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C ATHERINE GREEN A talent for textiles
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MARTIN THOMPSON Time to relax a bit? Column - Page 7
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Seven-figure deal set to boost jobs A KIRKLEES manufacturing firm has landed a job-creating multi-million pound deal to supply components to the oil industry. Batley-based X-Cel Precision, part of South Yorkshire-based precision engineering firm X-Cel Superturn, has secured the contract with FMC Global, a supplier to many of the world’s largest oil markets. FMC Global is switching its manufacture and assembly of subsea down hole systems to West Yorkshire, which will be a big boost to the local economy and job market. X-Cel Superturn will produce more than 2,000 of these components annually over the course of the three-year contract. The firm has invested more than £2m in high-end state-of-the-art equipment to support the contract and has recruited additional specialist staff to fulfil the skills requirement. As a result of the predicted growth in the oil and gas market, the business is expected to increase by 20% year each year over the next five years and is estimated to be double in size in five years’ time. A spokeswoman for the company said: “We currently have 30 employed at X-Cel Precision. “We have employed 10 more staff
and will be recruiting an additional 10 over the next 18 months as a result of this contract. “Our annual turnover for this site is £4m and we are expecting 20% growth year-on-year for the next five years.” She said: “This continuous growth and commitment to quality and customer service has positioned X-Cel as number 70 in a recent survey of Yo r k s h i r e ’s t o p s m a l l a n d medium-sized enterprises.” X-Cel Precision was born out the purchase of the assets of West Yorkshire-based HT Precision in November, 2011. HT’s core business was making components for many of the UK’s valve manufacturers, which X-Cel was keen to maintain and grow. Within a year of the acquisition, X-Cel Precision moved from HT’s original 6,000sq ft premises to a modern 14,000sq ft facility at Challenge Way, Batley. At the same time, the business invested in new machinery to enable X-Cel Precision to manufacture a larger range of parts. Along with valve manufacturers, X-Cel Superturn has customers in sectors including the heavy automotive industry, metal processing, the nuclear sector and railways.
■ DELIGHTED: Kevin Gordon, client development director
Paul has the power AN electrician who lost his job has changed direction to spark a new career – after taking up an apprenticeship. Paul Dickinson, 37, of Huddersfield, struggled to find another position in the trade after being made redundant. Now he has a job at an insurance company as a business administrator. Paul knew he needed to learn new skills to be efficient in his job – so he decided to undertake an apprenticeship in business administration and hasn’t looked back.
● Full story - Page 4
■ OIL’S WELL: Tim Heron (left), X-Cel Precision operations director, with group quality manager Trina McAnulty and group sales director Mark Burrell
FMG drives away with another key contract FLEET management specialist FMG has signed a deal to provide incident management services for Tusker’s specialist salary sacrifice customers and drivers. The contract will initially cover more than 6,000 vehicles from more than 110 public and private sector businesses and sees FMG extend an already strong relationship with the specialist fleet provider. FMG will support a range of vehicles under Tusker’s salary sacrifice car scheme, which provides a tax efficient way for businesses to offer all their employees a brand new, fully insured and maintained car at a cost lower than they could achieve in the retail market. FMG will provide full incident and repair management services to support
INSIDE
the scheme’s drivers, as well as providing access to live data and claims tracking via its Ingenium online platform for Tusker. FMG has managed several million incidents in 25 years of operation and is well-placed to use data to identify trends and advise companies on a range of areas including risk identification and process improvement. Tusker chief operating officer Mark Sinclair said: “Part of our promise is to provide customers with a simple solution to an often complicated challenge. “FMG are a trusted name in the industry and will help us deliver this promise. Their account management expertise and proven capability with fleets of all sizes will develop our customer offering.
“We recognise that no two businesses or schemes are the same and FMG’s flexible approach is also built around this premise.” Kevin Gordon, client development director at FMG, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Tusker, who are a well respected and forward thinking company. “It’s clear that our two businesses share the same passion for providing excellent customer service and our unique business processes and experience will help to ensure this is another success story.” FMG are recognised as the UK’s premier fleet optimisation and incident reduction company, providing a range of services aimed at effectively managing incidents and using data to reduce fleet risks.
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Sporting occasion FOOD fans celebrated the first anniversary of a sponsorship deal at Huddersfield’s premier sporting venue. Beer and cider business Heineken marked 12 months sponsoring the John Smith’s Stadium with a celebratory dinner. Since partnering with the stadium, Heineken said its relationship with Huddersfield had gone from strength to strength.
● Full story - Page 8
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
M&S boxes clever in fashion stakes MARKS & Spencer has recruited boxer Nicola Adams to help add punch to its latest fashion ranges. Nicola, whose father Innocent lives in Huddersfield, is among a dozen high-profile women enlisted to revive the retailer’s fashion fortunes. Other include Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren, artist Tracey Emin and singer Ellie Goulding. They are featuring in a fashion campaign designed to “reassert” M&S’s quality and style credentials. Renowned portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz snapped the women at locations, including a boat on the River Thames and a country house in Berkshire, wearing dinner dresses, leather jackets, faux furs and stiletto heels from across its new autumn/winter range. The campaign will run across print, billboards and online - but does not include TV adverts.
■ BOAT SHOW: M&S aims to “reassert” its fashion credentials by recruiting a host of “ “Leading Ladies” (left) – including Dame Helen Mirren, artist Tracey Emin and singer Ellie Goulding
The retail giant, under pressure to stem sliding clothing sales, said it picked the women for their “strong sense of personal style and inspirational achievements”. The line-up also includes author Monica Ali, 2011 Nurse of the Year
Helen Allen, former ballerina Darcey Bussell, US Vogue creative director Grace Coddington, model and musician Karen Elson, singer Laura Mvula, burns survivor and TV presenter Katie Piper and Jasmine Whitbread, boss of Save the Children
International. Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, executive director for marketing and business development at M&S, said the range signalled a “new and confident” tone. Steve Sharp, creative director at M&S, said: “The British have a history of being creative and pioneering and these women represent just that. “As industry leaders in their field, they make a significant difference that has seen them break boundaries, challenge stereotypes and create visionary artistic work.” M&S, headed by chief executive Marc Bolland, gave a taste of the new range at its annual shareholder meeting last month at Wembley Stadium – where models paraded on a catwalk wearing items including a red party dress, a pink vintage-effect winter coat and a heritage British wool suit.
Buoyant market boosts Bovis
Firms facing a skills gap
A BUOYANT proper ty market helped Bovis Homes to soaring first half profits – as the housebuilder said even the heatwave failed to melt demand. Greater confidence and improved access to mortgages, together with the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, have boosted the sector, Bovis said. The upturn delivered pre-tax profits for the first six months of the year up by 19% to £18.6m. The group said the positive trend had even continued into recent weeks at a time when the property market traditionally slows down. Early weeks of the third quarter
MOST small and medium-sized firms in Yorkshire are suffering a “skills gap” in their workforce, says a report. The study by Lloyds TSB Commercial showed that while most businesses said they wanted to address the perceived lack of skills among their workers, many firms did not have the time or resources to do so. Almost two-thirds of firms polled in Yorkshire reported a shortage of workforce skills – compared with six out of 10 firms nationally. More than a quarter felt there were gaps in sales and marketing skills, while 24% cited management and
had seen “good sales rates and a less pronounced summer lull in reservations than in previous years” amid a robust trading environment and a growing sense of confidence in the market, the company said. In the first half, excluding land sales, operating profits were up by 50% on the same period last year to £20.4m amid higher sales volumes, stronger profit margins and a rise in market prices of up to 2%. The 32-week period to August 9 saw a 43% rise in private reservations to 1,712 homes as Bovis increased the number of its sales outlets.
leadership skills as a key area of development. Some 15% saw IT know-how as an issue. Asked what was preventing them from developing skills among their employees, 40% of firms said they didn’t have the time to devote to it while 32% blamed budget constraints. Some 17% were concerned about investing in developing skills for employees who may soon leave the business while just 1% had difficulty finding the right training. And 94% said a skills gap in their workforce was having a detrimental impact on their business.
Page 2 Takeover tussle AN engineering group with oil and gas projects across the globe is the subject of a takeover tussle between British and German rivals. Kentz Corporation said a £690m approach by engineering giant Amec undervalued the business, while it has also rebuffed a lower offer from M+W Group. London-based Amec said buying Kentz would boost its presence in the oil, gas and mining markets and offer an attractive deal to its target’s shareholders. But Kentz rejected Amec’s latest approach, which valued it at between £673m and £691m, after turning down another attempt last month. It also spurned an approach from Stuttgart-based M+W, which it said was worth less than Amec’s. Kentz employs 14,500 staff and spans oil and gas, chemicals, mining and metals. It traces its roots back to 1919 as an electrical contractor in Tipperary, Ireland, and works on small to medium-sized projects from bases across the globe. Recent projects for the company, which is registered in Jersey, include fitting electrical wiring on a giant gas platform in Australia and installing a telecoms network at an oil sands project in Canada. Kentz said Amec’s “highly conditional and unsolicited” approach was based at 565p to 580p per share. Kentz said it is not considering any other offers, nor is it considering a strategic review with the aim of selling the firm.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £47.89 -0.09 Gannett 1554.22 -7.02 Hess Corp £47.37 -0.55 Microsoft £20.24 -0.06 Motors Liquidation 47.87 Wal-Mart Stores £47.07 -0.23 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 472 -3 BAE Systems 4403/8 +3 Rolls-Royce 1127 +6 AIM Brady Plc 74 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 3393/4 -25/8 BANKS Barclays 2883/4 +5/8 HSBC 7011/2 -75/8 Lloyds Banking Gp 75 -13/8 Ryl Scotland 3397/8 -31/8 Stan Chart 1521 -31 BEVERAGES 3 Diageo £20 /8 +1/4 SABMiller £303/4 -1/8 CHEMICALS Croda £257/8 +1/4 Elementis 98 261 -1/4 3 Johnsn Mat £27 /4 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2493/4 +4 Costain 2931/2 +161/4 ELECTRICITY
Drax Gp 6631/2 +21/2 SSE 1558 +12 ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Laird 214 -1/4 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 4295/8 -21/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 3221/4 -35/8 Cable & Wireless 401/4 -3/8 Comm 5 Colt Group 100 /8 +5/8 KCOM 851/2 +23/4 1 Talktalk Telecom 244 /2 -3/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2861/4 -1/4 Sainsbury 3883/8 +43/4 1 Tesco 366 /4 -2 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1886 -4 +2 Tate Lyle 8201/2 5 -1/8 Unilever £25 /8 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3851/2 +21/2 National Grid 7331/2 -21/2 1 Pennon Grp 669 /2 -1 Severn 1699 -11 United Utils 684 -21/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 3673/4 -15/8 ICAP 3793/4 +11/2 London StockExch 1555 -9 Man Group 847/8 -1/2 Provident Financial 1720 +6
Schroders £237/8 Schroders NV 1899 +9 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS REXAM 503 +1 Smiths Grp 1319 +9 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 263/4 +1/8 Carphone Whse 231 -31/2 Dixons Retail 42 -1/2 Home Retail 1455/8 +5/8 1 Inchcape 633 /2 +9 Kingfisher 3883/4 +27/8 M&S 4591/2 +61/4 Mothercare 4391/2 +101/2 Next £48 -3/8 WH Smith 818 +41/2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 7841/2 +5 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 1071/2 +2 Barrat Dev 3081/8 -43/4 Persimmon 1167 -21 Reckitt Benckiser £447/8 +1/4 Taylor Wimpey 1045/8 -33/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING IMI 1420 -14 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 1811/8 -71/2 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2951/2 +31/8 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 4013/4 -1/4
1991/4 -1/2 194 -31/2 1186 -13 3241/4 +11/2 3451/4 -7/8 MEDIA BSkyB 831 -31/2 D Mail Tst 7921/2 +41/2 1 /8 HIBU ITV 159 -1 Johnston Press 163/4 -3/4 Pearson 1320 +6 Reed Elsevier 802 -2 STV Group 1671/2 +10 Trinity Mirror 108 -31/4 Utd Business 715 +71/2 UTV 1561/2 WPP 1170 +6 MINING Anglo American 14921/2 -55 Antofagasta 922 -141/2 BHP Billiton 1956 -311/2 Eurasian Natural 2301/2 -2 Res Fresnillo 1157 -15 Kazakhmys 3065/8 -97/8 Lonmin 3467/8 -61/8 Rio Tinto £301/2 -1/2 VEDANTA 1200 -35 RESOURCES MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 695 +41/2 Vodafone Group 1897/8 -21/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1290 -3 Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
3681/4 1541/4 7331/2 £221/4
+101/2 +21/4 -21/2 -1/8
FTSE closed at
6465.73 Down 34.26 RSA Insurance Gp 1211/8 -1/2 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 1164 -181/2 BP 4391/2 -21/4 Cairn Energy 277 +7/8 Royal Dutch Shell £203/8 -1/8 A 1 Royal Dutch Shell £21 /4 -1/8 B Total £35 -3/8 Tullow Oil 1034 -23 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 1085 +1 Petrofac 1262 +17 Wood Gp(J) 903 +20
PERSONAL GOODS Burberry Gp 1590 +2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £317/8 -1/8 GlaxoSmithK XD 10 1 Shire £24 /8 +1/4 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 568 -7 Hamrsn 4973/4 -17/8 1 Intu Properties 312 /8 -17/8 Land Secs 894 -10 SEGRO 3035/8 -1/2 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Invensys 4943/8 -13/8 Sage Group 3561/2 +31/2 SUPPORT SERVICES Berendsen 856 +7 Bunzl 1349 +16 Capita 9891/2 +81/2 De La Rue 9991/2 +8 Electrocomp 2621/8 -21/8 Experian 1200 +7 G4S 2461/4 -31/4 Hays 1043/8 +5/8 Homeserve 2433/4 +13/4 Menzies J 7591/2 +24 Rentokil 1023/4 -5/8 Smiths News 1831/2 -3/4 1 Wolseley £31 /8 -3/8 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 889 +19 Spirent Comms 1325/8 -3/8 TOBACCO
TOURIST RATES
Br Am Tob £337/8 Imperial Tobacco £22 LEISURE & HOTELS Bwin.Party Digital 1341/8 Carnival £241/4 Compass Grp 8571/2 easyJet 1267 Enterprise Inns 1381/4 FirstGroup 1151/2 Go-Ahead Gp 1528 Greene King 8141/2 Intercontl Htls 1958 Intl Cons Airl 3073/4 Ladbrokes 1911/2 Mitchells & Butlers 4175/8 Natl Express 2611/4 Rank Org 157 Stagecoach Group 3191/8 TUI Travel 3615/8 Whitbread £31
+5 -3/8 +1/2 +10 -11/4 -1 +43 +31/2 +19 -13/8 +33/4 +63/4 +41/8 -4 +1/8 +21/4 +1/8
FTSE 100
INDEX 6465.73
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Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia..................... 1.61 dollars Bangladesh................ 114.43 taka Brazil............................ 3.34 reals Canada...................... 1.54 dollars China ........................... 8.54 yuan Czech Republic .... 27.79 korunas Denmark..................... 8.32 krone Euro.............................. 1.12 euro Hong Kong............... 11.49 dollars Hungary................. 315.10 forints India........................ 86.00 rupees Japan......................... 145.21 yen Mexico ...................... 18.05 pesos New Zealand ............. 1.79 dollars Norway ....................... 8.81 krone Pakistan................ 151.27 rupees Philippines ................ 58.42 pesos South Africa................ 14.78 rand South Korea............. 1517.00 won Sri Lanka .............. 194.21 rupees Sweden....................... 9.72 krona Switzerland................ 1.38 francs Taiwan ..................... 40.87 dollars Turkey...................... 2.85 new lira USA ........................... 1.49 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
When fate lends a hand
profile
Page 3
Catherine Green Role: Proprietor Age: 39 Family: Married to Mark with sons Jamie, 13, and Tom, 11 Car: Ford Fiesta Holidays: Wales in the summer and Scotland in the winter – I don’t like the midges! First job: Working in the books department at WH Smith in Bradford Best thing about job: Being as creative as I want to be Worst thing about job: Invoicing and administration Business tip: Treat others as you would want to be treated yourself Work: Creating vibrant textile artwork Site: Gomersal Phone: 01274 270596 Email: cath@catherinegreen.co.uk Web: www,catherinegreen.co.uk
affected trade from corporate that’s still the case now. I “My father has always decided to re-evaluate what I on my own making artwork TEXTILE artist Catherine clients and some of the have a recognisable style and it has become bigger really wanted to do.” Green has finally got the job been a Huddersfield Town smaller galleries, city centre that people are buying.” and bigger. After Mark got a new job she always wanted – but fan and one of my sons is galleries have been Inspiration is all around her. football mad,” she says. “I got studio space at Red and their circumstances cheerfully admits that it commissioning work to keep Says Catherine: “I have Brick Mill in Batley and later changed for the better, wasn’t planned that way! “I have gradually got into it Catherine very busy. always got my camera phone myself and bought a season moved on to the West Catherine stayed at home to The 39-year-old mother of “I’m working towards or camera on me and on Yorkshire Print Shop in raise their two boys, Jamie two runs her own thriving ticket last season. I go to the Christmas now,” she says. holiday I will go out for a walk football with my son, my Mirfield. and Tom. business producing “Millennium Galleries in and stop every two minutes “When Mark set up his “I was making wedding eye-catching textile artwork brother, my dad and a Sheffield has recently placed to take a picture of a bit of business, we decided we invitations and greetings for sale to individuals, nephew.” an order and I get moss or some bark on a tree. wanted space together and cards for family and friends,” galleries and hotels as well It’s the perfect way to commissions from private I look at the pictures and get found The Old Bank. says Catherine. “My in-laws as items such as lavender forget about work for a while, individuals as well as selling a few ideas for my work from she says. “Having your own “I can design fabrics for had a holiday home in the bags, greetings cards, items online. the colours.” Yorkshire Dales and one day Mark’s side of the business woodcuts and badges. business is 24/7. You are “We are also working on a A winter holiday on the while his clients often want She shares studio space in when we were up there, I thinking about it all the time hotel project, designing the west coast of Scotland a building which used to be a saw this creative embroidery bespoke wallpaper that has and you cannot get away wallpaper and fabrics. I also proved particularly fruitful. “It been digitally printed. shop in Settle. I sold the bank with husband Mark, from it. sell through Leeds Craft and was inspiring,” says “I started out doing cards, woman there some of my who has his own interior “But when we go to the Design Centre.” Catherine. “I must have taken then I wanted to do pictures design business, and the two cards and found out about a football, I can just ‘switch off’ Catherine admits she had 600 hundred photos. The as well. Having our own workshop on stitch textiles.” are often able to collaborate work. It’s a couple of hours to no idea what career to beaches were deserted apart studio meant I could do Back home, she attended on projects. focus on something else pursue when she was at from the seagulls, the otters bigger and bigger projects. a part-time course on stitch “In one sense, I’ve come entirely.” school. “I used to have a and the dolphins.” “We live close by, so we textiles at Huddersfield full circle,” says Catherine, Catherine enjoys walking Back in the studio, can walk to work from home. horse and horse riding was who originally studied interior Technical College and the family’s two dogs, Dasher all I wanted to do,” she says. Catherine puts all that The studio is also handy for discovered “it was exactly design herself at and Shiver – and has also “That, if anything, was going photographic research to people coming to see us what I wanted to do”. Huddersfield University – started learning to play golf. to be my career. good use. because we are just off the Says Catherine: “I believe before circumstances set her “I play at Cleckheaton,” “I think the ways things “I seem to work intuitively,” on a path to self-employment that everything happens for a M62.” she says. “It’s a nice course have turned out is just down she says. “I tend to work on While the recession reason. I set up in business and a love of her chosen art to ‘fate’. about five pieces at one time and a nice clubhouse. form. “Everyone “Again, it gets me away and once I have got started After leaving university, the said at college from work and stops me with one piece it just starts former Heckmondwike that I had a having to think about it for a coming together. It’s the Grammar School pupil got a natural way with unpredictability that I love.” while!” job with a company making colour. Catherine devotes time to exhibition and display Everything I did HENRYK ZIENTEK family life – which means materials – but found the role was bright – and giving vent to her sporty side! provided no real outlet for her creative talents. She says: “I used to come up with ideas and they would say, it’s great – but we can’t afford to do it. “I loved the job –but then I was made redundant. I was absolutely gutted, but it turned out to be the best If you are proud of what your business has achieved; thing that could have happened. why not tell us about your success story “I enjoyed it and liked the and you could be a winner of our people I was working with, but you go to university and prestigious award. do all these fantastic For further details please contact: schemes, but in business it’s all about what it costs.” Ian Greenwood, Eaton Smith Solicitors, At the time she lost her job, 14 High Street, Huddersfield HD1 2HA Catherine and Mark had just bought a house. “I needed to T: 01484 821389 E: iangreenwood@eatonsmith.co.uk find a new job quickly,” she ■ INSPIRATIONAL: Textile artist Catherine Green with some of her work says. “I did some temping at Business Of The Month Awards - Rewarding Success Since 1995 on display at her studio at The Old Bank, Gomersal Zeneca in Huddersfield and
Who will be the next Business of the Month?
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Graduate success SIX people from Yorkshire are among 41 young people to complete the Barclays apprentice scheme and graduate from the programme. The graduates include Connor Fowles, of South Yorkshire, and Asim Hussain, Chloe Dodgson, Ciara Ainley, Lauren Baker and Megan Harrison who are all based in West Yorkshire. All the graduates attained Level 2 Certificate in Providing Financial Services. Barclays started recruiting apprentices in April, 2012, under a major programme to help people with no prior experience or qualifications into work. It provides full pay from day one, equivalent to a new joiner and ensures dedicated training towards recognised qualifications and regular mentoring. The graduation ceremony comes as Barclays welcomes its 1,000th apprentice to the scheme just over one year since it launched.
Good times. Bad times. Whatever financial problems you are experiencing in your business, we can help. Call us for a consultation on
01422 348 448
Peter Sargent, Partner Richard Kenworthy, Director Begbies Traynor 36 Clare Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2HX www.begbies-traynor.com
Business Advisors and Chartered Accountants
• A firm led by people who have actually run businesses • Through the year support and advice delivering comfort and value • Management information and account specialists • VAT, payroll and tax support • Year end reporting and full compliance service • Planning and support for your business and you Contacts Phone: 01484 688 616 Email: enquiries@bellbrown.com Web address: www.bellbrown.com Part of the V&A Vigar Group
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Students in the HMRC firing line THE BUSINESS BATTLEAXE Amanda Vigar
T really does beggar belief that Inow already hard-up students are in the firing line of yet
another HMRC mess. It is summer time and thousands of young people up and down our land are earning a little extra to tide them through their next academic year. The earnings will help pay for mounting tuition costs, books and other course-related material, board and lodging and other “essential” student living expenses. Now, these hard-working students are faced with the nightmare of having to claim back income tax taken from their wages. They will no longer be able to fill in a simple form to exempt them before their money is taken, but will have to “apply” to HMRC to have their money refunded. Previously, the P38 (S) form, now scrapped, prevented 20% income tax being deducted automatically each month from students, most of whom will earn less than the annual tax-free
personal allowance of £9,440. This means anyone earning more than one 12th of the annual allowance each month – or £786 – could well be subject to tax at source. These new rules are utter madness and will cause much unnecessary worry and hardship among our young people. It’s yet another example of HMRC bureaucracy left to run riot where people are being asked to fill in yet more forms to claim money back that is rightfully theirs. I am already seeing cases where students, who are not the wealthiest section of society by any means, are facing increased financial pressure due to the time it takes to claim their money back. It is unfortunate to say the least that these measures have been introduced at all.
Students now more than ever need to plan ahead when taking occasional work over the summer and budget for not receiving all of their wages for quite some time. To avoid any issues with getting money back, they should make sure they get a P45 when they finish their job. This will show their PAYE code, total earnings and the tax paid. If they do not intend to work for the rest of the tax year and have stopped working for at least four weeks, they can claim a refund by filling in a P50, available from HMRC's website. If they continue to work part-time for the same employer during term time – say during weekends only – they should be given a P60 at the end of the current tax year.
Amanda Vigar is managing partner at Holmfirth-based accountants V&A Bell Brown LLP
Plugging into a new role AN electrician who lost his job has changed direction to spark a new career – after taking up an apprenticeship. Paul Dickinson, 37, of Huddersfield, struggled to find another position in the trade after being made redundant. Now he has secured a job at an insurance company as a business administrator. Once in post, Paul knew he needed to learn new skills to be efficient in his job – so he decided to undertake an apprenticeship in business administration and hasn’t looked back. He said: “When I lost my job I was really worried what I would do as I knew the construction industry was moving very slowly and there weren’t many jobs around. “After looking for a new job in the same field without success, I decided I wanted to change my career. It was something I had thought about in the past but hadn’t had the opportunity to do it. “I found a position in business administration that I wanted to go for but was daunted by the fact it was such a different line of work to what I was used to. I decided to go for it and was thrilled when I got the job. “Soon after I started in my new role, I realised I needed to learn new skills to be as successful as I wanted to be and I knew an apprenticeship
■ BRIGHT SPARK: Former electrician Paul Dickinson retrained through an apprenticeship after switching careers would give me those skills. “To begin with the transition from an electrician to a business administrator took some adjustment, but I immediately found that the on-the-job training and coursework of the apprenticeship helped me grow into my role.” Said Paul: “Three years on, I haven’t looked back. I love my job and the skills I’ve leant since I started have really boosted my confidence in the workplace. “I am now in a completely different line of work which I really enjoy and taking the apprenticeship has enabled me to learn the skills I needed to be successful.”
Caroline Williams, Paul’s training adviser at Positive Outcomes, said: “As a mature student, Paul has done extremely well to adapt to a complete change of career from a practical role to an office based position. “It’s great to see how much Paul’s confidence has grown since starting the apprenticeship and he has excelled in areas he thought he would struggle with and that’s credit to his commitment to his job and his studies. “I’m so proud of the hard work Paul has put in and he’s now been promoted to operations manager at the firm which is fantastic.” Positive Outcomes is one of the UK’s top 10 training providers and specialises in apprenticeships and has seen the number of people taking on its business apprenticeship courses soar by more than 50% in the last year. Chris Longmate, managing director at Positive Outcomes, said: “Losing a job can be a very stressful experience and at Positive Outcomes we understand the need to get back into employment as soon as possible. “Often in this circumstance, people may choose to have a career change or may move into a role that is somewhat different to their previous position and therefore they need to gain the required relevant skills.”
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INESS NEWS
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local
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Valve specialist in £32m funding deal A MANUFACTURING group with operations in Brighouse has secured a £32m finance package to boost its overseas expansion. Severn Glocon Group plc, which includes valve specialist Severn Unival in Brighouse, has landed the substantial lending facility from Lloyds Bank, using f i n a n c e f ro m t h e G ov e r nment-backed Funding for Lending Scheme, which enables businesses to take advantage of reduced borrowing costs in order to boost their growth plans and support future investment. The £32m funding package will enable Gloucester-based Severn Glocon, formed in 1959, to continue its international market expansion strategy and further boosts its ability to win significant global manufacturing and specialist engineering contracts. Earlier this year, the business secured a landmark contract to supply 536 engineered control valves to the processing plant on the Ichthys LNG Project, one of the largest construction projects to date in Australia’s Northern Territory. The project represents one of
the largest and most technically challenging contracts in the firm’s 50 year history, with Severn Glocon’s technical specialists developing bespoke value designs that are currently being produced at the firm’s head office operation in Gloucester and a manufacturing plant in Chennai, India. Severn Glocon is a global leading designer and manufacturer of bespoke, severe and general source control valves, primarily for the oil and gas and power generation markets. The business provides world-class process industry products and engineering-led service solutions to its blue-chip customer base and has an international service reach across the Middle East, the Far East, Europe, Canada, the USA and the North Sea. Severn Glocon employs more than 760 staff across the group. The business reported annual turnover of £81m for 2012 and expects this figure to increase as a result of its growth ambitions. Maurice Critchley, chief executive of Severn Glocon Group, said: “Against widely reported challenges of raising finance in what
Advice line A FORMER broadcaster, journalist and political adviser has launched a new business to provide communications and strategic advice to companies and individuals. Waverley Consultancy, based in Brighouse, has been founded by Stephen Naylor (pictured). Services will include communications and strategic planning, digital development and support and public affairs advice. Mr Naylor said: “I am looking forward to being able to help individuals who want to develop their personal message and companies who want to build their brand and have their voice heard. “My years of working as a journalist, broadcaster, press officer and political adviser mean I have the skills and contacts to be able to assist with whatever clients want me to help them achieve.” After graduating with a degree in politics and law from Durham University, Stephen worked at radio station Home FM in Huddersfield as a journalist before becoming news editor and then taking charge of all programming before leaving to set-up a community radio station. He was later appointed to run the Conservative Party’s press and media operation in the North of England for the three years up to the 2010 General Election. Following the election, he has worked as a political adviser.
has been a difficult economic climate, Lloyds Bank has demonstrated its support for our business model and international growth strategy by committing this funding facility, which will further strengthen our financial position and provide us with additional flexibility and capacity for growth.” Mark Robinson, relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, worked with area director Jason Evans, in partnership with the management of Severn Glocon, to secure the funding package. Said Mr Robinson: “Severn Glocon is headed by a highly experienced management team which has overseen the business’ considerable international expansion in recent years. “The company’s global-leading reputation, industry credibility, customer retention and appetite to complete strategic acquisitions mean that it is well-positioned to further accelerate its continued expansion in key territories with ■ MONEY MEN: Mark Robinson (left) and Jason the help of this additional funding Evans (right), of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, with facility. Severn Glocon chief executive Maurice Critchley
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
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DTZ adds two to retail agency team PROPERTY agency DTZ has made two appointments to its retail agency team in the north. David Legat joins as associate director and Chris Jayne becomes senior surveyor. Mr Legat joins from Liverpool-based Mason Owen and Partners. Over the past four years, he has dealt with both acquisitions and disposals and has advised on a wide variety of disposals for landlord clients. His previous clients include Grosvenor, Aegon, Standard Life Investments, Iceland and Neptune Developments. In his new role, he will take the lead in the north west on retail agency and provide support to existing DTZ clients including Manchester City Council, Aviva, Hammerson and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Mr Jayne has moved from consulting to work in the northern region retail team where he takes responsibility for disposing of Royal Bank of Scotland’s surplus assets in addition to assisting with the completion of existing instructions across the region including the former Royal Mail site in Bradford, the former Focus DIY site in Guisborough and a local authority site in Halifax. Since joining the company in 2006, he has provided development advice to a wide range of public and private sector clients and is looking forward to focusing on expanding DTZ’s activity in towns and cities across the north.
Six promoted at property specialist PROPERTY consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle has promoted six members of staff in West Yorkshire. Guy Ackernley, a specialist in residential, and Kaye Walker, who focuses on retail marketing and commercialisation, become national directors. In the shopping centre management team, Suzie Lee has been promoted to local director and her colleague Lorna Watson to senior surveyor. Sally Sookia and Amy Hodges in the retail marketing and commercialisation team become associate director and senior surveyor respectively.
■ PAINTING THE TOWN: Huddersfield Town ambassador Andy Booth (right) and commercial director Sean Jarvis (left) with Nathan Clay and employees of painting and decorating firm Ramsay Clay at the firm's Bath Street premises
Painters pot all the colours PAINTING contractor and decorator Ramsay Clay has rolled up to sponsor the newly-refurbished snooker room at Huddersfield Town’s Canalside Sports Complex. The long-established family firm, based at Bath Street in Huddersfield, worked on the overall refurbishment of Canalside. It has now become an official partner of Huddersfield Town for the current season, with its brand appearing at Canalside via a pitch side banner and sponsorship of the snooker room. Nathan Clay and the team will also be regular features at the John Smith’s
Stadium on Town match days in the new Spring Partners Suite – with their brand also appearing on perimeter boards at the ground. Mark Jacobs, Town’s commercial manager for advertising, said: “The club initially made contact with Nathan and the team at Ramsay Clay regarding perimeter board advertising at the stadium, but it was through the redevelopment work at Canalside that the relationship really began to develop. “Ramsay Clay had an existing connection with fellow club partner Radcliffe Construction and started
working on the painting and decorating at Canalside. At that point, the similarities between the two organisations became very clear. Like Huddersfield Town, Ramsay Clay are rightly proud of their long tradition of work within the area. “We’re really excited about working closely with Ramsay Clay over the coming season.” Ramsay Clay is a family business which was established in 1946. Traditionally servicing Huddersfield's textile and engineering industries, the company now specialises in commercial property and high quality domestic work.
Quantity and quality
■ QUALIFICATION: Andrew Battye, of Conroy Brook
A QUANTITY surveyor working for a Holme Valley property development company has gained a key qualification. Andrew Battye, who works for Brockholes-based Conroy Brook, has passed his Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) exam, meaning he is now a qualified assessor. CSH is an environmental assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new homes. It is a Government-owned national standard intended to encourage continuous improvement in sustainable home building. Although it is not mandatory, many local authorities now require a CSH assessment as part of the planning application process.
Conroy Brook regularly assesses its new homes and intends to make this standard practice in the future – to ensure all homes are as environmentally friendly as possible. The company’s new development at Carsick Hill Road in Sheffield consists of five new homes that will be built to CSH code level 3 and will include photo-voltaic panels on the roof, upgraded insulation and high performance double glazing units. CSH covers nine categories of sustainable design – energy and CO2 emissions, water, materials, surface water run-off, waste, pollution, health and wellbeing, management and ecology.
Company takes to the ‘cloud’ To promote your business to over 49,000 Examiner readers and over 230,000 online users Call: Anne Joseph 01484 437745 email: anne.joseph@trinitymirror.com
A SOCIAL and affordable housing specialist has set up a new software system to ensure all its properties are fully compliant with all existing regulations. Riverside, which includes Laurel Court – providing supported independent living for people with a learning disability – at Newsome, among its locations, is responsible for providing and maintaining homes for more than 80,000 people in more than 50,000 homes across 169 local authority areas. The company is now using
Wakefield-based C365 Online’s cloud-based compliance management system, to cut through an organisation’s red tape and ensure that it is meeting its legal obligations. C365 Online’s hosted software solution allows Riverside’s asset management team to manage more than 50,000 regulatory requirements, which it is required to comply with by law. Meanwhile, the documentation for more than 50,000 properties, including more than 90 health and safety commitments,
will be hosted “in the cloud” by C365 Online. Riverside says C365 will significantly reduce its regulatory burden while freeing up the property management team to concentrate on more urgent actions such as ensuring that remedial building work and other crucial work is carried out. More than 500 users now have access to the C365 Online system allowing them to remotely download and manage statutory documentation relating to things like asbestos and fire risk assessments.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
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Proposals aim to aid flexibility
Snappy response to big rise in car thefts HOUSEHOLDERS have been urged to combat a rising tide of thefts of cars from driveways – by protecting their homes rather than their car keys. Avocet Hardware, based at Brighouse, claimed the main reason for the increase was a rise in lock-snapping as a means of forced entry. Instead of worrying about the safest place to keep car keys, people should be far more focused on improving their home’s security, the firm said. Derrick Purvis (pictured), marketing manager for Avocet, said: “Advice abounds about ensuring car keys are safely stored so that thieves can’t just grab them during a break-in, but surely the emphasis should be on stopping them gaining access to the house in the first place. “Lock-snapping is increasingly being favoured by burglars due to the ease and speed with which it is done – and the reason for this is that the lock that is fitted as standard in all uPVC and double glazed doors is the most easily snapped.” Mr Purvis said: “Great strides have already been made in highlighting the scale of lock-snapping, with a number of bodies, including the Master Locksmiths Association, the Police’s Secured by Design Initiative and Leeds City Council, having already taken significant measures to bring it to the public’s attention. Measures include the British Standard TS007, Sold Secure Diamond’s standard SS312 and Secured by Design’s new accreditation.
INFORMED DEVELOPMENT
Martin Thompson LANNING Minister Nick Boles P has announced a proposed extension to the permitted develop-
ment rights with the aim of making better use of existing buildings. The changes come partly from the advice of the Portas Review, which recommended more flexibility for change of use, and partly to unlock the potential of empty properties which do not have a viable future in their current use. Some of the headline changes seek to allow conversion of premises from retail to residential usage with the aim of providing new homes and ensuring that better use is made of commercial properties that are no longer viable. We have seen substantial numbers of
public house buildings change use successfully and mill properties, too. This relaxation may see other types of commercial property successfully go down this route. The second eye catching rule would allow commercial property conversion to nurseries to help meet the need for more childcare provision to support working parents. Whether we will see a trend to town centre children’s nurseries is not certain given town centre rents but allowing hotels and offices to become nurseries will see some exploring this option especially if the commercial property is next to a larger employer. The move also encourages changes to
agricultural buildings but stops short of making provision and recommendation for third age usage for buildings. Given the rising number of people in this sector this may be seen as an important omission. The Government has also earmarked £17m for community right to build projects for anyone planning new building projects in their community. This will fund self-build homes to community shops. One thing is for certain – the Department for Communities and Local Government is pushing to make new developments easier to accomplish than has seen the case in the past.
Martin Thompson, is a partner in Commercial Property at Armitage Sykes in Huddersfield
Commercial
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Jake Naish
Shackletons A PRODUCT design graduate from Huddersfield University has joined the research and development team at Dewsbury-based furniture manufacturer Shackletons. Jake Naish (pictured), who lives at Batley, was recruited by the firm after he was spotted exhibiting his mobility aids for the elderly at a London graduate show and impressed with his interest and knowledge in designing products with ease of mobility in mind. Mr Naish will play a key role in the design and development of new product ranges. As well as his day to day brief, his attention will also extend to the development of new concepts and industry innovation as well as working with clients to provide bespoke solutions. Jason Bloom, national sales manager, said: “We have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline and Jake is a key part of our developing business and will be working with the management team to aid the continuing development of comfortable and durable seating solutions that remain contemporary but functional.” Said Mr Naish: “I’m so lucky to be part of the Shackletons team and brand. I’ve always been interested in designing for the care sector and couldn’t quite believe there was a company on my doorstep doing just that. I’m very much looking forward to developing the product range and being part of a successful business.” Shackletons, which has turnover totalling £8.3m, employs 65 people over two sites – its manufacturing and operations site on Weaving Lane, Dewsbury, and its retail site on Bradford Road, Batley.
Mike Day
Bibby Financial Services INVOICE finance specialist Bibby Financial Services has strengthened its team in Yorkshire with the appointment of Mike Day as head of sales. Mr Day (pictured) will be based at the firm’s Cleckheaton office and will add to its national presence as well as giving support to the growing number of businesses seeking funding solutions in the region. Mr Day has worked in the invoice finance and banking industry for 24 years. Before joining Bibby Financial Services, he was area director for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance where he led a sales team of 11 people across Yorkshire, the North West and North East and Cumbria, delivering invoice finance solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Legal changes A HONLEY-based business is to host a free seminar to bring employers up to date with all the changes to employment law taking place this year. Helen Straw, of The Personnel Partnership, has teamed up with Seabury Beaumont to stage the event from 8.30am to 10am on Thursday, September 26, at Branded3, 2nd floor, 2180 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds. There will also be tips on managing employees’ performance. Contact events@seaburybeaumont.co.uk or Helen@thepersonnelpartnership.co.uk
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Stadium marks first year of sponsorship F O O D f a n s c e l e b r at e d t h e f i r s t anniversary of a sponsorship deal at Huddersfield’s premier sporting venue. Beer and cider business Heineken marked 12 months sponsoring the John Smith’s Stadium with a celebratory dinner. Since partnering with the stadium, Heineken’s relationship with Huddersfield has gone from strength to strength. Most recently, the company sponsored this summer’s Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival – one of the largest free food festivals in the North. The dinner, held in the stadium’s newly-refurbished Revell Ward Suite, was attended by many of the food and drink festival exhibitors, along with representatives of Heineken and friends of the stadium. Guests were treated to food from around the world, prepared by Martin Russell, head chef at the stadium. The event included a Caribbean station hosted by Discovery Bay’s Barrington Douglas, while entertainment came from Kirklees Music School’s string quartet. To mark the first birthday, Oliver Schofield, of Sugar Craft Creations, provided a one-off John Smith’s themed birthday cake, which was cut by Richard Sandland, regional sales director of Heineken, and Anthony Hegney, general manager of the Lindley Group at The John Smith’s Stadium. Mr Hegney said: “We were delighted to celebrate our first birthday as The John
■ CELEBRATION: Richard Sandland (left), regional sales director for Heineken, and Anthony Hegney, general manager of the Lindley Group at The John Smith’s Stadium, cut the cake to mark 12 months of sponsorship
Smith’s Stadium and our partnership with Heineken. Throughout this year, our relationship has continued to grow and has cemented our status as Huddersfield’s community stadium.” Commenting on its sponsorship of the food and drink festival, he said: “The
stadium has been part of Huddersfield’s community for almost 20 years and we wanted to show support for this prestigious event. “Events like the festival help to put Huddersfield firmly on the map as a key destination in Yorkshire.”
Speaking out at the chamber A YOUNG entrepreneur who has won a host of awards has been named as business speaker for the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce annual dinner later this year. Jacob Hill, of Brighouse, shot to entrepreneurial recognition in February, 2012 with his invention, The Lazy Camper, which provides a complete outdoors kit with everything needed for camping in one bag. Alongside running his business, Jacob studies enterprise development at Huddersfield University and has been named as one of 12 winners to receive ■ DINNER TIME: Clare Frisby, of BBC the Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Look North, and Jacob Hill, of The Lazy Awards. He visited Buckingham Palace to Camper, will speak the chamber event receive the award from Prince Andrew, The dinner – taking “enterprise” as its now a patron of the university. theme – will be held on Thursday, October The Lockwood-based chamber has also announced that this year’s dinner will 17, at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top. It will be the key evening dinner during be compered by BBC Look North Kirklees Business Week – which also presenter Clare Frisby.
includes Kirklees Business Conference, to be held on Wednesday, October 16, at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield. Clare Frisby (pictured) is best-known for appearing on BBC Look North each weekday. She also joined the BBC One Politics Show in 2007. Prior to this, Clare spent four years in local radio at BBC Radio York and reported during the Gulf war, before moving to Look North in Leeds as a presenter. Chamber chief executive director Andrew Choi said: “Jacob is the epitome of a young entrepreneur, and is therefore the perfect speaker for our enterprise themed 2013 annual dinner. “He’s young and ambitious and in an era where young people are finding it more difficult than ever to find work, we look forward to hearing how his hard work, creativity and determination has got him to where he is today.”
Growing businesses get chance to shine KIRKLEES firms are being urged to enter the Growing Business Awards. An all-star cast of blue-chip corporates are among those backing the competition to find the best high-growth, mid-sized and entrepreneurial businesses in the UK. Those backing the awards include the CBI, Lloyds Banking Group, Visa, Land
Rover, easyJet, the Forum of Private Business, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the UK Business Angels Association. The judging panel will be chaired by Peter Cullum, founder of Towergate Insurance. Winners in 2012 included Colin Stephens of Better Bathrooms, and
Fever-Tree. Previous winners included Pallex, founded by former BBC “Dragon” Hilary Devey; Phones4U founder John Caudwell; and Simon Nixon, founder of Moneysupermarket.com Call 020 79457600; email andy.whalley@caspian media.com or go to http://gba.real business.co.uk