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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Textile chiefs take major training role TEXTILE chiefs in Huddersfield are celebrating after landing a national training contract. Huddersfield’s textile sector training group – backed by dozens of firms across the town and based at Deighton’s Textile Centre of Excellence – is to spearhead a new National Fashion and Textiles Group Training Association (GTA). The GTA will support all forms of training activity undertaken by fashion and textiles businesses across England. It will offer advice on qualifications, access to training providers, online information and training services, practical and financial support, help with leadership and management development and help with school links and apprentice recruitment. The move was welcomed by Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Skills Commission and co-chairman of the Parliamentary Manufacturing Group. He attended a launch event with Paul Johnson, chairman of the textile centre and managing director of Moldgreen-based dyeing and finishing firm WT Johnson & and Sons Ltd. Also at the launch were Annie Warburton, head of partnerships at Creative Skillset, the industry body which supports skills and training for people and businesses in the UK creative industries; and Jennie Holloway, director of London-based fashions manufacturer Fashion Enter. Mr Sheerman said the textile centre was a hub of innovation and new ideas. “Now it is going to be the national hub for innovation in manufacturing
Umph! Awards A RECORD number of students from schools and colleges across Yorkshire will descend on Huddersfield this summer for a major business competition. This year’s Umph! contest will take place on July 2 at the John Smith’s Stadium – teams taking part in workshop-style sessions to tackle business issues thrown up at them by business simulation software SimVenture. Town chairman Dean Hoyle and Jacob Hill, founder of The Lazy Camper will also be taking part.
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■ INNOVATION: The new contract has been welcomed by (from left) Bill Macbeth, managing director of the Textile Centre of Excellence; textile centre chairman Paul Johnson; and Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman
and creating more entrepreneurs.” Mr Johnson said he was ecstatic that textile employers in Huddersfield – who had been working to develop the industry for the past 36 years as a local trade training group – were now leading a national drive to develop skills needed to drive the industry forward. But he said: “We are aware of the responsibility that comes with it. There are excellent opportunities. We need to keep the momentum building.” UK textiles face major challenges surrounding recruitment – including an ageing workforce, a shortage of skilled people to work with new technologies, a need for improved leadership, management and business skills
to promote growth and a need to improve the industry’s poor image among young people. The employer-led GTA aims to tackle those issues with initiatives such as school visits to promote careers in the sector, company visits, internships, work placements and apprenticeships, and a pre-apprenticeship programme to match potential industry entrants with companies for an initial period prior to employment. New diploma level courses will be run in subjects such as technical textiles, clothing production, strategic marketing, design development, supplier management and sourcing. Bill Macbeth, textile centre managing director, said: “The growth of
the global market for top quality goods, the strength of the ‘Made in the UK’ brand, together with changes in off-shore manufacturing conditions, are stimulating the renaissance of our fashion and textiles manufacturing sector. “If we are to capitalise on this opportunity we must improve the skills of our workforce at all levels. We need to rebuild capacity in our companies and we need to increase the number of motivated young people joining the sector and undertaking good quality apprenticeships. “Our new national GTA will enable us to respond more effectively to the skills needs of employers and learners.”
Tax rule change not as simply as it seems SMALL unincorporated businesses with a turnover of up to £77,000 are being allows to use a simpler tax system to calculate profits. But Cleckheaton-based chartered accountancy firm Clough and Company warned that it might not be so straightforward. Partner Nigel Westman said: “The Government wants to introduce cash
INSIDE
accounting proposals to make it easier for the smallest businesses to calculate their taxable income as well as providing them with more certainty over their tax affairs. “The cash basis is a simpler tax system that will allow small businesses that opt into the scheme to be taxed on their receipts less payments of allowable expenses, rather than being asked
to spend hours making accounting adjustments and other calculations designed for larger or more complex businesses. “However, it will not be appropriate for every small business and the new rules are not quite as simple as the Government would have us believe.” Mr Westman said: “Whilst the actual accounting treatment may be
simpler, it will still be necessary to abide by tax rules for the deductibility of some expenses. “There will also be transitional rules for existing businesses wishing to opt into the new system so it’s essential that small businesses, self employed individuals or partnerships seek professional advice about whether they can benefit from these changes.”
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Online seminar A BIRSTALL-based marketing agency has been invited to take part in a leading global conference on e-commerce. Richard Jones, head of Fantastic Media’s mobile division, Fantastic Mobile, and David Ford, its head of mobile media, will deliver a seminar at the two-day Catalyst Europe 2013, which takes in May. Major names represented will include eBay, Amazon and Arvato .
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Greggs dented by high street decline SANDWICH chain Greggs pointed to the decline of the high street and traditional shopping as it issued a warning that profits would be short of City hopes. Economic turmoil and the rise of internet sales were both blamed for the dwindling number of hungry consumers picking up products such as pasties and sausage rolls at stores in town centres and retail parks. The chain, which has several shops across Kirklees and has tabled plans for another at Huddersfield bus station, was badly hit by the freezing weather at the start of the year. But while performance has picked up since then, it continues to be down year-on-year, suggesting a wider trend. Greggs said profits were unlikely to meet City expectations of between £47.5m and £55.2m this year. Shares closed 39.8p lower at 422.7p.
Chief executive Roger Whiteside said it was clear the continuing impact of the downturn was having an effect, coupled with food inflation. Mr Whiteside said: “What we are seeing is fewer customers out shopping and as a consequence food sales are under pressure. “There is a growing trend to shop on the internet and that is restricting the number of people going shopping. “Compounding that is that consumer income remains under pressure and people are trying to save money.” The Newcastle-based company, which has 1,681 shops, is attempting to take pressure off its traditional high street locations with openings at workplaces and at travel and leisure destinations. This year it is to open 80 new stores while closing 30 others. It said it was on course to refurbish 250 sites after completing 59 so far this
■ PRESSURE: Greggs chief Roger Whiteside cited difficult conditions
year and planned to boost its offering with new products such as a “spicy chicken fajita”. In a trading update, Greggs said like-for-like sales in the 17 weeks to
April 27 were 4.4% lower, particularly hit by the bad weather in January and March. But the most recent two weeks showed figures still down, though by a lower 1.5%. The company said: “We do not expect a significant improvement in the difficult underlying market conditions in the short term. “Although we are only four months into the year, we believe that profits for the year are likely to be slightly below the lower end of the range of market expectations.” Mr Whiteside said customers may be suffering from a compound effect of the economy “bumping along the bottom” for some time. “Successive years of being under pressure have meant ultimately something has to give and they are having to adjust their budgets accordingly.”
Lloyds offloads Spanish division City Link sold for just £1 LLOYDS Banking Group reduced its exposure to struggling Spain by agreeing to sell its retail banking operations in the country. The loss-making portfolio of mortgages and deposits is to be sold to Banco Sabadell in return for a 1.8% stake in the Spanish bank worth £72m. L l o yd s , w h i c h w i l l u p d a t e investors on current trading today, will take a loss of about £250m on the disposal. Its Spanish corporate banking operations are not included in the deal. The group said the sale was in line with plans to rationalise its international presence and ensure the best
value for shareholders, including the taxpayer through the Government’s 39% stake. The business being sold made a loss of £43m last year, driven by a fur ther increase in provisions against bad loans. Total assets worth more than £1.5bn will transfer in the sale. Lloyds was dealt a blow last week with the collapse of the planned sale of 632 UK branches to the Co-operative Group. It will now seek to offload the TSB-branded esta te through a stock market flotation. Bottom-line pre-tax profits for the first three months of this year are expected to be £1.1bn.
PARCEL delivery firm City Link has been sold for £1 after its owner called time on five years of substantial losses. Pest control and washrooms company Rentokil Initial has offloaded the division to restructuring specialist Better Capital, even though it believes the business has now turned the corner. City Link made losses of £31m in 2011 and £26m last year, with the first three months of this year seeing a reduced loss of £8.1m. Despite the growth of internet shopping, City Link has been hit by weaker demand from higher margin
small business customers. Better Capital, whose other recent investments have included fashion business Jaeger and double-glazing firm Everest, will invest £40m in City Link in a bid to complete the turnaround. Rentokil’s shares closed 0.65p down at 96p as the company warned of a £40m charge in relation to the City Link sale. Chief executive Alan Brown said City Link, which will continue to be run by its existing management team, had found a “very committed investor” in Better Capital.
Page 2 Profits warning BALFOUR Beatty was forced to issue a £50m profits warning for its UK construction business in the latest sign of the gloom afflicting the sector. Shares in the international infrastructure group closed 9, or 23p lower at 222.9pafter the firm blamed “extremely tough” conditions. In a sign of the difficulties it is facing, the company said group chief executive Andrew McNaughton would personally take charge of the UK construction business. Figures last week showed that while Britain escaped a triple-dip recession, construction had fallen back and remained well below its pre-crisis peak. Balfour Beatty said it was a “challenging environment in which to win and execute work” with market conditions deteriorating sharply in the second half of last year. It said the UK construction business was expected to deliver “significantly lower profits” from operations this year than expected at the time of full-year results last month. It is the second profits warning in six months, with the last coming in November. The firm has landed a £130m Crossrail contract and has worked on the revamp of London’s Blackfriars station and the M25 road widening. But it reported a “poor performance” in its Uk regional construction arm and said clients were imposing “increasingly stringent conditions”.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £43.87 +0.15 Gannett 1309.29 -16.13 Hess Corp £46.58 +0.77 Microsoft £20.97 +0.45 Motors Liquidation 48.40 Wal-Mart Stores £50.67 -0.33 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 4141/2 -5/8 BAE Systems 379 +1/8 Rolls-Royce 1130 -2 AIM Brady Plc 70 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 2743/4 +33/4 BANKS Barclays 2897/8 -3/4 HSBC 7035/8 +33/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 531/2 +5/8 Ryl Scotland 294 -11/8 Stan Chart 1636 +31/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1957 +91/2 SABMiller £347/8 +1/4 CHEMICALS Croda £241/2 -3/4 Elementis 98 2631/4 +45/8 5 Johnsn Mat £24 /8 +1/8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2227/8 -231/2 Costain 277 -21/2 ELECTRICITY
Drax Gp 6141/2 -11/2 SSE 1562 +12 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 2147/8 +3/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 4411/2 +15/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 2807/8 -47/8 Cable & Wireless 421/2 +1/4 Comm Colt Group 115 -3 KCOM 841/2 +1/4 Talktalk Telecom 2511/4 -3/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2883/8 +21/8 Sainsbury 3821/8 -3/4 7 Tesco 366 /8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1937 +12 Tate Lyle 850 -11/2 Unilever £28 +3/8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3795/8 +4 National Grid 817 +91/2 Pennon Grp 686 +2 Severn 1818 +10 United Utils 741 +81/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3381/4 +1/8 ICAP 2901/4 +11/8 London StockExch 1343 +33 Man Group 1031/8 -13/8 Provident Financial 1637 +26
+1/2 Schroders £233/8 Schroders NV 1839 +42 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 5131/2 +11/2 Smiths Grp 1245 +8 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 281/2 Carphone Whse 2033/4 +121/4 Dixons Retail 363/8 -3/4 Home Retail 1601/8 +15/8 Inchcape 510 +31/2 Kingfisher 3143/4 -11/8 M&S 4131/4 -21/8 Mothercare 302 -31/4 1 Next £44 /4 +1/8 WH Smith 7401/2 -1/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 750 +6 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 787/8 -1/2 Barrat Dev 3207/8 +27/8 Persimmon 1097 +17 Reckitt Benckiser £471/4 +5/8 Taylor Wimpey 96 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1243 +10 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1817/8 +23/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2503/8 -11/4 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3083/8 -23/4
1681/4 +3/4 2051/4 +11/8 1109 -11 +25/8 2641/8 3851/2 -13/4 MEDIA BSkyB 846 -41/2 D Mail Tst 6961/2 +21/2 3 /8 HIBU ITV 1271/8 -7/8 Johnston Press 153/8 -3/8 Pearson 1150 +6 1 -14 Reed Elsevier 761 /2 STV Group 134 +1/2 Trinity Mirror 90 -1 Utd Business 7421/2 +281/2 UTV 160 +10 WPP 1060 -5 MINING Anglo American 1609 +3 Antofagasta 910 -6 BHP Billiton 1832 +161/2 Eurasian Natural 2743/4 +51/2 Res Fresnillo 1180 +27 +13/8 Kazakhmys 3581/4 Lonmin 2851/4 +5 Rio Tinto £293/4 +1/8 VEDANTA 1215 -6 RESOURCES Xstrata 9895/8 +93/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 728 +3 Vodafone Group 1967/8 -3/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
413 1253/4 817 £221/4
-71/2 +11/2 +91/2 +1/4
FTSE closed at
6458.02 Up 31.60 Admiral Grp 1325 +3 RSA Insurance Gp 1121/4 -3/4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1083 +18 BP 4563/4 +25/8 Cairn Energy 2873/8 -15/8 Royal Dutch Shell A £217/8 +1/4 3 Royal Dutch Shell B £22 /8 +1/4 Total £321/4 +1/2 Tullow Oil 1021 -10 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1012 +3 Petrofac 1330 -1 Wood Gp(J) 797 -8 PERSONAL GOODS
Burberry Gp 1344 -6 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY 5 Astrazeneca £33 /8 +3/8 GlaxoSmithK 31/2 Shire £201/8 +1/4 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 601 +7 Hamrsn 526 +8 Intu Properties 3413/4 +67/8 Land Secs 886 +91/2 SEGRO 2647/8 -1/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 3643/4 +63/8 Sage Group 3401/2 -1/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 7781/2 -31/2 Bunzl 1274 +8 Capita 907 +21 De La Rue 943 -4 Electrocomp 2445/8 +1/2 Experian 1153 +14 G4S 3131/2 +11/4 Hays 94 -3/8 Homeserve 2063/4 +31/8 Menzies J 724 +12 Rentokil 96 -5/8 Smiths News 184 Wolseley £323/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 979 Spirent Comms 1303/4 +5/8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £357/8 Imperial Tobacco £23 +1/4
TOURIST RATES
LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Gp Greene King Intercontl Htls Intl Cons Airl Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
135 £231/2 855 1135 981/8 2201/8 1558 7221/2 1889 2745/8 191 3413/8 1937/8 170 3067/8 3183/4 £261/8
+23/4 +1/8 +131/2 -13/4 +13/8 +12 +8 -2 -11/4 -11/4 +33/4 -3/8 +33/8 +3/8 +3/4 +3/8
FTSE 100
INDEX 6458.02
+31.60
FTSE 250
INDEX 13992.80
+17.82
Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.42 dollars Bangladesh................. 114.11 taka Brazil.............................. 2.77 reals Canada....................... 1.50 dollars China ............................. 8.55 yuan Czech Republic ...... 28.03 korunas Denmark....................... 8.43 krone Euro............................... 1.13 euro Hong Kong................ 11.43 dollars Hungary................... 321.04 forints India.......................... 74.26 rupees Japan........................... 144.33 yen Mexico ....................... 16.77 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.70 dollars Norway ......................... 8.63 krone Pakistan.................. 143.89 rupees Philippines ................. 54.70 pesos South Africa................. 13.19 rand South Korea.............. 1497.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 185.76 rupees Sweden......................... 9.72 krona Switzerland.................. 1.39 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.07 dollars Turkey....................... 2.62 new lira USA ............................ 1.48 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
New tour of duty for Mark THERE’S no disguising Mark Yarwood’s excitement that the Tour de France is coming to Huddersfield. The Honley businessman – himself a keen cyclist – has seen the world’s most spectacular cycle race first-hand and promises local people that they will not be disappointed when the sporting extravaganza comes to town next year. Mark, who has been seconded from his job with Lloyds Banking Group to become a full-time Business Connector working with charities and social enterprises across Kirklees, says: “I really want to get involved with the Tour in some way” The father of four says: “We’ve followed the Tour in Switzerland, France and Italy in 2009. “We had some great experiences along the way and all I can say is that the Tour is going to be quite an eye-opener for the people of Huddersfield who don’t fully understand just how big an event it is. “I can’t wait. It will be absolutely fantastic. “And it will be a tremendous opportunity to promote the town and in terms of encouraging more people to cycle.” Mark’s enthusiasm for road cycling remains undimmed – despite a number of nasty incidents with other vehicles on local roads. “I have had my left collar bone repaired twice and I have smashed my left elbow in seven places,” he says. “There’s more metal plate than bone in my collarbone now! “It has left me more determined not to be bullied off the road, although I am feeling more mortal and I tend to be a little more cautious.” Mark’s son Thomas, 12, has also developed a passion for road cycling and is also following his father’s footsteps by playing football and cricket. “I played football to a decent, semi-professional level,” says Mark. “Thomas plays junior football at Honley and for Honley High School. “He also plays cricket for Hall Bower and the school. He’s doing all the things I
was doing at his age and at Group colleague, Gareth this stage with the Ewing, who has been in cross-over from football to post as Business cricket, I’m taking him to Connector for Calderdale matches several times a for several months. week!.” Mark, who hails from Mark is also enjoying his south Manchester, began new job as a Business his career in banking at the Connector, helping Third age of 17 when he joined Sector organisations Halifax Building Society’s connect with individuals Altrincham branch. from businesses to help “In terms of career them overcome issues progression, you were relating to employment, always waiting for people education and enterprise. above you to move on,” he Under the Business says. national roll-out of the new Connectors programme, “We had a higher system, which was based run by Business in the turnover of staff in London in Huddersfield, Mark Community, Mark has been and the opportunity arose moved back north in 1998. seconded from his job with to work in the capital for He was based in the bank for 12 months to three years. take up the new role. “The society put me up in Huddersfield for less than a year before the team was He has made key a flat and I worked in local centralised at the bank’s contacts with organisations branches. So at the age of including Kirklees Council, 19 I was enjoying the bright headquarters in Trinity Road, Halifax. community groups and lights of London. Since then, Mark has local business people. “I worked at Kilburn been project manager on “I’m effectively a free branch before getting my 25 to 30 major projects, resource for local first management position including ones relating to communities to tap into,” he at Harrow.” says. “It’s a great the formation of Intelligent Mark and his first wife opportunity for me to give Finance in Edinburgh, the decided they did not want something back. their children growing up in Bank of Scotland deal and “I have spent a good part London and moved to the takeover of HBOS by of my career managing Brighton, where Mark spent Lloyds Banking Group. projects – small, medium He says: “I never wanted five-and-a-half happy years and large. I hope that I’m to sit in one post for 15 or during the 1990s as seen as a safe pair of 20 years and I have assistant manager in hands for the first year of enjoyed the stimulation of charge of administration. our three-year commitment moving from completing Later, he took a position to Kirklees. one project to taking on in Chatham, Kent, which “I am delighted to be in a was one of the “test areas” another that is more position to do something for for a new computer system challenging. the local community. “A particular project after the building society “I have lived in and might take 18 months to converted to become a around Huddersfield for 14 two years – then you can bank. or 15 years, so I already move onto something When the bank set up a have a feel for the area and new team to plan for the different. a network of contacts. “I aim to strengthen the connections between businesses and charities before I hand over to my successor after the first year.” Mark recognises that a number of organisations have already been building links between business and the Third Sector. He says: “I don’t want to step on the toes of organisations already doing what needs to be done, but I want to find out the scope of what’s already happening and provide further help. “I aim to understand what charitable organisations need and match them up with businesses that can help ■ LINK-UP: Mark Yarwood, of Lloys banking Grop, has meet those needs.” been seconded to Business in the COmmunity's Business Mark has also met Connectors programme another Lloyds Banking
profile
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Mark Yarwood
“Some projects can cover the whole organisation while others are more focused on parts of the business.” When the opportunity to become Business Connector for Kirklees came up, Mark jumped at the chance. “I would have kicked myself if I hadn’t given it a go,” he says. “I have the time to devote to it, I have been in and around Huddersfield for the past 15 years, so I have built up a network of contacts and I am used to setting my own diary. “Talking to local charities, I have already met some really inspirational people. “I think it’s going to be quite an emotional journey, talking to people who are doing so many selfless things for their communities. “That’s the stuff that ticks the boxes for me. “At the end of this first year, I will be able to look back on it with a bit of pride.”
Role: Business Connector Age: 46 Family: Married to Janice with son Thomas, 12 and from a previous marriage daughters Laura, 26, Catherine, 23, and Emma, 22 Car: Ford Cougar Holidays: Following the Tour de France First job: Working on a market garden in South Manchester Best thing about job: The variety of the role Worst thing about job: I can’t think of anything I don’t like about it Business tip: Just be yourself. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Nine times out of 10 your personality will be enough to show people you have what it takes. Try to put on a veneer and people will see right through you
BITC Work: Promoting corporate social responsibility Site: Huddersfield Phone: 07703 163886 Email: mark.yarwood@ halifax.co.uk Web: www.bitc.org.uk
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Who will be the next Business of the Month? If you are proud of what your business has achieved; why not tell us about your success story and you could be a winner of our prestigious award. For further details please contact: Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors, 14 High Street, Huddersfield HD1 2HA T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995
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Page 4
Right connections UK companies are proving the ones to beat in a competition designed to help firms improve their supply chains. Fresh Connection, an interactive web-based competition is run by specialist consultancy SCALA, based at the Media Centre in Northumberland Street, Huddersfield. Its One Day and Online events were a big success with Mars, Cadbury/Kraft, Futurmaster, SpecSavers and Kimberly-Clark emerging as the top teams. The Fresh Connection, supported by Toyota Materials Handling, now moves onto the Global Rounds.
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Starring role at conference
A BIRSTALL-based marketing agency has been invited to take part in a leading global conference on e-commerce. Richard Jones, head of Fantastic Media’s mobile division, Fantastic Mobile, will deliver a seminar along with David Ford, its head of mobile media at Catalyst Europe 2013, which takes place on May 28 and 29 at St Paul’s Hotel in London. The two-day conference brings together some major names in online retail – including eBay, Amazon and Arvato – to discuss the needs and expectations of the online retail community in 2013. Mr Jones will deliver a seminar on why businesses need to ensure that their e-commerce websites are mobile-ready and strategies for increasing conversion to sales. The focus of this year’s Catalyst conference will be “newcommerce” – the blurring of the margins between channels and the intersection of e-commerce, local, mobile and social – and how retailers can manage this increasingly fragmented online universe. Mr Jones co-founded Fantastic Media seven years ago with managing director Andy Hobson and helped some of the country’s leading retailers, such as Bonmarche and Card Factory to develop their online and mobile e-commerce offerings. Recently, he helped launch Fantastic Mobile, a specialist division of the agency, to ensure that clients efficiently and profitably exploit the latest and most exciting retail channel.
■ UPWARDLY MOBILE: Richard Jones, of Fantastic Media
Mr Ford specialises in apps, motion graphics, creative development and graphic design and is responsible for creating new innovative approaches to mobile development and fulfilment. At the conference, they will discuss why businesses need to be “mobile first, desktop second” and share proven tactics and strategies for increasing m-commerce conversion. Said Mr Jones: “This year, we will see the number of people visiting a website from mobile devices becoming greater than those visiting from desktops.
“We spend on average 40 minutes per day on mobile websites and whilst we are doing this we have a 75% higher rate of engagement. “This means more page views, and interactions with your business, and an increasingly likely chance of purchase. “By not having a mobile website, companies are ignoring the requirements of their customers. Our aim at Catalyst Europe is to discuss some of the ways businesses can stay ahead of the competition through exploiting this new channel.”
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SMALL firms across Kirklees could benefit from a £300m lending boost – but they are in for a wait, it is claimed. News that small businesses have been handed a £300m lending boost by the Government will be welcomed by many SMES – but it won’t be a quick fix, according to a local tax specialist. The money, the first of £1bn promised by Business Secretary Vince Cable as part of the new Business Bank, is set to help improve access to finance for small businesses. Nick Brook (pictured), who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Lockwood, said: “In a recent survey of small businesses we conducted, we found that access to funding was a top priority. “Whilst it is great news that the long-awaited Business Bank is finally getting off the ground, the
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first loans won’t be made available until the autumn at the earliest.” The Business Bank will not directly lend to small businesses, but will bring together existing SME finance schemes, give advice on suitable facilities and provide cheap wholesale finance for alternative lenders.
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Wealthy investors must be welcomed THE BUSINESS BATTLEAXE Amanda Vigar
is open for business… BIt orRITAIN is it? certainly should be with unem-
ployment rising and the economy in the doldrums. At a time when this country needs more taxpayers and more wealth-producing, industry-investing people, we’ve managed to make rich foreigners feel less welcome and it looks like they’re taking their money elsewhere. The country needs that like a hole in the head! According to HM Revenue and Customs’ own figures, the number of non-domiciled taxpayers has fallen by 2,000 in a year. It may have something to do with the £30,000 annual non-dom levy they’re being asked to pay for the privilege of putting their stake in the UK. According to a Freedom of Informa-
tion request, the damning stats show that the number of non-doms has plummeted from 140,000 in 2008 to 116,000 now. These are just the ones that are paying the levy – so likely to be on the wealthy end of the spectrum! This group of highly mobile, enormously wealthy wealth producers is, not surprisingly, also very well informed. And they have highly skilled people to do their sums for them – and they have decided that the UK is not the proposition it once was – we’re not longer seen as a “light touch” tax and regulation economy. Foreign investment is always important to a successful economy and the need to stay attractive to international money is imperative to our country’s recovery and growth. The £30,000 annual tax levy on non-doms who have been in the UK for
Website winner
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A GOLF retailer based in Huddersfield has won an award for its website. Direct Golf UK landed its prize in the ECMOD Awards – standing for European Catalogue & Mail Order Days. The competition recognises business excellence for organisations engaged in direct-to-customer retailing across traditional and newly-emerging channels. The awards, recognised as the “Oscars” for all direct commerce businesses, were held at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge stadium. Direct Golf outshone major retail names including John Lewis, Argos, Lakeland and The White Company to come out top in its category. Commercial manager Steve Lewis and website manager Neil Rowett were on hand to accept the award. Direct Golf UK chairman and founder John Andrew said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this award. It’s great to be recognised for having a best-in-class web presence, not just in golf, but across a variety of retail sectors. “We’ve worked hard over the past 18 months to redevelop the site and continue to adopt and evolve our offering to the benefit of our customers.”
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between seven and 12 years is not helping us. The levy is only part of a raft of other tax measures, introduced or being discussed, which are gaining us a reputation for being less welcoming to people with real spending power than we once were. We need to keep access to investment open and easy. To do otherwise seems contrary to the ideals of a free market and at odds with our role as an international centre for investment and ideas. These non-domicile taxpayers will continue to take to their luxury launches and abandon the good ship Britannia if they feel the weather is no longer set fair. While they’re aboard, they will invest in the UK and create jobs. When they’re abroad, they will invest their money abroad. Time for a change of tack!
Firms fail to plan SMALL and medium-sized businesses in Yorkshire are failing to make plans for their long-term future, according to a survey by Lloyds TSB Commercial. Some 35% have made no plans for after the main directors or owners retire. That compares with a national average of 34%. Firms in London and Essex are the least likely to have made post-departure arrangements at 43% compared with 28% in the South West. The survey of almost 1,800 businesses also revealed geographical differences in transition plans across the UK. Some 28% of Yorkshire firms expect a succession by family members compared with 34% each for Scottish and Welsh firms.
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Tailored programme to maximise profitability Tailored tax efficient solutions ■ ON COURSE: Direct Golf UK commercial manager Steve Lewis (right) and website manager Neil Rowett (centre) accept the award from Leighton Cuff, of category sponsor i-Behaviour The firm’s website – www.direct-golf.co.uk – was completely redeveloped and relaunched in 2012 to include an online TV channel, Direct Golf TV, and store in-store shopping. Improvements also included mobile and iPad applications. The company saw a direct increase in sales and a record year online. The number of visits were up by 14% year-on-year, while unique visitor numbers also rose.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property ■ RETIRING TYPE: McCarthy and Stone’s Sykes Court in Lindley. The retirement homes specialist has acquired two further sites in Yorkshire, described as “well-placed strategic sites in locations that have been sought after by the company for many years”
Retirement homes builder acquires two more sites A BUILDER of retirement homes has acquired two new sites in West Yorkshire. McCarthy & Stone, which has a development at Sykes Court in Lindley, has completed deals for sites at Belle Vue Mills in Skipton and at Shadwell in Leeds. The former textile mill at Skipton already has planning approval for 35 “later living” apartments. A consultation is under way to secure planning approval for 60 “open market “assisted living” apartments at the site in Leeds. Richard Watson, director at Colliers International in West Yorkshire said he was delighted to have worked with McCarthy & Stone securing the sites,
adding: “They are two well-placed strategic sites in locations that have been sought after by the company for many years.” McCarthy & Stone is the most recognised developer of privately-owned retirement property in the UK. Over the past 30 years, it has built 45,000 apartments nationwide. Chris Watson, regional land director at McCarthy & Stone, said: “McCarthy & Stone has been delighted with the level of professionalism and client service received from Colliers International whilst acquiring these exciting opportunities.”
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Whose bright idea was that? INFORMED DEVELOPMENT Martin Thompson
NEW assault on the planning laws – A which could make it easier for developers to build blocks of flats and
offices – has been announced. The Law Commission has begun consultations, backed by ministers, which could lead to the 100-year-old rights of light legislation being changed. A right to light is an easement that provides the landowner with a right to receive light through defined openings in a building, usually windows. Given this, owners of neighbouring land are prevented from substantially interfering with the access of light. Neighbours can object to developments if the building threatens the amount of natural light that is currently available. The consultation by the Law Commission on “rights to light” says that “uncertainty” in the current legislation leaves builders vulnerable to legal action that can impact new projects for long periods of time. One of the more radical proposals in the consultation is that the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal has the power to extinguish rights to light that are obsolete or have no practical benefit with payment of compensation, if appropriate. This together with the consultation’s recommendation to end the ability of residents to acquire rights to light by “long use” make the
consultation a far reaching proposal to assist developers. The Department for Communities and Local Government “expressed an interest” in reforming the law after the High Court ordered partial demolition of a building in Leeds city centre which obstructed a neighbour’s daylight. The case in September, 2010, which is mentioned in the consultation, led judges to order the demolition of the top storeys of the new building which were responsible for the loss of light. The consultation also addresses the perception that the current law encourages neighbours not to engage with developers at an early stage in order to increase the sum claimed in damages and introduces a new legal framework that will make it clearer when damages can be paid instead of forcing demolition or a halt to construction. Prof Elizabeth Cooke, leading the moves for reform, said: “The Law Commission’s aim is to bring more clarity, certainty and transparency into the law relating to rights to light, to reduce the scope for disputes and where they do happen, make it simpler, easier and quicker for landowners, developers and the courts to resolve them.” The consultation is open until May 16, 2013.
Martin Thompson, is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield
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RICS reports boost for property sector CONSTRUCTION industry professionals in Yorkshire have reported a rise in workloads for the first time since the end of 2007. The latest construction market quarterly survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors showed a net balance of plus 3% of chartered surveyors in the region reporting an increase in work. The RICS said the positive result was an encouraging sign that the construction sector is finally starting to stabilise. The survey said more housing, industrial space and public schemes were being built across the region – suggesting that some of the government initiatives were beginning to breathe life back into parts of the region’s property sector. However, infrastructure projects across Yorkshire fell over the last four months and little improvement has now been seen in the sector since 2007 – despite attempts by the government to stimulate the economy through privately-funded infrastructure schemes. RICS members remained cautious, saying they did not expect construction workloads or
employment to increase over the next 12 months. Rob Hindle, chairman of the RICS Yorkshire and Humber regional board, said: “There still remains a lack of confidence in the construction sector which is impacting upon the decision-making process. “There also appears to be no rush to get to the construction stage even with extremely competitive tender levels from contractors. These obstacles, along with the continuing difficulty in obtaining finance, make it an ongoing challenging time for the construction industry.” RICS chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: “Although it’s far too early to start talking about a recovery in the construction sector, the rise in output at the beginning of the year is a little better news. “The government’s attempts to stimulate the market seem now to be having some impact, but there are still significant challenges to be overcome. In particular, the availability of finance and planning-related issues continue to present obstacles to development.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Price rise likely for arable land PRIME arable farmland is set to increase in price, according to figures. The latest Agricultural Land Indicator from property agents Carter Jonas said the price of prime arable land was forecast to rose by 5% by the end of 2013 – with Yorkshire remaining a hot spot for growth.. Demand for lower quality land fell in 2012 – and this decline is forecast to continue over the next 12 months. Values of secondary arable land are expected to fall by 5% to 10%. Tom Whitehead (pictured), senior associate with Carter Jonas in Yorkshire, said: “This is significantly below the unprecedented price increases witnessed between 2009-2011, when prime agricultural land values almost doubled. “It is now evident that upward pressure on land prices has abated due to current difficulties facing the industry – yet speculation over a potential price bubble should be treated with caution. “Most importantly, it is the ‘safe haven’ status of British agricultural land – which is almost on a par with the prime central London residential property market – along with the continuing favourable taxation regime, which will continue to drive demand for this asset class.”
property
Urgent call for changes to EPR
LEVYING rates on empty properties is stifling economic growth and hindering town centre regeneration, according to Yorkshire’s chartered surveyors. T h e Roya l I n s t i t u t i o n o f Chartered Surveyors has repeated its call for the government to take action on EPR after its extensive survey of members revealed the business tax on vacant buildings is significantly harming the UK economic recovery. Chartered surveyors across Yorkshire contributed to the RICS research, which provides updated evidence on the affect of EPR on the high street and the wider impact on development, investment and growth. Among the findings, 92% viewed EPR as a barrier to town centre regeneration while 89% felt the policy was restricting overall economic growth. A similar proportion said it was a significant deterrent to speculative building.
The findings support research from the TaxPayers Alliance which revealed a massive £1.1bn was paid last year in business rates on empty properties in the UK between 2009-10 and 2011-12. RICS said the government must look at this issue again if it is serious about supporting small businesses on the high street, adding: “We have yet to see any commitment from government on defining the exemption for new build that the Chancellor announced in the Autumn Statement. It wants the Treasury to increase exemption from EPR for retail space from three to six months, increase exemption for office and industrial space from six to 12 months and remove all refurbishment, renovation or retrofitting projects from the business rate list until completion. Claire Paraskeva, senior director at agency GVA, said: “It is clear from the RICS research that busi-
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ness rates on vacant premises is not only constraining investment in the construction of new developments, but also acting as a major barrier to speculative building. “We understand the need for government to generate tax revenue in the ongoing tough economic climate. “However, the significant revenue of empty property rates versus business growth is now unsustainable. “This is money that could be invested into hugely beneficial property-led growth, which all regions – not just Yorkshire and Humber – desperately need to see over the next couple of years.” RICS chief economist Simon Rubinshon said: “Increasing the empty property rates exemption period for retail, office and industrial space will help take the break off speculative development and provide a badly needed boost to the wider economy which will certainly ■ BOOST: Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at RICS help our struggling high streets.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Jennie Russell
Fantastic Media BIRSTALL-based marketing agency Fantastic Media has appointed Jennie Russell as a new account executive. Ms Russell (pictured) joins the agency’s client services department where she will be responsible for managing a range of accounts, including Huddersfield’s John Smith Stadium, Netherton-based nationwide pallet distributor The Pink Link, waste management and disposal services firm Waste Care and Cool Head Warm Heart – a campaign to raise the profile of scalp cooling treatment for cancer patients. Ms Russell, who gained a first class honours degree in hospitality business management at Sheffield Hallam University, also has experience in marketing, social media, sales and events. After completing her studies, she took two years out and travelled extensively, spending most of her time in New Zealand and Australia. Fantastic Media managing director Andy Hobson said: “Jennie is a welcome addition to our expanding team and has come on board at an exciting time following a series of recent account wins. I believe her experience will add significant value for our clients.”
Linda Harrison
EEF MANUFACTURERS’ organisation EEF has appointed specialist manufacturing consultant Linda Harrison to head its new manufacturing growth unit covering Yorkshire. The new unit aims to help manufacturing companies in Yorkshire to grow by improving their efficiency and effectiveness. The service is focused on those manufacturers that cannot gain Manufacturing Advisory Service funding due to their size or connections with a larger group – although the team will also deliver MAS-funded offerings. Ms Harrison joins EEF’s business services team and will advise member and non-member companies to help them improve productivity, quality and delivery in a wide range of manufacturing sectors. She has 20 years’ experience in leadership and production and operations management. Ms Harrison was also previously a part-time lecturer in production and operations management at the University of Teesside. Andrew Tuscher, EEF regional director for the North East, said: “I am delighted to have such a skilled lean practitioner and trainer as Linda in our office. Every manufacturing company can be more efficient in some way and Linda can certainly help EEF members and non-members on their continuous improvement journey.”
Conference call-up HIGH-PROFILE speakers have been lined up for a major conference. The fourth annual Eco-Fair will be held on Thursday, May 9, at Elland Road, Leeds. Delegates attending include many from Kirklees businesses. Speakers will include Jo Daniels, delivery manager for Marks and Spencer; Julian Walker-Palin, head of corporate sustainability at ASDA; Chas Maloney, marketing director of Ricoh; and Gregory Barker, Minister for Climate Change. A Q&A panel discussion will feature Richard Flint, chief executive of Yorkshire Water; and Nick Tovey, director of Wardell Armstrong. Seminars will cover topics including waste, renewable energy, travel and land use. Go to www.eco-fair.co.uk
Movers and shakers
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Umph! Awards return to town A RECORD number of students from schools and colleges across Yorkshire will descend on Huddersfield this summer for a major business competition. This year’s Umph! contest will take place on July 2 at the John Smith’s Stadium – with four-strong teams of 16 to 19-year-olds taking part in workshop-style sessions to tackle business issues thrown at them by business simulation software SimVenture. Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle and Jacob Hill, founder of The Lazy Camper festivals essentials business, will be among entrepreneurs working closely with the students and giving them the benefit of their business knowledge and experience. Umph! is the brainchild of financial adviser Grant Thornton and forms part of the firm’s Educate to Innovate programme, which aims to encourage entrepreneurship in students and forge links between business and education in the region. Now in its third year, the competition is open to teams of budding young entrepreneurs, representing their school, sixth form or FE college. Twenty-six teams of students will take part in the contest in Huddersfield – with the winning team and creator of the most successful virtual business being awarded a trophy. Each member of the winning team will also receive their own iPad. Helena Taylor, who was named most
■ STUDENT POWER: Helena Taylor was judged most enterprising student at last year’s Umph! Awards while Town’s Dean Hoyle (centre) and Lazy Camper’s Jacob Hill, will speak af this year’s event
enterprising individual at Umph! last year, said: “It was fantastic to meet all the entrepreneurs in person and I learned a lot. Most importantly, perhaps, the event has given me the ambition to set up and run my own business, which I hope to do one day.” Sandra O’Neill, head of business development at Grant Thornton, said: “There is a growing national emphasis on forging stronger links between education and business, which is the focus of Umph! “The competition gives students a valuable opportunity to meet and question entrepreneurs about what a career in business is really like and it is this kind of
interaction that often provides the spark of inspiration and is generally unavailable as part of academic studies.” Alan Archer, business initiatives manager at Kirklees Council, which is also involved in Umph!, said: “Events like this play an essential role in the local economy by helping young people understand what a career in business is all about, as well as showing them how their own entrepreneurial skills could be developed in a meaningful way.” Also supporting Umph! are Huddersfield Town, SimVenture, Birstall-based Fantastic Media and Huddersfield University.
Currying favour in the Dales
■ COOKING: Prett Tejura, of Curry Cuisine in Dewsbury
DEWSBURY-based food and cookery company Curry Cuisine will bring a taste of regional India to North Yorkshire this weekend. Curry Cuisine is taking part in the two-day Dales Festival of Food and Drink, which gets under way on Saturday in the heart of Wensleydale. Company founder Prett Tejura will be encouraging foodies to ditch tiresome tikkas and boring baltis for dishes from more diverse areas of India. As well as providing outside “street food” catering for the event, Curry Cuisine will also showcase its award-winning range of premium, traditionally handcrafted chutneys and pickles; Scrummees fruit sauces and its newly-launched Scrummees jams, including Raspberry and Black Pepper, Plum and Cinnamon, Kiwi and Lime and Strawberry and Cardamon varieties. Prett will also join local chefs in the Theatre
Marquee on Sunday to provide tuition and a live cookery demonstration on how to create real Indian food from regions such as Goan, Keralan and Northern India. Said Prett: “It’s our mission to encourage foodies to tantalise the tastebuds, discover the delights of different regions of India and to dispel the myth that cooking authentic Indian food is difficult, whilst at the same time encouraging curry lovers to try something different.” Curry Cuisine, which also has premises at Tingley, has diversified from its origins as a cookery school to create its own range of handmade chutneys, pickles, spice mixes, dessert sauces and jams for both the Indian and mainstream markets. Its products can be found in food and farm shops such as Fodder in Harrogate and supermarkets, including ASDA nationally and Sainsbury’s in the region.
Alec takes his guard CRICKETING legend Alec Stewart visits Kirklees next month in his role as an ambassador for Yorkshire Bank. The former England captain and wicket keeper (pictured right) will meet an invited audience of business people at a business breakfast on Wednesday, May 15, at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top. The visit has been organised by Yorkshire Bank’s West
Yorkshire Business and Private Banking Centre in Bradford. The ex-Surrey player – whose international career highs included scoring two centuries in Bridgetown in 1993-1994 and leading England to their first major test win for 12 years, against South Africa – will discuss his career as a professional cricketer and conduct a questions and answers session. Andy Davidson, head of
Yorkshire Bank’s West Yorkshire Business and Private Banking Centre, which covers Kirklees, said: “We’re grateful that Alec Stewart is giving up time in his busy schedule to meet and talk to local business people. There are many similarities between captaining a successful sports side and running a successful business and we are sure that the audience will be very interested in what he has to say.”