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JEREMY HOLMES Loving life on the farm
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MICHELLE DAVY University challenge Repor t - Page 5
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Strong demand for supply chain game
A HUDDERSFIELD firm has signed up some of industry’s biggest names for an online training programme with a difference. Supply chain consultancy SCALA, based at the town’s Media Centre, has launched an internet-based competition to help firms train their staff to understand the impact a supply chain has on company performance. Global businesses including Kimberley Clark, Kraft Foods and the US confectionery giant’s newly-acquired Cadbury’s business have already signed up to the interactive web-based training initiative. The competition, called The Fresh Connection, encourages teams of professionals from all industries to compete against each other online. Participants are challenged to save a failing “virtual” business by focusing on the main elements of the supply chain process, including operations, sales and procurement. The game calls on participants to
use teamwork and expertise to save the virtual fruit juice manufacturer from demise and develop it into a profitable company. Over a seven week period, starting on 12 April, it involves weekly heats during which teams will make tactical and strategic decisions to save the business – at each stage demonstrating its importance towards the process of creating an efficient supply chain. The competition will culminate in a prestigious final in July at the stunning location of Wroxall Abbey, in Warwickshire. The winners will be presented with four tickets to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. SCALA managing director John Perry said: “By using an interactive and competitive edge, The Fresh Connection is a great tool for staff training and development, as well as team building. “Not only is this an exciting competition, it is about understanding how
businesses operate and run successful global operations. “Although it has already run successfully in other European countries including Holland, where 280 teams from some of Europe’s largest businesses took part, this is a first for the UK industry.” The competition has already confirmed teams from the likes of Wincanton, Kimberly Clark, Heinz, Cadbury’s, Bernard Matthews and Kraft. Keith Newton, customer logistics director for Cadbury’s in the UK and Ireland, said: “The Fresh Connection provides us with an excellent opportunity to enable some of our talented people from across our supply chain teams to practice working and learning together in an integrated and collaborative way and in a competitive environment with other peer businesses.” For details of this competition go to at www.thefreshconnection.co.uk
Spencer’s largest for 10 years and its biggest development in the UK outside London. The contract has been awarded by developer Simons Developments Ltd, which is designing the store to include features to significantly cut energy use compared with a similar sized M&S store. Alison France, managing director of Sanderson Associates, said: “This is a
tremendous start to the new year for us. Cheshire Oaks is a major development and we look forward to delivering a complex project on time and within budget. Neither will we compromise on quality. “The retail sector has taken a hammering during this recession, but Marks & Spencer has proved remarkably resilient.
Five-year success DEWSBURY company Cutwel Ltd is helping law firm Chadwick Lawrence celebrate five years of a service to help employers. The Employer Support Pack provides services in the area of human resources for small and medium-sized enterprises that don’t need a full-scale HR department.
● Full story - Page 8
■ FRUITFUL: A web-based training programme by John Perry, of supply chain advisers SCALA, has attracted attention from industry big-hitters
Sanderson makes in-roads with M&S project A COMPANY specialising in highways design has won a contract to work on the largest Marks & Spencer store outside London. Consulting engineers Sanderson Associates, based at Grange Moor, will design and project manage all the off-site highways works at the new £45m M&S store at Cheshire Oaks in Ellesemere Port, near Chester. The flagship store will be Marks &
INSIDE
“The company’s £45m investment in the Ellesmere Port store is evidence that it has the confidence to expand in these difficult times.” Sanderson Associates has identified 10 separate highway projects that will need to be designed and constructed before the new store can open. Work is due to start on site at Cheshire Oaks early in 2010 with the store expected to open in 2012.
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Property upturn PROPERTY prices are strengthening, a poll has suggested. Eddisons said 85% of clients responding to the poll thought commercial property prices would increase or remain the same during 2010.
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BA still on course for airlines tie-up co-ordinate schedules as well as cut down on costs and connection times. The tie-up still requires final approval from the Department ot Transportation and clearance from the European Commission. The airlines will work together on routes between USA, Canada and Mexico and the European Union, Switzerland and Norway while continuing to operate as separate entities. The move enraged BA’s bitter transatlantic rival Virgin, which called on European regulators to block the deal. Virgin called the DoT decision “a real kick in the teeth for consumers”. While the alliance partners must make four pairs of Heathrow slots – each worth about £20m – available to competition, it represents a fraction of the 130 transatlantic slots currently
SHARES in British Airways took off after US regulators put forward less stringent conditions than expected for its tie-up with American Airlines. The two airlines and their “oneworld” alliance partners Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian Airlines will only have to give up four pairs of prized take-off and landing slots at Heathrow under a draft ruling from the US Department of Transportation. BA has been dogged by industrial disputes, winter weather – as well as sharing in the difficult conditions faced by the aviation sector as a whole in recent months. But markets welcomed the move yesterday as shares rose by 3% – or 5.1p – to 200.6p.. The strengthening of the alliance will see the airlines jointly market routes,
controlled by BA and AA. This is the third time that BA has applied for anti-trust immunity for an alliance with AA after previous tie-up attempts in 1997 and 2001 foundered. Panmure Gordon analyst Gert Zonneveld said: “This is clearly very significant for BA. “It’s a major market for them and the ability of the alliance to effectively operate as one player is a major advantage.” The DoT said the proposed alliance would enhance competition by giving a new rival to the existing Star Alliance and the SkyTeam tie-up, which have already been granted immunity. Opponents have 60 days to voice their objections to the DoT’s draft ruling.
Trio plan flotations
■ TAIL PIECE: British Airways is on course for American Airlines tie-up
VT improves offer for Mouchel
More time for deal talks
ENGINEERING firm Mouchel is considering an increased takeover offer from VT Group. VT – formerly shipbuilder Vosper Thornycroft – has increased its bid price to £330m after Mouchel “unanimously rejected” two takeover approaches at the end of 2009. The Surrey-based firm is consulting with its major shareholders about the new offer, which values each Mouchel share at 294p based on VT’s closing share price on Friday. When the one month average for VT share price is used, the offer is valued at 305p, or £342m. VT offered the equivalent of 260p a share in December, but the stock
FORMER KGB agent and Evening Standard owner Alexander Lebedev has been given more time to secure a deal to buy The Independent and Independent on Sunday, it has been confirmed. Independent News & Media said a period of exclusivity – due to end yesterday – had been extended to February 26 in order to “facilitate bringing these discussions to a successful conclusion”. The Russian oligarch already owns London’s Evening Standard after snapping up the loss-making paper in January of last year for a nominal fee.
reached 384p last year and Schroders, which holds a 12.4% stake in Mouchel, is reportedly said to be holding out for more than 300p a share. Newspaper reports also said M&G, which owns just over 11%, believed the earlier 260p-a-share bid seriously undervalued the company. Mouchel is an attractive target for VT because of its presence in the local government sector, where it provides services such as waste disposal and road management. VT is expected to benefit as government cuts result in greater outsourcing to the private sector.
A deal bringing the Independent newspapers into the same fold as the Evening Standard is considered to be a logistical fit. INM titles already share the same offices as the London paper after relocating to space with the Standard’s minority-owner Associated Newspapers in Kensington, west London. The future of the Independent and its Sunday counterpart have been widely speculated on over the past year as its Dublin-based parent has suffered losses amid an advertising slump.
THREE companies have announced plans to raise more than £400m through stock market flotations. Yorkshire healthcare software business EMIS, Blackburn-based educational supplies firm Promethean and youth fashion retailer SuperGroup have all confirmed fundraising plans. The moves show the appetite for smaller-scale launches remains – despite several major flotations being pulled in recent days due to market turbulence, including fashion retailer New Look and Alton Towers group Merlin Entertainments. Promethean aims to raise about £250m by floating about half the business. SuperGroup is issuing shares worth an estimated £125m while EMIS hopes to raise £50m. SuperGroup, owner of the Superdry brand, has 40 stores of its own in the UK and 54 concessions in department store chain House of Fraser. Promethean, which focuses on reception, primary and secondary education, has benefited from strong annual growth in education spending during the past decade. The company’s equipment is used in schools in 100 countries, helping to educate more than 12m students. Leeds-based EMIS employs almost 800 people and was set up in 1987 to computerise patient records previously kept on paper.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £24.52 Gannett 911.99 Hess Corp £37.28 Microsoft 1782.50 Motors Liquidation 47.87 Wal-Mart Stores £33.76 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE BAE Systems 3413/8 -1/4 Rolls-Royce Gp 5071/2 +1 Smiths Grp 1014 +8 VT Group 584 +76 AIM Brady Plc 651/2 Dawson Intl 23/4 +1/8 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 102 -1 BANKS Barclays 275 +13 HSBC 657 +71/4 Lloyds Banking Gp 463/4 +1/4 Ryl Scotland 315/8 +3/8 Stan Chart 1427 +131/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1030 SABMiller 1679 +1 CHEMICALS 1 Croda 797 /2 +1/2 Delta 142 +3/4 Elementis 98 521/2 +2 Johnsn Mat 1553 +1 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2603/8 +13/8 Costain 221/4 -3/4 ELECTRICITY 3
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Intl Power 3265/8 -25/8 Scottish & Sthrn 1171 +8 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 1741/2 +13/4 Invensys 3051/4 -3/4 Laird 1255/8 -13/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3107/8 +21/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1193/8 -31/8 C&W 1363/4 Colt Telecom 126 -1/4 KCOM 531/2 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2953/4 -21/8 Sainsbury 3241/2 -15/8 Tesco 4233/4 -1/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 8991/2 Cadbury 839 -31/2 Nth Foods 581/4 1 Tate Lyle 410 /4 -43/4 Unilever 1852 -15 Uniq 24 -1/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2725/8 +13/8 National Grid 639 -1 Pennon Grp 515 -1/2 Severn 1136 +4 -41/2 United Utils 5331/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2523/4 +23/4 ICAP 3265/8 -23/4 1 London StockExch 635 /2 -51/2 Man Group 2191/2 -1 1
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Schroders 1118 +2 +21/2 Schroders NV 9331/2 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Avon Rbbr 881/2 Cooksn Grp 4537/8 +51/4 REXAM 2821/4 -5/8 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 13 +3/4 DSG International 281/2 -7/8 Home Retail 2575/8 -13/8 Inchcape 241/2 -1/4 Kingfisher 2053/4 -37/8 1 M&S 326 /2 -13/8 Mothercare 634 -3 Next 1903 -14 1 -31/8 WH Smith 480 /2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 659 +6 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 129 -1 +1 Barrat Dev 1115/8 +11/4 Persimmon 4097/8 Reckitt Benckiser £331/8 Taylor Wimpey 355/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 683 -3 IMI 549 +21/2 1 Man Brnze 83 /2 -11/2 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2413/8 +113/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1601/4 Forth Ports 1033 +8 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3661/8 +61/4 1
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1021/8 +13/8 574 +3 -1/4 751/4 1943/4 +21/8 MEDIA BSkyB 525 -11/2 Chrysalis 1001/2 -61/2 1 D Mail Tst 440 /2 +25/8 3 ITV 49 /4 Johnston Press 25 +3/4 Pearson 8671/2 -1 3 Reed Elsevier 486 /4 -21/4 STV Group 47 -23/4 Trinity Mirror 1331/4 -3/4 Utd Business 4221/2 +101/4 UTV 104 +2 WPP 592 -21/2 Yell Group 371/4 -1 MINING Anglo American £231/2 +3/8 Antofagasta 853 -21/2 BHP Billiton 19131/2 +151/2 Eurasian Natural 930 -8 Res 1 +11 Fresnillo 731 /2 Kazakhmys 1264 +11 Lonmin 1811 +5 3 Rio Tinto £32 /4 +3/4 5 VEDANTA £23 /8 RESOURCES Xstrata 10181/2 +131/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 720 +21/2 Vodafone Group 1387/8 -1/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1170 +7 RSA Insurance Gp 129 +13/8 Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
150 15 85 639 5811/2
+1 +1/4 +3/4 -1 +21/2
7351/2
-31/2
FTSE closed at
5167.4 Up 25.0 BG 1146 +5 +15/8 BP 5751/4 Cairn Energy 3371/4 +33/4 Norsk Hdro 4331/8 -23/8 Royal Dutch Shell A 17271/2 +1 +3 Royal Dutch Shell B 16661/2 +1/8 Total £361/4 Tullow Oil 1178 -1 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Petrofac 9901/2 +21/2 Wood Group 3413/4 +31/4 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 6091/2 +71/2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £28 +1/4 Axis-Shield 388 -6 GlaxoSmithK XD 61/2
REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4463/4 +23/8 DTZ Hldgs 823/4 Hamrsn 383 -21/4 Land Secs 6321/2 +31/2 5 SEGRO 304 /8 +13/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1494 -8 Dimension Data 827/8 -1/8 1 Logica 112 /4 +7/8 Misys 2021/2 +1 Sage Group 2227/8 -3/8 SUPPORT SERVICES AMEC 765 +101/2 Bunzl 6281/2 -1/2 Capita 716 -1 3 Davis Service 393 /4 -23/4 Group De La Rue 9341/2 -6 Electrocomp 1853/4 +3/4 Experian 600 -21/2 G4S 2563/4 -21/2 1 Hays 106 /4 -1 Homeserve 1648 -12 Menzies J 299 -31/4 Rentokil 1161/4 +11/4 Smiths News 1171/4 +1/4 Wolseley 1355 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 1947/8 -21/2 Psion 931/2 +31/2 Spirent Comms 1051/4 -13/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £211/2 -1/8 Imperial Tobacco £203/8 -1/8 LEISURE & HOTELS Arriva 4923/4 +43/8 5
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Carnival Compass Grp easyJet Enterprise Inns FirstGroup Go-Ahead Greene King Intercontl Htls Ladbrokes Mitchells & Butlers Natl Express PartyGaming Rank Org Stagecoach Group TUI Travel Whitbread
£223/4 4541/8 398 1065/8 3443/4 1318 415 920 1513/8 2691/8 1961/2 2771/2 901/4 173 2621/8 1366
+1/2 +35/8 -15/8 +13/4 +83/4 -7 +4 +5 +13/4 -11/4 -11/4 +3/4 +11/8 +21/4 -17/8 -3
FTSE 100
INDEX 5167.47
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FTSE 250
INDEX 9072.96
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TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.67 dollars Bangladesh................. 102.17 taka Brazil.............................. 2.60 reals Canada....................... 1.57 dollars China ............................. 9.55 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.42 korunas Denmark....................... 8.14 krone Euro............................... 1.10 euro Hong Kong................ 11.53 dollars Hungary................... 279.46 forints India.......................... 63.89 rupees Japan........................... 134.27 yen Mexico ....................... 18.02 pesos New Zealand .............. 2.09 dollars Norway ......................... 8.83 krone Pakistan.................. 125.13 rupees Philippines ................. 62.00 pesos South Africa.................. 11.26 rand South Korea.............. 1566.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 168.87 rupees Sweden....................... 10.84 krona Switzerland.................. 1.61 francs Taiwan ...................... 43.87 dollars Turkey....................... 2.24 new lira USA ............................ 1.49 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Jeremy Holmes
Happy with life on the farm! FARMING is in the blood for Jeremy Holmes. Jeremy is a third generation farmer and runs dairy business P Holmes & Son at Delph House Farm, Upper Denby. The farm has about 250 acres of pasture and has 11 roundsmen supplying milk to about 9,000 customers in nearby villages such as Denby Dale, Scissett, Clayton West as well as Huddersfield and parts of Wakefield and Leeds. It also has about 50 shops and restaurants on the books. In common with many working farms, the business has also diversified – in this case making ice cream using milk from the farm’s own herd of Holstein cows. Jeremy is joined by wife Louise in the venture, called Yummy Yorkshire. The brand is making a name for itself with unusual ice cream flavours, including Lou’s Liquorice, caramel fudge, cheesecake and honey ginger. Yummy Yorkshire, already a winner in the regional deliciouslyorkshire awards, also has an ice cream parlour at the farm and has teamed up with local companies such as Bradley-based Coopers Coffee to broaden its menu. Said Jeremy: “Louise makes the ice cream five times a week during the summer, but we work at it 24-7. We have come a long way in short space of time. “When we decided we wanted to set up the ice cream business, we knew we had to get it right because there are a lot of small independent ice cream makers already established in our area.
“We decided to ‘tweak’ the flavours. We made a few batches and anyone visiting the farm was asked to try it out and tell us what they thought. Now every time we make a new flavour we ask our customers what they think of it.” “Now we have about 35 flavours as well as special one-offs for Christmas and Bonfire Night. We have recently worked with Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop at Netherton to make a lemon curd ice cream.” After attending a Meet the Buyer event for regional food firms – held at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium – Yummy Yorkshire has landed a contract to supply Asda stores in Huddersfield, Halifax and Wakefield starting in March. Jeremy believes that will widen the products’ appeal even further. “We have a couple who drive from Ripponden just to visit the
■ MILK RUN: Jeremy Holmes sampled life in Australia, but returned to the family farm
ice cream parlour,” he says. “More and more people make a special trip to visit us or call in as part of their day’s outing.” Jeremy’s roots remain in farming. His grandfather, who came from Bradford, began the agricultural business, which Jeremy’s father moved to Delph House Farm in 1965. Says Jeremy: “I have been involved mainly in the milk processing side of the business, although I started out by helping feed the calves. “I went to Shuttleworth Agricultural College for a 12-month course to learn more about arable farming, but I still know I wanted to stay in the milk business. “In 1992 – at 20 years of age – I went to Australia for 12 months and worked on a farm in Western Australia for a couple of months before taking a break from agriculture completely. “I did a variety of jobs – including washing up for a cafe in Sydney and working for a market gardener on the outskirts of Perth. “I went to Australia on my own, which meant I had to make the effort to meet and talk to people. When you work on a remote farm, you don’t meet new people every day, so that was a big thing for me and I was very nervous. But it gave me a massive confidence boost. “It was a great year and I enjoyed it tremendously. In some ways, I know more about Australia than England because I totally embraced the country. I wouldn’t necessarily like to live there, but I admire their attitude and like the lifestyle.” “When I got back to the
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Role: Partner Age: 37 Family: Married to Louise with children Oliver, five, and Charlotte, three Holidays: France and Majorca Car: Audi A6 First job: Feeding the calves on the family farm Best thing about job: Customer feedback on what we have achieved so far Worst thing about job: The long hours Business tip: There are highs and lows in business – so enjoy the highs! farm, my father said he was going to retire. From that time, he took a back seat and I took over from there. He’s still on the farm and does some of the paperwork.” Jeremy said milk processing remained a big part of the business with the ice cream operation seen as an “add-on” to generate extra cash. “We have plans to generate more business for Yummy Yorkshire,” he says. Ideas include offering children’s parties at the parlour and working with schools to show pupils what happens on a working farm. Says Jeremy: “We get lots of emails from people asking us to deliver ice
cream all over Yorkshire and while we want to tap into the Yorkshire market, going nationwide would be more difficult. “We are happy to stick with our Yorkshire roots for the time being and we are happy to let the business grow with us.” Running the farm leaves little time other interests, although Jeremy says: “Louise and I like to go out for a meal. We are into trying local food and trying out local farm shops. We have gained more business by going out, speaking to chefs and interesting them in our products.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
P Holmes & Son Work: Dairy farming Site: Upper Denby Employs: Five Phone: 01226 762551 Email: sales@york shiremilk.co,uk
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KIRKLEES BUSIN
Dragon’s Den star provides top tips
BRIGHOUSE entrepreneur Tom Stevenson has lunched with Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones – to get some top tips on running his business. Tom was invited to the Royal Exchange in London to lunch with Peter, who is chairman of Enterprise UK, and Maggie Choo, director of Alibaba.com, the online marketplace for small and medium-sized firms. The two-hour lunch date was Tom’s prize for being a finalist in Alibaba.com’s Global Startup Challenge. Seven finalists were chosen from hundreds of entrants in the competition to build a business from a £1,000 budget provided by Alibaba.com. The contestants gathered together to discuss with Maggie and Peter how to move their fledgling businesses forward. Peter said he was impressed with the wealth of talent he encountered. “In order to achieve success in business, entrepreneurs must be hardworking, enthusiastic, creative and
driven,” he said. “Once you have a good idea, it’s important to drive it forward as hard as you can. “I’m delighted to spend a couple of hours brainstorming with Tom on how to build on the foundation that the Global Startup Challenge has provided. “I have always been passionate about nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit. From my experiences as an investor and through launching my own National Enterprise Academy in 2009, I have been hugely encouraged by the quality of entrepreneur our country is capable of producing.” Tom said: “The chance to spend time with a business guru like Peter has been the highlight of the competition for me. “It has been such a privilege to get his take on my business and run some ideas for future development past him. I’m really excited about taking the business forward in the coming months and achieving further success.”
Food focus EMPLOYERS in Kirklees are being urged to help frame a new qualification for employees in the food and drink sector. Improve, the Yorkshire-based food and drink sector skills council, is developing the Achieving Food Manufacturing Excellence qualification to boost the skills of people working in the fast-growing sector. It will focus on issues such as strategy, leadership and management and draws on tried and tested improvement techniques such as lean manufacturing, focusing on their application in the food and drink industry. Major food firms already working with Improve to develop the new qualification, include Heinz, Swizzels and Matlow.
W&S Wheawill & Sudworth “TAX STRATEGIES FOR ALL SEASONS” Get some innovative thinking and ideas to help your business:
➣ Remuneration planning for family companies ➣ Incentivising key employees ➣ New structures for professional partnerships ➣ Tax breaks for capital and R&D investment ➣ CGT mitigation on company sales Contact Colin Barratt or Andrew Rainbow for further details Wheawill & Sudworth Chartered Accountants, Business & Tax Advisers, Registered Auditors 35 Westgate, Huddersfield, HD1 1PA Tel 01484 423691 Fax 01484 518803 W www.wheawills.co.uk
■ FIRED UP: Tom Stevenson (centre) with Dragon's Den panellist Peter Jones and Maggie Choo, of Alibaba.com
Tom really made the competition sizzle with his plans to make the humble barbecue an integral part of Christmas. Having enjoyed two barbecued turkeys as part of previous festive feasts, Tom is convinced he
can elevate the summer favourite to a year-round culinary delight. He has now set up website – www.baregrills.co.uk – to provide hints, tips and accessories for Christmas barbecues.
Get tax efficient HE tax year-end is fast T approaching and now is an ideal time to re-review
your financial affairs to ensure that they are as tax-efficient as possible. This is particularly important as the new tax year will see already announced tax increases and possibly a change in Government, which could bring in yet more tax changes. As you are probably aware, the top rate of income tax will rise to 50% from April 6, 2010. This only applies to individuals with taxable income in excess of £150,000. For many, though, the highest tax rate will remain at 40%. The tax-free personal allowance will remain at £6,475 for 2010/11. Furthermore, for those with income over £100,000 this allowance will taper away and will be reduced to nil where an individual’s income exceeds £112,950. Due to the interaction of the thresholds and tax rates, marginal rates of tax could be as high as 60% and for those affected, it is important to consider how such tax rates can be mitigated. There are particular opportunities for business-owners including: ● Advancing bonus/dividend payments into this tax year to lock into a maximum income tax rate of 40% ● Taking loans from the family
TAX TALK Colin Barratt
company after April 5, 2010, in lieu of bonuses/dividends to reduce taxable income ● Structuring tax-efficient share schemes to convert income into capital ●“Re-starting” profitable consultancy companies to extract retained profits at lower capital gains tax rates ● Introducing corporate partners into family partnerships to shelter income at lower company rates of tax ● Incorporating profitable sole trader and partnership businesses ● Switching to a fiscal financial year-end for certain unincorporated businesses Married couples and civil partners have a few additional tax-saving options. Where possible, they should ensure that they both utilise their personal allowances and lower-rate tax bands. As transfers of assets between them are free of all taxes they may
be able to arrange their assets, such as bank accounts, share holdings, efficiently to mitigate the extent of any higher rate tax liabilities. Where a sale of a capital asset is contemplated and a gain will be made consideration should be given to transferring an interest to the spouse so that two capital gains tax annual exemptions (£10,100 for 2009/10) can be utilised rather than one. Charitable Gift Aid donations should also be made by the spouse who is the highest rate taxpayer as they are able to obtain the optimum relief for these payments, without affecting the tax position of the charity. Tax on savings income can also be mitigated by investing in ISAs. The amount most can invest for the current tax year is £7,200. This is set to rise to £10,200 from April 6, 2010. For those born before April 5, 1960 the limit is already £10,200.
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
Treble chance THREE companies in Huddersfield are working together to expand their businesses. Coaching company YCChange, established four years ago by owner Yvonne Castle, has linked up with Yorkshire Business Growth Ltd and Mosaic Virtual Office in a bid to help YCChange widen its services and provide expertise across both private and public sectors. Paul Scott, of Yorkshire Business Growth Ltd, has joined a newly-established executive team at YCChange, taking responsibility for strategic marketing. He is joined by Sarah Gathercole, owner of Mosaic Virtual Office in Huddersfield, who will look after corporate support. The team – with three other specialists – will transform YCChange. To mark the development, the business has been re-branded and a new website launched. Said Yvonne: “This is an exciting transformation of the business. “I’ve been mulling over how I could expand it – in a sustainable way – to provide a wider range of services to our customers. “I’ve formed close partnerships with a number of trusted colleagues over the years. “The people we’ve brought in add a huge amount to the core business and will enable us to compete with some big players in the market.” Paul said: “Yvonne and I have worked together for a while now and share the same business values. “I’m looking forward to playing my part in helping Yvonne expand her business significantly over the coming months. And Sarah added: “We have supported Yvonne for a number of years now and it is a great opportunity for the Huddersfield businesses to link together and help each other.” YCChange, based at Ainley Top, provides business consultancy, interim management and life coaching services for individuals and businesses as well as local authorities and social housing associations. Yorkshire Business Growth, based at Longwood, provides consultancy on sales, marketing and business strategy to help companies to increase their sales and revenues. Mosaic Virtual Office, also based in Longwood, provides firms with a secretarial and telephone answering service – providing a “virtual” receptionist and PA role to busy companies across the region.
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Degrees of success for talented graduates BUSINESSES in Huddersfield are helping Yorkshire’s graduates improve their employment prospects. Huddersfield University has teamed up with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the Higher Education Funding Council for England to offer Yorkshire graduates paid 12-week internships at local companies. The scheme gives graduates valuable experience and enables businesses to take advantage of the enthusiasm and passion of recent graduates. SimplyBiz, the Huddersfield-based financial adviser support service was one of the first to sign up for the scheme. And after taking on Huddersfield University public relations graduate Katy Bloxham as an intern, the company has now offered her a permanent position as events co-ordinator following the success of the scheme. Said Katy: “When I joined the company as a marketing intern I was pretty much thrown in at the deep end, helping to organise the launch of a new service. “Getting to know how a company the size of SimplyBiz works has been amazing and it’s given me the chance to put all the things I learnt on the PR course into practice in real situations.
■ DEGREE OF SUCCESS: Public relations graduate Katy Bloxham (left) with Michelle Davy, head of marketing at Simply Biz
“I’ve just been offered the permanent position of events co-ordinator with the company, so it shows just how important doing an internship really is for graduates.” Michelle Davy, head of marketing at
SimplyBiz, said: “We have been very impressed with Katy’s contribution to the company – so much so that we have now employed her on a permanent basis. “Being involved with the internship scheme
An exchange of views this column, I thought I would IofNshare with you the thoughts of one my senior members of the team
David Menaghan, international commercial manager based in Huddersfield, on managing foreign exchange risks. We've seen how volatile currency markets were as we headed into the recession and it’s likely that the markets will be just as unpredictable following the welcome announcement that the recession is officially over. Whether your business is importing or exporting, it is important to know the amount in sterling being paid or received when contracts are struck. Remaining in the spot market does not give you any guarantees and – in some cases – currency losses may wipe out any profits in the underlying contract. The impact that exchange rate fluctuations have on profitability will vary but it can be significant as we have seen within the last 12 months, where, for example, the US dollar has traded between 1.37 and 1.70 – a range of 26%. Managing foreign exchange risk does not have to be complicated and HSBC advocate the use of a simple four-point plan: ● Understand your exposures – what impact would an adverse currency movement have on your profitability? ● Understand the alternatives – you can choose to buy or sell currency in the spot market. Whilst simple, you will not know
BANKER’S BLOG Jill Hague
how much sterling you will need to pay or receive on your currency until the day in question. This can be a high risk strategy as the rate may move significantly after you agree the price with your customer or supplier. You may lock in to a fixed rate by booking a forward contract. This provides certainty but you could suffer an opportunity loss if rates subsequently move in your favour and you have to transact at the forward rate. An alternative is to use a currency option that will offer you the potential for upside benefit if rates move in your favour (like a spot deal), but will provide protection against adverse rate movements (like a forward contract). However, a premium may be payable. ● Develop a strategy – it may be best to adopt a portfolio approach, using a combination of spot, forward contracts and currency options. As an example, you may decide to transact 25% of your currency at spot, fix 25% with a forward contract and cover 50% with an option. This way, if rates move in your favour, you
will benefit on 75% of your exposure (spot and options) whilst if rates move against you, you are protected on 75% (forward contracts and options). This is a balanced approach that provides flexibility and avoids you paying a premium for all of your protection. ● Implement it – historically, currency markets have been extremely unpredictable. It makes sense therefore, once you have formulated a strategy, to implement it without delay and ensure your profits are protected. For many businesses, the impact of exchange rate volatility can be significant. At HSBC we have a team of specialists available to advise you on developing an appropriate strategy for your business to mitigate some of those risks. Fo r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s e m a i l d avidmenaghan@hsbc.com
Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale and Kirklees
has given us a great opportunity to utilise the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm of someone who has recently graduated and I would thoroughly recommend the scheme to any business.” With funding from Yorkshire Forward and HEFCE, the university contributes two-thirds of the salary cost of a graduate internship – meaning graduates can spend a fixed amount of time working on a specific project and gain invaluable experience, equipping them for the wider world of work. “Internships are a great way for recent graduates to gain real experience, develop their skills and prove their potential,” said Andrew Stainton, of the university’s careers and employability service. The scheme offers 12-week internships in areas such as marketing, engineering, design and IT, but can also be in a more general project management role. Graduates work 37-hour weeks and are paid £300 a week, of which the university contributes £200 and the host employer £100. Internships are open to any graduate in the region who has completed their studies at a UK university in the last 18 months. Employers and graduates can find out more by contacting Andrew Stainton on 01484 472732 or internship@hud.ac.uk
Charity drive KIRKLEES firms supporting good causes have been urged to enter the Business Charity Awards. The competition, launched by Third Sector magazine and the Institute of Fundraising, aims to recognise companies showing leadership and commitment in forging relationships with the voluntary sector. Businesses can enter at www.BusinessCharityAwards.com. The deadline is March 11 and the winners will be announced on June 29.
WINNING WAYS... HELPING BUSINESSES IN KIRKLEES DEVELOP AND GROW
FREE
Thursday 25 February 2010 9.30am – 2.30pm English Partnership Suite Galpharm Stadium Huddersfield HD1 6PG
EVENT
Organised by Kirklees Council and Business Link Yorkshire there will be workshops on the following: • VAT made simple • Access to finance • How to grow your business • Taking on employees • How to do business with Kirklees Council Plus, don’t miss over 20 exhibitors E:info@businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk including Jobcentre Plus, HMRC and UKTI. Visit: www.businesslinkyorkshire.
Call: 08456 048048
Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.
co.uk/events and search by event title ‘Winning Ways’
FOR FREE EXPERT BUSINESS ADVICE
THINK BUSINESS LINK
Commercial
Industrial
Commercial/Offices
For Sale
To Let / May Sell
To Let
On the instructions of GW Body Shop Ltd
Nile Street, off St Thomas’ Road, Huddersfield 3,664 m2 (39,442 sq ft) Principally single storey workshop premises currently being used as a body repair garage close to town centre just off Chapel Hill with offices and secure yard.
Northgate, Almondbury
To Let - immediately available
39 m2 (420 sq ft) Ground floor commercial/retail space in busy parade in centre of Almondbury with parking
Park Road Mills, Park Road, Elland 11,356 - 25,600 sq ft Single storey cost effective industrial/production space with offices and on site parking easily accessible to J24 M62.
2 Moor Lane, Highburton, Huddersfield 352 m2 (3,792 sq ft) Prominently located former Co-op in centre of village with parking.
To Let
To Let – Less than £4 per sq ft Unit M2, Colneside Business Park, Milnsbridge 836 m2 (9,000 sq ft) Good quality single storey warehouse/industrial unit with excellent communal yard facilities.
For more information contact Alec Michael on 07717 870 320 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
Joint Agent
Clifton House, Clifton Road, Brighouse 2
191m (2,054 sq ft) net tel: 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com
High quality prominent office suite with on site parking, recently redecorated.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Hopes high for auctions during 2010 PROPERTY auctioneers at Eddisons are looking to build on the success of their 2009 auctions as they prepare for the first sale of the new year. The agency, which has offices in Huddersfield, generated total proceeds of £50m from 14 auctions in Leeds and Manchester. Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said: ‘2009 was a good year and there are now clear signs of a recovery in the property investment market. ‘Although there was increased demand across all sectors, we noted particular interest in tenanted or vacant residential property, ground rents, small plots of land, tenanted retail and properties in need of renovation. ‘With interest rates remaining low, giving paltry returns on traditional investments, I anticipate investors will once again turn to sensibly priced property as their investment vehicle of choice.” The first auction catalogue of 2010 contains 140 lots, including receiverships, development land, tenanted residential properties along with various lots offered at declared nil reserves.. The two-day sale starts tomorrow at The Fairways Lodge and Leisure Club, Prestwich, Manchester; and on Thursday at Leeds United Football Club, Elland Road, Leeds.
property
Survey points to stronger pricing PROPERTY prices are strengthening, a survey has suggested. The latest property and economic survey carried out among clients by commercial property agency Eddisons showed that 85% of respondents thought commercial property prices would increase or remain the same during 2010. The findings suggest the sector may have reached the bottom of the cycle for most property asset classes. In addition, 65% of respondents feel that prices at the end of 2011 will be higher than current values. Simon Croft, director in the agency department at Eddisons, said: “These findings suggest there is renewed confidence in the property sector going into 2010. “We could well see buyers of commercial property returning to the market to reap maximum value in advance of any price rises.” Among other key findings, 40% of respondents were more confident about the general economy at the time of the survey than they were 12 months ago while 39% felt the same as they did at the start of last year. However, 20% of respondents feel less optimistic. Some 64% of respondents are confident
that the economy will improve during 2010 while 71% anticipate interest rates will rise between 1 and 2% during 2010 – with 1% being the most likely increase. Asked about the forthcoming general election, 84% of respondents predict thatDavid Cameron’s Conservatives will form the next government. As part of the survey respondents were also invited to comment generally on what measures they would like to see implemented to improve the current economic situation. The common theme was reduced public spending, improved bank lending conditions and help with VAT, stamp duty and a removal of the burden of empty rates. Said Mr Croft: “Our interpretation of these findings is that there is a mood of cautious optimism among our clients. “The response to what actions are needed to improve the general economic conditions crop up consistently with our clients. “It is clear for this optimism to translate to positive growth, interest rates need to remain low and bank lending conditions need to be less restrictive.”
■ CONFIDENCE: Simon Croft, director in the agency department at roperty firm Eddisons, said buyers could be returning to the market
Upper Brow Road 4 RANGE LANE Huddersfield, HD1 4UP
PRIMROSE HILL 4 RANGEHD4 LANE HUDDERSFIELD, 6DL
PELLON PLACE 4 RANGE HUDDERSFIELD,
GEORGE STREET 4 RANGEHD3 LANE HUDDERSFIELD, 4JD
Residential 395m2Development (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Outline Planning Consent for the erection of 14 properties ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable Pleasant Position for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Residential 395m2Development (4,250ft2) Site 493.35sq yds (4,440.15sqft) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Detailed planningpossession consent for the erection of 6 self ■ Vacant ■ Suitable for refurbishment for contained apartments occupational residential 1.5alternative miles from Huddersfield town centre usesfor orother possible complete Suitable uses subject to planning permission redevelopment, subject to planning consent
LANE Halifax, £11.50 PSF HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
High Quality 2 Offices 395m (4,250ft2) 363.99m² (3,918ft²) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Air conditioning ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for Raised acess floors/computer trunking alternative Private car parkingoccupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Industrial Unit with Self2Contained Offices 2 (4,250ft 395m ) 1,600sqm (17,000sqft) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) 2 Storey Offices possession ■ Vacant ■ car Suitable Good parking for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential Secure yard usesIndustrial or possible complete Popular Location redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Halifax, HX3 6DL Offers over £450,000 FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Halifax, HX3 6DL £135,000 FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Halifax, HX3 6DL £60,000 pcm Per Annum FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
WAKEFIELD ROAD 4 RANGE LANE HUDDERSFIELD, HD5 9AB
LUCK LANE 4 RANGE LANE HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4AB
7 ST GEORGES SQUARE 4 RANGE LANE HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1LA
DALE STREET 4 RANGE LANE HUDDERSFIELD, HD3 4TG
Commercial 395m2 property (4,250ft2) Potential Investment Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession Vacant possession available ■ Suitable for refurbishment for Outskirts of Town centre alternative occupational residential Prominent main road position uses car or possible complete Excellent parking redevelopment, subject to planning consent
2 (4,250ft 2) and workshop Car395m sales pitch with office 76.08m² (819ft²) 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Site Area Vacant possession 20 -■25 Sales pitches ■ Suitable refurbishment for Established tradingfor position alternative Prominent locationoccupational residential uses or possible 2 Miles from Huddersfieldcomplete town centre redevelopment, subject to planning consent
2 (4,250ft2) Office Accommodation 395m 67.07m² - 275.17m² (722ft² - 2,962ft²) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant Attractive Grade IIpossession Listed Building ■ Suitable Prominent locationfor refurbishment for alternative occupational residential Opposite Railway Station uses or possible Close to bus station and complete multi-storey car park redevelopment, subject to planning consent
2 (4,250ft Modern Industrial Unit 2) 395m 390.51sqm (4,203sqm) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant Good car parkingpossession ■ Suitable 2 Loading doors for refurbishment for alternative 3 Phase electricity occupational residential uses or possible Rateable value £12,500 complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Halifax, HX3 6DL £150,000 FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Page 7
Halifax, £400 per weekHX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Halifax, HX3 6DL Rents on Application FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Halifax, HX3 6DL £14,500 pcm P/A FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
LAND OFFICES INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT RETAIL
ST JOHNS ROAD 4 RANGEHD1 LANE HUDDERSFIELD, 5BW
Commercial Street 4 RANGE Brighouse, HD6 1AFLANE
ST GEORGES SQUARE 4 RANGEHD1 LANE HUDDERSFIELD, 1JF
COLNE VALE BUSINESS PARK 4 RANGE MILNSBRIDGE, HD3LANE 4NY
Showroom 395m2premises (4,250ft2) 296.73sqm (3,194sqft) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Prominent main road position ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for Excellent window displays occupational residential Caralternative parking uses of orHuddersfield possible complete Outskirts town centre redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Retail property 2 (4,250ft2) 395m 48.68sqm (524sqft) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) Main area ■ shopping Vacant possession ■ Suitable Prominent positionfor refurbishment for alternative occupational residential Excellent window display uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
2ND Floor office accommodation 2 (4,250ft 2) 395m 103.68sqm (1,116sq Site Area 0.13ft)Hectares (0.33 Acres) Close to railway station ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for Quality offices alternative occupational residential Grade II Listed building Lift uses accessor possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Industrial Workshop/Warehouse 2 (4,250ft2) 395m 444.37sqm (4,783sqft) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) 3 Phase Electricity ■ Vacant possession ■ Industrial Suitable for refurbishment for Good Location alternative occupational residential Good Access for Loading usesAlso or Available possible complete 666sqft redevelopment, subject to planning consent
Halifax, HX3 6DL £20,000 pcm Per Annum FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Halifax, £10,500 P/A HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
Halifax, HX3 6DL £8,500 pa FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
HX3pa 6DL 1stHalifax, Year at £12,500 FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Movers and shakers
Page 8
Support service leads the pack!
Mark Davies
Hudds Town HUDDERSFIELD Town has appointed Mark Davies to spearhead a new department at the football club. Mr Davies is pictured (above, centre) with Town commercial director Sean Jarvis (left) and chief executive Nigel Clibbens. Mr Davies takes up the post of business development manager to step up Town’s relationship with its commercial partners as well as undertaking a complete review of its membership schemes. Mr Davies, 28, has a masters degree in sports law and extensive experience in the football industry. He has worked as marketing manager at Southend United, where he undertook a business development role as the Shrimpers won the Football League 2009 Family Club of the Year Award. Before that, he was marketing and customer services manager at Coventry City. He will be joined in the new partnerships’ department by Cammie Batten, who has been instrumental at Town in driving the Keep It Up campaign with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The department will look after existing club partners such as the YAA, Thomas Cook and Yorkshire Building Society as well as forging new partnerships with local and national enterprises.
A DEWSBURY company has helped law firm Chadwick Lawrence celebrate five years of a service helping employers. Cutting tool distributor Cutwel Ltd was the first firm to sign up to the law firm’s Employer Support Pack in 2005 – and remains an ESP client. The support pack is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that don’t need a full-time human resources department or as a bolt-on to an existing HR department. ESP provides legal help, support and representation for employers as and when necessary. Clients have the peace
of mind that a qualified employment lawyer is always at the end of the phone and up to date with the latest legislation. The scheme includes the drafting of all necessary documentation such as contracts, handbooks, disciplinary warnings and letters along with ongoing guidance and support. Neil Wilson, of Chadwick Lawrence, said: “We’re delighted to have Cutwel on board after five years. “They’re in good company – with approaching 300 clients since the scheme started. So here’s to the next five years!”
Agency has the right Approach
Ian Bevan & Steven Butcher
Northern Rail NORTHERN Rail operators Serco and Abellio have appointed Ian Bevan as interim managing director and Steven Butcher as interim deputy managing director. Mr Bevan, who is currently finance director and deputy managing director, will step up to replace managing director Heidi Mottram, who lives in Holmfirth, when she leaves to join Northumbrian Water Group from March 1. Mr Butcher, currently eastern area director, is promoted to interim deputy managing director with responsibility for strategic operational and external relations issues. In a separate move, Stuart Draper has been promoted to engineering director, replacing Ruud Haket who has joined Abellio to lead their bids for UK rail franchises.
Jack Matthews
Improve JACK Matthews (pictured), chief executive of York-based food and drink sector skills council Improve, has been appointed chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber branch of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils. The alliance represents all of the industry-linked sector skills councils in the region. It acts as the voice of employers and works to ensure the needs of the Yorkshire and Humberside business community are met in national skills and training policy. Sector skills councils were established by the government in 2004 to take the lead in driving up skills in the workplace.
■ TEAM LINE-UP: Approach PR’s from left) Verity Hudson, Charlotte Booth, managing director Suzanne Johns, Becky Armstrong, and Claire Mounds A PUBLIC relations agency headed by a Kirklees woman has added to its clutch of prizes. Approach PR, founded by Suzanne Johns, won the category for Business and Corporate Communications at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations PRide Awards. The accolade comes hot on the heels of Approach taking gold at the CIPR PRide awards in 2009. Approach has secured unprecedented recognition of the Yorkshire Biz Awards through a media campaign which reached an audience of more than 3m with television, radio and newspaper coverage – a campaign seen by one in three people in the region. Judges remarked on the “outstanding” results of the campaign, adding: “Approach PR used some great creative techniques to grab headlines and generate interest. The use of online media was also very effective. The fact that interest in the next awards is up is a very positive
sign – all thanks to this excellent campaign.” Stephen Waud, Yorkshire Biz Awards creator and fund director of the Bradford-based Business Enterprise Fund, said: “It is fantastic that Approach represented Yorkshire in a national competition for executing an awards initiative which was originally founded in their home city.” Suzanne, who hails from the Spen Valley, said: “Winning a national award for a campaign which we felt so passionately about and worked incredibly hard on is amazing. “It’s been a fantastic 12 months for us in a difficult trading climate with recent new business wins, a regional PR award under our belt and after being judged the best of the best of in the UK. “In a time where many companies are cutting budgets and staff we are working with and being approached by clients who recognise they need to become more proactive to survive.”
■ SUPPORTERS: Paul Hawksworth (left), of Cutwel, with Neil Wilson, of Chadwick Lawrence
Howzat for a top speaker? FORMER cricketer Alec Stewart will field the questions when the Yorkshire Business Forum stages its next event in Huddersfield. The Surrey and England star (pictured), who is now an ambassador for the Yorkshire Bank, will recall some of his fondest sporting moments as well as answering questions from guests at the event, which takes place from noon to 3pm on Thursday, March 11 at the Galpharm Stadium. Also speaking at the forum – jointly backed by Yorkshire Bank and law firm Chadwick Lawrence – will be Mark Bradley, who will give an insight into how to improve customer service. Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark will also answer questions while some of the players and backroom staff will be available to chat during the day. The event, which includes a lunch and networking opportunities, will also raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Keep It Up Campaign.
Winning ways A ONE-DAY event aims to steer Kirklees firms to Winning Ways. Allison Whitmarsh, of award-winning Marsh bakery ProperMaid, will be among the speakers at the Winning Ways event to be held from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Thursday, February 25, at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield. More than 20 exhibitors will include Kirklees Council, UK Trade & Investment, the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Yorkshire. Advice on offer will cover areas such as sourcing finance, investing in staff, making sense of VAT and how to go about tendering for public sector contracts. Contact the events booking team on 08456 048048 or visit businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk