form‌ Visit: www.examinerbusinessawards.co.uk Call: 01484 437702 Email: businessawards@examiner.co.uk
7
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
First store for family-led firm
■■ Direct2Mum managing director Alex Leslie (left) with chairman Prof Graham Leslie and brand director Fay Briddon at the launch of the nursery product firm’s new showroom
An online nursery products firm led by a Huddersfield family has opened its first bricks and mortar” store. Direct2Mum, established in 2010 by Galpharm Pharmaceuticals founder Graham Leslie, his son Alex Leslie and daughter Fay Briddon, has opened the 3,000sq ft store at Galpharm Way, Dodworth, Barnsley to enable customers to see the company’s product range before they buy. The store opening is part of the company’s five-year strategy to build the Direct2Mum brand in the retail sector. It received significant funding from investment company One Degree Capital in 2013 and earlier this year acquired nursery stockist Bambino Direct for an undisclosed six-figure sum. The new store sells products including nursery furniture, accessories for feeding and bath time,
pushchairs and car seats. The recent acquisition of Bambino Direct has increases its product portfolio to more than 10,000, including 80 big name nursery brands such as Silver Cross, Mamas & Papas, Babyway, Maxi-Cosi, Maclaren and Quinn. The store has designated displays for its products, room sets showcasing its nursery furniture ranges, interactive demonstration areas illustrating how to take a car seat in and out of a car and a “fun track” for customers to test drive the prams, including grass, cobbles and tarmac surfaces. The store is set to strengthen Direct2Mum’s existing online retail arm. While only a select few products will be on show in store, customers can access them all online at www.direct2mum.co.uk. The store is also based close to its 100,000sq ft warehouse. Managing director Alex Leslie
said: “The new Direct2Mum store is all about connecting customers with our products and enabling them to try before they buy. “They may have already seen something they like online, but the store enables them to come in and see the products up close, but also take advantage of our experienced team that can provide guidance and advice on what’s best for them. “We know that it can be daunting buying things for a baby, so we have worked hard to select only the best products and display them as clearly as possible. We want our customers to feel confident that what they are buying is of the highest quality and designed to last.” Direct2Mum was launched in 2010 by the Leslie family. Graham Leslie, a former chairman of Huddersfield Town, is resident professor of enterprise and entrepreneurship at Huddersfield University .
Windows firm upbeat about earnings Replacement doors and windows firm Safestyle UK is set to show “good progress” when it unveils its half-year results. A trading statement from the company, which has a branch in Huddersfield, said revenue for the first half of 2014 was expected to total £68.3m – up by 8.9% on the fig-
ure of £62.7m for the same period last year. Profit growth is also expected to show good progress when the interim results are announced on September 18. Safestyle’s market grew by just over 4% in the six months. Following a strong first quarter, as anticipated, the rate of growth slowed in the sec-
ond quarter. Against this background, the company continued to increase its market share in the period to 8.24% against 7.85% for the whole of 2013. The statement said: “The directors remain comfortable with current market expectations for the full year.”
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■■ Becky Slater (right), quarry and landfill manager for Myers Group, with managing director James Berry (second right) and health and safety adviser for the group Paul Bradley (third right) with some of the visitors attending the event. Brett Burrows (pictured far left) uses oxygen equipment during a demonstration
Quarrying business puts the focus on health and safety at two-day event More than 100 delegates from the minerals and construction industries attended a two-day health and safety event in Huddersfield. Johnsons Wellfield Quarries at Crosland Hill, hosted the event, which aimed to build on the progress made by the industries in reducing fatalities, improving the safety culture and developing competency
throughout the workforce. The event included sessions showcasing best practice in areas such as lifting and towing operations, hazard awareness, mobile plant inspection, managing emergey spills and operating in confined spaces. Safety training specialist Juice Learning, based at Armitage Bridge,
also ran a session at the event. Activities on the second day were run in association with the Mineral Products Association. The event was opened and closed by James Berry, managing director of Wellhouse parent the Myers group. Richard Noble, an inspector with the Health and Safety Executive, also spoke.
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8
TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
movers and shakers
Manufacturer that’s a master of its craft VIPs feed a need for speed Self-drive took on a whole new meaning at Donington Park motor racing circuit when Huddersfield’s Arrow Self Drive treated a handful of customers to a trackday experience with professional racer Josh Caygill. The guests were tutored by Netherton’s 24-year-old Caygill, who competes in the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup as well as representing the UK in the pan-European VW Scirocco R Cup series this year. They had the opportunity to enjoy high-speed passenger laps in the talented racer’s AWM-prepared Volkswagen Scirocco. Providing a ‘handson’ driving experience at one of the best race tracks in Britain, the Arrow Self Drive guests were based at a temporary trackside “garage” for the entire day where they were able to enjoy all aspects of the action. The guests were all offered the rare oppor-
tunity to join Caygill – who formerly competed at British Championship level in motorcycle racing – and AWM team principal Aaron Mason for some “hot laps”. At the end of the trackday, a trophy was presented to Mark Gledhill (pictured above, left) with Josh), of Huddersfield-based Crowther & Shaw, who was deemed the overall winner of the self-drive experience. He said: “As a keen car enthusiast and trackday driver, it was fantastic to meet up with Josh and pick up some useful advice on how to drive faster and maximise the car’s potential. “I have driven many tracks without receiving training, so it was fantastic to pick up lots of useful tips that will hopefully allow me to drive quicker in the future! Thanks to Arrow Self Drive I had a great day and Josh is a super young man who I wish all the best to for his future career.”
Richard Hutchinson
Site manager appointed Awa r d - w i n n i n g Brockholes-based property developer Conroy Brook has appointed Richard Hutchinson (pictured) as site manager for its new development at Mayfield Court in Dodworth, South Yorkshire. The development will feature three detached family homes designed by Axis Architecture in Sheffield to fit within the local environment – red and slate grey brick, cream render and concrete roof tiles. Each home will also have its own detached garage. Mr Hutchinson. joins the Conroy Brook team after nine years with Miller Homes. He was site manager on a housing development and community centre in the village where Conroy Brook sales director Jon Bailey lived.
Mr Bailey was heavily involved in the project and so was able to see first-hand Mr Hutchinson’s capabilities and experience. Said Mr Hutchinson: “The offer from Conroy Brook came at a fortuitous time as I had been thinking about moving away from volume house building to something more bespoke for some time.”
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
A company making pipe cleaners for a variety of specialist industries has landed a business award. Hewitt & Booth, based at Turnbridge in Huddersfield, was named Business of the Month in the competition run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and government export support arm UK Trade & Investment. The company, founded more than 100 years ago, is part of the John Brierley Group, an oldestablished textile business which was started by the current owner’s great grandfather. In the past, the firm specialised in manufacturing smokers’ pipe cleaners which at the time was a very large market. As this sector has declined over recent years, the company has developed new markets and now operates in many different specialist areas, including medical, engineering, laboratories, craft, sports, gardening and textiles. The craft market is the largest by turnover closely followed by the medical industry. The judges were impressed by strategic development plans which have been put into place to help drive the business forward, including a business merger, ongoing training on a range of lean manufacturing techniques for all staff, recruitment of sales and marketing personnel and the launch of a new website
■■ ChrisTaylor (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the award to Joshua Barr, of Hewitt & Booth with (from left) Martin Bown, of My Management Accountant; Ellie MacDonald and Steven Pollitt, of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; and Ian Brierley, Cath Mellor and Rabia Madlock, of Hewitt & Booth
and associated branding. As well as being market leader in its field and the only one in the UK, Hewitt & Booth can offer turnaround times which are about a third quicker than those of their overseas competitors. Managing director Viv Jebson said: ”We are thrilled to bits to have won the Eaton Smith
“Business of the Month Award. It’s great recognition for the abilities of the fantastic employees in this business to adapt to change as Hewitt & Booth has reinvented itself over time.” The award is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389
Party time for networking group A networking group celebrated its first birthday – and pledged it would be the first of many. Instead of their normal speed networking session, members of the HD8 Network took part in “musical chairs” networking and also enjoyed a game of Pin the Business Card on the Donkey – Jonathan Hill, of Pierrepont, winning a bottle of champagne. The HD8 Network also arranged for Brockholes-based Oliver James Sugarcraft Creations to bake a birthday cake to help celebrate the landmark event. Gluten-free cupcakes were also available. The network – which aims to bring together businesses in the HD8 postcode area – started on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin last year with networking events
beginning a few months later following numerous requests to network face-to-face. The meetings are held between 5pm and 7pm on the third Tuesday of each month – originally using various locations – but now permanently at the 315 Bar and Restaurant in Lepton. Merewyn Sayers, creator of the HD8 Network, said: “Even though promotion is a key to the members of the HD8 Network, it is not the only aim. We are more than that. We are a community of local businesses who meet to discuss our businesses, supporting each other and the HD8 area. “I’m thrilled we’ve reached this one-year milestone and I look forward to holding many more anniversary events.” The HD8 Network has also
■■ Merewyn Sayers, creator of the HD8 Network, celebrates the group’s first anniversary with network members
launched its new website – www. their details to the website. HD8network.co.uk – with a busiThe network also posts this ness directory and events section information on its social media where organisations can submit profiles.
New director for Solvay’s operation at Holywell Green Guillaume Peron has been appointed site director at the Solvay chemical production site in Holywell Green. Mr Peron succeeds John Hamnet, who was in the role for two years and has been with the company for more than two decades. Solvay Halifax focuses on the
manufacture of surfactants, which are used widely in shampoos and detergents, and biocides, which remove bacteria from water and are mainly for use in swimming pools. The site has seen significant change in recent years, including the large-scale transfer of tech-
nology from the firm’s Leeds site and investment in a new production plant, which has seen it double in size in terms of both employees and manufacturing output. Mr Peron, who lives at Rishworth, joined the Holywell Green site as production manager in July
last year and has been with the Solvay Group for eight years – originally working at the Clamecy site in France as process manager. He also spent 11 months working at Cambridge University in research and gained a PhD from Southampton University.