Kirklees Business News 26.04.2011

SARAH YOUNG Laying down the law

JILL HAGUE World markets beckon

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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees

Graduate expands recruitment firm

A YOUNG entrepreneur from Huddersfield is using Yorkshire know-how to expand his successful London-based international recruitment consultancy.

Just three years after setting up Vivid Resourcing in the capital, Charlie Walker has guided the business to a £1.6m profit on turnover totalling £7m.

Now the 27-year-old, who grew up in Linthwaite and attended Colne Valley High School and Greenhead College, is looking to expand the business over the next 12 to 18 months by taking on other like-minded young graduates and opening new offices in Leeds and Birmingham.

Charlie, who regularly returns to his home town to visit family and friends, studied modern history and politics at Wadham College, Oxford, after gaining a scholarship.

He launched his career in recruitment after realising he lacked the financial resources to embark on a career in politics.

Just a few years later, he was able to give up a £150,000 salary with a leading recruitment firm in Bristol to set up Vivid – working 13-hour days alone for four months before establishing a small office in Farringdon, north London.

“It was the right time to do it,” he said. “I had no mortgage and I had paid off most of my debts.

“I thought that it I left it 10 years, I could be married with kids and responsibilities. If you fail in business at 24 it’s not the end of the world, but if you fail with children to look after, that’s different.”

Said Charlie: “I had a great time with my previous company, but I always had the desire to work for myself in London.

“To start with all I had was a couple of desks and computers and phones.

The financial climate in 2008 also didn’t do us any favours, but I never doubted it was going to be a success.”

Vivid Resourcing focuses on providing contract and permanent staff for the ICT, finance, engineering, public service and new media sectors – ones which Charlie sees as growth areas over the next 12 to 18 months.

The firm employs 14 consultants and this month relocated to bigger offices in S t Jo h n’s S t r e e t , g iv i n g Viv i d Resourcing the scope to employ up to 42 staff.

Vivid’s present team of recruiters includes an ex-professional cricketer, a Cambridge English graduate and graduates from a broad range of disciplines including engineering, business, French and law.

Charlie is now looking for 12 young graduates to boost his consultancy team.

He said: “I’m not concerned by people’s background. It’s really more a case of whether graduates can display the raw competencies and attitude needed to develop into successful consultants.

“People who excel in this area are almost without exception great verbal communicators, intelligent with ambitious financial goals..”

Said Charlie: “Recruitment has become something of a dirty word.

Some people working in recruitment have a bit of a ‘wide boy’ image as pushy sales people.

“We recruit graduates who are ambitious and intelligent, but who we can mould to deal with clients and candidates properly.”

By accident or design, Charlie, who

INSIDE Team in top gear A NEW management team is driving ahead at a Huddersfield car dealership.

Huddersfield Volkswagen appointed four new sales and business centre managers in late 2010 – and has reaped the rewards by receiving praise for improved customer service in mystery shopper and customer satisfaction surveys.

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■ LONDON CALLING: Colne Valley-born Charlie Walker, of Vivid Resourcing, is making a success of business in the big city

lives at Tufnell Park in London, has recruited a strong contingent of northerners.

He also regularly meets up with a group of other Huddersfield “exiles”.

Although he frequently returns to his home town, there are aspects of Huddersfield he misses when he’s in the big city.

“I miss the people quite a bit,” he says. “Generally, people in Huddersfield have a dry sense of humour. A lot of people in London have a patronising attitude to places like

Huddersfield because they don’t realise how good it is. I also miss the moors and the music.”

Before moving into recruitment Charlie helped to run the Rocks Off record shop in Huddersfield.

He also manned CD stalls at festivals across Europe as well as playing trumpet and singing with a variety of groups.

Now Charlie’s tuning up to make Vivid one of the top 50 fastest growing UK businesses in under five years.

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Profitable pursuits DEWSBURY company Rixonway Kitchens has been named one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses. It has been listed 36th in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100

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Solicitors for business inYorkshire www.chadwicklawrence.co.uk Huddersfield | Wakefield | Halifax | Leeds

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Firm earns award for a high wire act BRIGHOUSE-based specialist wire fabricator Siddall & Hilton Products Ltd has scooped a top prize.

The company triumphed at the Live Wire Awards ceremony – a national event focused on improving health and safety at work for people employed in the UK wire industries.

All of the UK’s major wire industry employers are members of Live Wire – and Siddall & Hilton Products has supported the concept since its launch four years ago.

The Live Wire Health & Safety Award is sponsored by Tata Steel and recognises firms which encourage employees to embrace health and safety at all levels, share best practice across the industry and come up with ideas which improve health and safety in the wire industry.

Siddall & Hilton Products’ winning presentation was made by production supervisor Gareth Bush and production operative Simon Edwards.

They put forward a working solution for an issue experienced throughout the industry – the safe storage of rod and coil wire.

It is common practice in the wire industry to stack one, two and even five

tonne coils as many as five high, using wooden chocks to prevent lateral movement.

Siddall & Hilton Products said this practice had been the subject of numerous “near miss” health and safety reports – prompting the company to assemble a task force to tackle the problem.

The Coil Cradle developed by the company uses the weight of the coils to hold the barriers in place and prevent lateral movement.

The cradles are now in use across the company’s site on Birds Royd Lane in Brighouse. Since their installation, there have been no accidents and no reported near misses involving movement of coils.

Managing director Neil Stewardson said: “The coils used at Siddall & Hilton Products weigh around one tonne.

“As we process some 20,000 tonnes of wire every year, safe handling and secure storage is key to protecting the health and safety of our employees.

“This initiative has proved a great success, and the Live Wire Health & Safety Award has recognised this amongst our peers.”

■ WIRED UP: Gareth Bush (left), production supervisor for S&H Products, Sean Lyons (centre), site director for Tata Steel at Scunthorpe, and Simon Edwards, production operative at S&H Products

New developments for Brighouse photo shop A PHOTOGRAPHY shop in Brighouse has re-opened following a major makeover.

Local councillor Colin Stout cut the ribbon to open the new-look Lords Photodigital store in company with owners and brothers Jim and Steven Lord.

Clr Stout applauded the success of the firm, saying: “I am very impressed with all the latest digital printing technology at Lords. We are very lucky to have this type of business in Brighouse. Shops like this help bring footfall into the town.”

Clr Stout said Brighouse was a flourishing town – with only four empty shops in the town centre and almost 50% of shops under independent ownership.

Lords Photodigital was selected by Kodak out of 250 stores throughout the UK and Ireland to have a complete makeover.

The Brighouse firm has invested heavily in state-of-the-art digital

printing equipment – allowing customers to print their images up to poster size within the hour from the new in-store kiosks or to have their images converted into a range of photo gifts and books.

Jim Lord said he was delighted by the response of customers to the new look store, saying: “The shop has a real buzz about it. Customers love it. It was an honour to have been chosen to be Kodak’s first new look store and these are very exciting times.”

Janice Paterson, business manager for Kodak Express UK and Ireland, said: “Retailing is Steven and Jim’s passion and they have attracted and retained customers, driven incremental sales and profit.”

Lords Photodigital was formed in 1966 by Bill Lord. Steven’s oldest son Tom has worked there since finishing his marketing degree last year – and on Saturdays his youngest son Matthew helps out.

Food for thought ORGANISERS of Yorkshire’s biggest food and drink festival are seeking sponsors for this summer’s extravaganza.

The Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival will take place over four days from Thursday, August 11, to Sunday, August 14, at George’s Square.

Cathy Burger, Huddersfield town centre manager, said: “The event is rated by our loyal stallholders as being one of the most successful in the UK. “The Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival gives you the opportunity to raise your business profile in the town and beyond.

“Sponsorship not only provides exposure to more than 65,000 festival-goers, but thousands more who see and hear the extensive marketing and national press campaign.”

Sponsorship options include a new gold package being offered to two local businesses as well as a number of exclusive opportunities to make the most of the festival.

They include a marquee in a prime location, a private evening function of your choice, involvement of ‘branded’ staff at workshops and logos on all Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival marketing materials.

Tel the festival office on 01484 487933 or email htcpl@kirklees.gov.uk

Very useful

■ IN THE PICTURE: Clr Colin Stout cuts the ribbon to open the revamped Lords Photodigital outlet with Jim Lord (front, right) and Steven Lord (front, left)

IoD regional director sets date to step down

Networking event

A LEADING business figure in Yorkshire is stepping down.

John Thompson will step down from his post as regional director of the Yorkshire and Humber region of the Institute of Directors in July as he reaches his 65th birthday.

Mr Thompson said: “I’ve been most fortunate to hold this very privileged and enjoyable position

BUSINESS people in Huddersfield are invited to let off steam at an informal networking event next month.

First Friday, which enables town centre professionals to get together on a regular basis, will hold its next event from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Friday, May 6, at The Head of Steam, St George’s Square.

Email krishna.patel@revellward.co.uk to

for almost a decade.

“It has been a fantastic way to meet many of the region’s business leaders, grow the IoD brand and help in fostering business growth in the region as well as bringing together some great minds to share their experiences, network and foster business collaborations.”

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The IoD Yorkshire Region has almost 2,000 members with active branches in West, South, East and North Yorkshire.

Margaret Wood, who chairs the Yorkshire IoD, said: “I wish to thank John enormously for all his hard work and effort on behalf of the IoD.”

TWO topical free events are being staged by the Lockwood-based Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Liz Robinson, of The Digital Consortium, will share tips on how to promote your company, products and services online when she is the guest speaker at 60 Useful Minutes. The seminar takes place at 8.30am on May 10 at the chamber’s offices at The Stable Block, Brewery Drive, Lockwood.

Delegates can take advantage of another 60 Useful Minutes at the same time and venue on June 14 when former Sky TV reporter and Quest PR managing director Sharon Cain and Neil Kendall, regional director of Business Doctors, are guest speakers.

Go to www.mycci.co.uk

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS JOURNALISM was Sarah Young’s first choice of career – until she did a swap with a friend!

Sarah, who hails from Epsom in Surrey and was educated at a convent school in Wimbledon, said: “I was going to be a journalist or a writer. But when I was in the sixth form, a friend asked me to go with her on an introduction to law course.

She wanted me to go for company.

“My friend wanted to study law at university while I wanted to do English. But after attending the course, she decided to do English and I decided to do law!

The thought of being able to debate and argue had massive appeal – that and the influence of LA Law, which was on TV in those days!”

Sarah attended Hull University and York Law School. “That’s what really introduced me to the north and made me want to practice law here,” she says.

Sarah qualified in 1994 and spent a year in Norfolk before moving to Huddersfield and joining Ridley & Hall.

“It was a bit of a culture shock,” she recalls.“I was Contentious Trust and the only vegetarian solicitor Probate Solicitors.

Ridley & Hall had ever “It is still all about the employed. I also came to skills I use in litigation, but it work wearing a trouser suit, is a different area of law,” which was a big deal in she says, pointing out that those days. That started a disputes over wills are trend of women at the firm becoming more prevalent in being allowed to wear an age of “broken” families, trousers. divorce and re-marriage – “Ridley & Hall has never and when people are living been a ‘stuffy’ firm, but longer but face issues such trousers for women wasn’t as dementia. the done thing. I don’t think “It is creating a real they knew what to do with timebomb,” says Sarah. me!”

“People have more assets Sarah began working in and there is more money to general litigation, but was argue over. Husbands may soon specialising in have children from a first personal injury cases marriage and make wills alongside colleague Nigel which leave everything to Priestley. their wives, unintentionally She worked on some cutting out those children.” very big cases involving Unsurprisingly, Sarah is cases of cerebral palsy and keen to encourage people to head injuries, which held a make a will – ensuring that particular interest because they make their intentions of the often complex issues clear. involved compared to Sarah’s skills as typical PI work on slips and managing partner at Ridley trips. & Hall contributed to her “These complex cases winning an award from the involve getting together a Association of Women range of experts and Solicitors last year. working with a family for a And as if she isn’t busy long time,” she says. “It is like conducting an orchestra, bringing together a team of excellent people who can really help the client.

“If you are able to get the right support for someone with an injury like that, you can see things change for the better for them.”

Says Sarah: “I really like meeting people and a lot of clients will keep in touch after we’ve dealt with their problems. It’s a privilege to have people feel they can call on you and rely on you.”

Sarah is also handling more ‘contentious probate’ cases – typically families arguing over wills.

■ LAW REPORT: Sarah She is a member of Young sees a likely rise in Solicitors for the Elderly contentious probate cases and the Association of

profile

Sarah Young

Swap was a good deal! enough, Sarah completed a year in office as president of Huddersfield Law Society in 2010 and is active in the society’s twinning project – set up by Nigel Priestley – to work with solicitors in Uganda.

“I got involved about five years ago,” she says, “and I have been out to Uganda twice. It is challenging and difficult at times, but it is a massive thing to do.”

Huddersfield lawyers have provided relevant textbooks “begged and borrowed” from training providers and barristers to furnish a burgeoning legal library for the Ugandan Law Society.

“Huddersfield Law Society comprises relatively small firms of solicitors and there is a lot of synergy with law firms in Uganda,” says Sarah.

“What they really need is not the big corporate law firms from London telling them how to do big high-profile deals, but people like themselves dealing with issues such as setting up files, dealing with the accounts, how to treat your staff and time management.

“It isn’t a one-way street, however. We are learning all the time about how we ought to be doing things. It’s about helping each other to become better lawyers.”

Says Sarah: “I enjoyed the whole experience of meeting people and travelling around the country. It is not something I expected to be doing as a solicitor, but in many ways it has been life-transforming.”

Sarah is proud of other initiatives set up by the Huddersfield Law Society, including a rota of solicitors providing free advice on Wednesday and Friday morning at Huddersfield County Court.

She says: “When

Page 3 Role: Managing partner Age: 41 Family Married to Will with children Alex, nine, Libby, seven, and Kate, four Holidays: Camping in Pembrokeshire or Northumberland Car: Volvo V50 First job: Office junior for a firm of solicitors Best thing about job: The people I work with and the clients Worst thing about job: Complaints Business tip: Always be honest with people

Ridley & Hall

Huddersfield solicitors come together they are a formidable group. The society is in vibrant health.”

One initiative Ridley & Hall has pioneered is a new service backed by a dedicated website called Elderflower.

Says Sarah: “We have a lot of people living longer, but local services are not always geared up for people approaching retirement age or those already retired.

“They are having to consider issues with serious legal and financial implications such as wills, lasting powers of attorney, pensions, equity-release and care home costs.

“Elderflower is a unique service because we bring together the financial and legal advice on issues affecting older people.”

Ridley & Hall is joined in the scheme by Huddersfield accountancy firm Sheards, UK Wealth Management and Bell & Buxton, a specialist in tackling “elder abuse” and contentious probate.

Sarah could also give good advice to anyone seeking a better work-life balance.

“I work four days a week and I have one day at home to spend time with the family,” she says.

“About 50% of our staff work part-time in some shape or form and I support that because you get the best from people when you enable people to have a working life that works for them.

“We let staff work from home on occasions to avoid a long commute.

Everyone works well together to make sure there are no ‘gaps’.”

Away from work, Sarah

finds great delight tending her flock of hens. “They were a birthday present from my husband,” she says. “There’s something life-affirming about collecting the eggs in the morning.”

Work: Law firm acting for people who need us to challenge authority on their behalf Site: Huddersfield Employees: 45 Phone: 01484 538421 Web: www.ridley andhall.co.uk E-mail sarah.young@ ridleyandhall.co.uk

HENRYK ZIENTEK

Rocked in Hollywood.

Made in Borehamwood.

It may sound like a quiet little town but Borehamwood is home to Orange Amps, which has been supplying the world’s music industry for the past 40 years.

At HSBC we believe that a local business doesn’t have to stay local.

By thinking about your business from a global perspective, we can help you thrive both locally and internationally.

Speak to Jill Hague, Area Commercial Director, on 07786 524353*, or email jillhague@hsbc.com

Business Issued by HSBC Bank plc. *Lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

AC18837

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KIRKLEES BUSIN

Temporary staff to get extra rights HE implementation date for the Agency T Worker Regulations will soon be upon us and the Government has now issued

guidance on how they will work in practice.

Coming into force on October 1, 2011, temporary workers will, for the first time, have a right not to be treated less favourably than permanent employees in terms of their basic working and employment conditions, subject to a 12-week qualifying period of service with any hirer.

Workers will also have rights to certain facilities and benefits from day one of an assignment.

An agency worker is defined as someone who is supplied by a temporary work agency, to work temporarily for and under the supervision and direction of a hirer and who has a contract of employment or any other contract to perform work and services personally for a temporary work agency.

Those individuals who are genuinely self-employed contractors will not be covered by the regulations.

The agency worker will be entitled to the same basic working and employment conditions as he would have been entitled to for doing the same job had he been recruited directly by the hirer. The right to equal treatment will not apply until an agency worker has undertaken the same role,

Community Awards

2011

EMPLOYER’S BRIEF Neil Wilson

whether on one or more assignments, with the same hirer for 12 continuous calendar weeks.

To establish less favourable treatment, the agency worker will have to compare himself to a directly-recruited comparator (whether real or hypothetical) and then identify the terms and conditions which are ordinarily included in such a person’s contract.

Continuity will be broken if the worker starts a new assignment with the hirer where “the work or duties that make up the whole or main part of that new role are substantively different from the work or duties that made up the whole or main part of the previous role”.

“Basic working and employment conditions” most importantly relates to “pay” which includes bonuses, commission, holiday pay or other emolument referable to the employment. This also therefore includes shift allowances, overtime payments, unsocial hours premiums and bonuses linked to personal performance – e.g. output-related bonuses.

Workers will also be entitled to rest breaks of the same duration and frequency and the same entitlement to annual leave.

In addition, there are some entitlements which shall apply from day one of any assignment.

Agency workers will have the right to be told of any ‘relevant vacancies’ in the hirer during an assignment along with being given access to ‘collective facilities and amenities’. This includes canteens or similar facilities, childcare facilities and the provision of transport services.

Agency workers will have the right to bring various claims in the Employment Tribunal, including where a worker has been dismissed or subjected to a detriment for exercising his rights under the regulations, treated less favourably than an actual or hypothetical comparator with regard to his basic employment and working conditions or has been denied access to collective facilities and amenities.

Employers who use temporary workers, along with the agencies who supply such workers, are urged to review the guidance issued by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, in advance of the regulations coming into force in October, 2011.

Neil Wilson is an employment lawyer at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors

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Firms get £5m funding A FUND backing go-ahead businesses in Yorkshire has invested more than £5m in the past seven months.

The sum invested by Finance Yorkshire also triggered three times as much investment through private sector leverage – meaning the funding has helped the organisations involved generate growth and revenue to the tune of nearly £16m.

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: “The investment figures are encouraging and we are looking forward to providing more funding for businesses during the rest of the year.

“After a delayed start, to have invested over £5m is a great sign for the future both for the fund and for businesses in Yorkshire and Humber.”

He added: “We encourage growth companies looking to expand their business to get in touch with us. As the latest figures show, the investments are

crucial to supporting business growth in Yorkshire and Humber.

“This will create a significant boost to the region’s economy.”

The figures highlight how the investments made since August, 2010, have helped 75 of the region’s small and medium-sized businesses meet their funding requirements for growth and development – and secure millions of pounds of private sector leverage.

Firms benefiting from the funding include ones in sectors such as business services, engineering and industrial products, energy, IT and media.

Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity-linked investments ranging from £15,000 to £2m.

Finance Yorkshire is supported by the European Union.

It has attracted £30m investm e n t f ro m t h e E u ro p e a n Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the

Bowling them over at Lord’s A FIRM providing surface heating and cooling systems for the property sector bowled over delegates to a major business event held at Lord’s cricket ground in London.

Huddersfield-based Velta chose the historic venue for its second Sustainable Design and Construction Forum after staging its inaugural event last September.

The second forum – held in association with Hanson Building Products, Stuarts Industrial Flooring and Creagh Concrete and sponsored

by Project Sales Achiever – attracted a bigger audience with some high profile industry guests in attendance.

The event was attended by more than 100 delegates, ranging from consultants to engineers and architects from well-known international organisations across the construction and engineering industries. They included delegates from as far as Spain and Sweden.

The forum is unusual in the industry as it is dedicated to professionals in the commercial, residential and industrial buildings market.

Speakers included Prof Bjarne Olesen, of the University of Denmark, and Prof Doug King, of King Shaw Associates.

The event provided building owners, managers, architects, contractors, consultants and mechanical and engineering specialists with the latest knowledge in the development of thermo active building systems (TABS), including renovation solutions for the cooling and heating of offices.

Sustainability and energy efficiency are important factors within the construction industry due to pressure from the public and politicians to ensure the buildings of the future fit in with the “green” agenda.

Velta’s TABS allow existing energy to be used to provide environmentally-friendly heating and cooling. Many development schemes are using it for projects in the UK and internationally.

Velta managing director Gerald Kemp said: “Both of our forums have been very successful and we are delighted that so many key people within the industry attended the events.”

Sandwich man ■ BOOST: Finance Yorkshire chief executive Alex McWhirter is keen to encourage growth

region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme, £15m from Yorkshire Forward’s Single Programme and £45m m at c h f u n d i n g f ro m t h e European Investment Bank.

THE Subway store at Ravensthorpe Shopping Centre in Dewsbury has marked three years of trading – under one of the youngest store franchisees in the Yorkshire region.

Local entrepreneur David Cameron started his career as a “sandwich artist” at a Subway store in Huddersfield when he was 22. At the age of just 24, he decided to purchase his own franchise. Now 27, David has seen his business go from strength to strength, with growing sales and thousands invested in the local economy.

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Exporting key to UK economy ITH many experts predicting that W Britain’s exporters hold the key to continued economic recovery over the

next 12 months, at HSBC we expect to see increased international trade driven by significant growth in emerging markets.

This growth is playing a key role in helping businesses to see opportunities beyond the borders of the UK – both in these emerging markets and in mature markets where growth is slower.

Emerging markets are driving a new wave of consumer and business investment demand, providing exciting export opportunities for businesses.

“Thinking” businesses are approaching this shift in global trade with optimism, using it as an opportunity to innovate and cash-in on the creativity, strong heritage and knowledge-intensive base Britain is renowned for.

The latest HSBC Global Small Business Confidence Monitor revealed that by 2013, some 40% of the world’s SMEs expect to be operating internationally. With 29% of businesses already trading overseas, the next two years will see an acceleration of this trend.

At HSBC, we truly believe that businesses in the UK should make the most of the international opportunities open to them.

Currently, 20% of UK SMEs are trading internationally and our data highlights an increased appetite to venture overseas.

BANKER’S BLOG Jill Hague

Among our 1m commercial customers across the UK, we are seeing an increase in our trade finance lending to UK businesses – particularly within the export component.

HSBC invoice finance turnover is also on the rise, which is a lead indicator of overall economic activity.

At HSBC, our global footprint and connectivity around the world enables us to support customers with their international requirements and provide access to our own local contacts and insights.

As such, we are encouraging businesses in Kirklees to consider international growth opportunities. For the second year running, HSBC has launched Business Thinking – an initiative to find the UK’s best business thinker and an opportunity for 18 companies across the UK to benefit from up to £6m of lending and a financial reward of up to

£120,000.

The initiative will see six entrants from across Yorkshire and the North East selected as regional finalists. These finalists will have an opportunity to participate in an international thought exchange visit to network and gain valuable business insight.

While international trade offers many firms an opportunity to exploit their strengths, diversify their customer base and expand their business, we would encourage any business to seek professional advice and carry out thorough research before venturing into a new market to enable them to maximise their successes overseas.

To find out more about how HSBC might be able to help your business or to find out more about HSBC’s Business Thinking initiative, contact jillhague@hsbc.com or visit www.businessthinking.hsbc.co.uk

Jill Hague is HSBC area commercial director for Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield

Safeguarding your good ideas

s

■ ENQUIRIES: Karen Marsden, customer information centre manager for Business Link

MORE company bosses are seeking help to protect their intellectual property – whether that’s their company name and brand, a design, invention or new process – it is claimed.

Intellectual property is any form of original creation that can be bought or sold, from music to machinery – and it’s a hugely valuable asset to businesses.

And Karen Marsden, head of Business Link Yorkshire’s customer information centre, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of callers looking for help with inventions or new ideas.

“The type of help they are seeking ranges from how to raise finance for prototyping to how to go about finding out if there is a market for their product and potential routes.

“It is really important to research and assess ideas and we advise customers how to go about this. For those further advanced, we help them find ways to exploit their ideas more quickly so they can go further.”

Said Karen: “There is a wealth

of support available in the region through the universities, inventors’ clubs, patent attorneys and the Patent Libraries in Leeds and Sheffield. We help customers access the most appropriate support for them.”

The Patents Library in Leeds provides services including information on IP and business/IP related seminars. Unit head Stef Stephenson said: “We have also noticed an increase in all types of businesses and individuals needing IP advice.

“They are sometimes confused about different types of IP and what they protect. There has

been a small but noticeable increase in those seeking advice because they are worried that they may be infringing someone else's IP.” The Patents Library runs free monthly IP clinics in Leeds and last month ran an additional clinic because demand was so heavy.

In the next few weeks, Business Link Yorkshire is holding a series of free workshops called Developing and Bringing New Ideas to Market.. They include a session running from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday, June 14, at the Briar Court Hotel, Birchencliffe.

Business Link Yorkshire is also encouraging businesses to consider a new scheme offering part-funding to small and medium-siz ed enterprises, enabling them to engage in research and development projects in science, engineering and technology.

The Grant for Research and Development supports R&D projects which offer significant rewards and could stimulate UK economic growth.

Race meeting proves a winner A DAY at the races provided the ideal backdrop for a regional business networking event.

Huddersfield Town hosted its third Enterprise Academy in the sunshine at Pontefract Racecourse.

More than 100 business delegates from across Yorkshire attended the event – with one lucky person picking a 100/1 winner in one of the races!

Club partner TOG 24 gave attendees an insight into how it has become one of the biggest outdoor clothing specialists in the UK. The presentation was given by sales director Michael Wood and national retail manager Paul Ramsden.

The business networking event was attended by several of the football club’s partners, including Chadwick Lawrence, Kirklees College, Stafflex, Revell Ward, Dale Carnegie, TC bathrooms, Voot, CBC Computers and TOG 24.

Following TOG 24’s presentation, delegates networked and watched the day’s racing.

One lucky guest from CBC Computers spent the best £10 of his life when he backed 100/1 shot Spruzzo in the 3.40pm race. Spruzzo won by a length and capped off a wonderful day for all the delegates.

Huddersfield Town and Chadwick Lawrence’s joint venture the Yorkshire Business Forum sponsored a race from the card.

Town commercial director Sean Jarvis said: “Pontefract Racecourse was the perfect setting for the Enterprise Academy. It was good to network with our club partners and meet some new ones.

“Our Enterprise Academy is quickly becoming one of the biggest business events in the Yorkshire region. It is an excellent opportunity for companies to meet and create new business.”

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

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Rixonway on the fast track ■ SPORTING GESTURE: James and Katie Berry – the fourth generation running Myers Build and DIY – with Huddersfield Giants chairman Ken Davy (right), who officially opened their new premises at Crosland Hill

Opening day focus on sport and art GIANTS chairman Ken Davy cut a ribbon to mark the opening of a new DIY and building supply business.

Myers Build & DIY is the latest development from The Myers Group, which is already renowned in the construction sector for its activities covering quarrying, builders’ merchanting, plant hire and concrete.

James Berry, who takes responsibility for Myers Build & DIY with his sister Katie, welcomed guests to the official opening, which was also being held to support Kirkwood Hospice at Dalton.

The new firm’s premises at Crosland Hill include an area which has been set aside as a gallery to display the paintings of Sharon Jankowicz, a patient at Kirkwood. who is selling her paintings to raise much needed funds for the hospice.

A number of paintings were sold during the day with all proceeds going to the hospice.

In his speech, Mr Davy referred to former rugby league star David Valentine, who once worked for Myers Group business Readymix, and his son Ian Valentine, who has worked with the Myers Group for more than 30 years and is now Readymix general manager.

More than 200 people attended the opening, which included champagne, lunch and refreshments. The fun

continued over the Easter weekend – with the business open to the general public – with a bouncy castle and treats for children.

Myers Build & DIY stocks all the products required for homebuilding, renovating and DIY, including kitchens and bathrooms. Seasonal products will include a range of landscape and garden products for spring.

The Myers Group owes its origins to Jack Myers who in the late 1950s expanded the family business – founded in 1929 in the name of Isaac Timmins Ltd – from its building and civil engineering roots into the manufacturer and supplier of construction materials.

Among its businesses, Readymix Huddersfield, which also includes Mini Mix, Conveyormix and Mobile Concrete Pump Hire, supplies concrete from various locations around Yorkshire.

Naylor Myers was founded in 1973 and is now a leading independent builder’s merchants with 12 branches throughout Yorkshire.

Johnsons Wellfield Quarries, also based at Crosland Hill, is one of the largest and most advanced plants of its kind in the UK, supplying products to a range of prestigious projects nationally.

The group also includes HSH Skip Hire and timber merchanting business Boards Huddersfield.

Companies double-booked COMPANIES in Meltham and Elland have come together on projects to build two hotels.

Elland-based contractor Marshall Construction Ltd approached building systems firm Structherm Ltd, of Meltham, with plans for two hotels in northern England – a Premier in at Halifax and a Ramada Encore at Gateshead.

Structherm’s Fastbuild precast concrete building system is being used to provide walls, floors, lift shafts and staircases at the hotels – with the firm’s design team working closely with Marshalls.

Both projects will begin in the next few weeks with completion in the summer.

A DEWSBURY company has been listed as one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses.

Rixonway Kitchens has been ranked 36th in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 – and third in its home region of Yorkshire.

The list highlights private companies with the fastest-growing profits, based on their latest three years of available accounts..

Rixonway, one of the leading kitchen manufacturers in the affordable and social housing sector, earned its ranking after defying the downturn to lift revenues by 23% in 2009/10 to £28.8m.

Chief executive Paul Rose said: “We are delighted to have received this recognition in spite of tough economic conditions.

“Our results have been excellent over the last year, which is down to the hard work of the whole team.

“I would like to extend my personal thanks to every one of them and look forward to a successful 2011 for everyone.”

Despite tough economic conditions, the 100 companies on the list grew their profits over the last three years by an average of 72% a year to a combined total of £1.2bn in their latest available audited accounts.

Together they employed 82,250 staff, having added 22,350 employees to their workforce during this time – some as a result of acquisitions.

Rixonway, which has 450 employees, has continued with a programme of capital investment despite the eco-

■ STEPPING UP: Rixonway Kitchens’ top team of (from left) IT Director Andy Pickard, sales and marketing director David Anderson, chief executive Paul Rose, commercial director Julian Dudley, financial director Keith Robinson and operations director Nick Greenall

nomic environment.

The recent addition of bespoke systems and equipment includes Preactor – to increase efficiencies and deliver time and cost savings to clients – and dust extraction system Ecogate, which has dramatically reduced the firm’s carbon footprint.

Said Mr Rose: “Over the last six years our focus has been on innovation, reliability and further improving our service.

“Our success in delivering this has secured many new contracts and has created excellent relationships among those who provide and maintain affordable and social housing stock.

It is this to which we really owe our significant growth and record turnover and profit.”

The company is now producing more than 12,000 rigid units a week and also employs 40 designers who operate nationwide.

Valuation scheme deadline nears A SCHEME to “reinforce” the accuracy of property valuations comes into force in Yorkshire at the end of this week.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has developed the Valuer Registration Scheme, which becomes mandatory in Yorkshire and Humber from April 30.

The scheme was devised after 7,000 members in the region agreed it was “appropriate to achieve proportionate and better regulation in the market place”.

The VRS was launched in October, 2010, to ensure that RICS members across the UK adhere to and can be monitored on practising the professional standards contained in the RICS Valuation Standards, also known as the Red Book, when undertaking valuations.

So far, more than 11,000 UK valuers have signed up – with more expected before the deadline.

From April 30, all valuers undertaking these valuations in the UK will need to have registered with the VRS in order

to continue to provide Red Book valuations.

This has been put in place to further assure the quality of valuations, raise the credibility of chartered surveyor valuers and provide clearly identifiable designation for the best regulated and qualified professionals in the field.

Jennifer Welch, operations director for RICS Yorkshire, said: “The Valuer Registration Scheme helps to further establish the credibility, skills and professionalism of RICS members among clients and public authorities. It also demonstrates RICS’ focus on continuous enhancement to its regulatory approach and operations. “’We are delighted with the number of members signing up to this scheme which clearly reinforces the importance of chartered surveyors as the leading valuation professional, providing sound, independent and consistent advice delivered to globally accepted standards.’’

■ FOCUS: Jennifer Welch, operations director for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the north

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

property

Team secures quality standard A LAW firm in Huddersfield has become one of the first in the country to secure Conveyancing Quality Scheme status, the Law Society's new home buying quality mark.

Armitage Sykes Solicitors, based at New North Road, joins the select band of accredited firms. At the end of March, the Law Society had only accredited 20 firms nationally.

Law Society president Linda Lee said the CQS award was recognition for the firm’s high standards in residential conveyancing.

She said: “These first practices are the flag bearers of the CQS and this recognition of the quality of their service begins a new chapter in the home buying process.

“In what is already a crowded conveyancing market, CQS accredited legal practices will be clearly visible to anyone looking to buy a home. For what is the most expensive purchase of anyone's lifetime, it is vital that they can rely on the quality service provision of CQS.” Partner Diana Walker said: “We are delighted to have secured CQS accreditation.

It is a signal to home buyers and lenders that we provide that level of service.”

The CQS scheme has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies Association and the Association of British Insurers. The Land Registry has also welcomed the scheme.

■ HOME TEAM: The conveyancing team at Armitage Sykes Solicitors of (from left) Michelle Riordan, Diana Walker, Alison Withington and Ruth Walker

Residential development A H O L M E Va l l e y p r o p e r t y developer has made a key appointment.

Brockholes-based Conroy Brook has appointed Goldsborough Estates, a member of the Bupa Group, to manage its Holme Valley Court development of 45 one and two-bedroom luxury apartments and penthouses.

H o l m e Va l l e y C o u r t i s a n award-winning development of retirement apartments set in the grounds of the Holme Valley Memorial Hospital at Holmfirth.

Conroy Brook, which has won the coveted title of Housebuilder of the Year, designed Holme Valley Court with the needs of its customers firmly in mind.

The complex has full disabled access, eight-person lift, communal lounge, patio and garden areas with outdoor seating, water features, artwork and lighting.

It also has two guest bedrooms for visitors and 24-hour careline alarm call system.

In addition, each apartment also has a video-phone entry system and burglar alarm, while the complex itself has building CCTV and has been designed for comfort and security.

Richard Conroy, chief executive of Conroy Brook, said: “As we now only have one apartment left to sell at this exclusive retirement complex, we felt that the time was right to bring in a

Page 7

College scheme contractor praised for safety policies THE company building the multi-million pound Kirklees College campus in Huddersfield has won a top award for health and safety.

GMI Construction Group, main contractor on the college project at Chapel Hill, has gained a gold award in the prestigious RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2011.

The award will be presented at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, at the NEC in Birmingham.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents launched its awards programme 55 years ago. The scheme looks not only at accident records, but also entrants’ health and safety management systems, including important practices such as strong leadership and workforce involvement.

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “RoSPA firmly believes that organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in accident and

ill health prevention deserve recognition.

“GMI Construction Group has shown that it is committed to striving for such continuous improvement and we are delighted to honour it through the presentation of an award.”

Jarrod Best, managing director of Leeds-based GMI Construction, said: “We are delighted with our gold award and it’s great recognition for the work we have put into the promotion of safety at the workplace, particularly with our local school engagement initiatives.”

The majority of RoSPA’s awards are non-competitive, marking achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels.

Organisations maintaining high standards can win gold medals, president’s awards and orders of distinction.

Competitive awards are presented in more than 20 sectors and specialist awards recognise excellence in specific areas, such as the management of occupational road risk.

Property agency is fuelling interest in petrol stations A PROPERTY agency has been instructed to sell two petrol stations in West Yorkshire.

Christie + Co is offering Silsden Self Service on Keighley Road, Silsden, and Stepping Stones Service Station, Leeds Road, Ilkley, for sale as a pair at an asking price of £150,000 for the leasehold interest.

The sites operate under the Shell banner and are run under management. The businesses have been owned by the current owner for more

than 20 years and are being sold to allow him to concentrate on other business interests.

Nick Nunn, of Christie + Co in Leeds, said: “These two filling stations are approximately seven miles apart and could easily be integrated into an existing group or portfolio.

“They offer a new, enthusiastic owner huge scope to develop the forecourts and the shops and also introduce other facilities and income streams.”

City centre office lettings for CB Richard Ellis team

■ SUNNY OUTLOOK: Some of the residents of Holme Valley Court with Richard Conroy (far right) and Simon Crewe and Annette Elliott (second and third left), of Goldsborough Estates

management company that could guarantee to maintain the level of service that the residents have become used to with ourselves and who would always have their best interests at heart.

“We are sure that the team at Goldsborough Estates will manage Holme Valley Court to an extremely high standard, commensurate with its status as a prestigious, state of the art

retirement complex.”

Simon Crewe, managing director of Goldsborough Estates, said: “We are delighted to have signed a management agreement with the developers of Holme Valley Court.

“It is a beautiful building which will cater for all resident’s needs, while also allowing them to retain their independence.”

THE office agency team for CB Richard Ellis in West Yorkshire has secured two new lettings at a Leeds city centre building.

Acting on behalf of Evans Abstract Ltd, CB Richard Ellis has let 1,715sq ft on a five-year lease at Minerva House to recruitment consultancy Blackrock Executive Ltd. Iliad Solutions Ltd, which works with the world’s leading banks, retailers and card payment schemes to test all components of electronic payment systems, has taken 2,037sq ft on a five-year term.

Minerva House occupies a

prominent position in the heart of Leeds on East Parade and comprises 58,000sq ft of high quality office accommodation over nine floors.

Current tenants include The Sports Council, Templeton LPA, JMP Consultants, Heath Lambert and Royal Bank of Scotland.

The building consultancy team at CB Richard Ellis has refurbished the building’s common areas and the reception.

CB Richard Ellis and Jones Lang La Salle are marketing the remaining office suites which range in size from 1,500sq ft up to 20,000sq ft.

KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS

Ian Sheppard

Westin Design A COMPANY supplying kitchen extraction equipment has announced a major appointment.

Ian Sheppard (above, right) has been appointed managing director at Westin Design in succession to John Reed (left), who is retiring after 16 years with the Phoenix Mills company.

Mr Sheppard joins the firm when it has just posted a record sales year. He brings to the role a background in finance and operations, including previous positions at Bonmarché, Holland & Barrett and Lloyds Chemist Group.

Mr Reed, who lives at Meltham, has been credited with developing the business into a modern and innovative manufacturer of domestic cooker hoods and extraction systems.

Mr Sheppard, who lives at Stockport, will focus on maintaining and improving this position as well as driving the further use of technology and innovation.

He said: “Westin Design has built a reputation for delivering performance and design with the highest levels of customer service, all of which I am seeking to further build on.”

Movers and shakers

Page 8

New team with driving ambition

A NEW management team at a Huddersfield car dealership has made an instant impact.

H u d d e r s f i e l d Vo l k sw a g e n appointed four new sales and business centre managers in late 2010 to mark a new era for the Leeds Road site.

And in a successful start to the year, the showroom received praise for its improved customer service, which was monitored through mystery shopper reports and customer satisfaction surveys.

The team comprises new car sales manager Steve Rimmer, used car sales manager Shaun Cahill – both of Halifax – with new business managers Simon Fletcher, of Elland, and Kristian Keighley, from Mirfield.

Regional franchise director Robert Scaife said: “I’m delighted the customer satisfaction figures

have improved with the new team as the Huddersfield Volkswagen’s main focus to deliver exceptional customer service.

“Steve and Shaun have given the sales team a boost with Simon and Kristian overseeing the business centre.

“They are ensuring businesses in the area, both big and small, receive a first class service.”

The four have more than 60 years’ experience in the automotive industry – a fact that is already benefiting staff and customers alike.

Said Mr Scaife: “This retailer has enormous potential and I’m pleased the initial hard work has paid off.

“I know the continued hard work of all staff will help give Huddersfield Volkswagen the positive reputation the brand deserves.”

■ NEW DEAL: Huddersfield Volkswagen’s management team of (from left) Simon Fletcher, Shaun Cahill, Steve Rimmer and Kristian Keighley

An offer they can’t refuse

Suzanna Gallagher

Town Centre Securities PROPERTY company Town Centre Securities PLC has appointed Suzanne Gallagher as asset manager.

Ms Gallagher (pictured) was formerly with Strutt and Parker.

Her new role will include managing Town Centre Securities’ 13-acre mixed-use Piccadilly Basin Manchester development.

■ WELL-DESERVED: Penny Clancy receives her long service award from Trevor Chippendale (right) and Neil Gledhill

Well-timed gift for stalwart Penny A TEXTILE worker has been rewarded for 25 years of loyal service.

Penny Clancy, who works in the winding department at Holmfirth firm Westwood Yarns, received a watch from managing director Trevor Chippendale and operations director Neil Gledhill.

Penny, who lives in Holmfirth and has worked in the department for most of her time with the firm, becomes the 11th current employee to complete 25 years with the carpet yarn manufacturer, which is part of Victoria Carpets PLC. Mr Chippendale said: “The long service awards are a testament to our dedicated and loyal workforce who are a valuable asset to our business.”

■ TEAM WORK: Peter Branson (left), chief executive of Huddersfield charity The Forget Me Not Trust, with Geoff Shepherd, founder of The Yorkshire Mafia, and Tracey Hopkins, business development director at Howarths HR and Employment Law REGIONAL business networking suppliers knowing that I wouldn’t group The Yorkshire Mafia has receive an inbox full of spam as a brought together two Kirklees result. organisations.

“Howarths supplied the service When Peter Branson, chief offer which matched up to what I was executive of Huddersfield’s Forget Me looking for – and at a great price.”

Not Children’s Hospice, posted a Tracey Hopkins, business request on the Yorkshire Mafia’s development director at Howarths LinkedIn site for a human resources said: “This just shows that the and employment law provider, a Yorkshire Mafia LinkedIn site is very number of locally-based businesses powerful and is generating business responded to register their interest. between Yorkshire companies.

As a result, Peter was able to hold “We are proof that it works and can a number of meetings with interested generate genuine leads and referrals parties before identifying his for companies in the area.” preferred partner. Now Geoff Shepherd, co-founder of The Cleckheaton-based Howarths has Yorkshire Mafia, said: “This is what secured the contract to supply HR the Yorkshire Mafia is all about – and employment law services to the bringing Yorkshire businesses charity. together to share, learn and Said Peter: “The process was ultimately trade.

“We bring thousands of business simple and effective. All I had to do together online and offline and I’m was submit my request and local really pleased that we’ve able to businesses were able to contact me facilitate another deal between direct. It saves time and as the site is members.” approved I was able to ask for

Simon Crossley

Applebys A LAW firm in Huddersfield has made a senior appointment.

Simon Crossley, a senior litigation executive, has joined Applebys Solicitors at Westbourne Road, Marsh.

Mr Crossley joins Applebys having gained over 20 years of experience dealing with cases involving industrial disease and especially industrial deafness and vibration white finger – an illness characterised by the loss of feeling in the fingers and often brought about by the use of vibrating machinery.

Mr Crossley is experienced in dealing with all aspects of a victim’s claim. He has dealt with cases involving steel workers, miners and mill workers.

Amin Ullah, principal of Applebys Solicitors, said: “We are really excited that Simon has joined us. With over 20 years of experience in industrial disease personal injury claims and especially industrial deafness and vibration white finger, he will make a big contribution to an already strong team.”

Mr Crossley’s experience has included working for Irwin Mitchells and Graysons Solicitors.