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JOHN RADCLIFFE Building for the future
MARK VINES Positive thinking!
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An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Chem Resist rises to tanks challenge BIG is beautiful for Dewsbury company Chem Resist Ltd. The firm, recognised as a world leader in the design and construction of thermoplastic chemical storage tanks, rose to the challenge to complete a major order. Chem Resist, based at Ravensthorpe Industrial Estate, usually works to the industry-accepted maximum storage capacity of 100m³. So when a client – supplying an additive to make diesel engines environmentally friendly by removing harmful emissions – asked the company to produce two 120m³ capacity tanks, the assumption was it couldn’t be done and that more, smaller, tanks would be required. However, Chem Resist cracked the problem and can now claim to have built not only the largest spiral-wound thermoplastic tanks in Europe, but also with a more environmentally-friendly outcome.
Ferguson & Menzies, which is based next door to Glasgow Rangers’ Ibrox Park, distributes pine oils and chemicals in the UK, which are sold to manufacturers of household and industrial cleaning products. The company also supplies an important additive, AdBlue, which removes nitrogen oxide from the exhaust systems of heavy duty vehicles in order to meet the stringent European exhaust emission standards. Chem Resist technical manager Dr Stephan Menzer said that with a total capacity of 240m³ the new AdBlue plant was big enough to cope with increasing demands in the future. “Our previously biggest tank would fit comfortably inside one of the new ones,” said Dr Menzer. “And as all our chemical storage tanks are fully recyclable – even after
20-plus years’ service – the environment gains yet again.” Despite tight space constraints on site, the two tanks – each 11 metres high by 4.5 metres in diameter – were safely installed by Chem Resist together with associated pipe work and systems without interruption to Ferguson & Menzies’ supply schedules. Chem Resist was established more than 40 years ago and has supplied chemical storage tanks and installations for many of the UK’s leading companies. Clients have included pharmaceutical firm Glaxosmithkline, Kodak, Corus, Agfa and Thames Water. It is the only UK manufacturer of spiral wound thermoplastic tanks. Demand for its products led to the firm doubling its manufacturing capacity in 2008. The firm also has an in-house training school for its apprentices.
Hospitalar – the largest medical exhibition in Latin America – which takes place from May 25 to 28 in São Paulo, Brazil. The Yorkshire companies will form part of the UK delegation showing British healthcare innovation to the 86,000 visitors and looking for new business and export opportunities across the region. Paxman Coolers will be showcasing its pioneering scalp cooler, which
Tykes set the pace
YORKSHIRE is outpacing the rest of the UK when it comes to business growth, says a new survey. The latest Purchase Managers’ Index from business information company Markit showed that the region’s private sector economy expanded at a faster rate in April – in contrast to the softer growth seen across the UK as a whole.
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■ SO BIG: Chem Resist chairman Seamus Quinn with the outsize tanks
Latin markets provide new target for firm A COMPANY supplying scalp coolers to combat hair loss in cancer patients is embarking on another export adventure. Fenay Bridge-based Paxman Coolers is one of five Yorkshire firms showcasing cutting edge innovations in Latin America this month to highlight how their pioneering products are improving healthcare for patients around the world. Paxman Coolers will be attending
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provides cancer patients with the best possible chance of retaining their hair while they undergo chemotherapy treatment. Figures show that on average 70-90% of patients who use Paxm a n C o o l e r s aw a r d w i n n i n g technology do not require a wig. Operations director Richard Paxman said: “Latin America is a target market for us and we are eager to look for partners in this region. “The exhibition will allow us to
platform our products on an international stage and establish links with potential business partners, enabling us to expand on our already buoyant overseas market.” The Yorkshire firms will be supported by Medilink Yorkshire and Humber, the organisation dedicated to the growth of the region’s healthcare technologies sector, and government export support arm UK Trade & Investment.
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Reason to smile STAFF at Meltham Dental Care have gained the Investors in People standard. The award recognises the Station Street practice for its commitment to staff training and development.
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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
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Big freeze boosts British Gas profits HOUSEHOLDS cranking up the heating in the freezing winter weather helped British Gas rack up hefty profits in the first quarter of 2010, parent Centrica said. British Gas expects a “strong performance” this year after the cold weather prompted 7% higher gas usage than in 2009 – with electricity consumption up by 2%. Despite the profit boost, British Gas said average bills for its 15.9m customers in the first quarter of 2010 were lower than a year earlier due to its 7% gas price cut in February. The prediction of more strong profits at British Gas comes after the UK’s biggest energy supplier delivered record operating profits of £595m last year – up from £376m in 2008.
British Gas has gained more than 200,000 new residential customers so far this year as well as 100,000 servicing contracts. The group installed 20% more central heating systems than a year earlier, thanks to cheaper pricing and the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme. However, the business experienced additional costs as a result of the higher incidence of boiler breakdown callouts during the cold weather in the first quarter. But it said costs rose due to the higher number of boiler breakdowns in the cold snap. The weather also boosted profits at its business arm due to higher than expected demand for energy as well as strong renewals and an improved oper-
■ WINTER WARMER: British Gas saw energy usage – and profits – rise as a resulr of the freezing weather
ating performance. The healthy profits from the group’s energy supply arm were offset by much tougher conditions for Centrica’s energy production business. While gas and oil production was
Earnings are a picture of health HEALTH club operator Virgin Active said it recorded annual earnings of more than £100m for the first time in its 10-year history. The group, which has 71 clubs in the UK and 187 sites in total, lifted revenue by 15% to £391m after increasing membership by 4% to 919,000. Virgin Active chief executive Matthew Bucknall said: “The trend that we have seen throughout the recession confirms our opinion that health and fitness has become a core aspect to people’s lives.” The company, which is majority owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Vir-
gin Group, said its UK business “demonstrated its resilience” during 2009. The figures showed an 18% rise in earnings to £101.1m and represent the 10th consecutive year of revenues and profits growth. Virgin, which acquired Holmes Place in 2006, said its success reflected its strategy of situating clubs in sizeable catchment areas and using facilities large enough to drive economies of scale. During the year it also increased the number of staff on the gym floor and improved the range of equipment and classes on offer.
Recovery for FTSE
59% ahead of the previous year – helped by acquisitions – wholesale gas prices are still low due to a market glut and weak demand. Centrica expects the “weak commodity price environment” to continue to affect the production business. A statement said: “We continue to make progress in developing those activities that will underpin future growth in British Gas. “By the end of April, we had installed 80,000 smart meters in homes and businesses and now have over 300 employees working in our insulation business. “We also remain on track to reduce the like for like cost base in British Gas by more than the £100m originally targeted.”
Ash cloud closures hit BA THE number of passengers using BAA’s six airports slumped by 22.7% last month after the volcanic ash could caused huge disruption to UK and European flights The company handled a total of 6.9m passengers in the month – with almost all of the decline on last year’s figure due to the ash crisis. The company, which is owned by Spain’s Ferrovial, revealed at the end of last month that the closure of Heathrow and Stansted had cost it £28m. Airports across Europe faced fresh disruption this weekend. The problems in April meant the
number of passengers at Heathrow fell by 20.8% in the month to 4.4m, while Stansted dropped by 24.4% to 1.2m. The company’s three Scottish airports were badly affected with a fall of 28.2%, while Southampton declined by 19.4%. In total, BAA estimated that it dealt with 1.9m fewer passengers as a direct result of the ash cloud. Both Heathrow and Stansted were closed from April 15 to April 20 because of the volcano, with normal airline schedules not resuming until April 22.
BANK shares soared by as much as 16% as investors piled back into shares following the deal to stop the Greek debt crisis from spreading. The FTSE 100 Index, which fell by 2.6% on Friday and by more than 7% over last week as a whole, recovered in spectacular fashion yesterday – adding 5.2% or 264.4 points to close at 5387.4. This was the top flight’s best session since December 2008. The relief rally was matched on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood 4% higher at the time of London’s close. There were even bigger gains in Europe as France’s CAC 40 soared by 9%. The £650bn bailout package to prop up the single currency, backed by the eurozone nations and the International Monetary Fund, boosted confidence shattered by the Greek debt crisis and pushed markets higher.
Increased revenues FUNERAL services group Dignity said revenues rose by 1.9% to £53.9m in the 13 weeks to March 26. The group, which includes Highfield Funeral Service in Huddersfield, said the performance was consistent with the average of the last five years.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £28.66 +1.59 Gannett 1058.21 +54.68 Hess Corp £39.43 +1.60 Microsoft 1950.36 +69.31 Motors Liquidation 50.01 Wal-Mart Stores £34.88 -0.06 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 851/2 BAE Systems 3395/8 +91/4 Rolls-Royce Gp 577 +29 VT Group 730 +11 AIM Brady Plc 631/2 -1/2 Dawson Intl 21/4 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1327/8 +111/4 BANKS Barclays 3295/8 +457/8 HSBC 6715/8 +42 Lloyds Banking Gp 61 +71/2 Ryl Scotland 513/4 +61/4 Stan Chart 17551/2 +1831/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1095 +41 SABMiller 1984 +111 CHEMICALS Croda 972 +52 Elementis 98 62 +1/2 Johnsn Mat 1709 +110 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2651/2 +111/2 Costain 235 +10 ELECTRICITY Drax Grp 3511/4 +91/4 Intl Power 3125/8 +121/8
Scottish & Sthrn 1077 +19 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 292 +7 +87/8 Laird 1277/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3321/4 +141/2 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1161/4 +63/8 Cable & Wireless 591/8 +25/8 Comm Cable & Wireless 801/2 +51/2 Wwide 7 Colt Telecom 121 /8 +51/2 KCOM 47 -1 +71/4 Talktalk Telecom 1291/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2673/8 +91/2 Sainsbury 3253/8 +121/2 Tesco 4203/4 +113/4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 9711/2 +531/2 Nth Foods 511/2 +21/2 Tate Lyle 441 +163/4 Unilever 1915 +71 -1/4 Uniq 171/4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2867/8 +111/8 National Grid 608 +81/2 Pennon Grp 506 +16 Severn 1114 +28 United Utils 522 +15 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2685/8 +163/4 ICAP 3671/2 +257/8 1 London StockExch 653 /2 +251/2 Man Group 2281/4 +181/8
Provident Financial 869 +11 Schroders 1407 +78 Schroders NV 1101 +48 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 538 +481/4 REXAM 3251/8 +9 Smiths Grp 1090 +36 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 14 +1/4 Carphone Whse 1901/2 +81/4 DSG International 281/2 +13/8 Home Retail 2741/2 +113/8 Inchcape 33 +17/8 Kingfisher 2371/8 +161/8 M&S 3471/8 +173/8 Mothercare 575 +22 3 Next £22 /8 +11/8 WH Smith 481 +241/8 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 6521/2 +11 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 105 +5 Barrat Dev 1143/8 +101/8 3 Persimmon 445 /4 +271/4 Reckitt Benckiser £333/4 +11/2 7 Taylor Wimpey 37 /8 +31/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 7661/2 +491/2 Delta 1843/4 IMI 700 +591/2 Man Brnze 56 -3 INDUSTRIAL METALS 1 Ferrexpo 304 /2 +305/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2001/2 +111/2 Forth Ports 1310 +35 LIFE INSURANCE
339 +355/8 833/4 +81/4 115 +81/8 554 +11 681/2 +2 3 193 /8 +101/8 MEDIA BSkyB 601 +251/2 Chrysalis 105 +33/4 1 D Mail Tst 482 /4 +121/4 ITV 581/8 +23/8 Johnston Press 303/4 +1/4 1 Pearson 989 /2 +42 7 Reed Elsevier 490 /8 +107/8 STV Group 1061/2 +11/4 3 Trinity Mirror 139 /4 +131/2 1 Utd Business 530 /2 +241/2 UTV 139 +9 WPP 678 +421/2 Yell Group 50 +43/8 MINING Anglo American £271/2 +21/2 Antofagasta 9461/2 +76 BHP Billiton 1983 +1181/2 Eurasian Natural 1090 +84 Res Fresnillo 861 +60 Kazakhmys 1325 +128 Lonmin 1782 +97 Rio Tinto £335/8 +23/8 1 VEDANTA £25 /2 +23/8 RESOURCES Xstrata 1092 +83 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 759 +371/2 Vodafone Group 139 +61/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1310 +68 RSA Insurance Gp 1203/4 +31/8 Aviva Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
145 211/2 100 608 807
+4 +1/2 +6 +81/2 +65
969
+791/2
FTSE closed at
5387.4 Up 264.4 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 10691/2 +521/2 BP 5491/4 -43/4 Cairn Energy 4013/8 +243/4 Norsk Hdro 502 Royal Dutch Shell A 18891/2 +561/2 Royal Dutch Shell B 1816 +54 Total £341/8 +21/4 Tullow Oil 1109 +75 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 8101/2 +451/2 Petrofac 1099 +76 3 Wood Group 359 /8 +253/4 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 697 +48 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £281/2 +3/4 Axis-Shield 315 -100
GlaxoSmithK XD Shire 1448 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4451/8 Captl Shop Cent 3557/8 DTZ Hldgs 75 Hamrsn 3581/4 Land Secs 6211/2 SEGRO 2881/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1746 Dimension Data 913/4 Invensys 3125/8 Logica 1361/4 Misys 2331/4 Sage Group 2381/8 SUPPORT SERVICES Bunzl 735 Capita 7991/2 Davis Service 4127/8 Group De La Rue 896 Electrocomp 2101/4 Experian 5861/2 G4S 2641/4 Hays 1107/8 Homeserve 1973 Menzies J 360 Rentokil 1207/8 Smiths News 123 Wolseley 1554 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 2487/8 Psion 811/2 Spirent Comms 1141/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £205/8 Imperial Tobacco 1814
39 +47 +233/8 +71/4 +2 +181/4 +30 +131/8 +96 +51/2 +171/2 +77/8 +161/2 +71/8 +19 +29 +225/8 +25 +77/8 +141/2 +101/2 +37/8 +89 +8 +55/8 +5 +143 +183/8 +31/2 +81/4 +5/8 +34
LEISURE & HOTELS Arriva Brit Airways 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
764 2035/8 £267/8 5271/2 4421/4 1221/8 3701/8 1400 4253/4 1106 1421/2 3081/8 2365/8 2731/8 1151/4 1893/4 2583/4 1441
TOURIST RATES
+2 +113/8 +11/2 +347/8 +121/2 +145/8 +13 +50 +153/4 +78 +81/2 +113/4 +131/4 +151/8 +41/4 +91/4 +143/4 +85
FTSE 100
INDEX 5387.42
+264.40
FTSE 250
INDEX 10004.75
+512.86
Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.55 dollars Bangladesh................... 97.04 taka Brazil.............................. 2.44 reals Canada....................... 1.45 dollars China ............................. 9.06 yuan Czech Republic ...... 26.95 korunas Denmark....................... 8.11 krone Euro............................... 1.09 euro Hong Kong................ 10.97 dollars Hungary................... 282.94 forints India.......................... 58.87 rupees Japan........................... 131.52 yen Mexico ....................... 16.69 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.90 dollars Norway ......................... 8.61 krone Pakistan.................. 117.73 rupees Philippines ................. 57.46 pesos South Africa................. 10.41 rand South Korea.............. 1465.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 159.20 rupees Sweden....................... 10.60 krona Switzerland.................. 1.56 francs Taiwan ...................... 40.88 dollars Turkey....................... 2.19 new lira USA ............................ 1.42 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS A COMPANY that helped lay the foundations of Huddersfield has set its sights firmly on building a stronger future. J Radcliffe and Sons, based at Leeds Road, has been a family-owned firm since its formation more than 200 years ago and takes pride in having built many of the town’s major buildings. Now chairman John Radcliffe, the fifth generation of the family to head the firm, is driving investment and growth for the business by marrying the company’s heritage and reputation for quality and service with innovation. Says John: “The Radcliffes were originally farmers, but started the building firm in 1802 – which must make us one of the town’s oldest companies. “The company’s history has been in construction and we have built a number of the town’s major buildings, including the former Yorkshire Building Society’s headquarters in St George’s Square, the Nuffield hospital, the council offices, Huddersfield Technical College and parts of the university.” The company operated from a site at St John’s Road for many years until moving to its present location at Queen’s Square, Leeds Road, to make way for the Huddersfield ring road. Under John’s direction, the company has developed three subsidiaries to cover commercial property development, plant and tool hire and energy assessment. Development arm John Radcliffe and Sons Ltd has been involved in retail, leisure, mixed use and residential schemes ranging from the new Tesco store at Brighouse – and the re-siting of Brighouse Sports Club – to the Fenay Bridge pub at Penistone Road, Fenay Bridge. Others include the creation of 40 flats at Halifax Road, Birchencliffe, and retail developments such as the PC World and Dreams complex at Leeds Road, Hillhouse. Other significant schemes have taken the company as far afield as Boston in Lincolnshire, Barnsley, Wakefield, Walsall and Driffield, North Yorkshire. The company works with partners including supermarket giant Morrisons, Royal Bank of Scotland and other selected development companies. It recently became nominated developer for retail chain Pets At Home. Over the past 10 years, the company has been involved in more than 2m sq ft of commercial development and has built an enviable reputation. After a period of belt-tightening as the recession took hold, John is now more confident about prospects for the company and the wider construction
profile
John Radcliffe
Firm that’s built to last “We think things are getting better,” he says. “Last year we had to make some cuts to keep the business going. “Now we have taken on three new members of staff in the past six to nine months and we have a good, loyal core team.” The plant hire business, which has been running for 48 years, has also seen an increase in enquiries from local building companies. Investment has seen the plant fleet expand while tie-ins with tool manufacturers have enabled the company to widen its ranges. “On plant hire, we have more than 1,000 clients,” says John. “Some of them are national companies, but many of them are building firms with one to five men who may not even have their own builders’ yard. “Customers we have not
■ COMMITMENT: John Radcliffe heads a family firm which has demonstrated centuries of loyalty to the town
seen for six months are coming back, people are getting busier and we are being asked to quote for some major contracts. “We are starting to fill our property ‘pipeline’ again and we have four or five projects coming to fruition.” Says John: “January and February were poor months for us, but March and April have been busier as work which was scheduled for earlier in the year gets under way. “We have exceeded our budget by 60 to 80%.” John says the company is also excelling due to investment in sales and marketing. While the company has staff who have worked for the firm for more than 20 years – and up to 50 years in one case – it is also involved in the Nexus scheme to provide work experience for pupils, which could result in the offer of an apprenticeship if all goes well. John’s wife Sue heads John Radcliffe and Sons EPC, which was set up in October, 2008. It provides commercial energy assessments to help clients attain the energy performance certificate required by law when advertising a commercial property for sale or lease. Says John: “We have had to innovate and move with the times to survive. “Luckily, we have a small close-knit team which can react quickly to make decisions.” John joined the family business only after getting experience in the property industry elsewhere. “After qualifying as a chartered surveyor I worked in London for seven years,” he recalls. “I think that was a pretty healthy thing to do. If
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you go into the family business at 18 or 20 the danger is that you get moulded and set into a way of doing things.” Coming back to Yorkshire, John joined property development company Teesland in Leeds before finally joining the family firm. Away from work, John sits on the board of Huddersfield Golf Club, where he has been a member for 35 years. He also played for Huddersfield RUFC for many years. His sons Robert, Harry and Jonny are following in his sporting footsteps, playing golf, rugby and cricket. The company’s sporting links continue as John
Radcliffe and Sons is forging a corporate relationship with Huddersfield Giants. John says it underlines the firm’s commitment to the town it helped to build. “We are committed to continued growth and keeping out roots in Huddersfield,” he says. “Due to the diversity of the company and the mix and strengths of the team, the future looks bright. “The commitment to Huddersfield and giving local people the chance to grow with us is very important.”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Role: Chairman Age: 45 Family: Married to Sue with children Robert, Harry and Jonny Holidays: Sailing in the Greek Islands Car: BMW First job: Petrol pump attendant at Hebble Auto Best thing about job: Helping local businesses and the variety of customers we serve. We can be dealing with a £20m supermarket scheme in the morning and hiring out a digger and a handful of pickaxes in the afternoon Worst thing about job: Frustration at how long things take Business tip: Persevere
J Radcliffe and Sons Work: Property development, plant hire and energy assessment Site: Leeds Road Employees: 14 Phone: 01484 420212 Email: scott@ radcliffe.com website: www. jradcliffe.co.uk
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Funeral service in expansion plan
A FUNERAL business based in the Holme Valley for more than 40 years has expanded with the addition of new premises in Kirkheaton. Radcliffe Funeral Service, owned by husband and wife Andrew and Gwen Schofield, has opened the new funeral home at New Road to complement its existing business in the Holmfirth area.. A service of dedication and blessing at the new premises was conducted by the Rev Leslie Noon, of the United Church, Kirkheaton; and by the Rev Richard Steel, of Kirkheaton parish church. The service was also attended by Clr Julie Stewart-Turner, Mayor of Kirklees, and by Sue Saville, president of the National Association of Funeral Directors. Gwen said the decision to open new premises was taken last March and an existing funeral parlour at New Road was acquired in April. Work to renovate the premises and create a two-storey extension have now been completed to ■ SERVICE: Gwen Schofield (second right) and husband Andrew (second left) with (from left) the provide up-to-date facilities. Gwen has provided funeral services in the Rev Leslie Noon; Kirklees Mayor Clr Julie Stewart-Turner, Sue Saville, president of the National Holme Valley and surrounding areas for more Association of Funeral Directors; and the Rev Richard Steel at the ceremony than 30 years. Husband Andrew joined the busiAssociation of Funeral Directors and the Society Gwen has been a member of the British Instiness in June last year. tute of Embalmers for more than 27 years. The business is a member of the National of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.
Media messages A MEDIA company set up just three years ago with four employees has opened a new office and has a 50-strong staff. Reactiv Media, based in Elland, was formed in 2007 by managing director Tony Abbott to bring together various aspects of the direct marketing industry under one roof. Despite the economic downturn, it has continued to expand and has now opened an office in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, under business development manager Leigh Cheshire. Mr Abbott, who spent 15 years in sales and marketing before launching Reactiv Media, said: “I am very excited by the new office opening and looking forward to further opportunities for Reactiv Media throughout 2010.”
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W&S Wheawill & Sudworth Chartered Accountants Business & Tax Advisers Registered Auditors www.wheawills.co.uk
Reporting accidents S part of regular contact A with our colleagues in the claims department at
Wilby Ltd, we see that there is some confusion and a lack of knowledge among some employers regarding the requirements to report accidents. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurr e n c e s Re g u l a t i o n s 1 9 9 5 (RIDDOR) are the regulations which place duties on employers to report accidents and incidents to an appropriate enforcing authority, the Health & Safety Executive or their local authority. To help employers, there is guidance available to assist in working out if an accident is reportable and how to make the report. Some key points to remember are: ● In the event of a fatality or major injury, report by the quickest practicable means (e.g. telephone) and in written form within 10 days ● Written reports of accidents should be made on the HSE’s F2508 form ● Major injuries include fractures of bones other than fingers, thumbs or toes; amputation; dislocation of hip, knee or spine and
RISKY BUSINESS Mark Dalton
any penetrating injury to the eye ● An employee with an injury requiring admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours is a major injury ● If a non- worker, e.g. member of the public, is injured at a workplace and is taken to hospital the event is reportable (regardless of the length of admittance to hospital) ● If an employee is unfit for normal duties on the fourth day after the day of the accident, this is reportable in written form. All days, regardless of whether the worker would normally have been at work or not, are counted ● Dangerous occurrences include collapse, overturning or failure of load bearing parts of lifts and lifting equipment; explosion of any closed vessel or associated pipe work; plant coming into contact with overhead
power lines. To make reporting accidents easier, a report can be made to the HSE’s Incident Contact Centre (ICC) by calling 0845 3009923 or on line at w w w. h s e . g o v . u k / r i d d o r / index.htm If in doubt, we would recommend that you always make a report. It is not an offence to inform the ICC of non-reportable accidents, but failure to report a reportable accident is a breach of RIDDOR and can result in a prosecution. ● Wilby Ltd offers a wide range of risk management and health and safety solutions for businesses. The company was a finalist in the British Insurance Awards 2008, the Insurance Times Awards 2008 and the UK Broker Awards 2008.
Mark Dalton is associate director at Wilby Ltd
KIRKLEES BUSIN Orchard offers fruitful advice
KIRKLEES firms face fines of up to £45,000 if they fail to comply with a new energy scheme, an expert has warned. Gareth Henderson, managing director of Brighouse-based Orchard Energy, said companies should be prepared for the new CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme – the UK’s mandatory climate change and energy saving scheme. The scheme, formerly known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment, requires all non-transport UK organisations – from half-hourly meter point users to firms using more than 6GW of half-hourly electricity a year – to register and comply. The government believes 5,000 of the UK’s largest organisations will be affected. Mr Henderson, who is also a founder member of industry regulatory body the Utility Intermediary Association, said: “Although the CRC will be revenue neutral to government, it provides an incentive to reduce CO2 emissions by distributing some of the revenue from the worst to the best performers. “The regulations are complex and there are significant penalties for non-compliance.” Said Mr Henderson: ““The implications of CRC registration and compliance for organisations are numerous, including significant financial burdens such as up to a 30% increase in energy costs, by 2015, for those with poor, relative performance and penalties for non-compliance. “Some major organisations are oblivious to CRC. One area in particular which could be seriously overlooked, is where the obligation falls on parent organisations, not entities or sites. “Therefore, private equity funds could be responsible for emissions from their portfolio.” Orchard Energy has drawn on its expertise dealing with complex issues with organisations such as trade associations and the Environment Agency to devise three flexible packages providing varying levels of compliance management for firms facing the CRC. “It is our responsibility to guide our clients through the process and we are visiting each client to raise awareness of their obligations and options,” said Mr Henderson.
Seminar event MANUFACTURERS will get sound advice on attracting new customers and increasing sales at a meeting tomorrow. The Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance stages its latest seminar at 5.30pm at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top. The CKMA stages regular meetings and visits to business premises to cover topics important to manufacturers.
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Thoughtful idea to assist firms KIRKLEES firms should get thinking – and bid for a share of £90m of funding, a financial reward of up to £100,000 each and a trip overseas. HSBC Commercial Banking has launched Business Thinking 2010 to support and fund the UK’s most innovative and forward thinking companies. Businesses with turnovers exceeding £2m can put forward their vision and ambitions for their company, how their management team intends to achieve them and how the prize would help them succeed. Business Thinking 2010 has three phases of reward. Phase one will see up to 54 companies across the UK shortlisted as regional finalists. Each company selected from the north-east at this stage will have the chance to take part in an international Thought Exchange as a guest of HSBC to one of the world’s most dynamic areas of economic growth – China, the Americas or Europe – for the
■ IDEAS MAN: Mark Vines, HSBC regional commercial director for the north-east
opportunity to meet like-minded business thinkers and enjoy networking and business development opportunities. At phase two, the regional finalists will be invited to refine their business case to win based on the insights gained on the
Thought Exchange to be judged by HSBC’s panel of experts. Two regional winners per region will then receive up to £5m in lending plus a financial reward of up to £100,000 each. Phase three will see one of the 18 regional winners crowned overall Business Thinking 2010 winner at a gala event in Hong Kong in front of an international audience and receive a further financial reward of up to £100,000. Mark Vines, HSBC’ regional commercial director for Yorkshire said: “We know the most successful businesses are those that innovate and invest to get ahead and we are launching Business Thinking 2010 to help support companies do just that. “We firmly believe that for many businesses in the region, trading internationally could help them drive their way out of the recovery to success, which is why we are giving so many finalists the chance to meet like-minded companies in other
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countries and find out about doing business overseas.” Entrants to Business Thinking 2010 must be able to demonstrate outstanding business thinking whether trading internationally or only in the UK. They must be UK-based, have operated for two years or longer and have turnover of £2m or more. They must be able to provide profit and loss and balance sheet information for a minimum trading period of 12 months and projected financials for a minimum of two years. Go to www.hsbc.co.uk/businessthinking to register interest and receive an application form. For questions regarding entries and the process, ring 0800 328 3211. The closing date for entries is midnight on June 25, 2010. For more information, contact Jill Hague, area commercial director for Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Tel 08455 848153
Putting a focus on expenses VER the next few O weeks, businesses will be busy reporting to HM
Revenue & Customs expenses payments made and benefit in kind provided to their employees on forms P11D for the year ended April 5, 2010, in readiness for the filing deadline of July 6. The completion of forms P11D can be a laborious task as well as a potentially costly one if they are not correctly completed as the Revenue can impose penalties up to 100% of the tax and national insurance contributions unpaid, together with interest charges. Common P11D mistakes found by the Revenue when they review employer business records are: ● Interest-free or subsidised loan benefits – No taxable benefit will arise if the total amount of loan does not exceed £5,000 at any time in the tax year. Often, loans exceeding this figure do arise but are also repaid before the end of the year but a benefit in kind will still arise and this needs report-
TAX TALK Colin Barratt
ing on form P11D ● Cars provided to employees for their private use – The benefit in kind charge is determined by a combination of the car’s list price, optional extras and vehicle’s CO2 emission. Sometimes, businesses do not use the correct list price or forget to include optional extras when preparing forms P11D leading to additional tax/NIC liabilities ● Employer-owned cars and vans only used for business purposes – There are strict conditions for tax exemption to be given for any incidental private use by employees of such “pool” vehicles and frequently the Revenue obtain additional tax & NIC due to the lack of records kept by businesses to support pool status or because an employee has used the car on
Colin Barratt is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
more than “incidental” occasions ●Assets owned by a business and transferred to employees – A benefit in kind arises if the price paid for the asset is less than its market value. Additional liabilities arise as the Revenue do not always accept the value paid by employees for such assets. It is advisable to obtain a third party valuation where the asset is of substantial value such as a car or house etc in order to counter
Revenue attempts to imply that a benefit in kind arises ● Business Mileage Allowances – No records being kept to support the payment at tax-free rates of 40p for the first 10,000 miles and 25p thereafter in employees own vehicles ● Home telephones – A benefit in kind arises if the business pays the employee’s private phone bill. Often the bill is in the employee’s name and the more expensive payroll NIC will be due instead of the usual Class 1A NIC associated with P11Ds. The Revenue can go back a number of tax years when looking at business records and mistakes as mentioned above can result in unexpected and expensive tax bills.
Yorkshire is out in front YORKSHIRE is outpacting the rest of the UK when it comes to business growth, says a new survey. The latest Purchase Managers’ Index from business information company Markit showed that the region’s private sector economy expanded at a faster rate in April – in contrast to the softer growth seen across the UK as a whole. Total activity rose at the strongest pace since January, 2000, and the region posted the third-fastest growth of 12 UK areas covered by the regional PMIs. The headline seasonally adjusted Business Activity Index rose to 58.8 from 56.5 in March. Evidence of a firming recovery was also provided by the first rise in private sector employment in two years. Private sector business activity rose for the 11th successive month in April. Moreover, the rate of growth in Yorkshire was stronger than the UK average for the first time since August, 2009. Underpinning growth was a further marked rise in new business. The rate of expansion was the second-fastest in six years and greater than the UK average. April data signalled a rise in private sector employment in Yorkshire for the first time since April, 2008. Job creation was linked to rising current and expected workloads – and was more prevalent in manufacturing than services. Overall, workforces expanded at a rate that was slightly greater than the UK average. Sharp growth in new business generated a rise in outstanding work for the first time in over two years in April. Moreover, the rate of backlog accumulation was the fastest since July, 2007. Firms’ average input prices rose at the fastest rate in nineteen months in April. Input cost inflation was much sharper than the historic trend of the series, and greater than the UK average. Rising fuel and raw material prices – particularly metals and chemicals – were quoted as sources of upward pressure on costs. Prices charged by private sector companies in Yorkshire rose for the first time in 2010 in April, largely as a result of the passing through of higher input prices to customers. However, the rate of output price inflation remained well below that for input prices, and was only moderate. Moreover, sector data suggested that service providers continued to cut their charges in the face of intense competitive pressures. Trevor Balchin, senior economist at Markit, said: “Yorkshire and Humber bucked the national trend of slowing growth in April. Private sector output rose at the fastest pace for a decade, reflecting a strengthening rebound from the extreme low of last year. The other key positive survey finding was a first rise in employment in the region for two years.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Market activity starts to pick up
Awards up for grabs TWo extra awards are up for grabs at Yorkshire’s property “Oscars”. Commercial property magazine Estates Gazette will announce the winners of its regional awards for the new categories of Best Property Adviser and Best Property Company at the 2010 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Pro-Yorkshire Awards. In previous years, all UK regional winners of the annual Estates Gazette Regional Awards were announced at the national awards in London. This year, the winners will be crowned in their respective regions. The 2010 RICS Pro-Yorkshire Awards will be held on Friday at The Pavilion, Elland Road, Leeds. The regional winners of the Estates Gazette awards are automatically entered into the magazine’s national awards, which will be held in November in London. Last year, property consultants Sanderson Weatherall scooped the Estates Gazette award for Yorkshire and North East Property Adviser of the Year, while commercial property development firm Caddick Developments was named Yorkshire and North East Property Company of the Year. The RICS Pro-Yorkshire Awards feature eight categories as well as a prize for Project of the Year, which goes to the entry judged to have scored the highest across all.
INVESTMENT activity has picked up in the Yorkshire property market, says a new survey. Figures from property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton showed that investment across the region totalled £233m during the first quarter of the year – up by 41% on the £165m achieved in the final quarter of 2009. Retail and office sectors saw the biggest increases – accounting for 48% and 38% of total activity respectively. The largest transaction in the region was Ignis Asset Management’s purchase of Junction 27 Retail Park in Birstall from Henderson Global Investors for £56.6m. The first quarter of 2010 saw institutional investors make their largest net commitment to the UK property market for more than three years, according to LSH. Its quarterly UK Investment Transactions bulletin showed that institutional net investment topped £1.1bn – following on from £0.3bn in the final quarter of 2009.
prominent commercial building
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
● 1,729.28sqm 4 RANGE LANE Halifax, (18,614sqft) HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
2) music school ● Former 395m2 (4,250ft Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ● Suitable for a variety of ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for office, commercial, alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete community uses, subject to redevelopment, subject to planning consent planning
industrial premises
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
LSH said: “In what is a traditionally quiet period for UK institutional investors, they have d o m i n at e d bu y i n g a c t iv i t y, accounting for 42% of the value of total purchases undertaken. This is the most dominant buying position they have held on record.” The major source of stock being transacted has been from the UK’s
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL DOCTOR LANE,PREMISES WF14 8DP FORMER HOSTEL
£50,000 or £85 p/w
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 14.5m² (156ft²) ■ Vacant possession
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Rateable value £1,950 alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete ● Outskirts of popular townsubject centre to redevelopment, planning consent ● Sold with vacant possession
prominent site
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
■ RENTAL GROWTH: Guy Gilfillan, head of Lambert Smith Hampton in Yorkshire
retail premises
NORTHUMBERLAND ST, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1PL For Sale £600,000
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
WAKEFIELD ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, FORMER HOSTEL PREMISESHD5 9AB
To Let £12,500 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● 103m (1,110ft) ■ Vacant possession
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Main road location alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete ● Outskirts of town centre subject to redevelopment, planning consent ● On Street car parking
lock up shop
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
LEEDS ROAD,HOSTEL HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 6DD FORMER PREMISES
MOORSIDE APPROACH, BD11 1JF FORMER HOSTELBRADFORD, PREMISES
OLD WAKEFIELDHOSTEL ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD, FORMER PREMISESHD5 8AA
● 579.60m² (6,233ft²) ■ Vacant possession
● 632sq yds possession ■ Vacant
● 49.7sqm (535sqft) ■ Vacant possession
● 50.16sqm ft) ■ Vacant(540sq possession
To Let £11,500 p/a
■ Suitable foraccess refurbishment Roller shutter door
for ● alternative occupational residential ● Competitive Rent uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to ● Rent Free period available planning consent ● Flexible terms available
To Let £20,000 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for High profile position
refurbishment for ● alternative occupational residential ● Outskirts Huddersfield town centre uses orofpossible complete redevelopment, subject to ● Good access to M62 planning consent ● Close vicinity to retail park
office suites
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL FORMER HOSTEL PREMISES
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning consent
7 ST GEORGES SQUARE, HUDDERSFIELD, HD1 1LA Rents on Application
● 67.07m² 4 RANGE LANE - 275.17m² Halifax, HX3 6DL - 2,962ft²) FORMER(722ft² HOSTEL PREMISES
395m2 (4,250ft2) ● 0.13 Attractive Grade II Listed Site Area Hectares (0.33 Acres) ■ Vacant possession Building ■ Suitable for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential Prominent location uses or ● possible complete redevelopment, subject to planning ● consent Opposite Railway Station
£5,000 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
● ● ● ●
■ Suitable Village location
for refurbishment for alternative occupational residential Security alarm system complete uses or possible redevelopment, Rateable value £4,350 subject to planning consent Will Sell - £50,000
offices
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
To Let £6,250 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
Suitable for refurbishment for ● Prominent Main Road Position alternative occupational residential uses or possible complete ● Double Fronted redevelopment, subject to planning consent ● Rateable Value £4,850 ■
characterful office building
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
SUNNY BANKHOSTEL ROAD, MIRFIELD, WF14 0NL FORMER PREMISES
GREENHEAD HUDDERSFIELD, FORMERROAD, HOSTEL PREMISESHD1 4EN
● 71.35m² (768ft²) ■ Vacant possession
● 227.4sqm ■ Vacant(2,446sqft) possession
£60 pcm p/w
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Competitive Rentoccupational residential alternative uses or possible complete ● Rateable Value £2,600 subject to redevelopment, planning consent ● Ideal for small business start up
Yorkshire property market continues to see increasing demand, particularly from the retail and office sectors. “Key transactions included NFU Mutual Insurance Society’s purchase of No 1 Whitehall Riverside in Leeds from London & Stamford for £51.3m – who purchased the property for £37.6m nine months earlier – and Lancashire County Pension Fund’s acquisition of Benson House in Leeds from MEPC for £20m.” Guy Gilfillan, head of LSH Yorkshire, said: “While it may appear that investment activity across the region is improving, we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves. “Activity is restricted purely to prime stock as investors continue to adopt a cautious approach. “However, it is only a matter of time before the north witnesses similar improvements in rental growth, which will underpin a stabilised return to activity across all sectors.”
retail shop
lock up shop
4 RANGE LANE Halifax, HX3 6DL
private sector, where unquoted companies and private individuals accounted for almost £2bn of sales. Said the report: “We have been waiting for the banks to begin releasing stock onto the market and it looks like this process has begun. “Many of the sellers in the first quarter have been highly geared property companies. Banks chose not to foreclose on these loans in the bad times, but have waited for a recovery in values before looking for repayment.” T h e re p o r t s a i d ove r s e a s i nve s t o r s h a d “ s o m ewh at retreated” from investment in UK commercial property – with purchases at their lowest quarterly levels in over two years. In Yorkshire, the average property price for investment transactions surged to £11.6m from £7.8m – its highest increase since the first quarter of last year. Graham Foxton, agent at LSH in West Yorkshire, said: “The
LEYMOOR ROAD,HOSTEL GOLCAR, HUDDERSFIELD, FORMER PREMISES HD7 4QF 395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
Page 6
To Let £19,500 p/a
395m2 (4,250ft2) Site Area 0.13 Hectares (0.33 Acres)
■ Suitable for refurbishment for ● Accessible location alternative occupational residential ● On-Site carpossible parking uses or complete redevelopment, ● Excellent security systemsubject to planning consent ● Perimeter of Huddersfield town centre
T. 01484 530361 www.bramleys.com
■ industrial LAND ■ offices OFFICES INDUSTRIAL ■ retail INVESTMENT ■ investment RETAIL ■ land
Industrial
TO LET - Offices
TO LET - Flexible Terms
1812 Building, Mirfield
Barncliffe Business Park, Shelley, Huddersfield
400 – 1,200 sq ft Good quality flexible office accommodation in tranquil setting with on site parking.
TO LET - Offices
TO LET (May Split)/May Sell
Unit 4 - 426 m² (6,738 sq ft) Unit 6 - 234 - 468 m² (2,519 - 5,038 sq ft)
ONLY TWO UNITS rEMAIN AVAILABLE
Good quality single storey industrial/storage accommodation immediately available for occupation.
TO LET
95 m² (1,027 sq ft)
3,000 – 12,700 sq ft
Available as a whole or in four suites, Modern specification with under floor comfort cooling.
Preliminary Announcement
864 – 3,622 m² (9,305 – 38,815 sq ft) Modern good quality single storey industrial/warehouse accommodation with offices only two miles from junction 25 M62 (Brighouse).
Development/Commercial Unit 5 riverside Court, Colne road, Huddersfield
The Water Mill, Mirfield
Thornhill Beck Lane, off Bradford road, Brighouse
Modern single storey trade warehouse/industrial unit close to town centre on secure site. Nearby occupiers include James Hargreaves & Plumb Centre.
FOr SALE
2 Brewery Lane, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury Approximately 75 m² (800 sq ft) Two storey part residential/part former commercial premises requiring refurbishment. Suitable for a variety residential and commercial uses (subject to planning).
Preliminary Announcement
For more information contact Alec Michael on 07717 870 320 or email alec@michaelsteel.co.uk
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Ivor Nicholas
Clough & Co CHARTERED accountancy firm Clough & Co has appointed former Barclays relationship director Ivor Nicholas as an introducer. Mr Nicholas (pictured) has more than 35 years experience in the financial sector and will use his specialist knowledge to identify opportunities where Clough & Co’s services could benefit existing and potential new clients. Mr Nicholas will work across all the firm’s divisions, but will mainly focus on its expanding Clough Corporate Solutions arm, which offers a wide range of services including corporate and personal insolvency, debt recovery and management or ownership dispute resolution. Chris Wood, partner at Clough Corporate Solutions, said: “Ivor’s extensive experience will prove invaluable to our clients as he will be able to help us formulate bespoke solutions for those clients going through difficult times as well as advising on how to preserve stakeholder value”. Mr Nicholas was educated at Holme Valley Grammar School and has lived in Huddersfield all of his life. He is captain of Woodsome Hall Golf Club. Mr Nicholas will be operating across Yorkshire with a primary focus on Huddersfield and Bradford in 2010. Clough & Co has offices in Cleckheaton and Keighley.
Movers and shakers
It all adds up to a higher status
Roger Marsh
PwC ACCOUNTANCY firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has appointed a new leader for its government and public sector practice in Yorkshire. Roger Marsh is a senior partner and was formerly with the firm’s business recovery services. He has spent the past two-and-a-half years working on secondment in the Cabinet Office. Mr Marsh joined Pricewaterhouse after graduating in metallurgy from Leeds University in 1976. He joined the business recovery services practice in 1980 and spent time in the London office and in Toronto before being promoted to partner in 1988. During the 1990s, he became leader for business recovery services in the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland. With the merger of Pricewaterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand in 1998, he was given the task of integrating two recovery practices into one. In 2007, he was seconded to the Cabinet Office as director general of strategic finance and operations. In his new role, Mr Marsh will lead and develop the firm’s northern government and public sector practice using his knowledge and experience of both business recovery and Whitehall.
Martin Taylor
Boge MARTIN Taylor has been appointed an area sales manager by Brighouse-based Boge Compressors Ltd. Mr Taylor (pictured) will be responsible for developing sales and the firm’s distributor network in the south of England. He brings a wealth of industry and engineering experience to the role having spent more than 29 years in the compressed air sector working for both manufacturers and distributors in the industry. Said Mr Taylor: “Boge has a formidable reputation in the UK market. I am looking forward to developing the Boge business further in the south.”
Page 8
■ CHARTER DAY: Francesca O'Loughlin and Susan West of Hastings O'Loughlin, with their certificate
A FIRM providing independent financial advice has gained coveted chartered financial planner status. The Chartered Insurance Institute has conferred the sought-after title on Hastings O’Loughlin – the only all-women firm of chartered financial planners in West Yorkshire – with offices in Greetland. The status is only awarded to firms meeting rigorous criteria relating to professionalism and capability and includes a series of exams. All chartered financial planners commit to the CII’s Code of Ethics, reinforcing the highest standards of professional practice in their business dealings. Francesca O’Loughlin, managing director, who already holds the individual chartered financial planner title, said that securing CFP status for the company was a landmark. She said: “We have always prided ourselves on being thoroughly professional in everything
Practice makes perfect
■ FULL SET: Staff at Melthm Dental Care, which has gained the Investors in People award STAFF at Meltham Dental Care are all smiles after achieving the Investors in People standard. The practice at Station Street now joins a group of 35,000 organisations recognised for their commitment to investment in staff training and development. Practice principal Bal Dhesi said: “I was keen for the practice to achieve a recognised standard that was not just a tick box exercise, but was actually valuable for the business, the staff and the customer. Having achieved the standard I do feel that the organisation has benefited as a whole.” Carole Reid, chief executive of YHAL, the Investors in People centre for Yorkshire, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Meltham Dental Care and I would like to congratulate the
organisation and its people on their commitment to continuous improvement. “We work with organisations to raise standards and improve performance through people. “By offering a flexible, practical and easy-to-use improvement framework, Investors in People is designed to help organisations and their people enhance performance and meet goals.” The 17-strong team at Meltham Dental Centre offer NHS and private dentistry. Mr Dhesi took over the practice in December, 2006, since when it has gone from strength to strength. “We are a business committed to developing the skill and knowledge of our team which in turn enables the practice to grow” said Mr Dhesi.
we do – and to receive external recognition in this way is very gratifying. “As chartered financial planners, we can signal our commitment to the highest levels of service to our customers.” The company has recently been strengthened by the recruitment of independent financial adviser Sue West, who also holds the individual Chartered Financial Planner title. She joins the company as co-director and brings expertise in the form of specialist pension advice and advice in the area of long-term care to complement Francesca’s specialist area of investment planning. Hastings O’Loughlin is one of about 260 firms nationwide and one of only a dozen or so in Yorkshire to achieve chartered status. The firm specialises in providing advice on all types of investment, asset protection and life assurance for individuals and businesses.
Further wins for Cooper’s COFFEE distributor Cooper’s Coffee is all shipshape after securing new business wins worth more than £195,000. The Bradley-based firm has been supplying its coffee to five of the National Museums Liverpool group’s seven museums for the past two years. Now the relationship has been strengthened with six of the group’s venues – World Museum Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, National Conservation Centre, Lady Lever Art Gallery and Sudley House – having signed up for a range of espresso machines and grinders from Cooper’s premium Dalla Corte brand. All of the venues are also being supplied with Cooper’s Fairtrade coffees. In another deal, Cooper’s Coffee has been appointed to supply a north-west chain of “coffee boutiques”. Centro Coffee & Juice Bar has signed up to Cooper’s own award-winning coffee blend Louie Mio as well as premium Italian brand Dalla Corte. Cooper’s is also supplying three espresso machines and a grinder as well as a range of teas, syrups, frappés and traditional Italian Panettone cake. The independent coffee bar chain run by entrepreneur Lee Chester has outlets in Ashton under Lyne and Altrincham as well as a new flagship store in the new Liverpool One development. Lee launched his first Centro Coffee & Juice bar in 2007 and plans to open 10 more over the next 18 months. The latest contracts follow Cooper’s success in securing a deal to supply coffee, tea and coffee making equipment to the Three Acres restaurant at Shelley earlier this year.