FTSE 100
JULIE GOULD Soft furnishing fortunes
+38.50 5351.12
Full inter view - Page 3
FIONA WOOD Winning formula Full stor y - Page 5
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Mamas & Papas go island-hopping
NURSERY products firm Mamas & Papas has sealed a franchising deal to take it into the sunny Mediterranean. The Colnebridge-based company has announced a franchise partnership with the Michele Peresso Group to provide three stores over the next two years in Malta and Gozo. Statistics show the islands have experienced “consistent population growth” over the last 10 years and an increased birth rate for the first time in five years. Allen Hill, business development director for Mamas & Papas, said: “The Mamas & Papas brand is quickly expanding over the whole of the southern Mediterranean. “The agreement with the Michele Peresso Group signals the demand the brand is receiving across all European markets.
“We are delighted that Malta has joined our global family of international retail destinations.” Michael Peresso, of MPG shared his enthusiasm for the latest premium brand launched in to the Maltese luxury market. He said: “The Michele Peresso Group of companies was established over 45 years ago and is among the largest retail groups in Malta. “The agreement between MPG and Mamas & Papas allows MPG to cater to the domestic and international visitor market with a sophisticated portfolio of globally recognised premium brands. “We are delighted to bring the UK’s number one parenting brand to Malta.” Michele Peresso Group was first established to import pharmaceutical products, but has grown to cover
sectors, including pharmaceuticals, sports retail and retail fashion. Family-owned Mamas & Papas was established in the UK in 1981 and operates 66 stores worldwide, including ones in the UK and the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain. It also exports to independent retailers, premium department stores and distributors in more than 35 countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Finland, Australia and – since March, 2010 – Japan. New Mamas & Papas stores for summer, 2010, include Athens in Greece and Croydon, Surrey. Mamas & Papas will also launch in the USA next month through a 23-store deal exclusively with Toys R Us offshoot Babies R Us.
German-owned TMD Friction said the acquisition further strengthened its position as a European and worldwide leader in the development, manufacture, sale and distribution of high quality brake pads to the independent automotive aftermarket. George Walker, the majority shareholder and managing director of Eurofriction, will resign from his role as MD and leave the business. However, he will continue to provide support over the coming months to ensure a smooth integra-
tion following the takeover. Mr Walker said TMD Friction was “the most innovative technology leader” in its field, adding that the deal would bring long-term stability to the plant with the prospect of future growth. Josef Besting, senior vice-president of TMD Friction’s global aftermarket division, said: “This acquisition is a perfect fit. Eurofriction’s business complements our own activities and helps us grow our manufacturing footprint and customer base further.
Training places HUDDERSFIELD Town has completed a new business tie-up. The club has announced a partnership with international brand Dale Carnegie Training, which will see the training provider get involved in commercial activities at the club – especially the business events held throughout the season.
● Full story - Page 4
■ NEXT STOP MALTA: Allen Hill, international franchise associate director for Mamas & Papas
Cleckheaton firm secured Scottish acquisition A CLECKHEATON company making friction products for the automotive and rail industries has engineered the takeover of a Scottish firm. TMD Friction Group has acquired Eurofriction Ltd, the automotive friction parts manufacturer. Eurofriction supplies replacement brake pads for cars to leading distributors in the European independent after-market. It generated sales exceeding £12m in 2009 and employs 130 people at one location in Kilmarnock.
INSIDE
“While customer demand for both branded and private-label products from TMD Friction increases, we see a growing need to build up additional manufacturing resources dedicated to our aftermarket organisation.” TMD Friction Group makes disc brake pads and drum brake linings for cars and commercial vehicles together with brake pads for racing cars and friction materials for rail and industrial applications. Its brands include Textar, Pagid, Mintex, Don and Cobreq.
The most trusted news brand in the business
examiner.co.uk
2 7 , Ju l y, 2 0 1 0
Internet challenge HIGHWAYS engineering consultancy Sanderson Associates is taking on a new challenge. The Grange Moor-based company is sponsoring a new website to promote the profession across the country.
● Full story - Page 8
'+624536#84 *#7&0 (#+;0# !+)$,2%+- 1# %0+ 3(,./.%('& !+)$,2%.(* "$%0('.%#
-)9"9 !), ,,,
///:%5&$/3%20&/6#.%#:%+:12
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
national
Page 2
Building firm pleas for additional funds THE crisis at social housing company Connaught has deepened – after the firm revealed it was in “urgent” need of extra funding. The company has been in turmoil since its warning last month that Government spending cuts could blow a £200m hole in revenues over this year and next. Connaught said it had identified an “urgent requirement” for additional funds to meet current business – partly due to pressure from suppliers and sub-contractors. The firm will breach banking covenants after warning that net debt will be significantly above the previously advised level of £120m by the end of August. Connaught described talks with its lenders about securing additional funding as constructive.
Sir Roy Gardner, who became chairman in May, has moved to strengthen the management team with the appointment of four new directors, including the former finance chief at British Energy and WS Atkins. He said: “These are challenging times for Connaught. “We are fortunate that we have been able to attract a number of senior and experienced individuals to support the company at this time and we welcome the constructive discussions with our lenders.” Connaught recently announced the departure of founder Mark Tincknell on health grounds less than six months into his second spell as chief executive. He will take on a new role at the firm, while finance chief Stephen Hill is to depart in October.
Connaught has identified 31 projects where spending will be delayed as a result of the government clampdown – wiping £80m off revenues and £13m from underlying profits in the current financial year. If the squeeze continues into 2011, sales and profits will fall by a further £120m and £16m respectively. Shares fell by another 69% or 70.6p to 31.5p yesterday – giving it a market value of less than £50m.
Roger Wood, a former director of British Gas Services and the AA, has been hired to chair a steering committee responsible for delivering significant cost savings. Collins Stewart stockbrokers said the latest update implied net debt in excess of £150m. Analyst James Gilbert added: “Balance sheet strength is one factor housing associations and local authorities evaluate when awarding new work. “We are therefore concerned about the impact this will have on order intake and whether it will impact ongoing social housing tenders.” Investec Securities reiterated its sell rating and said rivals Mears and MITIE were likely to benefit from the turmoil at Connaught.
Jobs under threat at William Hill
Crown back in the black
UP to 350 jobs are in jeopardy at William Hill after the bookmaker announced plans to move its telephone business offshore and review some loss-making betting shops. William Hill said 150 jobs could be lost at its Sheffield and Leeds call centres – which together employ 400 staff – as part of a move to establish a new call centre in Gibraltar. The Leeds centre will close and the Sheffield site will be handed over to outsourcing firm Vertex. The firm is also reviewing the future of 50 of its 170 unprofitable shops, which it said could put another 200 jobs at risk by the end of the year.
CROWN Paints has hailed a turnaround in fortunes following its private-equity-backed management buyout two years ago. The company said it was now profitable after clawing its way out of the red last year on the back of a major overhaul launched in the wake of its takeover from Dutch group Akzo Nobel in 2008. Crown’s latest accounts show operating profits of £2.8m in 2009 – a marked improvement on the hefty losses seen at the height of the financial crisis and housing market slump, which left it £11.4m in the red for the final three months of 2008.
Chief executive Ralph Topping hit out at “unfair pressure” caused by competition from offshore operators and betting exchanges like Betfair, which work under a more favourable tax regime. William Hill’s telephone betting business lost £1.8 m last year and is expected to make a small operating loss for the first half of 2010. The business pays 15% gross profits tax and a 10% horse racing levy on its takings. It has hit out at major players “laying” huge volumes of wagers on betting exchanges, effectively trading as bookmakers but not paying the same charges.
The Lancashire-based group said it remained in the black throughout the first half of 2010, with “significant” profit growth after trading exceeded its own forecasts. Crown said it was on course for further profit progress, despite cost pressures facing the sector. Chief executive Brian Davidson said Crown was benefiting from self-help measures put in place after the takeover in September, 2008. Crown Paints, with a 15% share of the UK retail and trade market, has reshaped the business, strengthened the management team and slashed costs to get back on track.
Company on target HOUSEHOLD products firm Reckitt Benckiser is sticking by its growth targets – despite pressure on its Vanish fabric care division in Europe. The firm, which last week announced the takeover of Durex and Scholl owner SSL International, reported a 19% rise in half-year profits to £971m. Revenues grew by 6% at constant exchange rates. Reckitt is targeting a 5% rise in full-year revenues, helped by new products such as Airwick Aqua Mist. However, competition for its Vanish stain remover combined with weak demand for laundry detergent, fabric conditioners and water softener affected the firm’s fabric care division in Europe.
Pearson profits up PUBLISHING group Pearson lifted is full-year guidance after a sharp rise in interim operating profits. The group, which owns the Financial Times and Penguin Books, said underlying operating profits rose to £178m from £84m a year earlier. Pearson hailed a return to growth in advertising revenues at the FTduring the first quarter, while its booming US educational business drove profits higher.
SHARE PRICES NORTH AMERICAN American Express £29.31 +0.42 Gannett 951.55 +44.51 Hess Corp £33.96 -0.04 Microsoft 1683.76 +18.71 Motors Liquidation 48.38 Wal-Mart Stores £32.89 -0.44 AEROSPACE & DEFENCE 1 Avon Rbbr 113 /2 +1 +3/8 BAE Systems 3167/8 Rolls-Royce Gp 603 -4 AIM Brady Plc 671/2 +1/2 Dawson Intl 2 Man Brnze 35 AUTOMOBILES & PARTS GKN 1443/8 -3/4 BANKS Barclays 3155/8 +135/8 HSBC 6491/4 +31/8 Lloyds Banking Gp 66 +21/2 5 Ryl Scotland 46 /8 +13/8 Stan Chart 1850 +26 BEVERAGES Diageo 1143 +11 +4 SABMiller 19671/2 CHEMICALS Croda 1173 +2 +13/4 Elementis 98 711/2 Johnsn Mat 1703 +8 CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS Balfour Beatty 2581/8 +11/2 Costain 1991/2 +51/2 ELECTRICITY Drax Grp 3763/4 +31/8 Intl Power 3631/4 +3/4
Scottish & Sthrn 1168 +9 Energy ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chloride 3731/2 +1/2 Laird 1111/2 +2 EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS Alliance Trust 3213/8 +31/2 FIXED LINE TELECOM SERVICES BT Grp 1421/4 +11/2 Cable & Wireless 611/8 +1/8 Comm 7 Cable & Wireless 68 /8 -1/8 Wwide Colt Group 1341/4 -7/8 KCOM 45 Talktalk Telecom 123 +3 FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS Morrison W 2773/8 -1/8 Sainsbury 3473/4 +3 3 -31/2 Tesco 395 /8 FOOD PRODUCERS AB Food 1086 +12 Nth Foods 461/2 3 Tate Lyle 468 /4 -3/4 Unilever 1928 -12 3 -1/4 Uniq 10 /4 GAS, WATER & MULTIUTILITIES Centrica 3121/2 -2 National Grid 509 +61/2 Pennon Grp 5721/2 -31/2 Severn 1283 -2 United Utils 5661/2 -1 GENERAL FINANCIAL 3i Group 2843/4 +11/8 ICAP 401 +57/8 London StockExch 6281/2 +3 Man Group 2245/8 +81/4
Provident Financial 8821/2 +7 Schroders 1246 +3 Schroders NV 1039 +5 GENERAL INDUSTRIALS Cooksn Grp 4651/2 +31/2 REXAM 3433/8 -31/4 Smiths Grp 1147 GENERAL RETAILERS Ashley L 13 Carphone Whse 204 -1 DSG International 275/8 +1/8 Home Retail 242 +1 Inchcape 317 -23/4 Kingfisher 2213/4 +15/8 1 M&S 354 /4 +1/2 Mothercare 522 +1 Next £22 +1/8 WH Smith 4301/2 +2 HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES Smith Nph 546 -10 HOUSEHOLD GOODS Aga Rangemaster 95 -41/2 Barrat Dev 1001/4 +1/8 1 Persimmon 370 /4 +1 Reckitt Benckiser £333/8 Taylor Wimpey 271/4 +1/4 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Charter 743 +14 IMI 764 -2 INDUSTRIAL METALS 1 Ferrexpo 292 /4 +21/4 INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION BBA Aviation 1951/4 +1/4 Forth Ports 1252 +12 LIFE INSURANCE Aviva 3551/8 +51/8
921/2 +17/8 1221/8 +3 5271/2 +1/2 2253/4 -81/2 199 +21/8 MEDIA BSkyB 704 +2 Chrysalis 100 +2 D Mail Tst 4983/8 +71/8 ITV 553/8 +7/8 Johnston Press 14 +1/4 Pearson 1029 +56 Reed Elsevier 5341/2 -21/2 STV Group 811/2 +1/2 3 Trinity Mirror 83 /4 +41/2 Utd Business 5591/2 +3 UTV 1233/4 +31/4 1 WPP 686 /2 +3 Yell Group 263/4 +1/4 MINING Anglo American £253/8 +1/8 Antofagasta 1014 +3 BHP Billiton 19681/2 +4 Eurasian Natural 921 +71/2 Res Fresnillo 1063 -28 Kazakhmys 1203 +18 Lonmin 1541 +16 Rio Tinto £331/2 +1/8 VEDANTA £243/8 -1/8 RESOURCES Xstrata 10361/2 +21/2 MOBILE TELECOM SERVICES Inmarsat 754 +111/2 Vodafone Group 1521/8 +11/2 NONLIFE INSURANCE Admiral Grp 1506 +8 RSA Insurance Gp 127 +15/8 Lgl & Gen Old Mutual Prudential Resolution Standard Life
Local shares Carclo Chapelthorpe Marshalls National Grid Weir Gp
155 251/2 87 509 1250
+3 +2 +61/2 +12
FTSE closed at
5351.1 Up 38.5 BG 1066 -151/2 BP 417 +183/8 Cairn Energy 471 -21/8 Royal Dutch Shell A 1824 +41/2 Royal Dutch Shell B 1750 +1/2 Total £321/8 +1/8 Tullow Oil 1239 +60 OIL EQUIPMENT & SERVICES AMEC 899 -4 Petrofac 1345 -8 -1 Wood Group 3693/8 PERSONAL GOODS Burberry 884 +15 PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY Astrazeneca £311/4 -1/4 Axis-Shield 2481/2 +1/2 GlaxoSmithK 15
REAL ESTATE Brit Land 466 +31/2 Captl Shop Cent 3511/2 +5 DTZ Hldgs 581/4 +1/4 Hamrsn 3903/4 +71/4 Land Secs 616 +41/2 SEGRO 2823/4 +31/4 SOFTWARE ETC SERVICES Autonomy Corp 1630 +7 +3/4 Dimension Data 1241/4 Invensys 2951/4 -15/8 Logica 1035/8 -13/8 Misys 2501/4 -15/8 7 Sage Group 251 /8 +43/4 SUPPORT SERVICES Bunzl 7271/2 +1 Capita 747 +71/2 3 Davis Service 391 /4 +13/4 Group 1 De La Rue 756 /2 -181/2 Electrocomp 227 -21/2 Experian 647 -6 3 G4S 265 /4 7 Hays 93 /8 -15/8 Homeserve £231/4 -1/8 Menzies J 3971/2 +41/2 Rentokil 109 -1/2 Smiths News 1131/2 -11/2 Wolseley 1448 +6 IT HARDWARE ARM Hldgs 3461/8 -71/4 Psion 83 -1/2 Spirent Comms 1345/8 +35/8 TOBACCO Br Am Tob £227/8 +1/8 Imperial Tobacco 1851 -8 LEISURE & HOTELS Arriva 771
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
2235/8 £235/8 5661/2 4295/8 1075/8 3803/4 1168 4491/8 1199 139 3207/8 2481/4 249 110 1817/8 2211/4 1466
+3 +3/8 +1/2 +3 +23/4 +11/4 +13 +33/4 +10 -3/8 +33/4 +11/4 +151/4 +1/2 -13/4 -7/8 -2
FTSE 100
INDEX 5351.12
+38.50
FTSE 250
INDEX 10138.12
+44.45
TOURIST RATES Tourists going abroad can expect the following rates for sterling: Australia...................... 1.63 dollars Bangladesh................. 101.36 taka Brazil.............................. 2.45 reals Canada....................... 1.52 dollars China ............................. 9.38 yuan Czech Republic ...... 27.59 korunas Denmark....................... 8.48 krone Euro............................... 1.14 euro Hong Kong................ 11.41 dollars Hungary................... 305.44 forints India.......................... 63.90 rupees Japan........................... 128.77 yen Mexico ....................... 17.53 pesos New Zealand .............. 1.97 dollars Norway ......................... 9.11 krone Pakistan.................. 124.79 rupees Philippines ................. 61.15 pesos South Africa................. 10.68 rand South Korea.............. 1607.00 won Sri Lanka ................ 164.62 rupees Sweden....................... 10.80 krona Switzerland.................. 1.55 francs Taiwan ...................... 43.38 dollars Turkey....................... 2.20 new lira USA ............................ 1.48 dollars
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
profile
Luck and hard work
LIFE is full of “happy accidents” for businesswoman Julie Gould. After a series of canny career moves and by making the most of some golden opportunities, Julie has attained her dream of being her own boss – running soft furnishings and interior design business Decor 80. It’s quite an achievement for someone who – approaching her 50th birthday – admits that most people her age might be content to settle for the security of paid employment and the prospect of retirement. But it still takes some getting used to! “I think you work a lot harder when you work for yourself,” she says. “I work a full day six days a week – and even on Sundays I am always thinking of ideas for new window displays and products. “I often don’t finish work until 8 o’clock at night because I visit customers after the shop closes to measure up. “I have to keep on top of things. I have to try to predict the trends and come up with design ideas, work everything out and advise customers. “I also have to handle all the management issues and paperwork.” “My husband Rae had Julie has only a short been made redundant, commute from home at which provided the idea Salendine Nook to her showroom and workroom at about working for myself. “Our daughters Tonya and Westbourne Road, Marsh. Stacey were both grown-up, “But she says: “I still feel so there were no worries as though I’m coming in to about childcare.” work for someone else – Julie started working from and I’m always worried home, visiting customers about being late for work!” keen to give their houses a Perhaps she still can’t makeover to measure up for quite believe what she has curtains and blinds and help achieved, admitting: “I have them choose fabrics and to pinch myself colours. sometimes!”. Julie left Moor End High She says: “I worked from School with a love of art and home and business got design, but recalls: “I didn’t bigger. I built up a good know where I wanted to go client base. with it.” “Those people are still She found work on a with me today. factory assembly line, which “Last Christmas, I was at she did not enjoy. a point where things were “I wanted to get out of it,” getting busier and I couldn’t says Julie. continue to work from home. “After I had my two I decided I needed daughters, I went to work for premises. Thorntons, the chocolate retailer, and got involved in window displays. “I found I enjoyed doing things that were creative, even though it was relatively small scale.” Julie moved on to work for a specialist lighting company, which gave her an insight into the wider world of interior design. After a few years, she took another change of direction and joined furnishings retailer Thatchers, where she learned about fabrics and furniture. From there, she went to manage a soft furnishings firm in Halifax, before changing circumstances led to ideas of self-employment. In May, 2008, Julie took the biggest step. “It got to the point where ■ HIGH CHAIR: Julie Gould something needed to in her Marsh showroom
Page 3 Julie Gould Role: Proprietor Age: 49 Family: Married to Rae with daughters Tonya and Stacey Holidays: Portugal and the Greek Islands Car: Nissan Note (I need the space!) First job: Factory assembly line worker Best thing about job: Everything. I love it! Worst thing about job: Paperwork Business tip: Aim high and just go for it!
Decor 80
“In April this year, I was driving down Marsh when I passed this shop and thought it would be ideal. “It was a bathroom showroom at the time, but a week later it was empty, so I decided to got for it – and signed for it in May.” Julie found herself with a sizeable showroom and a basement workroom for sewing. The premises provide Decor 80 with a prominent roadside presence and the space to display curtains, cushions, throws, upholstery and furniture. Having premises also enables the business to be more efficient and competitive on price. Setting up a business just as the credit crunch got under way wouldn’t normally be considered a lucky move. But Julie says it proved a blessing in disguise. “I can’t say it affected the business,” she says. “People will find the money to spend on their home. “If there is a recession and they are not able to move house, they want to make their home more warm and comfortable.” Home improvement shows on TV have also encouraged people to think about how decor and lighting can help to make the most of their property. And trends are changing, says Julie. “We have had the minimalist look,” she says. “There’s only so much you can do with cream curtains! “People are going for something more opulent. Carpets and wallpapers are back in fashion and people are looking for warm fabrics, luxurious silks and velvets.
“People are going for a ‘rich’ look again.” Julie sees part of her role as advising people about the look that best suits their home – whether it’s a spacious barn conversion or a Victorian terrace house. “I look at the person and what might suit their lifestyle,” she says. “Everyone’s home is different and everyone has a different taste. “Some people want to be ultra-trendy and others see their home just as a place to live. “But everyone knows what they want and they will decide what they like. “I will show people what I think will work best, but at the end of the day it’s their choice. They are the people who have to live with it.” Julie’s customers range from homeowners to care homes and family-run hotels – and most of them are gained by recommendation and word of mouth. Winning a massive contract to furnish a major hotel chain would be nice, but Julie is content with her lot. She says: “When I set up the business, I just wanted to be able to pay myself a decent wage. “I don’t have much time to relax. When I do, it’s spending time with family and friends. “I have had lots of support from some really good friends and people in the same business. “Sometimes I wonder: ‘What have I done?’ because it was such a big step. “I fell into this by
accident, I think, but I absolutely took to it.” There’s no way Julie would go back to the assembly line now.
Work: Soft furnishings and interior design Site: Marsh Employees: One Phone: 01484 546577 Email: decor80@live.co.uk Web: www.decor 80.co.uk
HENRYK ZIENTEK
#4<. ><,)75,, ,<;;5,, ), 4<A A+5.52 &, 94<. >"7@0
*"== %)== '"-<5 47 63/11 3/3C6? (:")= B)==+"-<5!+,>;2;4: *4:5 )7 A4 *"=85.8"=5 "78 $).@=55, *4::5.;)"= *57A.5
)-//%,&!'" *'.$!.# '-*)$)!#,)!##(")&+%
0%%$.' +# 1/"! "-(, &*)
+)(((((
local
Page 4
KIRKLEES BUSIN
Creative agency joins the film set
A CREATIVE agency in Huddersfield has passed the screen test with a leading filmmaker. The Sharp Agency, based at the Media Centre, worked with film director David Whitney on his award-winning movie Kandahar Break. Sharp developed the identity for the film’s publicity, film poster and film on-screen title. For the website, Sharp worked with Make Online, also based in The Media Centre. The film has won a string of awards, including best feature film and best actor for star Sean Dooley at the Newport International Film Festival. It was also named best film at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, where festival director Benjamin Barnett described the film as a “truly compelling story” and said it was “film making at its best”. Mr Whitney said: “Sharp came up with a lot of fantastic ideas and some truly engaging and dramatic imagery, which really helped to attract attention to our movie.” British distributors Revolver will be announcing the UK cinema dates for the film very soon.
762-2)6-4 0/1+4%3* 9-2!62! 1$%/ 81& , )-25( *%% - "-8 #1/"-/'. ?3E'9$97 8&AEA>&E" :7=B"9D( C=% E79 9!:97&9A>&A5 &A C=%7 B%(&A9(() #9 >EA 39":2 6E"" %( A=# 8=7 E >=A(%"'E'&=A 0.+-- ,+4++4 ###2B95B&9(!'7ECA=72>=D *!+$)!" ,#%&('# ,* 6"E79 1=E;) /E"&8E!) /@ -/<
,'$)00:3A0 .3'7 -*<:'7 <A@ ,<>*'+ 2<A<0*4*A'# /**@ 7*:" 8)' @%A&' '73A= +%) ;<A <>>%$@ 3'# 5*' 13:8+ 8* +%)$ -*<:'7 ! ,<>*'+ 2<A<0*$ >$%4 %A:+ (?96 < 4%A'7 $8J2K&8C@ K$JM 9&8&'@9@8G %@&:G% &8B J&(@G+
/< 5A? )A?A4< =;,- %<A.FI A?H JAL<F= 5;?FA5F ,* F;HA= ;? "N600 D7 #7 07 ;<)AE. I<A.FIA?H*AL<F=!>E.O=.FH35;3,1
■ TRAINING PITCH: Juliette Dennett (centre), managing director of Dale Carnegie, with Town business development manager Mark Davies and operations director Ann Hough
Town secure a training tie-up ■ ROLL ‘EM: Huddersfield-based creative agency Sharp has worked with filmmaker David Whitney on his movie Kandahar Break. Above – Sharp Agency partner Richard Sharp, who runs the business with Tom Wass, Darlene Sharp and Mandi Taylor
In the USA, Peacearch Entertainment will be releasing a schedule shortly. The film follows the fortunes of a team of British mine clearance engineers working for the Taliban in the scorching deserts of Southern Afghanistan – clearing the vast minefields after decades of conflict. One of the team, an ex-British Army bomb disposal expert, falls foul of a corrupt local police chief, who instigates a manhunt to find and kill him.
The hunted man must escape on foot across the border into Pakistan – but during his journey is ambushed by a force of rebel guerrillas, who agree to help him flee the vengeful Taliban. Sharp, which covers areas such as advertising, design, direct marketing and branding, is led by Tom Wass, Richard Sharp, Darlene and Mandi Taylor. The agency counts Chrysler, NHS Sheffield and the National Union of Students among its other clients.
Judges pick a winner YORKSHIRE businessmen Carl Hopkins and Jonathan Hick have made their choice of judges in a competition to reward talented young entrepreneurs. Brighouse-based Carl and Jonathan, who hails from Hull, nominated Derbyshire-based online mapping service Gaist as their winner of The Pitch 2010 northern heat, which was staged in Liverpool. Gaist representative Nick Kitchen wowed the judges with a presentation explaining the firm’s robust business plan and huge market potential – and beat off stiff challenges from four other Northern entrepreneurs to claim a place in the grand final in London in November. The Pitch, which is run by BusinessZone.co.uk in association with business directories service Yell, is a small business competition giving entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their business to high-profile experts
■ TOP PICK: Brighouse businessman Carl Hopkins
for the chance to win a prize package worth £50,000. Carl and Jonathan have both appeared on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire. Carl’s business interests include running a business “angel” service and a web-based recruitment agency. He is a
n o n - exe c u t ive d i re c t o r o f regional businesswomen’s networking group Forward Ladies and has investments in other businesses, including fundraising site JumbleAid.com, Joblink Systems and Parties Around the World. Jonathan is founder of Directorbank, Europe’s leading provider of senior directors to private equity and venture capital-backed companies. Since selling part of his stake in the company in 2006, he has been busy helping to start and build other businesses. Said Carl: “I was extremely impressed with Nick’s pitch and the potential Gaist has for being a really impressive business. It’s been fascinating to be involved with The Pitch and I’ll look forward to the grand final.” The winners of the regional heats will compete for the title of Britain’s Best New Business as well as £50,000 worth of business support prizes.
HUDDERSFIELD Town is trying a new tack when it comes to training. While the players get back to the training ground, the club has announced a partnership with international brand Dale Carnegie Training. The global company, founded in 1912, has been involved with the Club since 2006 and is regarded as one of the leading training providers for all sizes of business, supporting organisations to develop their talent. “We're delighted to be formally recognised as partners of the football club,” said Juliette Dennett, managing director of Dale Carnegie. “The club is making waves both on the pitch and on the business side and we are proud to ‘up’ our commitment with them. “Their business base is growing rapidly along with their reputation throughout not only the sports industry, but in the Yorkshire business community – so the more we can become involved with them the better.” The partnership sees an involvement of Dale Carnegie with the commercial side of the club, especially the business events conducted throughout the season. Town commercial director Sean Jarvis said: “We are honoured to welcome such an established company to the club. “We have entrusted them in staff training over recent years and it’s clearly reaping rewards, not only on the commercial income sheet but in the quality of individuals we have working behind the scenes at the club. This includes Andy Booth, who has been on their courses since he hung up his boots.” As a special gesture to all Town-supporting businesses and to mark the partnership, Dale Carnegie will provide a 10% discount on any training courses. Visit www.dalecarnegie.com
NESS NEWS
local
Page 5
Fiona steps up to win bank’s award A CLECKHEATON businesswoman has taken a big step towards success. Fiona Wood, founder and owner of Children's Cold & Sun Protection Natural Products, has been named as the north-west regional winner of the Take One Small Step competition run by Barclays Business. The £500,000 competition – which has attracted more than 3,500 entries from around the UK – is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs make their business ambitions a reality. Ten regional winners were chosen from a final shortlist of 30 – with each of them receiving £50,000. Ian Aitchison, regional director of Barclays Business, said: “It is a life-changing amount of money designed to help them realise their dreams. “These businesses will now be able to start or expand their companies, manufacture some incredibly innovative products, and give back to the community that has shown them so much support in the voting stages. “The standard of entries for the competition has been incredibly high, but the winners were all able to demonstrate the business X factor to gain huge support from the public to vote for them. “They have displayed a fantastic mix of creativity, ingenuity and business acumen to capture the public's imagination.” Fiona said she was delighted to be one of the winners, adding: “This really is as good as it gets for me. I am just so excited to have won!
■ SUNNY SIDE: Fiona Wood, of Cleckheaton, has been named regional winner in the Barclays "Take One Step" competition
“It's been an amazing journey with a lot of support from friends and family on the way. “Winning the competition will enable me to lay the foundations to my business, starting with developing and registering a name.”
Children's Cold & Sun Protection Natural Products includes a body balm to ease breathing and warm the chest, sniffle hangers for rooms to ease breathing, lip and cheek protector for chaffing as well as sun protection creams.
Profits can offer antidote to fear O many investors, the past T three months in financial markets have felt particularly
fraught. Media commentators have turned from optimistic cheerleaders for a “V” shaped recovery in both the economy and stock prices into seemingly inconsolable pessimists, greeting every political development and fluctuation in the economic data as confirmation that we are set inexorably on the path to ruin. Objectively, it cannot be denied that there is some cause for concern. There is clear evidence in American economic data that the Eurozone debt issues have adversely affected corporate and consumer sentiment. At the same time, measures to take the steam out of the Chinese growth engine appear to be bearing fruit at a possibly inconvenient time. Judging from a stalled improvement in employment data in America, the increased uncertainty has at the very least delayed the transition from a cyclical rebound driven by inventory re-stocking to the more desirable sustainable growth pattern characterised by investment and employment growth. However, the concern of those who
CITY TALK Simon Kaye
fear a “double-dip” into recession is that a reticence to invest, if extended to the end of the year, will then be compounded by increased fiscal drag manifest in Europe directly through “austerity budgets” and in the US through the natural expiry of tax-breaks originally instituted under the Bush presidency. The hope of those who expect a more benign outcome is that the recovery in corporate profits has gained sufficient momentum to overwhelm these new uncertainties. Specifically, in the context of “no reward” for sitting on cash, the pressure will be intense for any liquidity “build up” on corporate balance sheets to be deployed into productive investment – such as machinery or even the acquisition of competitors. Understanding these possible out-
comes, the half year corporate earnings reporting season that is now upon us is more than usually important. As usual, America is particularly prompt in delivering its results and as this is going to press already global blue-chip companies Intel, JP Morgan and General Electric have reported solid numbers. Although the reception to these results has not been warm enough to move markets upwards, the broad message is encouraging. Should the balance of results over the coming three weeks match–up to the vanguard, forecasts of 50% year-over-year earnings growth for corporate America will be exceeded. Those inclined to look at the glass as half empty will rightly point out that such rapid growth is largely a func-
Simon Kaye is divisional director at Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management
tion of the depressed “base” against which this year is being compared (last year’s second quarter was a very difficult time). The evidence backs this up, since on a quarter over quarter basis there is likely to be very little growth. Franklin D Roosevelt famously said that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself ”. For corporations, the antidote to fear is profits.
Green solution FIRMS in Kirklees could cut their landfill costs by signing up to a new segregated food waste collection service. About half a million tonnes of food waste is thrown away every year in Yorkshire, according to industry figures. Most of this waste is sent to expensive landfill sites, where it decomposes and emits harmful greenhouse gases. “Waste collection companies can solve this problem,” said Mike Greenhalf, of business development programme CO2Sense Yorkshire. “By segregating food waste from the other waste, they can send the food waste to anaerobic digestion energy sites instead of landfill. This will save local businesses money and waste companies who don’t offer this service will be missing out on an important sales opportunity.” Delegates to a conference run by CO2Sense Yorkshire were given free advice about segregating waste and sending it to environmentally -friendly composting and green energy facilities. Several AD sites are due to open in Yorkshire during 2010. Chris Mills, of the government’s Waste and Resources Action Programme, said this would provide a way of diverting food waste from landfill sites – and help generate more electricity from renewable sources. Email mike.greenhalf@ co2sense.org.uk
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS High strike rate PROPERTY agency Bramleys has reported a near-100% success rate at its latest auction. The residential estate agents, chartered surveyors and specialist property consultants – which has offices at St George’s Square in Huddersfield – sold 12 out of 13 lots at the auction, which was attended by about 200 people. Highlights included The Old Red Lion Pub at Marsden, which had a guide price of £150,000 and sold for £224,000. Auctioneer Andrew Moorhouse said: “Regularly, an auction sale of the right sort of property will achieve a higher value than the private treaty process.” Bramleys holds its next sale on Tuesday, September 14, at the Galpharm Stadium.
In the running A FORMER co-operative building in Halifax is in the running to win a national award following a makeover to turn it into a permanent community room and shop. The project at Midgley has been shortlisted for the 2010 Biffaward Awards, which celebrates projects that have benefited from Biffaward funding in the previous year.
an office you can’t refuse! * FROM
£89
per month rent
2 Superb Locations! 27
ction Birstall, Jun , n Cleckheato 2 n Junctio 6
property
Page 6
Landlords can earn top marks
PROPERTY landlords have been urged to do their homework – when it comes to tenants who work from home. Belvoir Lettings, which has offices at John William Street in Huddersfield, said high fuel prices, increasing parking charges and traffic congestion were leading more people to switch off from commuting and work from home instead. Mike Goddard, chief executive of Belvoir, said: “As employers offer greater flexibility regarding work hours and location, a growing number of employees are taking advantage and working from a dedicated space at home. “An increasing number of tenants now have a home office high on their list of criteria and landlords should be responding to this.” Mr Goddard said: “Some landlords may not have the option of devoting an entire room to office space, but for those that do a relatively small investment can add considerable letting appeal to their property.” Belvoir said landlords keen to make their properties more attractive to the homeworker should ensure they provide ample phone and electrical sockets; office furniture or the space for a tenant to put a desk and cabinets; good lighting; and appropriate decor. Said Mr Goddard: “Even if the space is only used for organising bills or for students doing homework, landlords need to realise the demand for a dedicated working space.
■ HOME OFFICE: Belvoir said landlords should ensure their properties appeal to the needs of tenants working from home
“The kitchen table just won’t suffice anymore. “With millions now working from home
across the UK, landlords should be considering the changing market and making provisions for it.”
Quarterly rise in new home registrations FULLY SERVICED LUXURY OFFICES 1 PERSON UPTO 20
CCentrall AArcade, d Cl Cleckheaton k
01274 877888 www.titanbusinesscentres.co.uk *plus telecoms
HOUSEBUILDERS have reported a rise in the number of new homes registered in Yorkshire during the second quarter of the year. Figures from the National House-Building Council showed there were 2,294 registrations across the region between April and June. That compares with 1,153 registrations for the same
-+/-5+)& 3"1"25351) "251)* !/1*(,)"1) "6'.*/+ %
%
%
period in 2009. Nationally, registrations rose by 41% to 30,597 from 21,637 last time. Private sector registrations were up by 50% at 19,977 against 13,328 while public sector registrations rose by 28% to 10,620 from 8,309. However, registrations for June alone were down, according to the NHBC. There were 9,263 registrations last month
against 10,870 in May this year and 8,305 in June, 2009. NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi said it was too early to say if the June dip was a cause for concern, adding: “In the longer, term the demographics of UK population growth and the continuing under-supply of existing housing demand must require the country to build
significantly more new homes. “Shorter term factors such as uncertainty around planning reforms, the economic background and the outlook for employment, together with continuing issues with mortgage availability, may well combine to limit the scope and pace of this much-needed recovery in volume.”
Property firm booked in
)+"4",2"+ 3.,,* ,556* +/"6 0(665+*4.5,6 06# $&& %
%
%
(,%%$. )#!! *$&,.-"#'! +.-'-% )+##0- *$"" (/'%& ,+%%#.-!$#"% $).A1 2; / #)8 :? *3=+ :;//215 4A A= 0;?--15 4A &=863) ()8@1A3.#, $).A1 A= '6A (86#,,9 ,=!#A68 4=3 A=<) !6)A36 %63+1 #>#.,#",6 =) #77,.!#A.=) !(*%1/%-
21$, "*+')# 0/,.+& 1'*),+$(* #'("( (&&%##
!0'.&%.*) 3//,)&%(* !" 1+&#'-+% #'("( !!&'#$
PROPERTY adviser Christie + Co has booked in for business. Acting on behalf of Starwood Capital’s Louvre Hotels, Christie + Co is marketing the company’s UK group of 18 hotels – comprising 17 Campanile branded properties and one Première Classe branded premises. The hotels, which are a mixture of freehold and long leasehold sites, are spread across the UK and include ones in Bradford, Doncaster, Hull and Wakefield. The 18 hotels comprise almost 1,600 bedrooms in total. The purpose-built, 130-bedroom Campanile Bradford features a 60-cover restaurant, a bar, 10 meeting rooms with total capacity for
Sited close to the Keepmoat Stadium, just south of Doncaster town centre, the 49-bedroom Campanile Doncaster features a 36-cover restaurant, a bar and terrace, a meeting room with total capacity for 30 and a car park with a park and fly service to Doncaster Airport. Prominently positioned near the city’s harbour, the 48-bedroom Campanile Hull benefits from a separate 38-cover restaurant, a bar, a meeting room with a total capacity for 20, and a car park. The purpose-built, 77-bedroom Campanile Wakefield, which is located on a well-established business park, features a 46-cover restaurant, a bar and terrace, a
25 and a large car park. Campanile is Louvre Hotels’ leading two-star chain, operating in nine European countries through a network of more than 380 hotels and restaurants. Jeremy Jones, director at Christie + Co, said: “The opportunity to acquire over 1,500 bedrooms in some of the UK’s best trading locations is something of a rarity. To secure a leading flag on these assets by means of a management contract with Louvre Hotels makes this deal even more exciting. “We anticipate a strong response reflecting the quality of the opportunity and the ability to keep growing one of Europe’s best known hotel brands.”
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
Market reacts to cutbacks threat
TENANT demand in Yorkshire has remained positive, according to a property survey. But worries about the impact of public spending cuts are dogging the sector, says the latest commercial property survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Across the UK, demand fell during the second quarter of the year. The survey said 7% more chartered surveyors reported a fall than a rise in tenant demand – down from a positive 6% in the first quarter and the first negative reading since the first quarter of 2009. Tenant demand for offices fell across all regions – with London seeing the biggest fall in sentiment. There, 38% more chartered surveyors reported a fall than a rise in office demand from a positive 32% in the first quarter. Surveyors said uncertainty over public sector spending cuts had weighed on investment decisions. Demand in the retail and industrial markets also fell across most
regions, although the north is bucking the trend. In Yorkshire, tenant demand remained strong in the retail market with 25% of the region’s survey. Industrial demand slipped with 6% of surveyors in the region reporting a rise – down from 7%. Office demand fell from 6% to a negative reading of 4%. Nationally, more survey respondents reported a fall than a rise in enquiries – with the net balance falling to minus 10% from a positive 7% in the first quarter. Confidence in the outlook for lettings has also fallen for first time since the second quarter of 2009 – with the balance at minus 7%. Enquiries into space in Yorkshire fell across all markets, which in turn affected confidence in the retail and industrial sectors. However, a significant rise was reported in the office market with 11% of the region’s surveyors hoping for an improvement in lettings
over the next quarter. That’s up from a negative reading of 3% in the first quarter of 2010. The availability of space for occupation picked up, driven by increasing space in the north and the Midlands. Available space increased at slower pace in the south, while it broadly stabilised across all sectors in London. Alex McNeil, of Huddersfield property agency Bramleys, said: “Increasing supplies of vacant secondary offices are weighing heavy on rental levels. “The increasingly rare number of tenants are aware of their position and trying to turn this to their advantage by insisting on greater incentives and driving rents down. “The fall out from public sector cuts is likely to worsen this. “Demand remains for smaller suburban retail units in sharp contrast to the increasing voids in town and city centres and shopping centres.”
■ RENTAL VIEW: Alex McNeil, of the Huddersfield office of property agency Bramleys
Graduates join Bramleys TWO employees at a property agency with offices in Huddersfield have been successful in their studies. Lynsey Garside, 23, of Northowram, has gained a first class honours degree in business property management at Sheffield Hallam University. And Oliver Moorhouse, 22, has graduated in real estate management from Nottingham Trent University. Both students had placements at Bramleys during their four-year courses and are now employed in various roles with the company. Oliver is working in the residential valuation and surveying departments while Lynsey is working in the commercial agency department. Lynsey, who attended Hipperholme Grammar school and North Halifax Grammar School, began working at Bramleys in Halifax at weekends as a sales negotiator. Oliver attended Huddersfield Grammar School and Huddersfield Technical College, where he earned triple grade distinction on a BTEC national diploma in construction. He joined Bramleys when he was 16, working through the summer and other holiday periods, doing valuations and surveys in the commercial department and helping around the office.
TO LET
10 New North Parade Huddersfield, HD1 5JP
1 Character town centre offices 1 Suite of 3 private office suites 1 66.1m2 (712 sq ft) 1 w/c & kitchen facilities 1 Private on site car parking provision Rental: £8,500 pax
FOR SaLE
Ripponden Business Park
Oldham Road, Ripponden, HX6 4FF
1 Modern new build offices in semi rural environment 1 Offices From 63.68m2 (685 sq ft) to 591.24m2 (6,364 sq ft) 1 High spec, modern designs, designated car parking, air con, eco friendly heat pumps, feature lighting, perimeter wall trunking, fully carpeted 1 Ready for immediate occupation, 1 Close to J22 M62 Prices: From £100,000
TO LET/May SELL – NEW INSTRUCTION
Caldervale Works
River Street, Brighouse
1 Various workshop units 1 265 – 2,748m2 (2,857 – 29,581 sq ft) 1 Ample secure yard/parking provision Rent: Upon application
TO LET
Fieldens Works
Walton Street, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 1aW 1 1,529.39m2 (16,462 sq ft) 1 Industrial/warehouse unit 1 Private yard and car park 1 Two rolling gantry cranes 1 Two storey offices Rent: Upon application
■ NEWCOMERS: Oliver Moorhouse and Lynsey Garside have successfully completed their degrees
Page 7 Sovereign deal for Gatehouse A MAJOR property deal has been concluded in West Yorkshire. Gatehouse Bank has acquired One Sovereign Street, the home of BT’s regional headquarters in Leeds, for £40.175m. Property adviser DTZ acted for Gatehouse Bank on the acquisition of One Sovereign Street from UK fund manager La Salle on behalf of Royal Mail Pension Fund, which was advised by Stephenson Day. The office space, totalling more than 139,000sq ft, is let on a single lease to BT until September, 2020. The deal is one of the region’s largest transactions of 2010. Gatehouse is a fully Shariah-compliant investment bank based in the City of London and provides investment opportunities to its target investor base. One Sovereign Street represents Gatehouse’s third real estate acquisition in the UK following the acquisition of the headquarters building of Proctor & Gamble in Weybridge, Surrey, and a portfolio of student accommodation units in Liverpool and Loughborough.
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
Jamie Farrell, Dan Hurst & Kris Keen
Barclays Corporate BARCLAYS Corporate has made a trio of new senior appointments to its debt finance team in Yorkshire and the north-east. Geoff Durkin (above, right), who was recently promoted to head the team, has announced the appointments of director Jamie Farrell (second left) and managers Dan Hurst (left) and Kris Keen (second right). Mr Durkin said: “These three key appointments are a reflection of our confidence in the business opportunities within the region.” Mr Farrell joins the team from Santander Corporate Banking, where he worked as a relationship director. Before that, he spent 10 years at Fortis, where he was a key member of the bank’s acquisition and leveraged finance team. Mr Hurst joined on the bank’s graduate scheme in 2007 and joins from his previous role as associate director in the corporate relationship team. Mr Keen joined Barclays in 2008 and has previously been responsible for business development.
Movers and shakers
At the double and in the pink! STAFF at a haulage firm have raised more than £2,000 for charity. Employees at Netherton-based company The Pink Link Ltd were joined by family and friends when they took part in the 5k Race for Life. The runners (pictured, right) were hoping to raise about £1,000 for Cancer Research UK – but in the event doubled that. The Pink Link is no stranger to charitable causes – having completed numerous runs and hosted various fundraising events for both regional and national charities. In total the company has raised almost £83,000 in 10 years. Sales and commercial director Vicki Davenport said: “We started supporting Cancer Research UK in 2001 as we wanted to do something to help all the women out there
affected by cancer. “We are delighted to have reached then doubled our target amount and want to thank everyone who supported us. “We have now completed five Race for Life events, raising more than £5,000 – and I’m sure we’ll be involved in many more.” About 5,000 females took part in the 2010 Race for Life, which has raised an estimated £250,000 for Cancer Research. The run started and finished at Leeds Road playing fields in Huddersfield and the course took in the Galpharm Stadium and St Andrew’s Road. The Pink Link Ltd was formed in 1981 and its strikingly colourful fleet of vehicles has become a familiar sight around Yorkshire.
Five reasons for a celebration!
61$&'($+.*1 "'(21%) #(81$!+(B" 8A7A?" Y27$6 YUL SL<1A5" )9<"756& )>AL<5<"6& 5L2656 A7$ S"76<U7 Y27$6P B" )A7 >"9S .U2 <7 A99 A6S")56 UY .U2L Y<7A7)<A9 S9A77<7?& 0>"5>"L <5M6 .U2L <71"658"756& S"76<U7 UL ?"7"LA9 Y<7A7)<A9 8A55"L6P B" AL" )U88<55"$ 5U SLU1<$<7? ><?> N2A9<5. <7$"S"7$"75 SLUY"66<U7A9 A$1<)" 0<5> 5>" A<8 UY >"9S<7? U2L )9<"756 5U A)><"1" 5>"<L Y<7A7)<A9 U+;")5<1"6P
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
Page 8
■ PIECE OF CAKE: Liquid Accounts founders (from left) Jon Wright, Lisa Kendrick and Matt Holmes celebrate the firm's first five years IT all adds up for accounting software specialist Liquid Accounts. The company is celebrating its fifth birthday by assessing just how far it has come in that short space of time. The Longwood-based business was set up by three of the current directors – Matt Holmes, Lisa Kendrick and Jon Wright. It has experienced expansion, gained investment and won a variety of industry-recognised awards. The firm, which started out with three members of staff, now employs 16 and has three non-executive directors to support the business in its rapid growth and development. It originally focused the award-winning online accounting software at small local businesses, but now has a much wider client base with international clients, including one in Switzerland. It has won a hatful of awards for its use of internet technology and web-based accounting software. Managing director Matt Holmes has also been recognised by being invited to chair the special interests group for Cloud Computing for the British Application Software Developers Association. He has also spoken at
high-profile events across the UK and in France. Earlier this year, Liquid raised equity investment worth £770,000 to help with marketing and expansion over the coming years. Liquid raised the funds by selling an 18% stake to a syndicate of prominent local business angels – with a further 12% being match-funded by the Government’s flagship fund for women-led businesses, The Aspire Fund. It also followed up by undergoing a company-wide re-brand with a new brand identity and website to strengthen its position as market-leader by working alongside Birstall-based Fantastic Media. Said Mr Holmes: ““It has been a roller-coaster journey. However, we are definitely in the right place at the right time to be leading the way in Cloud Computing. “Microsoft has just announced that it’s putting the majority of it’s development into the Cloud and big names like Coca Cola are moving their internal systems online. We are the only UK online accounting software provider to have gained major equity investment so far and we offer many benefits, advantages and cost-savings for our clients.”
Agency on right road with website IT may seem an unlikely internet hit. But a Grange Moor firm is onto a winner after launching a website devoted to explaining the wonderful world of highway engineering. Award-winning highway engineering consultancy Sanderson Associates is sponsoring the website to promote the profession across the country. Managing director Alison France explained: “The kind of questions we are asking – and answering – on the new website are: ‘What exactly does a highway engineer do? Do I need one? And how do I become one?’ “These are all questions that we are regularly asked and – in response – we have sponsored this website which gives an insight into our work in highways and transportation and seeks to explain in an easily understandable manner some of the technical aspects of our world. “The website shows the involvement of the highway engineer in the various stages of a development proposal from the concept to physically getting started on site. “It highlights some of the traffic modelling processes that are used daily, the follow-on, highway-related legal aspects of implementing a development proposal and the off-site highway works. “Crucially, we examine what you do if, at the end of the planning application procedure, you are landed with a refusal of consent.” Judith Walker, chief executive of the Institute of Highway Engineers, praised the initiative, saying: “Highways need to attract enthusiastic young entrants – despite the recession – and this site will definitely help”. The website also aims to help people in the development and property industry, including anyone needing a transport assessment, statement or scoping study, travel plan, road safety audit, detailed design work, feasibility study of potential access arrangements and the design of a service area or car park. Go to www.highwayengineer.co.uk