FTSE 100
GILES CLIFFE He’s a true town fan!
-0.31 5262.54
Full inter view - Page 3
MICHELLE GEE Television appearances Stor y - Page 8
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Recession fails to stop job creation
A COMPANY providing employment for disabled people has drummed up more jobs in Yorkshire, it emerged today. While many employers were shedding jobs last year, specialist employment service Remploy secured an extra 19% posts across the region for people with disabilities and health conditions. The latest figure of 893 for the past 12 months compares with 752 across the county during the previous year – and was achieved despite the UK economy being in deep recession. Tom Jackson, Remploy’s regional director for Yorkshire and the north-east, said: “These remarkable figures have been achieved in a very difficult economic climate and a contracting labour market. “They are a testament to our expertise in supporting those furthest from the labour market into sustainable jobs.”
More than 75% of the people supported into a job by Remploy have been out of work for more than a year. Nationally, the company found 10,500 jobs in the last 12 months – an increase of 31% on the previous year. Remploy has a factory at Tandem Industrial Estate, Waterloo, in Huddersfield, which makes car headrests and seat covers for a range of vehicle manufacturers. It also helps place disabled people with mainstream employers.
Said Mr Jackson: “Our strong relationships with employer partners such as ASDA, Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s are crucial to our continuing success in Yorkshire. “We work closely with them to make sure we find the right person for the right job.” And he added: “Behind these impressive figures lies an even more important story – our ability to help people to transform their lives through the social and financial benefits which a job brings.”
By 2012-13, Remploy – which is supported by government funding – aims to be finding more than 30,000 jobs each year for people with disabilities and health conditions. The company operates a national network of 34 town and city centre recruitment branches and offices providing specialist recruitment and development services to job seekers. It is partners with more than 3,000 of the country’s biggest employers including BT, Asda, Royal Mail, Sainsbury’s, the NHS and Marks & Spencer. The firm also has a national network of 54 factories, employs 3,000 people and is the country’s largest specialist employer of people with disabilities and health conditions. Its factories make items ranging from chemical and biological protection suits for the police and armed forces to car interiors and furniture for schools and colleges.
Region’s law firms take dim view of prospects YORKSHIRE law firms are pessimistic about prospects for expanding their businesses in 2010, says a new survey. Findings from the Law Society show that law firms across the region expect to see little or no growth this year – while the challenging industry environment has caused many of them to review their workforce and change their way of operating. The survey, sponsored by Lloyds
TSB Commercial, showed that net profit per equity partner fell by 24% in 2009 against the previous year. This corresponded with a near-9% reduction in staffing levels. Craig Bennett, senior manager for specialist markets at Lloyds TSB Commercial in Yorkshire, said: “Turbulent economic conditions and the regulatory and competitive changes contained in the Legal Services Act have combined to redefine the legal land-
scape. This presents a number of challenges and opportunities. “There is no doubt legal firms have seen difficult conditions in 2009. However, this looks to be improving with the majority predicting a broadly static year in 2010. “In response to these challenging economic conditions and an evolving regulatory environment many firms have adopted slimmer business models, paving the way for a return to
better fortunes in the current year.” Mr Bennett said Lloyds TSB Commercial had increased lending to the legal sector by 6% year-on-year, adding: “We want our solicitor customers to be ready to benefit from the upturn.” Among other findings, the survey showed a 6.5% fall in median practice fee income last year and noted that short-time working had been adopted by many firms.
INSIDE Growing greener KIRKLEES firms opened the door to new sales worth £500,000 at a buying event in Yorkshire. Businesses providing sustainable products and services met potential buyers at the Northern Sourcing Sustainable Solutions event – brought together buyers and suppliers from across the North of England.
● Full story - Page 5
The most trusted news brand in the business
examiner.co.uk
1 8 , M ay, 2 0 1 0
‘Sheds’ in demand DEMAND is rising for large warehouses and industrial “sheds” in Yorkshire, says a property expert – as would-be buyers seek deals on premises built speculatively across the region during the “boom” years.
● Full story - Page 6
'+624536#84 *#7&0 (#+;0# !+)$,2%+- 1# %0+ 3(,./.%('& !+)$,2%.(* "$%0('.%#
-)9"9 !), ,,,
///:%5&$/3%20&/6#.%#:%+:12
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Prudential presses on with cash call PRUDENTIAL has launched the UK’s biggest ever rights issue – as it looks to fund the controversial acquisition of AIG Group’s Asia business. The £14.5bn cash call should have been launched two weeks ago, but was delayed after the Financial Services Authority raised concerns about the capital strength of the enlarged company. The takeover will give Pru about 30m customers in Asia and see the Asian operation become by far the group’s biggest division – contributing about 60% of new business profit. The Pru has restructured the deal following the FSA’s intervention, but has faced criticism from some shareholders that the planned move is too risky and expensive.
Chief executive Tidjane Thiam said the launch of the 1,000-page prospectus for the rights issue gave the company a better platform to step up the process of winning over shareholders ahead of a vote on the takeover in June. He said: “The combined business will be a fast growing and highly profitable company, with a leading position in many of the most attractive markets in the world.” Mr Thiam did not comment on speculation that the takeover will lead to the disposal of the company’s UK operation. The offer price for the new shares in the rights issue represents a 40% discount to the prevailing market price. Prudential highlighted the growth prospects of the combined business
today when it published record first quarter new business figures. It said that the AIG Group’s Asian business – AIA – lifted sales and profits by 16% and 32% respectively over the same period. Sales for the Pru in Asia were 30% higher at £359m against 7% growth to
Boots earnings top £1bn
Deficit worries for Carluccio’s which serves 140,000 customers a week – was proving “extremely resilient” with cash balances improved despite the return of VAT to 17.5% in January. Although Carluccio’s has a low average spend of £13 per customer, VAT is seen as a prime target for a hike to tackle the deficit – with a possible rise to 20% putting further upward pressure on its prices. Managing director Simon Kossoff said a move to 20% would add about 50p to 60p to the bill for a couple dining at Carluccio’s – but stressed that the rise would be seen across rivals as well.
RESTAURANT chain Carluccio’s said the “dramatic” action looming to slash the UK deficit had cast a shadow over trading prospects. The group, which lifted pre-tax profits by 8% to £2.7m in the 26 weeks to March 28, said the climate was “likely to remain difficult to predict and uncertain in the near term”. It said: “The impact of a coalition government following the outcome of the general election and the need to take dramatic action to reduce the budget deficit will only add to this climate of uncertainty.” The group said its business –
■ EASTERN PROMISEL: Prudential aims to be a bigger player in Asia
£193m in the UK. New business profit rose by 35% to £183m in Asia and by 15% to £69m in the UK. Growth in the UK came from higher sales of corporate pensions and protection products. If the deal goes through, the Pru will become the largest foreign insurer in Asia and the largest player in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. Panmure Gordon analyst Barrie Cornes has a buy rating on the stock, despite the possibility that it may fail to get three-quarters of the vote on June 7, adding: “We believe that there is and has always been a strong strategic logic to the deal with only the price and execution being our concern.”
HIGH stree retailer Alliance Boots pushed profits above £1bn for the first time and mapped out growth plans despite “challenging” conditions. The pharmacist and wholesaler posted trading profits of £1.07bn in the year to March 31 – up by 12.7% on a year earlier – helped by the launch of new skincare products. The firm, which has stores at King Street and Great Northern Retail Park in Huddersfield, expects consumer trading across Europe to remain “subdued” but is banking on a series of tie-ups with other businesses to boost revenues.
Boots is poised to launch a new children’s clothing range from Mothercare and is piloting the sale of health and beauty products in selected Waitrose stores while selling the supermarket’s food in its own outlets. Executive chairman Stefano Pessina said: “We are increasingly establishing strategic partnerships with other leading businesses to accelerate our development, both in the UK and other markets.” The firm is the third UK retailer to post profits of more than £1bn behind Tesco and Marks & Spencer.
Page 2 Insurer in jobs drive INSURANCE and investment firm LV= has launched a drive to recruit 300 staff. The owner of Huddersfield-based roadside vehicle recovery business Britannia Rescue, is focusing its jobs drive in Huddersfield, Bristol, Bournemouth and London. Many of the roles will be based in the general insurance division and include positions in sales, customer services, claims and technical management. LV= announced in March plans to create 75 jobs by setting up an insurance call centre in the renovated Folly Hall Mills at Folly Hall.
Grounded SIR Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s plans for a shareholder uprising at easyJet were dealt a blow after a major investor backed the airline’s management. Standard Life, whose 9.45% stake in the company is the largest behind the Haji-Ioannou family, said it did not share his criticism of the growth strategy at the airline, which has 189 planes and another 59 on order. Sir Stelios had wanted easyJet to focus more on profit margins and said lack of progress in terms of share price and dividends supported his calls for change.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £27.85 -0.36 Gannett 1091.98 -2.08 Hess Corp £37.58 -1.33 Microsoft 1981.26 -27.07 Motors Liquidation 52.07 Wal-Mart Stores £36.30 +0.12 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE Avon Rbbr 1041/2 +1/2 BAE Systems 3303/8 -11/2 Rolls-Royce Gp 5931/2 -11 VT Group 745 -31/2 AIM Brady Plc 611/2 +1/2 Dawson Intl 21/4 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1323/8 -2 BANKS Barclays 3043/4 -41/4 HSBC 6491/8 +15/8 1 Lloyds Banking Gp 57 /4 -3/8 Ryl Scotland 463/4 -1/2 Stan Chart 1691 +69 BEVERAGES Diageo 1096 +6 SABMiller £201/8 +1/8 CHEMICALS Croda 940 -291/2 Elementis 98 64 Johnsn Mat 1642 -14 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS 1 Balfour Beatty 258 /2 -57/8 Costain 214 -11 ELECTRICITY Drax Grp 3293/4 5
3
Scottish & Sthrn 1083 +1 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 2933/4 -3/4 Laird 1245/8 -15/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3285/8 +3/4 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1275/8 -23/4 Cable & Wireless 601/2 +1/8 Comm 7 Cable & Wireless 83 /8 +17/8 Wwide Colt Telecom 1181/4 -2 KCOM 45 -13/4 1 Talktalk Telecom 123 /8 -17/8 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 268 -11/4 Sainsbury 329 -27/8 7 Tesco 416 /8 +4 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 965 +3 Nth Foods 493/4 5 Tate Lyle 446 /8 +31/4 Unilever 1885 +1 1 -1/4 Uniq 17 /4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2841/2 +15/8 National Grid 6171/2 -1/2 1 Pennon Grp 497 /4 -1/4 Severn 1136 +8 United Utils 524 +21/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2781/4 +41/8 ICAP 3711/4 +1/4 London StockExch 6491/2 +131/2 7
5
Provident Financial 831 -61/2 Schroders 1363 -29 Schroders NV 1075 -21 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 515 -41/2 REXAM 3133/8 -1/8 Smiths Grp 1091 -6 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 133/4 +1/4 Carphone Whse 1931/2 +31/4 DSG International 28 Home Retail 275 Inchcape 3281/8 +67/8 Kingfisher 2251/4 -1/4 1 M&S 336 /4 -13/4 Mothercare 5661/2 -10 Next £211/2 -1/8 1 WH Smith 474 /4 -103/4 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 651 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 102 -2 Barrat Dev 1161/4 -53/4 Persimmon 4401/8 -81/2 Reckitt Benckiser £33 -1/8 Taylor Wimpey 347/8 -11/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 7401/2 -191/2 Delta 1851/4 IMI 680 -31/2 Man Brnze 501/4 -1/4 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 2683/8 -153/4 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 2003/4 -31/4 Forth Ports 1303 -7
Aviva Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
317 773/4 1175/8 5341/2 653/4 1871/4 MEDIA BSkyB 5831/2 Chrysalis 102 D Mail Tst 498 ITV 58 Johnston Press 223/4 Pearson 9821/2 Reed Elsevier 4961/8 STV Group 1001/2 Trinity Mirror 1123/4 Utd Business 5301/2 UTV 1391/2 WPP 6671/2 Yell Group 471/8 MINING Anglo American £26 Antofagasta 887 BHP Billiton 18951/2 Eurasian Natural 1046 Res Fresnillo 875 Kazakhmys 1201 Lonmin 1707 Rio Tinto £311/8 VEDANTA £231/2 RESOURCES Xstrata 9883/4 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 7721/2 Vodafone Group 1363/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1293 3
-97/8 -13/8 -21/4 -8 -13/8 -3 1
-1 /2 -31/2 -1 -13/4 -1 -17/8 +3/4 +3/8 -2 -1/2 -11/2
-1/8 -15 -19 -11 -12 -35 +14 -1 -3/8 -203/4 +1/2 +17/8 +6 7
Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
139 211/2 98 6171/2 7931/2
-1/2 -20
964
-27
FTSE closed at
5262.5 Down 0.31 OIL & GAS PRODUCERS BG 10361/2 +81/2 BP 5297/8 -1/4 Cairn Energy 3953/8 +51/2 7 Norsk Hdro 511 /8 Royal Dutch Shell A 18561/2 +3 Royal Dutch Shell B 17841/2 +5 Total £327/8 +1/8 Tullow Oil 1113 +5 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 8361/2 +71/2 Petrofac 1093 -10 1 Wood Group 359 /4 -13/8 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 700 +4 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £29 +1/4 3
3
GlaxoSmithK XD 13 Shire 1448 +19 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 4331/4 +91/8 Captl Shop Cent 3381/8 -4 +1/4 DTZ Hldgs 731/4 Hamrsn 3521/2 +41/2 Land Secs 620 +91/2 SEGRO 2805/8 +21/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1785 +6 -23/4 Dimension Data 1001/4 7 Invensys 304 /8 -57/8 Logica 1293/8 -33/4 7 Misys 231 /8 +1/2 Sage Group 236 +1/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Bunzl 7421/2 -31/2 Capita 8041/2 -5 1 -3 Davis Service 405 /8 Group De La Rue 9051/2 -5 -11/8 Electrocomp 2251/2 Experian 591 +151/2 G4S 268 -43/8 1 Hays 109 /4 +1/2 Homeserve 1949 +6 Menzies J 359 -15 Rentokil 124 -1 +1/2 Smiths News 1201/4 Wolseley 1685 -3 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 2473/4 +61/4 Psion 811/2 -11/2 1 Spirent Comms 108 /8 -3/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £203/8 +1/8
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 2001/2 £27 547 391 1227/8 380 1360 411 1128 1481/2 2993/4 233 2901/4 1171/4 1853/4 2481/8 1405
TOURIST RATES
+11/2 -23/8 -3 -243/4 -5 -71/8 -22 -1/8 -3 -11/2 -37/8 -7 +11/4 +1 -47/8 -73/8 -2
FTSE 100
INDEX 5262.54
-0.31
FTSE 250
INDEX 9932.03
-90.87
Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.55 dollars Bangladesh................... 93.94 taka Brazil.............................. 2.31 reals Canada....................... 1.42 dollars China ............................. 8.78 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.43 korunas Denmark....................... 8.28 krone Euro............................... 1.12 euro Hong Kong................ 10.64 dollars Hungary................... 291.67 forints India.......................... 57.97 rupees Japan........................... 126.15 yen Mexico ....................... 16.30 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.91 dollars Norway ......................... 8.60 krone Pakistan.................. 114.20 rupees Philippines ................. 55.62 pesos South Africa................. 10.22 rand South Korea.............. 1446.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 154.35 rupees Sweden....................... 10.70 krona Switzerland.................. 1.56 francs Taiwan ...................... 39.93 dollars Turkey....................... 2.10 new lira USA ............................ 1.37 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Page 3 Giles Cliffe
Home draw for Town fan Giles HOME is where the heart is for chartered accountant Giles Cliffe. The Huddersfield-born senior partner at Simpson Wood trained in accountancy with a Manchester firm – but after three years in the city jumped at the chance to return to our side of the Pennines. “I had a three-year training contract with Binder Hamlyn in Manchester,” recalls Giles. “They were a national and international firm and while it provided me with a good grounding, it was not really my sort of environment. “It was a big firm with a big firm mentality and very large clients. “You had far less personal involvement with your clients than you would with a firm the size of Simpson Wood and far less rapport with your colleagues because there were so many of us. “I wanted a firm where people matter and I wanted to come back to Huddersfield.” The opportunity was provided by David Simpson, senior partner ay Simpson Wood, who offered Giles a job in 1988. Said Giles: “I had a holiday job here several years before and I knew David and had a lot of respect for him.” Giles was made a partner at Simpson Wood in 1994 and became senior partner in 2005 at the Market Street firm when incumbent Julian Holdroyd retired. The firm provides business advice to a
of owner-managed businesses. Along with tax planning under tax partner Peter Sykes and will-writing and inheritance tax issues headed by Mike Nicholas, the firm provides services such as audit and accounts, personal tax returns, payroll and helping businesses with forecasts, acquisitions and disposals. It also works alongside Simpson Wood (Financial Services) Ltd, which is led by Neil Duthie and provides pension and investment advice. Giles said companies had largely weathered the recession, explaining: “Businesses have had difficulty obtaining funds and have had to shelve plans for expansion in favour of concentrating on survival and ensuring they are still in business when the recession comes to a close. “While the recession is technically over, I think many local business people would dispute that opinion.
“They have been cutting out the costs as far as possible and concentrating on running the business.” Says Giles: “There is a little bit more optimism around, but there are also fears about what is going to happen in the next few years in terms of tax. “So clients are coming to us to see how they can best weather the storm and ensure they can retain as much money as possible to use in their businesses.” Giles admits that chartered accountancy was not an obvious career choice – and that his university degree did not obviously equip him for the world of finance. He was brought up in Crosland Moor and took his A-levels at Huddersfield New College before studying classics at Cambridge University. “I studied classics, which I absolutely loved,” he says. “But I didn’t see myself as an academic or teaching Latin to schoolboys.” A visit to the careers
■ TOWN SUPPORTER: Giles Cliffe, senior partner at Simpson Wood, says local companies are becoming more optimistic – despite uncertainty about the UK economy
Role: Senior partner Age: 47 Holidays: Italy Car: Volvo XC60 First job: Helping my father’s law firm of Cartwright Cliffe & Co move offices from Cloth Hall Street to Railway Street Best thing about job: Building relationships with clients and colleagues Worst thing about job: Constantly changing regulations Business tip: Make time to consider where you want your business to be in five years time, how you build the value of your business and how you ultimately realise that value
department put him on the track of accountancy – and he has never regretted it. “The best thing about it is the variety of work,” he says. “You are dealing with a wide range of clients from small one-man bands to multi-million pound turnover companies. “That appealed to me from the start and I positively enjoy that variety and the relationships I have with clients and colleagues.” He adds: “Businesses in Huddersfield want to deal with someone they can trust and with whom they can form a long-term professional relationship. “They like dealing with a firm which is similar in size to their own and they value the continuity they get in dealing with the same partner and staff – something a big accountancy firm cannot provide.” Says Giles: “The local economy has become much more varied than it was when the textiles and engineering sectors had their hey day. “Our client base reflects that. We used to be heavily centred around the traditional industries, but now we have a wide variety of businesses doing all sorts of things. “And while they don’t always shout about what they do, they are often very successful doing it!” Away from work, Giles plays cricket at Birchencliffe and squash at Royds Hall, Paddock.
Town fan – and is nervously following the club’s progress in the play-offs. Giles is also a trustee of a local charity formed to help people in need and distress. And with an abiding love of the classics, he also enjoys holidays to Italy to visit its ancient ruins.
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Simpson Wood Work: Chartered accountancy and chartered tax advisers Site: Huddersfield and Penistone Employees: 35 Phone: 01484 534431 Email: enquiries @simpson-wood. co.uk
Looking to recruit? We can help Flat rate of 10% on all new permanent bookings All sectors catered for specialising in commercial, sales & marketing, housing, education, industrial, and engineering. High quality commercial, skilled, technical and industrial staff supplied on a temporary or permanent basis.
To provide us with details of a live vacancy or to check our extensive database of vetted candidates please contact one of our REC accredited recruitment consultants on 01484 477140 or visit www.upandworking.com Recruitment Advice
•
Business Support
•
Job Opportunities
local
Page 4
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Bright sparks set to get connected A COMPANY providing electrical services is making good connections. C J Connally, based at Beaumont Park, has weathered the recession well and is now landing new contracts after investing in new equipment. The company provides electrical engineering and contracting services to industry – working for customers in sectors such as water, chemicals, textiles and engineering as well as a broad range of commercial work. Recent successes include completing a full audit of the site for Linthwaite-based Grosvenor Chemicals. The eight-month project included repair and renewal of electrical fittings to ensure they continue to meet health and safety requirements. O t h e r c l i e n t s i n c l u d e G o lcar-based textile firm Drake Extrusion Ltd and the former NTL House at Market Street in Huddersfield. The company has also invested in
thermographic equipment, which uses digital and thermal imaging to survey distribution boards, cables, control panels and other electrical apparatus for faults. C J Connally, which has nine employees, has also carried out work on Yorkshire Water sites as a sub-contractor for major construction and infrastructure group Carillion. Chris Connally, director of C J Connally, said the company was optimistic of attracting more work as the economy improves and its commercial and industrial customers looked to upgrade their facilities. “We have a fully skilled workforce and a strong commitment to training,” he said. “We have an apprentice on a training scheme and full accreditation to industry standards. That includes accreditation for work in the maintenance and preparation of systems in hazardous or potentially explosive areas.”
■ SOCKET TO ‘EM: Chris Connally (front), director of C J Connally Electrical Services, with (from left) Mark Ribbons, David Lawford, Nick Denton, Peter Faye, Roy Ellis, Tony Wilcock and Simon Brook
Hotel gets a birthday make-over A HOTEL at Brighouse has made big changes. The Holiday Inn has been given a spruce-up as part of a worldwide refurbishment programme by its parent InterContinental Hotels Group. The changes include new signs, music and even a “signature” scent in the lobby. In addition, 400 pillows, 288 sq metres of carpet and 94 shower curtains have been changed in the 94 rooms at the hotel along with 380 sq metres of carpet in the public areas. To improve the level of service still further, the hotel staff have undertaken a training programme called Stay Real.
The focus of the training has been on coaching the team to respond more efficiently to guest requests and understanding the need for a positive approach. Louise Dodd (pictured, right), general manager of the hotel, said: ‘We are delighted that we are now able to re-launch our property as a refreshed Holiday Inn especially as it coincides with our 21st birthday.” The hotel is staging a re-launch party on May 25 when employees Andrew Williamson and Margaret Fisher – who have worked at the hotel since the day it opened – will be hoisting new Holiday Inn flags. Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band
will also help the celebrations go with a swing. Among its facilities, the hotel includes a restaurant, a bar lounge, a fully equipped Spirit Health Club, a swimming pool, sauna, spa pool and steam room and summertime croquet lawn. InterContinental is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. It includes more than 4,300 hotels with 630,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries. The company owns hotel brands including Holiday Inn, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.
Healthcare sector is favourite with investors PRIVATE equity investors rank healthcare companies their top choice for deal activity in the next 12 months, says a new survey. That was the main finding from the latest Private Equity Barometer, a quarterly survey of more than 100 private equity firms compiled by busniess advisers Grant Thornton When asked to select the top three sectors they would be most active in over the next 12 months, 50% of respondents pointed to healthcare. In addition, 52% of private equity
firms cited healthcare as the sector in which they had been most active during the previous 12 months. In terms of what respondents are prepared to pay, healthcare is ranked joint highest sector alongside media and communications. Grant Thornton manages Investing in Health – a programme led by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to support healthcare companies seeking finance. Programme manager Lisa Ward (pictured, left) said: “Despite loom-
ing public sector cuts that will impact demand for good and services from the private sector, private equity companies remain unwaveringly confident about healthcare deal activity. “Yorkshire healthcare companies are well placed to take advantage of the appetite for private equity deals. “There are a number of truly innovative companies ripe for investment in the region and those that carry the minimum amount of risk offer a solid opportunity for investors.”
Legal notice for 2010 awards
LEGAL professionals in Kirklees have been urged to enter the Law Society’s Excellence Awards. The annual competition recognises and rewards the most outstanding practitioners in the legal professions. It is open to individuals and teams across the entire legal sector, not just solicitors. Award categories include legal executive, advocate, junior lawyer or solicitor of the year for in-house or private practice as well as legal business woman of the year. Teams are encouraged to compete for awards in client service, innovation, equality and diversity, environmental responsibility, marketing and business development, practice management, exporting legal services and community investment. The 2010 awards will also see the introduction of the Law Society Gazette's legal personality of the year award. Law Society vice-president Linda Lee said: “Winning a Law Society Excellence Award is a huge achievement and brings great recognition for individuals and firms. The awards reflect the Law Society's commitment to celebrating excellence in the legal profession. "Now is the time for the profession to put aside their modesty and submit a nomination.” The closing date for entries is August 20. For details and to download a nomination form visit www.lawsociety.org.uk/excellence awards
CVAs become more popular INSOLVENCY experts are increasingly in favour of alternatives to administration for struggling firms, a survey has revealed. A poll by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that 85% of more than 70 top restructuring lawyers believe that company voluntary arrangements have become more popular over the last two years. Steve Ellis, recovery services partner in Yorkshire for PwC, said: “Both schemes and CVAs have an important place in restructurings – with CVAs particularly becoming increasingly popular in recent years. “These alternative restructuring processes have become more widely accepted by a more pragmatic creditor base given the increased financial pressure on companies and the desire to avoid using administration.” Mr Ellis said that in periods of uncertainty, CVAs had the attraction of allowing a wider group of stakeholders – including shareholders – to keep their options more fully open.
NESS NEWS
s
r
,
g
local
Page 5
Lots of energy at trade event COMPANIES opened the door to new sales worth £500,000 at a buying event in Yorkshire. Businesses providing sustainable products and services met potential buyers at the Northern Sourcing Sustainable Solutions event in Leeds. The event, which aimed to reduce the environmental impact of the region’s businesses, brought together buyers and suppliers from across the North of England. It was organised by CO2Sense Yorkshire in partnership with its north-west and north-east counterparts Envirolink Northwest and Renew CPI. CO2Sense project manager Lorna Peacock said: “The event was a great success and we are thrilled with the turnout. “We’re confident that the event will lead directly to new business for these companies. “Three similar events organised in other regions in
■ IMPACT: CO2Sense project manager Lorna Peacock said the event was set to result in new business for suppliers taking part
the last 12 months helped generate more than £2m of new business for attending suppliers.” The West Yorkshire event
was attended by 82 green products and services suppliers from across Yorkshire, the north-west and the north-east. Representatives
had the opportunity to meet buyers from 26 companies and organisations in the public and private sectors. Suppliers attending the event offer a broad range of sustainable products and services – from recycled glass packaging and stationery to waste management consultancy and energy management. They held private and pre-scheduled 15 minute meetings with individual buyers to promote their products and services. Said Ms Peacock: “Increasing demand for sustainable products and services is a top priority for CO2Sense Yorkshire. “By improving supply chain sustainability, companies can reduce their costs, improve their environmental performance and reduce their carbon footprint. “It’s all part of our ongoing effort to help the region make the switch to a low carbon economy.”
Vocal support for telecoms provider A COMMUNICATIONS company in Huddersfield is looking to treble its turnover in two years and create new jobs following a landmark deal. Skelmanthope-based Direct Voice and Data is the first company in the UK to sign up to become an O-bit Local Business as part of O-bit Telecom’s reseller partnership network. Direct Voice and Data is now planning to recruit more staff to cope with anticipated growth following the tie-up with O-bit Telecom, which will enable it to benefit from the voice and data network provider’s industry expertise and back office support. “Becoming the first O-bit Local Business partner is the next exciting stage in our business’ history following our re-brand from Direct Telecom,” said Dave Henderson, managing director at Direct Voice and Data. “We are proud of our Yorkshire roots and want to continue to work with local businesses and bring employment opportunities to the local community.” Direct Voice and Data will take advantage of
benefits including access to an enhanced sales and marketing strategy, future-proof products and services and exclusive licensed partner use of O-bit’s enterprise resource planning software Ask Merlin. O-bit Telecom offers businesses a full range of telecoms products and services through a network of resellers and partners. This includes services such as SMS, non-geographic numbers, conferencing solutions and VoIP. Data services include broadband, hosting and leased lines. Buckinghamshire-based O-bit was founded in 2002 by chief executive Dave Breith and has achieved a placing in the Deloitte Fast 50. It employs 50 staff with a turnover exceeding £18m. As Direct Telecom, Direct Voice and Data Direct Telecom successfully sold and maintained telephone systems for 25 years. In recent years, it has extended its product portfolio to include a whole range of extended voice and data services.
Jamie going by the book Cream of Yorkshire A WEALTH management specialist is offering his clients some bedtime reading along with advice on their finances. Jamie Greaves, of Birkby-based Greaves Wealth Management, was so impressed by the impact that a Yorkshire businesswoman’s book on self-motivation had on his business that he ordered copies as gifts for his customers. Life skills consultant Angela Whitlock has managed large scale multi-million pound training projects for National Grid and the NHS. Her first book, Walk on the Grass, is a guide to goal orientation in business, education and life. “Her philosophy of challenging convention to inspire creative thinking is something I believe can help people achieve greater success in business and life,” said Mr Greaves. “Mindset has a major influence on business success and reading Angela’s book gave me renewed focus. “I wanted to give those I work with the opportunity to experience her coaching techniques for themselves as a way of thanking them for their loyalty.” As well as her book, which is
AN ice cream maker from Kirklees has been named among the best in Yorkshire. Denby Dale-based Yummy Yorkshire, led by Jeremy and Louise Holmes, won the food and drink category in the 2010 Yorkshire Rural Awards, organised by The Dalesman magazine. The award was presented at a gala evening held at Harrogate Pavilions and hosted by Yorkshire-born TV presenter
■ BOOK SHOW: Yorkshire life skills consultant Angela Whitlock and Jamie Greaves, of Greaves Wealth Management, with the books he has purchased as gifts for his clients
available in print and as an e-book online, Ms Whitlock runs workshops across Yorkshire. “The workshops are an opportunity for people to expand the boundaries of their thinking and behaviour to create a positive impact on their lives, whether at work, in their stud-
ies or within the home,” said Ms Whitlock. Greaves Wealth Management specialises in investment, pensions and inheritance tax planning. James Greaves joined the company in 2002.
John Craven. It is the latest in a string of accolades for Yummy Yorkshire, which earlier this year landed a contract to supply Huddersfield University with its cool concoctions. The university is getting a daily delivery of 250 litres of fresh milk from Yummy Yorkshire while four flavours of luxury dairy ice cream have also gone on sale at the university’s Cafe on 3rd.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Page 6
Industrial ‘sheds’ are back in favour
Stable contract for RNJ WORK is under way on a £3.5m historic tourist attraction in Yorkshire. The stable block at Nostell Priory, the 18th century Palladian house owned by the National Trust, is being refurbish in a project which also includes providing new car parking, a visitor meet and greet centre and drainage works to the grounds of the estate. Construction consultant RNJ, with offices in Wetherby and Newcastle upon Tyne, will act as quantity surveyor and co-ordinator for the scheme, which is set for completion in April next year. John Gibson, partner at RNJ, said: “This revamp at Nostell Priory will result in a range of new and updated facilities for visitors – including a shop, a restaurant, a function room and toilets together with National Trust offices and accommodation.” Nostell Priory is home to one of the largest and most diverse collections of Chippendale furniture in the world. It sits in 300 acres of parkland and was bought from Lord St Oswald by the National Trust with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Alongside RNJ, the project team on the stable block includes architects Rodney Melville and Partners, structural engineers SFK Consulting, services engineers Buro Happold and contractor Irwins Ltd.
DEMAND is rising for large warehouses and industrial “sheds” in Yorkshire, said a property expert. Owen Holder, partner with property consultancy Knight Frank, commented: “Occupiers of larger sheds are beginning to look in Yorkshire again – driven by the level of deals they can pick up on new buildings built speculatively during the ‘boom’ years. “These deals can represent savings on properties of up to 65% on deals being done two or three years ago. On longer-term leases, tenants can often negotiate two-to-three years rent free and a capital payment for a fit-out on top.” Mr Holder said flexible and shorter leases commanded fewer incentives, but terms could represent significant savings to tenants. Moreover, the potential was there to cover the capital expenditure involved in a move. “There is an abundance of choice and tenants are holding the cards at the moment,” he said. Opportunities to purchase were less readily available, but where occupiers could demonstrate an ability to finance a purchase free of bank involvement and move quickly, cost-effective opportunities were available. Mr Holder welcomed the confirmation in the recent Budget that the empty property rate exemption
■ BIG INTEREST: Industrial “sheds” built speculatively during the “boom” years are attracting interest says Owen Holder (above) of Knight Frank
threshold will be raised from £15,000 to £18,000 for the next financial year. But he said it was disappointing that former chancellor Alistair Darling decided before the general election not to enact the 50% relief for all vacant properties which was possible under the current Empty Property Act. “In the current recession businesses are ultimately the key drivers for the economy to recover and they
should not be subject to this draconian tax,” he said. “Any chances of a recovering in the commercial property market are being jeopardised by the controversial tax on unoccupied property. “Some businesses will continue to demolish existing unoccupied premises to escape the widely condemned financial burden of this tax. “There is also the fear that when the
economy does return to full steam, there’ll be a lack of commercial properties on the market, not only in Yorkshire but nationwide.” Added Mr Holder: “Properties are not left vacant deliberately and I do not believe a charge on empty property is an effective way of encouraging redevelopment of vacant sites across Yorkshire.”
Colliery site is set for £2m revamp CONSTRUCTION giant ISG has secured a deal as main contractor for a £2m scheme to kick-start the regeneration of a former colliery site. IG, which has offices at Bradford, will join forces with Wakefield Council to build a vocational learning resource centre for 14 to 19 year olds on brown-
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENTS CONSULTANT ADVISOR •
•
•
TRAFALGAR MILLS LEEDS ROAD HUDDERSFIELD HD2 1YY •
•
•
Retail Units To Let Huddersfield Road, Brighouse From 1,117sqft to 2,519sqft Situated in a busy town centre with a main road location. The premises are ideal for various uses (subject to planning) Terms available on application. Contact:
property
Paul Andrew Walker Singleton 01484 477600
Christine Eccleston MB Services 01484 557102
field land at South Kirkby colliery. That will mark the first phase of development at the site, which will also include a 64-acre business park, a new waste management facility and a large area of green public open space. The two-storey South East Learning Centre will house purpose-built training and educational facilities for students across sectors as diverse as construction and beauty therapy. It will also feature an events room, community facilities, a salon, workshops with a viewing gallery and a café area. The new building will also feature
roof-mounted photo voltaic cells to generate emission-free electricity. The project includes significant landscaping, a new car park and external seating areas. The scheme is scheduled for completion in early 2011. John Gittins, ISG regional managing director, said: “As part of the first phase of regeneration at the former South Kirkby Colliery site, the new South East Learning Centre will provide purpose-built teaching accommodation across a range of vocational courses. “The development highlights Wake-
field Council's commitment to enhancing regional 14 to 19 education provision, as well as its wider ambitions to redevelop the site and create new jobs by attracting businesses to the area, and also providing green public open space.” Cheryl Hobson, Wakefield Council’s service director, said: “This centre will make a real difference to the lives, education and aspirations of young people in the area. “It is also important for the south east of the district as this forms part of wider regeneration of the area.”
Punch puts 13 pubs up for sale PROPERTY agency Colliers CRE has been instructed to sell 13 managed public houses in Yorkshire on behalf of Punch Pub Company, the managed division of Punch Taverns plc. The properties – located throughout Yorkshire, the north-east and as far south as Nottingham – are available with guide prices from £450,000 to £1.25m. They include The Golden Lion in York, The Red Lion Inn in Sheffield
The licensed properties form part of a nationwide instruction for Colliers CRE to dispose of 36 managed public houses for Punch that can be sold either individually or as a whole package with a cumulative guide price exceeding £36m. James Boshier, head of estate development at Punch Taverns plc, said: “We have instructed Colliers CRE to actively market the sites due to the strength of its network of regional
licensed and leisure team.” Andrew Watt, head of Collier CRE’s Leeds office and director in the licensed and leisure team, said: “These public houses present an opportunity for individual entrepreneurs together with larger pub and hotel groups to obtain excellent assets.” Colliers CRE has more than 30 years experience in the licensed and leisure industry from advising developers, landlords and licensees.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Page 7
Big issues for societies BUILDING societies will need to change the way they deal with their core customers – and look beyond their t r a d i t i o n a l m a rke t s t o remain competitive, says a report. In its latest building societies update, business advice firm Deloitte warned: “As we enter into a post-credit crunch financial landscape, building societies will need to look beyond traditional markets as a means to sustain and grow profitability, and in order to increase overall competitiveness. “This may include looking for strategic bolt-on acquisitions, mergers or peer group alliances or identifying niche markets which can be moved into quickly and exited as required. “Other initiatives such as divesting non-core activities to raise capital and imple-
■ WARNING: Stephen Williams, head of Deloitte's building societies practice
menting cost reduction measures to improve the customer experience will help leave societies best-fit for purpose.” The report said the way the
FOR SALE – PRELIMINARY NOTICE Braemar & Northfield House
■ WINNING LINES: Huddersfield University’s striking creative arts building was among the winners in the 2009 RIBA Yorkshire White Rose Awards
White Rose Awards seeks best buildings PROPERTY sector companies are being urged to take part in a major award scheme. Entries are being sought for the 2010 Royal Institute of British Architects Yorkshire White Rose Awards, which recognise the region’s most innovative building projects and architectural practices. Winners last year include Huddersfield University’s creative arts building, One Brewery Wharf in Leeds, the Royal Hotel in Harrogate and Shibden Hall Park in Halifax. This year’s awards include two new categories celebrating interior design and housing. Entries must be received by 4pm on Friday, June 4. Judges will draw up a shortlist and the winners will be announced at a black tie event on Friday, November 26, at Sheffield City Hall. Individual awards will be made for conservation, landscape, sustainability and small projects in addition to the new
categories of interior design and housing. Emma England, regional director of RIBA Yorkshire, said: “We hope that these new categories reflect current practice in design and architecture in our region. “By expanding the awards to include interior design, we will create a new showcase to promote interior design projects that have previously gone unrecognised. We are very pleased to be launching the Housing Award as RIBA Yorkshire is particularly interested in this sector.” All competition entries are automatically entered into the White Rose Awards for Architecture which can result in a bronze, silver or gold award. Special recognition in the form of the Client of the Year and Building of the Year awards are presented to the most outstanding buildings or developments of the past 12 months. For more details go to www.architecture.com
Snelsins Road, Cleckheaton
1 Substantial detached period office buildings 1 276.67m2 & 399.4m2 (2,978 sq ft & 4,299 sq ft) 1 Potential redevelopment opportunity on site of 0.7 Acres Guide Price: On Application
TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION
Unit 9 Brookfoot Business Park Elland Road, Brighouse
1 High quality modern workshop unit 1 Easy access to Junction 25 of M62 motorway 1 Ample car parking and service yard provision 1 735.23m2 (7,914 sq ft) Rent: On Application. Joint Agents: Hansons
TO LET – NEW INSTRUCTION
Industrial Unit
Armytage Road, Brighouse
1 Modern workshop unit 1 Ease of access to Junction 25 of M62 motorway 1 511m2 (5,500 sq ft) Rent: On Application
TO LET
Modern Self Contained Office Premises
The Studio, Riverside Mills, Elland
1 113.72m2 (1,224 sq ft) 1 High quality specification open plan & private offices 1 6 car parking spaces & ample overflow Further Details: On Application
Financial Services Authority deals with building societies was set to change. In addition, recent Revenue & Customs requests for access to unprecedented amounts of information may have significant implications for the sector. Stephen Williams, head Deloitte’s building societies practice, said: “There is a lot to do on a sector-wide basis to ensure a fair deal for the industry – whether that be attracting additional funding from public bodies or agreeing an acceptable new form of core capital. “However, there are clear and significant opportunities for the sector as customers continue to realise that building societies are still trusted and are able to offer innovative and valued products to their members.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Lee Hayes
Bibby Financial BUSINESS finance firm Bibby Financial Services has bolstered its construction finance team in Yorkshire by appointing Lee Hayes as business development manager for the region. Mr Hayes will be using 20 years’ experience in financial services to promote Bibby Financial Services’ specialist construction finance services to the sector in Yorkshire and the north-east. He will be based at the company’s office in Cleckheaton. Before joining Bibby Financial Services, Mr Hayes (pictured) worked at Bank of Ireland for four years, providing high value investment deals to property developers in the region. Before that, he worked for Bank of Scotland Corporate, HSBC and Halifax. Jason Heath, product director, construction finance, said: “With 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector, Mr Hayes has much to offer Bibby Financial Services. His knowledge of the business landscape in Yorkshire will enable him to work closely with financial intermediaries in the region and educate them as to how Bibby’s financial support can help their clients realise their plans for commercial growth.”
David Price
PwC DAVID Price has been appointed senior manager by PricewaterhouseCoopers in Yorkshire. Mr Price will specialise in tax human resources service for the technology, information, communication, entertainment and energy industries. Among his responsibilities at various times, Mr Price was director of personnel for the command team at West Midlands Police and a non-executive director for the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Health Trust. He has also worked with local government and the power industry. Mr Price was acted as a university lecturer and management/leadership trainer. He also undertook a secondment to Detroit Edison in America, where he was given the task of reviewing workforce planning dynamics in comparison with the UK power generation industry. PwC also announced that two of its personnel have been appointed to senior posts with Leeds Chartered Accountants Students’ Society. Gareth Baigent, manager at PwC in Leeds, becomes president following as year as vice-president in 2008/9 and chairman in 2005/6. He succeeds Jen Grafham, of Kaplan Financial. Hayley Crosby, a senior associate at PwC, will chair the society and succeeds Dan Kelsall, of Zolfo Cooper. The society represents individuals training to be chartered accountants. It organise events through out the year to enhance students' personal development and improving their networking skills.
Movers and shakers
Latest bulletin from Michelle SPENBOROUGH businesswoman Suzanne Johns has teamed up with a former TV presenter to offer broadcast media training to companies across the UK. Suzanne, who is managing director of Approach PR, is working with former ITV Calendar journalist and presenter Michelle Gee on the new venture. Supported by cameraman Malik Walton, Michelle and the Approach PR team are putting local, national and international businesses in the spotlight to prepare for unexpected or planned television and radio interviews. The media training is a further expansion to Approach PR’s recently launched training arm Approachability.
Said Suzanne: “Michelle and Malik have interviewed, recorded and attended every conceivable news scenario during their combined 40 years in television.” Michelle, who presented on Calendar from 1995 to 2009, said: “Working as a Calendar presenter and broadcast journalist until very recently means I know exactly what TV and radio journalists are looking for and what is happening behind the scenes in the studio and editing suite. “This knowledge, combined with the Approach team’s PR expertise, means we have a finely tuned media training offering which we’re looking TV STARS: Michelle Gee (left), former Calendar forward to rolling out regionally and ■ presenter and journalist, with Suzanne Johns, managing nationally.” director of Approach PR
Town fans are on a road trip!
Stephanie Chitty
Manifest HUDDERSFIELD-based Manifest Communications has appointed Stephanie Chitty as an account executive at its London office. Ms Chitty (pictured) will work on the agency’s public relations accounts with special focus on clients Sanyo and Harman Technology. She joins the agency, which has its headquarters at New North Road, from RSW, where she worked with both technology and consumer PR clients. She brings significant experience from her time with Microsoft Gold Partner, Joskos. Alex Myers, director at Manifest London, said: “Stephanie is an exciting addition to the team and it’s great to welcome her to Manifest London.”
Page 8
■ CLUB CARS: Paul Hoyle (left), of RTR, with Town’s Mark Davies
A PARTNERSHIP to keep Town fans on the road has been unveiled. Huddersfield Town has joined forces with Road to Recovery to offer supporters free breakdown and recovery cover. RTR managing director Paul Hoyle and business development manager Andy Rowley are both life-long fans of the Terriers. RTR operates a “pay as you go” service with a national network of recovery operators to offer a recovery service at discounted prices without having to pay an annual insurance premium. Motorists simply stick the badge on the inside left of the car windscreen and call the number on the badge if
they break down. The call centre tells the motorist who will attend and the motorist pays the recovery operator at the RTR special rate. If the vehicle has been involved in an accident that is not the fault of the driver, the driver may also be covered for a replacement vehicle and RTR will process the claim without bothering the driver’s own insurance company. This will also include the provision of any legal representation and full repair of your vehicle. As part of the Town tie-in, RTR windscreen badges have been specially prepared with the Town logo and are available at the club Megastore and ticket office at the Galpharm Sta-
Techmesh happy with its Liquid asset A HUDDERSFIELD company is backing a new regional network aimed at boosting the Yorkshire It and telecoms sector. Longwood-based Liquid Accounts is sponsoring Techmesh. Liquid Accounts, which provides accountancy software packages has become a strategic marketing partner of Techmesh. Liquid Accounts will make its debut in support of the network at Techmesh:TechTalk, which takes place next Tuesday in Leeds. The event will involve a discussion about Cloud Computing and its role and benefits for the future of business. Matt Holme (pictured), managing director of Liquid Accounts – who was named Young Business Person of the Year in the 2009 Examiner Business Awards – will be on the panel alongside representatives from IT giant Microsoft. Richard Holmes, director of strategic partnerships at Liquid Accounts, said: “We are delighted to have agreed this sponsorship deal with Techmesh. “It allows us to meet with companies from across the region at Techmesh’s highly regarded events. “By attending these events since signing the sponsorship deal, we have already interacted with a range of reputable national businesses as well as smaller, regional businesses in Yorkshire and Humberside. “The deal also allows Matt, our MD and in-house Cloud expert, to speak at a number of events throughout the year.” Techmesh’s role is to act as an umbrella organisation for businesses and individuals working in IT and telecoms in the region. It puts them in contact with sources of funding information, market intelligence, emerging technologies and research and development opportunities.