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KATE HARDC ASTLE Singing town’s praises
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An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Firms missing out on overseas trade
COMPANIES in Huddersfield need to switch on to exports – after a shock survey showed many of them are unaware of the help on offer to get them trading overseas. T h e s u r v e y b y b u s iness-to-business website Alibaba.com showed that 98% of Huddersfield small business owners polled were unaware of the initiatives available to get them into international markets. That’s despite the existence of schemes run by organisations such as the Government’s export support arm UK Trade and Investments and the help available from bodies such as Business Link and Yorkshire Forward. And while 77% of bosses questioned agreed that global trading opportunities were “significant” a massive 93% held the view that it was tough
ive of UK Trade & Investment, said: “This is a wake-up call for Huddersfield companies. “Exports can transform the fortunes of a company by finding new markets for their products. “At UK Trade & Investment, we want more firms to find out how they can achieve their export potential.” Maggie Choo, director of Alibaba.com EMEA, said it was pleasing that 77% of Huddersfield entrepreneurs recognised the advantages of linking up with firms over■ TRADE TIPS: Andrew Cahn, chief executive officer of UK seas. Trade & Investment; and Maggie Choo, director of Alibaba.com, But the vast majority had warn that Huddersfield companies risk missing opportunities to little idea of how to go about expand because they are unaware of the help for exporters forging business relationships with foreign partners – or even to find foreign partners. But UKTI said going global who to approach for guidOne in four felt not enough was one way of building busi- ance. was being done to support the ness back up in the wake of the She said Alibaba.com now g r o w t h o f s m a l l a n d recession. h a d m o re t h a n 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 medium-sized firms. Andrew Cahn, chief execut- UK-based users and was com-
mitted to helping them realise their potential – and show them how easy it is to begin trading successfully on an international scale. “By raising awareness of the help and guidance on offer from government schemes, regional development agencies and the Alibaba.com online community, we can show SMEs how to grow their business ideas into long-term ventures with a profitable future,” she said. Mr Cahn said: “Ninety percent of our customers are SMEs and we helped them to generate £3.6bn in additional profit in the last 12 months. Among the initiatives on offer, UK Trade & Investment provides grants of up to £1,800 for businesses to take part in overseas trade shows – helping firms get a foothold in overseas markets.
Companies feel the chill of a turbulent winter KIRKLEES firms face a turbulent winter, an accountancy expert has warned. Companies could find themselves struggling to make headway – with the prospect of subdued trading over Christmas and the January 1 increase in VAT combining to hit them for six. Michael Freedman, president of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants, said: “Many SMEs have
already had a tough year. For a number of them a combination of factors in January means it could be the final straw. “There are, however, various practical steps that businesses can take to ensure that they make it through the winter and face the new season on a positive note.” Mr Freedman said many small businesses experienced their highest sales
during the festive period – but experts fear consumers will rein in spending this year following the impact of the recession. Firms should plan their cash flow to ensure they put money aside in case sales fail to meet expectations. Firms needing extra finance to cover shortfalls should search out the best deals to avoid unnecessary expense. Mr Freedman said Revenue & Customs had pledged to employ a “light
touch” in dealing with errors arising from the January 1 rise in VAT from 15% to 17.5%. And he stressed: “If there is an overlap of goods and/or services around December 31, the VAT charge can be split on a fair and reasonable basis so that 15% tax is charged on work carried out before December 31, 2009 and 17.5% on work carried out after this date.”
INSIDE ‘Thrifty mindset’ THE recession could benefit the environment – by leaving Yorkshire firms with a “thrifty” mindset and keen to make energy savings. A report by an environmental support group says that 64% of companies in the region have gained a more detailed knowledge of their resource use as a result of the downturn.
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They’re a glass act A GLAZING firm is inadvertently polishing up the image of Canada – after a shot of one of its spectacular projects featured in a high-profile presentation to potential investors in Toronto.
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Airport ownership ‘thrown into chaos’ THE future of UK airport ownership was thrown into disarray after BAA won a partial victory against a Competition Commission ruling forcing it to sell three airports. The Competition Appeal Tribunal concluded “with the greatest reluctance” that a claim by BAA of “apparent bias” in the CC decision was successful. However, BAA’s appeal on the grounds that the CC had not allowed sufficient time for the sales failed. BAA had challenged the legality of the CC decision to make it sell Gatwick and Stansted airports as well as one of either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Following the CAT decision, the tribunal has invited the CC and BAA to make further submissions relating to
the bias claim with a view to holding a further hearing in the new year. This means further delay in sorting out airport ownership after the CC’s original ruling that BAA’s ownership of seven UK airports was uncompetitive. BAA had put forward a case of “apparent bias” saying that Prof Peter Mozier, one of the CC airports inquiry panel, had “a powerful connection” to Manchester Airport Group, which had been interested in buying Gatwick. When the appeal was heard in October, the CAT was told that Prof Mozier’s presence meant that the inquiry was “riven through with an acute and intolerable conflict of interest”. Tribunal president, Mr Justice Barling, said the apparent bias appeal
■ FLIGHT CHECK: BAA has won only a partial victory in its battle with the Competition Commission
had bee upheld unanimously by the three-strong panel, but said the tribunal had reached its decision “with the greatest reluctance”.
The CAT said that BAA had emphasised from the outset of proceedings that its contention was “one of apparent bias as that concept is understood in the light of the case law, and that there is no allegation that Prof Mozier was actually biased”. BAA’s second grounds for appeal referred to what BAA considered was far too short a time, given the economic climate, to dispose of its airports. The appeal tribunal’s unanimous decision was that the challenge on that ground failed. Spanish-owned BAA had already agreed in October to sell Gatwick for £1.51bn to US-based investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners, the owner of London City Airport .
Rail revenues remain off track
LSE turns to Turquoise
S T RU G G L I N G t r a n s p o r t f i r m National Express said rail revenues were still under pressure – despite signs of recovery elsewhere in the business. The firm, which handed back its loss-making East Coast Main Line franchise in November, reported “reduced demand” for East Anglian services, where revenues are being supported by the Government. But National Express said its UK coach business had returned to growth in the final quarter of the year and bus revenues were “resilient”. The company has endured a turbulent 2009 with the loss of its East Coast deal, takeover approaches
THE London Stock Exchange has announced a deal to acquire its loss-making rival Turquoise. The agreement will see the LSE take a 60% stake in the smaller trading platform and give it a trading presence across Europe. It should also help repair the exchange’s relationships with the major investment banks. Turquoise was set up in 2006 by a consortium of nine investment banks, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, in an attempt to force the LSE to lower its fees. It was officially launched in August last year, but has yet to make a profit
and a public row with its biggest shareholder. Last week, it raised £360m in a rights issue and appointed Tube Lines boss Dean Finch as chief executive as it bids to put a “challenging” year behind it. National Express ran into trouble by overbidding for the East Coast deal before recession struck and crippled revenues. The company will lose its East Anglian and c2c commuter deals in 2011 after surrendering the franchise to the Gover nment last month. The firm issued a profits warning in October.
and reported losses of £15.7m for last year after the financial crisis disrupted growth plans. David Lester, head of IT at the LSE, is expected to head up the new venture, which will be run as an independent operation. The investment banks that founded Turquoise will hold a 40% stake in the new business. The LSE has faced pressure from smaller trading platforms such as Chi-X and BATS and recently said average daily trades in London had fallen by 10% to 633m in the five months to August 31.
Page 2 Fines hit new high THE City watchdog handed out a record £34.8m worth of fines during 2009, it has emerged. The fines levied on firms by the Financial Services Authority for breaching its rules were 53% higher than in 2008, according to City law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain. The average fine per company was £891,000 – up by 97% on the 2008 figure of £453,000 – while there were eight £1m fines made against financial services firms this year. Despite the increase in the overall value of the fines, the number of fines was fell to 39 from 50 last year.
Firm in debt deal THE owner of dry cleaning business Johnsons has secured new banking facilities through to April, 2013. Johnson Service Group, which has more than 500 outlets, agreed the £78.5m facility with Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and Abbey owner Santander. Johnson said it had reduced debt over the last year, with borrowing falling from £78.5m in December, 2008, to £69m at the end of this month.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £25.29 +0.11 Gannett 879.54 +10.57 Hess Corp £36.44 +0.63 Microsoft 1893.95 +6.83 Motors Liquidation 46.62 Wal-Mart Stores £33.10 +0.25 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE BAE Systems 3461/8 +31/4 Rolls-Royce Gp 484 +4 Smiths Grp 975 +21 1 VT Group 528 /2 +61/2 AIM Brady Plc 621/2 Dawson Intl 11/2 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1147/8 +2 BANKS Barclays 273 +83/4 HSBC 7021/2 +221/2 1 Lloyds Banking Gp 49 /4 +1/2 Ryl Scotland 293/4 Stan Chart 1543 +481/2 BEVERAGES Diageo 1063 +5 SABMiller 1799 +4 CHEMICALS Croda 7811/2 +41/2 Delta 134 +11/2 Elementis 98 50 +13/4 Johnsn Mat 1497 +3 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2523/4 +85/8 Costain 233/4 -1/4 ELECTRICITY 1
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Intl Power 3035/8 +57/8 Scottish & Sthrn 1140 +23 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 1765/8 +33/4 Invensys 2873/4 +51/4 Laird 1291/4 +33/8 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 313 +61/8 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1403/4 +21/2 C&W 1411/8 +13/4 3 Colt Telecom 134 /4 +21/4 3 KCOM 44 /4 +1/4 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2723/4 +21/8 Sainsbury 3187/8 +27/8 Tesco 4161/2 +97/8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 816 +111/2 Cadbury 792 +51/2 Nth Foods 651/2 +3/4 Tate Lyle 427 +71/4 Unilever 1950 +25 -13/4 Uniq 251/2 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 2723/8 +43/8 National Grid 6481/2 +3 Pennon Grp 528 +6 Severn 1081 +16 +101/8 United Utils 5041/2 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2743/4 +43/8 ICAP 4157/8 +61/2 London StockExch 706 -111/2 Man Group 3011/4 +51/4 1
Schroders 1275 +19 Schroders NV 1030 +24 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Avon Rbbr 1001/2 Cooksn Grp 4093/4 +141/2 REXAM 2771/2 +5 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 131/4 DSG International 355/8 -1/8 Home Retail 2863/8 +3 +1/4 Inchcape 291/4 Kingfisher 2223/8 +1 1 M&S 398 /8 +1/8 Mothercare 676 +3 +1/2 Next £203/4 WH Smith 515 +1 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 633 +101/2 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 1171/2 +21/2 Barrat Dev 114 -13/4 3 Persimmon 445 /4 +53/4 Reckitt Benckiser £327/8 +1/2 Taylor Wimpey 343/8 +3/8 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 701 +11 IMI 5131/2 +9 Man Brnze 111 INDUSTRIAL METALS Ferrexpo 184 -41/8 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1561/8 -1/2 Forth Ports 1110 -6 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3843/4 +15 1
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1071/4 +37/8 625 +27 87 +25/8 2051/4 +21/4 MEDIA BSkyB 5621/2 +71/2 Chrysalis 1011/4 +3/4 D Mail Tst 4155/8 +111/2 ITV 531/4 +13/8 Johnston Press 231/4 Pearson 879 +17 Reed Elsevier 500 +6 STV Group 48 +1 3 Trinity Mirror 144 /8 +23/4 Utd Business 4561/2 +11 UTV 103 +3 WPP 604 +71/2 3 Yell Group 39 /4 -1/4 MINING Anglo American £261/2 +1/2 Antofagasta 911 +6 BHP Billiton 1909 +26 Eurasian Natural 8651/2 +51/2 Res Fresnillo 7801/2 +11/2 Kazakhmys 1261 +11 Lonmin 1839 +44 Rio Tinto £32 +3/4 VEDANTA £241/2 +1/2 RESOURCES 1 Xstrata 1053 /2 +341/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 674 +111/2 Vodafone Group 1415/8 +15/8 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1146 +33 RSA Insurance Gp 1183/8 +11/2 Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Shire
Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Instore Marshalls National Grid Rensburg Sheppards Weir Gp
1391/2 12 45/8 88 6481/2 6291/2
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FTSE closed at
5293.9 Up 97.1
BG 1105 +18 +145/8 BP 5911/8 7 Cairn Energy £31 /8 +13/8 Norsk Hdro 507 +27 1 Royal Dutch Shell A 1834 /2 +461/2 Royal Dutch Shell B 1767 +48 Total £39 +11/8 Tullow Oil 1278 +26 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Petrofac 981 +6 Wood Group 300 +51/2 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 582 +151/2 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £283/8 +1/8 Axis-Shield 3881/4 +4 1
1191 REAL ESTATE Brit Land 452 DTZ Hldgs 69 Hamrsn 392 Land Secs 6461/2 SEGRO 333 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1500 Dimension Data 72 Logica 1153/4 Misys 2105/8 Sage Group 2231/4 SUPPORT SERVICES AMEC 780 Bunzl 652 Capita 7331/2 Davis Service 388 Group De La Rue 9821/2 Electrocomp 1647/8 Experian 615 G4S 2605/8 Hays 1011/4 Homeserve 1662 Menzies J 304 Rentokil 1101/8 Smiths News 107 Wolseley 1205 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 1723/4 Psion 911/2 Spirent Comms 981/4 TOBACCO Br Am Tob 19491/2 Imperial Tobacco 1910 LEISURE & HOTELS 5
+16 +87/8 +11/2 +43/4 +81/2 +35/8 +13 -1/4 +1 +11/4 -1 +5 +41/2 +13 +2 +9 +5/8 +31/2 +21/4 -1/4 +12 +4 +21/8 +39 +23/8 +31/2 +5/8 +12 +39 1
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
193 £211/2 4511/2 3573/4 951/8 4063/8 1309 420 891 1363/4 257 1877/8 2531/8 82 1661/8 2531/2 1386
+41/2 +1/2 +51/4 +7 +5/8 +37/8 +8 +73/8 +24 +3/4 +2 +15/8 -7/8 +11/4 +1/2 +21/4 +14
FTSE 100
INDEX 5293.99
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FTSE 250
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TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.73 dollars Bangladesh................. 105.31 taka Brazil.............................. 2.57 reals Canada....................... 1.64 dollars China ............................. 9.85 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.27 korunas Denmark....................... 7.98 krone Euro............................... 1.08 euro Hong Kong................ 11.87 dollars Hungary................... 279.34 forints India.......................... 66.57 rupees Japan........................... 138.98 yen Mexico ....................... 18.48 pesos New Zealand .............. 2.12 dollars Norway ......................... 9.00 krone Pakistan.................. 128.29 rupees Philippines ................. 64.50 pesos South Africa.................. 11.52 rand South Korea.............. 1663.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 174.06 rupees Sweden....................... 11.20 krona Switzerland.................. 1.60 francs Taiwan ...................... 45.63 dollars Turkey....................... 2.31 new lira USA ............................ 1.54 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS KATE Hardcastle loves to sing the praises of her hometown. Work may take the busy Huddersfield businesswoman to Hong Kong, China and New York, but she is always glad to return to her Holywell Green home nestling in the hills between Huddersfield and Halifax. “I am a Yorkshire girl and very proud of it,” she says. “Nothing delights me more than being at a board meeting in Canary Wharf and having the broadest Yorkshire accent in the room!” But she believes Huddersfield should make more of itself. “I don’t ‘do’ Leeds and Manchester,” she says. “I can get what they have to offer online. I love Lindley because it has some fabulous independent shops. If I have visitors to Huddersfield I take them to the independent shops – the unique tea shops, florists and boutiques. “I hate the idea of a Starbucks on every corner. I am all for famous brands, because that’s how I have made my name – but I am worried that in 10 years’ time Huddersfield will be a carbon copy of every other town. “We have a wonderful industrial heritage. We have young fashion designers here and all the work of the students at Huddersfield University. We should be celebrating everything we do.” When Kate has a few hours to spare from her work and charity commitments, she enjoys strolling through the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with her dog. “It is a fantastic facility,” she says. “But like a lot of our gems – such as the Lawrence Batley Theatre and Halifax Piece Hall – it seems to be under-loved and undervalued.” Fartown-born Kate is probably just the person to help raise the profile of the town – given her track record helping some of the biggest names in business to develop their brands. Kate and business partner Richard Gomersal head brand transformation business Insight With Passion, which has bases in Huddersfield, Birstall and Cheshire, but deals with companies of all sizes as far afield as Edinburgh, Southampton and Ireland. Client firms all have something in common – they know they need to change what they do and the way they do it. “I can be working with a small family business that is really in a make-or-break situation,” she says. “You get emotionally involved with companies like that. I like to roll my sleeves up and get stuck in. I may be handing out flyers to Saturday morning shoppers for one retail client, then discussing corporate strategy with a blue chip company.”
profile
Kate’s leader of the brand! for marketing and promotion when she was a pupil at Brooksbank School in Elland and she became the singer in a band called The Fabulous BB Kings. “I enjoy singing, but I was frustrated that the band wasn’t on television,” she says. “So I began ringing round concert organisers and managed to get the band booked. When Sky started covering Rugby League I rang them saying they should use our band to provide pre-match entertainment.” It seems a celebrity career beckoned, but the band broke up and at 18 Kate decided her destiny lay in marketing. “I got the opportunity with a furniture manufacturer in Dewsbury, which was making metal fold-away beds,” she says. “I was pushing for them to make ‘posher’ metal beds.” Kate was with the firm for five years – and was promoted to her boss’s job – before moving to Silentnight, where her work on the firm’s branding earned her the title of Young Marketer of the Year. “I went to the national finals in Fleet Street and had to make a presentation to business leaders from Shell UK and Sainsbury’s” she recalls. “I made the presentation wearing Silentnight’s ‘brand’ of blue and white pyjamas. It just seemed logical. Why wouldn’t I? I was very passionate about it.” Insight With Passion sums up Kate’s philosophy – to provide a company with an outsider’s view of its business and demonstrate wholehearted commitment to helping it achieve its goals. The agency’s latest development is to launch a Personal Branding Service and website offering individual business professionals help to promote themselves. This new package, heralded as “a style makeover for businessmen
and women” allows individuals to develop their own personal brand. It certainly worked for tycoons like Richard Branson and Donald Trump. Says Kate: “Jordan and Kylie are celebrity brands, but so were Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. It just wasn’t called branding then. It’s about helping the business leader to communicate – helping with the internal and external PR. “Failure to communicate is often the biggest problem for companies of all sizes. You may have a board of three or four people who want to make changes, but think their workforce won’t like it, so they fail to communicate with them properly. Yet the workers are their biggest asset.” Kate also believes companies and their bosses must make themselves part of their local community – by helping local charities or supporting local causes. She practises what she preaches as part of singing group The Charity Dreamgirls. They were acclaimed as Star of the Week on TV’s Paul O’Grady Show and even drew a sizeable unsolicited donation from Andrew Lloyd Webber
Page 3 Kate Hardcastle
Role: Business partner Age: 33 Family: Married Holidays: Miami Car: Mercedes SLK First job: Saturday job as a pizza maker Best thing about job: Helping different businesses Worst thing about job: I loathe travelling Business tip: Passion, persuasion and persistence
Insight With Passion who was impressed by their work to help charities through music. “I have always enjoyed singing,” says Kate. “With The Charity Dreamgirls, I get to sing and help charities throughout the year. “It also keeps me very
‘grounded’. I may be speaking to a high-powered meeting of business people during the day – then get heckled on stage on a Saturday night at the Ramada Hotel in Leeds!”
HENRYK ZIENTEK
Work: Business transformation Employs: Seven Site: Holywell Green, Birstall and Cheshire Phone: 01484 460909 Email: kate@insight withpassion .co.uk
At Robertson Baxter you deal directly with the owners of the company, we take pride in providing the highest possible level of advice & personal service We often find that clients who come to us have outgrown their existing firm of advisers. They appreciate our fresh approach & more focused strategy for the future As an independent, discreet wealth management company your circumstances are our starting point to provide exceptional financial planning & investment management that is bespoke to you Meet with us to discuss how this could benefit you
Greg Robertson Stephen Baxter T 01484 608 095 www.robertsonbaxter.co.uk The Mill, 150 Penistone Road, Shelley, Huddersfield, HD8 8JQ ■ INSIGHT: Kate Hardcastle is backing her home town
Robertson Baxter Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
local Fortunes improve for local firms MANUFACTURING firms in Yorkshire have reported a slight improvement in their fortunes. A survey by manufacturing industry group the EEF and business advisory firm BDO showed that output and orders for the region’s manufacturers had stabilised but remained “disappointingly weak” during the final quarter of the year. E x p o r t p ro s p e c t s h a d improved as the weak pound and recovering world markets began to have a positive impact on overseas sales. But companies were particularly concerned about a lack of cash flow while jobs continued to be lost, although at a slower pace. Confidence across manufacturing remained fragile, the report added. The survey said signs of a s t ro n g r e b o u n d i n 2 0 1 0 remained “elusive” and added: “There is little to suggest that we are in for anything other than a long, slow haul out of recession.” The EEF said evidence from previous recessions suggested investment could take three to four years to recover – while the steep cutbacks of the current downturn were a “significant” threat to competitiveness.
Page 4
Andrew is on the fast track
■ RACE WINNER: Andrew Denford, chairman and founder of F1 in Schools and chief executive of Brighouse company Denford Ltd, with his award
BUSINESSMAN Andrew Denford was among the winners at a glittering awards ceremony – for his efforts to interest students in technology. Mr Denford, chief executive of Brighouse-based engineering firm Denford Ltd, was recognised at the Autosport Awards for his work as chairman and founder of F1 in Schools. He was presented with the Pioneering and Innovation in Motorsport Award along with F1 in Schools patron Ross Brawn, principal of the Brawn Grand Prix team, and Christian Horner, principal of Red Bull Racing. F1 in Schools now takes its place alongside previous category winners including the HANS device – a safer crash barrier now used at race tracks around the world. F1 in Schools sets school children aged 11 to 18 the challenge of designing, testing, making and racing miniature Formula One cars made from balsa wood and powered by carbon dioxide cylinders. The competition attracts entries from across the world. Commenting on the award, Mr
Denford said: “This is a fantastic achievement for F1 in Schools. We reach out to more than 15m students around the world, introducing them to Formula 1 and using its popularity to encourage them to consider science, technology, engineering and mathematics as a career. “The world of Formula 1 has embraced our initiative – with all the teams supporting us – which has been a very important part of our success. We can help to attract young, bright engineers to the industry and we hope that through our efforts, we will nurture the Ross Brawns of the future.” Mr Denford added: “As we approach our 10th anniversary, we have grown from a UK competition to a global initiative in more than 30 countries. We hope that our success will continue and we can support the F1 industry with top engineers in the future, through their participation in the F1 in Schools programme.” The annual Autosport Awards drew more than 1,000 luminaries from motor sport industry, including newly crowned F1 world champion, Jenson Button.
Taxation deadline looms
HE January 31 Tax Return filing deadline T for the submission of individual, partnership and trust tax returns for the year
ended April 5, 2009 is looming large on the horizon. For those who have yet to submit their returns, urgent attention is required in order to avoid automatic late filing penalties. The penalty for submitting a late return is £100. This is restricted to the lower of £100 or the amount of tax outstanding for 2009/10.
W&S Wheawill & Sudworth “TAX STRATEGIES FOR ALL SEASONS” Get some innovative thinking and ideas to help your business:
➣ Remuneration planning for family companies ➣ Incentivising key employees ➣ New structures for professional partnerships ➣ Tax breaks for capital and R&D investment ➣ CGT mitigation on company sales Contact Colin Barratt or Andrew Rainbow for further details Wheawill & Sudworth Chartered Accountants, Business & Tax Advisers, Registered Auditors 35 Westgate, Huddersfield, HD1 1PA Tel 01484 423691 Fax 01484 518803 W www.wheawills.co.uk
TAX TALK Colin Barrett
For partnerships whose business tax return is not submitted in time, a £100 penalty per partner will be levied which is not restricted. Returns will need to be submitted to the Revenue “online” using their own internet site or commercially approved software. If you intend using the Revenue’s site for the first time, you will need to register with them as soon as possible to be able to file meet the filing deadline. The Revenue will no longer accept returns sent in paper form and such returns will, in all but the most exceptional circumstances, attract a late filing penalty. Submitting the tax return in time will stop the automatic late filing penalty, as will making sure any tax due for 2008/09 is paid by January 31. Except for partnership returns where the penalty is payable whether tax is paid by the individual partners or not. Late paid tax will be subject to interest charges with the current interest rate being 3%. A 5% surcharge will be added if any tax for
2008/09 remains outstanding at February 28. For businesses struggling to pay their tax due to the effects of the recession, it may be possible to arrange with the Revenue to pay the tax over an agreed period of time by contacting their Business Payment Support telephone centre on 0845 3021435. However, those intent on filing late so as to avoid paying tax should be aware that the Revenue can, with the agreement of the Commissioners, impose a penalty of up to £60 per day for overdue tax returns and it is becoming common for them to take this course of action. If this penalty is charged it will stick even if there is no tax to pay, unlike the automatic late filing penalty, so it is potentially very severe. For some who have a tax liability every year there may also be a requirement to make payments on account of the current year at the same time as the payment for the last year. This is automatically 50% of last year’s tax bill and is payable on January 31 and July 31. If income falls each payment on account can be reduced to 50% of the expected current year’s tax bill. If income goes up and the tax bill will be more, the payments on account do not have to be increased, but, of course, come January 31 next year it will be catch up time, so you may want to put a bit aside to avoid having to raid the piggy bank or get into arrears with the Revenue.
Colin Barrett is tax partner at Wheawill and Sudworth chartered accountants, Huddersfield
KIRKLEES BUSIN Learning to be more thrifty THE recession could leave a valuable legacy for businesses in Yorkshire – as more firms adopt a “thrifty” mindset and seek energy savings. So says a report by environmental support group Envirowise. The Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report – which encompasses responses from more than 500 companies – reveals that 64% of respondents in Yorkshire have developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and resource use as a result of the recession. This includes everything from investment in raw materials, transport and energy to staffing, equipment and professional services. Some 69% of respondents in the region said their business had become thriftier in its spending habits and more careful about using resources efficiently as a result of the recession. And this “thrift shift” is set to continue with 78% of respondents expecting to be more careful about how they use their resources once recovery comes. Elin Crebbin, Envirowise regional manager for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Yorkshire businesses have been facing some serious challenges as a result of the recession. “However, it is also clear that for many companies this period of economic difficulty has stimulated a more resource-conscious mindset, galvanising environmental commitments that had perhaps been lower down the business agenda. “We know from experience that resource efficiency goes hand-in-hand with profitability, so it is encouraging to see better management of raw materials, energy and water forming an important component of the business response to recession in the region.”
Spirited effort for Christmas BOSSES are doing their best to preserve the Christmas spirit in the face of tough trading, it is claimed. A survey by the Institute of Directors showed that 58% of directors planned to let staff leave early at Christmas while 50% were sending Christmas cards to business colleagues and clients. And 32% of directors planned to make a charitable donation or undertake charitable activity for Christmas.
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Energy plant is focus for visitor
A SENIOR Whitehall official has visited a revolutionary energy-from-waste plant in Huddersfield. Phil Wynn Owen, director-general with responsibility for climate change and consumer support at the Department of Energy, was given a tour of the plant, which is run by SITA UK. He was joined by representatives of the Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber, Go East and Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council. The tour was part of a fact-finding visit to the region organised for Mr Owen, who has taken up his post only recently. SITA UK general manager Glennys Robinson said: “SITA UK and Kirklees Council have worked closely together for many years and are examining new collaborations for the future. “Although the visit was not directly to do with our plans, it was good to be able to show what we do now and raise ideas that we have in mind.” She said: “Mr Owen fully recognised the importance of SITA UK’s business. We were able to demonstrate how the diversion of waste from landfill, coupled with the creation of energy from waste, is playing a significant part in the UK’s waste and energy strategies. “It was very significant that Mr Owen and his colleagues started their Yorkshire visit at the EfW facility, where they were able to see for themselves how the process works and the contribution it is making to improving waste management, creating green energy and contributing to the low carbon economy. “This facility was designed to the very highest environmentally-friendly standards –
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■ HOT TOPIC: Phil Wynn Owen, director-general at the Department of Energy, inspects the furnace at SITA UK’s Kirklees energy from waste facility with general manager Glennys Robinson
far higher than the toughest European requirements – and the energy from waste process is an efficient and green way of dealing with waste that simply cannot be re-used or recycled.” The EfW facility opened in 2002 as part of a 25-year contract with Kirklees Council, which began in 1998. Its aim is to help the council achieve a minimum 60% diversion of waste from landfill.
The waste comes mainly from household and civic collections from the borough’s principal towns of Huddersfield, Batley and Dewsbury. The plant can handle 136,000 tonnes of waste a year – producing 11MW of electricity to the National Grid, which is sufficient to provide the annual power needed for 15,000 homes.
Reviewing a busy year of us will be seeing in the New MButANY Year with a sigh of relief. while 2009 has seen plenty of chal-
lenges for all businesses, there is no doubt that it has also brought some really innovative and determined marketing activities out of the woodwork. The marketers have had to work harder than ever to get those purse strings loosened! First is the rise of Social Media – and the subsequent onset of panic among businesses trying to get to grips with something fundamentally alien to some. For many, 2009 was the year of the “tweet” and the “facebook group” – especially those wishing to attract a younger market. This was matched with growing pressure on marketers to convince clients that they need to maintain a new pace of short, snappy snippets of interesting info…not easy! Next was the radical changes in consumer behaviour fuelled by recession. This is something that certainly filters into the consciousness of even business to business transactions. A combination of loss of trust in
MARKETING MATTERS
Lick Digital adds to its armouries A FIRM founded in Elland has completed the takeover of a company in Leeds. Lick Digital, the digital division of marketing and fulfilment company, the Lick Group, has paid an undisclosed sum for digital print company Topcopy. The acquired company, which has been trading for 15 years, has a current turnover of more than £1m. Topcopy will continue trading under its existing name for now to avoid confusion for clients. However, it becomes part of the Lick Group, which has four divisions – Lick Digital, Lick Direct, Lick Online and marketing agency Lick Agency. Lick Digital will move from its current site in Gildersome to Topcopy’s headquarters in Burley Road, Leeds. Andrew Brown, Lick Group operations director will head the new combined companies. The Lick Digital team will now have more than 20 employees with a combined turnover of about £1.5m. Linden Kitson, group managing director of the Lick Group – which was based at Lowfields in Elland before its move to Leeds – said the acquisition of Topcopy was a major milestone for the company. “The recession has been extremely tough and the group as a whole have taken numerous hits as a result,” he said. “However, the time had come to lift our heads and move forward. The digital division was something we had been looking to expand for some time due to the resilient nature of the work and the increased demand for services. “We approached Topcopy early this year as a potential acquisition, noting how the company would enhance and compliment the existing offering at Lick Digital.” He added: “Lick Digital and Topcopy will work together moving forward to offer an increased proposition of digitally printed services. Clients can look forward to ‘business as usual’ throughout the merger of the businesses and of course customer service and quality will be of a usual exceptional standard. ” Lick Digital has clients including HM Prison Services, the National Union of Miners and Leeds United FC.
Clare Quartermaine
brands and the rise of old style “thrift” has seen the growth of heritage brands and nostalgia advertising. All this in a bid to reassure uneasy customers. This has also given rise to a more “canny” consumer – the online voucher and discount code has become the norm not special. Then the green factor… seeing brands and businesses scramble to get to grips with carbon reduction initiatives and the eco-friendly movement. Whether you’re a sceptic or not, it’s fashionable to be green and give your customers a few extra points of guilt relief to help them choose your product. Lastly, the recession – while being a diffi-
cult time for all – sees the onset of real inspiration and innovation. As a business person with business clients, this is something I have enjoyed the challenges that 2009 and am truly excited by what I see as real and well needed change. So – where next? One of the big issues on the marketing scene at the moment is “lack of visibility”. To cut to the chase – we really don’t know – but it would be exciting to think that the playing fields are being levelled and that some of the best ideas, best innovations and best businesses can rise during these times. 2010 – here comes Huddersfield!
Clare Quartermaine is founder and managing director of QT Creative
Rethink, Refresh, Rebrand! 01484 483194 info@qtcreative.co.uk
www.qtcreative.co.uk
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Property agents are streets ahead RETAIL property agents have completed two deals and received instructions for a third site – all on the same street in Leeds city centre. Colliers CRE in Leeds acted on behalf of landlords to lease 530sq ft at 47 Commercial Street to pretzel bakery, Ditsch on a 10-year lease. In addition, the former Nationwide premises at 29 Commercial Street has been let to Virgin Media for a 2,074sq ft mobile phone shop. On the back of these deals, Colliers CRE has also been instructed by a private landlord to market 45-46 Commercial Street. The property was previously occupied by womenswear retailer Oasis. Tom Cullen, director of the retail division of Colliers CRE in Leeds, said: “We have been very active in central Leeds over the past 12 months. “In real terms, both lettings on Commercial Street fall short of the prime rents achieved two or three years ago, but both represent good quality income for the respective landlords – something important in today’s uncertain market. “Both these new deals demonstrate the demand that still remains within the city centre. “Both Virgin Media and Ditsch were previously unrepresented in the city. This further supports Leeds as a thriving retail destination that can attract fresh new retailers.”
property
Farm conversion proves a winner
A HUDDERSFIELD company is celebrating success in a difficult market – after selling all the properties on its latest residential development. Upper Bagden Farm at Clayton West has been transformed from a collection of derelict farm buildings into seven luxury family homes by Ronan Developments. And the properties have quickly found buyers, despite the depressed and slow housing market. The grade 2 listed buildings, which are set in 22 acres, have been restored using original stone and carefully-sourced new stone which will mature with its surroundings. The development won the Best Conservation Award in the West Yorkshire Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Awards. Ro n a n D e v e l o p m e n t s founder and managing director
Mark Ronan said: “The whole team works to produce the best quality finished product that we possibly can. The sale of all seven units at a time when the residential property market is severely depressed assures us that this is the right approach. “We’re extremely proud to add the development to our portfolio and plan to continue working in West Yorkshire on similar projects which enhance our area’s natural beauty.” Ronan Developments was formed in 2002 and specialises in the design and build of exclusive properties. The team includes a chartered architect, project managers and site managers. The company also offers architectural design services to the residential and commercial markets along with a contracting division with extensive experience in the retail sector.
■ TRANSFORMERS: Ronan Developments has converted a collection of derelict farm buildings at Clayton West into award-winning luxury famly homes
RICS pledges to act on climate change challenge
Tolent to tackle £3.6m contract A WEST Yorkshire construction company has won a £3.5m power plant contract. Tolent Construction has already completed the first phase of development at Staythorpe power station in Nottinghamshire. Now it has landed a second contract for the second phase. Tolent will work with PCP Architects and Tim Stower & Partners on behalf of client Alstom Power. The first contract at Staythorpe involved the construction of workshop and stores, administration and control building, gatehouse and oil lube store. The £5m development was handed over last month and Tolent has now started on the next phase, a comprehensive external works package for the entire site.
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■ WELL-PLACED: Geoff White, head of public policy and communications for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Yorkshire and Humberside
BUILDING industry chiefs in Yorkshire have pledged to play their part in tackling climate change. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the region said it planned to monitor efforts in both private and public sectors to develop new ways in which to create and promote sustainable development and “retrofit” existing property with energy saving technology. A seminar will also be arranged to help property professionals keep up to date with the latest practice in sustainable development. Geoff White, head of public policy and communications for RICS in Yorkshire, said: “RICS supports the scientific evidence of climate change and the associated risks both for the planet’s ecosystems and societies. “Through the range and diversity of our membership, we are well placed to understand sustainability across the land, property and construction sectors. “With new regulatory frameworks beginning to establish a
market for low carbon-rated property in both commercial and domestic sectors, RICS members are ideally placed to claim this ‘first mover advantage’.” But Mr White said: “Any success will depend on the development of harmonised standards for measurement and further analysis of what policies are needed to create value for sustainable buildings. “These are two areas that will be the key priorities in the coming months.” The announcement follows the launch of the RICS Global Climate Change Strategy in New York. RICS has also signed the C o m mu n i q u é o n C l i m at e Change, urging world leaders to agree on an ambitious, credible and equitable deal to save the planet. In northern England, RICS will monitor the efforts made by both private and public organisations to develop new and innovative ways in which to create and promote new sustainable development and retrofit existing property.
Caring types CHRISTMAS came early to a group of needy children – thanks to kind-hearted staff from Pennine Housing 2000 and social housing contractor Bramall Construction. Employees from both organisations – which are involved in projects in Kirklees and Calderdale – joined together to donate Christmas gifts for almost 200 under-privileged children in Halifax as part of Business in the Community’s Calderdale Cares at Christmas campaign. Staff decided to use the money they would normally spend on Christmas cards for colleagues to buy presents for the youngsters, all of whom are part of the Home-Start Calderdale scheme. The children, who range from newborn babies to 18 year olds, were given their presents at the scheme’s Christmas party.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
End-of-year sale success for Eddisons CASH buyers attracted by realistic prices ensured that the last Eddisons property auction of the year finished on a high note. The two-day sale in Leeds and Manchester generated proceeds of more than £6.3m with the sale of 97 of the 128 lots on offer. The highlight of the sale was the sale of eight residential properties in Holmfirth, which went for £436,000 off a guide price of £350,000-plus. At the other end of the scale, 20 dustbin stores next to a number of back-to-back terraced houses in Harehills, Leeds, sold for £13,000. Tony Webber, of Eddisons, said: ‘This was a very strong performance to finish what has been a good year, despite the tough economic conditions and the continual difficulties buyers have faced securing external funding. “Where vendors took our advice and set realistic reserves there were plenty of cash buyers ready to invest. “In many cases the prices achieved exceeded our own expectations.” He said: “The majority of these properties are tenanted and they generated some of the keenest interest from buyers both in the room and on the telephone. “That helped to drive the prices well beyond their original guides.” And Mr Webber added: “We are expecting 10 similar lots to be included in our February catalogue, which should generate the same level of interest.”
property
Marshalls boss is ‘green guru’
A DIRECTOR of stone paving supplier Marshalls has been given a new title – that of Green Guru Manufacturer. Chris Harrop, who has been the driving force behind the Huddersfield-based firm’s environmental improvement programme, was given the title by industry magazine Building following a public vote. He said: “It’s great to see sustainability awards in the mainstream – recognising the environmental and social achievements of the building industry as a whole. For me, it’s a great honour especially because this has been voted for by the public.” Under Mr Harrop’s direction, Marshalls has carbon-labelled more than 2,000 domestic and commercial paving products with the Carbon Trust’s official scheme and achieved Wildlife Trust biodiversity benchmarks for two sites. Since becoming the first company in the hard landscaping industry to belong to the Ethical Trading Initiative, Marshalls has been working in India to raise awareness of child labour issues in quarries and putting in place award-winning ethical supply chain management programmes. Last month, Marshalls demonstrated its continuing sustainability leadership by launching Fairstone, the UK’s first fairly traded Indian sandstone. Building has been running its Green Guru
■ ROLE MODEL: Chris Harrop, marketing director at Birkby-based Marshalls plc, who has been named a Green Guru Manufacturer
initiative since 2007 to recognising people who are instrumental in driving forward the green agenda. Previously, the Green Gurus were selected
Structherm is acclaimed for Liverpool housing project STAFF at a Meltham-based construction products firm are celebrating after winning a national award. Structherm Ltd won the category for Best Hard To Treat Project (Manufacturer) award at this year’s National Insulation Awards hosted by the National Insulation Association. The company has been working in partnership with Liverpool Mutual Homes on the Daneville Estate project where some 600 houses were in need of urgent external refurbishment. The properties were “designated defective” and therefore deemed to be hard to treat as they suffered from structural defects such as corrosion of reinforcement in the precast concrete and lack of tying between flank and internal walls. The poor level of thermal performance was another obstacle to overcome. Structherm’s structural insulated cladding system was the solution chosen as no other cladding system was able to provide the same structural benefits to overcome all of the structural and thermal problems encountered with the properties. Structherm managing director David Harrison said “It’s fantastic to be recognised once again for the hard work that the whole company has put into this project. We’ve had great successes this year, despite the recession, and are confident these will
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■ TROPHY TIME: David Harrison (centre) managing director of Structherm Ltd, accepts the winner's trophy and certificate from National Insulation Association chief executive Neil Marshall and chairman Tony Hardiman
continue into the New Year.” Structherm Ltd has been providing solutions to the construction industry for more than 25 years. The company is part of Hanson Building Products, a leading supplier of heavy build-
ing materials to the construction industry. Hanson produce aggregates – crushed rock, sand and gravel – as well as ready-mixed and precast concrete, asphalt and cement-related materials and a range of building products including concrete pipes, concrete pavers, tiles and clay bricks.
by the team at Building, but this year they have been chosen by the readers. After being nominated, the winners were selected by public vote.
Prime time for property YORKSHIRE is one of the UK’s top performing region for prime property sales, says a survey. Figures from Primelocation.com bracket Yorkshire with London and the south-east as the drivers for recovery in the top-price property sector. Yorkshire and Humber saw prices for to-end properties such as manor houses and barn conversions rise by 9.6% during 2009, according to the survey. That compares with 8.6% for the UK as a whole. The regional performance was driven by above average price rises in the spring – as Leeds in particular saw an extremely low level of new stock coming on to the market at a time of increasing demand. London and the south-east retained their places as the leading and most expensive prime property markets with annual price increases of up to 7.9%. The strong performance was fuelled by a cautious upswing in consumer confidence and bolstered by sustained demand from wealthier UK and international buyers. The East Midlands also figured strongly with increases of up to 10.9% while Scotland and Wales were also “robust”. Andrew Smith, head of research at Primelocation.com, said: “The UK’s prime property markets have performed well over the course of 2009 – with strong annual price growth carving a path towards recovery for the wider UK market to follow.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS Wayne Baker
Millers Oils OILS and fuel treatments manufacturer Millers Oils has appointed Wayne Baker (pictured) as UK sales manager. The appointment follows a sustained period of business growth and service expansion for the Brighouse company, which recently completed the acquisition of Yorkshire company Falcon Lubricants. Mr Baker, 41, has worked in the automotive and aftermarket sales sector for several years for companies including Uni-Part Group, where he was east regional sales manager; SIP Industrial Products as UK sales manager and technical manager at Snap-On Tools. His experiences include successfully restructuring sales teams. His main aim at Millers Oils will be to oversee the growth and development of the existing UK sales team to cope with the increasing demand for the firm’s product ranges. Millers Oils completed the takeover of Malton-based Falcon Lubricants in November and won the trophy for the most innovative new motor sport product at the 2009 World Motorsport Symposium.
Alison Fordham
CIDA ALISON Fordham has been appointed programmes director for the Huddersfield-based Creative Industries Development Agency. Alison, who has more than 20 years experience of leadership, management and marketing in the creative and cultural enterprise sector, takes over from long-standing programme director Jo Wilkinson, who is leaving to pursue other interests. CIDA, which won the Creative Award in the 2009 Examiner Business Awards, specialises in supporting creative and cultural enterprises sector and is expanding into Europe and further afield. Alison (pictured) has worked as an associate with CIDA as well as being chief executive of Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, chief executive of Commissions In The Environment and executive director of Triskel Arts Centre in Ireland. Jo Wilkinson is leaving CIDA to become a director of Lippy People, a national community interest company based in Leeds. She will lead its creative consultancy and large scale projects as well as helping develop the company alongside its other directors.
Rachel Brakes
C02Sense ENVIRONMENTAL support group CO2Sense Yorkshire has appointed Rachel Brakes as planning and permitting project manager to support the continued growth and development of environmental sector businesses in the region. Rachel (pictured) will help businesses to understand permitting and licensing issues in relation to the environmental technologies sector and will offer businesses advice on planning application processes. She said: “This is a highly technical area for businesses to tackle. We will provide firms with impartial advice on how to resolve planning and permitting issues that often delay their projects.” Rachel joins the CO2Sense resource efficiency team from the Environment Agency where she was a senior permitting officer.
Movers and shakers
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Office posting is fine for Mark HOLMFIRTH man Mark Browne has been chosen to run a new branch of an expanding insurance brokers. Mr Browne has opened the new office of J M Glendinning.as director together with his colleague Steve Winfield. Both men (pictured, right) were previously with Rockford Insurance. The new office, based at Millhouse Green, Penistone, will provide insurance broking, financial services, health, safety and employment Law both to businesses and individuals. It is the first move in a planned programme of expansion for JMG, which was founded in 1972 and based in
Guiseley, Leeds. Mr Browne, 39, was born in Holmfirth. His wife Christina runs Holmfirth Cattle Market while their two children – Finlay, 9, and Megan, 6 – attend the local school. Mr Browne has played for his local football team, Cartworth Moor, for more than 10 years and is a long standing member of Phoenix Squash and Fitness Club in Honley. JMG said it had identified a gap in the South Yorkshire market for quality, independent advice to help individuals and companies benefit from the deals they were able to negotiate.
Cold comforts for Christmas
■ WINTER FUEL: Louise and Jeremy Holmes, of Yummy Yorkshire, are getting into the festive spirit with a range of four ice creams especially for the Christmas season ICE cream maker Yummy Yorkshire is set for a cool Yule. The company has introduced four new flavours especially for the festive season – and is convinced they will prove a hit with customers at its ice cream parlour in Denby Dale. The flavours are Rich Christmas Cake, Chocolate Orange, White Chocolate with Cranberries and Cranachan – a traditional Scottish dessert of honey, whisky, raspberry and oats. They are available only until Christmas Eve, one of the busiest times of year for Yummy Yorkshire. “We always have a queue out of the door on Christmas Eve,” says Louise Holmes, who is responsible for ice cream production. “You wouldn’t expect ice cream to be popular at this time of year, but our festive flavours are always a huge hit, with the Rich Christmas Cake selling particularly well. Last year, we sold 200 tubs of the Christmas flavours in the space of two days.” Said Louise: “I was inspired to create these flavours after a discussion with my Scottish sister-in-law in October about
recipes and traditional desserts. “Cranachan was mentioned and I thought it was the ideal candidate for a new ice cream flavour. The blend of honey, whiskey and raspberry is very warming and the oats give the texture an extra dimension.” Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream is known for its innovative flavours, recently creating a selection of Bonfire Night-inspired recipes such as Cinder Toffee and Parkin. Since the business was launched in April, 2007, more than 50 different recipes of traditional, seasonal and contemporary ice cream have been developed – using locally sourced ingredients and milk and cream from the farm’s own herd of Holstein cows. Several of the flavours have scooped prestigious awards. Among them, Lou’s Liquorice ice cream was awarded best dairy product and supreme product of the Year at the 2009 deliciouslyorkshire Awards as well as receiving three gold stars at the 2009 Great Taste Awards.
Canadian commission A SPECIALIST glazing firm in Huddersfield has found itself promoting business investment – in Canada. A photo of glazing supplied by Dortech to the Broadgate development in Leeds earlier this year was used for a presentation by the Canadian Council to would-be investors at the Invest in Canada conference held in Toronto earlier this month. The high-powered two-day conference featured scores of distinguished speakers, including a Canadian government minister and a former Canadian ambassador to the USA. The striking image of glazed windows – complete with Dortech’s logo in the corner – was used for a big-screen presentation on public-private partnerships. Dortech managing director James Sutherland (pictured) said: “I received a call from a Canadian lady professing to be from the Canadian Council. “She explained she had visited our company website and found an image she would like to use in a presentation. This happened to be a photo of a project Dortech completed in 2009 called Broadgate, in Leeds city centre. “Due to the late hour and the fact I was in bed I said ‘okay’ as long as she’d mention Dortech in the presentation – I didn’t think anything of it at all. “Following this call, I received an email with some accompanying photos of the stated presentation which turned out to be the Invest in Canada conference.” Said Mr Sutherland: “This just shows the power of the internet and how a small Huddersfield-based company can become visible to a global audience. It made me laugh!” Closer to home, Dortech is installing the glazing at Huddersfield University’s new Business School for main contractor BAM Construction. The project is worth about 1m to Dortech.